• Title/Summary/Keyword: Factor H

Search Result 5,845, Processing Time 0.039 seconds

Toxicity Test of Sucrose and Trehalose Prior to Cryopreservation in Immature Bovine Oocytes

  • Park, Sang-Hyoun;Yu, Il-Jeoung
    • Journal of Embryo Transfer
    • /
    • v.23 no.4
    • /
    • pp.263-267
    • /
    • 2008
  • The purpose of this study was to determine toxic effect of sucrose and trehalose prior to cryopreservation on nuclear maturation and embryonic development in immature bovine oocytes. All cryoprotectant was prepared in tissue culture medium 199-HEPES (TCM 199-HEPES) with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Immature oocytes were exposed to 1.2M ethylene glycol (EG) and 0.1M sucrose or 1.2M EG and 0.1M trehalose for 3 min and then were exposed to 3.2 M EG and 0.25 M sucrose or 3.2 M EG and 0.25 M trehalose for 1 min. Oocytes treated with cryoprotectants were exposed to 0.25 M sucrose or 0.25 M trehalose for 5 min and then 0.1 M sucrose or 0.1 M trehalose for 5 min. Depending on type of sugar added to cryopreservation solution, oocytes were allocated to sucrose group and trehalose group, respectively. Oocytes exposed to TCM 199-HEPES with 10% FBS were considered as control. Oocytes were cultured in TCM 199 supplemented with 10% FBS, 5 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, 0.01 IU/ml luteinizing hormone, and $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ estradiol for 24 h in $39^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$. Nuclear maturation was assessed by staining oocytes with 1% aceto-orcein. Oocytes were fertilized in vitro and were cultured in TCM 199 supplemented with 10% FBS, 5 mM sodium pyruvate, and antibiotics in $39^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$. The rates of cleavage and blastocyst, and cell number in blastocyst were assessed. Metaphase II rates were not different among experimental groups regardless of type of sugar. The cleavage rate of trehalose group (73.3%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of sucrose group (62.8%) and control group (60.8%). The blastocyst rate was significantly higher in trehalose group (p<0.05). Mean cell number in blastocyst were not different among experimental groups, although cell number of blastocyst in trehalose group was significantly higher on day 7 (p<0.05). In conclusion, sucrose and trehalose were not toxic to immature bovine oocytes prior to cryopreservation. In particular, trehalose was more effective on embryonic development.

The Color Characteristics of Vintage Fashion - Focused on Paris Pr$\hat{e}$t-$\grave{a}$-Porter Collections, from 2003 to 2008 - (빈티지 패션의 색채 특성에 관한 연구 - 2003~2008년 파리 프레타포르테 컬렉션을 중심으로 -)

  • Yang, Jung-Hee;Park, Hye-Won
    • Journal of Fashion Business
    • /
    • v.14 no.1
    • /
    • pp.86-105
    • /
    • 2010
  • Vintage fashion is a lot influenced by colors because an emotion is transmitted via images of "old feeling", "worn-out feeling" and "faded feeling" etc. Colors are visual sensation occurring at a time when lights stimulate an eye, which is a representative factor which humans first perceive when they touch objects. And colors in clothing function as a critical element which indicates an individual's impression and character as well as aesthetic sensation. In this study, I examined on the theoretical consideration and aesthetic characteristics via the previous literature on vintage fashion and colors. As an empirical study, I investigated on the colors of vintage fashion appearing in Pr$\hat{e}$t-$\grave{a}$-porter Collections, Paris from Spring/Summer, 2003 to Fall/Winter 2008. As a way for study, I investigated into the total 197 vintage fashion photos and calculated their RGB values by using photoshop. And I converted the values of the colors extracted into H V/C values by using Munsell Conversion Version 9.0.6 and analyzed on Munsell System of 10 Color Notation and the PCCS colors, classifying a color scheme by visual sensation measurement. The result of analyzing on the concept of vintage fashion and its color characteristics is as follows; Vintage fashion made an appearance the most in 2003 and 2004 and its colors appeared a lot in Y, YR, R and PB lines. Color tone concentrated on black and white, achromatic color and low chroma colors in a grayish line, chromatic color. Thus, the study found that colors suitable for a "worn-out", "faded" and "old" image are properly reflected in vintage fashion rather than a clear and bright background. In a color scheme, I found contrast color and same color appearing a lot, which gave an unharmonious feeling and a smack of the country. The study reveals that the color characteristic of vintage fashion is relatively diverse and complex in color, color tone or shade and color scheme, which shows a color trend which reflects a non-constructive and complex coordination characteristic instead of a standardized simple and clear image.

