• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.246-257
• /
• 2004

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify high school students' conceptual differentiation patterns on human digestion system. The subjects were 124 high school students and this group was guided to independently construct concept maps. Among them, 19 were selected for an in-depth interview and a short test. The concept maps, interview transcripts and the results of short-test were analyzed to identify conceptual differentiation patterns. The results were as follows. Mainly three distinct conceptual differentiation patterns were identified. The first pattern can be named as an 'Free-flow type'. The group belongs to this pattern expressed numerous examples than meaningful concepts with unclear understanding of hierarchial relation between each concepts. Also, this group had difficulties in grasp interrelations of different concepts. The second pattern can be identified as 'Sequence type'. This group constructed concept maps by featuring conceptual sequence. The group applied meaningful learning, yet assembled concept maps primarily according to sequence of learning and exhibited less organized concept maps than hierarchial type. The third pattern can be named as 'Hierarchial type'. All students elaborated concept maps after lessons. The sequence type changed hierarchial type or sequence mixed with hierarchial type but free-flow type was hardly changed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.694-708
• /
• 2011

In this study, we developed tasks including cognitive scaffolding for students to explain scientific phenomena using valid evidences in science classroom and sought to investigate how tasks influence the development of small group scientific argumentation. Heterogeneous small groups in gender and achievement were organized in one classroom and the tasks were applied to the class. Students were asked to write down their own ideas, share individual ideas, and then choose the most plausible opinion in a group. One group was chosen for investigating the effect of tasks on the development of small group argumentation through the analysis of discourse transcripts of the group in 10 lessons, students' semi-structured interview, field note, and students' pre- and post argument tests. The discrepant argument examples were included in the tasks for students to refute an argument presenting evidences. Moreover, comparing opinion within the group and persuading others were included in the tasks to prompt small group argumentation. As a result, students' post-argument test grades were increased than pre-test grades, and they argued involving evidences and reasoning. The high level of arguments has appeared with high ratio of advanced utterances and lengthening of reasoning chain as lessons went on. Students had elaborate claims involving valid evidences and reasoning by reflective and critical thinking while discussing about the tasks. In addition, tasks which could have various warrants based on the data led to students' spontaneous participation. Therefore, this study has significance in understanding the context of developing small group argumentation, providing information about teaching and learning context prompting students to construct arguments in science inquiry lessons in middle school.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.836-847
• /
• 2020

Objective: We investigated the temporal expression profiles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNA in the peripheral blood of pigs during development and identified the lncRNAs that are related to the blood-based immune system. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the pigs at 0, 7, 28, and 180 days and 2 years of age. RNA sequencing was performed to survey the lncRNA and mRNA transcriptomes in the samples. Short time-series expression miner (STEM) was used to show temporal expression patterns in the mRNAs and lncRNAs. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analyses were performed to assess the genes' biological relevance. To predict the functions of the identified lncRNAs, we extracted mRNAs that were nearby loci and highly correlated with the lncRNAs. Results: In total of 5,946 lncRNA and 12,354 mRNA transcripts were identified among the samples. STEM showed that most lncRNAs and mRNAs had similar temporal expression patterns during development, indicating the expressional correlation and functional relatedness between them. The five stages were divided into two classes: the suckling period and the late developmental stage. Most genes were expressed at low level during the suckling period, but at higher level during the late stages. Expression of several T-cell-related genes increased continuously during the suckling period, indicating that these genes are crucial for establishing the adaptive immune system in piglets at this stage. Notably, lncRNA TCONS-00086451 may promote blood-based immune system development by upregulating nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 2 expression. Conclusion: This study provides a catalog of porcine peripheral blood-related lncRNAs and mRNAs and reveals the characteristics and temporal expression profiles of these lncRNAs and mRNAs during peripheral blood development from the newborn to adult stages in pigs.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2000

