• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.217-224
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• 2017

Carbon monoxide (CO), a reaction product of cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), is a gaseous messenger with anti-proliferative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory actions in many cell types. Here, we investigated the role of CO on the process of monocyte differentiation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in human monocytic THP-1 cells. CORM-2 (tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer, $Ru2Cl_4(CO)_6$), a CO-releasing compound, decreased a marked cell adherence with a slight reduction of proliferation in monocytic THP-1 cells treated with PMA. And, CORM-2 significantly inhibited expression of differentiation markers such as CD14, CD11b plus CD18 (macrophage-1 antigen, Mac-1 or complement receptor 3, CR3) and phagocytosis of carboxylate-modified red fluorescent latex beads, in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. For the further experiments, differentiation of PMA-treated cells was enhanced after the initial 2 days stimulus by removing the PMA-containing media then incubating the cells in fresh media for a another 4 days. And, we observed the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and phagocytosis in differentiated macrophages. Treatment with CORM-2 significantly abolished the secretion of IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and phagocytosis using fluorescence-conjugated E. coli (K-12 strain) bioparticles in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated differentiated macrophages. In conclusion, these results suggest that CO inhibits the differentiation of monocytic THP-1 cells as well as the activation of differentiated macrophages.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2000

This study was designed to identify the ultrastructural changes of mouse endometrium during peri-implantation period and obtain the fundamental information for the establishment of 3-dimensional culture system of mouse endometrial cells in vitro. The used female ICR mice ($6{\sim}8$ wks) were conducted on pregnant. The biopsies were obtained from whole uterus at cycle day 1 (D1) and day 5 (D5) after hCG injection and mating. The biopsies materials were fixed 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 1% osmium tetroxide. Subsequently, for observation using light and transmission electron microscopy (LM and TEM), they were dehydrated and embedded in Epon and the embedded biopsies were sectioned and stained. For scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the fixed specimens were dehydrated, dried and coated with gold. 1) For LM, the biopsied materials at D5 (late secretory phase) were appeared the extended stromal layer by increased connective tissues and the fully developed endometrial glands and vessels compared with D1 (early secretory phase). 2) For TEM, the mouse endometrium was consisted of 3-layers, a simple polarized columnar epithelial cells, basement membrane and stromal cells. At D5, the distribution of microvilli, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi body, lipid and glycogen deposits, secretory granules and surface area of basement membrane were increased. 3) For SEM, the degree of folding and microvilli of surface of mouse epithelial cells was became more and more according to the process of secretory phase, and at D5, implantation time of mouse, the appearance of pinopodes as a specific marker of uterine receptivity was found. The uterine pinopodes of mouse were found in narrow sites at the luminal surface, irregularity and appeared the different stages in the same sample. Therefore, these results indicated that the mouse endometrium was experienced dramatic morphological changes during peri-implantation period.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2010

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the expression pattern of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endometrium and the pathogenesis of endometriosis by investigating VEGF expression patterns and their difference between eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis and that of normal controls without endometriosis. Methods: Endometrial sections were obtained from 64 hysterectomy specimens from women under age of 40, who had undergone hysterectomies and had histological evidence of endometriosis, with stage 3 and 4 according to the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification. As for controls, 37 sections were gained from women diagnosed as having cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) of the uterine cervix and without evidence of pelvic endometriosis or adenomyosis during their operation. The VEGF content was evaluated immunohistochemically in the eutopic endometrium from 64 patients with endometriosis and 37 normal controls. Histological semiquantitative score (H-score) was calculated and compared between study group and control group throughout the menstrual cycle. Results: There was no significant difference in the H-score of VEGF in the eutopic endometrium between patients with endometriosis and controls without endometriosis when compared according to the same phase of the cycle, although the H-score of the study group was significantly higher in the secretory phase than the proliferative phase. Conclusion: The VEGF expression in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis was not different from that of women without endometriosis. This study suggests VEGF expression in eutopic endometrium is unlikely associated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2022

