• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.125-140
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine from various angles the protective effect of Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) against nerve cell death induced by $\beta$-amyloid by using the cell line SH-SY5Y, which is commonly utilized for toxicity testing in nerve cells, and to find out its mechanism of action. Methods : To begin with, as a result of assessing the rate of cell survival by employing MTT reduction assay, the treatment with $\beta$-amyloid at different concentrations caused cytotoxicity, which was inhibited by preprocessing GEB extract. In addition, after $\beta$-amyloid was processed with the cell SH-SY5Y, apoptosis progressed, which was reduced effectively by processing GEB extract. Results : When cytotoxicity was caused by using hydrogen peroxide, a representative ROS, in order to examine the antioxidant effect of GEB, its protective effect was also observed. Apart from ROS, reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are also known to play a crucial role in nerve cell death. The treatment with the NO donor SNAP increased the production of nitric oxide and the expression of iNOS, which was also inhibited by GEB extract. Meanwhile, as an attempt to find out the mechanism of action explaining the antioxidant effect, the intracellular antioxidant enzyme expressions were measured by RT-PCR, which showed that GEB extract increased the expressions of heme oxygenase-1, GAPDH and $\gamma$-glutamate cysteine ligase. Lastly, GEB extract had a protective effect against impaired memory induced by scopolamine in animal models (in vivo). Conclusions : These findings indicate that GEB has a protective effect against the death of cranial nerve cells, suggesting possibilities for the prevention and treatment of AD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.1 s.68
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• pp.124-131
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• 2005

The regulation of gene expression plays an important rolet in cell cycle controls. In this study, a novel $mas3^+$ (mitosis associated protein) gene, a homolog of human SMARCADl, was isolated and characterized from a fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The overall homology between the helicase proteins of the two species is $87\%$. This DEAD/H box-containing molecule has seven highly conserved sequence regions that allow us to place it in the SNF2 family of the helicase superfamily. Knock-out cell of $mas3^+$ gene was constructed using kanMX6 as a selection marker. Survival of mas3 null mutant exposed to UV or MMS was similar to those of wild type cells. $mas3^+$ expression was lowest at $G_2$ and gradually increased. Cytokinesis of mas3 null mutant was abnormal at $26^{\circ}C\;and\;35^{\circ}C$ and a large number of multi-septate cells were produced. These results indicate that the $mas3^+$ is involved in cytokinesis and cell shape control.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.389-398
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• 2018

This study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-amyloid activities of the extract (KP-HE) from Kalopanax pictus (KP) fermented with Hericium erinaceum (HE) mycelium. Antioxidant activity was evaluated based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical(ABTS) scavenging assays. In all assays, the extracts from KP, HE and KP-HE had the potential for antioxidant activities. However, antioxidant activity of KP-HE significantly scavenged DPPH radical as compared to the KP and HE. The result suggested that the antioxidant component was increased in the process of KP fermented with HE. KP-HE was shown to significantly inhibite peroxyl radical-mediated DNA strand breakage whereas KP and HE did not inhibit DNA strand breakage. The aggregation of the amyloid-${\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) peptide is involved in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease(AD). In this study, the effects of KP, HE and KP-HE on the aggregation of $A{\beta}_{1-42}$ were investigated. KP and HE had little effect on $A{\beta}$ aggregation and KP-HE effectively inhibited $A{\beta}$ aggregation. KP-HE effectively inhibited $A{\beta}$ induced cell death and significantly increased of the 20.3% cell survival at $300{\mu}g/mL$ concentration. KP-HE also decreased intracellular reactive oxygen specie levels in $A{\beta}$-treated cells. The results suggested that KP-HE had antioxidant and anti-amyloid activities. Therefore, KP-HE could potentially be used as a valuable functional food ingredient to prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.375-382
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• 2010

In present study, five strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus GK20, Lactobacillus brevis GK55, Lactobacillus paracasei GK74, Lactobacillus plantarum GK81, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides GK104 isolated from the mustard leaf kimchi were investigated for resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant activity. L. acidophilus GK20, L. brevis GK55, L. paracasei GK74, and L. plantarum GK81 were resistant to hydrogen peroxide (0.5 mM), showing a survival rate of 50% or more. In particular, L. acidophilus GK20 and L. paracasei GK74 were the most superoxide anions-resistant and L. paracasei GK74 and L. plantarum GK81 were most likely survive hydroxyl radicals. Meanwhile, the intracellular cell-free extract (ICFE) from L. plantarum GK81 exhibited significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging values ($96.4{\pm}2.8%$) than the intact cells (IC). The ICFE of L. plantarum GK81 showed the highest superoxide radical scavenging ability and chelating activity for $Fe^{2+}$ ions among the 5 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) tested, and IC and ICFE from L. plantarum GK81 demonstrated excellent reducing activity, which was higher than those of BHA and vitamin C as a positive control.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.719-730
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• 2014

