• Applied Microscopy
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2005

Synapses are contact points where one neuron communicates with another. The morphological change of synapses under various physiological or pathological conditions has long been hypothesized to modify their functional properties. 3-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of synapses with serial ultrathin sections has contributed to the understanding of ultrastructural dimensions and compositions of synapses. The 3-D reconstruction procedures, however, require a great amount of expertise as well as include prohibitively timeconsuming processes. Here, we introduce efficient 3-D reconstruction technique using high-voltage electron microscopy (HVEM). Primarily, we established an optimal section thickness and staining condition to observe synaptic structures in detail under HVEM. The result showed that synaptic profiles were preserved at the section thickness of 250 nm without the overlapping of synaptic ultrastructures. An increase in the reaction time of en bloc staining was most efficient to enhance contrast than the extension of postembedding staining or the addition of uranyl acetate during dehydration. Then, 3-D reconstruction of parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in the rat cerebellum was carried out with serial HVEM images and reconstruction software. The images were aligned and the contours of synapses were outlined on each section. 3-D synapses were finally extracted from the section files by grouping all the synaptic contours. The reconstructed synapse model clearly demonstrated the configuration of pre and postsynaptic components. These results suggest that 3-D reconstruction of synapses using HVEM is much efficient and suitable for massive quantitative studies on synaptic connectivity than conventional TEM approach using numerous ultrathin sections.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.359-370
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to test the performance of the recommended summer dressing for office man through the analysis of skin temperature changes by air-conditioning temperature. We tested two clothing combinations; formal wear with necktie and casual shirts without necktie as for Cool mapsi. 4 male subjects sat to stabilize for thirty minutes after entering artificial-climate chamber with both temperature of $25^{\circ}C$, $27^{\circ}C$ and $50{\pm}10%$ R.H. And during 60 minute experiments of simulating office work, the subjective feelings including thermal, humidity and comfort sensation, skin temperature, clothing humidity and sweat amount were measured at the equal intervals. The result is that formal wear of $25^{\circ}C$ and Cool mapsi of $27^{\circ}C$ show good values such as low skin temperature, low clothing humidity and neutral thermal sensation. And Cool mapsi of $25^{\circ}C$ shows the risk of low rectal temperature for long and static energy level of office work. Formal wear of $27^{\circ}C$ shows high values of mean skin temperature, clothing humidity and thermal sensation. Second experiment was to find the ambient temperature when the subject wearing formal wear shows the skin temperature corresponding to which he shows on Cool mapsi of $27^{\circ}C$. The air-conditioning temperature on wearing formal wear has to be $2^{\circ}C$ lower to produce the corresponding skin temperature to which shows on wearing Cool mapsi of $27^{\circ}C$. Therefore it is possible to increase room temperature to $27^{\circ}C$, when wear Cool mapsi for summer office, for skin temperature and thermal sensation are produced the same.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the physiological effects of bovine follicular fluid (bFF) or anti-inhibin serum (AI) on follicular development in Hanwoo. Saline (0.95%), bFF or AI (total of 40 ml) were administered into the jugular vein in 9 Hanwoo cows. The plasma inhibin, estradiol-17 $\beta$ (E2), and progesterone (P4) levels were measured using RIA or ELISA kit and the number of ovarian follicles was observed by ultrasonography at 72 hr after ovulation. The plasma inhibin level in bFF treatment group was significantly increased and maintained higher level from 102 hr after ovulation compared to that of saline and AI groups (p<0.05). In plasma E2 level, AI treatment group showed significantly higher level from 36 hr to 108 hr after ovulation than that of saline and bFF groups (p<0.05). After that it showed decreasing tendency. The plasma P4 level was increased in control and AI treatment groups at 68 hr after ovulation. However, it was maintained significantly lower level in bFF group from 84 hr to 180 hr compared to that of saline and AI group (p<0.05). As a result of ultrasonography at 72 hr after ovulation, higher number of follicles was shown in AI treatment group compared to bFF groups, although the difference was not statistically significant. Taken together, it can be postulated that a treatment of synthesized AI inhibits the secretion of inhibin, stimulates FSH secretion inhibited by inhibin, and induces follicular development and estrogen secretion. According to these results, a development of ovarian follicle immediately after ovulation is associated closely with inhibin in Hanwoo heifers.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.649-658
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• 2017

