• Animal cells and systems
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.139-144
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• 2003

We analyzed seven Y chromosome binary markers (YAP, RPS4Y_711,\;M9,\;M175,\;LINE1,\;SRY_+465$ and 47z) in samples from a total of 254 males from Koreans and tow Mongolian ethnic groups (Buryat and Khalkh) to study the genetic relationship among these populations. We found eight distinct Y haplogroups constructed from the seven binary markers. Haplogroup DE-YAP was present at extremely low frequencies (∼2%) in the Korean and Mongolian populations. This result is consistent with earlier reports that showed the YAP+ chromosomes to be highly polymorphic only in populations from Japan and Tibet in east Asia. The observed high frequency of haplogroup $C-RPS4Y_711$ in the Mongolian populations (∼40%) is concordant with recent findings, showing that the $RPS4Y_711$-T chromosomes were distributed at high frequencies in Siberian and Mongolian populations compared with most other populations from east Asia. Thus, the relatively moderate frequency of haplogroup $C-RPS4Y_711$ in Korean (∼15%) can be seen as genetic evidence for probable interaction with Mongolian and/or Siberian populations. In contrast, the majority (∼75%) of modern Koreans studied here had high frequencies of Y chromosome lineages of haplogroup O-M175 and additional haplogroupts that define sublineage of O-M175, which are most likely related with modern populations in China. In conclusion, our data on the Y chromosome haplogroup distribution may provide evidence for interaction between Korean and Mongolian populations, but Korean tend to be much more related with those from southern-to-northern populations of China than to Mongolians in east Asia.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2000

The genus Dendronephthya, generally known as soft corals, is reported as an abundant and variable taxon. They mostly distribute in warmer waters of the Undo-Pacific Ocean region including Korea. In spite of their abundance and ecological importance as habitats of marine organisms, there are difficulties in the study of their identification and systematics because they have morphological variabilities and limited taxonomec characters. To resolve the problems, we attempted to elucidate the genetic relationships in the genus Dendronephthya by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. This study was based on eight dendronephthian species and one Alcyoniidae species, Alcyonium gracillimum, as an outgroup. The results from all analysis suggest that they could be classified into four groups by the growth form and the anthocodial grades as follows: the first one,D. putteri and D. suensoni with the divaricate form and VI grade; the second one,D. sp.1 and D. sp.2 with the divaricate form and III or IV grade; the third one, D. gigantea and D. aurea being closer than D. spinifera with the glomerate form and III grade; the last one, D. castanea related to D. gigantea rather than D. putteri with the umbellate form and IV grade. Moreover, the divaricate form was separated from the group of the glomerate and umbellate form. At the intraspecies level, the types of the D. castanea, D. gigantea and D. spinifera were separated depending on the feature of spicules in the polyp head, and the coloration could not influence genetic variation. From this study, we can confirm that their morphological characters are compatible with the genetic variation, also RAPD analysis is a very useful method for resolving the systematic relationships of den-deonephthians.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.63-70
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• 2000

The distribution of receptor subtypes for endothelin (ET) in the kidney of the freshwater turtle, Amyda japonica, was examined by quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography using iodinatd mammalian type ET-1 ($^125$/I-ET-1)as a radiolabeled ligand. Specific $^125$/I-ET-1 bindings were localized to renal tubules, renal arteries and ureter with binding densities of 111.21 $\pm$ 19.14, 182.13$\pm$10.57 and 219.46$\pm$12.83 amol/$mm^2$. respectively. Binding dissociation constants in renal tubules, renal arteries and ureter were 1.05 $\pm$ 0.63, 2.03 $\pm$0.56 and 1.70$\pm$0.47nM, respectively. Receptor subtypes for ET in the kidney were characterized by competition with BQ 123 and BQ 788 as specific antagonists for ET receptors, type A (ET$_A$ ), and type B (ET$_B$) subtypes, respectively. Specific $^125$/I-ET-1 bindings in renal arteries and ureter were potently inhibited by BQ 123 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas BQ 788 was not in competing for specific $^125$/I-ET-1 bindings in this structure. However, specific $^125$/I-ET-1 bindings in renal tubules were inhibited more potently by BQ 788. Therefore, these results indicate that specific ET receptors are localized in renal tubules, renal arteries and the ureter of the freshwater turtle. Results also suggest that the predominant ET receptor subtypes are like the ETA receptor in renal arteries and ureter, and like the ET/$_A$ receptor in the renal tubule.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.83-89
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• 2010

