• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.95-106
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• 2007

Objective: We previously identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (MII) mouse oocyte. The present study was accomplished as a preliminary study to elucidate the role of ribose 5-phosphate isomerase A (Rpia), the essential enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), in oocyte maturation. We observed expression of Rpia in the mouse and porcine oocytes. Methods: Expression pattern of the 11 MII-selective DEGs in various tissues was evaluated using RT-PCR and selected 4 genes highly expressed in the ovary. According to the oocyte-selective expression profile, we selected Rpia as a target for this study. We identified the porcine Rpia sequence using EST clustering technique, since it is not yet registered in public databases. Results: The extended porcine Rpia nucleotide sequence was submitted and registered to GenBank (accession number EF213106). We prepared primers for porcine Rpia according to this sequence. In contrast to the oocyte-specific expression in the mouse, Rpia was expressed in porcine cumulus and granulosa cells as well as in oocytes. Conclusion: This is the first report on the characterization of the Rpia gene in the mouse and porcine ovarian cells. Results of the present study suggest that the mouse and porcine COCs employ different mechanism of glucose metabolism. Therefore, the different metabolic pathways during in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) in different species may lead different maturation rates. It is required to study further regarding the role of Rpia in glucose metabolism of oocytes and follicular cell fore exploring the regulatory mechanism of oocyte maturation as well as for finding the finest culture conditions for in vitro maturation.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2006

The present study was conducted to confirm that a bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum can be used as a biomarker for the monitoring of the heavy metal pollution in the silt of the marine environment. The clams were collected from the silt of Cheonsu-bay, Buheung-ri, and Tan-island of the West Sea, Korea. To observe the normal structures of the target organs (hepatopancreas and gill), they were dissected out for the immunohistochemical study and the electron microscopy with TEM, SEM, and SEM-EDS. The immunohistochemical study showed that the interdiverticular connective tissues of the hepatopancreas, and the outer epithelium of the gill lamellae was strongly reacted to anti-metallothionein (MT), indicating the presence of MT, a metal-binding protein, involved in metal detoxifying process. According to the examinations under the TEM, the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas of the clams collected from polluted area (Tan-island) showed certain changes such as swollen rER, swollen nuclear envelope and inclusion bodies in the nulcei. In the SEM-EDS analysis, tissue of the hepatopancreas showed relatively higher concentration of S, Zn, and Cd. These elements are supposed to be concerning with the MT-reaction in the hepatopancreas. Considering that the coastal bivalve R. philippinarum showed immediate subcellular responses to heavy metal pollution in the overall experiments conducted, this species might act as one of efficient biomarkers for the heavy metal contamination in the marine environment.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.89-108
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• 1980

Comparative studies on the parafollicular cells of the some mammalian species from five different orders were carried out; i.e., man from Primates, cattle, pig, and black goat from Artiodactyla, dog from Carnivora, rabbit from Lagomorpha, rat, mouse, and squirrel from Rodentia. For this study, various special techniques for the parafollicular cells, including Grimelius' silver impregnation method (Sawicki and Bajko, 1974), Singh's argentaffin method (Singh, 1964), HCl-toluidine blue stain (Sawicki, 1971), and HCl-lead hematoxylin stain (Solcia et al., 1969), were applied. Authors obtained the following results: 1. Number of parafollicular cells in the same area of thyroid tissues are significantly different from species to species. Number of cells were largest in dog and less cells were found in the following orders; rat, squirrel, mouse, rabbit, cattle, pig, black goat and finally the smallest number in man. 2. Distribution of parafollicular cells within thyroid gland are significantly different from portion to portion in case of cattle, rabbit, squirrel and mouse, but it is not significant in dog, man, pig, black goat and rat (see Table 1-1 and 1-2). 3. In dog, clustered parafollicular cells are located usually in the interfollicular space, and groups of parafollicular cells are located in the para-and/or inter-follicular positions in rabbit. But in the other animals parafollicular cells are found solitarily in the intra-and/or para-follicular positions. 4. The shape of parafollicular cells shows oval to round contour in dog, but it is polymorphic, for example, spindle, conical, oval, round or elongated with cytoplasmic processes, in the other animals. 5. Size of parafollicular cells is larger in cattle, dog and pig, smaller in rat, mouse and squirrel, and medium-size in rabbit, man and black goat. 6. Parafollicular cells of pig, cattle, dog and squirrel are observed to contain densely packed granules, whereas those of mouse, rat and man contain relatively scanty granules. 7. Parafollicular cells of all the mammals show more or less positive reaction to Grimelius' argyrophile silver impregnation method, HCl-toluidine blue stain and HCl-lead hematoxylin stain, whereas they show negative reaction to argentaffin method (see Table 2). 8. Considering the above finding, it is concluded that there are species differences in the distribution, location and shape of parafollicular cells, and infer that preferable staining method should be selected for reliable detection of parafollicular cells, beacuse staining methods applied on the cells in this study show variable reactions according to species.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.161-168
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• 2008

