• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.291-301
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• 2002

The present study was performed to compare the morphological differences of flight muscles among 3 species from insects (Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans Smith, Davidins lunatus B. and Serrognathus platymelus castanicdor M.) by investigating ultrastructural observation and stereological analysis. Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans Smith has the most flight hours. In addition, the number and arrangement of mitochondria and the structure of sarcomere were similar to those of vertebrates. However sarcomere structure of Davidins lunatus B. was irregular and the sarcomere length was longer than that of Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans Smith. In Serrognathus platymelus castanicdor M. which has the least flight hours, the length of sarcomere appeared longer than that of Davidins lunatus B. In results of stereological analysis, Serrognathus platymelus castanicdor M. had the highest volume density of myofibrils in all species. The volume and numerical density of mitochondria and the volume density of sarcoplasmic reticulum were highest Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans Smith and Davidins lunatus B. respectively. This study suggests that the flight hours and flight pattern by different ecological habitats may cause the morphological changes of flight muscle.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1047-1054
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• 2009

Oral squamous carcinoma (OSC) cells present resistance to chemotherapeutic agents-mediated apoptosis in the late stages of malignancy. Advances in the understanding of bacterial toxins have produced new strategies for the treatment of cancers. It was demonstrated here that Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PEA) significantly decreased the viability of chemoresistant YD-9 cells in the apoptosis mechanism. Apoptotic manifestations were evident through changes in nuclear morphology and generation of DNA fragmentation. PEA treatment induced caspase-3, -6 and -9 cleavage, and activation. These events preceded proteolysis of the caspase substrates poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), DNA fragmentation factor 45 (DFF45), and lamin A in YD-9 cells. The reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c and SmacjDlABLO from mitochondria to cytosol, andtranslocation of AlF into nucleus were shown. While p53, p21 and $14-3-3{\gamma}$ were upregulated, cyclin Band cdc2 were downregulated by PEA treatment. Taken together, PEA induces apoptosis in chemoresistant YD-9 cells via activation of caspases, mitochondrial events and regulation of cell cycle genes.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.199-209
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• 2004

The migut epitheluim of the last instar larva in the mosquito larvae, Anopheles sinensis was observed with electron microscopes. The midgut epitheluim of the mosquito larva is composed of a single-layered columnar absorptive cells, regenerative cells and secretory granular cells. The free surface of the columnar absorptive cells has a regular array of microvilli 'brush border', while cell membranes close to the basal lamina are extrmely infolded and a lot of mitochondria are concentrated in those processes. The columnar absorptive cells also contain cell organelles expected to be found in absorptive cell. Midgut regenerative cells which are positioned basally in the epithelium form the groups, which are called 'nidi', composed of 1 or $2{\sim}3$ cells, they show darker appearance than the columnar absoptive cells. The secretory granular cells contain numerous electron dense granules, $200{\sim}400$ nm in diameter. The cone shaped secretory granular cells are located in the basal portion of the midgut epitheluim. The epithelium is surrounded by the subepithelial space and muscle bundles. The subepithelial space, which is filled with fibrous connective tissue, is innervated by many axon cells and tracheoles.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2002

For investigation of the activated carbon in the rat liver toxicated by lead. Aniamls used $7{\sim}8$ weeks to Sparague-Dewley rat (150 g). The lead acetate (500 ppm) were injected and activated carbon (40 mg/kg) were treated orally for four and eight weeks, respectivelly, and observed by the electron microscope. The group with only lead for 4 weeks, The mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) were extended and ribosomes dropped from the rER. The group with lead-activated carbon for 4 weeks, The number of lysosomes increased. The shapes of nucleus and rough endoplasmic reticulum observed almost similar with nomally. The group with only lead for 8 weeks, The mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) were more extended. The group with lead-activated carbon for 8 weeks, the nucleus and rough endoplasmic reticulum was observed nomally.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.399-410
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• 2002