Therapeutic effects of Hominis placenta herb-acupuncture in adjuvant-induced arthritis rat (흰쥐의 Adjuvant 관절염에 대한 자하거(紫河車) 약침의 효과)

  • Yeom, Mi-Jung;Kang, Ji-Eun;Hahm, Dae-Hyun;Park, Hi-Joon;H.Lee, Eun-Joo;Shim, In-Sop;Lee, Hye-Jung
    • Journal of Pharmacopuncture
    • /
    • v.5 no.1 s.8
    • /
    • pp.91-103
    • /
    • 2002
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. characterized by leukocyte infiltration, a chronic inflammation of the joint, a pannus formation and the extensive destruction of the 3Iticular caJ1ilage and bone. Several proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpa}$(TNF-${\alpa}$), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the pathological mechanisms of synovial tissue proliferation, joint destruction and programmed cell death in rheumatoid joint. In the Korean traditional medicine, Hominis placenta (HP) as an herbal solution of herb-acupuncture has been widely used to treat the inflammatory diseases including RA. In order to study the medicinal effect of HP herb-acupuncture on rheumatoid joint, an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AlA) was generated by the injection of 1.5 mg uf Mycobactelium tuberculusis. emulsified in squalene, 10 the base of the tail of Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. After onset stage of polyarthritis, HP was daily injected to the Zusanti (ST36) acupuncture points in both of rat lags and the expression pattems of cytokines such as TNF-{\alpa}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and 1L-6 at the knee joint were analyzed using immunostaining and RT-PCR. The HP herb-acupuncture was found to be effective to alleviate the arthritic symptums in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats as regards the joint appearance and the expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, therapeutic effects of HP herb-acupuncture on the rat with AlA might be related to anti inflammatory activities of the hurb-acupuncture.

Response of Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) to Two Attractants, and Use of Cage Traps to Capture Wild Boars in Korea (대한민국에서 멧돼지 포획을 위한 두 가지 유인먹이에 대한 반응과 상자형 포획트랩 이용)

  • Song, Jang-Hoon;Choi, Eu-Ddeum;Seo, Ho-Jin
    • Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
    • /
    • v.26 no.3
    • /
    • pp.381-391
    • /
    • 2018
  • This study was carried out to determine whether cage traps can be used to capture wild boars successfully, and to assess their response to different bait materials and the number of wild boars caught. Steel cage-traps ($4.0m{\times}1.5m{\times}1.2m$, $L{\times}W{\times}H$) were installed at two sites in Damyang County and at one site in Sunchang County, South Korea. To identify preferred bait-diet, baits were prepared with dry corn and fermented sour corn and placed in equal amounts at the sites close to wild boar pads at 200 m intervals. Before selecting trap locations where sufficient activity was observed, pre-baiting was undertaken and steel-framed traps were installed with gates open. Preference for bait materials was not clearly defined. After providing the bait for the first time, the number of days until wild boars ate all the food were counted. In the Damyang and Youngam areas, where hunting was allowed, total bait consumption took 6 to 12 days; in contrast, in the Sunchang area, where no hunting took place, total food consumption took only 5 days. In addition, after pre-baiting with the mixture of dry and sour corn for diet for about 8.7 days and then opening the trap gates for 3 more days, 13.7 days were necessary to catch 4.3 wild boars per trap. These results suggest that hunting intensity around trapping places was an important factor in determining the success of the traps.