The effects tea beverages (TBs) prepared from powdered green tea (Gt), oolong tea (Ot), black tea (Bt), or pure tea (Pt) with lemon, orange, grenadine etc on cadmium toxicity in rats were investigated Sensory evaluations of the TBs are better than those of each water extracted teas. Cadmium (50 ppm) was administered to experimental rats fed a basic diet, or a diet with various TBs (15% w/v), for 5 weeks. Although body weight gains, feed intakes, and fecal weights in all Cd-treated groups were lower than those in the normal control group (NC), feed efficiency ratio, urine volumes, liver weights, and kidney weights did not differ significantly between groups. The serum ALT and AST levels in the Cd-treated control group (Cd-Co) were higher than those in the NC animals. Serum ALT and AST levels in all Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets were lower than in animals of the Cd-Co group. Tibia and femur weights in Cd-Co animals were lower than those in NC rats. Tibia and femur weights in Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets were higher than those in Cd-Co animals. There were no between-group differences in tibia lengths; animals in the NC and TB-supplemented diet groups showed femur lengths longer than those of Cd-Co rats. Although the contents of crude ash and cadmium in the femurs of Cd-Co mts was markedly higher than in the femurs of NC animals, the cadmium content in femurs of Cd-Co rats was significantly lower than that in the femurs of NC animals. The changes in mineral levels caused by Cd administration were alleviated by every TB-supplemented diet tested Whereas fecal calcium excretion by Cd-Co animals was significantly higher than that of NC rats, calcium excretion by Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets was significantly lower than that of Cd-Co animals. Fecal cadmium excretion by all Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets was significantly higher than that of Cd-Co animals. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence that various TBs may regulate cadmium-induced organ toxicity by reducing cadmium accumulation in tissues through the mechanism of increasing the fecal excretion of cadmium.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.463-472
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• 2015

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide expressed in all body tissues, and its related receptors are increased in liver fibrosis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of AM deficiency on liver fibrogenesis induced by $CCl_4$ using AM heterozygous (HT) mice. The animals received a single injection of $CCl_4$ or olive oil for the acute experiment, and received $CCl_4$ or olive oil three times a week for 6 weeks for the chronic experiment. Fibrosis was accessed using histopathological analysis and the western blot. The AM HT mice showed mild pericentrilobular degeneration when compared to the AM wild type (WT) mice. In the acute experiment, there was no significant difference between the AM WT and AM HT mice. However, in the chronic experiment, the $CCl_4$-treated AM HT mice showed more severe liver fibrosis than that of the CCl₄-treated AM WT mice. The AST and ALT levels of the AM HT $CCl_4$ group were higher than those of the AM WT CCl₄ group. Additionally, the collagen deposition, $\alpha$- SMA protein and TGF-$\beta$ protein were increased in the AM HT $CCl_4$ group when compared to the AM WT $CCl_4$ group. The AM HT mice also exhibited severe lipid peroxidation through the GSH decrement. Taken together, our data suggest that AM deficiency increases the susceptibility to liver fibrosis induced by $CCl_4$, indicating a novel therapeutic target for patients with liver fibrosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1772-1777
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• 2011

