• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1075-1083
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• 2015

Adipose tissue deposited within muscle fibers, known as intramuscular fat (IMF or marbling), is a major determinant of meat quality and thereby affects its economic value. The biological mechanisms that determine IMF content are therefore of interest. In this study, 48 genes involved in the bovine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, which is involved in lipid metabolism, were investigated to identify candidate genes associated with IMF in the longissimus dorsi of Hanwoo (Korean cattle). Ten genes, retinoid X receptor alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), phospholipid transfer protein, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group H member 3, fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3), carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, acyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase long chain (ACADL), acyl-Coenzyme A oxidase 2 branched chain, and fatty acid binding protein 4, showed significant effects with regard to IMF and were differentially expressed between the low- and high-marbled groups (p<0.05). Analysis of the gene co-expression network based on Pearson's correlation coefficients identified 10 up-regulated genes in the high-marbled group that formed a major cluster. Among these genes, the PPARG-FABP4 gene pair exhibited the strongest correlation in the network. Glycerol kinase was found to play a role in mediating activation of the differentially expressed genes. We categorized the 10 significantly differentially expressed genes into the corresponding downstream pathways and investigated the direct interactive relationships among these genes. We suggest that fatty acid oxidation is the major downstream pathway affecting IMF content. The PPARG/RXRA complex triggers activation of target genes involved in fatty acid oxidation resulting in increased triglyceride formation by ATP production. Our findings highlight candidate genes associated with the IMF content of the loin muscle of Korean cattle and provide insight into the biological mechanisms that determine adipose deposition within muscle.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.211-220
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate that the effect of dietary fatty acid composition on pro- and macro-glycogen utilization and resynthesis. The analyses were further extended for different muscle fibers (type I, type II, & type IIb) as well as tissues (i.e., liver & heart). Total one hundred sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were used, and rats were randomly allocated into four experimental groups: animals fed standard chow diet (n=40), animals fed saturated fatty acid diet (n=40), animals fed monounsaturated fatty acid (n=40), and animals fed polyunsaturated fatty acid (n=40). Animals in each groups were further divided into five subgroups: sacrificed at REST (n=8), sacrificed at immediately after 3 hr swim exercise (P-0HR, n=8), sacrificed at one hour after 3 hr swim exercise (P-1HR, n=8), sacrificed at four hour after 3 hr swim exercise (P-4HR, n=8), and sacrificed at twenty-four hour after 3 hr swim exercise (P-24HR, n=8). Soleus (type I), red gastrocnemius (type IIa), white gastrocnemius (type IIb), liver, and heart were dissected out at appropriated time point from all animals, and were used for analyses of pro- & macro-glycogen concentrations. After 8 weeks of dietary interventions, there was no significant difference in body mass in any of dietary conditions (p>.05). After 3 hr swim exercise, blood lactate level was higher compared to resting conditions in all groups, but it was returned to resting value after 1 hr rest (p<.05). Free fatty acid concentration was higher in all high fat fed groups(regardless of fatty acid composition) than CHOW consumed group. At rest, pro- & macro-glycogen concentration was not different from any of experimental groups (p>.05). Regardless of forms of glycogen, the highest level was observed in liver (p<.01), and most cases of supercompensation after 3hr exercise observed in this study were occurred in CHOW fed tissues. Except heart muscle, all tissues used in this study showed that pro- and macro-glycogen concentration was significantly decreased after 3 hr exercise. Based on these results, two conclusions were made: first, there is no different level of glycogen content in various tissues regardless of types of fatty acids consumed and second, the highest mobilization rate would be demonstrated from CHOW fed animals compare to animals that consumed any kinds of fatty acid diet if prolonged exercise is applied.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 1986

