• Applied Microscopy
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• v.51
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• pp.5.1-5.7
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• 2021

The olfactory organs of two African lungfishes, Protopterus amphibius and P. dolloi, were investigated using a stereo microscope and a compound light microscope and were described anatomically, histologically, and histochemically. Like other lungfishes, these species present the following general features: i) elongated olfactory chamber (OC), ii) anterior nostril at the ventral tip of the upper lip, iii) posterior nostril on the palate of the oral cavity, iv) lamellae with multiple cell types such as olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells, basal cells, lymphatic cells, and mucous cells (MC), and vi) vomero-like epithelial crypt (VEC) made of glandular epithelium (GE) and crypt sensory epithelium. Some of these features exhibit differences between species: MCs are abundant in both the lamellar and inner walls of the OC in P. amphibius but occur only in lamellae in P. dolloi. On the other hand, some between feature differences are consistent across species: the GE of both P. amphibius and P. dolloi is strongly positive for Alcian blue (pH 2.5)-periodic acid Schiff (deep violet coloration), and positive with hematoxylin and eosin and with Masson's trichrome (reddish-brown staining), unlike the MCs of the two species which stain dark red with both Alcian blue (pH 2.5)-periodic acid Schiff and Masson's trichrome but respond faintly to hematoxylin and eosin. The differing abundance of MCs in the two lungfishes might reflect different degrees in aerial exposure of the olfactory organ, while the neutral and acid mucopolysaccharide-containing VEC, as indicated by staining properties of the MCs, is evolutionary evidence that P. amphibius and P. dolloi are the closest living relatives to tetrapods, at least in the order Dipnoi.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.563-570
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• 2004

The insulin-like growth factor(IGF) system, consisting of IGFs-I and -II ligands and their receptors and six IGF-binding proteins(IGFBPs), plays an important role in survival, proliferation and differentiation of a variety of cell types. Lithium is a known modulator of survival and proliferation of many cell types in vitro. The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between LiCI-induced changes in cell survival and growth and the expression of the IGF system components in C6 rat glioma cell line which, besides IGF-I and its receptor, is known to express IGFBP-3 as its major IGF carrier. When C6 cells were cultured for 24h in the absence or presence of 2mM or 5mM LiCl in a 10% serwn-containing medium, the viability and the number of cells were not affected by added lithium. In 72-h culture, however, C6 cells clearly exhibited a dose-dependent response to added LiCl. The cells cultured for 72h in the presence of 0, 2mM and 5mM LiCl exhibited a typical mitotic, a growth-arrested and an apoptotic appearances, respectively. Moreover, the apoptotic cells were accompanied by reduced expression of IGF-I, IGF-I receptor and IGFBP-3 as examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Interestingly, blockade of IGFBP-3 mRNA translation by addition of 101${\mu}M$ IGFBP-3 anti-sense oligodeoxyribonucleotide in serum-free, 24-h culture resulted in a decrease in the number of cells as well as relative abundance of the target mRNA. In summary, results suggest that the cytotoxic effect of lithium in C6 cell is likely to be mediated, in part, by suppression by this agent of the expression of the IGF system components. In this regard, IGFBP-3 may play at least a 'permissive' role in normal proliferation of this cell.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2007

Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) has been as an model animal for studing the neurological disease such as stroke and epilepsy because of the congenital incompleteries in Willis circle, as well as the investigation of water metabolism because of the long time-survival in the condition of water-deprived desert condition, compared with other species animal. Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) expressed at the surface of principal cells in collecting duct results from an equilibrium between the AQP2 in intracellular vesicles and the AQP2 on the plasma membrane. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), which is expressed in cell in a wide range of organ, is also present in the collecting duct principal cells where this is abundant in the basolateral plasma membranes and represent potential exit pathways from the cell for water entering via AQP2. In this research, we divide 3 groups of which each group include the 5 animals. In the study of 7 or 14 days water restricted condition, we investigated the AQP2 and AQP4 by using a quantitative immunohistochemistry in the kidney. The results obtained in this study were summarized as followings. AQP2 is abundant in the apical plasma membrane and apical vesicles in the collecting duct principal cell and at rare abundance in connecting tubules. In the water-deprived Mongolian gerbil kidney, expression of AQP2 was continuosly increased in the cortical collecting duct and inner medullary collecting duct. This increase was both the apical region and cytoplasm. AQP4 is mainly expressed in the inner medulla, although some expression is also noted in the more proximal segment. In the water-deprived Mongolian gerbil kidney, AQP4 was also increased in the inner medullary collecting duct. Immunoactivity was increased in entire inner medullary collecting duct and newly detected in cytoplasm of principal cell. These findings suggest that increased levels of AQP2 and AQP4 in the cortical and inner medulalry collecting duct may play a important role for maintain fluid balance in the water-deprived kidney.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.265-276
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• 2005

In order to grasp the structure and dynamics of phytoplankton communities, chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and cell abundance were measured at 20 stations during the period from August 9 to August 21, 2003 in the southeastern Barents Sea on surface and subsurface chlorophyll maximum depth (SCM). Surface temperatures were varied from minimum $-0.7^{\circ}C(st. 18)$ to maximum $10.4^{\circ}C(st.1)$. Salinities were varied from minimum 29.9 psu(st. 18) to maximum 35.8 psu(st.2). The maximum nutrient(phosphate, nitrate, silicate) concentrations were $0.12{\mu}M,\;0.11{\mu}M,\;7.53{\mu}M$ and minimum concentrations were $0.01{\mu}M,\;0.03{\mu}M,\;1.43{\mu}M$, respectively. On SCM physical environmental factor were almost similar. Chl-a concentrations ranged from 0.23 to $2.13{\mu}g\;chi-a\;l^{-1}$ at SCM. Nano- and pico phytoplankton were the important contributors for increase of the Chl-a. It was about seven times difference between highest concentration to lowest. Phytoplankton communities were composed of diatoms, dinoflagellates, cryptophyceae, silicoflagellate, and prymnesiophyceae showing 37 taxa at surface and 38 taxa at SCM. Picophytoplankton was the most dominant in all stations and all layers, but the second groups were 2 and/or 3 taxa. Phytoplankton abundance ranged from minimum $4.3{\times}10^5\;cells\;l^{-1}$ (st. 20) to maximum $2.4{\times}10^6\;cells\;l^{\-1}$. (st. 17) at surface water. As a result, phytoplankton might be controlled by physical factors such as North Atlantic ocean currents and northern melt water among environmental factors in Barents Set h addition the dominant species were nano- and pico phytoplankton such as Phaeocystis, Cryptomonas and Dinobryon in the study area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2012

Genus of Gambierdiscus, Ostrepsis, Prorocentrum, Coolia and Amphidinium are epiphytic ciguatoxin-producing armored dinoflagellate, often attached on macroalgae. These organisms are the primary causative agent of ciguatera fish poisoning which occurs in tropical and subtropical regions. However, regardless of the fact that population of epiphytic dinoflagellates have expanded to such temperate areas from sub-trophic and trophic areas, monitoring of the epiphytic dinoflagellates was greatly lacked in coastal water of Korean Peninsula. This study was performed in the Korean Peninsula in November, 2011. Cell densities of Gambierdiscus spp. on macroalgae ranged from zero to 10 cells $g^{-1}$ and the maximum density was recorded at St.18 (Pohang guryongpo). The abundance of Ostreopsis spp. was highest on macro-algaes Chondrus ocellatus, Lomentaria catenata and Plocamium telfairiae (140 cells $g^{-1}$). The maximum abundance of Prorocentrum, Coolia and Amphidinium were 52, 3 and 1 cells $g^{-1}$, respectively. Of these, Prorocentrum lima was observed at most stations of East Sea. Therefore, our results suggest that the epiphytic armored dinoflagellates may have adapted to Korean coastal water of temperate areas (i.e., East Sea) and those abundances may be related to the macroalgal species.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.217-228
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• 1990