Healing Effects of Astragali Radix Extracts on Experimental Open Wounds in Rats (흰쥐의 외과적 창상에 대한 황기(黃耆) 추출액의 치료효과)

  • Han, Dong-Oh;Kim, Gun-Ho;Choi, Yong-Bok;Shim, In-Sop;Lee, Hye-Jung;Lee, Yong-Gheun;Kim, Jang-Hyun;Chang, Gyu-Tae;Hahm, Dae-Hyun
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
    • /
    • v.19 no.1
    • /
    • pp.92-97
    • /
    • 2005
  • Inhibition of inflammatory response, acceleration of basal cell growth, and balanced synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) are important in healing of cutaneous open wounds. In order to evaluate the healing effects of water extracts of Radix Astragali (the root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.)) on open wound at early stage, the experimental open wounds were generated on the dorsal sides of SD rats under anesthesia. The boiled-water extracts of Radix Astragali $(100{\mu}l)$, soaked into an occlusive film dressing were applied once a day for eleven consecutive days. The healing process was assessed by measuring macroscopic appearance and wound areas of the open wounds. The molecular aspects of healing process by Radix Astragali extracts were also investigated by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H-E) double staining and immunohistological staining of collagen type I in the healed skin area, implying cell density and linear alignment of the granulation tissue, and ECM synthesis and its remodeling, respectively. The Astragali radix extracts were found to significantly accelerate the cutaneous wound healing by suppressing the inflammation and stimulating the basal cell growth in wounded area, as compared to epidermal growth factor (EGF).

An Analysis on the R&D Productivity and Efficiency of Korea: Focused on Comparison with the OECD Countries (우리나라의 R&D 생산성 및 효율성 분석: OECD 국가와의 비교를 중심으로)

  • Kim, Young-H.;Kim, Sun-G.
    • Journal of Technology Innovation
    • /
    • v.19 no.1
    • /
    • pp.1-27
    • /
    • 2011
  • This paper aims to measure and analyze R&D productivities and efficiencies of 17 major OECD countries including Korea over the 1984-2008 period by using the Malmquist Productivity Index and Data Envelopment Analysis, classifying R&D performance into an output and outcome aspects. It also searches the Korea's current status and characteristics in each R&D stage to enhance Total Factor Productivity (TFP) compared with other developed countries. Our major findings are the followings: (i) Korea's productivity index of R&D input vis-a-vis R&D output is very high (13.39% annual growth rate) compared with those of major advanced countries, whereas the annual average of efficiency index is very low (0.33), i.e. Korea's technical efficiency index has risen to 0.83 at the last time series started at 0.10 point and come up to the level of major advanced countries. (ii) the Korea's productivity index of R&D output vis-a-vis R&D outcome is very low (14.02% annual reduction rate) compared with those of major advanced countries, whereas the annual average of efficiency index is very high (0.22), i.e. Korea's integrated frontier technical efficiency index has dropped to 0.057 at the last time series started at 1.00 point and coming up to the level of major advanced countries. (iii) The productivity of R&D input vis-a-vis R&D outcome is positively correlated with that of R&D output vis-a-vis R&D outcome and the growth of R&D input factors. In a nutshell, it implicates that the effort to take advantage of R&D outputs, namely establishing the diffusion and commercialization system of technical knowledge to the level of developed countries, should be strengthened over that on the growth of R&D investment and output for enhancing R&D productivity and efficiency in Korea.

