• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.49-55
• /
• 2003

The morphology of the leaves and the flowers of angiosperms exhibit remarkable diversity. One of the factors showing the greatest variability of leaf organs is the leaf index, namely, the ratio of leaf length to leaf width. In some cases, different varieties of a single species or closely related species can be distinguished by differences in leaf index. To some extent, the leaf index reflects the morphological adaptation of leaves to a particular environment. In addition, the growth of leaf organs is dependent on the extent of the expansion of leaf cells and on cell proliferation in the cellular level. The rates of the division and enlargement of leaf cells at each stage contribute to the final shape of the leaf, and play important roles throughout leaf development. Thus, the control of leaf shape is related to the control of the shape of cells and the size of cells within the leaf. The shape of flower also reflects the shape of leaf, since floral organs are thought to be a derivative of leaf organs. No good tools have been available for studies of the mechanisms that underlie such biodiversity. However, we have recently obtained some information about molecular mechanisms of leaf morphogenesis as a result of studies of leaves of the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. For example, the ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN) gene, a homolog of animal CtBP genes, controls leaf width. AN appears to regulate the polar elongation of leaf cells via control of the arrangement of cortical microtubules. By contrast, the ROTUNDIFOLIA3 (ROT3) gene controls leaf length via the biosynthesis of steroid(s). We provide here an overview of the biodiversity exhibited by the leaf index of angiosperms. Taken together, we can discuss on the possibility of the control of the shapes and size of plant organs by transgenic approaches with the results from basic researches. For example, transgenic plants that overexpressed a wild-type ROT3 gene had longer leaves than parent plants, without any changes in leaf width. Thus, The genes for leaf growth and development, such as ROT3 gene, should be useful tools for the biodesign of plant organs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.13
• /
• pp.5421-5425
• /
• 2015

To evaluate the relationship between the growth hormone 1 (GH1) T1663A polymorphism, recreational physical activity and body mass index (BMI) with reference to breast cancer, we conducted a case-control study with 669 cases of breast cancer and 682 population-based controls in Jiangsu Province, China. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit detailed information. All subjects completed an in-person interview. GH1 genotypes were identified using PCR-RFLP methods. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with an unconditional logistic model. The distribution of GH1 genotypes was not significantly different between controls and cases ($x^2$=2.576, P=0.276). Results of stratified analysis by the participation status of the recreational physical activity showed that the persons with GH1 A allele were at a decreased risk of breast cancer (adjusted-OR=0.66; 95% CI, 0.50-0.87) only among inactive individuals. Stratified analysis by BMI showed that the genotype A/A was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer only among individuals of the BMI <25 (adjusted-OR=0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.98). The findings of this study suggest that recreational physical activity and BMI may modify any association between the GH1 T1663A polymorphism and breast cancer risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.97-101
• /
• 2015

Background: The gene for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes angiogenesis and permeability, is polymorphic. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between +936C>T and +404C>G polymorphism of VEGF with risk of esophageal cancer in the Kashmiri population in India. Materials and Methods: 150 esophageal cancer patients and 150 unrelated healthy controls were genotyped for two VGEF SNPs (+405C/G, and +936C/T) using DNA extracted from prospectively collected blood samples by the PCR-RFLP method. Results: For the VEGF +936C>T polymorphism a significant association of CT and combined CT+TT genotypes was observed with increased risk of esophageal cancer (p=0.021; 0.024). For the +405C>G polymorphism we observed significantly increased frequency of GG genotype in cases as compared to controls and also the +405 GG Genotype was observed to have a two fold risk(OR=2.7356; 95%CI=1.1409-6.5593; p=0.020). The combined genotypes of GG-CC and GG-CT of +405C>G and +936C>T were found to be significantly associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer (p=0.0376; 0.0099). Conclusions: From the results of the present study a significant association of +936C>T and +405C>G polymorphisms with increased esophageal cancer risk exists in the Kashmiri population.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2014

