• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2008

The histochemical characteristics and ultrastructure of the mantle in the spiny top shell, Batillus cornutus were described using light and electron microscopy. The simple epidermal layer wrapped on the top and bottom of the centrally located connective tissue. And then the epidermal layer were divided into the outer epidermal layer near a shell and the inner epidermal layer closed to the visceral mass. The connective tissue layer was composed of the collagen fiber muscularfiber bundle and hemolymph sinus. Mucous cells in the apical mantle contained acid and neutral mucopolysaccaride, and acidic carboxylated mucopolysaccaride in the mid and marginal mantle. The mantle thickness, epidermal layer thickness and hemolymph sinus area displayed a trend of reduction from the marginal zone to the apical zone. From TEM observation, it was possible to distinguish epithelium, ciliated cell, absorptive cell and secretory cell in the epidermal layer. The epithelia were columnar and the nucleus was elliptical. The free surface were covered with microvilli. The lateral membranes of epithelium was con nected with neighboring cells by the zonular occludens, zonular adherens and membrane interdigitation. Ciliated cell on free surface had cilia and microvilli, and numerous mitochondria in the apical cytoplasm. In the epidermal layer, it observed 2 type cells having absorptive function. The absorptive cells were columnar in shape, and contained microvilli, pinocytotic vesicles, mitochondria and lysosomes of various electron density. Secretory cells can be divided into four types (A, B, C, D) depending on the cell shape and characteristics of secretory granules. These cells were unicellular glands and had similar characteristics to previously reported on the mantle of the gastropod and bivalves.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of four different media (NCSU (North Carolina State University)-23, PZM (Porcine Zygotes Medium)-3, PZM-4 and TCM (Tissue Culture Medium)-l99) and two oxygen concentrations (39 , 5% $O_2$, 5% $CO_2$ and 90% $N_2$, 5% $CO_2$ in air) on in vitro production of porcine IVM/IVF embryos. The results were summarized as follows: The rates of GVBD and nuclear maturations were not significantly different (p>0.05) for 44 hours of culture with four media in two oxygen concentrations. The rates of polyspermy, penetrated sperm(s) and male and female prouclei formation were not significantly different (p>0.05). among four media in two oxygen concentrations. The cleavage rates were not significantly different (p>0.05) among four media in two oxygen concentrations. At day 7 under gas atmosphere of 5% $O_2$, 5% $CO_2$ and 90% $N_2$, the blastocyst formation was significantly higher (p<0.05) in PZM-3 (19.9$\pm$2.4) than other media. Also, NCSU-23 medium gave high rate of blastocyst formation at day 7 under gas atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$ in air (p<0.05). Based on the result of differential staining of porcine blastocyst at dat 7, inner cell mass cell and total cell numbers were not significantly different (p>0.05) among four media in two oxygen concentrations. However, the observed total cell number was higher in PZM-3 medium (36.8$\pm$6.5) than other madia. In conclusion, these results suggested that in vitro production of porcine embryos in PZM-3 medium under a gas atmosphere of 5% $O_2$, 5% $CO_2$ and 90% $N_2$ was effective on the blastocyst formation rate and total blastocyst cell number.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.201-205
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to investigative the effects of amino acids supplementation on maturation, fertilization and embryo development of pig oocytes. Essential amino acids (EA), non-essential amino acids (NA) or both amino acids (EA + NA) were supple-mented to North Carolina State University (NCSU) 23 medium containing porcine follicular fluid (pFF). When the amino acids were supplemented to the maturation medium, the maturation rates were higher (p<0.05) in the NA group than control ($83.3{\pm}0.04\%\;versus\;70.0{\pm}0.05\%$, but the subsequent cleavage rates and development to morula and blstocyst stage between aminoacid supplement groups and control were not different. The developmental rates to morula and blastocysts stage were not significantly different regardless of amino acid supplementation to culture medium. In addition, supplementation of amino acids did not significantly affect the rate of fertilization and polyspermy. When the amino acids were supplement to culture medium, the number of trophectodermal (TE) cells was significantly (p<0.05) higher in amino acid supplement group than that of control ($18.6{\pm}0.5\;versus\;16.1{\pm}0.6$), whereas the numbers of inner cell mass (ICM) cells were not different among the treaonent groups and control ($29.0{\pm}0.9\~31.5{\pm}1.2$). Total cell number was also significantly (p<0.05) higher in EANA group ($50.0{\pm}1.0$) than that of control group ($44.2{\pm}1.1$). These results indicate that the amino acid supplementation to maturation and culture medium may not significantly stimulate early embryo development, but may improve the TE cell number of blastocyst stage in the pig.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2002

