• The Korean Journal of Malacology
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2004

Gonadosomatic index, condition index and reproductive cycle with the gonadal development of the female Octopus ocellatus were investigated by histological observations and morphometric data, from January to December, 2000. And changes in biochemical components of the ovary and the trunk tissues including the digestive organ associated with gonadal development were studied by biochemical analysis from January to October, 2001. The specimens were collected at the coastal waters of Buan, Jeollabuk-do, Korea, from January 2000 to October 2001. O. ocellatus is a dioecious organism. The gonad of O. ocellatus locates medially in posterior region of the body. Morphology of the ovary shows round and oval in shape, the average diameter and external colour of ripe ovary was 32 mm and semitransparent light brown in colour. As the ovary was getting mature, transparent elongated eggs covered with chorion were present in the ovarian cavity. Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed a similar pattern with those of the condition index. The GSI and condition index began to increase in March and reached the maximum in April. And then, their values decreased from May and reached the minimum in September. Reproductive cycle of O. ocellatus can be categorized into five successive stages: early developing stage (September to December), late developing stage (November to March), ripe stage (March to May), partially spawned stage (April to June), and degenerative/resting stage (June to October). Follicle cells attached to an oocyte were involved in vitellogenesis in the cytoplasm of the vitellogeneic oocyte and formation of chorion (secondary egg membrane) of the ovarian eggs. Spawning occurred between April and June. The spawning period was once a year and the peak took place between May and June. This species belongs to semelparity. According to changes in biochemical contents of the ovary and the digestive organ, monthly variations of moisture, total protein, total lipid and glycogen contents (%) in the ovary showed a negative correlationship with those of the trunk tissues including the digestive organ. Accordingly, it is assumed that the ovary only may be received nutrient supply (total lipid content) for gonadal development from the trunk tissues including the digestive organ (r = -0.55, p < 0.05).

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.10
• /
• pp.1252-1259
• /
• 2013

To investigate the effects of a fibrinolytic enzyme, BK-17, on the growth of human cancer cells, we performed various biochemical experiments, including cell proliferation and viability, and investigated subsequent morphological changes and apoptosis induction. BK-17 treatment of AGS human gastric and T24 human bladder carcinoma cells decreased the viability and the proliferation of the cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Microscopic studies indicated that the antiproliferative effects of the BK-17 treatment were associated with morphological changes, such as membrane shrinking, cell rounding up, and the formation of apoptotic bodies, indicating that BK-17 induced apoptosis in the cell lines. Of note, RT-PCR and Western blotting data indicated that the BK-17 treatment induced the down-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 members, Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$, and the up-regulation of proapoptotic Bax members, Bax and Bad, in the AGS cells. BK-17-induced apoptosis of AGS cells was involved in the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9. Taken together, these findings suggest that BK-17 is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.283-294
• /
• 1988

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristic features of the cells and tissues of the chronic periapical lesions using light microscope and electron microscope. Fifteen dental periapical lesions were obtained from the patients undergoing periapical surgery. Each specimen was divided into two parts along the tooth axis. One part was routinely processed for histopathologic examinations. 12 periapical lesions were diagnosed as granuloma and 3 periapical specimens as periapical cyst. The other part was fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M sodium cacodylate buffer at pH 7.4 and 1% osmic acid in same buffer. They were embedded in Epon 812. The semithin sections were used for the orientation of the lesions and the ultrathin sections were stained conventionally and examined with AEI Corynth 500 electron microscope. The results were as follows. 1. PMN and macrophages, which were dominant cell type, were scattered in small or large numbers throughout the central destructive area of granuloma. In the granulomatous area, plasma cells and lymphoytes were found in significant number and a lot of new capillary formation were revealed. Clefts caused by cholesterol were often seen in the connective tissue. Occasionally foam cells became collected in groups and epithelial proliferation were present. 2. In both granuloma and cyst, some plasma cells contained narrow cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum of which was tightly packed with electron dense materials, and other cells exhibited dilated profiles of granular endoplasmic reticulum. 3. In the area where plasma cells and lymphocytes were collected in groups, lymphocytes with well developed nucleolus and profuse cytoplasm were found and differentiating plasma cells were also present. 4. In the epithelial strands of the granulomatous area, epithelial cells contained enlarged endoplasmic reticulum, tonofilaments and ribosoms. Toward the intercellular space epithelial cells protruded a few microvilli. In the intercellular space, exudate-like electron dense materials, most of which was attached to the plasma membrane, appeared. 5. Some foam cells filled with numerous lipid droplets and others had lipid droplets and crystal-like structures. 6. Cyst epithelium consisted of bright cells and dark cells. The former had bright cytoplasm and small amounts of ribosoms, and the latter dark cytoplasm, many ribosoms, mitochondria and elongated microvilli. 7. Epithelial cells near the cyst lumen protruded a lot of long microvilli toward intercellular space and cyst lumen.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.300-305
• /
• 2015