The sufficient myoplasmic $Ca^{++}$ to react with the contractile proteins is necessary to induce contraction of a cardiac muscle. These $Ca^{++}$ for the production of muscle contraction are supplied from the three recognized $Ca^{++}$ sources; internal $Ca^{++}$ release via the sarcoplasmic reticulum(SR), $Ca^{++}$ influx through a gated Ca-channel in the membrane as a Isi, and $Ca^{++}$ transport by the mechanism of Na/ca exchange. However, it is still controversial which $Ca^{++}$ sources act as a main contributor for myoplasmic $Ca^{++}$, Therefore, this study was undertaken in order to examine the $Ca^{++}$ sources for the contraction of frog ventricle. There is evidence that the SR is sparse in frog ventricular fibers, and that T-tubules are absent. Isolated ventricular strips of frog, Rana nigromaculata, were used in this experiment. Isometric tension was recorded by force transducer, and membrane potentials of ventricular muscles were measured through the intracellular glass microelectrodes, which were filled with 3M KCI and had resistance of $30{\pm}50M{\Omega}$. All experiments were performed at room temperature in a tris·buffered Ringer solution which was aerated with 100% $O_2$. Isotonic high K, low Na solution was used to induce K-contracture, K-contracture appeared at the concentration of 20 to 30mM-KCI and was potentiated in parallel with the increase in KCI concentration. The contracture had two components: an initial rapid phasic and a subsequent slow tonic contractile responses. Membrane Potentials measured at normal Ringer solution(2.5mM KCI) was -90 to -100 mV, and decreased linearly as the KCI concentration increased; -55mV at 20mM.KCI, -45mV at 30 mM.KCI, -30 mY at 50 mM.KCI, and -12 mV at 100 mM.KCI. K-contracture was evoked firstly at the membrane potential of -45 mV. The contracture was potentiated by the increase of bathing extracellular $Ca^{++}$ concentration. However, in the absence of $Ca^{++}$ the contracture was almost not induced by 50 mM.KCI solution. Caffeine(20mM) in normal Ringer solution, which is known to release $Ca^{++}$ from SR without substantial effects on the $Ca^{++}$ fluxes across the surface membrane, did not affect membrane potential and also not initiate contracture, but the caffeine in 20 mM-KCI Ringer solution produced a contracture. Above results suggest that the main $Ca^{++}$ source for the K·contracture of frog ventricle is $Ca^{++}$ influx through the voltage-dependent Ca-channel, and that in the K-contracture at the concentration of 100 mM-KCI, the mechanism of Na/ca exchange also partly contributs, in addition to the $Ca^{++}$ influx.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.878-895
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• 1999