  • PDF

Chlorsulfuron-induced Phytotoxicity in Canola(Brassica napus L.) Seedlings (캐놀라 식물체내에서 클로르설푸론의 약해 유발 요인)

  • Kim, Song-Mun;Hur, Jang-Hyun;Han, Dae-Sung;Vanden Born, William H.
    • Korean Journal of Weed Science
    • /
    • v.17 no.2
    • /
    • pp.199-206
    • /
    • 1997
  • Chlorsulfuron, an acetolactate-synthase-inhibiting sulfonylurea herbicide, induces many metabolic and physiological changes in susceptible plants. The objective of this study was to determine to what extent chlorsulfuton-induced phytotoxicity was due to a shortage of final products(the branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine) or to an accumulation of a toxic metabolite(2-ketobutyrate), or both, in a susceptible species. Chlorsulfuron-treated canola seedlings showed growth inhibition and injury symptoms that included chlorosis, downward leaf rolling, and accumulation of anthocyanins. Supplementation with valine, leucine, and isoleucine prevented the chlorsulfuron-induced growth inhibition and injury symptoms only partially, suggesting that factor(s) other than a shortage of the branched-chain amino acids also are involved in the phytotoxicity. Canola seedlings treated with 2-ketobutyrate showed reduced growth, but they showed different changes in metabolites than seedlings treated with chlorsulfuron. The results suggest that 2-ketobutyrate is not involved in chlorsulfuron-induced phytotoxicity. We conclude that chlorsulfuron-induced phytotoxicity is due at least in part to a shortage of branched-chain amino acids.

  • PDF

Phytoplankton and Environmental Factors in the Southeastern Barents Sea during August 2003 (북극해 하계 남동 바렌츠 해역에서 식물플랑크톤 크기별 분포와 환경요인에 관한 연구)

  • Joo, Hyoung-Min;Lee, Jin-Hwan;Chung, Kyung-Ho;Kang, Jae-Shin;Kang, Sung-Ho
    • Ocean and Polar Research
    • /
    • v.27 no.3
    • /
    • pp.265-276
    • /
    • 2005
  • In order to grasp the structure and dynamics of phytoplankton communities, chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and cell abundance were measured at 20 stations during the period from August 9 to August 21, 2003 in the southeastern Barents Sea on surface and subsurface chlorophyll maximum depth (SCM). Surface temperatures were varied from minimum $-0.7^{\circ}C(st. 18)$ to maximum $10.4^{\circ}C(st.1)$. Salinities were varied from minimum 29.9 psu(st. 18) to maximum 35.8 psu(st.2). The maximum nutrient(phosphate, nitrate, silicate) concentrations were $0.12{\mu}M,\;0.11{\mu}M,\;7.53{\mu}M$ and minimum concentrations were $0.01{\mu}M,\;0.03{\mu}M,\;1.43{\mu}M$, respectively. On SCM physical environmental factor were almost similar. Chl-a concentrations ranged from 0.23 to $2.13{\mu}g\;chi-a\;l^{-1}$ at SCM. Nano- and pico phytoplankton were the important contributors for increase of the Chl-a. It was about seven times difference between highest concentration to lowest. Phytoplankton communities were composed of diatoms, dinoflagellates, cryptophyceae, silicoflagellate, and prymnesiophyceae showing 37 taxa at surface and 38 taxa at SCM. Picophytoplankton was the most dominant in all stations and all layers, but the second groups were 2 and/or 3 taxa. Phytoplankton abundance ranged from minimum $4.3{\times}10^5\;cells\;l^{-1}$ (st. 20) to maximum $2.4{\times}10^6\;cells\;l^{\-1}$. (st. 17) at surface water. As a result, phytoplankton might be controlled by physical factors such as North Atlantic ocean currents and northern melt water among environmental factors in Barents Set h addition the dominant species were nano- and pico phytoplankton such as Phaeocystis, Cryptomonas and Dinobryon in the study area.

