• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.75-80
• /
• 2007

The release of genetically modified organisms ($GMO_{s}$) into the environment has the potential risks regarding the possibility of gene transfer from $GMO_{s}$ to natural organisms and this needs to be evaluated. This study was conducted to monitor the possible horizontal gene transfer from herbicide-resistant zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) to indigenous microorganisms. We have first examined the effect of field-released GM zoysiagrass on the microbial flora in the gut of locust (Locusts mlgratoria). The microbial flora was analyzed through determining the 165 rDHA sequences of microorganisms. The comparison of the microbial flora in the gut of locusts that were captured at the field of GM zoysiagrass and of wild-type revealed that there is no noticeable difference between these two groups. This result indicates that the GM zoysiagrass does not have negative impact on microbial flora in the gut of locust. We then investigated whether the horizontal gene transfer occurred from GM zoysiagrass to microbes in soil, rhizosphere and faecal pellets from locusts by utilizing molecular tools such as Southern hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When the total DNAs isolated from microbes in GM zoysiagrass and in wild-type zoysiagrass fields were hybridized with probes for bar or hpt gene, no hybridization signal was detected from both field isolates, while the probes were hybridized with DNA from the positive control. Absence of these genes in the FNAs of soil microorganisms as well as microbes in the gut of locust was further confirmed by PCR. Taken together, our data showed that horizontal gene transfer did not occur in this system. These results further indicate that frequencies of transfer of engineered plant DNA to bacteria are likely to be negligible.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.244-255
• /
• 2018

Low-grade pro-inflammatory state and leptin resistance are important underlying mechanisms that contribute to obesity-associated hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that Astragaloside IV (As IV), known to counteract obesity and hypertension, could prevent obesity-associated hypertension by inhibiting pro-inflammatory reaction and leptin resistance. High-fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the HFD control group (HF con group), As IV group, and the As IV + ${\alpha}$-bungaratoxin (${\alpha}-BGT$) group (As IV+${\alpha}-BGT$ group). As IV ($20mg{\cdot}Kg^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) was administrated to rats for 6 weeks via daily oral gavage. Body weight and blood pressure were continuously measured, and NE levels in the plasma and renal cortex was evaluated to reflect the sympathetic activity. The expressions of leptin receptor (LepRb) mRNA, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) mRNA, and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) mRNA, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA were measured by Western blot or qRT-PCR to evaluate the hypothalamic leptin sensitivity. Additionally, we measured the protein or mRNA levels of ${\alpha}7nAChR$, inhibitor of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ kinase subunit ${\beta}/nuclear$ factor ${\kappa}B$ ($IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$) in hypothalamus and adipose tissue to reflect the anti-inflammatory effects of As IV through upregulating expression of ${\alpha}7nAChR$. We found that As IV prevented body weight gain and adipose accumulation, and also improved metabolic disorders in HFD rats. Furthermore, As IV decreased BP and HR, as well as NE levels in blood and renal tissue. In the hypothalamus, As IV alleviated leptin resistance as evidenced by the increased p-STAT3, LepRb mRNA and POMC mRNA, and decreased p-PI3K, SOCS3 mRNA, and PTP1B mRNA. The effects of As IV on leptin sensitivity were related in part to the up-regulated ${\alpha}7nAchR$ and suppressed $IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$ signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus and adipose tissue, since co-administration of ${\alpha}7nAChR$ selective antagonist ${\alpha}-BGT$ could weaken the improved effect of As IV on central leptin resistance. Our study suggested that As IV could efficiently prevent obesityassociated hypertension through inhibiting inflammatory reaction and improving leptin resistance; furthermore, these effects of As IV was partly related to the increased ${\alpha}7nAchR$ expression.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.57-75
• /
• 1987