The potential of the ethyl acetate fraction from Pteridium aquilinum (EFPA) to improve the cognitive function in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice was investigated. EFPA-treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the spatial, learning, and memory abilities compared to the HFD group in behavioral tests, including the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze. The diabetic symptoms of the EFPA-treated groups, such as fasting glucose and glucose tolerance, were alleviated. The administration of EFPA reduced the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in mice brains, but increased the acetylcholine (ACh) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Finally, kaempferol-3-o-glucoside, a major physiological component of EFPA, was identified by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer (QTRAP LC-MS/MS).

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.668-675
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• 2017

To assess the physiological effects of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus extract on cytoxicity of a neuronal cell line, antioxidant activity, and neuroprotection against intensive glucose-induced oxidative stress were quantitated. Compared to the other fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus (EFAD) showed the highest total phenolics and flavonoids. The 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay and malondialdehyde inhibitory effect test confirmed the superior antioxidant activity of EFAD. Moreover, EFAD also decreased the intracellular ROS level and suppressed neuronal cell death against intensive glucose- or $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, assessment of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities revealed that EFAD was an effective inhibitor of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis identified caffeic acid as the main ingredient of EFAD. Overall, these results suggest that the EFAD is a good natural source of biological compounds that counteract hyperglycemic neuronal defects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.517-527
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• 2018

The current study investigated in vitro anti-diabetic and neuroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction in Actinidia arguta sprouts (EFAS), on $H_2O_2$ and high glucose-induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma MC-IXC cells. EFAS had high total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. An assessment of 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity of EFAS, as well as its potential for inhibiting malondialdehyde production, indicated that EFAS may possess significant antioxidant properties. EFAS exerted inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ via glycemic regulation which forms advanced glycation end products. In addition, EFAS exhibited significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. Moreover, EFAS displayed protective effects against $H_2O_2$ and high glucose-induced cell death, and inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species in MC-IXC cells. Finally, the main physiological compound of EFAS was identified via high performance liquid chromatography as a rutin.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.561-567
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• 2011

Cold tolerance of the native Rhododendron species which are on the verge of extinction in Korean nature were compared with the introduced species and its mechanism were studied physiologically with the investigation of the leaf angle, leaf curling, and photosynthetic activity. The degree of cold tolerance measured with the leaf burning after winter season was higher in the native species, Rhododendron brachycarpum and Rhododendron brachycarpum var. roseum than all the introduced species. 'Nova Zembla', an introduced species, showed high sensitivity to the low temperature. Changes in leaf angle by the low temperature were bigger in 2 native species and 'Parker's Pink' than the other introduced species and small comparatively in 'Nova Zembla' and 'Cunningham's White' cultivar. Leaf curling also occurred strongly in 2 native species by the low temperature. While, it was comparatively little and mild in the other introduced species. Therefore these results suggested that the leaf movement such as leaf angle change and curling adapted to the low temperature is positively related to the cold tolerance of 2 native species. By the way, such relationship is not explainable in the cold-sensitive 'Parker's Pink' cultivar showing comparatively stronger leaf movement. Photosynthetic activity measured before the winter season was high in the cold-tolerant R. brachycarpum and its recovery after winter season was faster in the 2 native species and the introduced 'Cynosure' cultivar than the other introduced species. They were the lowest in the most cold-sensitive 'Nova Zembla'. This phenomena occurred similarly even in the stomatal conductivity, suggesting that the movement of water from the roots to the leaves is better and then the leaf burning after winter season become small in the cold-tolerant species. The recovery of photosynthetic activity and stomatal conductivity was comparatively slower in the cold-sensitive 'Parker's Pink'. From the above results, leaf behavior adapted to the low temperature during the winter season and water movement to the leaves are related collectively to the cold tolerance represented as the leaf burning in the Rhododendron species is suggested.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.195-217
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• 1985

