• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2020

Morphology of a strain of unspecified Skeletonema species established from Korean coast was examined by light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, and SSU(small subunit) and LSU(large subunit) rDNA of the strain were also sequenced. The specimen was characterized by solitary or short chains, and each cell contained 1-2 chloroplasts. The valve face was slightly convex, and the terminal fultoportula processes (TFPPs) were open and showed narrow distal ends that could be truncated or spiny with claw-like protrusions. The basal part of the TFPPs was tubular and oblique to the cell axis. The intercalary fultoportula processes (IFPPs) were also narrow, completely open, and joined in a 1 : 1 junction. Occasionally, one IFPP was connected with two opposing IFPPs. The morphological features of the specimen were identical to those of Skeletonema pseudocostatum. Molecular phylogeny based on SSU rDNA revealed that the Korean strain is nested within a clade comprising S. pseudocostatum and S. tropicum. However, based on D1-D2 LSU rDNA sequences, a clade including S. pseudocostatum and a Korean strain was separated from the S. tropicum clade. This indicates that the Korean strain can be identified as S. pseudocostatum. This species represents the first record from Korean coastal waters.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2009

Cryo-SEM which enables specimens to be observed in frozen form has been used to study liquid specimens in their native states. Cryo-methods, sample preparation for cryo-SEM, are quite complex and involve several discrete but vitally interconnected steps which are rapid cooling, fracturing, sectioning, etching and coating. It is important to select practical techniques and to optimize conditions of each steps considering analytic purpose and specimen characters, viz., sample dimension, water contents. In this study, etching methods and sample preparation before freezing had been studied for observation of cyanobacteria, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 using cryo-SEM and their cryo-SEM images were compared to Conventional SEM (CSEM) images treated by chemical fixation. We could observe the improved morphological images of the pili of the surface and membranes of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and the three-dimensional architectures of their biofilm, which were difficult to observe using chemical fixation and CSEM. These results suggest that cryo-methods/cryo-SEM are useful techniques for morphological study of biological specimen.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.460-464
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• 1999

Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) has been known to be resistant to many kinds of antibiotics and causes a problem of nosnocomial infection since the third generation of cephalosporines has been introduced in the 1980s. As antibiotic sensitivity tests which have been routinely used to detect MRSA in the laboratory depend on the culture conditions such as, pH, temperature, and time, etc., it is difficult to decide in the case of borderline- or low-level of MRSA. Therefore it would be necessary to develope a new method based on the molecular biological technique to overcome these problems. In this study, we extracted DNA from S. aureus and performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify mec A gene, encoding penicillin-binding protein 2' (PBP-2'), which is known to confer bacteria resistance to the bacteriostatic action of methicillin. The results were compares with those of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. When MIC test with oxacillin was performed on the 120 isolates of S. aureus from each patient's specimens, 64 of them were MRSA and 56 of them were methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). In pus specimen, more precisely, 61.9% (26/42) of MRSA was detected, and 44.2% (19/43), 60% (9/15) and 50% (10/20) of MRSA were detected in sputum, body fluid, and other specimen respectively. When 40 isolates of MRSA and MSSA were tested by PCR method and compares with the results of MIC method, different results were obtained from 1 isolate of MRSA (2.5%) and in 2 isolates of MSSA (5%) suggesting that PCR method should be performed at the same time for more accurate clinical test of MRSA.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 1998

Objectives : Phencyclidine(PCP) or PCP-like substances such as ketamine have been known to rekindle the cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. The aims of this study were to identify whether PCP-like substances can produce cognitive deficit in schizophrenia, to discuss relation with aging process, and finally to speculate underlying neurochemical mecha-nisms by various drug responses. Methods : In experiment I, radial maze tests were done in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats for 3 days to get baseline data. Being divided into 4 groups(6 rats respectively) of normal aged, normal adult controls, atropine-treated and ketamine-treated, the radial maze tests were repeated on every week for 6 weeks, and then the rats were sacrificed by intracardiac perfusion with phosphate-buffered 10% formaldehyde solution for histology. The brain specimen was stained with hematoxylin-eosin to count cells in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In experiment II, radial maze tests were done for 48 rats before any drug treatment and only after ketamine administration. Thereafter, haloperidol, bromocriptine, clonidine, nimodipine, tacrine, valproic acid, naloxone and fluoxetine were intramuscularly injected on every other day in addition to ketamine. Radial maze tests were repeated on every week for 6 weeks, and then rats were prepared by the same procedure for histology. Results : 1) Reaction times of radial maze tests of atropine-treated rats were significantly prolonged than those of normal aged(p<0.05) or normal adult controls(p<0.05). Cell numbers of prefrontal cortex & hippocampus in ketamine-treated rats were significantly reduced than those in normal aged (p<0.05) or normal adult controls(p<0.005). 2) Reduced cell numbers by ketamine became significantly raised by tacrine administration in prefrontal cortex & hippocampus(p<0.05), while there were no significant changes on radial maze tests. Cell numbers also tended to be raised by nimodipine, fluoxetine and haloperidol administration. Conclusions : In conclusion, the visuospatial memory disorders in ketamine-induced psychotic rats might be partly asso-ciated with aging process. Furthermore, the responses to the various drugs suggested cholinergic system might have an important role in the neurochemical mechanism of the cognitive dysfunction in ketamine-induced psychosis. Otherwise, calcium metabolism as well as serotonergic and dopaminergic systems seemed to be possibly related.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1584-1591
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• 2000

