• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.194-208
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• 1985

The ultrastructure of the integumental epidermis of Korean planaria (Dugesia japonica) is studied by light microscope, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The planaria has mono-layered integumental epidermis in which most of cells exhibit irregularly columnar shape. The epidermal cells of the integument are classified into six types on the basis of cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics. 1) Ciliated epithelial cells: These cells have cilia in their free surfaces. The axonemes of cilia exhibits fundamental 9+2 microtubular pattern. 2) Eosinophilic cells: These cells contain a few large eosinophilic granules. The core of eosinophilic granule is consisted of sparsely dispersed fibrillar structures in relatively electron-lucent ground material. 3) Mucous cells: These cells are filled with irregularly shaped, PAS-positive mucous granules which have an average size of $0.8\\times0.3 \\muM$. 4) Rhabdite-forming cells: These cells possess a few strongly-eosinophilic large rhabdite granules. The rhabdite granules are synthesized either in the rhabdite-forming cells which constitute integumental epidermis or in the corresponding cells which are developed in the parenchyma and later transferred to epidermal cells of integumental epidermis through basement membrane. 5) A-type of basophilic granule cells: These granule cells possess round or irregularly-shaped granules which are strongly stained with Alcian blue. These electron-dense granules have an average size of $1.5\\times1.0 \\muM$. This type of cells is derived from parenchymal tissue. 6) B-type of basophilic granule cells: These basophilic granule cells with PAS-positive granules, are found in the epidermis of lateral body wall. The granules, which are about $0.7\\times0.4 \\muM$ in size, occupying most part of this cell type are originated from the parenchyma.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.317-327
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• 1996

This study was performed to develop the biological treatment technology of wastewater polluted with heavy metals. Zinc-tolerant microorganism, such as Pseudomonas chlororaphis which possessed the ability to accumulate zinc, was isolated from industrial wastewaters polluted with various heavy metals. The characteristics of zinc accumulation in the cells, recovery of the zinc from the cells accumulating zinc, were investigated. Removal rate of zinc from the solution containing 100 mall of Zinc by zinc-tolerant microorganism was more than 90% at 48 hours after inoiulation of the microorganisms. A large number of the electron-dense granules were found mainly on thIn cell wall and membrane fractions, when determined by transmission electron microscope. Energy dispersive X- ray spectroscopy revealed that the electron-dense granules were zinc complex with the substances binding Heavy metals. The zinc accumulated into cells was not desorbed by distilled water, but more than 80% of the zinc accumulated was desorbed by 0.1M-EDTA. The residues of the cells after combustion at 55$0^{\circ}C$ amounted to about 21% of the dry weight of the cells. EDS analysis showed that the residues were comparatively pure zinc compounds containing more than 79% of zinc.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.345-348
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• 2015

Toxoplasma gondii is a eukaryotic parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, which infects all warm-blood animals, including humans. In the present study, we examined sequence variation in dense granule 20 (GRA20) genes among T. gondii isolates collected from different hosts and geographical regions worldwide. The complete GRA20 genes were amplified from 16 T. gondii isolates using PCR, sequence were analyzed, and phylogenetic reconstruction was analyzed by maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. The results showed that the complete GRA20 gene sequence was 1,586 bp in length among all the isolates used in this study, and the sequence variations in nucleotides were 0-7.9% among all strains. However, removing the type III strains (CTG, VEG), the sequence variations became very low, only 0-0.7%. These results indicated that the GRA20 sequence in type III was more divergence. Phylogenetic analysis of GRA20 sequences using MP and ML methods can differentiate 2 major clonal lineage types (type I and type III) into their respective clusters, indicating the GRA20 gene may represent a novel genetic marker for intraspecific phylogenetic analyses of T. gondii.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.573-577
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• 1993

