• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2012

Ultrastructural studies of germ cell development during spermatogenesis and taxonomic values in mature sperm morphology of Argopecten irradians irradians were investigated by transmission electron microscopic observations. In the early stage of spermatid during spermiogenesis, a few granules and proacrosomal granules are formed by the Golgi complex. In the late stage of spermatid during spermiogenesis, a proacrosomal vesicle becomes an acrosomal vesicle in the acrosome through spermiogenesis. The sperm is approximately $ 45-48{\mu}m$ in length including a jar-shaped sperm nucleus (about $1.45{\mu}m$ long), an acrosome (about $0.34{\mu}m$ long) and tail flagellum. The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. As one of common characteristics of mature sperm morphologies in Pectinidae species in subclass Pteriomorphia, mature spermatozoon consists of the cone-shaped acrosomal vesicle and subacrosomal material on the invaginated jar-shaped nucleus. The acrosomal vesicle of this species is composed of electron high dense opaque part (material) from the base to the tip, as have seen in the species in the subclass Pteriomorphia. Exceptionally, five mitochondria are found in the sperm midpiece of this species, unlike four in most species of Pectinidae in subclass Pteriomorphia. However, the acrosomal vesicle of spermatozoa of A. irradians irradians resemble to those of other investigated Pectinidae species in subclass Pteriomorphia. Therefore, we can use sperm morphology as a tool in the resolution of taxonomic relationships within the Pectinidae species. These morphological charateristics of acrosomal vesicle belong to the family Pectinidae in the subclass Pteriomorphia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.553-558
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• 2009

In the periphery, a galectin-1 receptor, CD7, plays crucial roles in galectin-1-mediated apoptosis of activated T-cells as well as progression of T-lymphoma. Previously, we demonstrated that $NF-{\kappa}B$ downregulated CD7 gene expression through the p38 MAPK pathway in developing immature thymocytes. However, its regulatory pathway is not well understood in functional mature T-cells. Here, we show that CD7 expression was downregulated by Twist2 in Jurkat cells, a human acute T-cell lymphoma cell line, and in EL4 cells, a mature murine T-cell lymphoma cell line. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Twist2 in Jurkat cells reduced galectin-1-induced apoptosis. While full-length Twist2 decreased CD7 promoter activity, a C-terminal deletion form of Twist2 reversed its inhibition, suggesting an important role of the C-terminus in CD7 regulation. In addition, CD7 expression was enhanced by histone deacetylase inhibitors such as trichostatin A and sodium butyrate, which indicates that Twist2 might be one of candidate factors involved in histone deacetylation. Based on these results, we conclude that upregulation of Twist2 increases the resistance to galectin-1-mediated-apoptosis, which may have significant implications for the progression of some T-cells into tumors such as Sezary cells.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.144-149
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• 2015

The peel of Citrus sunki exhibits multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-obesity, but little is known about neurodegeneration-related activities. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of ethanolic extract from both immature and mature Citrus sunki peel on neuronal cell death. Treatment of the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y with $MPP^+$, an inducer of Parkinson disease model, increased cell death in a dose dependent manner. Increased levels of active caspase-3 and cleaved PARP were detected. Treatment with immature Citrus sunki peel extract significantly reduced $MPP^+$-induced neurotoxicity. Cytoprotection with immature Citrus sunki peel extract was associated with a decrease in caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage. In contrast, mature Citrus sunki peel extract had no significant effects. These data suggest that immature Citrus sunki peel extract may exert anti-apoptotic effect through the inhibition of caspase-3 signaling pathway on $MPP^+$-induced neuronal cell death.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.309-315
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• 1999

Rice seedling test was conducted to check the loging tolerance at ripening stage through evaluating the root characters. Thirteen Korean and foreign rice cultivars with direct seeding adaptable or high quality characteristics were grown in a cell pot and under submerged paddy. The root characters and pushing resistance of rice hill were determined at seedling and ripening stage, respectively. The diameter of crown root at the 7th and 8th leaf stages was thicker in lodging tolerance cultivars than those of others and showed significant-positive correlation with both pushing resistance and crown root diameter of mature plants. Also, the tensile strength of crown root at the 7th and 8th leaf stage showed highly positive correlation with the tensile strength of crown root of mature plants. The number of crown root at 7th leaf stage was significant-positively correlated with that of mature plant. The diameter of seminal root was not significantly correlated with the diameter of crown root throughout the whole growth stage. These results indicate that the diameter, tensile strength and number of crown root associated with root lodging tolerance can be detected with the seedling at about 7th or 8th leaf stage, and the seedling test using the cell pot is an useful and practical method to select lodging tolerant cultivars or lines of rice based on root characters, especially diameter of crown root.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.867-872
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• 2012