Two modalities of gonadotropin secretion, pulsatile gonadotropin and preovulatory gonadotropin surge, have been identified in the mammals. Pulsatile gonadotropin secretion is modulated by the pulsatile pattern of GnRH release and complex ovarian steroid feedback actions. The neural mechansim that regulates the pulsatile release of GnRH in the hypothalamus is called "GnRH pulse generator". Ovarian steroids, estradiol and progesterone, appear to exert thier feedback effects both directly on the pituitary to modulate gonadotropin release and on a hypothalamic site to modulate GnRH release; estradiol primarily affects the amplitude while progesterone decreases the frequency of the pulsatile GnRH. Steroid hormones are known to affect catecholamine transmission in brain. MBH-POA is richly innervated by NE systems and close apposition of NE terminals and GnRH cell bodies occurs in the MBH as well as in the POA. NE normally facilitates pulsatile LH release by acting through ${\alpha}-receptor$ mechanism. However, precise nature of facilitative role of NE transmission in maintaining pulsatile LH has not been clearly understood. Close apposition of DA and GnRH terminals in ME might permit DA to influence GnRH release. Action of DA transmission probably is mediated by axo-axonic contacts between GnRH and DA fibers in the ME. Dopamine transmission does not normally regulate pulsatile LH release, but under certain conditions, increased DA transmission inhibit LH pulse. Endogenous opioid acts to suppress the secretion of GnRH into hypophysial portal circulation, thereby inhibiting gonadotropin secretion. However, an interaction between endogenenous opioid peptides and gonadotropin release is a complex one which involves ovarian hormones as well. LH secretion appears to be most suppressed by endogenenous opioids during the luteal phase, at a time of elevated progesterone secretion. The arcuate nucleus contains not only cell bodies for GnRH and ${\beta}-endorphin$ but also a dense aborization of fibers suggesting that GnRH release is changed by the interactions between GnRH and ${\beta}-endorphin$ cell bodies within the arcuate nucleus. The frequency and amplitude of pulsatile LH release seem to be increased during the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. Estradiol exerts positive feedback action on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis to trigger preovulatory LH surge. GnRH is also crucial hormonal stimulus for preovulatory LH surge. It is unlikely, however, that increased secretion of GnRH during the preovulatory gonadotropin surge represents an obligatory neural signal for generation of the LH discharge in primates including human. Modulation of preovulatory LH surge by catecholamines has been studied almost exclusively in rats. NE and E may be involved in distinct way to accumulate GnRH in the MBH and its release into the hypophysial portal system during the critical period for LH surge on proestrus in rats. However, the mechanisms whereby augmented adrenergic transmission may facilitate the formation and accumulation of GnRH in the ME-ARC nerve terminals before the LH surge have not been clearly understood.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.209-215
• /
• 2005

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein with many biological roles, including the protection against microbial and virus infection, stimulation of the immune system. We developed the transgenic Siberian ginseng (Acanthopanax senticosus) cell cultures producing the human lactoferrin (hLf) protein following Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. A construct containing a targeting signal peptide from tobacco endoplasmic reticulum fused to hLf cDNA under the control of an oxidative stress-inducible SWPA2 promoter was engineered. Transgenic Siberian ginseng cultured cells to produce a recombinant hLf protein were successfully generated and confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. ELISA and western blot analysis showed that full length-hLf protein was synthesized in the transgenic cells. The production of hLf increased proportionally to cell growth and reached a maximal (up to 3% of total soluble proteins) at the stationary phase. These results suggest that the transgenic Siberian ginseng cultured cells in this study will be biotechnologically useful for the commercial production of medicinal plant cell cultures to produce hLf protein.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.413-420
• /
• 2003

In this paper, the correction method of antenna beam direction errors is introduced which caused by frequency scan effect in active Phased may antenna for satellite communications. The antenna makes the beam directional error from frequency scan effect when it has dual beam may structure with asymmetrical series connection, their frequencies are different and for from each other, their 3dB beamwidth is narrow, and scan range is wide. By proposed equations, estimated beam direction error angles can be calculated and active phase shifter control values also can be calculated to compensate them. In this paper, the active phased array antenna system was fabricated to measure beam direction errors both before and after correction, which has dual beam from 32${\times}$4 main level array and 4${\times}$2 second level array, frequency deviation 500 MHz max.(6.7 %) at 7.25 GHz∼7.75 GHz ranges, 0$^{\circ}$∼${\pm}$35$^{\circ}$nm ranges, and 35.6 dBi gain with 2.2$^{\circ}$3 dB beam width. Its beam direction error by frequency san effect which was 2.5$^{\circ}$max., was reduced to 0.2$^{\circ}$max. after correction. This was 7 dB improvement of signal loss. The active phased array antenna can accurately track the target satellite for communications by this proposed correction method.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.390-396
• /
• 2008

