• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.21-34
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• 2024

Two arenicolus halacarid species, Actacarus ornatus n. sp. and A. pacificus Bartsch, 1979, are recorded from sandy intertidal sediment along the coast of South Korea. Actacarus ornatus n. sp. closely resembles A. karoensis Abé, 1990, recorded from Japan, in having chaetotaxy of the idiosoma, legs, palps of gnathosoma, and perigenital setae in both males and females. However, it differs from A. karoensis by a slightly convex tectum, the presence of a row of foveae on the mid-ventral surfaces of the anterior epimeral plate and genitoanal plate, and the absence of areolae on both the anterior and posterior dorsal plates as well as microplatelets on the membranous cuticle alongside the anterior and posterior dorsal plates. Actacarus pacificus Bartsch, 1979, which is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, is characterized by separated plates, a truncated tectum, the anterior epimeral plate with four pairs of setae, the posterior epimeral plate with one dorsal and two ventral setae, and three pairs of subgenital setae in males. A comparative analysis of the morphological characteristics of A. pacificus was conducted within regional populations, including the Korean population. Moreover, a key to Actacarus species from the northwestern Pacific, including a new species, is provided. The genus Actacarus is reported for the first time from Korea.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.134-150
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• 2023

Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are the most common kind of congenital heart disease and, if indicated, surgical closure has been accepted as a gold-standard treatment. However, as less-invasive methods are preferred, percutaneous device closure has been developed. After the first VSD closure was performed percutaneously by Lock in 1988, both techniques and devices have developed consistently. A perventricular approach for closure of muscular VSD in small patients and the closure of perimembranous VSD using off-label devices are key remarkable developments. Even though the Amplatzer membranous VSD occluder (Abbott) could not be approved for use due to the high complete atrioventricular conduction block rate, other new devices have shown good results for closure of perimembranous VSDs. However, the transcatheter technique is slightly complicated to perform, and concerns about conduction problems after VSD closure with devices remain. There have been a few reports demonstrating successful closure of subarterial-type VSDs with Amplatzer devices, but long-term issues involving aortic valve damage have not been explored yet. In conclusion, transcatheter VSD closure should be accepted as being as effective and safe as surgery but should only be performed by experienced persons and in specialized institutes because the procedure is complex and requires different techniques. To avoid serious complications, identifying appropriate patient candidates for device closure before the procedure is very important.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.327-331
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• 2001

There is a critical developmental period during which brain sexual differentiation proceeds irreversibly under the influence of gonadal hormone. Recently, kinesin superfamily-associated protein 3 (KAP3) gene expressed during the 'critical period' of rat brain differentiation was identified by us (Choi and Lee, 1999). KAP3 functions as a microtubule-based motor that transports membranous organelles anterogradely in cells, including neurons (Yamazaki et al., 1996). mRNA level of KAP3 gene markedly increased before the initiation of puberty. Neonatal treatment of estrogen clearly inhibited the prepubertal increase in KAP3 mRNA level (Choi and Lee, 1999). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as endocrine disruptors (EDs) on the expression of KAP3 gene during the 'critical period' of rat brain development. In our data, PCBs significantly decreased the expression of KAP3 gene in the fetal (day 17) and the neonatal (day 6 after birth in) male and female rat brains. The body weight and the breeding ability were significantly decreased in the PCBs-exposed rats compared with the control. These results showed that PCBs affect the transcriptional level of brain sexual differentiation related gene, KAP3, in the fetal and the neonatal rat brains. The maternal exposure to the PCBs may lead to toxic response in embryonic brain sexual differentiation and breeding ability after sexual maturation. This study indicates that KAP3 gene may be useful as a gene marker to analyze the molecular mechanism of toxic response in the animal brain development and sexual maturation exposed to PCBs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.206-211
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• 2008