Background: $FOXP3^+$ regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit effector T cell functions and are implicated in tumour progression. However, together with microvessel density (MVD) they remain controversial prognostic predictors for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and potential associations have yet to be determined. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of Tregs and MVD and their potential relationship in RCCs. Design: Paraffin-embedded tissues from 62 RCC patients were analysed using immunohistochemistry to detect $FOXP3^+$ lymphocytes, and double immunohistochemistry to detect different microvessel types in the tumour interior, rim and normal kidney tissue, and their correlation with clinicopathological characteristics. Survival analysis was also performed. Results: The presence of $FOXP3^+$ cells in the tumour interior or the rim showed no correlation with death from RCC and other pathological characteristics. Negative correlations were noted between the immature MVD in the tumour interior or the rim and tumour size, tumour stage and overall survival; however, there was no correlation with the nuclear grade or pathological type. A positive correlation between $FOXP3^+$ Tregs and immature MVD (r=0.363, P=0.014) and mature MVD (r=0.383, P=0.009) was confirmed in the tumour interior. However, there was no correlation between $FOXP3^+$ Tregs and mature MVD (r=0.281, P=0.076) or immature MVD (r=0.064, P=0.692) in the tumour rim. Conclusions: In this study, a positive correlation between the presence of $FOXP3^+$ Tregs and immature and mature MVD in RCC was confirmed, which suggests a link between suppression of immunity, tumour angiogenesis and poor prognosis.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2012

The ultrastructural characteristics of germ cell differentiations during spermatogenesis and mature sperm morphology in male $Atrina$ ($Servatrina$) $pectinata$ were evaluated via transmission electron microscopic observation. The accessory cells, which contained a large quantity of glycogen particles and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm, are assumed to be involved in nutrient supply for germ cell development. Morphologically, the sperm nucleus and acrosome of this species are ovoid and conical in shape, respectively. The acrosomal vesicle, which is formed by two kinds of electron-dense or lucent materials, appears from the base to the tip: a thick and slender elliptical line, which is composed of electron-dense opaque material, appears along the outer part (region) of the acrosomal vesicle from the base to the tip, whereas the inner part (region) of the acrosomal vesicle is composed of electron-lucent material in the acrosomal vesicle. Two special characteristics, which are found in the acrosomal vesicle of A. ($S$) $pectinata$ in Pinnidae (subclass Pteriomorphia), can be employed for phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses as a taxonomic key or a significant tool. The spermatozoa were approximately $45-50{\mu}m$ in length, including a sperm nucleus (about $1.43{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $0.51{\mu}m$ in length), and a tail flagellum (about $46-47{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail evidences a 9+2 structure.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.1007-1014
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• 2017

To compare functional Chinese cabbage('Amtak' baechu; F1 hybrid cultivar between Brassica rapa and B. perkinensis, AB) with general Chinese cabbage ('Chunkwang' baechu; general spring cultivar, CB), two kinds of kimchi(ABK and CBK) prepared with AB and CB cultivar were fermented at $10^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. Their fermentative characteristics and anti-proliferative activities against mouse carcinoma cell lines were investigated. General kimchi(CBK) showed mature pH on the $6^{th}$ day of fermentation, whereas functional kimchi(ABK) reached pH on the $9^{th}$ day. CBK also exhibited acidity of mature stage on the $6^{th}$ day, but ABK reached mature acidity on the $9^{th}$ day. Although ABK and CBK were salted in the same condition, ABK had lower salinity than CBK, throughout the fermentation time. The highest total bacterial and lactic bacterial counts of CBK showed on the $8^{th}$ day of fermentation, but ABK showed the highest total bacterial and lactic bacterial counts on the $10^{th}$ day. The texture of ABK was harder than CBK for fermentation time. This seems to be corrleated with the slower fermentation rate of ABK. ABK showed significantly higher anti-proliferative activity (54.6% cell viability of control) in B16BL6 at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. ABK was also higher in anti-proliferative activity than CBK throughout the fermentation time. However, there was no significant difference in the anti-proliferative activity of ABK between the fermentation times. In conclusion, fermentation of ABK showed a better texture, due to the slow fermentation rate and more anti-proliferative activity against mouse carcinoma cell line than those of CBK.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2011

