• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2019

Cadmium is a strong toxic heavy metal which presents in paints and liquid wastes and causes oxidative stress in fish. On the other hand, lead is widely used for different purposes, e.g. lead pipes, it targets vital organs such as liver and kidney causing biochemical alterations. The present study evaluates the effects of 60 days exposure to Cd and Pb either single or combined together in African catfish. Sixty-four fishes were divided into 3 groups and exposed to $CdCl_2$ (7.02 mg/L) or $PbCl_2$ (69.3 mg/L) or a combination of them along with control group. Activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) were estimated. Moreover, gill, liver and kidney were assayed for activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Individual exposure showed that both Cd and Pb significantly decreased LDH activity and SOD activity in the kidney. Pb significantly increased G-6-PDH activity and decreased GSH level in the gill. CAT activity in liver and kidney elevated significantly on Cd exposure while lead caused a significant depletion in the liver and significant elevation in the kidney. Both Cd and Pb significantly increased MDA levels in liver and kidney while Pb increased its level in gills. The combined exposure resulted in normalization of LDH, G-6-PDH activity, and CAT activity in liver and kidney as well as GSH level in both tissues and MDA in gill and kidney. The combination increased SOD activity and MDA level in liver and decreased SOD activity in kidney and GSH level in gills. In conclusion, the antioxidant system of African catfish was adversely affected by prolonged exposure to Cd and Pb. The combined exposure caused less damage than individual exposure and returned most parameters to those of controls.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.60-67
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• 2021

Recently, research attention has been focused on vibration-free vehicles to transport small numbers of expensive electronic products. Vibration-free vehicles can be used to transport expensive test equipment or semiconductors, mainly produced in the domestic IT industry, and can serve as a readily available transportation system for short driving distances due to the increased efficiency on narrow national highways. This study was aimed at developing a Z-Spring to minimize the vibration by installing an air spring instead of the plate spring applied to conventional freight cars and to prevent the damage of the loaded cargo from the shock occurring during movement. The mechanical properties (elastic modulus, tensile strength, and shear strength) of carbon fiber (CF) and glass fiber (GF) prepreg were derived, and ANSYS ACP PrepPost analyses were performed. It was observed that in the case of hybrid composites, the total deformation and equivalent stress are higher than that of CFRP; however, in terms of the unit cost, the hybrid Z-Spring is more inexpensive and durable compared to the GF.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.572-582
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• 2022

Sheath blight disease caused by the necrotrophic, soilborne pathogen Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, is the global threat to rice production. Lack of reliable stable resistance sources in rice germplasm pool for sheath blight has made resistance breeding a very difficult task. In the current study, 101 rice landraces were screened against R. solani under artificial epiphytotics and identified six moderately resistant landraces, Jigguvaratiga, Honasu, Jeer Sali, Jeeraga-2, BiliKagga, and Medini Sannabatta with relative lesion height (RLH) range of 21-30%. Landrace Jigguvaratiga with consistent and better level of resistance (21% RLH) than resistant check Tetep (RLH 28%) was used to develop mapping population. DNA markers associated with ShB resistance were identified in F₂ mapping population developed from Jigguvaratiga × BPT5204 (susceptible variety) using bulk segregant analysis. Among 56 parental polymorphic markers, RM5556, RM6208, and RM7 were polymorphic between the bulks. Single marker analysis indicated the significant association of ShB with RM5556 and RM6208 with phenotypic variance (R²) of 28.29 and 20.06%, respectively. Co-segregation analysis confirmed the strong association of RM5556 and RM6208 located on chromosome 8 for ShB trait. This is the first report on association of RM6208 marker for ShB resistance. In silico analysis revealed that RM6208 loci resides the stearoyl ACP desaturases protein, which is involved in defense mechanism against plant pathogens. RM5556 loci resides a protein, with unknown function. The putative candidate genes or quantitative trait locus harbouring at the marker interval of RM5556 and RM6208 can be further used to develop ShB resistant varieties using molecular breeding approaches.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Objectives : In this study, we examined the estrogenic activities and anti-osteo clastogenesis effects of PCE17, a mixture of PE (an extract of Puerariae Flos), and CE (an extract of Citri Unshius Pericarpium). Methods : The estrogenic effect of PCE17, PE and CE were examined by ER-β/ERE reporter gene assay and proliferation assay in 293 T and MCF-7 cells. The expression of estrogen-responsive gene and protein were checked by Real Time-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting in MCF-7 cells. Inhibitory effect of PCE17, PE and CE on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation were evaluated by TRAP staining and RT-PCR in primary osteoclast precursors from rat bone marrow cells. Results : PCE17 and PE bind to ERs (estrogen receptors) and show estrogenic activities in 293T cells. They also stimulated the proliferation of MCF-7 cells and increased the expression of ER response gene, pS2. Tectorigenin, an active ingredient of PE, shows similar estrogenic activities in MCF-7 cells. PCE17 and CE inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in rat primary osteoclast precursor cells and down-regulated the osteoclast-specific genes of Nfatc1, Ctsk, and Acp5. Conclusions : In conclusion, PCE17 may have therapeutic potential in cases of menopause and osteoporosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1023-1030
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• 2008

