• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.189-193
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• 2009

Hypoxia inducible factor $1\alpha$ (HIF-$1\alpha$) is a potential marker of carcicnogenesis since it is overexpresssed in many human cancers such as brain, breast, and uterus, and its role has implicated in tumor cell growth and metastasis. In this study, we established a stable cell line that express green fluorescence protein (GFP)-fused hypoxia inducible factor $1\alpha$ (HIF-$1\alpha$) and evaluated the potential use of this cell line for assessment of carcinogenicity of chemical toxicants. Western blot analysis as well as fluorescence measurements showed that protein-level of GFP-HIF-$1\alpha$ was significantly enhanced in a dose-dependent manner upon treatment of hypoxia mimicking agents such as dexferrioxamine and $CoCl_2$. Well-Known tumor promoters such as mitomycin and methyl methanesulfonate. significantly induced the fluorescence intensity of GFP-HIF-$1\alpha$, whereas the known negative controls such as o-anthranilic acid and benzethonium chloride, did not. These results indicate that HIF-$1\alpha$ could be a biological parameter for detection of tumor initiators/promoters and suggest that the GFP-HIF-$1\alpha$ cell line is a useful system for screening of carcinogenic toxicants.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2018

It has been demonstrated that vanadate causes nephrotoxicity. Vanadate inhibits renal sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na, K-ATPase) activity and this is more pronounced in injured renal tissues. Cardiac cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is enhanced by vanadate, while increased cAMP suppresses Na, K-ATPase action in renal tubular cells. There are no in vivo data collectively demonstrating the effect of vanadate on renal cAMP levels; on the abundance of the alpha 1 isoform (${\alpha}_1$) of the Na, K-ATPase protein or its cellular localization; or on renal tissue injury. In this study, rats received a normal saline solution or vanadate (5 mg/kg BW) by intraperitoneal injection for 10 days. Levels of vanadium, cAMP, and malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation were measured in renal tissues. Protein abundance and the localization of renal ${\alpha}_1-Na$, K-ATPase was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Renal tissue injury was examined by histological evaluation and renal function was assessed by blood biochemical parameters. Rats treated with vanadate had markedly increased vanadium levels in their plasma, urine, and renal tissues. Vanadate significantly induced renal cAMP and MDA accumulation, whereas the protein level of ${\alpha}_1-Na$, K-ATPase was suppressed. Vanadate caused renal damage, azotemia, hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia. Fractional excretions of all studied electrolytes were increased with vanadate administration. These in vivo findings demonstrate that vanadate might suppress renal ${\alpha}_1-Na$, K-ATPase protein functionally by enhancing cAMP and structurally by augmenting lipid peroxidation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.65-83
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• 2005

The three important phases in the development of ligand immunoassays are identified and summarized. The competitive radiolabelled hormone measurement had been developed in the first and early in the second generations(1950s to 1960s), such as radioimmunoassays(RIA) or immunoradiometric(saturation) assays(IRMA), and used in all most of the hormone and also analyte in biological samples. In the second generation, ultrasensitive non-isotopic immunoassays(NIA) were developed using monoclonal antibodies(McAb), labelling the McAb and high specific activity non-isotopic labels. After their usefulness, advantages and disadvantages has been evaluated and non-competitive methods are discussed. The chip/microarray based multianalyte ligand assays(microspot or genechip methods) are developed and known as alternative ones in the third generation. We summarize the developments of NIAs and its usefulness, and then introduce briefly the new ligand assays.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.205-213
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• 2011

