• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.315-327
• /
• 1995

Diverse neurotoxic insults result in proliferation and hypertrophy of astrocytes, a subtype of glia in central nervous system. The hallmark of this response, often terms "reactive gliosis", is the enhanced expression of the major intermediate filament protein of castrocytes, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). These changes in the astrocytes suggest that GFAP may be a useful biochemical indicator of neurotoxicity. To investigate this possibility, we administered intra-peritoneally prototype nerotoxicants, metharnphetamine (MAP, 5 mg/kg), cocaine (30 mg/kg), N-buthyl benzenesulfonamide (NBBS, 300 mg/kg) and trimethytin (TMT, 8 mg/kg) to Wistar Rats and then assessed the effects of these agents on content of GFAP, which were determined by Sandwish ELISA and evaluated with neurotoxic symptoms, and quantitative changes of imrnunoreactivity of GFAP by light microscopic image analysis in specific regions. We found that assay of GFAP revealed time- and region-dependant patterns of neurotoxicity. The GFAP immunoreactivity of rat brain was increased in substantia nigra and hippocampus by MAP, NBBS and TMT; in roedial septal nucleus and nucleus accurnbens, it was also increased by RrBBS. Sandwich ELISA showed that GFAP levels of cerebrum in all groups on days 3 and 7 and that of brainstem(including cerebellum) in MAP, NBBS groups on day 1 and 3 were increased. A review of the background, design and results of these experiments are presented in this paper. Our findings indicate that GFAP is a sensitive and specific biomarker of neurotoxicity.otoxicity.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.236-243
• /
• 2006

Microarray analysis of gene expression has become a powerful approach for exploring the biological effects of drugs, particularly at the stage of toxicology and safety assessment. Acetaminophen (APAP) has been known to induce necrosis in liver, but the molecular mechanism involved has not been fully understood. In this study, we investigated gene expression changes of APAP using microarray technology. APAP was orally administered with a single dose of 50 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg into ICR mice and the animals were sacrificed at 6, 24 and 72 h of APAP administration. Serum biochemical markers for liver toxicity were measured to estimate the maximal toxic time and hepatic gene expression was assessed using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays capable of determining the expression profile of >30,000 well-substantiated mouse genes. Significant alterations in gene expression were noted in the liver of APAP-administered mice. The most notable changes in APAP-administered mice were the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, and calcium signaling pathway, cystein metabolism, glutatione metabolism, and MAPK pathway. The majority of the genes upregulated included insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1, heme oxygenase 1, metallothionein 1, S100 calcium binding protein, caspase 4, and P21. The upregulation of apoptosis and cell cycle-related genes were paralleled to response to APAP. Most of the affected gene expressions were returned to control levels after 72 hr. In conclusion, we identified potential hepatotoxicity makers, and these expressions profiling lead to a better understanding of the molecular basis of APAP-induced hapatotoxicity.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.63-67
• /
• 2017

In bioscience and biotechnology, the research of fundamental life mechanisms and their diseases caused by insufficiency is important. The study of a whole organism is difficult and sometimes impossible because of DNA, RNA, proteins, cellular organelles, various cells, and organs. Cell cultures can provide a simple method for researching cellular mechanisms and conditions, both in terms of physiological performance, and in response to chemical stimulation. According to conventional cell culture methodology, the flat surface is used with surface treatments for cell adhesion on the surface. Micro- and nanoscale patterns have been developed with chemical and biochemical modifications for cell immobilization. In this study, HeLa cell culture on nanostructures patterns was studied, including the 300 nm line and 150 nm pillar structures, using nanoimprint lithography and pyrrole as a biocompatible conducting polymer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
• /
• 2017.06a
• /
• pp.128-128
• /
• 2017

