• Title/Summary/Keyword: morphological responses

Search Result 174, Processing Time 0.028 seconds

Molecular Mechanism of Macrophage Activation by Exopolysaccharides from Liquid Culture of Lentinus edodes

  • Lee, Ji-Yeon;Kim, Joo-Young;Lee, Yong-Gyu;Rhee, Man-Hee;Hong, Eock-Ki;Cho, Jae-Youl
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • /
    • v.18 no.2
    • /
    • pp.355-364
    • /
    • 2008
  • Mushrooms are regarded as one of the well-known foods and biopharmaceutical materials with a great deal of interest. ${\beta}$-Glucan is the major component of mushrooms that displays various biological activities such as antidiabetic, anticancer, and antihyperlipidemic effects. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanism of its immunostimulatory potency in immune responses of macrophages, using exopolysaccharides prepared from liquid culture of Lentinus edodes. We found that fraction II (F-II), with large molecular weight protein polysaccharides, is able to strongly upregulate the phenotypic functions of macrophages such as phagocytic uptake, ROS/NO production, cytokine expression, and morphological changes. F-II triggered the nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and activated its upstream signaling cascades such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, as assessed by their phosphorylation levels. The function-blocking antibodies to dectin-1 and TLR-2, but not CR3, markedly suppressed F-II-mediated NO production. Therefore, our data suggest that mushroom-derived ${\beta}$-glucan may exert its immunostimulating potency via activation of multiple signaling pathways.

Effects of recycling on the biomechanical characteristics of retrieved orthodontic miniscrews

  • Yun, Soon-Dong;Choi, Sung-Hwan;Cha, Jung-Yul;Yu, Hyung-Seog;Kim, Kwang-Mahn;Kim, Jin;Hwang, Chung-Ju
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
    • /
    • v.47 no.4
    • /
    • pp.238-247
    • /
    • 2017
  • Objective: The aim of this study was to compare recycled and unused orthodontic miniscrews to determine the feasibility of reuse. The comparisons included both miniscrews with machined surfaces (MS), and those with etched surfaces (ES). Methods: Retrieved MS and ES were further divided into three subgroups according to the assigned recycling procedure: group A, air-water spray; group B, mechanical cleaning; and group C, mechanical and chemical cleaning. Unused screws were used as controls. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, insertion time and maximum insertion torque measurements in artificial bone, and biological responses in the form of periotest values (PTV), bone-implant contact ratio (BIC), and bone volume ratio (BV) were assessed. Results: Morphological changes after recycling mainly occurred at the screw tip, and the cortical bone penetration success rate of recycled screws was lower than that of unused screws. Retrieved ES needed more thorough cleaning than retrieved MS to produce a surface composition similar to that of unused screws. There were no significant differences in PTV or BIC between recycled and unused screws, while the BV of the former was significantly lower than that of the latter (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that reuse of recycled orthodontic miniscrews may not be feasible from the biomechanical aspect.

Target Detection Using Texture Features and Neural Network in Infrared Images (적외선영상에서 질감 특징과 신경회로망을 이용한 표적탐지)

  • Sun, Sun-Gu
    • Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
    • /
    • v.47 no.5
    • /
    • pp.62-68
    • /
    • 2010
  • This study is to identify target locations with low false alarms on thermal infrared images obtained from natural environment. The proposed method is different from the previous researches because it uses morphology filters for Gabor response images instead of an intensity image in initial detection stage. This method does not need precise extracting a target silhouette to distinguish true targets or clutters. It comprises three distinct stages. First, morphological operations and adaptive thresholding are applied to the summation image of four Gabor responses of an input image to find out salient regions. The locations of extracted regions can be classified into targets or clutters. Second, local texture features are computed from salient regions of an input image. Finally, the local texture features are compared with the training data to distinguish between true targets and clutters. The multi-layer perceptron having three layers is used as a classifier. The performance of the proposed method is proved by using natural infrared images. Therefore it can be applied to real automatic target detection systems.

Reproductive Toxicity Evaluation of Pestban Insecticide Exposure in Male and Female Rats

  • Morgan, Ashraf M.;El-Aty, A.M. Abd
    • Toxicological Research
    • /
    • v.24 no.2
    • /
    • pp.137-150
    • /
    • 2008
  • Sexually mature male and female rats were orally intubated with the organophosphorus insecticide, Pestban at a daily dosage of 7.45 or 3.72 mg/kg bwt, equivalent to 1/20 and 1/40 $LD_{50}$, respectively. Male rats were exposed for 70 days, while the female rats were exposed for 14 days, premating, during mating and throughout the whole length of gestation and lactation periods till weaning. The results showed depressed acetylcholinesterase(AChE) activity in the brain of parents, fetuses and their placentae in a dose-dependent manner. The fertility was significantly reduced with increasing the dose in both treated groups, with more pronounced suppressive effects in the male treated group. The number of implantation sites and viable fetuses were significantly reduced in pregnant females of both treated groups. However, the number of resorptions, dead fetuses, and pre-and postimplantation losses were significantly increased. The incidence of resorptions was more pronounced in treated female compared to male group and was dose dependant. The behavioral responses as well as fetal survival and viability indices were altered in both treated groups during the lactation period. The incidence of these effects was more pronounced in the treated female group and occurred in a dose-related manner. The recorded morphological, visceral, and skeletal anomalies were significantly increased with increasing the dose in fetuses of both treated groups, with more pronounced effects on fetuses of treated females. In conclusion, the exposure of adult male and female rats to Pestban would cause adverse effects on fertility and reproduction.

