• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 1997

This study was planned to evaluate the urinary ascorbic acid as a new biological marker for the intoxication of cadmium, which could possibly be driven by its increased utilization and environmental pollution. In order to meet this goal, we have peformed measurement of urinary ascorbic acid concentration, histopathological examination of the kidney, and biochemical test for the liver function using cadmium-intoxicated rats by oral administration. The average concentrations of urinary ascorbic acid in the $CdCl_2$-treated rats were 214.0 mg/dl for 100 ppm group and 254.3 mg/dl for 200 ppm group during experimental period of 50 days. These levels are 24 and 28 times higher than one in the control group (9.0 mg/dl), respectively. Ultrastructural study showed the eosinophilic hyaline cast and focal effacement, fusion in the renal tubules, as well as loss of foot processes on the glomerular epithelial cells. These results suggested that cadmium may be responsible for renal glomerular injury. The blood levels of AST, ALT and LDH in the treated groups (199 IU/I, 88 IU/I, 1190 U/I for the 100 ppm group and 270 IU/I, 226 IU/I, 760 U/I for the 200 ppm group) were higher than ones in the control group(143 IU/I, 50 IU/I, 334 U/I). These results indicated the cadmium induced the damage of liver function. In conclusion, the administration of cadmium showed a remarkable increase of urinary ascorbic acid with renal and hepatic damage. Therefore, it is expected that measurement of urinary ascorbic acid would be an powerful method as a noninvasive biomarker for cadmium intoxication.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.548-553
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• 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in cartilage tissue engineering to repair articular cartilage defects. However, hypertrophy of chondrocytes derived from MSCs might hinder the stabilization of hyaline cartilage. Thus, it is very important to find a suitable way to maintain the chondrogenic phenotype of chondrocytes. It has been reported that cordycepin has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor functions. However, the role of cordycepin in chondrocyte hypertrophy remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of cordycepin on chondrogenesis and chondrocyte hypertrophy in MSCs and ATDC5 cells. Cordycepin upregulated chondrogenic markers including Sox9 and collagen type II while down-regulated hypertrophic markers including Runx2 and collagen type X. Further exploration showed that cordycepin promoted chondrogenesis through inhibiting Nrf2 while activating BMP signaling. Besides, cordycepin suppressed chondrocyte hypertrophy through PI3K/Bapx1 pathway and Notch signaling. Our results indicated cordycepin had the potential to maintain chondrocyte phenotype and reconstruct engineered cartilage.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.24 no.4 s.79
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• pp.246-254
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• 1996

Since the mid of 1980's, cultivation area and production of Ganoderma lucidum have been increased annually in Korea. However, the presence of a fungal disease has become a major limiting factor in the cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum, causing a serious economic loss. The present study was carried out to isolate and identify the pathogenic fungus to Ganoderma lucidum. Several fungi isolated from the wood logs showing typical symptoms were tested whether they are pathogenic to Ganoderma lucidum or not by cross-pairing culture method, flask inoculation method, and wood log inoculation method. The pathogenic fungus produced ascomata. Mature ascomata was spherical, dark, thick-walled, $45{\sim}95\;{\mu}m$ diameter. Asci were thin-walled, evanescent when mature, disintegrate early. Ascospores were spherical, hyaline, glaborous, thick-walled, refractive, $3.6{\sim}4.3\;{\mu}m$ in size. Conidiophores soon became abundantly septate and broke up into arthrospores, which are cylindrical, $3{\sim}6\;{\mu}m$ long and $3{\sim}4\;{\mu}m$ wide. Based on the observations under dissecting microscope, light microscope and scanning electron microscope, teleomorph and anamorph of the pathogenic fungus were identified as Xylogone sphaerospora Von Arx & Nilsson and Sporendonema purpurascens (Bonordon) Mason & Hughes, respectively. X. sphaerospora is first reported as a pathogenic fungus of Ganoderma lucidum.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.211-224
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• 2002