In order to study on the relative significance of nanoplankton in Chonsu Bay, nanoplankton samples were collected and analyzed monthly from September, 1985 to August, 1986. A total of 33 taxa representing 6 phyla, 8 classes, 13 orders, 17 families, 25 genera, 33 species have been identified. Micromonas pusilla, Pedinomonas mikron, Pyramimonas grosii, Chroomonas lateralis, Pyrenomonas salina (=Chromonas salina), chroomonas sp., Cyclotella sp., Gonyaulax sp., unidentified sphericl monads (2-5um and 6-8um in size), and unidentified naviculiod form were common species. the distribution of nanoplankton standing crops showed a great temporal and spartial variations. Nanoplankton standing crops was highest in October, 1985 and lowest in September, 1985. The abundance of nanoplankton in Chonsu Bay may be within the range of that of most coastal areas. Unidentified spherical monada (2-5um and 6-8um in size) were most dominant. Chlorophyll-a concentrations of nanoplankton ranged from 0.81 to 4.78ug/l and daily primary productivity by nanoplankton, 16.4 to 767.2 mgC/m$^2$/day. Nanofraction of total phytoplankton cell number accounted for 38% to 93% (average 6%), chlorophyll-a and primary productivity of nanoplankton 25 to 87% (average 64%) and 9 to 87% (average 53%), respectively. The results implied that nanoplankton could be a considerable contribution to phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity in Chonsu Bay phytoplankton community.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1784-1793
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• 2021

Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of bamboo leaf extract (BLE) on the production performance, rumen fermentation parameters, and rumen bacterial communities of heat-stressed dairy cows. Methods: The experiment comprised a 14-day adaptation period and a 21-day experimental period and was conducted in a high-temperature and humidity environment (daily mean ambient temperature = 33.5℃±1.3℃; daily mean relative humidity = 64.9%±0.8%, daily mean temperature-humidity index = 86.2±0.4). Twelve Holstein dairy cows were randomly allocated into two groups. A total mixed ration supplemented with BLE at 0 (CON) and 1.3 g/kg dry matter (DM) were fed, respectively. Feed intake and milk yield were recorded daily. Milk samples were collected on 1, 11, and 21 d of the experimental period to analyze milk performance. Rumen fluid samples were collected on 21 d of the experimental period to analyze rumen fermentation parameters and rumen bacterial communities. Results: Compared with the control group, supplementation of BLE increased milk yield (p<0.01), milk fat yield (p = 0.04), 4% fat-corrected milk (p<0.01) and milk fat content (p<0.01); reduced somatic cell count (p<0.01). No differences in DM intake and milk protein or lactose content were observed between two groups. Supplementation of BLE also increased the rumen total volatile fatty acid (p<0.01), acetate (p<0.01), butyrate (p<0.01), and valerate (p = 0.05) concentrations. However, no significant effects were observed on rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen, propionate, acetate/propionate ratio, isobutyrate, or isovalerate. Furthermore, BLE increased the rumen bacterial abundance and the diversity of the rumen bacterial community. The BLE reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes abundance ratio and increased the abundances of Butyrivibrio_2 (p<0.01) and Ruminococcus_2 (p<0.01). Conclusion: The BLE supplementation at 1.3 g/kg DM could improve production performance and rumen fermentation in dairy cows during heat stress.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2022