Spatiotemporal expression of two isoforms of zonular occludens-1 (ZO-1), tight junctional protein, was examined in mouse testis. By RT-PCR, transcripts encoding two isoforms of ZO-1; ZO-1$\alpha$+ and ZO-1$\alpha$- were detected in testis. Two different forms of ZO-1 antigens with Mr.225 and 2001 KDa were detected in western blot of extract of neonatal to adult testis, coinciding with the result of RT-PCR. The relative amount of ZO-1 $\alpha$- versus 20-1 $\alpha$＋ increased as the mice matured. In immunostaining using the pan antibody which detected both isoforms, ZO-1 was localized in the intercellular spaces in the Sertoli cell - Sertoli cell contacts in periphery of seminiferous tubule as well as Sertoli cell - germ cells contacts within the seminiferous tubule. The expression of ZO-1 was ubiquitous in both junctional area and cytoplasm of seminiferous tubule components. However, more intense signals were found in Sertoli cell junctional areas according to sexual maturation. The changes in the relative amount of both isoforms and spatial distribution of ZO-1 at the periphery of seminiferous tubule might be important for functional appearance of blood testis barrier and spermatogenesis.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.7-10
• /
• 1999

This study was carried out with the purpose of looking into the transcriptionally regulated genes related to the anther development, characterizing them, and applying their promoters to induce male-sterile plants and restore their fertility. Fifteen anther-specific clones were isolated from the anther cDNA library of Chinese cabbage through the differential screening and sequenced partially at both ends. These partial sequence data showed that cDNA clones BAN52, 84, 101, and 229 are very similar to polygalacturonase, ascorbate oxidase, $H^+-translocating$ ATPase, and pectin esterase genes respectively. However, the other clones have not been matched to any of gene sequences in data bank. In northern dot blot analysis, the transcripts of cDNA clone BAN5, 10, 33, 52, 57, 102, 103, 215, 229 appeared in the flower bud of 2.1 mm in length and their amounts were gradually increased along with the anther development. Transcription of cDNA clone BAN32, 54, 62, 84, 101 began in flower bud of 3.9 mm, which is the late stage in anther development. However, the transcription of BAN87 was very small, but its transcript was detected in all anther developmental stages.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.531-536
• /
• 2016

We previously showed that NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) knockout (KO) mice exhibited spontaneous inflammation with markedly increased mucosal permeability in the gut, and that NQO1 is functionally associated with regulating tight junctions in the mucosal epithelial cells that govern the mucosal barrier. Here, we confirm the role of NQO1 in the formation of tight junctions by human colonic epithelial cells (HT29). We treated HT29 cells with a chemical inhibitor of NQO1 (dicumarol; 10 μM), and examined the effect on the transepithelial resistance of epithelial cells and the protein expression levels of ZO1 and occludin (two known regulators of tight junctions between gut epithelial cells). The dicumarol-induced inhibition of NQO1 markedly reduced transepithelial resistance (a measure of tight junctions) and decreased the levels of the tested tight junction proteins. In vivo, luminal injection of dicumarol significantly increased mucosal permeability and decreased ZO1 and occludin protein expression levels in mouse guts. However, in contrast to the previous report that the epithelial cells of NQO1 KO mice showed marked down-regulations of the transcripts encoding ZO1 and occludin, these transcript levels were not affected in dicumarol-treated HT29 cells. This result suggests that the NQO1-depedent regulation of tight junction molecules may involve multiple processes, including both transcriptional regulation and protein degradation processes such as those governed by the ubiquitination/proteasomal, and/or lysosomal systems.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2009

We generated 57,598 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from 3 cDNA libraries of Hanwooo (Korean Cattle), fat, loin, liver. Liver, intermuscular fat and longissimus dorsi tissues were obtained from a 24-month-old Hanwoo steer immediately after slaughter. cDNA library was constructed according to the oligocapped method. The EST data were clustered and assembled into unique sequences, 4,759 contigs and 7,587 singletons. To carry out functional analysis, Gene Ontology annotation and identification of significant leaf nodes were performed that were detected by searching significant p-values from $2^{nd}$ level GO terms to leaf nodes using Bonferroni correction. We found that 13, 26 and 8 significant leaf nodes are unique in the transcripts according to 3 GO categories, molecular function, biological process and cellular component. Also digital gene expression profiling using the Audic's test was performed and tissue specific genes were detected in the above 3 libraries.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.829-835
• /
• 2000