This study was performed to investigate the effects of Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen (bamboo extract) on the changes of antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes of liver and kidney in mice when administered in different dosages. The experimental groups were divided into four. For control group, 0.9％ NaCl (0.2 ml/25 g B.W.) and for experimental groups, 5% (H1 group), 10% (H2 group), and 20%(H3 group) bamboo extract diluted with 0.9％ NaCl, were administered (0.2 ml/25 g B.W.) respectively for 28 days at an interval of 48 hours. MnSOD activities were increased in H1 group (46%, P<0.05), H2 group (40%, P<0.05), and H3 group (34%, P<0.05) as compared to the control group. CuZnSOD activities were increased in H1 group (11%, P<0.05), but were decreased in H3 group (13%, P<0.05). The activities of catalase were decreased in H1 group (39%, P<0.05), H2 group (34%, P<0.05), and H3 group (31%, P<0.05) as compared to the control group. Histopathological observation revealed ballooned hepatocytes in the pericentral and periportal veins of H1 group. More ballooned and injured hepatocytes than in H1 group were observed in the H2 and H3 groups. Detachment of endothelial cells of the central vein was observed in the H2 and H3 groups. These results indicated that bamboo extract developed dose-dependent changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and developed histopathological changes of liver and kidney.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.273-283
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• 2000

To investigate the defensive effect of green tea against the lead toxicity, Sprague-Dewley rats (150 gm) were divided into 5 groups; the control group (A), the group treated with lead for 4 weeks (Group B-1), the group treated with lead and green tea for 4 weeks (Group B-2), the group treated with lead for 8 weeks (Group C-1), and the group treated with lead and green tea for 8 weeks (Group C-2). The lead acetate (500 ppm) was injected two times for one week into the abdomen and green tea solution (3 g/100 ml distilled water) offered freely. The results of histological and biocheical study are as follows; 1. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) were increased in all the tested groups. The Group B-1 was more increased than the Group B-2, and the Group C-1 more than the Group C-2. The values of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also decreased in all the tested groups, as such the former phenomenon. 2 In the Group B-1, some microvilli, mitochondria and rER were modificated on epithelial cell of proximal renal tubules. The cristae of mitochondria were enlarged, microvilli and nucleus were observed normally on the Group B-2. The number of Microvilli, mitochodria and rER were decreased, many lysosomes and irregular nucleus observed in the Group C-1. In the Group C-2, microvilli were modificated slightly and other organelles were observed similary with the Group B-2.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.163-166
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• 2010

Purpose : Leigh syndrome is a typical type of mitochondrial disease. This study was conducted to analyze the types of ophthalmologic symptoms and results of funduscopy conducted in the ophthalmologic examination of patients with Leigh syndrome. Methods : Funduscopy was conducted on 24 subjects, who were chosen among those diagnosed as having mitochondrial respiratory chain complex defect and who were clinically suitable for the criteria of Leigh syndrome. Their clinical features, ophthalmologic symptoms, and ophthalmologic examination results were retrospectively analyzed. Results : Of the 24 patients with Leigh syndrome, 11 developed ophthalmologic symptoms and no abnormal finding was observed in 13. The most frequent abnormal finding was visual disturbance in 5 patients. Funduscopy revealed abnormal findings in 17 patients; retinal pigmentation was the most frequent abnormality and was seen in 9 patients. Conclusion : Funduscopy can be an important screening test to find ophthalmologic abnormalities among patients with mitochondrial disease (MD), including those patients whose ophthalmologic symptoms are inconspicuous. It is predicted that an improved screening test can be made in the future that will identify risk factors related to ophthalmologic symptoms.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.71-90
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• 1996