Embryonic stem cells(ES cells) are derived from the inner cell mass(ICM) of blastocysts, which have the potentials to remain undifferentiated, to proliferate indefinitely in vitro, to differentiate into the derivates of three embryonic germ layers. ES cells are an attractive model system for studying the initial developmental decisions and their molecular mechanisms during embryogenesis. Additionally, ES cells of significant interest to those characterizing the various gene functions utilizing transgenic and gene targeting techniques. We investigated the effects of reproductive hormones, gonadotropins(GTH) and steroids on the induction of differentiation and expressions of their receptor genes using the newly established mouse ES cells. We collected the matured blastocysts of inbred mice C57BL/6J after superovulation and co-cultured with mitotically inactivated STO feeder cells. After 5 passages, we confirmed the expression alkaline phosphatase(Alk P) activity and SSEA-1, 3, 4 expressions. The protocol devised for inducing ES differentiation consisted of an aggregation steps, after 5 days as EBs in hormone treatments(FSH, LH, E$_2$, P$_4$, T) that allows complex signaling to occur between the cells and a dissociation step, induced differentiation through attachment culture during 7 days in hormone treatments. Hormone receptors were not increased in dose-dependent manner. All hormone receptors in ES cells treated reproductive hormones were expressed lower than those of undifferentiated ES cell except for LHR expression in E$_2$-treated ES cells group. After hormone induced differentiation, at least some of the cells are not terminally differentiated, as is evident from the expression of Oct-4, a marker of undifferentiated. To assess their differentiation by gene expression, we analyzed the expression of 7 tissue-specific markers from all three germ layers. Most of hormone-treated group increased in the expression of gata-4 and $\alpha$ -fetoprotein, suggesting reproductive hormone allowed or induced differentiation of endoderm.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2003

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival rate of vitrified blastocyst according to the freezing vessels, equilibration time in cryoprotectant and artificial dehydration method. Methods: Human blastocysts were vitrified after loading onto the plastic straw, open-pulled straw (OPS), electron microscopy grid (EM grid) for 1.5 min or 3 min. They also were directly plunged into LN2 within 30sec. For artificial shrinkage of blastocysts, 36 gauge fine needle was pushed at the cellular junction of the trophectoderm into the blstocoele cavity until it shrank without damage of inner cell mass. Results: The survival rate of vitrified blastocysts on plastic straw, OPS, EM grid as freezing vessels were 26.7, 13.0 and 60.5%, respectively. The survival rate of EM grid was significantly higher than that of plastic straw and OPS (p<0.05). For 1.5 min equilibrium, the survival rates of early blastocyst (EB), middle blastocyst (MB) and late blastocyst (LB) were 64.4, 81.0, and 20.0% respectively. For 3 min equilibrium, the survival rates of EB, MB, and LB were 69.9, 50.0 and 57.5% respectively. The survival rates of EB and MB were significantly higher than that of LB in 1.5 min equilibrium group (p<0.05), however, the significance was not observed in 3 min equilibrium groups. In cytoplasmic shrinkage before vitrification, the survival rates of EB, MB and LB were 92.9, 100 and 75.9% respectively. The survival rate of MB was significantly higher than that of LB (p<0.05). The survival rates of vitrified blastocysts by artificial dehydration and slow-frozen blastocysts were not significantly different as 88.9 and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that the vitrification of human blastocysts using EM grid and artificial dehydration is an effective method. Therefore, these methods would be an useful techniques for blastocyst cryopreservation.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2009

Chinese minnow, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus is a teleost belonging to Leuciscinae, Cyprinidae. The oogenesis and ultrastructure of egg envelope in Chinese minnow were investigated by light and electron microscopes. The ovary was of white yellowish and ellipsoidal shape with the major axis 30 mm and the minor axis 7mm. Cytoplasm of oogonia was basophilic and many nucleoli were located at inside of nuclear membrane. In primary oocytes, yolk vesicles were distributed only in the marginal area and egg envelope was not formed on the outside of an egg. In secondary oocytes, the egg envelope was formed and yolk vesicles in the cytoplasm were increased than the earlier stage. The basophilic substance of cytoplasm was changed to acidic. In case of matured egg, thickness of egg envelope and size of egg were increased. The yolk vesicles were changed to yolk mass in accordance with development. The outer surface of egg envelope was covered by microvilli-structures, and had a micropyle on the area of animal pole. Egg envelope consisted with 2 layers, an adhesive outer layer with microvilli-structures and fibrillar inner layer. In conclusion, the oogenesis of Chinese minnow was characterized by the increase in cell size, the formation and accumulation of yolk, and the decrease of basophilic substance in the cytoplasm. The oogenesis of Chinese minnow seems to share common patterns in Cyprinidae, but these ultrastructural unique characters of egg envelope can be utilized in taxonomy of teleost.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.709-727
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• 2001