A statistical analysis on the ratio of weight-for-height in insurance medicine was carried out in a total of 12,690 insured persons who were medically examined at the Honam medical department, Dong Bang life insurance company, ltd. from June, 1979 to February, 1984. The results were as follows: 1. The mean value of the ratio of weight-for-height(W/H ratio) was $102.3{\pm}11.3%$ in all males, and $105.2{\pm}103.6%$ in all females. The difference of the values between males and females showed statistical significance(P<0.001). The mean value of W/H ratio in all the insureds was $103.8{\pm}12.9%$. In each age group, the mean value of female was higher than that of male without exception(P<0.001). The mean value of both sexes in each age group showed gradual increase with age except for the age group over 50(P<0.001). 2. The incidences of the average weighted, overweighted and underweighted lives were respectively 91.6% in all males, 84.2% in all females(P<0.001); 7.9% in all males, 15.4% in all females(P<0.001); 0.5% in all males, 0.4% in all females(P>0.05). The incidences of average weighted, overweighted and underweighted lives in all the insureds were respectively 87.6%, 12.0% and 0.5%. The incidence of the average weighted lives in male in each age group was always higher than that in female with the exception of the age group below 19(P<0.001), whereas the incidence of the overweighted lives in male in each age group was always lower than that in female(P<0.05 in the age group below 19, P<0.001 in the other age groups). The incidence of average weighted lives of both sexes in each age group showed gradual decrease with age from the second to fifth decade(P<0.001), whereas the incidence of the overweighted lives of both sexes in each age group showed gradual increase with age from the second to fifth decade(P<0.001). 3. The relative frequency distribution polygons of W/H ratio of both sexes drawn in a pair on one coordinate plane revealed lying in juxtaposition each other horizontally and showed the shifting of female's polygon to male's one toward the direction of greater value of W/H ratio at a short distance which increased gradually with age. 4. Correlations between both sexes and among age groups relating to W/H ratios of the insureds seem to be a physiological phenomenon of body build and should be considered on the rating of the build. Author prepared a rating table of build based on the correlations above menthioned. Some gradients by sex and age in the rating table of build are organized; in female group, the ratings of 0, 30-50, 50-100 and 100-D are to calculate by the build with W/H ratio of 80-125%, $126{\sim}145%,\;146{\sim}165%$ and over 166% respectively in the age group of 29 or under, by the build with W/H ratio of $80{\sim}130%,\;131{\sim}150%,\;151{\sim}170%$ and over 171% respectively in the age group of $30{\sim}59$, and by the build with W/H ratio of $80{\sim}135%,\;136{\sim}155%,\;156{\sim}175%$ and over 176% respectively in the age group of 60 or over. In male group, the ratings of 0, $30{\sim}50$, 50-100, and 100-D are to calculate by the build with W/H ratio of $80{\sim}120%,\;121{\sim}140%,\;141{\sim}160%$ and over 161% respectively in all ages. Of under weighted lives, in both sexes, the ratings of 30-50 and 50-D are to calculate by the build with W/H ratio of $76{\sim}79%$ and under 75% respectively. The results of the ratings according to a rating table by author were as follows: The incidence of the ratings of 0, 30-50, 50-100 and 100-D showed no difference between male and female. The incidence of the ratings of 0(indicating the average weighted lives) showed gradual decrease with age and the incidence of the ratings of 30-50 and 50-100(indicating the overweighted lives) showed gradual increase with age. These results are thought to be considerably reasonable because the incidence of the builds in each age group is supposed to have no difference by sex and the incidence of the overweighted lives would increase with age.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2006