Objective : Until now, it has been little known about the biological mechanisms associated with the genesis, growth, and rupture of intracranial aneurysm. This study was performed to investigate and understand a part of these mechanisms. Materials and Methods : Immunohistochemical stains for angiogenesis growth factors(basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)) and selected vascular wall matrix proteins(alpha smooth muscle actin(${\alpha}SMA$) and collagen Type IV) were performed in fixed sections from a normal circle of Willis artery which was taken from the autopsy specimen as a control vessel and 17 aneurysmal wall specimens which was taken during surgical clipping of aneurysms. The staining intensity and distribution of immunoreactivity to angiogenesis growth factors and selected wall matrix proteins in control vessel and aneurysmal wall were examined and compared with each other. The difference of staining intensity according to the size of aneurysm was also investigated. Results : There was no immunoreactivity to bFGF and VEGF in the control vessel. bFGF immunoreactivity was exhibited in 15 of 17 aneurysm specimens around smooth muscle cells within the media of aneurysm. VEGF immunoreactivity was also exhibited in all aneurysm specimens in patches or diffusely affecting all layers of the aneurysmal wall. The degrees of intensity of bFGF and VEGF immunoexpression were proportionate roughly to the size of aneurysm. Strong immunoexpression of both factors were noticed in large aneurysm. A regularly arranged and defined band of immunoreactivity of ${\alpha}SMA$ was noticed in the media of the control vessel, whereas diffuse, faint, irregularly arranged ${\alpha}SMA$ was noticed in the aneurysmal wall. A regularly defined band of collagen Type IV immunoreactivity was also noticed in the subendothelium of the control vessel, whereas diffuse disorganized immunoreactivity of collagen Type IV was noticed in the entire wall of the aneurysm. Conclusion : These results indicate substantial evidences of abnormal expression of angiogenesis factors and changes of selected vascular wall matrix proteins in the wall of intracranial aneurysm. The unbalanced changes of angiogenesis factors and vascular wall matrix proteins in the wall of aneurysm may be one of the biological mechanisms for the growth and rupture of aneurysm.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2011

Histological study on egg envelope and oogenesis of Kichulchoia multifasciata (Pisces, Cobitidae) was carried out by light microscopes and scanning electron microscopes. Various developmental cells appeared in ovary of the specimen catched during November 2010. The cytoplasm of oogonia was acidic and many nucleoli were located at the inner side of nucleus membrane. The size of the oogonia was $103.9{\pm}24.7$ ${\mu}m$ with nucleus size $42.9{\pm}6.9$ (31.1~50.3) ${\mu}m$. Primary oocyte having $277.5{\pm}60.5$ (216.7~354.9) ${\mu}m$ in diameter began to accumulate yolk vesicles. As the developmental stages proceed, secondary oocyte grows larger to $617.6{\pm}85.1$ (503.4~723.6) ${\mu}m$, and eosinophilic yolk granules yolk granules appeared between the yolk vesicles occupying most cytoplasm, and there are some yolk mass formed already. There are some yolk mass formed already. Envelope of fertilized egg investigated by a scanning electron microscope had plenty of microvilli (2~3 ${\mu}m$ in length) over the entire egg surface and a micropyle. Especially, the microvilli surrounding the micropyle were longer than those of egg surface with $5.26{\pm}1.22$ ${\mu}m$.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2004