Background and Objective : In order to investigate the effects of Gilgyunglwedok-tang (GRT) on antitumor activity and antimetastatic activity, studies were done experimentally. Materials and Methods : Experimental studies were perfonned for the cytotoxic effect on BALB/c mouse lung fibroblast cells, the proliferating effect of splenic lymphocyte, the expression of CD3e/CD4, CD3e/CD8, and B220 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the cytotoxic effect on A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, MCF-7 cells, the inhibitory effect on the activity of DNA topoisomerase I, the T/C% in ICR mice bearing S-180, the inhibitory effect of Cell adhesive of A549 Cells and SK-OY-3 Cells to complex extracellular matrix, the inhibitory effect on lung colonies, the change of lung tissue, the antiangiogenic activity, and the effect on MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene expression in the RT1080 cell line. Results and Conclusion : The results were obtained as follows : 1. In the cytotoxic effect on BALB/C mouse lung fibroblast Cell, GHT didn't show the significant cytotoxic effect on BALB/C mouse lung fibroblast cell compared to the control group. 2. In thymidine uptake assay, GHT showed the significant proliferating effect of splenic lymphocyte in proportion to the concentration. 3. In the expression of CD3e/CD4, CD3e/CD8, and B220 in peripheral blood mononuclea cells (PBMCs) of mice, GRT had no significant change to the normal group in CD4. However, GRT showed an increase to the normal group in CD8 and GHT in the only $1\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ category showed an increase to the normal group in B220. 4. In the cytotoxic effect of GRT on A549, SK-OY-3, SK-MEL-2 and MCF-7 cells, there was no significant cytotoxic effect compared to the control group. 5. In the inhibitory effect on the activity of DNA topoisomerase I, GHT in the $10\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ category showed the inhibitory effect on the activity of DNA topoisomerase I in proportion to the concentration. 6. In the T/C% in ICRmice bearing S-180, GHTtreated group showed 123.7% of T/C% compared to the control group. 7. In the inhibitory effect of cell adhesive of A549 Cells and SK-OV-3 Cells to complex extracellular matrix, GRT in the only $100\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ category showed the significant inhibitory effect compared to the control group. 8. In the inhibitory effect on lung colonies, GHT showed the significant inhibitory effect on lung colonies compared to the control group. 9. In the change of lung tissue, GHT showed a significant decrease of lung cancer growth, interalveolar fibrosis and hyaline material compared to the control group. In the development of lymphocyte around lung cancer cells and lung parenchymal, GHT showed the significant inducement efficacy compared to the control group. 10. In CAM assay, the antiangiogenic activity of GHT showed 30%. 11. In the effect on MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene expression in the RT1080 cell line, GHT had no significant inhibitory effect on MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene expression compared to the control group. According to the above results, it could be suggested that GHT has an antitumor activity and antimetastatic activity.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.226-228
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• 2013

In 2012, a pink mold rot was observed on unishiu orange (Citrus unshiu Mac.) fruits at the Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products, Jinju, Korea. The symptom on unishiu orange was a water-soaked lesion on the surface of fruit, which later on enlarged to form softened brown rot lesions. The diseased fruits were covered with pink-colored mold, consisting of conidia and conidiophores of the pathogen. Optimum temperature for mycelial growth was $25^{\circ}C$. Conidia were hyaline, smooth, 2-celled, and thick-walled conidia with truncate bases, ellipsoidal to pyriform, characteristically held together zig-zag chains and $12-26{\times}8-12{\mu}m$ in size. Conidiophore was erect, colorless, unbranched, and 4-5 ${\mu}m$ wide. On the basis of mycological characteristics, pathogenicity test, and molecular analysis with complete ITS rDNA region, the causal fungus was identified as Trichothecium roseum (Pers.) Link ex Gray. This is the first report of pink mold rot caused by T. roseum on unishiu orange in Korea.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2003

As is well known that N-nitroso-N-methylurethane (NNNMU) causes acute lung injury (ALI) in experimental animals. And ALI caused by NNNMU is very similar to ARDS in human being in its pathology and progress. In its context, we investigated the pathogenetic mechanism of ARDS associated with oxidative stress by neutrophils in Sprague-Dawley rat model of NNNMU-induced ALI. NNNMU had increased lung weight/body weight ratio (L/B ratio), lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, protein content and number of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) compared with those of control rat (p<0.001, respectively). In contrast, the amount of pulmonary surfactant in BALF was decreased by NNNMU (p<0.001). Morphologically, light microscopic examination denoted pathological findings such as formation of hyaline membrane, infiltration of neutrophils and perivascular cuffing in the lungs of NNNMU-treated rats. In addition, ultrastructural changes such as the necrosis of endothelial cells, swelling and vacuolization of lamellar bodies of alveolar type II cells, and the degeneration of pulmonary surfactant were identified after treatment of NNNMU. Very interestingly, cerium chloride electron microscopic cytochemistry showed that NNNMU had increased the production of cerrous-peroxide granules in the lung, which signified the increased production of hydrogen peroxide in the lung. Collectively, we conclude that NNNMU causes acute lung leak by the mechanism of neutrophilic oxidative stress of the lung.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 1998

