• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.399-407
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• 2001

The microinjection of retroviral vectors into the perivitelline spaces of MII-stage oocytes increased production of transgenic bovine embryos. However, oocytes have various sizes of perivitelline space, and there is the tendency that the oocyte membranes are damageable by micropipettes during the injection of retroviral vectors into perivitelline spaces or oocytes. Thus, it was not always possible to stably inject retroviral vector into perivitelline spaces of oocytes. Here we used sucrose to minimize the damage of the oocyte membrane. When the oocytes were suspended in 0.5% sucrose, poor quality oocytes showed rough cytoplasmic membranes, while good quality oocytes maintained smooth membranes. However, when the tatters were subjected to in vitro fertilization, no significant differences were observed in cleavage rates (82% of control Vs. 84% of sucrose treated oocytes). The Same trends were obtained from the oocytes fertilized after microinjection of LN$\beta$-EGFP and LNC-hGH genes into the perivitelline spares. The rates of cleavage and blastocyst from microinjection of LN$\beta$-EGFP genes were 81 and 25%, and from microinjection of LNC-hGM genes were 53 and 30%, respectively. The result indicated that microinjected oocytes could develop to the blastocyst stages after in vitro fertilization with no significant difference from control group. Moreover, the integration of hGH-gene (by PCR analysis) was detected in 52% of infected cleaved embryos and the expression of EGFP-gene (under a fluoresrence microscope) was also observed in 34% of infected blastocyst. These results indicated that 0.5% sucrose treatment could be an efficient method not only to select good quality embryos but also to inject retroviral vectors into perivitelline spares without any harm and hence improving developmental rates.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.425-429
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• 2009

Identification of virulent Bacillus cereus strains was examined by PCR using primers specific for the detection of plcR-papR, which encode regulatory proteins controlling the transcription of virulence factors in B. cereus. Total 96 strains of B. cereus that carried at least one of diarrheal toxin genes including hblACD, nheABC, and cytK showed all positive PCR products, while other 48 Bacillus strains that lacked the toxin genes were plcRpapR-negative. This PCR method targeting the plcR-papR genes appears to be simple and effective in identifying the enterotoxin genes-harboring B. cereus strains.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.100-121
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• 2017

The sexual reproduction of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas is reviewed for a comprehensive understanding of the complex processes. The sexual life cycle of C. reinhardtii is distinguished into five main stages: gametogenesis, gamete activation, cell fusion, zygote maturation, and meiosis and germination. Gametogenesis is induced by nitrogen starvation in the environment. C. reinhardtii has two mating types: mating type plus ($mt^+$) and mating type minus ($mt^-$), controlled by a single complex mating type locus ($MT^+$ or $MT^-$) on linkage group VI. In the early gametogenesis agglutinins are synthesized. The $mt^+$ and $mt^-$ agglutinins are encoded by the autosomal genes SAG1 (Sexual AGglutination1) and SAD1 (Sexual ADhesion1), respectively. The agglutinins are responsible for the flagellar adhesion of the two mating type of gametes. The flagellar adhesion initiates a cAMP mediated signal transduction pathways and activates the flagellar tips. In response to the cAMP signal, mating structures between two flagella are activated. The $mt^+$ and $mt^-$ gamete-specific fusion proteins, Fus1 and Hap2/Gcs1, are present on the plasma membrane of the two mating structures. Contact of the two mating structures leads to develop a fertilization tubule forming a cytoplasmic bridge between the two gametes. Upon fusion of nuclei and chloroplasts of $mt^+$ and $mt^-$ cells, the zygotes become zygospores. It is notable that the young zygote shows uniparental inheritance of chloroplast DNA from the $mt^+$ parent and mitochondrial DNA from the $mt^-$ parent. Under the favorable conditions, the zygospores divide meiotically and germinate and then new haploid progenies, vegetative cells, are released.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.709-714
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• 2004