The initial co-transport and counter-transport permeate transport characteristics of calcium ion at epithelial cell membrane model in parathyroid which irradiated by high energy x-ray(linac 6 MV) was investigated. The epithelial cell membrane model used in this experiment was a polysulfonated copolymerized membrane of poly(PS-DVB: polystyrene-divinylbenzene). The difference of sorbed water in membrane, fixed carrier concentration(SO₃^2-), initial pH value, OH^- concentration were occurred at difference of Ca²⁺concentration and quantity of parathyroid hormone, respectively. The initial co-transport and counter-transport permeate flux of Cl^-, OH^-, Ca²⁺ on fixed carrier concentration(SO₃^2-) and initial pH value of irradiated membrane was found to be decreased than non-irradiated membrane. The initial co-transport and counter-transport permeate flux of Ca²⁺ on fixed carrier concentration (SO₃^2-), initial pH value, OH^- concentration in irradiated membrane were found to be decreased about 2.68 ~ 6.87 times, about 1.42 ~ 1.63 times, about 2.07 ~ 1.672 times than non-irradiated membrane, respectively. As a result, the quantity of parathyroid hormone was decreased at irradiated membrane than non-irradiated membrane. The decrease of parathyroid hormone was occurred at hypoparathyroidism and osteoporosis, parathyroiditis, and so on. As the parathyroid hormone in epithelial cell membrane model were abnormal, cell damages were appeared at cell.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2013

A Gram-negative bacterium was isolated from mushroom media that markedly reduces the level of extracellular toxins (i.e., tolaasins) produced by Pseudomonas tolaasii, the most destructive pathogen of cultivated mushrooms. The HC1 strain was selected as detoxifying tolaasin by bioassay on potato and it was identified Pseudomonas sp. by the cultural, morphological and physiological characteristics, and analysis of the 16S rRNA. The isolated bacterium is saprophytic but not parasitic nor pathogenic to cultivation mushroom. The isolated bacterium for P. tolaasii cell, was sufficient for detoxification in vitro. Inoculation of the isolated bacterium prevents the development of bacterial disease in Pleurotus ostreatus, Flammunia velutipes and Agaricus bisporus. Control efficacy of brown blotch of strain HC1 treatment was 69, 68 and 55% on Agaricus bisporus, Flammulina velutipes and Pleurotus ostreatus, respectively. The suppressive bacterium may be useful in future for the development of biocontrol system and the construction of genetically modified edible fungi resistant to the disease caused by P. tolaasii.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.112-118
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• 2004

It has been reported that various kinds of chinese herbs have an activity of promote growth rate in both animals and human. To investigate the growth promoting effect of the selected plants, fish and pigs were used as experimental animals. In fish, Eleutherococcus senticosus extract and Artemisia capillasis extract were found to be most effective. And these plant extracts were given to pigs. The result showed that plant extracts-fed pigs were significantly increased their body weight gain at 7.06% of average daily gain, as compared to control. The verify this results, secreted growth hormone (GH)levels and insulin-like growth factor-1 (ICF-1) levels into blood were measured. This result indicated that GH and IGF-1 levels in the blood in plant extracts-fed pigs were higher that those of control. To confirm growth promotion effect on human, we manufactured the mixture of these plant extracts, and coated this mixture onto rice, named as $Kiwoomi^{TM}$. When we administered $Kiwoomi^{TM}$ to elementary students, it was found to be effective in growth promotion. This result showed that $Kiwoomi^{TM}$-treated elementary students significantly increased their growth rate (about 2.14 times), as compared to untreated children. Taken together, it is suggested that this functional rice ($Kiwoomi^{TM}$) might be helpful for growing children without any side effects.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2009

Puopose : Exposure to dietary phytoestrogens such as genistein during early childhood is a growing public health concern. We examined the effect of early exposure to genistein on sexual maturation in immature rats. Methods : Weaning (3wk-old) Sprague-Dawley female rats were assigned to three groups (n=6 for each): fed by high dose of genistein (100 mg/kg/d), low dose of genistein (10 mg/kg/d) and control group. First vaginal opening (VO) day was observed. Structural alterations in the ovary and uterus were assessed by histologically. Expression of genes of $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$, and progesterone receptor (PR) in the ovary and uterus were investigated by RT-PCR. Results : High genistein group had earlier VO than control and low genistein group. Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed from the ovary of genistein-treated groups, while primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the control group. Hypertrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelia were found in the genistein-treated groups while poor development of gland and fewer myometrial cell layers were evident in control group. In ovary, the transcriptional activities of $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ were higher in high genistein group than in controls. In uterus, the transcriptional activities of $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$ and PR were higher in low genistein group than in controls. Conclusion : Acute exposure to genistein during the prepubertal period could activate the reproductive endocrine system resulting in the early onset of puberty in female rats. Further clinical investigation on the effect of genistein on the sexual maturation in children is warranted.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2009

