• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.227-234
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• 2012

We observed that oil began to accumulate at 25 seed days after flowering (DAF) and reached the maximum potential at 35 seed DAF of oilseed rape, and the greatest weight of 100 seeds was obtained at 35 seed DAF. To survey a broad analysis of gene expression in developing embryos of Brassica napus, the Bn 300k microarray have been constructed. The Bn 300k Microarrary was designed from 80,696 unigenes clustered from 543,448 ESTs and 780 cDNA at NCBI. These arrays have been hybridized in a series of experiments with probes derived from seeds and leaf of B. napus. Approximately 8.5% of the 7,000 genes were expressed as ratios 2-fold higher in seed (25 DAF) than leaves and 0.4% at ratios 10. Also we observed that storage and cell differentiation-related genes were highly expressed at 10 DAF, whereas energy-related genes including fatty acid metabolism were increased up depending on seed maturation using Microarray, which was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. These results suggest that B. napus arrays provide a very useful data set of seed-specific expression that can be further analyzed by examination of the promoter regions of these genes and help our understanding of the complex regulatory network in developing seeds.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.117-122
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to establish an in vitro culture system for ovarian preantral follicles of B6D2F1. First, we optimized the in vitro preantral-follicle culture by culture duration, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) type, and activin A concentration. Duration of in vitro culture for 9, 11, and 13 days was sufficient for the normal development of preantral follicles to antral follicles. Formation of cumulus cell-oocyte complex (COC) was induced by treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 2.5 IU/mL) and epidermal growth factor (EGF; 5 ng/mL). In addition, metaphase II (MII) oocytes formed during this in vitro culture of preantral follicles. In vitro preantralfollicle culture for 9 days showed higher rates of growth and maturation, thus yielding a greater number of antral follicles, and there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the number of MII oocytes (that formed from these preantral follicles via differentiation) between the 9-day culture and 11-day or 13-day culture. The follicles cultured for 9 days contained a tightly packed well-defined COC, whereas in follicles cultured for 11 days, the COC was not well defined (spreading was observed in the culture dish); the follicles cultured for 13 days disintegrated and released the oocyte. Second, we compared the growth of the preantral follicles in vitro in the presence of various FSH types. There were no significant differences in the growth and maturation rates and in differentiation into MII oocytes during in vitro culture between preantral follicles supplemented with FSH from Merck and those supplemented with FSH from Sigma. To increase the efficiency of MII oocyte formation, the preantral follicles were cultured at different activin A concentrations (0 to 200 ng/mL). The control follicles, which were not treated with activin A, showed the highest rate of differentiation into antral follicles and into MII oocytes among all the groups (0 to 200 ng/mL). Therefore, activin A (50 to 200 ng/mL) had a negative effect on oocyte maturation. Thus, in this study, we propose an in vitro system of preantral-follicle culture that can serve as a therapeutic strategy for fertility preservation of human oocytes for assisted reproductive medicine, for conservation of endangered species, and for creation of superior breeds.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.1119-1123
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• 2014