Production of Monoclonal Antibodies (Mabs) Against Surface Antigens on Israeli Carp Lymphocytes and Their Applications

  • Woo, Jong-Kyu;Jang, Han-Na;Cho, Young-Hye;Jang, Yong-Suk;Choi, Sang-Hoon
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.14 no.8
    • /
    • pp.1179-1187
    • /
    • 2001
  • In fish both humoral and cell mediated immune responses have been reported whereas antibodies recognizing specific cellular populations have not yet been developed except for ones recognizing surface Ig molecules on B lymphocytes. Our aim was to develop and characterize monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) specific for the immune-related cells. Mabs were produced by fusion of myeloma cells (SP2/0) with Balb/c mouse spleen cells previously sensitized against Israeli carp (I. carp) kidney mononuclear cells. We obtained 44 Mabs positively reacting with I. carp kidney mononuclear cells and partially characterized 7 Mabs in the morphological and mitogen-based proliferative aspects. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis against I. carp kidney cells by using 7 different Mabs showed 80.3% for ICK 17-4, 65.1% for ICK 2-3, 64.1% for ICK 25-1, 67.5% for lCK 22-1, 70.8% for ICK 16-2, 76.8% for ICK 13-2, 79.7% for ICK II-I. Panning method was used for the isolation of Mabs specific mononuclear carp spleen cells followed by Wright's stain. The stained cell populations were identified as monocytes (ICK 17-4, ICK 2-3, ICK 25-1, ICK 22-1 and ICK 16-2), lymphocytes (ICK 11-1), and a mixed cell population of monocytes and lymphocytes (ICK 13-2). In cell proliferation assay, monocytes purified by ICK 17-4, 2-3 and 22-1 efficiently responded to Con A and PHA, while ones separated by ICK 25-1 did not react with any mitogens. Lymphocytes isolated by ICK 11-1, though it is not known whether they are T or B cells, were more responsive to Con A than PHA or LPS, suggesting that fish immune cells are somewhat different from mammalian cells in responding to mammalian T or B cell mitogens.

Molecular adaptation of the CREB-Binding Protein for aquatic living in cetaceans

  • Jeong, Jae-Yeon;Chung, Ok Sung;Ko, Young-Joon;Lee, Kyeong Won;Cho, Yun Sung;Bhak, Jong;Yim, Hyung-Soon;Lee, Jung-Hyun
    • Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
    • /
    • v.6 no.2
    • /
    • pp.102-109
    • /
    • 2014
  • Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are aquatic mammals that experienced drastic changes during the transition from terrestrial to aquatic environment. Morphological changes include streamlined body, alterations in the face, transformation of the forelimbs into flippers, disappearance of the hindlimbs and the acquisition of flukes on the tail. For a prolonged diving, cetaceans acquired hypoxia-resistance by developing various anatomical and physiological changes. However, molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations are still limited. CREB-binding protein (CREBBP) is a transcriptional co-activator critical for embryonic development, growth control, metabolic homeostasis and responses to hypoxia. Natural selection analysis of five cetacean CREBBPs compared with those from 15 terrestrial relatives revealed strong purifying selection, supporting the importance of its role in mammals. However, prediction for amino acid changes that elicit functional difference of CREBBP identified three cetacean specific changes localized within a region required for interaction with SRCAP and in proximal regions to KIX domain of CREBBP. Mutations in CREBBP or SRCAP are known to cause craniofacial and skeletal defects in human, and KIX domain of CREBBP serves as a docking site for transcription factors including c-Myb, an essential regulator of haematopoiesis. In these respects, our study provides interesting insights into the functional adaptation of cetacean CREBBP for aquatic lifestyle.

Reflex Eye Movements Induced by Stimulation of the Semicircular Canal Nerve in Rabbits (가토반규관신경자극(家兎半規管神經刺戟)에 의(依)한 반사성안구운동기전(反射性眼球運動機轉)에 관(關)하여)

