• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.251-261
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• 2007

A myofiber of skeletal muscle is composed of myofibrils, sarcolemma (plasma membrane), and constameres, which anchor the myofibrils to the sarcolemma. Achvillin is a recently identified F-actin binding muscle protein, co-isolates with dystrophin and caveolin-3 in low-density sarcolemma of striated muscle, and colocalizes with dystrophin at costameres, the specialized adhesion sites in muscle. Archvillin also binds to nebulin and localizes at myofibrillar Z-discs, the lateral boundaries of the sarcomere in muscle. However other roles of archvillin on the dynamics of myofibrillogenesis remain to be defined. The goal of this study is, by using siRNA-mediated gene silencing technique, to investigate the effect of archvillin on the dynamics of myofibrillogenesis in cell culture of a mouse skeletal myogenic cell line (C2C12), where presumptive myoblasts withdraw from the cell cycle, fuse, undergo de novo myofibrillogenesis, and differentiate into mature myotubes. The roles of archvillin in the assembly and maintenance of myofibril and during the progression of myofibrillogenesis induced in skeletal myoblast following gene silencing in the cell culture were investigated. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that the distribution of archvillin was changed along the course of myofibril assembly with nebulin, vinculin and F-actin and then located at Z-lines with nebulin. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that knockdown of mouse archvillin expression led to an impaired assembly of new myofibrillar clusters and delayed fusion and myofibrillogenesis although the mouse archvillin siRNA did not affect those expressions of archvillin binding proteins, such as nebulin and F-actin. This result is corresponded with that of RT-PCR and western blots. When the perturbed archvillin was rescued by co-transfection with GFP or Red tagged human archvillin construct, the inhibited cell fusion and myotube formation was recovered. By using siRNA technique, archvillin was found to be involved in early stage of myofibrillogenesis. Therefore, the current data suggest the idea that archvillin plays critical roles on cell fusion and dynamic myofibril assembly.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.439-449
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• 2000

This study was to investigate the expression of transgene after co-injection of spermatozoon and EGFP gene into mature oocytes in cattle. From frozen semen, spermatozoa were treated by DTT with 0.03% Tween-20, freezing and thawing or 0.02% Triton X-100 to disrupt their plasma membranes. The sperm injected oocytes were co-cultured with bovine oviduct epithelial cells in CRlaa, and expression of EGFP in embryos were observbed under epifluorescent microscope. Two pronuclei were formed in oocytes injected with sperm treated by DTT (44.6%), DTT-Tween-20 (48.4%), DTT-freezing (44.4%) and DTT-Triton X-100 (42.9%). Cleavage and blastocyst formation rates of bovine oocytes which injected with sperm treated by DTT, DTT-Tween-20, DTT-freezing, and DTT-Triton X-100 were 49.1, 58.5, 43.9, and 48.4% and 10.2, 13.0, 6.8, and 6.5%, respectively. Although the most of embryos were showing mosaicism, embryos expressing EGFP gene were observed in all treated groups. Therefore, these results indicate that membrane disrupted sperm could interact with exogenous DNA, and that this procedure may be useful to introduce foreign gene into bovine oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.323-330
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• 2000

Early life history and spawning for Odontobutis interrupta were observed in the laboratory during May-August 1999 with a condition of natural habitats in the field. Optimal water temperature for spawning was between 17.5 and 22.$0^{\circ}C$ and appropriate water depth and current velocity in the natural habitat ranged 0.3-0.6 m and 0.1-0.3 m/sec, respectively. Ovary maturation index peaked at about 100mm in the total length and their values gradually decreased after the size. Male fishes showed a territory and courtship behavior to adult females and the males frequently pushed upper-ventral part of females for egg releases. After females spawned, the males guarded the egg masses and supplied dissolved oxygen using pectoral fins. According to observation of egg development in the laboratory, blastodisc formed in 1hr 17 min after the fertilization, cleavaging at 36-minute interval regularly. Blastulation occurred in 7 hr 12 min after the fertilization, with gastrulation after 11 hr 11 mins and formation of york plug after 32 hr 48 min. Embryo was formed in 33 hr 45 min after fertilization and optic vesicles appeared in 47 hr 27 mins when 30-31 somites were formed. Cardiac primordium was formed in 65 hr 15mins and its beat averaged 44- 48 time/min. Pectoral fins were formed in 138 hr 40 min, air-bladder and black vesicles were observed in lower portion of young fish. Embryo hatched from she-11 membrane after about 10 days and juvenile was 5.8$\pm$0.2mm in total length 3.0$\pm$0.5mg in weight.