The additive of low temperature sintering in Mn-doped PMN-PZT known as high piezoelectric materials was studied in this experiment. B$_2$O$_3$ was used for the additive of low temperature sintering. The effects of sintering temperature in dielectric, and piezoelectric properties were investigated with the amounts of B$_2$O$_3$. Sintered density was increased in comparison with no addition and under 2wt％ B$_2$O$_3$ and lower sintering temperature than 100$0^{\circ}C$. Therefore, in the low sintering temperature, the densification was improved by the addition of the B$_2$O$_3$. However, the sintering density was lower than that of the main composition in the case of the sintered at over 10$50^{\circ}C$. Dielectric constant with the addition of B$_2$O$_3$ was evaluated. The dielectric constant was 1000 2 wt％ of B$_2$O$_3$ and sintered at 100$0^{\circ}C$. Under 2wt％ of B$_2$O$_3$, the electromechanical coupling factor and the piezoelectric constant were not so much decreased. The electromechanical coupling factor and the piezoelectric constant were 50％ and 300(${\times}$10$^{-12}$ C/N) respectively. The mechanical quality factor was increased with B$_2$O$_3$. The mechanical quality factor was 1700 at 0.5wt％ B$_2$O$_3$ and sintered at 110$0^{\circ}C$. Dielectric loss was less than 0.5％ regardless of the amount of B$_2$O$_3$.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2002

Background: DNA repair plays a crucial role in protecting the genome from cancer-causing agents. Therefore, a reduced DNA repair capacity can increase the susceptibility to cancer. The human OGG1 (hOGG1) gene encodes DNA glycosylase/apurinic lyase and excise 8-hydroxyguanine, one of the major premutagenic DNA lesions, which is produced by oxygen radical forming agents including smoking. Recently several polymorphisms in the hOGG1 gene were identified, and it is possible that these polymorphism') may affect the DNA repair capacity and thus modulate cancer susceptibility. The relationship between the codon 326 polymorphism (Ser to Cys) in the hOGG1 gene and lung cancer risk was investigated. Materials and Method: The Ser326Cys genotypes were determined using PCR-RFLP analysis in 299 primary lung cancer patients and 186 healthy controls who were frequency (case:control=3:2) matched according to age and sex. Result: The frequencies of the Ser326Cys genotypes (Ser/Ser, Ser/Cys and Cys/Cys) among cases (23.4%, 51.8%, and 24.7%, respectively) were not significantly different from those among the controls (22.6%,52.1% and 25.3%, respectively). When the analyses were stratified according to age, sex, smoking status and packyears of smoking, no significant association between this polymorphism and lung cancer risk was found. Moreover, the Ser326Cys genotype showed no apparent relationship with any of the histological types of lung cancer. Conclusion: These result suggest that the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism is not a major contributor to individual lung cancer susceptibility in Koreans.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.527-535
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to establish a simple vitrification protocols to preserve animal cell lines derived from tissues of livestock that could be recultured. Bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOEC) were used for the vitrification process using a 0.25 ml straw to increase cryopreservation efficiency. BOEC was cultured from the oviduct of 3.5-day estrus state, and the commercially available polyampholyte StemCell Keep^TM was used as a cryoprotective agent. Using different concentrations, the viability rates of BOEC in 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100% in freezing media were investigated. Survivability was determined using a differential staining technique using a trypan blue test and a CYTO-13/PI staining protocol. The viability rates of BOEC in the trypan blue test were 5.6±11.8, 12.5±7.2, 53.0±2.7, 85.1±6.9, 79.8±0.6, and 60.7±6.7% with a respective concentration of StemCell Keep^TM. The viability rates in CYTO-13/PI staining were 4.6±2.5, 30.8±12.1, 58.4±2.5, 85.5±1.2, 79.8±0.6, and 71.2±1.2%, respectively. These results indicate that BOEC could be preserved with StemCell Keep^TM without toxicity in a 0.25-ml straw. The optimal concentration of vitrification solution with StemCell Keep^TM was determined to be 50% and can be considered as a proper preservation method for cryobanking.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.536-542
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• 2007

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, involving several organs. Inflammation in the disease is thought to be mediated by cytokines derived from T-helper type 1 (Th1) lymphocytes. Although the exact pathogenesis for BD is not completely understood, it has been suggested that the disease is triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by environmental factors, such as microbial agents. It is noted that multiple genes, including MHC (major histocompatibility complex) and non-MHC genes, are implicated in the pathogenesis of BD. This study tries to determine whether HLA-B51, IL-18, SLC11A1 and TNF-α polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to Behcet's disease in Koreans. As a results, HLA-B51 was a genetic factor with the strongest association with BD. But it is still uncertain whether this HLA molecule is directly involved in the pathogenesis of BD. Although the IL-18 gene polymorphisms were not associated with a susceptibility to BD in the Korean population, the patients carrying the GG genotype at position 137 had a higher risk of developing the ocular lesions. This study suggests that the allele 3 and the genotype allele 3 / allele 3 of 5'-promoter (GT)n polymorphism in the SLC11A1 gene may have a protective effect for the development of BD in the Korean population. There were no evidences for genetic association conferred by the TNF-α gene with respect to susceptibility to BD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.883-888
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• 2003