  • Kim, Ki-Ho
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology
    • /
    • v.2 no.2
    • /
    • pp.75-81
    • /
    • 1968
  • According to recent observations of Cohen et al. the patterns of vestibular eye movements of rabbits are different from those of cats. However, the causes of such difference of the reflex eye movements in these species are not wholly explained. While the accumulated data obtained from cats appear to be established, experimental evidences in rabbits are rather meager. The author had re-examined the reflex eye movements of rabbits and attempted to find a mechanism which causes such difference in the reflex eye movements between two species. In anesthesized rabbit, unilateral individual semicircular canal nerve was stimulated selectively with a fine insulated electrode which was inserted through a hole made on the corresponding osseous canal, under a dissecting microscope. When an individual canal nerve was stimulated, the reflex movements of both eyes were observed, photographed, and recorded kymographically. Extraocular muscles were also studied to find their morphological characteristics and to correlate them with the function of the muscles. 1. At the beginning of the stimulation, both eyes moved to a specific direction depending upon the canal stimulated, and such directional eye movements were sustained during the whole course of stimulation. Amplitude of the eye movement showed graded responses to the increasing frequency of the stimulus, reaching to the maximal response at 200-300 cps. 2. Stimulation of the unilateral horizontal canal nerve caused conjugate eye movements, which was also observed in cats and other species by other investigators. 3. Stimulation of the unilateral vertical canal nerve caused a pattern of non-conjugate eye movements, which are different from those observed in cats. Such different patterns of vestibular eye movements in two different species are ascribable to the functional difference of the inferior and superior oblique muscles.

  • PDF

Morphological Features of the Mouthparts of Silkworm Bombyx mori L. in Relation to the Feeding Responses to Artificial Diet - With Special Reference to Antennae and Maxillae - (누에의 인공사료에 대한 섭식성과 구기의 형태적 특징에 대하여 - 더듬이 및 소시의 형태적 특징을 중심으로 -)

  • Hwang, Seok-Jo;Mah, Young-Il;Sohn, Hae-Ryong
    • Applied Microscopy
    • /
    • v.26 no.1
    • /
    • pp.59-65
    • /
    • 1996
  • The silkworm feeding behaviour reveals two types of feeding response i. e., energetic and inert feeding response to diet. These two new technical terms are being introduced in the present study. The structures of functional organs of mouthpart and antenna of energetic and inert feeding response to diet were examined by scanning electron microscope. There is a big variations in the ultrastructures of different sensilla. The maxillary palpi or sensilla basiconica at the top of maxillary palpus of maxilla are well developed in the energetic larva while in the inert larva, these organs on the right side are extremely deformed. Similarly, these sensilla on the third segment of antenna are well developed in the larva energetic to diet has only two deformed sensilla basiconica, that is why silkworm can not show a proper form. This is related to abnormality and it is due to the fact that behaviour is too strong to select the food but fails and finally dies of the starvation.

  • PDF

Anatomical Changes in the Forming and Germinating Processes of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Seeds (담배종자의 형성과정과 발아과정중의 형태적 변화)

  • ;Byong-Hee Hong;Jae-Young Cho
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
    • /
    • v.31 no.2
    • /
    • pp.143-149
    • /
    • 1986
  • Anatomical changes in the forming and germinating processes of tobacco seeds were investigated to obtain basic information on the ecological characteristics of tobacco seeds. Seed development studied through the longitudinal section of the fertilized ovule clarified that the cell division of the zygote was initiated after 7 days of flowering. After 12 days of flowering, perfect seed constituents such as cotyledon, epicotyle and radicle were formed and those were expressed to recognizable level of germinability. After 15 days of flowering germination rate reached higher than 30% and 17 and 21 days after flowering a perfect seed which have 70% or higher germinability were produced. Seed size was ranged between 0.3-0.6 mm and varietal differences were noted in the given seed size range. Under the light treatment, the morphological changes were observed by elongation of radicle after 2 days of imbibition and apparent germination after 3 days of imbibition. But no responses of the seeds imbibed 6 days under the dark condition were observed.

  • PDF

The Separated Refining System for Cotton Staple and Linter Fibers: Refining Efficiency and Paper Properties (스테이플 및 린터 면 섬유의 분리 고해 특성에 관한 연구: 고해 효율과 종이 물성)

  • 윤성훈;이영석;김태영;김진영
    • Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
    • /
    • v.35 no.4
    • /
    • pp.8-16
    • /
    • 2003
  • The objective of this study was to investigate the potential application of the separated refining system in the papermaking process using cotton pulps. The cotton staple and linter fibers were expected to show a great difference in their refining responses due to their morphological and physical differences. Experiments were conducted to examine the differences in flocculation tendency, CED viscosity, fiber length, handsheet properties and the SEM surface images between staple and linter fibers at a given refining degree. These fibers were also subjected to separated refining in a laboratory-scale beater and in a mill-scale refiner as well. The effect of the separated refining on the refining rates and papermaking properties were evaluated. Results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Fiber flocculation tendency of cotton staple was estimated to be significantly greater than that of linter fibers; 2. The staple fibers showed higher cellulose DP, longer fiber length and higher sheet strength at a given refining degree compared to linter fibers, but remarkably slower refining rate was observed; 3. The separated refining system exhibited a significant increase in sheet strengths, especiauy in folding endurance, with an increase in the fibrillation on the surface of staple fibers, but slightly lower or comparable fiber length after refining to the mixed refining system; 4. Similar results were also obtained from the machine trial in which about 7-8% energy saving effects were achived in the separated refining system. On the basis of the results observed in this study, it was concluded that a significant increase in paper strength and a substantial reduction in refining energy consumption could be achieved using the separated refining system for the cotton staple and linter fiber stock refining.