The characteristics of 11 spawning sites in the natural environment of the Korean endemic species, Liobagrus somjinensis were investigated in the Yocheon (stream) of Seomjingang (river), located in Sikjeong-dong, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea from May to June 2015. The spawning sites had largely two parts, the upper region close to the surface of the waters and under region at bottom: the upper part was covered with a large and flat boulder over about 256 mm in size, whereas the under part consisted mainly of pebbles and sand. The large boulder put on the upper region may be seen as a bulwark for guarding eggs laid at the under (bottom) region. All the sites under the boulder showed a similar structure having a small hollow filled with an egg mass and an individual (male). The spawning bottoms left clean having no any benthic invertebrates and detritus. The egg shape was spherical, yellow and covered with a transparent membrane and the egg size was $3.31{\pm}0.15mm$ (n=30) in diameter. The development stage of each egg mass under the boulder was almost same from morula stage to formation stage of eye lens. The average number of eggs in 11 spawning sites was $121{\pm}35.5$ (84~176) and the average number of female fecundity in ovary was $143{\pm}31.3$ (110~232).

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.17-37
• /
• 2006

Objectives : To observe the changes in the serum proteins after intravenous injection of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture. Methods : Blood was collected before and after the administration of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture and only the serum was taken. Then differences in the spots on the scanned image after carrying out 2-Dimensional electrophoresis were located and conducted mass analysis and protein identification. Results : Following results were obtained from the comparative analysis of serum proteins before and after the administration of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture. 1. 28 spots were identified before and after the administration. 2. In confirming manifestation degree, spots with more than two-times increase were 204, 1302, 2205, 3105, 7104, 8006, spots with more than one-time increase were 1101, 1505, 2013, 2403, 3009, 3010, 4002, 4009, 6704, 8101, and spots with decrease were 205, 801, 803, 3205, 5202, 6105, 6106, 7103, 9001, 9003. 3. After conducting protein identification, proteins 205, 804, 1302, 4009, 6105, 6106 are unidentified yet, and 1l01 is unnamed protein. Protein 204 is identified as complement receptor CR2-C3d, 801 as YAPl protein, 803 as antitrypsin polymer, 1505 as PRO0684, 2013 and 3010 as proapolipoprotein, 2205 as USP48, 2403 as vitamin D binding protein, 3009 as complement component 4A preprotein, 3105 as immunoglobulin lambda chain, 3205 as transthyretin, 4002 as Ras-related protein Ral-A, 4204 as beta actin, 5202 and 7104 as apolipoprotein Ll, 6704 as alpha 2 macroglobulin precursor, 7103 as complement component 3 precursor, 8006 as testis-specific protein Y, 8101 as transferrin, 9001 as (Alpha-Oxy, Beta-(Cl12g)deoxy) T-State Human Hemoglobin, and 9003 as human hemoglobin. 4. Immune protein CR2-C3d(204), which acts against microbes and pathogenic organisms, was increased by more than two-times after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 5. Antitrypsin(803), which is secreted with inflammatory response in the lungs, was reduced after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 6. Proapolipoprotein(2013, 3010) and apolipoprotein(7104), key components of the HDL-cholesterol which plays an important role in preventing arteriosclerosis, were increased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 7. Vitamin D binding protein(DBP, 2403), protecting the lung at the time of inflammatory response, was increased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 8. Transthyretin(TTR, 3205), which is the main protein causing familial amyloid polyneuropathy(FAP), was decreased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 9. Ras-related protein Ral-A(4002) that controls phospholipid metabolism, cytoskeletal formation, and membrane traffic, was increased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 10. Testis-specific protein Y(8006), which takes part in determination of the gender, was increased by more than two-times after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 11. Transferrin(8101), which balances the iron level in the body, was increased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. Conclusion : Above results support the notion that intravenous injection of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture induce changes in serum proteins and this research can be a pioneer work in finding biomarkers.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.43-56
• /
• 1999