NtMEK2, which is the tobacco MAPK kinase that is upstream of SIPK and WIPK, was identified using the dexamethasone (DEX)-inducible gain-of-function transgenic system. Expression of $NtNEK2^{DD}$, a constitutively active mutant of NtNEK2, leads to HR-like cell death, which indicates that the NtMEK2-SIPK/WIPK cascade controls defense responses in tobacco. However, little is known about the downstream target substrates or defense-related genes that are regulated by the NtMEK2-SIPK/ WIPK cascade. In this study, ACP-based differential display RT-PCR was used to isolate the downstream effectors mediated by the NtMEK2-SIPK/WIPK cascade in $NtNEK2^{DD}$ transgenic plants. The results identified 6 novel differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These included pathogen induced protein 2-4 (pI2-4), monoterpene synthase 2 (MTS2), seven in absentia protein (SINA), cell death marker protein 1 (CDM1), hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein (HRGP) and unknown genes (DEG45). The induction of these genes was confirmed by RT-PCR of samples obtained from $NtNEK2^{DD}$ plants. Additionally, when compared with other isolated DEGs, the pI2-4, CDM1 and HRGP genes were significantly up-regulated in response to treatment with salicylic acid and tobacco mosaic virus. Taken together, these results suggest that three novel DEGs were regulated by the NtMEK2-SIPK/WIPK cascade involved in disease resistance in tobacco.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2016

Saccharin (o-benzoic sulfimide) is the first artificial and non-caloric sweetener that was first synthesized in 1879. In this study, we examined the biological activity of saccharin against various human cancer cell lines and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. A viability assay based on the conversion of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) was performed to test for the cytotoxicity of saccharin about the four human cancer cell lines (H460, H157, A549 and SKOV3), one murine cancer cellline (Raw264.7), and MSCs. In order to find the differentially expressed gene in saccharin-treated MSCs against untreated MSCs, we performed annealing control primer (ACP)-based differential display reverse transcriptionp-olymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR). All tested cells were treated with saccharin at various concentrations (0.0, 4.8, 7.2, 9.6, 12.0, 14.4 mg/mL) for 48 hr. The number of metabolically active cancer cells decreased when treated with the saccharin at various concentrations for 48 hr as compared with the untreated cells. The decrease in cell survival was more evident with increasing concentrations of saccharin. Moreover, novel candidate genes, which were differentially expressed in MSCs in response to saccharin, were identified in 16 bands on 2% agarose gel. This revealed 16-7 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated-differentially expressed genes indicated by arrows. One of these candidate genes was a FK506-binding protein gene. The functional roles of FK506 binding proteins, with respect to the activities of stem cell proliferation, were not characterized. Further studies are required to get a better understanding of FK506-binding proteins in its roles in increasing stem cell proliferative activities from using saccharin.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.293-303
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• 2007

