• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.251-256
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• 2013

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of Hh-Ag1.5, a small-molecule chemical agonist of SMOothened receptor, on the in vitro maturation and development of in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos in pigs. Oocytes or fertilized embryos were cultured in a maturation or embryo culture medium supplemented with 0 (control), 25, 50 or 100 nM of Hh-Ag1.5, respectively. Although the maturation rate were not different among treatment groups, the blastocyst formation rate in the group treated with 25 nM Hh-Ag1.5 was significantly increased compared to other groups (P<0.05). While the highest dose of Hh-Ag1.5 (100 nM) did negatively affect to the embryo development and cell number in blastocysts compared to other groups (P<0.05), the apoptotic cell index in blastocysts was significantly lower in 25 and 50 nM groups than in control and 100 nM groups (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of the proapoptotic gene Bax and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-XL decreased in among treatment groups compared to control (P<0.05). The embryo quality related genes, Tert and Zfp42, were significantly decreased in 50 and 100 nM groups compared with control and 25 nM groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 25 nM Hh-Ag1.5 to in vitro maturation and culture medium can enhance the developmental potential as well as quality of IVF embryos in pig.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2014

Copy number variation (CNV) is a form of structural variation that shows various numbers of copies in segments of the DNA. It has been shown to account for phenotypic variations in human diseases and agricultural production traits. Currently, most of chicken breeds in the poultry industry are based on European-origin breeds that have been mostly provided from several international breeding companies. Therefore, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA has been trying to restore and improve Korean native chicken breeds (12 lines of 5 breeds) for about 20 years. Thanks to the recent advance of sequencing technologies, genome-wide CNV can be accessed in the higher resolution throughout the genome of species of interest. However, there is no systematic study available to dissect the CNV in the native chicken breed in Korea. Here, we report genome-wide copy number variations identified from a genome of Korean native chicken (Line L) by comparing between the chicken reference sequence assembly (Gallus gallus) and a de novo sequencing assembly of the Korean native chicken (Line L). Throughout all twenty eight chicken autosomes, we identified a total of 501 CNVs; defined as gain and loss of duplication and deletion respectively. Furthermore, we performed gene ontology (GO) analysis for the putative CNVs using DAVID, leading to 68 GO terms clustered independently. Of the clustered GO terms, genes related to transcription and gene regulation were mainly detected. This study provides useful genomic resource to investigate potential biological implications of CNVs with traits of interest in the Korean native chicken.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.374-379
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• 2017

Hair loss affects interpersonal relationships and causes psychological stress. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity of Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix (CWR) and its effects on dermal papilla (DP) cells. Antioxidant efficacy was examined by ABTS assay. To confirm the effect on cell activity, MTS assay was performed and cell count was directly measured by hemocytometer. The mRNA expression of genes involved in hair formation and hair loss formation was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. CWR has a strong antioxidant activity. Cell viability of DP cells was increased to 118.5% by treatment of 0.5 mg/ml CWR for 24 hours, but the effect on the cell number was insignificant. These results suggest that CWR increases mitochondrial activity without promoting cell proliferation. Treatment of DP cells with 0.5 mg/ml CWR resulted in 48.5% reduction of mRNA expression of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase, a major cause of male hair loss. In addition, mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic pretein (BMP), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)7, and FGF10, which are closely related to hair growth, was also decreased. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) acts as a cause of hair loss. The excellent antioxidant efficacy of CWR is thought to be able to effectively remove ROS. The dihydrotestosterone produced by type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase in DP cells is a potent inducer of male pattern hair loss. The inhibitory effect of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase mRNA on DP cells induced by CWR may induce a positive therapeutic effect of male pattern hair loss.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.321-330
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• 2007

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) with the food supplement material and medicine was used traditionally in Asia and Europe. Epidemiological studies revealed that the intake of garlic reduced incidences of various cancer including digestive system. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of garlic ethanol extract on the development of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in male F344 rats. Five-week-old rats were given four times for two weeks to subcutaneous injections by DMH (30 mg/kg body weight) to induce ACF. The animals were divided into groups that fed diet containing garlic ethanol extract at five different doses (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 2, 5%), respectively, animals were evaluated for the total number of ACF and total aberrant crypts (AC) per colon detected from methylene blue-stained rat colon. ACF were formed in animals in DMH-treated group. The feeding suppressed potently the appearance ACF in the colon of rats. Especially, fed diet containing garlic ethanol extract at intermediate dose (0.5%) significantly reduced the number of ACF and AC per colon (p < 0.05). Garlic ethanol extract inhibited DMH-induced overexpression of Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) and ${\beta}-catenin$ genes related to cell proliferation that also upregulated the expression of p21Waf1/Cip1 mRNA, a cell cycle-regulating gene. These results suggested that garlic ethanol extract may inhibit ACF formation, ${\beta}-catenin$ gene as the early preneoplastic marker of malignant potential in the process of colon carcinogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 1999