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are extremely complex disease types and it is likely that chromosomal instability is involved in the genetic mechanisms of its genesis. However, there is little information regarding the background levels of chromosome instability in these patients. In this pilot study, we examined spontaneous chromosome instability in short-term lymphocyte cultures (72 hours) from 72 study subjects - 36 newly diagnosed HNC squamous cell carcinoma patients and 36 healthy ethnic controls. We estimated chromosome instability (CIN) using chromosomal aberration (CA) analysis and nuclear level anomalies using the Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus Cytome Assay (CBMN Cyt Assay). The proliferation rates in cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were assessed by calculating the Cytokinesis Block Proliferation Index (CBPI). Our results showed a significantly higher mean level of spontaneous chromosome type aberrations (CSAs), chromatid type aberration (CTAs) dicentric chromosomes (DIC) and chromosome aneuploidy (CANE UP) in patients (CSAs, $0.0294{\pm}0.0038$; CTAs, $0.0925{\pm}0.0060$; DICs, $0.0213{\pm}0.0003$; and CANE UPs, $0.0308{\pm}0.0035$) compared to controls (CSAs, $0.0005{\pm}0.0003$; CTAs, $0.0058{\pm}0.0015$; DICs, $0.0005{\pm}0.0003$; and CANEUPs, $0.0052{\pm}0.0013$) where p<0.001l. Similarly, spontaneous nuclear anomalies showed significantly higher mean level of micronuclei (MNi), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBUDs) among cases (MNi, $0.01867{\pm}0.00108$; NPBs, $0.0156{\pm}0.00234$; NBUDs, $0.00658{\pm}0.00068$) compared with controls (MNi, $0.00027{\pm}0.00009$; NPBs, $0.00002{\pm}0.00002$; NBUDs, $0.00011{\pm}0.00007$).The evaluation of CBPI supported genomic instability in the peripheral blood lymphocytes showing a significantly lower proliferation rate in HNC patients ($1.525{\pm}0.005552$) compared to healthy subjects ($1.686{\pm}0.009520$) (p<0.0001). In conclusion, our preliminary results showed that visible spontaneous genomic instability and low rate proliferation in the cultured peripheral lymphocytes of solid tumors could be biomarkers to predict malignancy in early stages.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.333-339
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• 2005

B/K protein is a novel protein containing double C2-like domains. We examined the specific signaling pathway that regulates the transcription of B/K in PC12 cells. When the cells were treated with forskolin ($50{\mu}M$), B/K mRNA and protein levels were time-dependently decreased, reaching the lowest level at 3 or 4 hr, and thereafter returning to the control level. Chemicals such as dibutyryl-cAMP, cellpermeable cyclic AMP (cAMP) analogue and CGS21680, adenosine receptor $A_{2A}$ agonist, also repressed the B/K transcription. However, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin did not show inhibitory effect on B/K transcription, suggesting direct involvement of cAMP in the forskolin-induced inhibition of B/K transcription. Effect of forskolin, dibutyryl cAMP and CGS21680 was significantly reduced in PKA-deficient PC12 cell line (PC12-123.7). One cAMP-response element (CRE)-like sequence (B/K CLS) was found in the promoter region of B/K DNA, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated its binding to CREM and CREB. Forskolin significantly suppressed the promoter activity in CHO-K1 cells transfected with the constructs containing B/K CLS, but not with the construct in which B/K CLS was mutated (AC：TG). Taken together, we suggest that the transcription of B/K gene in PC12 cells may be regulated by PKA-dependent mechanism.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.193-202
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• 2011

Objective: We found previously that $interferon$ $regulatory$ factor ($Irf$)-1 is a germinal vesicle (GV)-selective gene that highly expressed in GV as compared to metaphase II oocytes. To our knowledge, the function of $Irf-1$ in oocytes has yet to be examined. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between retinoic acid (RA) and RA-mediated expression of $Irf-1$ and the mouse oocyte maturation. Methods: Immature cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) were collected from 17-day-old female mice and cultured $in$ $vitro$ for 16 hours in the presence of varying concentrations of RA (0-10 ${\mu}M$). Rate of oocyte maturation and activation was measured. Gene expression was measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cytokine secretion in the medium was measured by Bio-Plex analysis. Apoptosis was analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results: The rates of oocyte maturation to metaphase II and oocyte activation increased significantly with RA treatment (10 nM-1 ${\mu}M$). With 100 nM RA treatment, lowest level of $Irf-1$ mRNA and cumulus cell's apoptosis was found. Among 23 cytokines measured by Bio-Plex system, the substantial changes in secretion of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, macrophage inflammatory protein-$1{\beta}$, eotaxin and interleukin-12 (p40) from COCs in response to RA were detected. Conclusion: We concluded that the maturation of oocytes and $Irf-1$ expression are negatively correlated, and RA enhances the developmental competence of mouse immature oocytes $in$ $vitro$ by suppressing apoptosis of cumulus cells. Using a mouse model, results of the present study provide insights into improved culture conditions for $in$ $vitro$ oocyte maturation and relevant cytokine production and secretion in assisted reproductive technology.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.213-221
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• 2011