Ischemic preconditioing (IPC), i.e., a preliminary brief episode of ischemia and reperfusion, has been shown to reduce the cell damage induced by long ischemia and reperfusion. Superoxide radical which is produced during reperfusion after ischemia was recognized as a factor of the ischemic injury and it is dismutated into $H_2O_2$ and $O_2$ by two types of intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD), Cu,Zn-SOD in cytoplasm and Mn-SOD in mitochondria. Recently oxygen free radicals are suggested to induce the apoptosis, however mechanism of the reduced apoptosis by ischemic preconditioing was unknown, while many studies performed in mammalian heart indicated that ATP-sensitive $K^+$ ($K_{APT}$) channel activation related with the protective effects. The aim of present study is to investigate 1) whether IP upregulate the Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activities, and 2) whether ischemic preconditioning decreases apoptosis via $K_{APT}$ channel activation in timely reperfused skeletal muscle after long ishemia. The experimental animals, Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250~300g, were divided into 8 groups; 1) control group, 2) ischemic preconditioning only groups, 3) pinacidil, a $K_{APT}$ channel opener, treatment only groups, 4) glibenclamide, a $K_{APT}$ channel blocker, treatment only groups, 5) ischemia groups, 6) ischemia after IPC groups, 7) ischemia and pinacidil treatment groups, and 8) IP and ischemia after glibenclamide pretreatment groups. Animals of the control group were administered with the vehicle (DMSO) alone. Pinacidil (1mg/kg) was administered intravenously 5 minutes after initiation of ischemia, and glibenclamide (0.5mg/kg) was injected intravenously 20 minutes before IPC. In rats that were ischemic preconditioned, the left common iliac artery was occluded for 5 minutes followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion by three times using vascular clamp. Ischemia was done by occlusion of the same artery for 4 hours. The specimens of left rectus femoris muscle were obtained immediately (0 hour), 12 hours, 24 hours after drug administrations, IP or ischemia and reperfusion. The immunoreactivities of SOD and its alterations were observed by use of sheep antihuman Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD antibodies on the $10{\mu}m$ cryosections. The incidencies of apoptosis were observed by TUNEL methods with in situ apoptosis detection kit on $6{\mu}m$ paraffine section. The results obtained were as follows : 1. After IPC, immunoreactivities of Cu,Zn-SOD mainly in the small-sized fibers were increased by 24 hours, that of Mn-SOD at 0 hour and 24 hours. 2. No significant changes in immunoreactivities of SOD was observed in the pinacidil and in the glibenclamide treatment only groups, and in the ischemia only groups. 3. The immunoreactivities of the Cu,Zn-SOD were increased in the ischemia after IPC groups and the ischemia and pinacidil treatment groups. 4. The immunoreactivities of the Cu,Zn-SOD in the IPC and ischemia after glibenclamide pretreatment groups were not increased except for the 12 hours reperfusion group. But, Mn-SOD immunoreactivities were increased in the 0 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours after reperfusion. 5. In the control group, the IPC only groups, and the pinacidil treatment only groups, negative or trace apoptotic reactions were observed, but the positive apoptotic reaction occured in the glibenclamide treatment groups. 6. Moderate or many number of apoptosis were revealed in the ischemia groups, and also the IPC and ischemia after glibenclamide pretreatment group except for 12 hours and 24 hours after reperfusion. However, the incidence of apoptosis was decreased in the ischemia after IPC groups and in the ischemia and pinacidil treatment groups. 7. There is a coincidence between the increase of Cu,Zn-SOD immunoreactivities and the decrease of apoptosis in the presence of ischemia and reperfusion. These results suggest that the protective effects of ishemic preconditioing may related to the SOD activation, and the ischemic preconditioning decreases the apoptosis partially via $K_{APT}$ channel activation in timely reperfused rat skeletal muscle. It is also suggested that inhibition of apoptosis by IPC may related with the SOD activation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.113-118
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• 2006

In the primary sensory neuron of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN), the peripheral axon supplies a large number of annulospiral endings surrounding intrafusal fibers encapsulated in single muscle spindles while the central axon sends only a few number of synapses onto single ${\alpha}-motoneurons({\alpha}-MNs)$. Therefore, the ${\alpha}-{\gamma}$ linkage is thought to be very crucial in the jaw-closing movement. Spike activity in a ${\gamma}-motoneuron\;({\gamma}-MN)$ would induce a large number of impulses in single peripheral axons by activating many intrafusal fibers simultaneously, subsequently causing an activation of ${\alpha}-MNs$ in spite of the small number of synapses. Thus, the activity of ${\gamma}-MNs$ may be vital for modulation of jaw-closing movements. Independently of such a spindle activity modulated by ${\gamma}-MNs$, somatic depolarization in MTN neurons is known to trigger the oscillatory spike activity. Nevertheless, the trafficking of these spikes arising from the two distinct sources of MTN neurons is not well understood. In this short review, switching among multiple functional modes of MTN neurons is discussed. Subsequently, it will be discussed which mode can support the ${\alpha}-{\gamma}$ linkage. In our most recent study, simultaneous patch-clamp recordings from the soma and axon hillock revealed a spike-back-propagation from the spike-initiation site in the stem axon to the soma in response to a somatic current pulse. The persistent $Na^+$ current was found to be responsible for the spike-initiation in the stem axon, the activation threshold of which was lower than those of soma spikes. Somatic inputs or impulses arising from the sensory ending, whichever trigger spikes in the stem axon first, would be forwarded through the central axon to the target synapse. We also demonstrated that at hyperpolarized membrane potentials, 4-AP-sensitive $K^+$ current ($IK_{4-AP}$) exerts two opposing effects on spikes depending on their origins; the suppression of spike initiation by increasing the apparent electrotonic distance between the soma and the spike-initiation site, and the facilitation of axonal spike invasion at higher frequencies by decreasing the spike duration and the refractory period. Through this mechanism, the spindle activity caused by ${\gamma}-MNs$ would be safely forwarded to ${\alpha}-MNs$. Thus, soma spikes shaped differentially by this $IK_{4-AP}$ depending on their origins would reflect which one of the two inputs was forwarded to the target synapses.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.693-706
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• 1997