• 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.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2011

Purpose: Deficiencies of the abdominal wall can be the a result of infection, surgery, trauma, or primary herniation. For abdominal wall reconstruction, synthetic materials have been shown to provide a better long-term success rate than primary fascial repair. But, synthetic materials cannot elicit angiogenesis or produce growth factor and are therefore plagued by an inability to clear infection. As a result of the inherent drawbacks of synthetic, significant effort has been spent on the identification of new bioprosthetic materials. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a synthetic material (PROCEED$^{(R)}$) and an ADM ($SureDerm^{TM}$) to repair abdominal wall defects in a rabbit models. Methods: We measured the tensile strength of the $SureDerm^{TM}$ and PROCEED$^{(R)}$ by a Tension meter (Instron 4482). 16 Rabbit models were assigned to this study for abdominal wall reconstruction. Abdominal defect of 8 rabbits were reconstructed by PROCEED$^{(R)}$ and the rest were reconstructed by $SureDerm^{TM}$. We assessed gross and histologic examinations for the reconstructed abdominal wall. Results: The tensile strength of $SureDerm^{TM}$ and Gore Tex$^{(R)}$ is $14.64{\pm}0.51Mpa$, $8.54{\pm}0.45Mpa$. PROCEED$^{(R)}$ was estimated above the limits of measurement. Inflammatory reaction of PROCEED$^{(R)}$ persisted for 32weeks, but $SureDerm^{TM}$ decreased after 16weeks. Vascular ingrowth into the $SureDerm^{TM}$ was seen after 32 weeks. The basement membrane of $SureDerm^{TM}$ changed into a form of pseudoperitoneum. In PROCEED$^{(R)}$, it seemed like pseudoepithelial lining was made from the fibrosis around the mesh. Conclusion: In our study, the $SureDerm^{TM}$ not only have less inflammatory reaction and presented more angiogenesis than the PROCEED$^{(R)}$, but also have pseudoperitoneum formation. It is expected that $SureDerm^{TM}$ is useful for abdominal wall reconstruction. However, a long-term study of its usage consequences are thought to be needed.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.187-194
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• 2001

The oxidative stress causes the cell damage and death and thereby, stimulates membrane lipid peroxidation. In this study, the correlation between the lipid peroxidation product and the parameter of liver fibrosis (cirrhosis) was investigated in cholestasis induced rats. The Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups (sham: sham operation, BDL/S-I and BDL/S-II : bile duct ligation/scission) and were observed for 2 or 4 weeks. After observation period, the organs were weighed and the ratio of organ weight/body weight was calculated. Sera and liver tissue were used for the measurement of malondealdehyde (MDA), parameter of clinical biochemistry, total collagen content and the staining. The ratio of organ weight/body weight in BDL/S-I and BDL/S-II was significantly increased compared to sham operated group. Serological parameters (Alanine transaminase, Aspartate transaminase, Alkaline phosphatase and Total bilirubin) in BDL/S-I and BDL/S-II group were significantly higher than those in sham operated group. Concentration of MDA in BDL/S-I (261%) and BDL/S-II(790%) was significantly increased compared to MDA in sham operated group. And the content of hydroxyproline (hyp) in BDL/S-I and BDL/S-II group was significantly increased 2~4 times than in sham operated group. The good correlations between hyp in liver tissue and MDA in sera of sham operated group and all operated group were found (r=0.825). The significantly higher value of MDA, hyp and serological parameters in BDL/S-I and BDL/S-II group suggests the stimulation of lipid peroxidation and chronic liver damage. Especially the activation of lipid peroxidation and the stimulation of liver fibrosis was stronger in BDL/S-II group than in BDL/S-I group. The stronger fibrosis, portal-portal septum formation, the more massive bile duct proliferation in portal triads and stroma, and hepatocytes swelling were observed in liver tissue of and BDL/S-II group compared to BDL/S-I group. Conclusively, a good correlation between MDA as a lipid peroxidation marker and hyp as a liver fibrotic parameter could be connected with the process of liver fibrosis. Moreover, cholestasis condition may cause jaundice, activation of lipid peroxidation, and collagen accumulation in liver. Additionally, optimal observation period of bile duct obstruction for the screening of antioxidant and antifibrotic effect in rats would be four weeks.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

