• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.76-82
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• 2006

Genetic variation of two Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii populations in Mt. Seorak and Mt. Halla was investigated by isozyme analysis at reproducible 11 loci of 7 isozyme systems(Aat-1, Aat-2, Gdh, Idh, Lap, Mdh-1, Mdh-2, Mdh-3, 6Pgd, Pgi-1, and Pgi-2), of which 7 loci were polymorphic. The levels of genetic diversity of two populations were A=2.2, $A_e=1.61,\;P_{95}=54.5,\;H_{o}=0.179,\;H_e=0.287$(Mt. Seorak population) and A=2.1, $A_e=1.48,\;P_{95}=63.6,\;H_{o}=0.270,\;H_e=0.250$(Mt. Halla population), respectively. These values were similar to and/or somewhat higher than those observed in other Korean native conifers. Moderately low degree of genetic differentiation was observed between 2 analyzed populations ($F_{ST}=0.039$). Heterozygosity of the population in Mt. Seorak was significantly lower than expected, and much high level of inbreeding coefficient(F=0.376) was observed. Considering the limited population size and distribution range of the population, the population seemed to be influenced by inbreeding and/or random genetic drift, Consequently, Mt. Seorak population should be considered to be a more important candidate for the conservation of J. chinensis var. sargentii.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2011

Background: Macrophages are one of the most important inflammatory cells in innate immunity. PU.1 is a macrophage-specific transcription factor. Ubiquitins are the ultimate regulator of eukaryotic transcription. The ubiquitination process for PU.1 is unknown. This study investigated the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of PU.1 and its relation to ubiquitins in the macrophages. Methods: Raw264.7 cells, the primary cultured alveolar, pulmonary, and bone marrow derived macrophages were used. The Raw264.7 cells were treated with MG-132, $NH_4Cl$, lactacytin and LPS. Nitric oxide and prostaglandin D2 and E2 were measured. Immunoprecipitation and Western blots were used to check ubiquitination of PU.1. Results: The PU.1 ubiquitination increased after LPS ($1{\mu}g$/mL) treatment for 4 hours on Raw264.7 cells. The ubiquitination of PU.1 by LPS was increased by MG-132 or $NH_4Cl$ pretreatment. Two hours of LPS treatment on macrophages, PU.1 activation was not induced nor increased with the inhibition of proteasomes and/or lysosomes. The ubiquitination of PU.1 was increased in LPS-treated Raw264.7 cells at 12- and at 24 hours. LPS-treated cells increased nitric oxide production, which was diminished by MG-132 or $NH_4Cl$. LPS increased the production of $PGE_2$ in the alveolar and peritoneal macrophages of wild type mice; however, $PGE_2$ was blocked or diminished in Rac2 null mice. Pretreatment of lactacystin increased $PGE_2$, however it decreased the $PGD_2$ level in the macrophages derived from the bone marrow of B57/BL6 mice. Conclusion: LPS treatment in the macrophages ubiquitinates PU.1. Ubiquitination of PU.1 may be involved in synthesis of nitric oxide and prostaglandins.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 1989

Genetic and morphometric comparison between two species of the genus Agkistrodon were performed to estimate the degree of genic variation and to clarify the taxonomic status of Cheju population, a suspected hybrid form between A. blomhoffii brevicaudus and A u ussuriensis. A sum of 147 specimens representing six populations of A.b. brevicaudus and two populations of A ussuriensis was used in this study. Out of the 21 loci examined, 5 loci (Adh, Ldh-2, Mdh-2, Mpi, Pgi) were monomorphic with identical mobility in both species. O Other Sioci (Aco, Gp, Fum, [po and Xdh in A b. brevicaudus; Est, Got-l, Gp, Mdh-l and 6Pgd in A ussuriensis) were highly poplymorphic. The degree of genic variation of Ab. b brevicaudus and A ussuriensis was A=1.SS, P=42.1%, HD=0.096, HG=O.l1S, and A= 1.4S, P = 31.6%, HD=0.117, HG =0.121, repectively. These values are twofold higher t than those of other reptilian species reported (Selander, 1976) including Korean species of Rhabdophis tigrina and Elaphe dione (Paik and Yang, 1986, 1987). The average values of t the genetic similarities among six populations of A b. brevicaudus and two populations of A ussuriensis were S=0.919 and S=0.962, respectively, whereas the value between species was S = 0.662. Presumed divergent time estimate (Nei, 1975) of these two species was about 1 1.8 million years ago. The analysis of the geographic variations of various morphological c characters was based on Gloyd’s criteria (Gloyd, 1972). Coloration of tongue and tail tip, t the number of ventral scales, and the number of subcaudal scales are good diagnostic c characters to identify these two species. The pattern of cross band is, however, highly variable within and between populations of both species. No hybrid was detected and the s suspected hybrid form of Cheju population falls within the range of A. ussuriensis in the g genetic and morphometric analyses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1516-1522
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• 2018

Atherosclerosis is an obstructive vessel disease mainly caused by chronic arterial inflammation to which the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is the main pathological response. In the present study, the primary responsible inflammatory cytokine and its signaling pathway was investigated. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs was significantly enhanced by the prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ ($PGF_{2{\alpha}}$), while neither was affected by tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$. Prostacyclin $I_2$ was seen to enhance the proliferation of VSMCs while simultaneously suppressing their migration. Both prostaglandin $D_2$ and prostaglandin $E_2$ significantly enhanced the migration of VSMCs, however, proliferation was not affected by either of them. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs stimulated by $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ progressed in a dose-dependent manner; the $EC_{50}$ value of both proliferation and migration was $0.1{\mu}M$. VSMCs highly expressed the phospholipase isoform $C-{\beta}3$ ($PLC-{\beta}3$) while others such as $PLC-{\beta}1$, $PLC-{\beta}2$, and $PLC-{\beta}4$ were not expressed. Inhibition of the PLCs by U73122 completely blocked the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$-induced migration of VSMCs, and, in addition, silencing $PLC-{\beta}3$ significantly diminished the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Given these results, we suggest that $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ plays a crucial role in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and activation of $PLC-{\beta}3$ could be involved in their $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$-dependent migration.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical significance of age and basal serum FSH in predicting the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with poor-ovarian response. Methods: From January 2000 to December 2004, 85 second IVF cycles of 85 poor-ovarian response patients under the age of 42 with a back-ground of the first IVF cycles at our infertility center and 5 or less oocytes were retrieved and their basal serum FSH levels of 15$\sim$25 mIU/ml were enrolled in this study. Exclusion criteria were patients with a male factor for the etiology of infertility and undergoing genetic diagnosis of embryo such as PGD. Flare-up protocol was used for ovarian stimulation in all cases. Results: When we stratified the study groups by patient's age, the younger age group (age<35, n=35) showed significantly higher implantation rate (19.0% versus 4.0%, p<0.05) and higher ongoing pregnancy rate (100% versus 14.3%, p<0.05) than the older age group (age$\geq$35, n=50). And then, when we stratified the study populations by basal serum FSH level, the lower FSH group (basal serum FSH<20 mIU/ml, n=58) showed significantly higher number of retrieved oocytes (4.6$\pm$0.7 versus 2.2$\pm$0.5, p<0.05) and lower cancellation rate (19.0% versus 55.6%, p<0.05) than higher FSH group (basal serum FSH$\geq$20 mIU/ml, n=27). Conclusions: In conclusion, it was suggested that the patient's age could predict the IVF outcomes in respect to its potency of pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy. Serum basal FSH levels could predict more accurately the ovarian response of cycle, but not clinical outcomes.