• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.165-176
• /
• 2005

Studies on molecular plasticity of Bermann glia (BG) after harmaline-induced Purkinje cell (PC) degeneration in the rat cerebellum. The intimate structural relationship between BG and PC, evidenced by the sheathing of the PC dendrites by veil-like process from the BG has been suggestive of the close functional relationship between these two cell types. However, little is known about metabolic couplings between these cells. This study designed to investigate molecular plasticity of BG in the rat cerebellum in which PCs were chemically ablated by harmaline treatment. Immunohistochemical examination reveals that harmaline induced PC degeneration causes a marked glial reaction in the cerebellum with activated BG and microglia aligned in parasagittal stripes within the vermis. In these strips, activated BG were associated with upregulaion of metallotheionein, while GLAST and was down regulated, as compared with nearby intact area where both BG are in contact with PCs. The data from this study demonstrate that BG can change their phenotypic expression when BG loose their contact with PCs. It is conceivable that activated BG may upregulate structural proteins, metallothionein expression to use for their proliferation and hypertrophy; metallothionein expression to cope with oxidative stress induced by PC degeneration and microglial activation. On the contrary, BG may down regulated expression of GLAST because sustained loss of contact with PCs would eliminate the necessity for the cellular machinery involved glutamate metabolism. In conclusion, BG might respond man to death of PCs by undergoing a change in metabolic state. It seems possible that signaling molecules released from PCs regulates the phenotype expression of BG. Also ultrastructures in the organelles of normal PC and BG are distinguished by mitochondrial appearance, and distributed vesicles at the synaptic area in the cytoplasm.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.165-172
• /
• 2006

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) involves tissue protection against the destructive action of neutrophil elastase at the site of inflammation. Several studies on new functions of SLPI have demonstrated that SLPI may play a primary role in innate immunity than protease inhibitor, To identify the function of SLPI by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in the embryonic fibroblast (NIH3T3) cells. we studied the expression of SLPI compared to other growth factors involving the LPS treatment. To address this, we performed the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blots for the detection of mRNA and protein expression of the SLPI and some growth factors such as VEGF. bFGF, and PDGF-BB after LPS stimulation. NIH3T3 cells were exposed 100 ng/mL Escherichia coli LPS for 30min, 60min, 90min, 24h, and 48h, respectively. The result of RT-PCR showed that SLPI and VEGF mRNA was expressed strongly in NIH3T3 without related to LPS stimulation. mRNA of bFGF was weakly expressed such as the expression of the control. PDGF mRNA expression gradually increased follows at time course. However, SLPI protein level was increased in lysates and culture medium by LPS stimulation. Phase contrast microscopic and scanning electron microscopic observation showed that the increased cell number and cytoplasmic enlargement of the NIH3T3 cells. Therefore, it suggests that the LPS upregulates SLPI expression in NIH3T3 cells. Moreover, secreted SLPI may stimulate cell proliferation and migration.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.173-182
• /
• 2006

Recently, the pomegranate seed oil (PSO) has been reported to have various efforts including anti-cancer effect. In this study, we examined the liver-protecting effect of the PSO on the hepatotoxicity induced by $CCl_4$ using the BALB/c mice. The PSO was made from dried seeds of black pomegranate (Punica grantum) by heating and squeezing. The expreimental animals were divided into 3 groups; control group treated with olive oil only, experimental group 1 treated with $CCl_4$ only, and experimental group 2 treated with PSO and $CCl_4$. 24 hours after injection of $CCl_4$ into the peritoneal cavity, we collected the blood samples to measure the level of serological factors; aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. Simultaneously we observed the histological change of liver under the light and electron microscope. As the result, AST and ALT showed $88.7{\pm}14.9IU/L\;and\;22.0{\pm}3.12IU/L$ in the control group, $1963.7{\pm}1212.9IU/L\;and\;4495.4{\pm}2803.6IU/L$ in the experimental group 1, and $432.2{\pm}260.1IU/L\;and\;692.3{\pm}433.1IU/L$ in the experimental group 2. The experimental group 2 showed significant difference as compared with experimental group 1 (P<0.005). In histological study, the experimental group 2 was recovered than experimental group 1 which had abnormal mitochondria, increase of lysosomes, and severe necrosis at the central vein zones. These results indicated that the PSO had the liver protecting effect. However, The further study on the relationship between ingredients of pomegranate seed and liver protecting effect is in need.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2008