The pancreatic endocrine cells, glucagon and somatostation, of the Korean tree squirrel. Sciurus vulgais corea, were investigation by means of light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry using the PAP and protein A-gold techniques. Glucagon-immunoreactive cells were distributed the periphery and occasinonaly central region of the pancreatic islets. Also, isolated cell was found between the pancreatic ancinar cells. The glucagon cells contraine granules with a diameter of 240~320nm and the electron dense core usually surrounded by a halo of less dense granular material. The core of granule was labelled strongly with gold particles. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were weakly stained in scattered along the peripheral pancreatic islets and were distributed as singly or small groups with in the pancreatic acinar cells. The somatostatin cells were spherical with a diameter of 250~275nm, moderately electron opaque (Gold particles were mostly demonstrated on the entire granule.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.387-395
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• 2022

Background: Fermentation may alter the bioavailability of certain compounds, which may affect their efficacy and pharmacological responses. This study investigated the antiplatelet effects of red ginseng extract (RGE) and fermented red ginseng extract (FRG). Methods: A rodent model was used to evaluate the antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of the extracts. Rats were orally fed with human equivalent doses of the extracts for 1 week and examined for various signaling pathways using standard in vivo and ex vivo techniques. Light transmission aggregometry was performed, and calcium mobilization, dense granule secretion, integrin α_IIbβ₃-mediated signaling molecules, cyclic nucleotide signaling events, and various protein molecules were evaluated ex vivo in collagen-stimulated washed platelets. Furthermore, antithrombotic properties were evaluated using a standard acute pulmonary thromboembolism model, and the effects on hemostasis were investigated using rat and mice models. Results: Both RGE and FRG significantly inhibited platelet aggregation, calcium mobilization, and dense granule secretion along with integrin-mediated fibrinogen binding and fibrinogen adhesion. cAMP levels were found to be elevated in RGE-treated rat platelets. Ginseng extracts did not exert any effect on prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. RGE-treated mice showed significantly better survival under thrombosis than FRG-treated mice, with no effects on hemostasis, whereas FRG-treated mice exhibited a slight increment in bleeding time. Conclusion: Both extracts, especially RGE, are remarkable supplements to maintain cardiovascular health and are potential candidates for the treatment and prevention of platelet-related cardiovascular disorders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.706-713
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• 2023

Background and objective: The ability to inhibit aggregation has been demonstrated with synthetically derived ginsenoside compounds G-Rp (1, 3, and 4) and ginsenosides naturally found in Panax ginseng 20(S)-Rg3, Rg6, F4, and Ro. Among these compounds, Rk3 (G-Rk3) from Panax ginseng needs to be further explored in order to reveal the mechanisms of action during inhibition. Methodology: Our study focused to investigate the action of G-Rk3 on agonist-stimulated human platelet aggregation, inhibition of platelet signaling molecules such as fibrinogen binding with integrin α_IIbβ₃ using flow cytometry, intracellular calcium mobilization, dense granule secretion, and thromboxane B₂ secretion. In addition, we checked the regulation of phosphorylation on PI3K/MAPK pathway, and thrombin-induced clot retraction was also observed in platelets rich plasma. Key Results: G-Rk3 significantly increased amounts of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and led to significant phosphorylation of cAMP-dependent kinase substrates vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R). In the presence of G-Rk3, dense tubular system Ca²⁺ was inhibited, and platelet activity was lowered by inactivating the integrin αIIb/β₃ and reducing the binding of fibrinogen. Furthermore, the effect of G-Rk3 extended to the inhibition of MAPK and PI3K/Akt phosphorylation resulting in the reduced secretion of intracellular granules and reduced production of TXA₂. Lastly, G-Rk3 inhibited platelet aggregation and thrombus formation via fibrin clot. Conclusions and implications: These results suggest that when dealing with cardiovascular diseases brought upon by faulty aggregation among platelets or through the formation of a thrombus, the G-Rk3 compound can play a role as an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.490-497
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• 2021