The pattern of programmed cell death(PCD) has been examined during the early developmental period of development in mouse embryos, from embryonic day 4.5(E4.5) to E11.5 Embryos from Balb/c breedings were harvested at various embryonic stages between E4.5 and El1.5. Cell death was analysed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining in tissue sections and whole embryos. At the blastocyst stage(E4.5), a very few apoptotic cells were found in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. In the early egg cylinder stage(35.0-5.5), a few apoptotic cells were detected in the embryonic ectoderm, the embryonic endoerm and the proamniotic cavity. In the advanced egg cylinder stage(E5.5-6.5), TUNEL-posifive cells were observed in the extra-embryonic ectoderm and extra-embryonic endoderm as well as in the embryonic ectoderm, embryonic visceral endoderm and proamniotic cavity. In the streak stage(E6.75-7.75), many TUNEL-positive cells were found in the ectoplacental cone. In contrast, only very few apoptotic cells were found in the chorion and extra-embryonic endoderm in extra-embryonic regions. In intra-embryonic region, a few apoptotic cells were randomly found in the embryonic ectoderm, mesoderm and visceral endoderm. At the early somitogenesis stage(E8.0-8.5), most apoptotic cells were observed in the most cranial portion of neural fold (neural ectoderm and adjacent ectoderm). At the mid somitogenesis stage(39.0-9.5), the otic placode first showed TUNEL-positive at this stage. Small number of TUNEL-positive cells were also first seen around optic placode and branchial arches. Three streams of TUNEL-positive cells were clearly seen in the cranial region at 59.5-9.75. At E10.5, apoptotic cells were localized in the developing eye, the junctional portion of medial nasal, lateral nasal and maxillary processes, the lateral portion of branchial arches, the junction of bilateral mandibular processes, and apical ectodermal ridges of limb buds. At E11.5, apoptotic cells were noticeably decreased in most area, except the developing limbs and several somites in the tail region. In this study, the global temporospatial pattern of PCD throughout early development of mouse embryos was discussed. It may provide the basis for further studies on its role in the morphogenesis of the embryo.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Objectives : The main aim of this study was to examine the LC-MS/MS used to identify phenolic compounds of CRE(Coptidis Rhizoma 70% EtOH Extract). Also, we investigated antioxidative activities and Anti-inflammatory activities. Methods : LC-MS/MS Analysis HPLC and LC-MS/MS were performed on a 1260 series HPLC system (Agilent Technologies, Inc., California, USA) and 3200 QTrap tandem mass system (Sciex LLC) operated in positive ion mode (spray voltage set at -4.5 kV). The solvent used was DW and Acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid, a gradient system was used at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min for analysis, and a Prontosil C18 column (length, 250 mm; inner diameter, 4.6 mm; particle size, 5 ㎛; Phenomenex Co., Ltd., California, USA, Biochoff Chromatography) was used. The solvent conditions used in the mobile phases were 0-10 min at 10-15% B, 10-20 min at 20% B, 20-30 min at 25%, 30-40 min at 40%, 40-50 min at 70%, 50-60 min at 95%, and 60-70 min at 95%. The analysis was performed at a wavelength of 284 nm and a temperature of 35℃. The cell viability was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethyethiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. We examined the effects of CRE on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in a RAW 264.7 cells Results : The chemical analysis CRE by Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) confirmed that Rosmarinic acid, Ferrulic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid as phenolic components. DPPH radical scavenging activity was the inhibitory activity of CRE showed at 200 ㎍/mL a statistically significant level. MTT assay demonstrated that the CRE did not have a cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 and LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Also, CRE reduced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Conclusions : Based on these findings, The chemical analysis 4 major components CRE such as Rosmarinic acid, Ferrulic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid. Moreover, we confirmed that CRE has effects antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The results demonstrate that CRE can be used as an antioxidant and a powerful chemopreventive ingredient against inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2004

This study was carried out to examine the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine immature oocytes, and on subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) and development (IVD). COCs were collected from antral follicles of porcine ovaries collected from abattoir, and were maturated in modified NCSU-23 (mNCSU-23) with 10% pFF, 0.6 mM cysteine, 50 ${\mu}mM{\beta}-mercaptoethanol$, 1 mM dbcAMP, 10 IU/mL PMSG and 10 IU/mL hCG, which was supplemented with or without 10 ng/mL EGF and into which 50 or 15 COCs per droplet was put. Oocytes matured in vitro, were fertilized in vitro in modified Tris-buffered medium (mTBM) with the final motile sperm concentration of 1${\times}$105 sperm/mL, and subsequently putative embryos were developed in vitro in NCSU- 23. The results are as follows. 1.In the result of IVM, 10 ng/mL EGF supplement duplicated the percentage of C4 group of COCs(41% vs 81%). But the rate of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and of nuclear maturation were not significantly different between control and EGF supplemented, or between the number of COCs per culture droplet, and there was not a significant interaction between the two factors, either. 2. In the result of IVF, there was not significantly different between control and EGF supplemented, or between the number of COCs per culture droplet, or was not a significant interaction between the two factors, in the rate of sperm penetration, in the percentage of oocytes with male pronucleus (MPN), and in the rate of polyspermy. 3. In the result of IVD, there was not significantly different between control and EGF supplemented, or between the number of COCs per culture droplet in the percentage of cleaved oocytes. There was not significantly different between the number of COCs per culture droplet, but between control and EGF supplemented (p<0.01) in the percentage of blastocysts, the number of inner cell mass (ICM), trophectoderm (TC) and total cells. There was no significant interaction between the two factors anywhere. These results suggested that 10 ng/mL EGF supplement into mNCSU-23 for IVM was effective in the production of more as well as better blastocysts during IVD through increasing the number of cells in those.