• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.523-529
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• 1992

The GEP endocrine cells of the African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis, were studied immunohistochemically. Five kinds of the endocrine cells were identified in this study A moderated number of 5-HT-immunoreactive cells were detected throughout the gastro intestinal tract, being almost uniform frequency. Gas/CCK -immunoreactive cells were restricted to the basal portion of the pyloric gland and among the duodenal mucosa. A rare glucagon-immunoreactive cells were weakly reacted in the fundic region of the stomach and observed in the exocrine portions of the pancreas. Somatostatine-immunoreactive cells were distributed throughout the gastrointestinal tract with except for the rectum, and not only the periphery of the islets but also the exocrine portions in the pancreas. No CGs- and insulin-immunoreactive cells were found in the gastrointestinal tract, whereas in the pancreas, the later was seen in the central region of the islets and the exocrine portions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.503-512
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• 2017

Background: Chronic heavy alcohol consumption may raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Saponins inhibit apoptosis of pancreatic islet cells and reduce lipid parameters. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of saponin on chronic ethanol-treated diabetic rats. Methods: Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (LETO) and Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were pair-fed a Lieber-DeCarli diet with and without 5% ethanol for 12 wks. Two weeks after starting the pair-feeding with the Lieber-DeCarli diet, intraperitoneal injection of saponin was performed for 10 wks. To perform the experiments, rats were divided as follows: LETO-Control (LC), LETO-Ethanol (LE), LETO-Ethanol-Saponin (LES), OLETF-Control (OC), OLETF-Ethanol (OE), and OLETF-Ethanol-Saponin (OES). Results: The weights of epididymal and mesenteric fat tissue in LES and OES rats were the lightest from among the LETO and OLETF groups, respectively. The secretion of alanine aminotransferase and cholesterol in OES rats decreased significantly compared to their secretion in OC and OE rats, respectively. The islets of the pancreas in LE and OE rats showed clean, unclear, and smaller morphology compared to those of LC, LES, OC, and OES rats. In addition, the expression of insulin in the islets of the pancreas in LC, LES, OC, and OES rats was higher than in LE and OE rats. Conclusion: Saponin may not only be helpful in alleviating the rapid progress of diabetes due to chronic alcohol consumption in diabetic patients, but may also show potential as an antidiabetic drug candidate for diabetic patients who chronically consume alcohol.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.573-577
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• 1993

The pancreatic endocrine cells, glucagon and somatostation, of the Korean tree squirrel. Sciurus vulgais corea, were investigation by means of light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry using the PAP and protein A-gold techniques. Glucagon-immunoreactive cells were distributed the periphery and occasinonaly central region of the pancreatic islets. Also, isolated cell was found between the pancreatic ancinar cells. The glucagon cells contraine granules with a diameter of 240~320nm and the electron dense core usually surrounded by a halo of less dense granular material. The core of granule was labelled strongly with gold particles. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were weakly stained in scattered along the peripheral pancreatic islets and were distributed as singly or small groups with in the pancreatic acinar cells. The somatostatin cells were spherical with a diameter of 250~275nm, moderately electron opaque (Gold particles were mostly demonstrated on the entire granule.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.223-236
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• 2019

Dengropanax morfiferus (D), Broussonitia kazinoki (B), and Cudriania tricuspidata (E), a widely cultivated species in South Korea, has been used as traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases. In this study, we evaluated the antidiabetic effects in a various signaling mechanisms using mixed extract and major component contents were analyzed by HPLC in the combined extracts from Dengropanax morfiferus, Broussonitia kazinoki, and Cudriania tricuspidata (DBCE). DBCE inhibited ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and ${\alpha}$-amylase activation and showed potent antioxidant effects, which are evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and SOD assay. Cytokines, which are released by inflammatory cells in pancreatic islets, are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. DBCE showed the protective effects in RINm5F cells against cytokines-induced damage by suppressing inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and COX-2 expression and NO production. Insulin resistance is the primary characteristic of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the regulatory effect of DBCE on glucose uptake and production are investigated in insulin-responsive human HepG2 cells. DBCE stimulated glucose uptake, prevented Glut2 and phosphor-IRS1 downregulation induced by high glucose (HG, 30 mM). Moreover, DBCE pretreatment diminished glucose levels, PEPCK and G6Pase overexpression provoked by HG. These findings suggest that DBCE might be used for diabetes treatment through alpha-glucosidase or alpha-amylase activity regulation, pancreatic beta cell protection, hepatic glucose sensitivity improvement. Cytokines, which are released by inflammatory cells' infiltrations around the pancreatic islets, are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2019