The present study was performed to observe characteristics of the lifE history of Echinoparvphium recunpatum under both natural and laboratory conditions in Korea. A batch of Rcnix aunculnria corecna was collected from Sunamchon, one of the stream of West Naktonggang (River), in Kangso-gu, Pusan during August and September 1992. Out of 106 snails examined by crushing,52 (49.0%) were infected with larval E. recurvaum i.e. rediae, cercariae and metacercariae. Cercariae naturally shed from snails encysted in the snails of same species and loaches, but not in mud-snails. Adult worms were detected from chicks and ducks experimentally infected with metacercariae, but not from rats and mice. The average recovery rate of adults from chicks was 13.1%. Rediae were sac-like, $2.437{\;}{\times}{\;}0.317{\;}mm$ in average size, with a muscular pharynx and a brownish cecum which reached the anterior half of the body. Cercariae consisted of a spindle-shaped body ($0.262{\;}{\times}{\;}0.129{\;}mm$ in average) and a rod-like tail ($0.528{\;}{\times}{\;}0.056{\;}mm$ in average). In the cercarial body, 45 collar spines were observed on the head crown, and double rows of excretory ducts with fine granules were laterally arranged between the pharynnx and the ventral sucker. Metacercariae were spherical, $0.144{\;}{\times}{\;}0.142{\;}mm in average size, with thick hyaline outer and thin elastic inner walls, and many excretory granules. Adults were slender and more attenuated in the anterior end, $0.2760{\;}{\times}{\;}0.550{\;}mm$ in average size, and had 45 collar spines including four end group spines on both ventral corners. From the above results, it was confirmed that R. auriculnna corennc plays a pivotal role in the life cycle of 5. recuwatum as the first and/or second intermediate hosts in Korea.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.202-205
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• 2017

Pink rot appeared in greenhouse-grown sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Jeonju, Korea. The symptoms appeared as brown discoloration of sunflower head and progressed into stem in advanced stage. In order to investigate the causal organism of this disease, we isolated a fungus from the infected seeds and maintained the isolated fungal culture on potato dextrose agar medium. Conidiophores were simple or branched, 62.5 to $123.1{\mu}m$ long. Conidia were produced in basipetal chains, ellipsoidal to pyriform with oblique and prominent truncate basal scars, two-celled, hyaline and measured $10.2-21.4{\times}7.5-12.6{\mu}m$. The fungus was inoculated to a new sunflower plant and showed the typical blight on the leaves. Study of morphological characters, pathogenicity tests and sequence analysis revealed that the isolated fungus is confirmed to be Trichothecium roseum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pink rot on sunflower caused by T. roseum in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 1988

A leaf anthracnose disease of pepper(Capsicum annuum L.) seedling caused by Colletotrichum coccodes was found in fields of Chungnam District for the first time in 1988. Initial symptom of the disease was spotting on leaves and stems of the seedlings. The spots became sunken and gradually increased in size and coalesced to form bigger irregular spots and blights on the leaves. In severely affected fields, many pepper seedlings were defoliated and lodged. Field survey revealed that the infection rate of anthracnose ranged form 15.3% to 92.3%. Conidia from lesions on seedlings were hyaline, aseptate, straight, cylindrical with obtuse ends, $115-25(av.\;19.\;5){\times}2.5-4.8{\mu}m(av.\;3.3{\mu}m)$ and setaes were straightly extended above the acervuli, $41.3-136.3\;{\um}m(av.\;85.0{\mu}m)$ long. The fungus produced abundant sclerotia on PDA when it was cultured under darkness. In the inoculation experiments, the fungus was found to infect pepper seedlings and fruits, and fruits of tomato and egg plant.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2001

This study was performed to elucidate the effects of lead poisoning on the reproductive organ of rats. After consecutive oral administrations of lead acetate, the weights of testis, the numbers and motilities of sperms and histological changes of organs were compared between control and experimental groups. 1. Testis weights of 1,000, 2,000 or 4,000 ppm/kg of lead acetate-administrated rats decreased compared with control group in dose-dependent manner. 2. The sperm numbers of 1,000, 2,000 or 4,000 ppm/kg of lead acetate-administrated rats were lowered significantly in dose dependent manners than those of control groups. 3. The sperm motilities of 1,000, 2,000 or 4,000 ppm/kg of lead acetate-administrated rats decreased in dose-dependent manners compared with those of control groups. 4. The weights of livers and kidneys of 1,000, 2,000 or 4,000 ppm/kg of lead acetate-administrated rats decreased or increased. The weights of livers increased and the kidney weights decreased and changes were dose-independent manner. 5. Necrosis of hepatocytes around the central veins, infiltrations of neutrophils, accumulations of bile and infiltrations of fine granules-harboring macrophages in psychymal and interstitial tissues were found out in the livers of copper sulfate-administrated rats. The Bowman's capsule, tubular epithelium and includes in nucleus of kidneys were filled with hyaline materials and hematophilic centers appeared in several lymph nodes.