• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2001

Production of a mature oocyte is a complex process that requires the close association between oocyte and follicular cells. The present study was conducted to investigate the difference between oocytes with and without close junctional communication with cumulus cells and the involvement of two connexins(CXs) in the interactions. Follicles at different sizes(small: 200～400 ㎛; large:>450 ㎛) were mechanically isolated from PMSG-primed mouse ovaries, and punctured to get cumulus-oocyte complex(COC). Oocytes were released themselves(denuded), with partially attached(partial), or with tightly attached(intact) cumulus cells. Maturation and fertilization capacity of the COCs were measured. Expression of CX 37 and CX 43 was examined by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. The ratio between intact COC and denude/partial oocytes was 30％(SI) and 70％(SPD) in small follicles, while 55％(LI) and 45％(LPD) in large follicles, respectively. Maturation and fertilization rates of the released oocytes were similar among SI, LPD, LI groups, but those were significantly lower in SPD oocytes. In oocytes, CX 37 was the major CX and CX 43 was not expressed, whereas in the cumulus cells, CX 43 was the major, and CX 37 was the next. Results of the present study suggest that 1) immature oocytes from small follicles with intact cell-to-cell communication with cumulus have the similar quality to that of the oocytes from larger follicles, 2) gap junction between oocyte and cumulus cells may be the heterotypic channel, and 3) we could not explain the difference in the cell-to-cell communication between intact and partial/denuded COCs through the expression of the two CXs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.22 no.3 s.74
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• pp.145-157
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• 2004

The cycle length design model of the Korean traffic responsive signal control systems is devised to vary a cycle length as a response to changes in traffic demand in real time by utilizing parameters specified by a system operator and such field information as degrees of saturation of through phases. Since no explicit guideline is provided to a system operator, the system tends to include ambiguity in terms of the system optimization. In addition, the cycle lengths produced by the existing model have yet been verified if they are comparable to the ones minimizing delay. This paper presents the studies conducted (1) to find shortcomings embedded in the existing model by comparing the cycle lengths produced by the model against the ones minimizing delay and (2) to propose a new direction to design a cycle length minimizing delay and excluding such operator oriented parameters. It was found from the study that the cycle lengths from the existing model fail to minimize delay and promote intersection operational conditions to be unsatisfied when traffic volume is low, due to the feature of the changed target operational volume-to-capacity ratio embedded in the model. The 64 different neural network based cycle length design models were developed based on simulation data surrogating field data. The CORSIM optimal cycle lengths minimizing delay were found through the COST software developed for the study. COST searches for the CORSIM optimal cycle length minimizing delay with a heuristic searching method, a hybrid genetic algorithm. Among 64 models, the best one producing cycle lengths close enough to the optimal was selected through statistical tests. It was found from the verification test that the best model designs a cycle length as similar pattern to the ones minimizing delay. The cycle lengths from the proposed model are comparable to the ones from TRANSYT-7F.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.309-317
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• 2000

Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption in vivo and in vitro. Currently proposed mechanism of action of bisphosphonates involves both direct effect on osteoclasts and indirect effect through the mediation of osteoblasts. Recent understanding of molecular mechanism of osteoclastogenesis indicates that osteoclast differentiation is quite tightly regulated by signaling molecules from differentiating osteoblasts. Therefore this investigation was designed to elucidate the effect of bisphosphonate on osteoblast differentation. For this purpose, in vitro effects of etidronate and alendronate on the expression of Cbfa1 a master control gene of osteoblast differentiation, several bone marker genes, and formation of calcified nodules were evaluated. To evaluate the effect of bisphosphonate on calcified nodule formation, osteoblasts isolated from rat calvaria were cultured in a-MEM containing $10^{-4},\;10^{-5},\;10^{-6}M$ of etidronate or $10^{-6},\;10^{-7},\;10^{-8}M$ of alendronate for 15 days, and then stained by alizarin red to determine mineralization. To evaluate the effect of bisphosphonate on osteoblast differentiation, osteoblast cells were cultured in a-MEM containing $10^{-4},\;10^{-5},\;10^{-6}M$ of etidronate or $10^{-6}$ M of alendronate for 8 days. And then total RNA was extracted and northern blot analysis was done to examine the expression of Cbfa1, type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and osteocalcin. The results were as follows: 1. Etidronate suppressed the calcification of bone nodule in dose dependent manner, while alendronate didn't. 2. The expression of Cbfa1 was decreased dose dependently by etidronate, but increased by alendronate. 3. Etidronate suppressed the expression of type I collagen, osteopontin and osteocalcin in dose dependent manner however alendronate promote the expression of osteoblast marker gene. 4. The expression of alkaline phosphatase was not affected either etidronate nor alendronate. These results suggest that etidronate suppressed the expression of Cbfa1 in dose dependent manner, and consequently the expression of osteoblast marker genes, such as type I collagen, osteopontin and osteocalcin were also suppressed in similar manner. And finally this decreased expression of osteoblastic marker gene prevent calcined bone nodule formation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.608-614
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• 2013