Salvinia is an aquatic plant forming dimorphic leaves that have been modified into floating and submerged leaves. A air of floating leaves plays an important role for the floating and photosynthesis while the submerged leaves, which are lim and long, have the form and function of root. Many aquatic plants develop trichomes in the epidermis but in Salvinia, richomes grow densely in the epidermis of the dimorphic leaves. The present study examined the differentiation pattern of trichomes developing in the floating leaves of S. natans and S. molesta by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Trichomes developing in the floating leaves of Salvinia showed very different patterns. In S. natans, they were arranged in a V-shape form, having 20${\sim}$25 rows at $18{\sim}25^{\circ}$ on both sides of the lamina divided by the midrib in the floating leaf. In each row, 8${\sim}$10 oval-shaped cells, $200{\sim}290{\mu}m$ in length, were arranged in a spiral fashion. Four trichomes of this form made a trichome unit, but their apical parts were separated from one another and developed into the so-called 'knuckle-crane' type. On the other hand, in S. molesta, trichomes differentiated in a unique pattern quite different from those of S. natans. At the early stage of differentiation, trichomes protruded from the epidermis and then 4${\sim}$6 cylindrical cells grew $400{\sim}600{\mu}m$ long and the four trichomes formed as an unit. The four grouped trichomes were interconnected through their apex and developed in the 'egg-beater' type. Then $300{\sim}600{\mu}m$ long multi-cellular stalk cells grew and protruded out of the epidermal surface from the basal part of the trichomes. Such a structural characteristic of trichomes is considered to play a very important role along with the aerenchyma tissue in the leaf mesophyll tissue for the floating of Salvinia on the water surface.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.33-40
• /
• 2013

From March 2012 to January 2013, this study was conducted as a part of the project for making a precise electronic ecological zoning map of vegetation on a highly reduced scale of 1 to 5,000 with a view to improving management efficiency of national parks and enlarging the availability of the data produced from the basic research monitoring the resources of national parks. For the research accuracy and rapidity, a vegetation map was specially created for the on-the-site-vegetation research. To make the map more meticulous, we categorized the vegetation database into five groups: broadleaved forest, coniferous forest, mixed forest, rock vegetation and miscellaneous one. After comparing the results of the data built for the vegetation research and the actual research findings, it was made clear that vegetation of both categories was almost the same in case of broad-leaved forest with 72.20% and 78.45% respectively, and also equivalent in other groups like, for example, coniferous forest (16.70%, 13.41%), mixed forest (9.50%, 7.49%) and rock vegetation (0.60%, 0.15%). According to the precise vegetation map produced from the research, the deciduous broad-leaved forest was the most widely prevalent type in the correlated hierarchical classification of vegetation, occupying 65.78% of the overall vegetation. It was followed by mountain valley forest (15.17%), coniferous forest (10.90%), and plantation forest (7.00%) in order. It is particularly noteworthy that Mt. Deogyusan national park has retained a very stable and versatile forest vegetation in the outstanding state since approximately 20% of the mountain turns out to belong to the I grade vegetation conservation classification which contains climax forests, unique vegetation, subalpine vegetation, matured stands which are older than 50 years and etc.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.265-272
• /
• 2009

A total of 486 milk records were collected from 16 diary farms in Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do. Results obtained were as follows: The average 3MG (amount of milk within the first three minute) was 7.44 kg and 55% of total milk yield was produced within 3 min. The average of SPL (% of foam in milk) was 33.93% and the average of MNG (strip yield) was 0.14 kg, which was less than 1% of total milk yield. The averages of HMF (highest milk flow), HMG (maximum milk flow rate in one minute) and DMHG (average milk flow in the main milking phase) were 3.03 kg/min, 2.94 kg/min and 2.05 kg/min, respectively and the average milking speed in Imsil-gun was slower than other regions. The average of tS500(time to reach 0.5 kg/min at beginning) was 0.23min (about 14 seconds) and that of tMGG (duration of the total milking) was 7.75min. The average tMBG (duration of the dry milking phase) was 0.58 min (35 seconds) and that of tMNG (duration of the stripping phase) was 0.42min (14 seconds). The averages of ELHMF (electrical conductivity at highest milk flow) and ELAP (beginning peak level of the electrical conductivity) were 6.81 mS/cm and 7.58 mS/cm, respectively. The average of ELMAX (maximum electrical conductivity) was 7.48 mS/cm and that of ELAD (beginning peak difference of the electrical conductivity) was 0.61 mS/cm. While the total milk yields for DMHG, tMHG (duration of the main milking phase), tPL (duration of the plateau phase), tAB (duration of the descending phase) and tMGG were positively correlated (0.35~0.54), those for tMBG and SPL were negatively correlated (-0.11 and -0.27). As the DMHG increased, tMHG, tPL, tAB, tMGG and SPL decreased. While the cows with higher electrical conductivity at the beginning of milking had less somatic cell counts, cows with higher electrical conductivity after the peak of milk yield had more somatic cell counts. The results of this experiment indicated that through milking based on milking and lactating standards and the regular checking of milking status, the qualities of milk and milk yields could be improved.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.363-376
• /
• 1999