Feather, generated in large quantities as a byproduct of commercial poultry processing, is almost pure keratin, which is not easily degradable by common professes. Four strains, SMMJ-2, FL-3, NO-4 and RM-12 were isolated from soil for production of extracellular keratinolytic protease. They were identified as Bacillus sp. based on their morphological and physiological characteristics. They shown high protease activity on 5.0% skim milk agar medium and produced a substrate like mucoid on keratin agar medium. Bacillus sp. SMMJ-2 had a faster production time for producing keratinolytic protease than other strains. This strain did not completely degrade whole chicken feather for five days in basal medium but completely degraded whole chicken feather when supplied with nitrogen source for 40hours in keratinolytic producing medium ($0.7%\;K_{2}HPO_{4},\;0.2%\;KH_{2}PO_{4},\;0.1%$ fructose, 1.2% whole chicken feather, $0.01%\;Na_{2}CO_3$, pH 7.0). When supplied with chicken feather as nitrogen source, keratinolytic protease activity was 89 units/ml/min. When soybean meal was used as nitrogen source, the keratinolytic protease production reached a maximum of 106 units/ml/min after 48 hours under $30^{\circ}C$, 180 agitation. To isolate the keratinolytic protease, the culture filtrate was precipitated with $(NH_4)_{2}SO_4$ and acetone. The recovery rate of keratinolytic protease was about 96% after treatment with 50% acetone. The enzyme was stable in the range of $30{\sim}50^{\circ}C$ and pH $6.0{\sim}12.0$.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.382-395
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• 1992

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in central nervous system and produce sedative, antianxiety and muscle reaxing effects via $GABA_A$ receptor or $GABA_B$ receptor. Recently it is known that GABA is widely distributed throughout peripheral organs and may playa physiological role in certain organ. The vas deferens is innervated by species-difference. These study, therefore, was performed to investigate the mode and the mechanism of action of GABA on the norepiniphrine-, ATP- and electric stimulation-induced contraction of vas deferens of rat. Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The smooth muscle strips were isolated from the prostastic portion and were mounted in the isolated muscle bath. PSS in the bath was aerated with 95/5%-$O_2/CO_2$ at $33^{\circ}C$. Muscle tensions were measured by isometric tension transducer and were recorded by biological recording system. 1. GABA, muscimol, a $GAB_A$ agonist, and baclofen, a $GABA_B$ agonist inhibited the electric field stimulation(EFS, 0.2Hz, 1mSec, 80 V, monophasic square wave)-induced contraction with a rank order of potency of GABA greater than baclofen greater than muscimol. 2. The inhibitory effect of GABA was antagonized by delta aminovaleric acid(DAVA), a $GABA_B$ antagonist, but not by bicuculline, a $GABA_A$ mtagonist. 3. The inhibitory effect of baclofen was antagonized by DAVA, but the effect of muscimol was not antagonized by bicuculline. 4. Exogenous norepinephrine(NE) and ATP contracted muscle strip concentration dependently, but the effect of acetylcholine was negligible : and GABA did not affect the NE-and ATP-induced contractions. 5. GABA, baclofen and muscimol did not affect basal tone, and GABA did not affect the NE-and ATP-induced contractionsm 6. EFS-induced contraction was including 2 distinctable components. The first phasic component was inhibited by beta gamma-methylene ATP(mATP), a desensitizing agent of APT receptor and the second tonic component was reduced by pretreatment of reserpine(3 mg/Kg, IP). 7. GABA inhibited the EFS-induced contraction of reserpinized strips, but not the mATP-treated strips. These results suggest that in the prostatic portion of the rat vas deferens, adrenergic and purinergic neurotransmissions are exist, and GABA inhibits the release of ATP via presynaptic $GABA_B$ receptor on the excitatory neurons.