Equilateral venus, Gomphina veneriformis exposed to tribultyltin chloride (TBTCl) for 36 weeks was showed ultrastructural changes of the mantle. The fine mantle had 4-folds and its epidermal layer consisted of simple columnar epithelial cells and ciliated cells and secretory cells. Inner and outer epidermal layer covered connective tissue. The mantle exposed to TBTCl at 12 weeks was decreased cilia in the inner epidermal layer, and observed extension of the hemolymph sinus and destruction of the septum. At 20 weeks, it revealed vacuole formation and pycnosis in the cytoplasm, and scattered muscular fiber. After 28 weeks of exposure, the mantle revealed partially degenerative changes in the epidermal layer. In the ciliated cells, basal body was isolated from the cilia and rootlet complex and basal foot were scattered. The sarcolemma had debris fiber. At 36 weeks, it observed degenerative cells that it revealed disappearance of the cilia, atrophic nucleus, poorly membrane and destruction of the cresternae in the mitochondria, and increasing heterophagosome. The outer epithelial cell had necrotic nuclus, numeous lysosome and disappearance of the microvilli. Therefore, results of this study suggested that chronical TBTCl exposure in the Gomphina veneriformis induced the disorders of shell growth and physiological function with histopathological changes of the mantle.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.334-340
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Opuntia ficus-indica complex (OF) on blood glucose, glucose tolerance, plasma insulin level and histopathological appearance of pancreatic islets in streptozotoxin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two male Sprague-Daweley rats were divided into non-diabetic control (NC), diabetic control (DC), diabetic OF of 2% (OF-2) and diabetic OF of 5% (OF-5) and fed experimental diets for 3 weeks. Compared to the DC group fasting blood glucose levels in the OF-2 and OF-5 groups were significantly (p<0.05) reduced while fasting plasma insulin level in the OF-2 and OF-5 groups were significantly (p<0.05) increased. Glucose tolerance in the OF-2 and OF-5 groups were improved. Histopathological observation of pancreatic islets of the OF-2 and OF-5 groups showed hyperplasia which was very similar to NC. Numbers of ${\beta}$-cells in OF-2 ($47.81{\pm}0.92$) and OF-5 ($81.64{\pm}2.80$) were higher than numbers of ${\beta}$-cells in DC ($13.18{\pm}1.01$). These results imply that the intake of OF improves ${\beta}$-cell proliferation and prevents the death of ${\beta}$-cells in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Korean Journal of Crystallography
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.13-21
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• 1991

X-ray methods have been used to determine the chain conformation and packing of the thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester prepared from 50% tarephthaloyl chloride(TPA) and 50% (1-phenylethyl) hydroquinone(PEHQ). The x-ray patterns of annealed melt-spun fibers contain a series of annealed melt-Pointing to a well ordered crystalline structure, despite the random sense(2 or 3-) of the 1-phenylethyl substiuttion on the TPA-hydroquinone backbone. The crystalline fiber is monoclinic with space group P2l and the unit cell has dimensions 11=12.77 A, b=10.17 A (upique axis), c=12.58 h (fiber axis). and β=90.1° and contains TPA-PEHO units of to or chains. The random substitution of 1-phenylethyl groups was modelled by placing these groups at both the 2and 3 positions and giving each a weight of one-hal(. T he structure has been refined by linked a rom least square methods(LALS) against 16 observed and 21 unobserved reflections. and had a final R value of 0.20. Packing of the side chains is effected by staggering adjacent chains along the b axis by approximately c/2, so that the side chains are interleaved. The phenyl-COO and COO-phenyl torsion angles are -6.1 and 65.6, respectively, such that the main chain phenyls are mutually inclined at 59.5 (the ester groups are assumed to be planar). These torsion angles compare very well with those for the model compounds, notably phenylbenzoate, and can be used in future analyses of the structures of more complex random sequence copolyesters.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.4-9
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• 1957