The present study was designed to investigate the morphological developments of the stomach in the prenatal and postnatal rats. The gastric fundus of 16- to 22-day-old fetuses, neonates, 7-day-old, 14-day-old, 21-day-old, and adult rats were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Light microscopic studies. 1. In the 16-day-old fetuses, the walls of the gastric fundus were differentiated into epithelium, lamina propria, muscle layer, and serosa. The lamina propria was composed of mesenchymal connective tissue cells with sparse nucleus and their fibers. 2. In the 17-day-old fetuses, the muscular layer were differentiated into the circular and longitudinal muscle layers. 3. The epithelium on the fundus of stomach was stratified columnar cells at 16-, 17- and 18-day-old fetuses, but partly converted into simple columnar epithelium at 19-day-old fetuses. 4. The mucous cells were positive by PAS reaction at the 19-day-old fetuses and then these developed rapidly within 1 or 2 days before birth. 5. In the 20-day -old fetuses, the parietal cells were distinguished from other type cells and these cells were chiefly crowded in the middle parts of the gastric glands after 7-day-old. Scanning electron microscopic studies. 6. The surface of gastric mucosa was covered with forms of the various protrusions by forming villi at the last few days before birth and these protrusion forms were fused and folded each other. 7. The mucosal surface was closely packed by polygonal mucous cells. The openings of gastric glands were seen as slit-like round invagination and were more numerous and increased gradually in depth after the postnatal life. The above findings indicate that prominent changes occurred in the pattern of cellular proliferation in the stomach fundus at the end of gestation. The gastric epithelium had well-defined glands composed of parietal, chief and mucous cells just before the birth. The stomach fundus, therefore, were developed morphologically as those of normal adult at fourteen days after birth.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.424-430
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• 2002

Vas deferens is a long tube and could be divided into four regions as its morphological characters: a short and slender proximal region, a convoluted region, a straight and more thick distal region, and an ejaculatory duct, It is connected with the posterior outer horns of the testis and runs to the gonopores opened on the coxa of the fifth walking legs, The proximal region consists almost entirely of simple cuboidal epithelial cells, $12\~28{\mu}$m in height, surrounded by a thin basal membrane. A small aggregation of high cuboidal epithelium is obsened from one side of the proximal region. The convoluted and distal region is composed of two kinds of epithelial cells; high cuboidal epithelial cells, $40\~120{\mu}m$ in height located in dorsal portion and simple cuboidal epithelial cells of $12\~28{\mu}$m in height located in ventral and lateral portion. The ejaculatory duct is surrounded with two kinds of muscle layers, inner longitudinal and outer circular muscle fibers, The lumen is lined with high and simple cuboidal epithelium in almost equal proportions. The proximal region contains mature sperm and basophilic substances. The eosinophilic substances appeared newly going toward the convoluted region and are laid along simple cuboidal epithelial cell layer. Tube-like content (spermatophore) of the vas deferens is ejaculated from a pair of genital pores at mating. Two masses of the content fuse together side by side and are usually deposited on the female thorax between the second and fourth or fifth pereiopods, The spermatophore formed measures $2.7\~4.0$ mm in length and $1.5\~2.7$ mm in width.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2000