Ethanol treatment during the brain growth spurt period has been known to induce the death of Purkinje cells. The underlying molecular mechanisms and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in triggering ethanol-induced Purkinje cell death are, however, largely unresolved. We undertook TUNEL staining, western blotting assay and immunohistochemistry for the cleaved forms of caspase-3 and -9, with calbindin D28K double immunostaining to identify apoptotic Purkinje cells. The possibility of ROS-induced Purkinje cell death was immunohistochemically determined by using anti-8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a specific cellular marker for oxidative damage. The results show that Purkinje cell death of PD 5 rat cerebellum following ethanol administration is mediated by the activation of caspase-3 and -9. However, unexpectedly, TUNEL staining did not reveal any positive Purkinje cells while there were some TUNEL-positive cells in the internal and external granular layer. 8-OHdG was detected in the Purkinje cell layers at 8 h, peaked at 12-24 h, but not at 30 h post-ethanol treatment. No 8-0HdG immunoreactive cells were detected in the internal and external granular layer. The lobule specific 8-OHdG staining patterns following ethanol exposure are consistent with that of ethanol-induced Purkinje cell loss. Thus, we suggest that ethanol-induced Purkinje cell death may not occur by the classical apoptotic pathway and oxidative damage is involved in ethanol-induced Purkinje cell death in the developing cerebellum.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate the absorption properties of ketoprofen. The in-situ perfusion model has advantages over in vitro models as it provides intact lymphatic and blood flow circulation. The absorption properties of six different concentrations of ketoprofen have been studied in single pass in-situ rat intestine model. $^{14}C-PEG$ 4000 was used as a permeability marker and the possibility of an energy dependent contribution to ketoprofen absorption was also Investigated using the metabolic inhibitor sodium azide. Three different concentrations of sodium azide were studied to examine its effect on absorption of ketoprofen from the rat intestine. The findings of this study suggest that mono-carboxylic type drugs like ketoprofen cause permeability changes in the intestine. This is shown by the increase in absorption of $^{14}C-PEG$ 4000 as the concentration of ketoprofen is increased. However, the trend for ketoprofen permeability is to decrease over the concentration ranges. It was observed that the Papp values for ketoprofen with sodium azide shows a trend towards reduction in the amount of ketoprofen absorbed from the rat intestine which was significantly different (p<0.05) from that of ketoprofen with sodium azide 3.0mM. This indicates that sodium azide has an affect on the absorption of ketoprofen. The pH of all the perfusion solutions was altered to ${\sim}pH\;6.7$ by the buffering capacity of the small intestine secretions. The results suggest that mechanisms other than passive diffusion may be involved in ketoprofen absorption. This would be consistent with the involvement of active transport or saturatable processes in the absorption of drugs containing monocarboxylic acid group, as has been previously suggested from in vitro data.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.115-119
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• 2015

${\beta}$-cyclodextrin has an ability to protect compounds from oxidative reaction by collecting them within its ring-like structure. So, In harsh condition ($40^{\circ}C$), marker compound, quercetin, was dramatically reduced in Hovenia dulcis fruit extract containing dextrin at 4 and 8 week compared to 0 week, but not that containing ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin. To evaluate the effects of dextrin and ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin on protective effect of H.dulcis fruit extract against alcohol-induced liver damage, The mice were orally injected alcohol, H. dulcis fruit extract/dextrin (HD) and H. dulcis fruit extract/${\beta}$-cyclodextrin (HCD), respectively, for 7 days. The mice orally administrated with alcohol significantly enhanced the serum concentration of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum compared to the control group. HD and HCD significantly decreased the levels of serum ALT and AST and serum LDH activities compared to alcohol group. And also alcohol group significantly increased the level of total cholesterol compared to the control group, but HD and HCD significantly reduced it compared to the alcohol group. However, the levels of TG in blood were not significantly changed in all groups. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) were significantly increased in HD and HCD group although those of aldehyde dehydrogenase showed an increasing tendency. This data suggested that HD and HCD were able to induce alcohol degradation in the liver tissues. All together, the results showed that HCD demonstrated their ability to protect liver from alcohol-induced damage on equal terms with HD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.795-800
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• 2010

Purpose: B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is a tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member best known for its role in the survival and maturation of B cells. BAFF activity is observed in naive cells as well as in effector/memory T cells. We aimed to explore whether BAFF in sputum is expressed at elevated levels in asthmatic airways and associated with eosinophilic inflammation, pulmonary function, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in children. Methods: One hundred and fifty-four asthmatic children and 98 healthy children were enrolled in the study. Sputum supernatants were collected and sputum BAFF and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were measured. We performed pulmonary function tests and methacholine challenge tests, while measuring total eosinophil count, total serum IgE, and serum ECP in all subjects. Results: Asthmatic children had significantly higher levels of BAFF in induced sputum [26.50 (10.50-100.27) pg/mL] compared to healthy children [18.32 (7.68-44.63) pg/mL; $P$=0.011]. Sputum BAFF positively correlated with sputum eosinophils (${\gamma}$=0.406, $P$<0.001) and sputum ECP (${\gamma}$=0.789, $P$<0.001). Significant negative correlations were found between sputum BAFF and FEV1 (${\gamma}$=-0.291, $P$<0.001) or post-bronchodilator FEV1 (${\gamma}$=-0.334, $P$<0.001), whereas nonsignificant correlations were found between sputum BAFF and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, serum eosinophil count, and serum ECP. Conclusion: These findings suggest that BAFF may play a role in childhood asthma, and BAFF levels in sputum could be a supportive marker that represents airway inflammation, especially eosinophilic inflammation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1490-1495
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• 2007

