• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.307-318
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• 2015

The objectives of this study were to identify multi-level stressors from blood biomarkers to community-level bioindicators and diagnose the stream ecosystem health in polluted streams. Blood chemistry such as total protein ($T_{Pro}$), blood urea nitrogen ($B_{UN}$), total cholesterol ($T_{Cho}$) and $A_{lb}$umin ($A_{lb}$) were analyzed from sentinel fish tissues; the functions of kidney, gill and liver were significantly decreased in the impacted zone ($I_z$), compared to the control zone ($C_z$). Histopathological analysis showed that fish liver tissues were normal in the $C_z$. Fish liver tissues in the $I_z$, however, showed large cell necrosis and degeneration and also had moderate lobular inflammation and inflammatory cell infiltration of lymphocytic histocytes. Species biotic index (SBI) at species level and stream health assessment (SHA) at community level indicated that chemical impacts were evident in the $I_z$ (ecological health; poor - very poor), and this was matched with the blood tissue analysis and histopathological analysis. The impairments of the streams were supported by water chemistry analysis (nitrogen, phosphorus). Tolerance guild analysis and trophic guild analysis of fish were showed significant differences (P < 0.01) between $C_z$ and $I_z$. Overall, multiple parameter analysis from biomarker level (blood tissues) to bioindicator level (community health) showed significantly greater impacts in the $I_z$ than $C_z$. This approach may be effective as a monitoring tool in identifying the multilateral and forthcoming problems related to chemical pollution and habitat degradation of stream ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.569-575
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• 2007

This study was carried out to determine bioaccumulation levels of total mercury on various fish tissues in two streams (Banseok and Hasin Stream) and one lake (Yeongsan Lake) during April-May 2007. We also determined natural background levels of total mercury bioaccumulation to evaluate relative individual impacts of fish and compared the levels with reference sites as a preliminary study to evaluate heavy metal stressor using fish. For the study, we collected fishes in the sampling sites and analyzed the concentrations of total mercury in the liver, kidney, gill, vertebral column, and muscle tissues using Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473). The levels varied depending on the types of waterbody and tissues used. Concentrations of total mercury ranged between 5.1${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ and 108.6 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the streams and between 5.3${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ and 87.3 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the reservoir, and the values were highest in the muscle tissues. Levels of natural background levels of total mercury, even though the sampling number was few, averaged 23.6 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the study sites. The individual and mean values in each system was not so high in terms of US EPA criteria of fish health and human health, indicating that the impact was minor in the study site. Further studies should be done for the determination of mercury levels in the systems.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.119-126
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• 2007

The analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) is an efficient approach for gene discovery, expression profiling, and the development of resources for functional genomics. To analyze the transcriptome of the abalone Haliotis discus hannai, we conducted EST analysis using seven cDNA libraries made from gill, gut, hepatopancreas, skin, muscle, testis, and ovary. Redundant ESTs were assembled into overlapping contiguous sequences using the assembly program ICAtools. We found that the total 1,393 ESTs formed 135 clusters and 951 singletons, indicating that the overall redundancy of the library was 22%. Of the 1,393 clones, BLAST identified 1,278 clones (91.7%) as known genes; 115 clones (8.3%) did not match any previously described gene. Based on the major functions of their encoded proteins, the identified clones were classified into 16 broad categories. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of micro satellite-containing genes that may be valuable for further gene mapping studies. This study contributes to the identification of numerous EST clones that can be applied to further clarifying the genetics and developmental biology of abalone.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2013

The action of melatonin within the body of animals is known to be mediated by melatonin receptors. Three different types of melatonin receptors have been identified so far in fish. However, which of these are specifically involved in puberty onset is not known in fish. We cloned and analyzed the sequence of melatonin receptor 1a (mel 1a) gene in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. In addition, we examined the tissue distribution of gene expressions for three types of receptors, mel 1a, 1b and lc and investigated which of them is involved in the onset of puberty by comparing their expression with that of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor I (GnRHr I) gene using quantitative real-time PCR from 1 week post hatch (wph) to 24 wph. The mel 1a gene of Nile tilapia consisted of two exons and one bulky intron between them. Mel 1a gene was found to be highly conserved gene showing high homology with the corresponding genes from different teleost. All three types of melatonin receptor genes were expressed in the brain, eyes and ovary in common. Expression of mel 1a gene was the most abundant and ubiquitous among 3 receptors in the brain, liver, gill, ovary, muscle, eye, heart, intestine, spleen and kidney. Mel 1b and mel 1c genes were, however, expressed in fewer tissues at low level. During the development post hatch, expressions of both mel 1a and GnRHr I genes significantly increased at 13 wph which was close to the putative timing of puberty onset in this species. These results suggest that among three types of receptors mel 1a is most likely associated with the action of melatonin in the onset of puberty in Nile tilapia.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.364-372
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• 2011

The pale chub (Zacco platypus) is generally found in Asian countries, such as Korea, Japan, and China. Nevertheless, very little information exists about the genes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics in this species. This species is useful in monitoring the environmental impact on various pollutants in freshwater as a sentinel fish species. We cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) gene from Z. platypus and characterized it. Tissue distribution and timedependent induction of CYP1A were studied by real-time RT-PCR. Induction pattern of CYP1A was studied by exposing the fish to an arylhydrocarbon receptor agonist, ${\beta}$-naphthoflavone (BNF). The liver showed the highest level of expression in basal state as well as BNF- treated fish. However, appreciable levels of expression were also recorded in Gill and kidney and the least level of expression was observed in the eye. The results of the time-course study revealed an induction in the liver, brain, and gills after 6 h and 12 h in most of the tissues. This study provides an insight into the xenobiotics metabolizing system of Z. platypus and offers baseline information for further research related to biomarker, stress, and adaptive response of this ecologically important fish species in the freshwater environment.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.36-45
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• 1977