The relationship between intravascular erythroblasts and Kupffer cells in the human fetal liver from 11 to 20 week gestation was studied ultrastructurally. The walls of the developing sinusoids consisted of two cell types devoid of basal lamina, the nonfenestrasted endothelial cells and Kupffer cells. Kupffer cells examined were easily identified by their content of phagosmes and their morphological features, and partially proliferated by mitotic division which was different way of proliferation from adult. Some extruded nuclei of acidophilic erythroblasts were trapped within Kupffer cells which exhibited various stages of intracellular digestion of the nuclei. During high activity of human fetal hepatic erythropoiesis, Kupffer cells were found in association with developing erythrob-lasts, which was similar with erythroblastic islands. The developing erythroblasts were partially surrounded by multilaminated membrane system of the Kupffer cell consisting erythroblastic island, or in contact with Kupffer cell via cytoptasmic processes in the sinu-soidal lumen. The presence of these islands was confirmed by transmission and scanning electron microscopic study. The results demonstrate that Kupffer cells in fetal heaptic erythropoiesis phagocytized expelled nuclei and contributed to erythropoiesis mechanically and physiologically by the hypertrophy and the formation of erythroblastic islands.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 2007

The oogenesis and ultrastructure of fertilized egg envelope of false dace were investigated by light and electron microscope. The cytoplasm of false dace oogonia was basophilic and many nucleoli were located at inner side of nuclear membrane. In primary oocytes, yolk vesicles were distributed in marginal area only and egg envelope was not formed on egg outside. In secondary oocyte, the egg envelope was formed and yolk vesicles were increased than that of early stage in cytoplasm. The amount of basophilic substance was decreased. In case of matured egg, thickness of egg envelope and site of egg were increased, basophilic substance was distributed in egg envelope around only. The yolk vesicles were changed to yolk mass in accordance with development. The fertilized egg was of ellipsoidal, adhesive type and yellowish, have a single micropyle in the area of the animal pole. The fertilized egg envelope consisted of three layers, an outer adhesive layer, a middle layer consisting of 6 lamellae alternating layers and an inner electron dense layer. An outer surface of the fertilized egg envelope was arranged by adhesive fibrous structures. In conclusion, it is summarized that the oogenesis of false dace were the increase of cell size, the formation and accumulation of yolk, and decrease of basophilic intensity in cytoplasm. These ultrastructural characteristics of fertilized egg envelope from false dace can be utilized in taxonomy of teleost.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.237-243
• /
• 2009