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and sodium-independent $Cl^-/HCO_3^-$ anion exchanger (AE) genes are expressed in a wide variety of mammalian tissues including cholangiocytes. They play an important role in the regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) as well as in transepithelial acid/base transport necessary for biliary bicarbonate secretion. The aim of this study was to examine the expression level of CFTR gene and AE genes (AE1, AE2 and AE3) in the cholangiocytes and the hepatocytes, and also measure AE2 gene expression level after bile duct ligation (BDL). As we previously described, isolated hepatocytes and cholangiocytes from the liver of normal and BDL rats were prepared and gene expression levels were measured by using RT-PCR. We found that AE1, AE2, and AE3 genes were expressed in both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, but CFTR was only in cholangiocytes. AE2 gene expression level was higher in the BDL hepatocytes than normal hepatocytes, which was significantly different between two groups. AE2 gene expression level was lower in the BDL cholangiocytes than normal cholangiocytes. However, AE2 gene expression level in both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes were not changed with a longer duration of BDL. These results suggest that CFTR and AE2 may play an important role in the pathogenetic mechanism of biliary cholestatic liver disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.983-993
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• 2009

The effects of Monascus-fermented Korean red ginseng (MFRG) on the contents of serum lipids and tissues lipid peroxidation was investigated in alcohol feeding rats (AC group). Serum contents of total lipid and free fatty acid in alcohol feeding rats were significantly increased, but these increases tended to decrease in the AMFRG group. Serum triglyceride content was also significantly decreased in the AMFRG group compared to other groups. Serum content of total-cholesterol was significantly increased in AC group compared to normal control (NC) group, whereas there was no significant difference between the AC and AMFRG groups. Content of HDL-cholesterol in serum was slightly increased in the AC group compared to the NC group, but this increase in the AC group was more significantly increased in the AMFRG group. At the same time, atherogenic index (AI) was also significantly decreased in the AMFRG group compared to the AC group. Contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver, heart, spleen and testes were significantly increased in the AC group compared to the NC group, but these increases were significantly less in the AMFRG group. Contents of liver nonheme ion was increased in the AC group and was significantly decreased in the AMFRG group, which suggested that lipid peroxidation contents are inversely correlated with liver nonheme ion content. Hepatic glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the AC group, but this content was significantly increased in the AMFRG group and it showed the antioxidant abilities of glutathione. These results suggested that Monascus-fermented Korea red ginseng has anti-atherogenic index (AI) effects as well as antioxidative activities through reduced tissue oxidative stress in alcohol feeding rats.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to identify the bacteria isolated from endodontic lesions by cell culture and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of them against 8 antibiotics. The necrotic pulpal tissues were collected from 27 infected root canals, which were diagnosed as endodontic infection. Samples were collected aseptically from the infected pulpal tissue of the infected root canals using a barbed broach and a paper point. The cut barbed broaches and paper points were transferred to an eppendorf tube containing $500{\mu}l\;of\;1{\times}PBS$. The sample solution was briefly mixed and plated onto a BHI-agar plate containing 5% sheep blood. The agar plates were incubated in a $37^{\circ}C$ anaerobic chamber for 2 to 5 days. The bacteria grown on the agar plates were identified by comparison of 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequencing method at the species level. To test the sensitivity of the bacteria isolated from the infected root canals against 8 antibiotics, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using broth dilution assay. The data showed that 101 bacterial strains were isolated and were identified. Streptococcus spp. (29.7%) and Actinomyces spp. (21.8%) were predominantly isolated. The 9 strains were excluded in antimicrobial susceptibility test because they were lost during the experiment or were not grown in broth culture. The percentage of bacteria susceptible for each antibiotic in this study was clindamycin, 87.0% (80 of 92); tetracycline, 75.0% (69 of 92); cefuroxime axetil, 75.0% (69 of 92); amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (5:1), 71.7% (66 of 92); penicillin G, 66.3% (61 of 92); erythromycin, 66.3% (61 of 92); amoxicillin, 44.6% (41 of 92); and ciprofloxacin, 31.5% (29 of 92). The susceptibility pattern of 8 antibiotics was dependent on the host of the bacteria strains rather than the kinds of bacterial species. These results indicate that antibiotic susceptibility test should be performed when antibiotics are needed for the treatment of infected root canals.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.182-188
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• 2008