Objective : Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a very serious health problem, usually caused by a trauma and accompanied by elevated levels of inflammation indicators. Stem cell-based therapy is promising some valuable strategies for its functional recovery. Nestin-positive progenitor and/or stem cells (SC) isolated from pancreatic islets (PI) show mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics. For this reason, we aimed to analyze the effects of rat pancreatic islet derived stem cell (rPI-SC) delivery on functional recovery, as well as the levels of inflammation factors following SCI. Methods : rPI-SCs were isolated, cultured and their MSC characteristics were determined through flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis. The experimental rat population was divided into three groups : 1) laminectomy & trauma, 2) laminectomy & trauma & phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and 3) laminectomy+trauma+SCs. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) labelled rPI-SCs were transplanted into the injured rat spinal cord. Their motilities were evaluated with Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) Score. After 4-weeks, spinal cord sections were analyzed for GFP labeled SCs and stained for vimentin, $S100{\beta}$, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proinflammatory (interleukin [IL]-6, transforming growth factor $[TGF]-{\beta}$, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-2, myeloperoxidase [MPO]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-1 receptor antagonis) factors. Results : rPI-SCs were revealed to display MSC characteristics and express neural and glial cell markers including BDNF, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), fibronectin, microtubule associated protein-2a,b (MAP2a,b), ${\beta}3$-tubulin and nestin as well as anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 receptor, EP3. The BBB scores showed significant motor recovery in group 3. GFP-labelled cells were localized on the injury site. In addition, decreased proinflammatory factor levels and increased intensity of anti-inflammatory factors were determined. Conclusion : Transplantation of PI-SCs might be an effective strategy to improve functional recovery following spinal cord trauma.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.23-45
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• 2023

Tuvalu is a small reef islands country in the Pacific Ocean. Its coastal regions are very much dynamic due to the profound effects of tropical cyclones and sea level rise (SLR). However, research works on coastline dynamics of Tuvalu mainly cover its capital, Funafuti. Therefore, this review summarizes the extent of long-term coastal changes in different islets of Funafuti and on overall Tuvalu. In Funafuti, highly accreting areas are Te Afualiku, Fuafatu, Motugie, and Amatuku, and highly eroding areas are Fuagea and Tefala with the fully disappeared islet of Vasafua after 2005. However, in spite of different causes and supposition of scientists on disappearing these lands the accretion is more dominant than erosion which resulted in 7.3% net increase of land areas of Tuvalu over 117 years till 2015. Severe tropical cyclones mainly caused accretion of land areas by forming coral rubble rampart formation and further reworks and erosion to small sandy islands whereas frequent low-energy cyclones mainly caused erosion. Though, till now severe erosion of coastal areas are not evident by global SLR, islets of Funafuti experienced remarkable shoreline increase as formation of 30-40 m wide rubble rampart formation along 19 km in 1971 by tropical cyclone Bebe and net increase of area of 3.45 ha by tropical cyclone Pam in 2015. In spite of such overall accretion of coastal areas several scientists suspect drowning of its areas in future because of high SLR (~5.1±0.7 mm/year) at Funafuti which supposedly will not work as a breakwater anymore. Thus, protection measures should be taken to prevent coastline erosion as well as land reclamation activities should be done following the global examples.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.122-136
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• 2023

