• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.455-461
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• 2007

Objective : It was hypothesized that dopamine agonist administration and subthalamic nucleus (STN) lesion in the rat might have a synergistic effect on the neuronal activities of substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) as observed in patients with Parkinson's disease. The effects of SKF38393 (a $D_1$ receptor agonist) and Quinpirole (a $D_2$ receptor agonist) were compared in parkinsonian rat models with 6- hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) after STN lesion. Methods : SKF38393 and Quinpirole were consecutively injected intrastriatally. SNpr was microrecorded to ascertain the activity of the basal ganglia output structure. The effect of SKF38393 or Quinpirole injection on the firing rate and firing patterns of SNpr was investigated in medial forebrain bundle (MFB) lesioned rats and in MFB+STN lesioned rats. Results : The administration of SKF38393 decreased SNpr neuronal firing rates and the percentage of burst neurons in the MFB lesioned rats, but did not alter them in MFB+STN lesioned rats. The administration of Quinpirole significantly decreased the spontaneous firing rate in the MFB lesioned rats. However, after an additional STN lesion, it increased the percentage of burst neurons. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that dopamine agonists and STN lesion decreased the hyperactive firing rate and the percentage of burst neurons of SNpr neurons in 6-OHDA lesioned rats, respectively. Quinpirole with STN lesion increased a percentage of burst neurons. To clear the exact interactive mechanism of $D_1$ and $D_2$ agonist and the corresponding location, it should be followed a study using a nonselective dopamine agonist and $D_1$, $D_2$ selective antagonist.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.113-118
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• 1999

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) is found in all vertebrates and its type-II molecule is regarded as a fundamental embryonic growth factor during development. We have firstly identified, in this study, a cDNA clone corresponding to IGF-II (flIGF-II) from the adult brain of the teleost, Paralichthys olivaceus. We also examined the tissue expression of flIGF-II in several adult tissues by RT-PCR. The flIGF-II cDNA contained a complete ORF consisting of 215 amino acids and one stop codon. Its molecular characteristics appear to be similar to the previously identified IGF-II molecules, in which a common primary structure exhibiting B, C, A, D, and E domains is evidently observed. This cDNA clone seems to be cleaved at $Ala_{52}$ for the $NH_2$-end signal peptide and appears to produce a 98 amino acid-long E-peptide from the $Arg^{118}$. The functional B-D domain regions, therefore, include 65 amino acids and is able to encode a 7.4-kDa protein. The most prominent structural difference between IGF-I and IGF-II was that the D domain of IGF-II exhibits a two-codon-deleted pattern compared to the 8 amino acid-containing IGF-I. The insulin family signature in the A domain and six cysteins forming three disulfide bridges between the B and A domains were evolutionary-conserved from teleosts to mammalian IGF-II. Interestingly, the E-peptide region appears to provide a distinct hallmark between teleosts in amino acid composition. The flIGF-II shows 85.1% of sequence identity to salmon and trout, 90.6% to tilapia, and 98.4% to perch in amino acid level. In tissue expressions of IGF-II, it is very likely that flIGF-II has a significant expression in the adult brain. However, liver seems to be the main source for IGF-II production, and relatively low signals were observed in the adult muscle and kidney. Taken together, it would be concluded that the functional region for IGF-II mRNA is highly similar in phylogeny and is evolutionary, conserved as a mediator for the growth of vertebrates.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.901-905
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• 2012

We present an electroporation and viability monitoring chip for lung cancer cells in a single channel with multiple electric field zones. Previous electroporation chips utilized multiple microchannels or electrodes to form multiple electric fields, thus resulting in complex structures. However, the present chip can generate multiple electric fields in a single stepwise microchannel between a pair of electrodes, thus achieving the analysis of both cell electroporation and viability with a simple structure. We demonstrate that the electric field of 0.4 kV/cm results in a maximum percentage of $51.4{\pm}3.0%$ and $26.6{\pm}0.7%$ of viable and electroporated human lung cancer cells, H23 and A549, respectively. The present chip has potential for use in integrated cell chips for transfection studies.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.286-290
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• 2005

Oxytocin (OT)-related peptide, isotocin was purified from the brain extract of conger eel (Conger myriaster) using reverse-phase, ion-exchange and size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The sequence of the peptide, with a molecular weight of 967.30 Da, was determined as Cys-Tyr-Ile-Ser-Asn­Cys-Pro-Ile-Gly-$NH_2$, where the Cys between 1st and 6th residues made an intramolecular disulfide bridge by the automated amino acid sequence analysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The sequence was confirmed by identical elution with the purified and synthetic peptide using the HPLC system. As a result of homology investigation, the primary structure of this peptide was the same as that of OT -superfamily member, isotocin. The synthetic peptide showed a contractile activity at a minimal effective concentration of $10^{-7}M$ on the intestinal smooth muscle of goldfish (Carassius auratus).