Copper (Cu) is very toxic to plant cells due to its inhibitory effects on many physiological and biochemical processes. In spite of its potential physiological and economic significance, molecular characterization after Cu stress has so far been grossly overlooked in sorghum. To explore the molecular alterations that occur in response to copper stress, the present study was executed in ten-day-old Cu-exposed leaves of sorghum seedlings. The growth of shoots was markedly reduced, and ionic alterations were prominently observed in the leaves when the seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0, 100, and $150{\mu}M$) of $CuSO_4$. Using two-dimensional gels with silver staining, 643 differentially expressed protein spots (${\geq}1.5-fold$) were identified as either significantly increased or reduced in abundance. Of these spots, a total of 24 protein spots (${\geq}1.5-fold$) from Cu-exposed sorghum leaves were successfully analyzed by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. Of the 24 differentially expressed proteins from Cu-exposed sorghum leaves, a total of 13 proteins were up-regulated, and 11 proteins were down-regulated. The abundance of most identified protein species, which function in carbohydrate metabolism, stress defense, and protein translation, was significantly enhanced, while that of another protein species involved in energy metabolism, photosynthesis and growth and development were severely reduced. The resulting differences in protein expression patterns together with related morpho-physiological processes suggested that these results could help to elucidate plant adaptation to Cu stress and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of Cu responses in $C_4$ plants. The over-expression of GAPDH plays a significant role in assisting Sorghum bicolor to attenuate the adverse effects of oxidative stress caused by Cu, and the proteins involved in resistance to stress helped the sorghum plants to tolerate high levels of Cu.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.169-175
• /
• 2006

A unicellular algae, Chlorella vulgaris(CV), was used as a biological response modifier. The effect of CV on forced swimming test and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue was investigated. Blood urea nitrogen(BUN); creatine kinase(CK); lactic dehydrogenase(LDH); glucose(Glc); total protein(TP); and albumin were determined. CV was orally administered to mice in the range of 0.05 to 0.15 g/kg/day. A forced swimming test results on 3 and 7 day after administration of CV, showed that immobility time was decreased in the CV-administered group(0.15 g/kg). In addition, the contents of BUN in the blood serum were decreased in CV-fed group. The contents of CK and LDH were tended to decrease, but not statistically significant. The plasma Glc level was increased in CV-fed groups(0.05 and 0.1 g/kg) compared to control group. It had no effect on the elevation of TP and albumin level. The results indicate that CV could improve physical stamina.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.1169-1177
• /
• 2012

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different amounts of dietary linoleic acid (LA) on growth performance, serum biochemical traits, meat quality, fatty acids composition of muscle and liver, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT 1) mRNA expression in the liver of 9 wks old to 13 wks old growing meat rabbits. One hundred and fifty 9 wks old meat rabbits were allocated to individual cages and randomly divided into five groups. Animals in each group were fed with a diet with the following LA addition concentrations: 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 g/kg diet (as-fed basis) and LA concentrations were 0.84, 1.21, 1.34, 1.61 and 1.80% in the diet, respectively. The results showed as follows: the dietary LA levels significantly affected muscle color of LL included $a^*$ and $b^*$ of experimental rabbits (p<0.05). The linear effect of LA on serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol was obtained (p = 0.0119). The saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) contents of LL decreased and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) content of LL increased with dietary LA increase (p<0.0001). The PUFA n-6 content and PUFA n-3 content in the LL was significantly affected by the dietary LA levels (p<0.01, p<0.05). The MUFAs content in the liver decreased and the PUFAs contents in the liver increased with dietary LA increase (p<0.0001). The PUFA n-6 content and the PUFA n-6/n-3 ratio in the liver increased and PUFA n-3 content in the liver decreased with dietary LA increase (p<0.01). The linear effect of LA on CPT 1 mRNA expression in the liver was obtained (p = 0.0081). In summary, dietary LA addition had significant effects on liver and muscle fatty acid composition (increased PUFAs) of 9 wks old to 13 wks old growing meat rabbits, but had little effects on growth performance, meat physical traits and mRNA expression of liver relative enzyme of experimental rabbits.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.88 no.4
• /
• pp.469-476
• /
• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the growth and physiological response of shade intolerant and intermediate tree seedlings to enhanced UV-$B_{BE}$(biologically effective UV-B) radiation. The seedlings of Betula platyphylla var. japonica Hara(shade intolerant species) and Fraxinus rhynchophylla Hance(shade intermediate species) were treated with one of the three levels of UV-$B_{BE}$ dosages - ambient UV-$B_{BE}$, ambient+3.2, and ambient+$5.2\;KJ\;m^{-2}day^{-1}$) for 14 weeks in the field condition. Height and root collar diameter growth, leaf area, and biomass production of the seedlings of two species were reduced by enhanced UV-B radiation. Leaf stomatal resistance to water vapor of the F. rhynchophylla seedling was increased by the UV-B increment. The reductions in total chlorophyll and carotenoid were more apparent in the F. rhynchophylla than B. platyphylla seedling. There was no statistically significant changes in the concentration of UV-B absorbing compound($A_{300}$) in the leaves of the two species among the UV-B treatment. However the $A_{300}$ tented to be increased in F. rhynchophylla by enhanced UV-B radiation. These results indicate that the growth and the physiological and biochemical responses between B. platyphylla and F. rhynchophylla were different to enhanced UV-B environment.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.315-329
• /
• 2016