A piscicidal substance was isolated from the culture medium of Streptomyces umbrosus by avicel column chromatography and avicel thin layer chromatography after extration with chroloform. Bluegreen fluorescence was emitted under UV irradiation. Factors which govern toxin production and nutrition requirement for high toxin titres were observed. Nutritional uptake for toxin production was not curresponded with that for cell growth. Alanine, valine, serine asparagine, arginine, histidine, urea and sodium nitrate as a carbon source and glucose, mannose, rhamnose, xylose, arabitol and starch as a carbon source were recognized as a favorable nutrient for high toxin production. Magnesium was essential factor whereas vitamins were not of effective. Most of toxin was formed simultaneously with cell growth in esponential phase. Maximal production was observed for six day culture at 3$0^{\circ}C$. Tissues of gill, kidney and pnacreas in Cyprinus carpio were denatured extreamly after treating with the substance. Atrophied nucleous, indented membrane and degradated cytoplasm with necrotic affectness were noted on each tissue. The chemical formula of the substance was designated as $C_{38}$ $H_{66}$ $NO_4$.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2015

This study was conducted to find out the changes of survival, respiration and organ structure of Tegillarca granosa exposed to copper (Cu). Experimental period was four weeks. Experimental groups were composed of one control condition and three copper exposure conditions (0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 mg/L). The results of the study confirmed that copper induces reduction of survival rate and respiration rate and histopathology of organ structure of the bivalve. In the copper concentration of 0.500 mg/L, mortality was 66.7% after Cu exposure of 4 weeks. Respiration rate was observed exposure groups lower than control decline by 18%. Histological analysis of organ system illustrated degeneration of epithelial layer and connective tissue layer of the mantle. Also, histological degenerations as epithelial atrophy and disappearance of lateral cilia are recognized in the gill and it was observed expansion of hemolymph sinus, disruption of epithelial layer, acidification of mucous and degeneration of muscle fiber bundles in the foot. In the digestive diverticulum, it was showed atrophy and destruction of basophilic cell and epithelial cell in the digestive tubules.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.371-378
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• 2017

Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is known to interfere with viral replication and infection by limiting the viral infection of cells. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) interferes with viral replication and infectivity by limiting viral infection in cells. It also plays an important role in the immune response. In this study, tissue-specific expression of ISG15 in healthy rock bream samples and spatial and temporal expression analysis of rock bream ISG15 (RbISG15) were performed following rock bream iridovirus (RSIV) infection. RbISG15 expression was significantly higher in the eye, gill, intestine, kidney, liver, muscle, spleen, and stomach, but low in the brain. There were particularly high levels of expression in the liver and muscle. RbISG15 expression was also examined in several tissues and at various times following RSIV infection. ISG15 expression increased within 3 h in the whole body and decreased at 24 h after infection. In addition, temporal expression of several tissues following RSIV infection showed a similar pattern in the muscle, kidney, and spleen, increasing at 3 h and decreasing at 72 h. These results suggest that ISG15 plays an important role in the immune response of rock bream. Overall, this study characterizes the response of RbISG15 following RSIV infection.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.229-240
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• 2010

During the last decade, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have gained more attention due to their toxicity and global distribution. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution and bioaccumulation of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in aquatic wildlife effected from a sewage treatment plant. The concentrations of 12 PFCs were determined in water, sediment and fish samples. PFOS were predominantly detected in both ambient environment and fish. In fish, the concentration of PFCs in blood was the highest (i.e., 112.47 ng/mL wet-wt. PFOS) in comparison to other tissues. However, PFOA and PFHpS were highly detected in gonad as 3.87 and 4.58 ng/g wet-wt., respectively. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of PFCs was greatest in the blood > liver${\cong}$gonad > kidney > gill, and lowest in the muscle tissue. The BCFs of PFUnDA (39,000), PFDA (2,700) and PFOS (1,100) were rated as high values based on wet weight concentration. BCFs increased with increasing the length of the perfluoralkyl chain.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.181-186
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• 2006

A pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rats produces vasoconstriction, renal dysfunction, and hypertension. The present study was aimed at investigating whether the methanol extract of Serous commixta cortex (MSC) ameliorates $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) induced hypertension in rats. Treatment of rats with L-NAME (10 mg/kg/day in drinking water, 5 weeks) caused a sustained increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP). Administration of MSC (100 or 200 mg/kg/day, p.o) significantly lowered the SBP in the L-NAME-treated rats and this effect was maintained throughout the whole experimental period. Moreover, ecNOS expression in aorta and kidney tissue from L-NAME treated rats was significantly restored dy administration of MSC. Furthermore, the impairment of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation of aortic rings in the L-NAME treated rats was reversed dy administering of MSC. The renal functional parameters including urinary volume, sodium excretion, and creatinine clearance (Ccr) were also restored by administering MSC. Taken together, the present study suggeststhat MSC prevents the increase in SBP in rats with L-NAME-induced hypertension, which may result from the up-regulation of the vascular and renal ecNOS/No system.