HI0381 of Haemophilus influenzae was investigated by circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. HI0381 is a 153-residue peptidoglycan-associated outer membrane lipoprotein, and a part of the larger Tol/Pal network. Here, we report its backbone $^1H$, $^{15}N$, and $^{13}C$ resonance assignments, and secondary structure predictions. About 97% of all of the $^1HN$, $^{15}N$, $^{13}CO$, $^{13}C{\alpha}$, and $^{13}C{\beta}$ resonances covering 131 non-proline residues of the 134 residue, mature protein, were clarified by sequential and specific assignments. CSI and TALOS analyses revealed that HI0381 contains five ${\alpha}$-helices and five ${\beta}$-strands. To characterize the structure of HI0381, the effects of pH and salt concentration were investigated by CD. In addition, the structural changes occurring when HI0381 was in a membranous environment were investigated by comparing its HSQC spectra and CD data in buffer and in DPC micelles; the results showed that helix ${\alpha}4$ and strand ${\beta}4$ became aligned with the membrane. We conclude that the conformation of HI0381 is affected by the membrane environment, implying that its folded state is directly related to its function.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.61-68
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• 2008

Purpose: Protein kinase C (PKC) is a member of a family of serine/threonine kinases that are activated by diacylglycerol (DG) and PKC stimulants. PKC play a key role in signal transduction, including muscle contraction, cell migration, apoptosis, cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the mechanism relating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and PKC, especially in the volume-dependent hypertensive state, remains unclear. Methods: In the present study, I investigated the relationship between PKC and MAPKs for isometric contraction, PKC translocation, and enzymatic activity from normotensive sham-operated rats (NSR) and aldosterone-analogue deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) hypertensive rats (ADHR). Results: Systolic blood pressure was significantly increased in ADHR than in NSR. Physiological salt solution (PSS)-induced resting tension and the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}{_i}$]) were different in the ADHR and NSR. The expression of PKC$\alpha$, PKC$\beta$II, PKC$\delta$, PKC$\varepsilon$ and PKC$\xi$ were different between the cytoplasmic and membranous fractions. However, expression of the PKC isoforms did not differ for the ADHR and NSR. The use of 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (DPB, a PKC stimulant) induced isometric contraction in $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, which was diminished in muscle strips from ADHR as compared to NSR. Increased vasoconstriction and phosphorylation induced by the use of 1 ${\mu}$M DPB were inhibited by treatment with 10 ${\mu}$M PD098059 and 10 ${\mu}$M SB203580, inhibitors of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK from ADHR, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that the development of aldosterone analogue-induced hypertension is associated with an altered blood pressure, resting tension, [$Ca^{2+}{_i}$], and that the $Ca^{2+}$-independent contraction evoked by PKC stimulants is due to the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in volume-dependent hypertension. Therefore, it is suggested that PKC activity affects volume-dependent hypertension and the need to develop cardiovascular disease-specialized physical therapy.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.157-166
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• 1987

The distribution of hepatic veins within the liver in 28 Korean native cattles were observed. Vinylite solution was injected into hepatic veins of seventeen specimens for cast preparation. The angiography was prepared in eleven specimens by injecting 30% barium sulfate solution into hepatic veins, and then radiographed on a X-ray apparatus (Shimadzu 800 MA 120 Kvp). 1. About two thirds or three quarters of the circumference of the Vena cava caudalis was embedded in the liver. The embedded portion was about 14~19cm in length. 2. The principal branches of the hepatic veins were Vena hepatica sinistra, Vena hepatica media, Vena hepatica dextra and Vena hepatica dorsolateralis; the three main hepatic veins were Vena hepatica sinistra, Vena hepatica media and Vena hepatica dextra. 3. The Vena hepatica sinistra joins the Vena cava caudal is near the esophageal impression of the liver. It gave off three or five branches to the left lobe. 4. The Vena hepatica media joined at the Vena cava caudalis close to the Vena hepatica sinistra. In all cases, Vena hepatica media opened near the diaphragmatic part of the liver than the Vena hepatica sinistra. It ran obliquely through the medial part of right lobe and quadrate lobe, giving off branches on each side. 5. The Vena hepatica dextra consisted of one(25 cases, 89.29%) or two separate veins(3 cases, 10.71%), joining to the Vena cava caudalis between the right and caudate lobes. 6. The flap of membranous tissue covered the dorsal half of the entrance of the Vena hepatica sinistra, media et dextra into the Vena cava caudalis. 7. The vestige of the ductus venosus persisted in the 12~18 months old cattles. 8. The anastomosis was observed in the intralobar and interlobar areas.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.654-662
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• 2017