Background and objective: Synthetic ginsenoside compounds G-Rp (1,3, and 4) and natural ginsenosides in Panax ginseng 20(S)-Rg3, Rg6, F4 and Ro have inhibitory actions on human platelets. However, the inhibitory mechanism of ginsenoside Rk1 (G-Rk1) is still unclear thus, we initiated investigation of the anti-platelet mechanism by G-Rk1 from Panax ginseng. Methodology: Our study focused to investigate the action of G-Rk1 on agonist-stimulated human platelet aggregation, inhibition of platelet signaling molecules such as fibrinogen binding with integrin α_IIbβ₃ using flow cytometry, intracellular calcium mobilization, fibronectin adhesion, dense granule secretion, and thromboxane B2 secretion. Thrombin-induced clot retraction was also observed in human platelets. Key Results: Collagen, thrombin, and U46619-stimulated human platelet aggregation were dose-dependently inhibited by G-Rk1, while it demonstrated a more effective suppression on collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation using human platelets. Moreover, G-Rk1 suppressed collagen-induced elevation of Ca²⁺ release from endoplasmic reticulum, granule release, and α_IIbβ₃ activity without any cytotoxicity. Conclusions and implications: These results indicate that G-Rk1 possess strong anti-platelet effect, proposing a new drug candidate for treatment and prevention of platelet-mediated thrombosis in cardiovascular disease.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.3071-3076
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• 2014

Proteomic analyses of the excretory/secretory proteins from the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii have been performed to understand their functions in the host-parasite interaction. A total of 34 proteins were identified from LC/MS/MS analysis and their abundance was estimated by spectral counting methods. Among them, 8 species of micronemal proteins (MICs), 2 species of rhoptry proteins (ROPs), and 6 species of dense granular proteins (GRAs) were confirmed. Besides these, 18 species of protein were newly identified, and their cellular functions were estimated from sequence analysis. The three most abundant of the 34 identified extractor/secretory proteins-GRA1, GRA7 and GRA2-were confirmed to be highly expressed in T. gondii using the spectral count method. This phenomenon is another demonstration of the importance of GRA proteins for the penetration and survival of T. gondii.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.91-97
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• 2005

The acinar cells and secretory granules of the parotid salivary gland were examined in the lesser white toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens and the big white-toothed shrew, C. lasiura. The parotid gland of both species were a serous gland having only one kind of serous acinar cells, and had conventional arrangement of acini and intercalated, granular and striated ducts. In case of C. suaveolens, serous acinar cells had well developed rER, prominent Golgi complex, several large mitochondria and abundant moderate dense secretory granules with various stages of the maturing or fusing process. Immature acinar secretory granules were only or mainly filled with fine strong dense specks and had an indistinct limiting membrane, and mature granules were filled with homogeneous pale large round center and had fine strong dense specks at the periphery of the homogeneous pale center and a distinct limiting membrane. In case of C. lasiula, serous acinar cells had well developed rER, prominent Golgi complex, several large mitochondria and abundant dense secretory granules with maturing or fusing process. Immature acinar secretory granules were only filled with pale rough specks and had an indistinct limiting membrane, and mature granules were only filled with rough dense specks and had a distinct limiting membrane. Eventually The acinar secretory granules of C. suaveolens were seen moderate at the light and ultrastuctural level, those of C. lasiura were strong dense at the light microscopic level and dense at the ultrastructural level.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.123-126
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• 1996

The pattern of seed storage protein, vicilin, deposition and site of intracellular localization was examined in cotyledon cells of pea (Pisum sativum) seed using the immunocytochemical methods. The vicilin was confined to the cisternae fo the rough endoplasmic reticulum and dictyosome as well as protein granules newly formed in rough endoplasmic reticulum. Vacuolar protein deposites and protein bodies were also labelled by gold particles. After small protein bodies were formed in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, they were transported to large protein bodies and then fused together. Electron dense protein granule, elaborated in the dictyosome, appears to be transported from dictyosome to protein body. A few unlabelled protein granules seem to be accumulated in other type of proteins than vicilin.