Chinese minnow, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus is a teleost belonging to Leuciscinae, Cyprinidae. The oogenesis and ultrastructure of egg envelope in Chinese minnow were investigated by light and electron microscopes. The ovary was of white yellowish and ellipsoidal shape with the major axis 30 mm and the minor axis 7mm. 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 basophilic substance of cytoplasm was changed to acidic. In case of matured egg, thickness of egg envelope and size of egg were increased. The yolk vesicles were changed to yolk mass in accordance with development. The outer surface of egg envelope was covered by microvilli-structures, and had a micropyle on the area of animal pole. Egg envelope consisted with 2 layers, an adhesive outer layer with microvilli-structures and fibrillar inner layer. In conclusion, the oogenesis of Chinese minnow was characterized by the increase in cell size, the formation and accumulation of yolk, and the decrease of basophilic substance in the cytoplasm. The oogenesis of Chinese minnow seems to share common patterns in Cyprinidae, but these ultrastructural unique characters of egg envelope can be utilized in taxonomy of teleost.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.397-403
• /
• 2015

Heavy metals reduce the photosynthetic efficiency and disrupt metabolic reactions in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, by replacing the metal ions in metalloproteins that use essential metal ions, such as Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe, as co-factors, heavy metals ultimately lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These, in turn, cause destruction of the cell membrane through lipid peroxidation, and eventually cause the plant to necrosis. Given the aforementioned factors, this study was aimed to understand the physiological responses of rice to cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) toxicity and the effect of essential metal ions on homeostasis. In order to confirm the level of physiological inhibition caused by heavy metal toxicity, hydroponically grown rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Dongjin) plants were exposed with $0-50{\mu}M$ cadmium (Cd, $CdCl_2$) and arsenic (As, $NaAsO_2$) at 3-leaf stage, and then investigated malondialdehyde (MDA) contents after 7 days of the treatment. With increasing concentrations of Cd and As, the MDA content in leaf blade and root increased with a consistent trend. At 14 days after treatment with $30{\mu}M$ Cd and As, plant height showed no significant difference between Cd and As, with an identical reduction. However, As caused a greater decline than Cd for shoot fresh weight, dry weight, and water content. The largest amounts of Cd and As were found in the roots and also observed a large amount of transport to the leaf sheath. Interestingly, in terms of Cd transfer to the shoot parts of the plant, it was only transported to upper leaf blades, and we did not detect any Cd in lower leaf blades. However, As was transferred to a greater level in lower leaf blades than in upper leaf blades. In the roots, Cd inhibited Zn absorption, while As inhibited Cu uptake. Furthermore, in the leaf sheath, while Cd and As treatments caused no change in Cu homeostasis, they had an antagonist effect on the absorption of Zn. Finally, in both upper and lower leaf blades, Cd and As toxicity was found to inhibit absorption of both Cu and Zn. Based on these results, it would be considered that heavy metal toxicity causes an increase in lipid peroxidation. This, in turn, leads to damage to the conductive tissue connecting the roots, leaf sheath, and leaf blades, which results in a reduction in water content and causes several physiological alterations. Furthermore, by disrupting homeostasis of the essential metal ions, Cu and Zn, this causes complete heavy metal toxicity.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.664-670
• /
• 2021

Stainless steel was applied as bipolar plate (BP) of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) due to high mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and good machinability. However, stainless steel was corroded and increased contact resistance resulting PEMFC performance decrease. Although the corrosion resistance could be improved by surface treatment such as noble metal coating, there is a disadvantage of cost increase. The stainless steel corrosion behavior and passive layer influence on PEMFC performance should be studied to improve durability and economics of metal bipolar plate. In this study, SUS316L bipolar plate of 25 cm² active area was manufactured, and experiments were conducted for corrosion behavior at an anode and cathode. The influence of SUS316L BP corrosion on fuel cell performance was measured using the polarization curve, impedance, and contact resistance. The metal ion concentration in drained water was analyzed during fuel cell operation with SUS316L BP. It was confirmed that the corrosion occurs more severely at the anode than at the cathode for SUS316L BP. The contact resistance was increased due to the passivation of SUS316L during fuel cell operation, and metal ions continuously dissolved even after the passive layer formation.