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.793-798
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• 2011

Recently, pluripotency induction or cellular reprogramming by introducing critical transcription factors has been extensively studied, but has been demonstrated only in vitro. Based on reports that Oct4 is critically involved in transforming neural stem cells into pluripotent cells, we used the lentiviral vector to introduce the Oct4 gene into the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of adult mice. We examined whether this manipulation led to cellular or behavioral changes, possibly through processes involving the transformation of NS cells into pluripotent cells. The Oct4 lentivirus-infused group and the green fluorescent protein lentivirus-infused group showed a similar thickness of the DG and a comparable level of synaptophysin expression in the DG. Furthermore, our behavioral analyses did not show any differences between the groups concerning exploratory activity, anxiety, or memory abilities. This first trial for pluripotency induction in vivo, despite negative results, provides implications and information for future studies on in vivo cellular reprogramming.

• Archives of design research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.237-245
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• 2000

The designer get through a doorstep of ideation to obtain a design concept, which consequently achieves the successful design. However, the ideation with creativeness may not always be given as much as an effort is made. It is readily recognized as the ideation released is naturally limited to a resonable and logical frame structure. Conversely, the successful ideation can be obtained through illogical thought given in a while. The thinking method suggested in effect preview can thus satisfy the demand of lateral thinking, which can lead to the creativeness as a thinking model as well as amenably advertising concept in a final step of advertising plan. Finally, it is concluded that from the brain function theory, the unique role of each side of brain can not practically influence on an art work performance successfully achieved.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2017

A 10-day-old, Holstein calf with facial mass of 10 cm in diameter at the forehead region referred to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Chungnam National University. The mass was soft and fluctuating swelling. It had normal skin and hair hanging forward from frontal region and was thought to contain cerebrospinal fluid. On the skull radiography, cauliflower like-irregular marginated, soft tissue opacity mass was identified craniodorsal to the frontal bone. The mass appeared as a cyst filled with anechoic fluid on ultrasonography. Soft tissue structures considered brain tissues were observed in the deep area of the mass. On the computed tomography, a large skull defect of left side frontal bone was found, and heterogeneous materials were exposed through the defect but exposure of cerebral meninges and brain tissue were not confirmative. On magnetic resonance imaging, herniated left brain parenchyma showed heterogenous T2 and T1 hyperinsensity. In the intracranium, T2 hyperinstense and T1 hypointense fluid was identified on the left side, instead of left cerebral parenchyma. Also leftward shift of right hemisphere and midline structure, including thalamus and midbrain, were observed. The definitive diagnosis was confirmed as a meningoencephalocele based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The calf was euthanized and necropsy was performed. On necropsy, both hemisphere were developed unequally with different size. One side hemisphere was grown in the outside through 10 cm hole on the median plane.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2005

Vasopressin (VP)-related peptide was purified from the brain extract of conger eel (Conger myriaster) by reverse-phase, ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This peptide with a molecular weight of 1,051.2 Da was determined as $H-Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Arg-Gly-NH_2$, whose Cys residues made an intramolecular disulfide bridge by the automated amino acid sequence analysis, MALDI- TOF mass spectrometry. It's sequence was confirmed by identity of the elution position with the synthetic peptide in HPLC system. As a result of homology investigation, the primary structure of this peptide was the same as that of VP-superfamily member, $[Arg^8]-vasotocin$. The synthetic peptide showed a contractile activity at a minimal effective concentration of $10^{-10}\;M$ on the intestinal smooth muscle of goldfish.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2021

Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) uses strong magnetic field to image the cross-section of human body and has excellent image quality with no risk of radiation exposure. Because of above-mentioned advantages, MRI has been widely used in clinical fields. However, the noise generated in MRI degrades the quality of medical images and has a negative effect on quick and accurate diagnosis. In particular, examining a object with a detailed structure such as brain, image quality degradation becomes a problem for diagnosis. Therefore, in this study, we acquired T2 weighted 3D data of multiple sclerosis disease using BrainWeb simulation program, and used quantitative evaluation factors to find appropriate slice thickness among 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm. Coefficient of variation and contrast to noise ratio were calculated to evaluate the noise level, and root mean square error and peak signal to noise ratio were used to evaluate the similarity with the reference image. As a result, the noise level decreased as the slice thickness increased, while the similarity decreased after 5 mm. In conclusion, as the slice thickness increases, the noise is reduced and the image quality is improved. However, since the edge signal is lost due to overlapped signal, it is considered that selecting appropriate slice thickness is necessary.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.409-413
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• 1999

The cDNA encoding CMP-NeuAc:lactosylceramide ${\alpha}2$,3-sialyltransferase (GM3 synthase) was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library using sequence information obtained from amino acid sequences found in the conserved regions of the previously-cloned mouse GM3 synthase (mST3Gal V) and human sialyltransferases. The cDNA sequence included an open reading frame coding for 362 amino acids, and the primary structure of this enzyme predicted all the structural features characteristic of other sialyltransferases, including a type II membrane protein topology and both sialylmotifs. Comparative analysis of this cDNA with mST3Gal V showed 85% and 86% identity of the nucleotide and amino acid residues, respectively. The expression of this gene is highly restricted in both human fetal and adult tissues.