We investigated the anti-wrinkle activity of an 80% ethanol extract of Curdrania tricuspidata leaves (CTL80) on ultraviolet-induced photoaging in hairless mice. Skin wrinkles were induced by 10 weeks of UVB-irradiation on the back of Skh-1 hairless mice three times a week. Mice were divided into ten groups; normal control (-UVB), UVB irradiated control group (+UVB), dietary groups (UVB+ascorbic acid 0.1%, UVB+CTL80 0.1%, UVB+CTL80 0.25%) and topical application groups (-UVB+base lotion (BL), UVB+BL, UVB+ascorbic acid 1%+BL, UVB+CTL80 1%+BL, UVB+CTL80 2%+BL). Wrinkle formation, histological changes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9) were analyzed. Wrinkles for the +UVB groups formed as a pattern of deep furrows and thick crests. Wrinkles with CTL80 treatment formed as a pattern of shallow furrows and thin crests, with wrinkle areas were lower than the +UVB group. In an antioxidant analysis of mouse blood, SOD and GSH-Px activities were significantly higher in the CTL80 topical application group compared to the +UVB group. The mRNA expression of MMPs in the +UVB group was significantly higher than the normal control group, and significantly lower in the CTL80-treated group. In conclusion, CTL80 exerted anti-wrinkle activity on ultraviolet-induced photoaging by regulating antioxidative defense systems and MMPs expression.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of iron reinforcing agent on the performance in laying hens for seven weeks. One hundred ninety eight 30-wk-old Brown Tetran layers were assigned to 9 treatments: control containing 45 mg Fe from iron sulfate per kg diet (FE-45), FE-90 (control multiplied two times), FE-180 (control multiplied four times), YM-45 containing 45mg Fe from yeast mutant, YM-90 (YM-45 multiplied two times), YM-180 (YM-45 multiplied four times), YF-45 containing 45mg Fe from ferritin containing yeast, YF-90 (YF-45 multiplied two times), YF-180 (YF-45 multiplied four times) in the experiment. Each treatment had four replications of 6 birds each. In the average egg production, the YF-180 was highest and the FE-45 (the control) was lowest; the YM-180, YF-90, and YF-180 were significantly (P＜0.05) higher than the control. In the comparisons of egg weight and egg mass, the YF-180 was significantly higher (P＜0.05) than the FE-90 or the control. In the FCR, the YM-90 was highest and the YF-45 was lowest. There was no significant difference between the control and YM-90 although the YF-45 was significantly (P＜0.05) lower in FCR than the control. In the eggshell thickness, the YF-180 was the thickest and the FE-90 was the thinnest; the YF-45 or the YF-180 was significantly thicker (P＜0.05) than the control. In the eggshell strength, the YF-45 was the strongest and the YM-45 was the weakest; the YM-90, YF-45, and YF-180 were significantly stronger (P＜0.05) than the control. In the cholesterol level of egg yolk, the control (FE-45) was the highest and the YF-45 was the lowest; there was a significantly different (P＜0.05) between these two treatments. In conclusion, in case of adding organic iron to feed for layers, it gives improvement on performance of layers and develop chemical composition of eggs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic iron supplemented to feed for broilers. One hundred forty four Ross broiler chicks were assigned to 6 treatments: control containing 80mg Fe from iron sulfate per kg diet(FE-80), FE-160 (control multiplied two times), YM-80 containing 80mg Fe from yeast mutant, YM-160 (YM-80 multiplied two times), YF-80 containing 80mg Fe from ferritin containing yeast, YF-160 (YF-80 multiplied two times) in the experiment. Each treatment had four replications of 6 birds each. The weight gain of the YM-160 was significantly higher (P＜0.05) than that of the control (FE-80). The YM and YF in the serum cholesterol level were significantly higher (P＜0.05) than the control. In the cholesterol level of carcass, although the control (FE-80) was highest and the YM and YF were very low; however, there were no significant differences among treatments. In the iron level of carcass, the control (FE-80) showed the lowest level among treatments; the YM and YF were significantly higher (P＜0.05) than the control. In conclusion, the supplementation with organic iron to broiler chicks improve productivity. We also expect the possibility on chicken meat with reinforcing iron.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.178-189
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• 2003