Retinal glial responses to hypertensive glaucomatous injury were spatiotemporally surveyed. Retinas as a whole or vertical sections were processed for anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), anti-Iba1, anti-nerve growth factor (NGF), and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ immunohistochemistry for confocal microscopic analyses. The optic nerve head of paired controls was processed for electron microscopy. GFAP positive astrocytes appeared in the nerve fiber layer in the glaucomatous and control retinas, changing from fine protoplasmic to stout fibrous parallel to glaucomatous duration. Iba1 positive microglia appeared in both retinas, and enormous reaction appeared at the latest glaucomatous. M$\ddot{u}$ller reaction detected by GFAP reactivity expanded from the end feet to whole profile following to duration in the glaucomatous. NGF reactivity expended from the end feet to the proximal radial processes of the M$\ddot{u}$ller cells in both retinas according to glaucomatous duration. TNF-${\alpha}$ immunoreactivity in the nerve fiber layer was stronger in both the glaucomatous and controls than in the normal, and exceptionally at the latest glaucomatous was even lower than the normal. The astrocytes in the optic nerve head are interconnected with each other via gap junction. These results demonstrate that astrocyte reaction propagates to the contralateral via physical links, and TNF-${\alpha}$ is correlated with NGF production for neuroprotection in response to hypertensive glaucomatous injury.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.50-55
• /
• 1979

To study the effects of diets containing Ginseng extracts as foods, Sprague-Dawley strain rats were fed several diets containing the Ginseng extracts(Ginseng nectar, Ginseng orange juice, Ginseng drink) for 12 week. The Ginseng diets contained 555 mg or 1,110 mg of Ginseng extracts per kg of the diet. During the feeding, growth rate, feed efficiency ratio, organ weight, hematocrit value, SGOT and SGPT activity were compared with those of the control rats. As results of growth rate, feed efficiency ratio, organ weight, hematocrit value and SGPT activity showed no statistical significance between Ginseng fed animals and the controls. The experimental animals showed slightly lower SGOT activity and higher serum cholesterol than the controls did. The difference was, however, not statistically significant. No abnormalities of liver, spleen and kidney tissues were observed in the rats fed with the diets containing the Ginseng extract. As result of swimming test, a statistically significant increase of the swimming time was observed in the experimental animal groups, especially in Group V.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.413-424
• /
• 2022

Suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 4 is a pluripotent signaling mediator that regulates myriad cellular functions, including cell growth, cell division, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell invasion, and metastasis, through transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-dependent and -independent pathways. SMAD4 is a critical modulator in signal transduction and functions primarily as a transcription factor or cofactor. Apart from being a DNA-binding factor, the additional SMAD4 mechanisms in tumor suppression remain elusive. We previously identified methyl malonyl aciduria cobalamin deficiency B type (MMAB) as a critical SMAD4 binding protein using a proto array analysis. This study confirmed the interaction between SMAD4 and MMAB using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, proximity ligation assay (PLA), and conventional immunoprecipitation. We found that transient SMAD4 overexpression down-regulates MMAB expression via a proteasome-dependent pathway. SMAD4-MMAB interaction was independent of TGF-β signaling. Finally, we determined the effect of MMAB downregulation on cancer cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of MMAB affected cancer cell metabolism in HeLa cells by decreasing ATP production and glucose consumption as well as inducing apoptosis. These findings suggest that SMAD4 controls cancer cell metabolism by regulating MMAB.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.47-52
• /
• 2007