Fas ligand (FasL) and its receptor Fas have been implicated in granulosa cell apoptosis during follicular atresia. Although interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) is believed to be involved in the regulation Fas expression in differentiated granulosa or granulosa-luteal cells, the expression of this cytokine and its role in the regulation of the granulosa cell Fas/FasL system and apoptosis during follicular maturation have not been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, we have examined the presence of IFN-${\gamma}$ in ovarian follicles at different stage of development by immunohistochemistry and related their relative intensities with follicular expression of Fas and FasL, and with differences in granulosa cell sensitivity to Fas activation by exogenous agonistic Anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (Fas mAb). Although IFN-${\gamma}$ immunostaining was detectable in oocyte and granulosa cells in antral follicles, most intense immunoreactivity for the cytokine was observed in these cells of preantral follicles. Intense immunoreactivity for IFN-${\gamma}$ was most evident in granulosa cells of atretic early antral follicles where increased Fas and FasL expression and apoptosis were also observed. Whereas low concentrations of IFN-${\gamma}$ (10-100 U/mL) significantly increased Fas expression in undifferentiated granulosa cells (from preantral or very early antral follicles) in vitro, very higher concentrations (${\geq}1,000U/mL$) were required to up-regulate of Fas in differentiated cells isolated from eCG-primed (antral) follicles. Addition of agonistic Fas mAb to cultures of granulosa cells at the two stages of differentiation and pretreated with IFN-${\gamma}$ (100 U/mL) elicited morphological and biochemical apoptotic features which were more prominent in cells not previously exposed to the gonadotropin in vivo. These findings suggested that IFN-${\gamma}$ is an important physiologic intra-ovarian regulator of follicular atresia and plays a pivotal role in regulation of expression of Fas receptor and subsequent apoptotic response in undifferentiated (or poorly differentiated) granulosa cells at an early (penultimate) stage of follicular development.

• Korean Security Journal
• /
• no.51
• /
• pp.153-170
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study is to rediscover the operation of anti-terrorism system focusing on the system approach and crisis management approach for counter terrorism in Korea. According to the results of this study, it is required to establish a link between open systems and integrative system focusing on functional linkage of counter-terrorism systems, and cooperative measures with private sectors in the dimension of governance activation. Further, it is necessary to prepare legal foundations for the cooperation with private sectors and then promote open consciousness transformation through the partnership with private security for anti-terrorism activities. In addition, in its preventive stage, it is required to prepare legal systems related to biochemical terrorism for stronger regulations through crisis-managerial approach. Next, in its preparatory stage, it is necessary to prepare education and enact named Terror Prevention Day for increasing terror safety consciousness, and then extend citizen reporting reward systems to enable citizens to participate and become interested voluntarily in terror prevention. Also, it is essential to establish the substantial training system for preparing for terror occurrence. Moreover, in its response stage, it is urgent to construct networks between related institutions to manage field and spot responses with integrative management systems through information sharing. Furthermore, in its restoration stage, it is indispensible to prepare long-term management systems for injured persons and families of the deceased from terror incidents.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.51-57
• /
• 1970

On the basis of the specific interrelationship between the species or variety of leguminous crops and the species or strain of nodule bacteria, Rhizobia, the rhizobial species and strain must be effectively chosen for the successful inoculation. The present paper describes on some results of the isolation and taxonomic study on the native rhizobial strains isolated from the nodules of five species of leguminous crops such as numerous varieties of soy bean, lespedeza, birdfoot trefoil, ladino and red clovers. The isolated strains of soy bean nodule bacterium, Rhizobium japonicum were grouped through the inoculation test on variety Changdanbaikmock into the effective, noneffective and toxic strain for the nodule formation. In the study of the effect of some inorganic and organic nitrogenous compounds on the growth of Rhizobium japonicum strain Ac 20, a promotive response was showed by asparagine, and glutamine, but hydroxylamine, nitrite, hydrazine and azide was inhibitory at the concentration of $10^{-2}M/l$ in mannitol-yeast extract basal medium. In the physiological characteristics each strain showed somewhat different activities of the indole-3-actic acid formation and hydrogenase and discussed with these characters in relation to nodule forming ability.