Purpose: Transcriptional factors of CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) are involved in regulating the gene expression in response to a variety of signaling pathways. The proteins produced by the CREB genes play key roles in many physiological processes, including memory and long-term potentiation. The retinoic acid receptor (RAR) axis mediates epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation in many tissues. This study examined the expressions of RAR and CREB and their relationship with the clinicopathologic factors and their significance. Materials and Methods: The levels of the RAR and CREB expressions were measured in 150 gastric adenocarcinomas by performing immunohistochemical staining. Results: 1. An RAR protein expression was found in 63.3% of the adenocarcinomas (95/150) and a CREB expression was found in 60.7% (91/150) of the adenocarcinomas. 2. An RAR protein expression was found in 72.2% (78/108) of the intestinal type adenocarcinomas and in 40.5% (17/42) of the diffuse type adenocarcinomas (P<0.05). Based on the depth of invasion, an RAR protein expression was found in 58.3% (14/24) of the T1 adenocarcinomas, in 61.9% (13/21) of the T2 adenocarcinomas, in 63.5% (61/96) of the T3 adenocarcinomas, in 77.8% (7/9) of the T4 adenocarcinomas and in 74.7% (62/83) of the adenocarcinomas with lymph node metastasis and in 49.2% (33/67) of the adenocarcinomas without lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). 3. A CREB expression was found in 69.4% (75/108) of the intestinal type and in 38.1% (16/42) of the diffuse type (P>0.05). Based on the depth of invasion, a CREB expression was found in 50% (12/24) of the T1 adenocarcinomas, in 52.4% (11/21) of the T2 adenocarcinomas, in 64.6% (62/96) of the T3 adenocarcinomas, in 66.6% (6/9) of the T4 adenocarcinomas, in 71.1% (59/83) of the adenocarcinomas with lymph node metastasis and in 47.8% (32/67) of the adenocarcinomas without lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). 4. The RAR protein and CREB expressions coincided in 71.4% of the gastric adenocarcinomas and a significant correlation between them was found (P<0.05). Conclusion: We found a significant relationship between the expression of RAR and CREB and the histology and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm their biologic meaning in gastric carcinogenesis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2007

The lacrimal gland are compound tubule-acinar glands. The main lacrimal function is the production of the aqueous layer, the thickest and major constituent of the precorneal tear film. The lacrimal gland also has an important function in the defense system of the ocular surface, forming a part of the conjunctival-associated hymphoid tissue. The ultrastructural characteristics of the lacrimal gland of the rabbit were described. The lacrimal tissues of rabbits were processed through the conventional techniques for transmission electron microscopy. The secretory portions consisted of three cell types: 1. Serous cells with electron dense secretory granules. 2. Seromucous cells containing variable moderately electron dense secretory granules with flocculent material. 3. Mucous rolls containing mucous secretory granules. The serous cells were situated at the basal portion of acini, and they contained electron dense granules of variable densities and sizes. The seromucous cells contained a few protein secretory granules and more mucous secretory granules. The mucous cells contained even fewer protein secretory granules and exclusively mucous secretory granules. The epithelium of the intralobular ducts showed secretory granules, junctional complexes, and large basolateral intercellular spaces with lateral folds. These study might be helpful in determining inter-relationships, similarities and differences among the orbital glands of various physiological or pathological conditions.