Quality evaluations of seasoning chicken wing treated with pine needles during storage of 6 days at $4^{\circ}C$ were assessed. Seasoning chicken containing 0.5-1.3% (w/w) pine needle during storage at $4^{\circ}C$ was allowed to the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. pH values of seasoning chicken containing pine needles after 6 days of storage were not significantly different (p>0.05) than those of the controls. The rate of drip loss on seasoning chicken containing pine needles after 24 hr of storage was significantly different (p<0.05) than that of the controls. Sensory scores of seasoning chicken containing 0.8-1.3% pine needles for odor and flavor were in the "liked more" to typical category during storage of 6 days at $4^{\circ}C$. For odor and flavor scores, seasoning chicken containing 1.0-1.3% pine needles compared to the controls and other treatments increased during storage days due to fresh odor of pine needles. Seasoning chicken containing 0.5-1.3% pine needles after 6 days of storage were no significantly different levels (p>0.05) of Hunter color $L^*$ values compared to controls. Hunter color $a^*$ and $b^*$ values of seasoning chicken containing 0.5-1.3% pine needles after 6 days of storage were significantly different (p<0.05) than those of the controls.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.745-750
• /
• 2013

In many recent studies, a variety of environmental control system for practical gardening facilities such as facility house and plant factory have been proposed. However, the plants have been exposed to growth disorder and disease and pest injury because the temperature and humidity have not properly controlled so far. Therefore, a lot of damage of farmers have been reported. The air circulation fan and industrial dehumidifier have been currently utilized as the countermeasures, but they do not meet the expectation. In this study, the growth phase of each plant is recognized by using cycle-by-cycle plants growth recogniztion algorithm to provide optimal environment according to the growth phases of each plant.he productivity can be raised by using cycle-by-cycle plant growth recognition monitoring system because it optimally controls the environment by cycle that is required for plant growth.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.23 no.11
• /
• pp.1560-1568
• /
• 2013

Salmonella, a main cause of foodborne diseases, encounters a variety of environmental stresses and overcomes the stresses by multiple resistance strategies. One of the general responses to hyperosmotic stress is to import or produce compatible solutes so that cells maintain fluid balance and protect proteins and lipids from denaturation. The ProP and ProU systems are the main transport systems for compatible solutes. The OsmU system, recently identified as a third osmoprotectant transport system, debilitates excessive growth as well by reducing production of trehalose. We studied a fourth putative osmoprotectant transport system, YehZYXW, with high sequence similarity with the OsmU system. A Salmonella strain lacking YehZ, a predicted substrate-binding protein, did not suffer from hyperosmolarity but rather grew more rapidly than the wild type regardless of glycine betaine, an osmoprotectant, suggesting that the YehZYXW system controls bacterial growth irrespective of transporting glycine betaine. However, the growth advantage of ${\Delta}yehZ$ was not attributable to an increase in OtsBA-mediated trehalose production, which is responsible for the outcompetition of the ${\Delta}osmU$ strain. Overexpressed YehZ in trans was capable of deaccelerating bacterial growth vice versa, supporting a role of YehZ in dampening growth. The expression of yehZ was increased in response to nutrient starvation, acidic pH, and the presence of glycine betaine under hyperosmotic stress. Identifying substrates for YehZ will help decipher the role of the YehZYXW system in regulating bacterial growth in response to environmental cues.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.81-88
• /
• 2010

Our objective of current study was to investigate the development of bone and heart in association with diabetes mellitus (DM). DM was induced by administering an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg) to 4-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Body weight and blood glucose were monitored, and rats were sacrificed after 2 or 5 weeks. The left ventricle (LV), including the interventricular septum, was weighed, and body weight and tibial bone length were assessed. Young diabetic rats showed reduced growth in terms of tibial length and body weight compared to controls. Moreover, diabetic males showed more significant growth suppression and reduced LV size than diabetic females. Morphometric analysis of tibiae from diabetic rats revealed suppressed bone growth at 2 and 5 weeks, with no difference between genders. STZ-induced diabetes decreased bone growth and retarded pre-pubertal heart development. As a result, diabetes may increase cardiovascular risk factors and lead to eventual heart failure. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are required for diabetic children exhibiting growth retardation. Heart growth factor, exercise, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy may be required to promote heart development and physiological function.