Restoration planning of the Seoul Metropolitan area, Korea toward eco-city

  • Lee, Chang Seok
    • Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
    • /
    • 2003.06a
    • /
    • pp.1-5
    • /
    • 2003
  • In order to prepare a basis for ecological restoration of the Seoul Metropolitan area, ecological diagnoses on soil physico-chemical properties and vegetation structure were carried out. Land use patterns, actual vegetation, and biotope patterns were also investigated based on aerial photograph interpretation and field checks. I formulated landscape elements overlaying those data and evaluated the ecological value of each element. Soil pollution was evaluated by analyzing soil samples collected in each grid on the mesh map, divided by 2km $\times$ 2km intervals. Soil samples were collected in forests or grasslands escaped from direct human interference. Soil pollution evaluated from pH, and SO$_4$, Ca, Mg, and Al contents of soil was more severe in the urban outskirts than in the urban center. Those soil environmental factors showed significant correlation with each other. Vegetation in the urban area was different in species composition from that in suburban areas and showed lower diversity compared with that in the suburban areas. Successional process investigated by population structure of major species also showed a difference. That is, successional trend was normal in suburban areas, but that in urban areas showed a retrogressive pattern. The landscape ecological map of Seoul indicates that the urban center lacks vegetation and greenery space is restricted in urban outskirts. Such an uneven distribution of vegetation has caused a specific urban climate and thereby contributed to aggravation of air and soil pollution, furthermore causing vegetation decline. From this result, it was estimated that such uneven distribution of vegetation functioned as a trigger factor to deteriorate the urban environment. I suggested, therefore, a restoration plan based on landscape ecological principles, which emphasizes connectivity and even distribution of green areas throughout the whole area of the Seoul to solve this complex environmental problem. In this restoration plan, first of all, I decided the priority order for connection of the fragmented greenery spaces based on the distances from the core reserves comprised of green belt and rivers, which play roles as habitats of wildlife as well as for improvement of urban environment. Next, I prepared methods to restore each landscape element included in the paths of green network to be constructed in the future on the bases of such preferential order. Rivers and roads, which hold good connectivity, were chosen as elements to play important roles in constructing green network by linking the fragmented greenery spaces.

  • PDF

Inhibition of eNOS/sGC/PKG Pathway Decreases Akt Phosphorylation Induced by Kainic Acid in Mouse Hippocampus

  • Lee, Sang-Hyun;Byun, Jong-Seon;Kong, Pil-Jae;Lee, Hee-Jae;Kim, Duk-Kyung;Kim, Hae-Sung;Sohn, Jong-Hee;Lee, Jae-Jun;Lim, So-Young;Chun, Wan-Joo;Kim, Sung-Soo
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
    • /
    • v.14 no.1
    • /
    • pp.37-43
    • /
    • 2010
  • The serine/threonine kinase Akt has been shown to play a role of multiple cellular signaling pathways and act as a transducer of many functions initiated by growth factor receptors that activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). It has been reported that phosphorylated Akt activates eNDS resulting in the production of NO and that NO stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), which results in accumulation of cGMP and subsequent activation of the protein kinase G (PKG). It has been also reported that PKG activates PI3K/Akt signaling. Therefore, it is possible that PI3K, Akt, eNOS, sGC, and PKG form a loop to exert enhanced and sustained activation of Akt. However, the existence of this loop in eNOS-expressing cells, such as endothelial cells or astrocytes, has not been reported. Thus, we examined a possibility that Akt phosphorylation might be enhanced via eNOS/sGC/PKG/PI3K pathway in astrocytes in vivo and in vitro. Phosphorylation of Akt was detected in astrocytes after KA treatment and was maintained up to 72 h in mouse hippocampus. 2 weeks after KA treatment, astrocytic Akt phosphorylation was normalized to control. The inhibition of eNOS, sGC, and PKG significantly decreased Akt and eNDS phosphorylation induced by KA in astrocytes. In contrast, the decreased phosphorylation of Akt and eNDS by eNDS inhibition was significantly reversed with PKG activation. The above findings in mouse hippocampus were also observed in primary astrocytes. These data suggest that Akt/eNOS/sGC/PKG/PI3K pathway may constitute a loop, resulting in enhanced and sustained Akt activation in astrocytes.