Depression is a prevalent global problem since ages, predominately treated with SSRI. Cipralex, is an antidepressant of the SSRIs class used as a remedy for mood, depression and anxiety. Silymarin (SIL), a natural free radical scavenging, has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This hypothesis evaluates, for the first time, the role of cipralex on the structure of the endocrine and exocrine components of the pancreas and assess the beneficial effects of SIL on these changes. Forty-five rats were divided into control, cipralex, and cipralex plus SIL groups. During sacrifice, all rats and pancreases were weighed and the ratio of pancreatic weight (PW) to rat weight (RW) was calculated, blood samples were collected to estimate fasting glucose, insulin and amylase levels, the specimens were prepared for histological, immunohistochemical (inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS], tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], caspase 3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA], and anti-insulin antibody), and morphometrical studies. Cipralex group exhibited marked destruction of the pancreatic architecture of the exocrine and endocrine parts, with a dense collagen fiber deposition. Also, there is highly significant decrease (P<0.001) of PW/RT ratio, insulin, and amylase levels, the number and diameter of islets of Langerhans, the number of PCNA positive immunoreactive cells, and the number of insulin positive β-cells. Furthermore, a highly significant increase of glucose level, iNOS, TNF-α, and caspase-3 positive immunoreactive cells in the islets of Langerhans and acinar cells were observed. SIL improves the pancreatic histological architecture, weight loss, biochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses. Administering SIL is advantageous in managing cipralex induced pancreatic injury via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic qualities.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.100004.1-100004.11
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• 2024

Insulin is essential for maintaining normoglycemia and is predominantly secreted in response to glucose stimulation by β-cells. Incretin hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, also stimulate insulin secretion. However, as obesity and type 2 diabetes worsen, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide loses its insulinotropic efficacy, whereas GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists continue to be effective owing to its signaling switch from Gs to Gq. Herein, we demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced a transition from Gs to Gq in GLP-1R signaling in mouse islets. Intriguingly, chemical chaperones known to alleviate ER stress, such as 4-PBA and TUDCA, enforced GLP-1R's Gq utilization rather than reversing GLP-1R's signaling switch induced by ER stress or obese and diabetic conditions. In addition, the activation of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) or activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), 2 key ER stress-associated signaling (unfolded protein response) factors, promoted Gs utilization in GLP-1R signaling, whereas Gq employment by ER stress was unaffected by XBP1 or ATF6 activation. Our study revealed that ER stress and its associated signaling events alter GLP-1R's signaling, which can be used in type 2 diabetes treatment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.685-695
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• 2012

We studied the detailed bathymetry and the geophysical characteristics of the summit of the Dokdo volcano using mutibeam echosounding and geophysical survey data. The bathymetry around the main east and west islets of the Dokdo volcano shows very shallow within about 10 m water depth. From near islets to about 30 m b.s.l., the shallow water area has very steep slope and many irregular sunken rocks. The area from about 30 m to about 80 m b.s.l. shows gentle rises and falls, and less steep slope. The area from 80 m b.s.l. has gradually flat undulation and smooth slope seabaed and is extended to offshore. The main islets of the Dokdo volcano and the rocky sea bottom elongated from the islets might be the residual part of the eroded and collapsed main crater of the Dokdo volcano. The bathymetry and the seafloor image(from backscattering) data show small craters, assumed to be formed by the eruption of later volcanism. The seafloor images propose that, except some areas with shallow sand sedimentary deposits, there are typical rocky bottom such as rocky protrusions and lack of sediments in the main morphology of the survey area. The stepped slopes of the seabed are deduced to be submarine terraces. The several prominent submarine terraces are found at the summit of the Dokdo volcano, suggesting repetition of sea level changes(transgressions and regressions) in the Quaternary. The results of the magnetic anomaly and the analytic signal have a good coherence with other geophysical consequences regarding to the location of the residual crater.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 1962