Effects of antibioties on micro-organism have been reported by many scientists, such as Krampitz and Werkman, Fisher, Gale and Rodwell, Klimick Cavalito and Bailey, Umbreit, etc. On the mechanism by which penicillin act, Fisher(1947), Platt(1947), and Cavallito, considered that penicillin might act on bacteria by inhibiting with the normal function of SH-group of glutathione in the metabolism of the cell. Resenbrance of penicillin to gultathione in structure and the inactivation of penicillin by cysteine make us approve of the above inhibiting theory of SH-group. Galland (1947) and Schmidt (1947) reported that penicillin inhibited the activity of ribonuclease, Phosphatase, and mononucleotidase. Gale (1948) discovered that the gram positive bacteria had lost the power to uptake glutamic acid by ribonucleic acid in the medium contained penicillin: growth of gram positive organism was inhibited by the results that penicillin inhibited the uptake of amino acid byribonucleic acid, acting on ribonucleic acid of gram positive bacteria. Hotchkiss (1950) cultured S. aureus in the medium contained glucose and amino acids, and studied the effect of penicillin on protein synthesis. Peptide formation in living cells was inhibited by penicillin, while amono acid was utilized as before the addition of penicillin. On the otherhand, Binkley (1951) found penicillin interfered hydrolase of glutath one, and Hans (1950) reported penicillin inhibited the transpeptidation. On the machanism by which streptomycin acts. Cohen (1947) reported steptomycin made a irreversible complex with desoxyribonucleic acid, by the fact that desoxyribonucleic acid formed the precipitates with diguanide group of steptomycin. Zeller (1951) reported, on the other hand, streptomycin inhibited diamine oxidease. Geiger (1947) and Umbreit (1949) reported that steptomycin inhibited condensation of oxaloacetate and pyruvate in E. Coli and Oginsky et al (1949) reported steptomycin inhibited oxaloacetate-pyruvate reaction in Kreb's cycle. On the mechanism by which terramycin acts, Hahn & Wisseman (1951) reported that the formation of adaptive enzyme was inhibited by terramycin in E. Coli cultivated in the medium contained loctose, and that the protein synthesis was inhibited by terramycin. However, effects of antibiotics on amino acid metabolism have not been discussed much in spite of its important role in living cells. Especislly, effects of anitibiotics on higher plants have scarcely been reported. Here, to prove the effect of antibiotics on higher plants, and the mechanism by which, through amino acid metabolism, they promote or inhibit growth of plants, amino acids in bean plants treated with penicillin, streptomycin, and terramycin were analyzed by paper chromatography. And to clarify the antagonis of cysteine (as SH-group) against penicillin, through amino acid metabolism, amino acids in bean plants treated with cystene and penicillin, at the same time, were also analyzed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.94-101
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• 2011

Squid (Todarodes pacificus) is processed as dried or seasoned-dried products and its catch gradually increased from 270,298 M/T in 2005 to 367,940 M/T in 2008 in Korea. Squid processing by-product (viscera) was usually discarded as a waste resulting in environmental problem. In order to utilize squid viscera for more value-added products, a natural squid seasoning was developed by fermenting with Aspergillus oryzae koji. Squid viscera at 5, 10 and 15% salt concentrations with fixed levels of 5% koji and 30% water was fermented at room temperature. The quality properties of squid fermented products such as amino-N, TMA, VBN, total viable cell count, pH and total acidity were determined at different fermentation periods. The contents of amino-N, TMA, and VBN of squid seasoning at 5% salt concentration fermented for 14 days were the highest. Based on amino-N content, squid viscera at 5% koji fermented for 14 days was selected for further assays: the content of moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, crude ash, and carbohydrate were 5.98, 35.19, 33.08, 11.30, and 14.45%, respectively. The content of glutamate, alanine, leusine and lysine were 7.06, 12.34, 9.90 and 10.22%, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of DPPH scavenging and $\beta$-glucuronidase inhibitory activity were 12.89 and 12.58 mg/mL, respectively. A natural squid seasoning was manufactured by mixing fermented squid viscera and an ingredient. Based on the results of sensory evaluation, the fermented squid viscera seasoning was almost equal to other natural complex seasonings such as anchovy, cow meat, and fisheries seasoning.