Purpose: Cellular uptakes of $^{99m}Tc-sestamibi(MIBI)\;and\;\;^{99m}Tc-tetrofosmin$ into cancer cell lines expressing multidrug resistance(MDR) were investigated and compared. The effects of verapamil and cyclosporin A, well-known multidrug resistant reversing agents, on cellular uptakes of both tracers were also compared. Materials and Methods: Doxorubicin-resistant HCT15/CL02 human colorectal cell and doxorubicin-resistant K562(Adr) and vincristine-resistant K562(Vcr) human leukemic cells were studied. RT-PCR analysis was used for the detection of mdr1 mRNA expression. MDR-reversal effects with verapamil and cyclosporine A were evaluated at different drug concentrations after incubation with MIBI and tetrofosmin for 1, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min, using single-cell suspensions at $1{\times}10^6cells/ml$ incubated at $37^{\circ}C$. Radioactivity in supernatants and pellets were measured with gamma well counter. Results: The cellular uptakes of MIBI and tetrofosmin in K562(Adr) and K562(Vcr) were lower than those of parental K562 cell. In HCT15/CL02 cells and K562(Adr) cells, there were no significant difference in cellular uptakes of both tracers, but cellular uptake of MIBI was higher than that of tetrofosmin in K562(Vcr) cells. Coincubation with verapamil resulted in a increase In cellular uptakes of MIBI and tetrofosmin. Verapamil increased cellular uptakes of MIBI and tetrofosmin by HCT15/CL02 cell by 11.9- and 6.8-fold, by K562(Adr) cell by 14.3- and 8-fold and by K562(Vcr) cell by 7- and 5.7-fold in maximum, respectively. Cyciosporin A increased cellular uptakes of MIBI and tetrofosmin by HCT15/CL02 cell by 10- and 2.4-fold, by K562(Adr) cell by 44- and 13-fold and by K562(Vcr) cell by 18.8- and 11.8-fold in maximum, respectively Conclusion: Taking together, MIBI and tetrofosmin are considered as suitable radiopharmaceuticals for defecting multidrug resistance. However, MIBI seems to be a better tracer than tetrofosmin for evaluating MDR reversal effect of the modulators. Since cellular uptakes of both tracers might differ in different cell types, further experiments regarding differences in cellular uptakes between cell types should be explored.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2007

Vinclozolin(VCZ), a systemic dicarboximide fungicide, has been used in the control of diseases caused by microorganism of some species in fruits, vegatables and ornamental plants. Although VCZ itself is a very weak antagonist for androgen receptor binding, both melabolites M1 and M2 are effective antagonists. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to VCZ affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. VCZ(10 mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 21(PND 21) through the day when the first vaginal opening(V.O.) was observed. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the VCZ's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptor(PR), total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a result, delayed V.O. was shown in the VCZ group(PND $34.00{\pm}1.22$) compared to the control group(PND $38.20{\pm}1.92$; p<0.01). VCZ treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.01). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals, while numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from VCZ group. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the VCZ group. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activity of PR in ovary(p<0.01) from VCZ group were significantly lower than those from the control group while in uterus were similar compared with the control group. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to VCZ during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.920-925
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• 2015

The microbial composition in Nuruk, a Korean cereal fermentation starter, is a critical factor for the quality and organoleptic properties of traditional alcoholic beverages. This study was aimed at monitoring the compositional change and enzyme activity of culturable lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in two types of Nuruk fermented at different temperatures. All culturable LAB were isolated at various time points (0, 3, 6, 10, 20, and 30 days) and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. In traditional Nuruk type A (TN-A), which was fermented at $36^{\circ}C$, the population of total culturable LAB during the fermentation period was between $10^4$ and $10^5$ log CFU/mL. On the other hand, the LAB population in traditional Nuruk type B (TN-B) fermented at $45^{\circ}C$ (primary fermentation for 10 days) and $35^{\circ}C$ (secondary fermentation for 20 days) was $10^2$ log CFU/mL; however, these bacteria could not be detected after 6 days. Major LAB strains were identified in both Nuruk types: (1) from the MRS-culture of TN-A, Pediococcus pentosaceus at 3-30 days; (2) from MRS-culture of TN-B, P. pentosaceus at 3 days and Enterococcus hirae at 6 days. The protease activities of the dominant LAB isolated from the TN-A and TN-B cultures were within the ranges of 0.64~1.03 mg/mL and 0.74~0.81 mg/mL (tyrosine content), respectively, whereas the ${\alpha}$-amylase activities were 0.75~0.98 mg/mL and 0.78~0.79 mg/mL (amylose content), respectively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.797-806
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• 1999

Background: About 20% of small cell lung cancer(SCLC) patients have bone marrow(EM) metastasis at the time of diagnosis and the remaining patients are also considered with micrometastasis. In an attempt to detect EM micrometastasis, we used cytokeratin(CK)-20 as a molecular marker, which is specific for epithelial cells. Method: A sensitive RT-PCR assay was used to compare CK-20 expression both in SCLC cell line H209 and normal leukocyte and to evaluate EM aspirates of 28 SCLC patients. Result: H209 cell line showed CK-20 expression but normal leukocyte did not, suggesting CK-20 expression is lung tissue-specific. Of 28 patients(11 limited disease, 17 extensive disease), only 2(1/11, 1/17) samples tested revealed positive signal for CK-20. Two patients with CK-20 expression had EM metastasis or multiple bone involvement during follow-up. Conclusion: Although circulating tumor cells were detected in EM of small portion of patients with bone metastasis, CK-20 doesn't seem to be a reliable marker for the detection of micrometastasis in SCLC. This study emphasizes that identification of more specific marker for micrometastsis is mandatory prior to clinical application.