To understand host-defence mechanism of clam(Ruditapes philippinarum) hemocyte against foreign materials, classification and their seasonal change in the number were performed. clams collected from a farm in Julpo Bay, Gochang, Chollabuk-Do were used in this experiment. Lots of hemocytes were found between the muscle fibers and connetive tissue of posterior adductor muscle. Hemocytes of R. philippinarum were classified into granulocytes and agranulocytes. Granulocytes were composed of three types, basophilic granulocyte, acidophilic granulocyte and fibrocyte in accordance with the staining affinities of their cytoplasmic granules. Fibrocyte has filopodia and vesicle in endoplasm and bigger than other granulocytes in size. Agranulocytes were less in the number and smaller in the size compared to those of granulocytes. Hyalinocytes had no granule in their cytoplasm. The nucleus located in the center of the cell was oval or spherical shaped. In electron microscopic observation, granulocytes and hyalinocytes contained electron-dense vesicles and some small lucid vesicles in their cytoplasm, respectively. Granulocytes phagocytosed more zymosan particles than hyalinocytes. Acidophilic granulocytes showed higher phagocytic ratio than basophilic granulocytes. Total hemocyte numbers showed the highest at April to August and the lowest at October to December. In the composition of each hemocyte, basophilic granulocytes were always more than acidophilic granulocytes and hyalinocytes.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2005

Histological observations on the barbels of catfish (Siluridae) in Korea are reported. The mandibular barbel of Far Eastern catfish, Silurus asotus, has epidermis and dermis surrounding an axial rod of cartilage. The stratified epidermis embodies mucous cells, club cells, and taste buds. The mucous cells, which are thin rims of basophilic cytoplasm, and the taste buds, which are basophilic, are located at the surface and the distal portion of the epidermis, respectively. The basement membrane lies between the epidermis and dermis except in places of dermal papillae. The dermis is made up of loose connective tissue fibers enclosing nerve bundles and blood vessels. The central region of cartilage is innermost and enclosed within muscle layers. The mandibular barbel of slender catfish, S. microdorsalis, has an identical structure to those of the Far Eastern catfish however, the percentage thickness of epidermis in the upper and lower parts of the barbel and the number of taste buds in the upper and middle parts of the barbel are different from those of Far Eastern catfish. This study shows that the mandibular barbels in Far Eastern catfish and slender catfish are of a stiff and flexible type.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.127-132
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• 1972

Experimental studies on the water content of muscles and the histological changes of muscles, digestive tract and kidney, influenced by forced oral administration of excessive tap water, were performed by using 10 Korean bulls. Experimental animals were divided into two groups, five heads for test group and five for control group. All of the bulls used in this experiment were weighing between 250 kg and 300 kg and 3 and 4 years of age. In each test animal, a total of 140 litters of tap water was passed in the forestomach by means of catheterization within 12 to 18 hours. And each of them was slaughtered immediately after the animals showing symptoms of respiratory distress. In control group, the animals were allowed to drink tap water normally. From test and control animals after slaughter, each 10 gm of M. biceps femoris, M. satorius, M. adductor, M. gluteous supercialis, M. iliocostalis lumborum, and M. transversus costarum were taken from definite parts in order to measure water content. In the histopathological studies tissues of rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum, duodenum, colon and kidney were taken as wall as the above mentioned muscles. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Increase of water content in the muscles of test group were 4.6% in M. satorius, 4.24% in M. transversus costarum, 4.14% in M. gluteous supercialis, 4.02% in M. adductor, 3.88% in M. biceps femoris, and 2.46% in M. iliocostalis lumborum respectively. The highest increase was found in M. satorius and the lowest in M. iliocostalis lumborum. 2. In test animal, average increasing value of water content in muscles was 3.9% and shown highly significant (p<0.01). 3. On the microscopical findings of carcass, marked watery edema was observed all of the subcutaneous tissues and intermuscular connective tissues. 4. Microscopically, the epimysium, perimysium and endomysium were widened, and the muscle fibers were lacerated. The cells of stratum lucidum in the epithelium of rumen and reticulum were shown marked vacuolization. In the kidney, dilatation of Bowman's spaces and proximal tubles was observed.