To elucidate the mechanism of age-related development in FGS/NgaKIST mice with spontaneous glomerulosclerotic lesion, we examined expression and localization of various cytokine mRNA in the kidney in the progression of diseases. This mouse model is the first to develop spontanously occuring glomerosclerotic lesion in the kidney. In this study, we detected the up-regulation of local cytokine genes such as IL-1$\beta$, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-$\alpha$, TGF-$\beta$, and IFN- $\gamma$ in the kidneys. In RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis, we detected gradual expressions of cytokine mRNA of IL-1$\beta$, IL-2, IL-6, IFN- $\gamma$, and TNF $\alpha$ mRNA during the course of disease. Other cytokines including IL -10 and TGF -$\beta$ were found to be appeared the slightly expressed level at 3 to 12 weeks before onset of inflammatory lesion but they are highly expressed at the end-stage of the disease accompaning high proteinurea and wasting. In situ RT-PCR, each cytokine mRNA were specifically localized in a variety of cells including mesangial, endothelial, parietal epithelial, tubular epithelial, arterial muscle cell, and infiltrated inflammatory cells. In addition, TNF - $\alpha$was detected moderately in the visceral and parietal epithelial cell, but weakly in endothelial and mesangial cells, whereas IL-1 $\beta$ and IL -6 were strong in mesangial regions. IL-6 and TNF- $\alpha$ was highly localized in the damaged proximal and collecting tubules. Especially, TGF -$\beta$ mRNA was highly found in mesangial cells within glomerulus and interstitium during the end-stage of this disease.. These results indicate that pro inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 $\beta$, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF- $\alpha$ were gradually expressed from the early stage of this disease to the end-stage, and that IL-10 and TGF-$\beta$ may be important in the accumulation of extracellular matrix(ECM) within glomerulus and periglomerular fibrosis in the progression of this disease as well as tissue destruction in end-stage of this disease.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 1990

Five parents which showed differential response to thiobencarb and their $F_1$ hybrids were treated with thiobencarb (S-[(4-chlorophenyl) methyl]diethylcarbamothioate) at 2 and 4 kg ai/ha in order to investigate the inheritance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to the herbicide. In the analysis of diallel crosses for tolerance of rice cultivars to the herbicide, highly significant GCA (general combining ability) and SCA (specific combining ability) effects were observed at both herbicide rates using the parameters of plant height and dry weight ; the GCA effect being greater than the SCA effect. The additive effects appeared to be more prevalent than dominance effects, and partial dominance was recognized in relation to herbicide tolerance in the different rice cultivars. Higher heritabilities in the narrow and broad senses were observed at 4 kg ai/ha. The heritabilities in the narrow sense for plant height and dry weight were 0.726 and 0. 743, respectively. IR9660-50-3-1 which showed the highest GCA effects seemed to possess more dominant genes related to herbicide tolerance than the other rice cultivars tested.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2012

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), an inherited connective tissue disorder, is caused by mutations in genes encoding different types of collagen or collagen-processing enzymes. EDS most typically affects the joints, ligaments, skin, and blood vessels. Oral health may be severely compromised in EDS as a result of specific alterations of collagen in orofacial structures. Dental hard tissue defects, root dilaceration, pulp stones, ectopic or delayed eruption, impaction, and periodontal disease could be observed. Therefore, a number of tissue responses related to collagen and precautions should be anticipated when considering dental treatment in EDS. Long-term and comprehensive dental management is required. The purpose of this report is to describe a clinical case of eruption disorders in a patient with EDS.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2006