This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary microalgae (Tetradesmus sp. (TO)) on intestinal immunity and microbiota of pre-starter broilers. One hundred and twenty 1-day-old birds (Ross 308) were allocated to two dietary treatment groups with six blocks in a randomized complete block design. The two experimental diets consisted of a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet and a diet with 0.5% TO powder instead of cornstarch in the basal diet. After feeding the experimental diets for ten days, all birds' body weight and feed intake were measured, and representative eight birds were selected from each treatment group. Small intestinal lamina propria cells were isolated using flow cytometry to examine the frequency of immune cells. Cecal feces were harvested for 16s rRNA gut microbiota analysis and fecal IgA levels. Here, we found that 0.5% TO supplementation increased CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells in the small intestine, but decreased CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells in the small intestine. Gut microbial analysis showed that TO supplementation significantly increased the alpha diversity of the gut microbiome. Taxonomic analysis showed that TO treatment increased the abundance of Firmicutes and decreased that of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level. The distribution of Enterobacteriaceae containing many harmful bacteria at the family level, was lower in the TO group. In the LEfSe analysis, the TO group had a significantly enriched abundance of Agathobaculum at the genus level. Overall, results show that Tetradesmus sp. supplementation influences intestinal T-cell immunity and induces the expansion of beneficial gut microbes in pre-starter broiler chickens.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.709-717
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• 2024

Objective: Abnormally increased somatic cell counts (SCCs) in milk is usually a sign of bovine subclinical mastitis. Mutual interaction between the host and its associated microbiota plays an important role in developing such diseases. The main objective of this study was to explore the difference between cows with elevated SCCs and healthy cattle from the perspective of host-microbe interplay. Methods: A total of 31 milk samples and 23 bovine peripheral blood samples were collected from Holstein dairy cattle to conduct an integrated analysis of transcriptomic and metagenomics. Results: The results showed that Ralstonia and Sphingomonas were enriched in cows with subclinical mastitis. The relative abundance of the two bacteria was positively correlated with the expression level of bovine transcobalamin 1 and uridine phosphorylase 1 encoding gene. Moreover, functional analysis revealed a distinct alternation in some important microbial biological processes. Conclusion: These results reveal the relative abundance of Ralstonia and Sphingomonas other than common mastitis-causing pathogens varied from healthy cows to those with subclinical mastitis and might be associated with elevated SCCs. Potential association was observed between bovine milk microbiota composition and the transcriptional pattern of some genes, thus providing new insights to understand homeostasis of bovine udder.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1420-1430
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• 2018

Objective: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major ingredient of catechin polyphenols and is considered one of the most promising bioactive compounds in green tea because of its strong antioxidant properties. However, the protective role of EGCG in bovine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study the effects of EGCG on IVM of bovine oocytes. Methods: Bovine oocytes were treated with different concentrations of EGCG (0, 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}M$), and the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, cumulus cell expansion, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, total antioxidant capacity, the early apoptosis and the developmental competence of in vitro fertilized embryos were measured. The mRNA abundances of antioxidant genes (nuclear factor erythriod-2 related factor 2 [NRF2], superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], catalase [CAT], and glutathione peroxidase 4 [GPX4]) in matured bovine oocytes were also quantified. Results: Nuclear maturation which is characterized by first polar body extrusion, and cytoplasmic maturation characterized by peripheral and cortical distribution of cortical granules and homogeneous mitochondrial distribution were significantly improved in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG-treated group compared with the control group. Adding $50{\mu}M$ EGCG to the maturation medium significantly increased the cumulus cell expansion index and upregulated the mRNA levels of cumulus cell expansion-related genes (hyaluronan synthase 2, tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 6, pentraxin 3, and prostaglandin 2). Both the intracellular ROS level and the early apoptotic rate of matured oocytes were significantly decreased in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG group, and the total antioxidant ability was markedly enhanced. Additionally, both the cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly higher in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG-treated oocytes after in vitro fertilization than in the control oocytes. The mRNA abundance of NRF2, SOD1, CAT, and GPX4 were significantly increased in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG-treated oocytes. Conclusion: In conclusion, $50{\mu}M$ EGCG can improve the bovine oocyte maturation, and the protective role of EGCG may be correlated with its antioxidative property.