The hot water extract from Artemisia capillaris fermented with Hericium erinaceum mycelium (AC-HE) were assessed for the protection against oxidative modification of biological macromolecules and cell death. Antioxidant activity of AC-HE evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical and peroxyl radical scavenging assays. AC-HE showed 61.73% DPPH radical scavenging activity at $500{\mu}g/mL$, 97.39% ABTS radical scavenging activity at $250{\mu}g/mL$, and 44.18% peroxyl radical scavenging activity at $100{\mu}g/mL$. AC-HE were shown to significantly inhibited DNA strand breakage induced by peroxyl radical. AC-HE also prevented peroxyl radical-mediated human serum albumin modification. AC-HE effectively inhibited $H_2O_2$ induced cell death and significantly increased of the 11.47% cell survival at $100{\mu}g/mL$. AC-HE also decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in $H_2O_2$-treated cells. The results suggested that AC-HE can contribute to antioxidant and protected cells from oxidative stress-induced cell injury.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2007

Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) has been as an model animal for studing the neurological disease such as stroke and epilepsy because of the congenital incompleteries in Willis circle, as well as the investigation of water metabolism because of the long time-survival in the condition of water-deprived desert condition, compared with other species animal. Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) expressed at the surface of principal cells in collecting duct results from an equilibrium between the AQP2 in intracellular vesicles and the AQP2 on the plasma membrane. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), which is expressed in cell in a wide range of organ, is also present in the collecting duct principal cells where this is abundant in the basolateral plasma membranes and represent potential exit pathways from the cell for water entering via AQP2. In this research, we divide 3 groups of which each group include the 5 animals. In the study of 7 or 14 days water restricted condition, we investigated the AQP2 and AQP4 by using a quantitative immunohistochemistry in the kidney. The results obtained in this study were summarized as followings. AQP2 is abundant in the apical plasma membrane and apical vesicles in the collecting duct principal cell and at rare abundance in connecting tubules. In the water-deprived Mongolian gerbil kidney, expression of AQP2 was continuosly increased in the cortical collecting duct and inner medullary collecting duct. This increase was both the apical region and cytoplasm. AQP4 is mainly expressed in the inner medulla, although some expression is also noted in the more proximal segment. In the water-deprived Mongolian gerbil kidney, AQP4 was also increased in the inner medullary collecting duct. Immunoactivity was increased in entire inner medullary collecting duct and newly detected in cytoplasm of principal cell. These findings suggest that increased levels of AQP2 and AQP4 in the cortical and inner medulalry collecting duct may play a important role for maintain fluid balance in the water-deprived kidney.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.433-452
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• 1997

Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) has been as an animal model for studing the neurological diseases such as stroke and epilepsy because of the congenital incompleteries in Willis circle, as well as the investigation of water metabolism because of the long time-survival in the condition of water-deprived desert condition, compared with other species animals. In order to accomplish the this research, first of all another divided the laboratory animals 5 groups of which each group include the 5 animals. In this study were investigated the histological structure in the kidney, measured the plasma osmolalities at the time of sacrifice of indivisual animals, and the body weights every day during water-deprived. The results obtained in this study were summarized as followings: 1. The body weights and decreasing rates of the body weight in water-deprived mongolian gerbil groups were continuosly decreased. 2. The plasma osmolalities were increased from the 5th water-deprived day, after then the gradually increasing reached nearly its equilibrium state at the 10th water-deprived day. 3. The urine volumes were abruptly decreased from the 2th water-deprived day, after then the gradually decreasing patterns were reached nearly its equilibrium state at the 10th day, and stopped the 11th day. 4. In the light microscopical observation of the kidney, glomerular capillary loop thickening, mesangial matrix increasing, sclerosis, glomerular cystic atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, tubular dilatation, mononuclear interstitial inflammation, interstitial mineralization, and hyperplasia of the collecting duct epithelium in the cortex area, were observed from the 10th water deprived day, and the lesions were gradually severe changed as the time lapse. 5. In the electron microscopical findings of the kidney, the degenerative changes of endothelial cell, podocyte and mesangial cell in glomeruli were initially observed on the 10th water-deprived day as well as the degeneration of microvilli and intracellular organelle in the renal tubules.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2002