Gangliosides are a ubiquitous component of the membranes of mammalian cells that have been suggested to play important roles in various cell functions such as cell-cell interaction, adhesion, cell differentiation, growth control and signaling. However, the role that gangliosides play in the immune rejection response in xenotransplantation is not yet clearly understood. In this study, differential expression patterns of gangliosides in HEK293 (human embryonic kidney cells), PK15 (porcine kidney cells), NIH-kd (NIH-mini pig kidney cells, primary cultured) and the cortex, medulla and calyx of the NIH-mini pig kidney were investigated by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The results revealed that HEK293, PK15 and NIH-kd contained GM3, GM2 and GD3 as major gangliosides. Moreover, GM3, which are the gangliosides of NIH-kd, were expressed at higher levels than HEK293 and PK15. Especially, GT1b were expressed in HEK293 and NIH-kd but not in PK15. Finally, GM1 and GD1a were expressed in NIH-kd, but not in HEK293 or PK15. These results suggest that differential expression patterns of gangliosides from HEK293, PK15 and NIH-kd are related to the immune rejection response in xenotransplantation.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.125-128
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• 2010

This study investigated the effect of different light intensities on first feeding of chub mackerel Scomber japonicus larvae. Fertilized eggs, obtained from LHRHa-induced spawning of captive broodstock, were stocked (60 larvae/l) into twelve 30-1 aquaria under light intensities of 0, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 lx, with three replicate aquaria per treatment. Temperature was maintained at $20^{\circ}C$ and salinity was 35 psu. Larvae were fed the rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis at a density of five rotifers/ml. Feeding incidence was measured as the percentage of larvae with prey in the digestive tract. Feeding intensity was evaluated as the number of prey in the digestive tract of the larvae. Larvae fed in darkness (0 lx) had significantly lower (P < 0.05) feeding incidence ($13{\pm}0.05%$ larvae with prey) and feeding intensity ($1.00{\pm}0.05$ rotifers per larva) than those larvae fed at 100 ($30{\pm}0.07%$, $1.17{\pm}0.09$ rotifers per larva), 200 ($43{\pm}0.08%$, $1.24{\pm}0.11$ rotifers larvae$^{-1}$), 500 ($53{\pm}0.08%$, $1.48{\pm}0.14$ rotifers per larva) and 1000 lx ($60{\pm}0.08%$, $1.38{\pm}0.13$ rotifers per larva). The feeding incidence of S. japonicus larvae increased with light intensity while feeding intensity showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between light treatments.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.315-322
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• 2010

We studied and compared the age structure, body size, and growth rates of field populations of two Korean salamander species (Hynobius yangi and Hynobius quelpaertensis) to elucidate important aspects of basic population dynamics of these two endemic Hynobius species. In both populations, females were sexually mature at three years of age, while H. yangi and H. quelpaertensis males matured at two and three years of age, respectively. Both males and females of H. yangi and H. quelpaertensis attained a maximum age of 11 years and 10 years, respectively. In both species, the snout-vent length (SVL) and body weight (BW) of the females were greater than those of the males. The SVL, BW, and asymptotic SVL of both male and female H. yangi were smaller than those of H. quelpaertensis. The adult growth rates after sexual maturation of male and female H. yangi were lower than those of H. quelpaertensis, possibly resulting in the smaller body size of the former, although overall growth coefficients were not significantly different between the two species. We also compared the age structure and growth rates of three Korean and three Japanese species of Hynobius.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.283-289
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• 2010