The high voltage electron microscope (HVEM) newly installed in KBSI is an advanced transmission electron microscope capable of atomic resolution (${\leq}1.2{\AA}$ point-to-point resolution) together with high titling function (${\pm}60^{\circ}$), which are suitable to do 3-dimensional atomic imaging of a specimen. In addition, the instrument can be controlled by remote operation system, named as 'FasTEM' for the HVEM, which is favorable to overcome some environmental obstacles resulting from the direct operation. The FasTEM remote operation system has been established between the headquarter of KBSI in Daejeon and the Seoul branch. The server system in the headquarter has been connected with a portable client console system in the Seoul branch using an advanced internet resource, 'KOREN' of 155 Mbps grade. Most of the HVEM functions essential to do remote operation are available on the portable client console. The experiment to acquire the high resolution image of [001] Au has been achieved by excellent transmission of control signals and communication with the HVEM. Real-time reaction like direct operation, such as controls of the illumination and projection parameters, acquisition and adjustment of each detector signal, and electrical steering of each motor-driven system has been realized in remote site. It is positively anticipated that the first remote operation of HVEM in conjunction with IT infraengineering plays a important role in constructing the network based e-Science Grid in Korea for national user s facilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.1687-1692
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• 2015

Since the domestic grape wine industry has been stagnant, the quality of Korean wine must be improved to compete with imported wines. For improving the quality of domestic wine up to 'unfined' or 'unfiltered' wine, this study investigated the possibility of producing 'unfined' or 'unfiltered' wine and their physicochemical characteristics. Muscat Bailey A as a domestic grape was selected to make wine. Prior to refining process after alcohol fermentation, the wine samples were divided into three specimens depending on the treatment of bentonite for clarification and filter (sample A treated with both bentonite and filter, sample B treated with bentonite only, and sample C treated without bentonite and filter). The physicochemical characteristics of each specimen after one week matureness were then investigated. Sample C showed highest values in total phenol and organic acid content among others. Samples B and C showed more stability in intensity, hue, and color. Although it is hard to compare domestic wine with imported wine, it may be possible to improve the quality of domestic wine and contribute to the development of the domestic wine industry when further studies are conducted on in-depth fermentation of wine and improvement of microbiological stability.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.29.1-29.11
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• 2024

Background: Preservation of biological tissues has been used since ancient times. Regardless of the method employed, tissue preservation is thought to be a vital step in veterinary surgery teaching and learning. Objectives: This study was designed to determine the usability of chemically preserved cadaveric equine heads for surgical teaching in veterinary medicine. Methods: Six cadaveric equine heads were collected immediately after death or euthanasia and frozen until fixation. Fixation was achieved by using a hypertonic solution consisting of sodium chloride, sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate, and an alcoholic solution containing ethanol and glycerin. Chemically preserved specimens were stored at low temperatures (2℃ to 6℃) in a conventional refrigerator. The specimens were submitted to gross and organoleptic assessment right after fixative solution injection (D0) and within 10, 20, and 30 days of fixation (D10, D20, and D30, respectively). Samples of tissue from skin, tongue, oral vestibule, and masseter muscle were collected for histological evaluation at the same time points. Results: Physical and organoleptic assessments revealed excellent specimen quality (mean scores higher than 4 on a 5-point scale) in most cases. In some specimens, lower scores (3) were assigned to the range of mouth opening, particularly on D0 and D10. A reduced the range of mouth opening may be a limiting factor in teaching activities involving structures located in the oral cavity. Conclusions: The excellent physical, histologic, and organoleptic characteristics of the specimens in this sample support their usability in teaching within the time frame considered. Appropriate physical and organoleptic characteristics (color, texture, odor, and flexibility) of the specimens in this study support the use of the method described for preparation of reusable anatomical specimens.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.203-215
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• 2007

Uchiyama, Tomijiro visited the Korean peninsula including Busan, Incheon, Nampo, Pyongyang, Seoul, Mt. Geumgang of Gangwon-do, and Jeju-do twice for his plant collections in 1900 and 1902, respectively. During his plant explorations, Uchiyama collected numerous specimens which were investigated and studied by T. Nakai (Flora Koreana I and II and other publications) and H. $L{\acute{e}}veill{\acute{e}}$ later. Unfortunately all collection sites were simply described by Nakai in Romanized characters, so that it is difficult to pinpoint those sites using the current or the old Korean map. From this study, many locality names were reviewed based on his own plant specimens at TI and literatures, and those were listed as the order of his collection dates. Based on specimens deposited at TI, only ca. 200 specimens were confirmed, although 1,674 specimens were listed by Nakai. Among his collections, 2/3 of his collections were conducted in 1902 and among them 41 specimens were cited as type collections by Nakai.