Background and Objectives : Sulfur dioxide gas is one of the major airborne Pollutants noxious to human in industrialized countries. The most vulnerable areas in the human respiratory system were the trachea and main bronchi and a gradient of decreasing damage was observed in the peripheral tracheobronchial tree. Induced functional alteration was increased mucosal permeability, and morphological changes were epithelial sloughing, intracellular edema, mitochondrial swelling, widened intercellular spaces, and ciliary cytoplamic extrusions. The laminins are a family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins localized in the basement membrane. Their primary role is cell-matrix attachment, but many additional biologic activities, including Promoting cell growth and migration, tumor growth and metastasis, wound repair, and graft survival, have been demonstrated. Materials and Methods : Histologic changes and expression of laminin in tracheal mucosa sacrificed at 1 day, 2 day, 3 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks after continued SO2 exposure of 250 ppm for 30 minutes a day(to 7week) were studied in rats. In this study, mild immune reaction for laminin was noted at the apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells and basement membrane one day after a 7 week $SO_2$ exposure. The cilia and nucleoi of epithelial cells were normal and no immune reaction was noted in Goblet cells. The lamina propria of the tracheal tissue was infiltrated by monocytes and lymphocytes. Results : At 24 hours after exposure, all tracheal cells except Goblet cells revealed a mild immune reaction for laminin. No immune reactions were noted in the basement membrane. At 72 hours after exposure, mild or moderate immune reactions for laminin was seen in the tracheal cell cytoplasm. Irregular faint immune reaction for laminin was noted in the basement membrane. At 1 week after exposure, strong immune reaction for laminin was detected over all tracheal cells, and the basement membrane was seen clearly. At 2~3 weeks after exposure, strong immune reaction for laminin was seen in all tracheal epithelial cells except Goblet cells and a mild immune reaction was partly revealed in the basement membrane. Conclusion : Our study suggests that 502 produces histologic damage on the tracheal mucosa. Longer duration after exposure of $SO_2$ makes more progressive healing on the tracheal mucosa and increased immunoreactivity for laminin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.462-469
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• 2013

Withaferin A is a steroidal lactone purified from the Indian medicinal plant Withania somnifera. It exhibits a wide variety of activities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, and immunomodulation properties. In this review, we focused on the anti-cancer effects of withaferin A. Withaferin A inhibits cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis in cancer cells. Furthermore, it sensitized irradiation, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-, and doxorubicin-mediated apoptosis. The results showed that multiple mechanisms were involved in withaferin A-mediated anti-cancer effects. First, withaferin A increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and induced ER stress- and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Second, withaferin A inhibited the signaling pathways (Jak/STAT, Akt, Notch, and c-Met), which are important in cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. Third, it induced apoptosis and inhibited cancer cell migration through the up-regulation of prostate apoptosis protein-4 (Par-4). Finally, withaferin A up-regulated pro-apoptotic protein expression levels through the inhibition of proteasome activity. Our findings suggested that withaferin A is a potential, potent therapeutic agent.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.402-409
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• 2006

Although microorganisms are, in fact, the most diverse and abundant type of organism on Earth, the ecological functions of microbial populations remains poorly understood. A variety of bacteria including marine Vibrios encounter numerous ecological challenges, such as UV light, predation, competition, and seasonal variations in seawater including pH, salinity, nutrient levels, temperature and so forth. In order to survive and proliferate under variable conditions, they have to develop elaborate means of communication to meet the challenges to which they are exposed. In bacteria, a range of biological functions have recently been found to be regulated by a population density-dependent cell-cell signaling mechanism known as quorum-sensing (QS). In other words, bacterial cells sense population density by monitoring the presence of self-produced extracellular autoinducers (AI). N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-dependent quorum-sensing was first discovered in two luminescent marine bacteria, Vibrio fischeri and Vibrio harveyi. The LuxI/R system of V. fischeriis the paradigm of Gram-negative quorum-sensing systems. At high population density, the accumulated signalstrigger the expression of target genes and thereby initiate a new set of biological activities. Several QS systems have been identified so far. Among them, an AHL-dependent QS system has been found to control biofilm formation in several bacterial species, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Burkholderia cepacia, and Serratia liquefaciens. Bacterial biofilm is a structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix that adheres to an inert or living surface. Extracellular signal molecules have been implicated in biofilm formation. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain NT1(traR, tra::lacZ749) and Chromobacterium violaceum strain CV026 are used as biosensors to detect AHL signals. Quorum sensing in lactic acid bacteria involves peptides that are directly sensed by membrane-located histidine kinases, after which the signal is transmitted to an intracellular regulator. In the nisin autoregulation process in Lactococcus lactis, the NisK protein acts as the sensor for nisin, and NisR protein as the response regulator activatingthe transcription of target genes. For control over growth and survival in bacterial communities, various strategies need to be developed by which receptors of the signal molecules are interfered with or the synthesis and release of the molecules is controlled. However, much is still unknown about the metabolic processes involved in such signal transduction and whether or not various foods and food ingredients may affect communication between spoilage or pathogenic bacteria. In five to ten years, we will be able to discover new signal molecules, some of which may have applications in food preservation to inhibit the growth of pathogens on foods.