Calreticulin (CRT) is one of the major $Ca^{2+}$ binding chaperone proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and an unusual luminal ER protein. Postnatally elevated expression of CRT leads to impaired development of the cardiac conductive system and may be responsible for the pathology of complete heart block. In this study, the molecular mechanisms that affect $Ca^{2+}$-dependent signal cascades were investigated using CRT-overexpressing cardiomyocytes. In particular, we asked whether calreticulin plays a critical role in the activation of $Ca^{2+}$-dependent apoptosis. In the cells overexpressing CRT, the intracellular calcium concentration was significantly increased and the activity of PKC and level of SECAR2a mRNA were reduced. Phosphorylation of Akt and ERKs decreased compared to control. In addition the activity of the anti-apoptotic factor, Bcl-2, was decreased and the activities of pro-apoptotic factor, Bax, p53 and caspase 8 were increased, leading to a dramatic augmentation of caspase 3 activity. Our results suggest that enhanced CRT expression in mature cardiomyocytes disrupts intracellular calcium regulation, leading to calcium-dependent apoptosis.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.107-115
• /
• 2011

Since 2009 The Korean National Police Agency has been pushed "permissive left-turn" forward in order to making progress in Korean traffic operations system. Preceding researches manuals and guidelines present 6 standards(# of accidents # of lanes, pedestrian volume sight # of permissive left-turn lanes vehicle volume) as installation permissive left-turn. But in practical affairs it is most important that secure enough Gap-time between permissive left-turn vehicle and opposite through lane vehicle to make permissive left-turn vehicle move safer and more efficiently. This study suggests applying gap acceptance theory in microscopic model to permissive left-turn installation standards. Analysis methods of this study are field data survey statistical analysis and microscopic simulation analysis. This study collected field data by using AVI recording and measured permissive left-turn vehicle intersection passing time(T1) and against the opposite through lane vehicle Gap-time(T2). And statistical analysis performed about two values that measured before to predict the functionality between T1 and T2. These studies to overcome the limit of sample size carried out a microscopic simulation(VISSIM) plan and collect more samples to input statistical analysis.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
• /
• v.50 no.11
• /
• pp.58-63
• /
• 2013

This paper presents a transceiver design for DisplayPort interface using an optical channel. By converting the electronic channel to the optical channel, the DisplayPort's main channel can provide a high-speed data transmission for long distance. The design converting the electronic channel to the optical channel in the main channel and AUX channel of the DisplayPort is presented in this paper. Futhermore, the HPD signal transmission by using AUX channel is proposed. In order to minimize power consumption, this paper also proposed a method of controlling the TX block in the main link. The proposed system is designed by a FPGA and an optical module. The FPGA used 651 ALUT(adaptive look-up table)s, 511 resisters and 324 block memory bits. The maximum operating rate of the FPGA is 250MHz. With the proposed power control scheme, 740mW of power dissipation reduction can be achieved at the main link optical TX module.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.479-487
• /
• 2004

Biopotential signals have been used as command in systems using electrical stimulation of motor nerves to restore movement after an injury to the central nervous system (CNS). In order to use the voluntary EMG (electromyography) among the biopotentials as a control signal for the electrical stimulation of the same muscle for CNS injury patients, it is necessary to remove M-wave of having high magnitude from raw data. We designed an optimal filter for removing the M-wave and preserving the voluntary EMG and showed that the optimal filter is eigen filter. We also proved that the previous method using the prediction error filter(PEF) is a suboptimal filtering in the sense of preserving the voluntary EMG. On basis of the data obtained from a model for M-wave and voluntary EMG and from actual CNS injury patients, with false-positive rate analysis, the proposed adaptive filter showed a very promising performance in comparison with previous method.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.287-302
• /
• 2005

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) were generated by ERS-l/2 and JERS-1 SAR interferometry in Daejon area, Korea. The quality of the DEM's was evaluated by the Ground Control Points (GCPs) in city area where GCPs were determined by GPS surveys, while in the mountain area with no GCPs, a 1:25,000 digital map was used. In order to minimize errors due to the inaccurate satellite orbit information and the phase unwrapping procedure, a Differential InSAR (DInSAR) was implemented in addition to the traditional InSAR analysis for DEM generation. In addition, DEMs from GTOPO30, SRTM-3, and 1:25,000 digital map were used for assessment the resolution of the DEM generated from DInSAR. 5-6 meters of elevation errors were found in the flat area regardless of the usage and the resolution of DEM, as a result of InSAR analyzing with a pair of ERS tandem and 6 pairs of JERS-1 interferograms. In the mountain area, however, DInSAR with DEMs from SRTM-3 and the digital map was found to be very effective to reduce errors due to phase unwrapping procedure. Also errors due to low signal-to-noise ratio of radar images and atmospheric effect were attenuated in the DEMs generated from the stacking of 6 pairs of JERS-1. SAR interferometry with multiple pairs of SAR interferogram with low resolution DEM can be effectively used to enhance the resolution of DEM in terms of data processing time and cost.