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) is a member of the IGF super family, and regulates the action of IGFs. The polymorphism of porcine IGFBP-4 gene in 17 pig breeds (total n = 570) was detected by PCR-SSCP, and alleles A and B were detected. In these pig breeds, it was found that exotic pig breeds carried high frequencies of allele A, while Chinese native pig breeds carried high frequencies of allele B. The role of porcine IGFBP-4 was investigated in 172 F2 offspring of a $Lantang{\times}Lantang $ population. Forty eight growth traits were recorded for analyzing the association between IGFBP-4 gene polymorphism and quantitative performance traits. In this resource family, pigs with AA genotype had higher fore-body weight, bone weight of mid-body, bone weight of rear-body, fore-leg weight and rear-leg weight than those pigs with BB genotype (p<0.05); while pigs which carried BB genotype had higher back-fat thickness at C point and lard weight than those pigs with AA genotype (p<0.05); pigs with AA genotype had higher body weight than those with BB genotype; for meat quality traits, pigs with AA genotype had higher meat color than those of BB genotype (p<0.01), and pigs with BB genotype had higher marbling than those of AA and AB genotypes (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively).Based on these results, it is necessary to do more studies on IGFBP-4 before using the IGFBP-4 locus for the application of marker-assisted selection programs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1799-1808
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• 2006

A food-grade integration vector based on site-specific recombination was constructed. The 5.7-kb vector, pIMA20, contained an integrase gene and a phage attachment site originating from bacteriophage A2, with the ${\alpha}$-galactosidase gene from Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC 3104 as a selection marker. pIMA20 was also equipped with a controllable promoter of nisA ($P_{nisA}$) and a signal peptide-encoding sequence of usp45 ($SP_{usp45}$) for the production and secretion of foreign proteins. pIMA20 and its derivatives mediated site-specific integration into the attB-like site on the Lactococcus lactis NZ9800 chromosome. The vector-integrated recombinant lactococci were easily detected by the appearance of blue colonies on a medium containing $X-{\alpha}-gal$ and also by their ability to grow on a medium containing melibiose as the sole carbon source. Recombinant lactococci maintained these traits in the absence of selection pressure during 100 generations. The ${\alpha}-amylase$ gene from Bacillus licheniformis, lacking a signal peptide-encoding. sequence, was inserted downstream of $P_{nisA}\;and\;SP_{usp45}$ in pIMA20, and the plasmid was integrated into the L. lactis chromosome. ${\alpha}-Amylase$ was successfully produced and secreted by the recombinant L. lactis, controlled by the addition and concentration of nisin.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to develop the diagnosis techniques for sex determination of rabbit embryos at preimplantation stage. To detect male specific sequences using polymerase chain reaction, two genes functional on sex determination including SRY and ZFX/Y genes were targeted using multiple oligonucleotide primer sets. Three of them for conserved SRY gene were used for appropriate amplification pattern, and then only one primer set #3 proved to be most efficient, showing male-specific strong signal ofamplified sequences. Using this male specific bandsfrom human, cattle, pig and mouse, the gender of rabbit was determined. As an another system for sex determination system, amplified 910bp fragment from ZFX/Y was digested with several restriction endonuclease and showed gender specific restriction fragments only by Hinf I. Using two different system for sex identification of rabbit in this study, blind tests for 17 samples was conducted and showed identical results from two different methods. And then, amplification limit of PCR reaction for template DNA was estimated using various amounts of DNA for both SRY and ZFX/Y systems, resulted as 20pg and 800pg, respectively. With this results, test for gender identification of rabbit embryos were performed using SRY derived amplification system. From total 22 embryos selected for its developmental state 18 were identified as male embryos, showing significant difference from expected sex ratio 1:1. This biased sex ratio was interpreted as to have been caused by the fact, reported by the fact, reported by several researchers, that male embryos develop more rapidly and are more resistant against the in vitro manipulation than female embryos.