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 has the ability to inhale certain metals and chemical compounds and exhale these materials in an altered state; as a result, this microorganism has been widely applied in bioremediation protocols. However, the relevant characteristics of cell growth and biosynthesis of PuFAs have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Therefore, in this study, we have attempted to characterize the growth and fatty acid profiles of S. oneidensis MR-1 under a variety of temperature conditions. The fastest growth of S. oneidensis MR-1 was observed at $30^{\circ}C$, with a specific growth rate and doubling time of $0.6885h^{-1}\;and\;1.007 h$. The maximum cell mass of this microorganism was elicited at a temperature of $4^{\circ}C$. The eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) synthesis of S. oneidensis MR-1 was evaluated under these different culture temperatures. S. oneidensis MR-1 was found not to synthesize EPA at temperatures in excess of $30^{\circ}C$, but was shown to synthesize EPA at temperatures below $30^{\circ}C$. The EPA content was found to increase with decreases in temperature. We then evaluated the EPA biosynthetic pathway, using a phylogenetic tree predicted on 16s rRNA sequences, and the homology of ORFs between S. oneidensis MR-1 and Shewanella putrefaciens SCRC-2738, which is known to harbor a polyketide synthase (PKS)-like module. The phylogenetic tree revealed that MR-1 was very closely related to both Moritella sp., which is known to synthesize DHA via a PKS-like pathway, and S. putrefaciens, which has been reported to synthesize EPA via an identical pathway. The homology between the PKS-like module of S. putrefaciens SCRC-2738 and the entire genome of S. oneidensis MR-1 was also analyzed, in order to mine the genes associated with the PKS-like pathway in S. oneidensis MR-1. A putative PKS-like module for EPA biosynthesis was verified by this analysis, and was also corroborated by the experimental finding that S. oneidensis MR-1 was able to synthesize EPA without the expression of $dihomo-{\gamma}-linoleic$ acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid (AA) formed during EPA synthesis via the FAS pathway.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.576-583
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• 2009

G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) is a newly-discovered short-chain free fatty acid receptor and its functions remain to be defined. The objective of this study was to investigate the function of GPR43 on lipolysis. We successfully cloned the GPR43 gene from the pig (EU122439), and measured the level of GPR43 mRNA in different tissues and primary pig adipocytes. The expression level of GPR43 mRNA was higher in adipose tissue and increased gradually with adipocyte differentiation. Then we examined GPR43 mRNA level in different types, growth-stages and various regions of adipose tissue of pigs. The results showed that the expression level of GPR43 mRNA was significantly higher in adipose tissue of obese pigs than in lean pigs, and the expression level also gradually increased as age increased. We further found that the abundance of GPR43 mRNA level increased more in subcutaneous fat than visceral fat. Thereafter, we studied the correlation between GPR43 and lipid metabolism-related genes in adipose tissue and primary pig adipocytes. GPR43 gene had significant negative correlation with hormone-sensitive lipase gene (HSL, r = -0.881, p<0.01) and triacylglycerol hydrolase gene (TGH, r = -0.848, p<0.01) in adipose tissue, and had positive correlation with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$ gene ($PPAR_{\gamma}$, r = 0.809, p<0.01) and lipoprotein lipase gene (LPL, r = 0.847, p<0.01) in adipocytes. In addition, we fed different concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to mice, and analyzed expression level changes of GPR43, HSL and TGH in adipose. The results showed that DHA down-regulated GPR43 and up-regulated HSL and TGH mRNA levels; GPR43 also had significant negative correlation with HSL (low: r = -0.762, p<0.01; high: r = -0.838, p<0.01) and TGH (low: r = -0.736, p<0.01; high: r = -0.586, p<0.01). Our results suggested that GPR43 is a potential factor which regulates lipolysis in adipose tissue, and DHA as a receptor of GPR43 might promote lipolysis through down-regulating the expression of GPR43 mRNA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6397-6403
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• 2014

Background: Aberrant promoter hypermethylation has been recognized in human breast carcinogenesis as a frequent molecular alteration associated with the loss of expression of a number of key regulatory genes and may serve as a biomarker. The E-cadherin gene (CDH1), mapping at chromosome 16q22, is an intercellular adhesion molecule in epithelial cells, which plays an important role in establishing and maintaining intercellular connections. The aim of our study was to assess the methylation pattern of CDH1 and to correlate it with the expression of E-cadherin, clinicopathological parameters and hormone receptor status in breast cancer patients of Kashmir. Materials and Methods: Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to determine the methylation status of CDH1 in 128 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) paired with the corresponding normal tissue samples. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression of E-cadherin, ER and PR. Results: CDH1 hypermethylation was detected in 57.8% of cases and 14.8% of normal adjacent controls. Reduced levels of E-cadherin protein were observed in 71.9% of our samples. Loss of E-cadherin expression was significantly associated with the CDH1 promoter region methylation (p<0.05, OR=3.48, CI: 1.55-7.79). Hypermethylation of CDH1 was significantly associated with age at diagnosis (p=0.030), tumor size (p=0.008), tumor grade (p=0.024) and rate of node positivity or metastasis (p=0.043). Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that abnormal CDH1 methylation occurs in high frequencies in infiltrating breast cancers associated with a decrease in E-cadherin expression. We found significant differences in tumor-related CDH1 gene methylation patterns relevant to tumor grade, tumor size, nodal involvement and age at diagnosis of breast tumors, which could be extended in future to provide diagnostic and prognostic information.