The ultrastructural characteristics of germ cell development during spermatogenesis and mature sperm morphology of in male Scapharca subcrenata were investigated by transmission electron microscope observation. Spermatogonia are located nearest the outer wall of the acinus, while spermatocytes and spermatids are positioned near the accessory cells. The accessory cells, which is in close contact with developing germ cells, contained a large quantity of glycogen particles and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Therefore, it is assumed that they are involved in supplying of the nutrients for germ cell development. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the oval shape and cone shape, respectively. Spermatozoa are approximately 45-$50{\mu}m$ in length including a sperm nucleus (about $1.30{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $0.59{\mu}m$ in length), and tail flagellum (about 43-$47{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9 + 2 structure. As some characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle structures, the right and left basal rings show electron opaque part (region), and also the anterior apex part of the acrosomal vesicle shows electron opaque part (region). These characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle were found in Acinidae and other several families in subclass Pteriomorphia. These common characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle in subclass Pteriomorphia can be used for phylogenetic and taxonomic analysis as a taxonomic key or a significant tool. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are five, as one of common characteristics appear in most species in Arcidae and other families in subclass Pteriomorphia. The acrosomal vesicles of Arcidae species do not contain the axial rod and several transverse bands in acrosome, unlkely as seen in Ostreidae species in subclass Pteriomorphia, These characteristics can be used for the taxonomic analysis of the family or superfamily levels as a systematic key or tools.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.67-79
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• 2022

Currently, there is no treatment to reverse or cure heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction despite the remarkable advances in modern medicine. In addition, there is a lack of evidence regarding the existence of stem cells involved in the proliferation and regeneration of cardiomyocytes in adult hearts. As an alternative solution to overcome this problem, protocols for differentiating human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) into cardiomyocyte have been established, which further led to the development of cell therapy in major leading countries in this field. Recently, clinical studies have confirmed the safety of hPSC-derived cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs). Although several institutions have shown progress in their research on cell therapy using hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, the functions of cardiomyocytes used for transplantation remain to be those of immature cardiomyocytes, which poses a risk of graft-induced arrhythmias in the early stage of transplantation. Over the last decade, research aimed at achieving maturation of immature cardiomyocytes, showing same characteristics as those of mature cardiomyocytes, has been actively conducted using various approaches at leading research institutes worldwide. However, challenges remain in technological development for effective generation of mature cardiomyocytes with the same properties as those present in the adult hearts. Therefore, in this review, we provide an overview of the technological development status for maturation methods of hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and present a direction for future development of maturation techniques.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 1984

In vitro fertilization have been performed to know whether the frozen semen has fertilizing ability and can be used clinically. The results of cultured and developed embryos obtained are as follows: 1. The semen was frozen in three media for the good viability. The viability was more than 50% and the motility was also moderate (grade III), 2. As the 33 oocytes were collected from 45 follicles, the oocyte recovery rate was 73.3%. Among them, mature and immature ova were 5% each, and premature ova were 69.7%, When the first polar body was appeared, above ova were inseminated after adequate incubation with activated sperms. 3. The main components of three freezing medium containing egg yolk, glycerol and pyruvate respectively were the best for sperm viability, and Ham's F-10 medium was used for the fertilization and culture of eggs. 4. The results of in vitro fertilization of 33 ova, showed the second polar body developed in 12%, polyspermia in 24%, 1-cell embryo in 21% and 2-cell embryo in 9%. One mature ova developed to blastocyst via 16-cell to 32-cell embryo. The fertilization rate was 66%. 5. Above mentioned results represent that the frozen semen has fertilizing ability and can be used practically in the clinic.