Objective: Previously, we identified differentially expressed genes between GV and MII stage mouse oocytes using ACP technology. When we study one of GV selective genes, Obox family, we found Obox4 mRNA expression in ovaries that has been reported as expressed exclusively in testis. Therefore, this study was conducted for characterization and functional analysis for Obox4. Methods: Expression of Obox4 mRNA was examined in gonads and oocytes by RT-PCR. To determine the role of Obox4 in oocyte maturation, Obox4 dsRNA was microinjected into the cytoplasm of GV oocytes followed by 16 h of incubation in the plain medium or by 24 h of incubation in the medium containing IBMX. After RNAi, phenotypes and maturation rates were observed, change in mRNA expression was evaluated, and chromosomal status was confirmed by orcein staining. Results: Obox4 has minimal expression in the ovary compared to that of the other family members. When oocytes were cultured for 16 h in M16 medium after RNAi, maturation rate was not changed significantly, compared with that of non-injected or buffer-injected control oocytes. Surprisingly, however, when oocytes were cultured for 24 h in M16 containing IBMX, in which oocytes were supposed to arrest at GV stage, Obox4 RNAi oocytes were advanced to MI and MII. Spindle structure was disappeared and the chromosomes were condensed in the oocytes after Obox4 RNAi. Conclusions: This is the first report on the expression of Obox4 in the ovary and oocytes. Results of the study suggest that Obox4 plays a crucial role in spindle formation and chromosome segregation during meiosis in oocytes. In addition, Obox4 may play an important role in cAMP-dependent signal cascades of GV-arrest in mouse oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.515-519
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• 2009

"Sangok", is a new japonica rice variety (Oryza sativa L.), which is a midium maturing ecotype developed by the rice breeding team of National Yeongnam Agricultural Experiment Station (NYAES) in 2003. This variety was derived from the cross of Milyang 101/YR8697Acp97 (in 1988/1989 winter) and selected by combination of the bulk and pedigree breeding. The pedigree of Sangokbyeo, designated as Milyang 182 in 2000, was YR12950-B-B-B-19-2-4-2-2. It has about 79cm stature in culm length and is medium maturing. This variety is resistant to bacterial blight ($K_1$, $K_2$, and $K_3$), stripe virus and moderately resistant to leaf blast disease. Milled rice kernels of "Sangok" is translucent, clear in chalkness and good at eating quality in the panel test. The yield potential of "Sangok" in milled rice is about 5.16MT/ha at ordinary fertilizer level of local adaptability test. This cultivar would be adaptable to the southern plain of Korea below the Chungnam province by latitude from ordinary transplanting to transplanting after barley harvest.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.520-524
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• 2009

A newly developed rice variety "Pungmi 1" is a japonica rice(Oryza sativa L.) with high grain quality and multi-resistant to diseases. It was developed by the rice breeding team of Yeongnam Agricultural Research Institute (YARI), RDA. in 2004. This variety derived from a cross between "YR13616Acp 1", having short culm and multi-resistance to biotic stresses and "Milyang 122" with good grain quality. It has short stature of 73cm in culm length and mid-early flowering date of Aug. 13. This variety is moderately resistant to leaf blast showing durable resistance of lower 10% diseased leaf araea in sequential planting meothod. Milled rice kernel of "Pungmi 1" is translucent, clear in chalkness and good at eating quality in panel test. Milling recovery and head rice ratios were comparable to Milyang 122, while it has low protein content. The milled rice yield potential of "Pungmi 1" is about 5.59 MT/ha at ordinary fertilizer level of local adaptability test. This cultivar would be adaptable to Yeongnam inland plains and southern coastal areas of Yeongnam province at ordinary transplanting as well as after barly cultivation.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2016

Granulosa cells surround the oocyte within the ovarian follicle and play an essential role in creating conditions required for oocyte as well as follicular development. The current study was conducted to examine the gene expression profile of mouse ovaries during the primordial to primary follicle transition process. Total RNAs from mouse ovaries on day 5 and day 12 were synthesized cDNA using annealing control primers. The DEGs were cloned and their identities were analyzed by BLAST search. The Plekha5 and Anxa11 were highly expressed in primary follicle stage. By contrast, their expression was increased in granulosa cells at the primary follicle stage. We have successfully discovered a list of genes expressed in day 5 and day 12 ovaries and confirmed that some of them are differentially expressed in PMF and/or PRI. This is a spatial-temporal regulatory mechanism on the ovarian folliculogenesis through membrane fusion. The gene expression profile from the current study would provide insight for future study on the mechanism(s) involved in primordial-primary follicular transition. This will provide information for identification of the mechanism of ovarian dysfunction.