In this article, I will introduce recent developments of environmental-friendly materials fabricated using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Advantages of ALD include fine control of the thin film thickness and formation of a homogeneous thin fim on complex-structured three-dimensional substrates. Such advantages of ALD can be exploited for fabricating environmental-friendly materials. Porous membranes such as anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) can be used as a substrate for $TiO_2$ coating with a thickness of about 10 nm, and the $TiO_2$-coated AAO can be used as filter of volatile organic compound such as toluene. The unique structural property of AAO in combination with a high adsorption capacity of amorphous $TiO_2$ can be exploited in this case. $TiO_2$ can be also deposited on nanodiamonds and Ni powder, which can be used as photocatalyst for degradation of toluene, and $CO_2$ reforming of methane catalyst, respectively. One can produce structures, in which the substrates are only partially covered by $TiO_2$ domains, and these structures turns out to be catalytically more active than bare substrates, or complete core-shell structures. We show that the ALD can be widely used not only in the semiconductor industry, but also environmental science.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2002

Histology and ultrastructure of the mantle epidermis in the ark shell, Scapharca broughtonii are described using light and electron microscopy. The mantle of the ark shell is composed of outer epidermis, connective tissue and inner epidermis. Both epidermis are simple and consists of supporting cells, ciliated cells and secretory cells. Connective tissue is composed of mainly collagen and muscle fibers. The supporting cells in the inner epidermis are usually columnar and covered with microvilli. The ciliated cell have cilia and microvilli on the free surface, and numerous tubular mitochondria are observed in the apical cytoplasm. Secretory cells are mainly observed in the outer epidermis, and it can be divided into four types of A, B, C and D with morphological features of the secretory granules. Type A cells of mucous cell are found in the marginal and central mantle. And these cells contains numerous secretory granules of non-bounded and low electron density. Type B cells contains numerous rough endoplasmic reticula, well-developed Golgi complex and secretory granules of membrane-bounded and high electron density. Secretory granules of type C cells are divided into fibrous core layer and homogeneous peripheral layer. Type D cells are found in the outer epidermis of the central and umbonal mantle. And secretory granules of these cells are divided into homogeneous core layer and granular peripheral layer. This results suggest that the outer and inner epidermis of the mantle are related with shell formation and cleaning of the mantle cavity, respectively.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.315-319
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• 2008

Glow-light tetra, Hemigrammus erythrozonus is a teleost belonging to Characidae. The natural habitate of this fish is the wild in the Essequibo river, Guyana and South America. The oogenesis of glow-light tetra was investigated by light microscopy to compare with those of other families. A pair of ovary was located between swim bladder and intestines. The ovary was of white color and ellipsoidal shape with the major axis 11 mm and the minor axis 4 mm. Cytoplasm of oogonia was basophilic and many nucleoli were located at inside of nuclear membrane. In primary oocytes, yolk vesicles were distributed only in the marginal area and egg envelope was not formed on the outside of an egg. In secondary oocytes, the egg envelope was formed and yolk vesicles in the cytoplasm were increased than the earlier stage. The amount of basophilic substance was decreased. In case of matured egg, thickness of egg envelope and size of egg were increased, basophilic substance was distributed in only around the egg envelope. The yolk vesicles were changed to yolk mass in accordance with development. In conclusion, the oogenesis of glow-light tetra, Hemigrammus erythrozonus was characterized by the increase in cell size, the formation and accumulation of yolk, and the decrease of basophilia a in the cytoplasm. The oogenesis of glow-light tetra seems to share common patterns in Characidae, teleost and have a similar pattern with other teleost.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.86-91
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• 1989

To investigate the effect of NaCl concentration and nitrogen sources in the medium for the Streptococci on the intra- and extracellular proteinase(ICP and ECP) which have been known as one of the major causes for the bitter peptide formation, Streptococcus lactis $ML_8$ and Streptococcus cremoris $ML_4$ strains were incubated at 0-4% NaCl in the medium and Na-caseinate as a nitrogen source 0-100%, and the cell growth, ICP and ECP activities were analyzed. As the concentration of the NaCl in the medium increased, the growth and ECP activity decreased but the ICP $activity/10^{10}$ cells increased on the contrary. This implied that the NaCl in the medium affects only the ECP which is associated mainly to the cell wall and cell membrane but not the ICP activity. When the content of the caseinate instead of other low molecular nitrogen sources were increased in the medium, the cell growth was lowered while the ECP activities increased probably by induction of proteinase production.