Extracellular microvesicles are membranous nano-sized cellular organelles secreted by a variety of cells under normal and pathological conditions and heterogeneous in size ranging from 30 nm to $1{\mu}m$. They carry functional microRNAs that can influence immunity and development. For a particular application of microvesicles, choice of isolation method is particularly important; however, their isolation methods from colostrum in particular have not been described clearly. In this work, differential ultracentrifugation as a conventional method, ultracentrifugation with some modification such as additional precipitations, ultrafiltration, sucrose gradient separation and ExoQuick$^{TM}$ as a commercial reagent were compared. The goal was to compare mainly microvesicular total microRNA yield, distribution and purity among the methods then select the best isolation method for bovine colostrum microvesicles based largely on microRNA yield with the view of applying the vesicles in work where vesicular microRNA cargo is the target bioactive component. Highest yields for vesicular microRNA were obtained using conventional methods and among them, subsequent ultracentrifugation with 100,000 g and 135,000 g conventional method 2 was selected as it had the highest RNA to protein ratio indicating that it pelleted the least protein in relation to RNA an important factor for in vivo applications to assess microvesicle functionalities without risk of contaminating non-vesicular biomaterial. Microvesicles isolated using conventional method 2 were successfully internalized by cells in vitro showing their potential to deliver their cargo into cells in vitro and in vivo in case of functional studies.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권8호
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• pp.406-411
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• 2018

Exosomes are small membranous vesicles which contain abundant RNA molecules, and are transferred from releasing cells to uptaking cells. MicroRNA (miRNA) is one of the transferred molecules affecting the adopted cells, including glioma cells. We hypothesized that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can secrete exosomes loading miRNA and have important effects on the progress of gliomas. To determine these effects by treating exosomal miRNA in culture media of miRNA mimic transfected MSCs, we assessed the in vitro cell proliferation and invasion capabilities, and the expression level of relative proteins associated with cell apoptosis, growth and migration. For animal studies, the mice injected with U87 cells were exposed to exosomes derived from miRNA-584-5p transfected MSCs, to confirm the influence of exosomal miRNA on the progress of glioma. Based on our results, we propose a new targeted cancer therapy wherein exosomes derived from miRNA transfected MSCs could be used to modulate tumor progress as the anticancer vehicles.

• 대한후두음성언어의학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.161-166
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• 2000

Background and Objectives : Vocal fold hemorrhage occur by blood accumulation in Reinke's space by vocal trauma. It is mostly asymptomatic, but in some cases it may cause severe dysphonia. It is often seen in patients who use their voice professionally. However, recent changes of life style affected the phonation in general population. We studied to know what are the causes and what are the major factors to affect the vocal fold hemorrhages. Materials and Methods : 19 subjects were evaluated by using of questionaire and laryngoscopic examinations. We evaluated the factors to lead the change in voice directly, underlying causes, occupations and laryngeal findings. Results : The direct causes of the vocal fold hemorrhages were clearing throat, talking, coughing and singing. Reflux laryngitis and upper respiratory infection were the underlying diseases. Vocal fold hemorrhages were developed during the menstruation in 5 patients. Accompanying functional voice disorders were seen in 13 patients, such as, vocal fold nodule, nodule with varix, vocal polyp, Reinke's edema. Patients with reflux laryngitis had the habits of clearing throat as the direct cause of the vocal fold hemorrhages and had hyperkinetic functional voice disorders. Voice abuse was the direct cause of the vocal fold hemorrhages in patients who was in the period of the menstruation. The most common site of the hemorrhage was at the membranous portion of the vocal folds. Conclusions : Authors thought the forceful laryngeal activity was the cause of the vocal fold hemorrhages. And reflux laryngitis and menstruation was the risk factors of the vocal fold hemorrhages.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.250-255
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• 2004

월슨병은 구리 대사 이상으로 간, 뇌, 각막, 신 및 건혈구에 구리가 침착되어 생기는 상염색체 열성 유전성 질환이다. D-penicillamine이 주된 치료로서 10% 정도의 환자에서 가역적인 부작용이 발생 할 수 있다 저자는 3세된 여아에서 D-penicillamine치료 3주만에 미세변화형 신증후군이 발생하였고 투약 중단만으로 완전 관해된 증례를 경험하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.