Ssanghwa-tang (SHT) is a traditional Korean herbal medicine widely prescribed to decrease fatigue following an illness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SHT on osteoclast differentiation in vitro, and on bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) rats in vivo. SHT significantly reduced the receptor activator for the nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) ligand (RANKL)-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, and multinucleated osteoclast formation in RAW264.7 cells without affecting cell viability. In addition, SHT significantly attenuated RANKL-induced mRNA expression levels of c-Src and cathepsin K. To examine the in vivo effect of SHT on OVX-induced bone loss in OVX rats, we administered SHT (0.6 g/kg BID) orally to OVX rats for 12 weeks. SHT administration significantly blocked OVX-induced decrease of femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and femoral trabeculae in OVX rats. In conclusion, these results suggest that SHT treatment effectively prevents OVX-induced bone loss, and this effect may result from its inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.253-259
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• 2010

Artemisia capillaris Thunb. is widely used in the herbal medicine field. This study describes the antidepressant effect of a flavonoid (chlorogenic acid) isolated from the Artemisia capillaris Thunb. The expression of the pituitary gland and hypothalamic POMC mRNA or plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels were increased by extract of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. or its flavoniod administered orally. In addition, antidepressant activity was studied using the tail suspension test (TST), the forced swimming test (FST) and the rotarod test in a chronically restrained immobilization stress group in mice. After restraint stress (2 h/day for 14 days), animals were kept in a cage for 14 days without any further stress, but with drugs. Mice were fed with a diet supplemented for 14 days and during the behavioral test period with chlorogenic acid (30 mg/kg/day). POMC mRNA or the plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin level was increased by the extract of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. and its flavoniod. In addition, the immobility time in TST and FST was significantly reduced by chlorogenic acid. In the rotarod test, the riding time remained similar to that of the control group at 15 rpm. Our results suggest that the flavonoid (chlorogenic acid) isolated from Artemisia capillaris Thunb. shows a potent antidepressant effect.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.237-244
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• 2010

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition that primarily affects women. Here, we investigate the effects of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in a rodent model of SUI. Female Sprague-Dawley rats at 7 weeks of age were randomly divided into three groups (n=8 per group): sham-operation, SUI-induction by transabdominal urethrolysis, and SUI-induction followed by transplantation of human ADSCs into the urethra. The abdominal leak point pressure at 8 weeks after the operation was markedly decreased by transabdominal urethrolysis, confirming successful induction of SUI. Interestingly, transplantation of human ADSCs into the urethra significantly blunted the decrease of abdominal leak point pressure in SUI-induced rats. Accordingly, we observed expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin in a significant proportion of transplanted ADSCs, indicating differentiation of ADSCs into smooth muscle cells in the urethra. Moreover, the SUI-induced elevations of c-Fos immunoreactivities in the pontine micturition center (PMC) and in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) were clearly suppressed by transplantation of human ADSCs. These results imply that human ADSCs can be an effective therapeutic modality to ameliorate the symptoms of SUI.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.153-160
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• 2005

Most living organisms exhibit the circadian rhythm in their physiology and behavior. Recent identification of several clock genes in mammals has led to the molecular understanding of how these components generate and maintain the circadian rhythm. Many reports have implicated the photic induction of either mPer1 or mPer2 in the hypothalamic region called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) to phase shift the brain clock. It is now established that peripheral tissues other than the brain also express these clock genes and that the clock machinery in these tissues work in a similar way to the SCN clock. To determine the role of the two canonical clock genes, mPer1 and mPer2, in the peripheral clock shift, stable HEK293EcR cell lines that can be induced and stably express these proteins were prepared. By regulating the expression of these proteins, it could be shown that induction of the clock genes, either mPer1 or mPer2 alone is not sufficient to cause clock phase shifting in these cells. Our real-time PCR analysis on these cells indicates that the induction of mPER proteins dampens the expression of the clock-specific transcription factor mBmal1. Altogether, our present data suggest that mPer1 and mPer2 may not function in clock shift or take part in differential roles on the peripheral circadian clock.