The ptsH and ptsI genes of Lactococus lactis subsp. lactis ATCC 7962 (L. lactis 7962), encoding the general proteins of phosphotransferase system (PTS) components, HPr and enzyme I, respectively, were cloned and characterized. A 1.3 kb PCR product was obtained using a primer set that was hybridized to the internal region of the L. lactis 7962 pts HI genes and then subcloned into a low-copy number vector, pACYC184. The 5' upstream and 3' downstream region from the 1.3 kb fragment were subsequently clone using the chromosome walking method. The complete ptsHI operon was constructed and the nucleotide sequences determined. Two ORFs corresponding to HPr (88 amino acids) and enzyme I (575 amino acids) were located. The ptsHI genes of L. lactis 7962 showed a very high homology (84-90%) with those genes from other Gram-positive bacteria. A primer extension analysis showed that the transcription started at either one of two adjacent bases upstream of the start codon. Using a Northern analysis, two transcripts were detected; the first, a 0.3 kb transcript corresponding to ptsH and the second, a 2 kb transcript corresponding to ptsH and ptsI. The transcription level of ptsH was higher than that of ptsI. The concentration of the ptsH transcript in cells grown on glucose was similar to that in cells grown on lactose, yet higher than that in cells grown on galactose. The ptsI transcript was scarcely detected in cell grown on lactose or galactose. The ptsI transcript was scarcely detected in cells grown on lactose or galactose. The results of a sequence analysis and Northern blot confirmed that the ptsH and ptsI genes of L. lactis 7962 were arranged in an operon like other known ptsHI genes and the expression of the ptsHI genes was regulated at the transcriptional level in response to the carbon source.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.27-32
• /
• 2006

To clarify the roles of bromelain in plants, we isolated BL1 gene encoding bromelain from pineapple stem tissues and sequenced. The full length cDNA is 933 bp and encodes a polypeptide of 311 amino acid residues. The cDNA is most similar 94% at the amino acid level to bromelain previously isolated from pineapple (BAA21929). Explants of Lactuca sativa were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tume-faciences LBA 4404 strains containing nptII and BL1 gene for transformation. Through initial selection of regenerated explants by culturing on a kanamycin and carbenicillin containing MS medium, multiple shoots were obtained after 2 months of culture. For a complementary step of selection, putative transgenic shoots were transferred to 1/2 Ms basal medium supplemented with 100 mg/L kanamycin and 500 mg/L carbenicillin. The selected shoots were obtained T1 generation seeds with emasculation, and tested with PCR analysis using 35S promoter and BL1 specific primers whether BL1 gene was introduced to genome of the plants. These results confirmed that produced the specific PCR bands in the putative transgenic lines. Additionally the Northern blot and endo protease activity showed that transcripts of BL1 gene were detected in transgenic lines. Theses results suggest that BL1 gene be successfully integrated and transcripted in the transgenic lettuce plants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.37-41
• /
• 1997

The in vitro regeneration and genetic transformation systems in hot pepper(Capsicum annuum L.) have not been routinely available, which has been a major limiting factor in the application of new genetic manipulations. An efficient procedure to regenerate whole pepper plants and to generate transgenic plants expressing a foreign gene was established. A relatively high frequency of plant regeneration was observed when hypocotyl and cotyledon explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with NAA 0.1 mg/L plus zeatin 2.0 mg/L or IBA 10.0 mg/L plus BAP 1.0 mg/L. Addition of AgNO$_3$5 $\mu$M to these media improved the regeneration frequency up to 8%. For plant transformation, hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of hot pepper were precultured on shoot induction media without kanamycin added for 2 days, and then cocultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens pDY183 for 2 days. Putative transformants were obtained from selection media containing 100 mg/L kanamycin sulfate and 500 mg/L carbenicillin. Putatively selected transformants were confirmed by amplification of selectable marker genes (ADA and NPT II) by polymerase chain reacion. Successful transcripts of ADA gene were detected by Northern blot analysis. Enzyme activity of ADA was also examined by spectrophotometric analysis, and expression of ADA gene in hot pepper suggests the potential application of ADA gene as a selectable marker in plants.