There is considerable current interest in the effect of regular vigorous exercise and in particular endurance-running as a possible measure in improving myocardial function. Some data indicate that the aging heart may actually suffer from vigorous endurance exercise. On the contrary appropriate exercise in aged animals improves myocardial function and aerobic energy metabolism. So far there is relatively little data to indicate that endurance exercise is in fact beneficial in improving myocardial function or damaging to heart of aged animals. The present investigation aimed to study the possible effect of a long range treadmill training program on the heart in aging rats. Male rats aged 3, 10, and 20 months were divided at random into a control (sedentary) and an exercise group. The training group was exercised for 5 days a week on an automated treadmill for 20minutes at 18m/min over a period of 5 months. The exercise regimen of our experiments did not cause any significant changes in the tissues and ultrastructural as com-pared with sedentary age-matched control. Tissues and ultrastructures of myocardial cells in trained group aged 8 months are intact and well organized as well as sedentary control group. Age associated tissue and ultrastructural changes of trained group aged 15 months included : an increase in transformed mitochondria, vacuoles, lysosomes, lipid droplets and early lipofuscin. But the trained heart did not show significant difference in tissue and ultrastructural properties from those of sedentary controls. Endurance-trained group aged 25 months showed significant qualitative tissue and ultrastructural difference as compared with age-matched controls. In addition to those found in 25 months control group, focal necrosis, myofibril fraying, hypercontraction band, seperation of intercalated discs, degenerating nucleus and infiltration of collagenous fiber into myocyte were noted in trained 25 months group. The stereological examination of the mi-crographs disclosed no significant difference in the myoflbril, mitochondrion, sarcotubule and in-terstitium volume density and surface density of mitochondrial cristae and numerical density of mitochondria between trained and control group aged 8 and 15 months. In the trained 25 months group, significant increase in volume density of interstitium, lipofucsin granule were shown as compared to untrained age-matched control. On the other hand, significant decrease in mitochondrion volume density was shown. The myofibril volume density did not differ between trained and control group although trained group showed slight increase. From the data obtained a reduced mitochondria/myofibrils ratio was found in trained rat heart aged 25 months and there was no difference between trained and control rat aged 15 months. But a slight but not significant increase was found in the trained group aged 8 months as compared with same age control group. Such increase in the ratio in young animals is considered to be of great importance to cardiac pumping and adaptability. Whereas such adaptations don't seem to occur in aged heart muscle. This study proposed that repeated endurance exercise do not cause any significant qualitative and quantitative ultrastructural change of heart muscle in young(3months) and adult (10months) suggesting that the heart is able to adapt to the exercise. On the contrary, the repeated endurance exercise stress may actually induce degenerative changes in the aged heart muscle(20months).

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.389-401
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• 2000

The mouse for identifying the histological changes of kidney were also divided into the two groups; treated with only $HgCl_2$ (4 mg/kg), the group treated with $HgCl_2$ and squalene (200 mg/kg). The $HgCl_2$ treated only one time at first day. The squalene treated two times a day (12 hours interval) for every day. Each groups were divided into the five groups; 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after treated $HgCl_2$ and squalene. Historical changes of the kidneys were investigated by electron microscope. The group with only $HgCl_2$ showed that the nuclear membrane was shrinked, the inner membrane (cristae) of the mitochondria were destructed, and ribosomes on the rough endoplasmic reticulum were lost. The group treated with $HgCl_2$ and Squalene showed that the nuclear membrane was more rounded, the cristae of the mitochondria were almost normal shape, and more ribosomes on the rough endoplasmic reticulum were attached. Therefore , we concluded that squalene has significantly protective effects in kidney to harmful $HgCl_2$.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.367-376
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• 2000

The observation using an electron microscope shows that the maturation of the oocyte of African giant snail, Achatina fulica, proceeds over three stages. The oocyte of stage 1 is a small elliptic cell $(220\times400{\mu}m)$ whose light nucleoplasm contains two nucleoli. In its cytoplasm, a number of mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticula, and ribosomes are found, while yolk granules are not. The nucleus of the oocyte of stage 2 is relatively large in comparison with the volume of cytoplasm, and contains one nucleolus. In the nuclear envelope comprising inner and outer double membrane, there are found a lot of nuclear pores for materials to pass through. A number of mitochondria, Golgi complex and lipid yolk granules appears in the cytoplasm, and proteinous yolk granules begin to form and mature in the vacuoles of various sizes ($0.8\sim3.0{\mu}m$ in diameter). The oocyte of stage 3 has an enlarged nucleolus. Material transportation through nuclear pore is not found any longer. The cytoplasm in this stage is filled with proteinous and lipid yolk granules. The microvilli are developed around the egg plasma membrane.