Purpose : The etiology of hemolytic anemia can be classified as either cellular or extracellular defects of red blood cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and laboratory findings of hemolytic anemia concerning its etiological classification. Methods : Clinical and laboratory findings of the patients with hemolytic anemia treated from January 1987 to May 2002 at Severance Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into two groups based on the types of red cell defects(group I : erythrocytic defect, group II : extraerythrocytic defect). Results : Twenty one cases were included in group I, thirty four cases in group II, and three cases were unclassified. In group I, nineteen cases(90.5%) were diagnosed as hereditary spherocytosis and were proved to have red cell membrane disorders while two cases(9.5%) were shown to have red cell enzyme deficiencies. In group II, thirteen cases(38.2%) were noted as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, eleven cases(32.4%) as traumatic or microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, four cases(11.8%) as drug induced hemolytic anemia, two cases(5.9%) were related with systemic lupus erythematosus and one case(2.9%) with malignancy. Hemoglobin at the time of diagnosis(7.5 g/dL vs. 6.2 g/dL, P<0.05) and the incidence of splenomegaly(85.7% vs. 18.2%, P<0.05) were higher in group I though blood urea nitrogen(9.0/0.4 mg/dL vs. 27.8/1.6 mg/dL, P<0.05) was higher in group II. Conclusion : Comparing the clinical features of pediatric hemolytic anemia, we concluded as following : In cases associated with extraerythrocytic defect, blood tests revealed significant initial lower hematocrit with higher level of BUN and Cr while cases with erythrocytic defect, splenomegaly were more common noted.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.437-446
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• 2012

A metagenomic library of cow rumen in the pCC1FOS phage vector was screened in $E.$ $coli$ EPI300 for cellulase activity on carboxymethyl cellulose agar plates. One clone was partially digested with $Sau$3AI, ligated into the $Bam$HI site of the pBluescript II SK+ vector, and transformed into $E.$ $coli$ $DH5{\alpha}$. We obtained a 1.5 kb insert DNA, designated $cel$5C, which hydrolyzes carboxymethyl cellulose. The cel5C gene has an open reading frame (ORF) of 1,125 bp encoding 374 amino acids. It belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5 with the conserved domain LIMEGFNEIN. The molecular mass of the Cel5C protein induced from $E.$ $coli$ $DH5{\alpha}$, as analyzed by CMC SDS-PAGE, appeared to be approximately 42 kDa. The enzyme showed optimum cellulase activity at pH 4.0, and $50^{\circ}C$. We examined whether the $cel$5C gene comes from the 49 identified cow rumen bacteria using PCR. No PCR bands were identified, suggesting that the $cel$5C gene came from the unidentified cow rumen bacteria.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2012

Three protease-producing halophilic bacteria were isolated from fermenting anchovy. Isolated FAM 10, FAM 114, and FAM 115 were found to grow optimally at salt concentrations of 2-4%, 10%, and 6%, respectively, and could grow in salinity of up to 18-22%. The salinity conditions for optimum protease production were 6% in FAM 10 and 10% in FAM 114 and FAM 115. The protease activity of FAM 10 was gradually inhibited by the addition of NaCl up to 10%, and was not evident at 14%, whereas FAM 114 and FAM 115 displayed protease activity at 14% NaCl and could not be measured at 18%. These results demonstrated that the three isolated strains belong to protease-producing, moderately halophilic bacteria. Strain FAM 10, FAM 114, and FAM 115 were identified as Salinivibrio sp., Halobacillus sp., and Halobacillus sp. respectively, based on comparative analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S intergenic space sequence (IGS), biochemical testing, and Gram staining. Salinivibrio sp. FAM 10 had two 16S rDNAs containing different sequences at position 191 and four IGSs that harbored no tRNA gene and tRNA genes for isoleucine, alanine, glutamate, lysine, and/or valine. Halobacillus sp. FAM 114 and FAM 115 had completely identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and showed 99% identity to the sequences of various Halobacillus strains. The three IGSs found in the genome of both strains displayed 99% sequence identity with Halobacillus aidingensis and Halobacillus sp. JM-Hb, and had $IGS^0$ with no tRNA gene and $IGS^{IA}$ with tRNA genes for isoleucine and alanine.