10두(頭)의 홀스타인 자우(仔牛)에 glucagon, insulin 등 홀몬과 reserpine 및 nicotine을 투여(投與)하여 그들이 췌장(膵臟)의 Langerhans 도서(島嶼)에 미치는 세포학적(細胞學的) 영향을 전자현미경(電子顯微鏡)에 의해서 연구하는 도중 거대(巨大)한 크기의 도서(島嶼)를 관찰하였다. 이 거대도서(巨大島嶼)들은 상기(上記)한 약품투여에 영향을 받지 않으며 거의 beta 세포(細胞)들로만 되어 있으므로 보통 크기의 도서(島嶼)들과의 혼동을 피하기 위하여서는 그 분포상태(分布狀態)와 세포학적(細胞學的) 및 조직학적(組織學的) 특징(特徵)을 구명(究明)하는 것이 필요하게 되어 본연구(本硏究)에 착수하였든 것이며 아울러 췌장(膵臟) 각부분(各部分)에 함유되는 Langerhans 도서수(島嶼數)의 평균치(平均値)를 산출(算出)하였다. Langerhans 도서(島嶼)는 편의상 그 크기에 따라서 직경(直徑) $200{\mu}$이하(以下)의 것을 "Regular islets" $200{\sim}500{\mu}$까지의 것을 "Intermediate islets" 그리고 $500{\mu}$ 이상(以上)의 것을 "Giant islets"라 이름지어서 구별하였다. 지금까지 알려진 최대(最大)의 도서(島嶼)는 개에서 관찰된 $333{\mu}$의 도서(島嶼)이었는데 필자는 본연구(本硏究)에서 직경 $1.395{\mu}$에 달하는 것과 기리 $2,700{\mu}$에 달하는 거대(巨大)한 도서(島嶼)들을 관찰하였다. 본연구(本硏究)의 결과(結果)를 요약(要約)하면 다음과 같다. 1. 자우췌장(仔牛膵腸) 50평방(平方)mm 면적(面積)내에 함유되는 Langerhans 도서(島嶼)의 수(數)는 평균(平均) 191개로서 다른 연구자에 의해서 보고된 수치(數値)보다 훨씬 많은 것이었다. 2. 거대도서(巨大島嶼)의 크기는 직경(直徑) $200{\sim}1,400{\mu}$이며 그 분포상태(分布狀態)는 보통 크기의 도서(島嶼)와 마찬가지로 췌장(膵臟)의 십이지장부(十二指腸部) 중간부(中間部) 및 췌장부(膵臟部)의 순서(順序)로 많이 함유되고 있다. 즉 십이지장부(十二指腸部)에는 2% 중간부(中間部) 1.8% 췌장부(膵臟部)에는 0.8%의 거대도서(巨大島嶼)가 함유되어 있으며 직경(直徑) $200{\mu}$이상(以上)의 도서평균치(島嶼平均値)는 1.53%이었다. 3. 중간대(中間大)의 도서(島嶼)와 거대도서(巨大島嶼)들은 거의 beta 세포(細胞)들로서만 되어있음으로 "중간대(中間大) beta 도서(島嶼)" 및 "거대(巨大) beta 도서(島嶼)"라고 각 각 명명하였으며 alpha세포(細胞)들이 있는 경우에는 작은 세포집합체(細胞集合體)를 이루고 도서전반(島嶼全般)에 걸쳐서 산재(散在)한다. 4. 췌장(膵臟)에 함유되고 있는 거대(巨大) beta 도서(島嶼)의 수(數)는 적지마는 보통 크기의 도서(島嶼)와 비교할때 그 용량(容量)은 막대한 것이며 따라서 insulin 분비량(分泌量)도 많을것이므로 우췌장(牛膵臟)의 insulin 분비(分泌)를 연구할 때에는 반듯이 이 사실(事實)을 고려해야 할 것이다. 5. 불규칙한 색상(索狀)의 실질세포(實質細胞)들로된 거대(巨大) beta 도서(島嶼)에는 간질결합조직(間質結合組織)이 풍부하며 그 간질(間質) 속에는 비교적 큰 혈관(血管)과 개재관양(介在管樣) 구조물(構造物)이 들어있다. 거대(巨大) beta 도서(島嶼)는 출생(出生)후 도서내외(島嶼內外)에 산재(散在)하고 있는 외분비도관세포(外分泌導管細胞)들의 증식(增殖)에 의해서 발생(發生)하며 그 크기도 증대(增大)하는 것으로 믿어진다. 6. 거대(巨大) beta 도서(島嶼)의 beta 세포(細胞)들은 현저한 Golgi 장치(裝置)와 비대(肥大)한 핵소체(核小體) 및 포상핵(胞狀核)등의 세포학적(細胞學的) 특징을 가지며 이것은 거대(巨大) beta 도서(島嶼)가 보통 크기의 Langerhans 도서(島嶼)에 비하여 더 활발하게 insulin을 분비(分泌)한다는 것을 시사(示唆)하는 것이다.