This study aims to demonstrate the effect of chitosan oligosaccharide on the ultrastructural changes in the mouse liver toxicated by carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)$. A healthy male ICR mouse that weighted $27{\pm}2gm$ was used for experiment. The experimental group was divided into three groups; the group A; the pretreated group with chitosan oligosaccharide, the group B; the simultaneous group, the group C; treated only the $CCl_4$. The group A was simultaneously treated with chitosan oligosaccharide and $CCl_4$ after pretreated with chitosan oligosaccharide for 7 days. The group B injected $CCl_4$ and chitosan oligosaccharide to the intraperitoneal. The group C injected with only $CCl_4$ to the intraperitoneal. The results were as follow: In the group A, the nuclear membrane and the mitochondria were observed almost normal in shapes at overall the time. Some lamellae of the RER (rough endoplasmic reticulum) destructed until 48 hours but ribosome attached. The destructed lamellae reformed at 72 hours but the smooth membrane vesicles not observed. The lysosomes observed at 72 hours. At 96 hours, all organelles showed in normal shapes. In the group B, changes of nuclear membranes were relatively lighter than group C. Mitochondria observed normal shape through the time. Parts of RER reformed the lamellae, other parts dilated inner cavity. And lipid droplet observed around the 24 hours. Glycogen and lysosome observed 48 hours and 72 hours, respectively. In the group C, nuclear membrane was irregular and nuclear cytoplasm condensed through the time. The lamellae of RER destructed from 24 to 96 hours. Smooth membrane vesicles observed in the cytoplasm at 48 ours. Mitochondria was less effected by toxic. And from the 24 hours, the variable sizes of lipid droplets observed in tile cytoplasm. These results suggest that chitosan oligosaccharide attenuates the toxic effect of the carbon tetrachloride in the mouse liver.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.47-53
• /
• 2011

Hair is an appendage of skin which protects the body from outer physical and chemical stimuli. Hair is generated from the hair follicle lying on a sunken basal layer of epidermis. Hair cycling, which regenerates hair follicles throughout the life time of the organism. Numerous kinds of factors which exist at the hair follicle have been reported to regulate hair cycling, Human growth hormone secreted from pituitary gland, initially demonstrated to accelerate organ's growth, has been reported to play a role in the biology of organ size determination. We investigated the effect of 6-histidines residues tagged at amino-terminus of human growth hormone using light and electronmicroscopic methods. Human growth hormone encapsulated in nano-liposome (LhGH) was used to find how LhGH affects hair follicle cycling of mouse (C57BL6/CrN). Distilled water as a negative control, 3% Minoxidil as a positive control, and LhGH were applied to mouse for weeks. LhGH increased the number of exposed hairs per given areas ($1mm^2$). This result was also confirmed using a different breed of mice which show natural hair loss in an old age (about 17 months after birth). When LhGH was applied for 3 weeks after natural hair loss, natural hair loss on these mice was prevented, However, the control group mice on which LhGH was not applied showed further hair loss. This result indicates that LhGH may stimulate hair cycling of mouse. In clusion, it is cleat that the LhGH increased the number of hair on mice and help the depilated skin to grow new hair follicles again.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2011

This experiment was performed to evaluate the morphological responses of the gastric epithelial cells of the mouse, inoculated with Ehrlich carcinoma cells in the inguinal area, following administration of 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C or Acriflavine-Guanosine compound (AG60). In this study, each mouse was inoculated with $1{\times}10^7$ Ehrlich carcinoma cells subcutaneously in the inguinal area. From next day after inoculations, 0.2 mL of saline, 5-fluorouracil (30 mg/kg), mitomycin C ($400{\mu}g/kg$) or AG60 (30 mg/kg) were injected to the animals every other day, respectively. Each animals were sacrificed after 7th injection and tissue were taken from the gastric mucosa. Thereafter, the ultrathin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. In the 5-fluorouracil-, mitomycin C- or AG60-treated mice, myelin figures and multivesicular bodies within the gastric mucous epithelial cells were observed more frequently than those of the normal control. In the 5-fluorouracil-treated mice, membrane structures containing a few mucous granules in the luminal space were observed. Indeed, bulging cytoplasmic process containing mucous granules protruding into the gastric lumen were observed in the mitomycin Ctreated mice. Therefore, this study suggested that AG60 as compared with 5-fluorourail and mitomycin C may effective medicine without damage to the secretion ability of gastric mucous epithelial cells.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2011

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate patients' preferences on receiving life-sustaining treatments (LST) and to analyze the relationship between patients' characteristics and LST selection. We also examined any discrepancy between LST patients' choices regarding medical intervention and actual medical intervention given/not given within 48 hours before death. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from March 1, 2008 to August 31, 2008 in the Palliative Care Unit of Korea University Hospital. Electric medical records (EMR) of 102 hospice cancer patients were reviewed, and 74 patients with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) ${\geq}$10 at the time of signing the advance medical directives (AMD) were selected for the first analysis. Then, patients alive at the end of this study, transferred to other hospitals or dead within 48 hours were excluded, and the remaining 42 patients were selected for the second analysis. Results: Preferred LST included antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition, tube feeding, transfusion, and laboratory and imaging studies. The relationship between patients' characteristics and LST could not be analyzed due to skewed preferences. LST chosen at the time of signing the AMD and actual medical intervention given/not given in the last 48 hours showed discrepancy in most cases. Conclusion: When making AMD in hospice cancer patients, it is important to consider the time and possibility of changing the choices. Above all, patients must fully understand the AMD. Thus, LST should always be provided with careful consideration of all possibilities, because legal and social aspects of AMD have not been established yet.