The exo-polysaccharide producing microorganism, Aureobasidium pullulans IMS-822, was isolated and identified from soil. The viscosity-average molecular weight of exo-polysaccharide was calculated as $8.9{\times}10^5$ by Mark-Houwink equation. The sugar component of exo-polysaccharide was determined as glucose by HPLC analysis. The IR spectra indicated that the exo-polysaccharide has an absorption peak at 890 $cm^{-1}$ for the ${\beta}-configuration$ of D-glucan. The $^{13}C$ NMR signal at ${\delta}$ 86.62 ppm arose from the substituted C-3 of glucose. The signal at ${\delta}$ 72.11 ppm was assigned to C-6 of branched ${\beta}-(1{\to}3)-D-glucosyl$ residues. Viscosity and Congo red reaction indicated that {\beta}-(1{\to}3)(1{\to}6)-glucan$ produced by A. pullulans IMS-822 has a highly ordered hydrogen-bond dependent conformation in aqueous solution, which collapses in strong alkaline solution.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.359-367
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• 1987

A method for evaluating bacterial chemotactic responses toward several single of combined sugars and sterile mucilage from the different rice cultivars had been tested. Bacterial genus of Azospirillum, Pseudomonas and Agrobacterium were specially identified from the histosphere of different rice cultivars and graminea grasses in saline and reclaimed saline paddy soil. To evaluate chemotaxis of these strains a modification of Fendrik channel method was used. Under this condition Azospirillum lipoferum Ecc 3-1 reacted stereoisomerically fomulating the single migration ring while Agrobacterium radiobacter Ecc 1-1 and Pseudomonas sp Ecc 4-1 did not. Strains specificities of chemotaxis to the single sugar such as D(+)-glucose and D(+)-fructose were less prominent than malic and citric acid. Chemotactic responses to the combined sugar such as D-galacturonic acid and the L-aspartate were found high attracting reaction than other combined sugars. Chemotaxis of associative $N_2$-fixing bacteria to the root exudates of different rice cultivars were differed among bacterial strains and rice cultivars.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.265-273
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to observe the influences of the water fluoride concentration on the growth changes, the histologic characteristics of osteoblast in the tibia of growing newborn rats by using electron microscopy and on the composition changes of bone matrix in those by using energy dispersive x-ray system (EDX). The water fluoride concentration was respectively 0 ppm (contrast group), 100 ppm (100 ppm group), 200 ppm (200 ppm group) and 300 ppm (300 ppm group). The results of the investigation by using electron microscopy were as followed. In contrast group, the traditional cuboidal osteoblasts were observed. In 100 ppm group, several reversal line, the newly formed osteoid by the strongly activated osteoblast and the well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria in cytoplasm of osteoblast were observed. Also, many secretory vesicle around cell membrane were observed and some fused with cell membrane released secretory granule out of cell. In 200 ppm group, the depressed osteoblasts were observed, mitochondria in cytoplasm were expanded and cristae shape in mitochondria were destroyed. Also, the ribosome at the surface of rough endoplasmic reticulum were not observed. In 300 ppm group, the adjacent osteoblasts with endosteum were irregularly arranged, the cell membrane were destroyed and organelles were flowed out of cell. On the other hand, the results of the investigation by using energy dispersive x-ray system were as followed. P and Ca concentrations in 100 ppm group were increased more than those in contrast group. But, in 200 and 300 ppm group were not increased more than those in 100 ppm group. Therefore, the activities of the osteoblasts were increased, the bone matrix were actively synthesized by the supplied water fluoride. But, the osteoblasts were destroyed, inhibited by the higher water fluoride concentration.