• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2013

Purpose : Renal blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI has been used in the evaluation of renal oxygenation. We tried to provide the normal $R2^*$ value of the human kidney with 3.0 T, and evaluated the differences in $R2^*$ values according to gender and location. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four healthy volunteers underwent BOLD MRI at 3.0 T. Multi gradient echo-echo planar imaging sequence with seventeen echoes was used. After generation of the $T2^*$ map, the $R2^*$ was calculated. The statistical differences in $R2^*$ values between the cortex and medulla, males and females, and the right and left kidney were analyzed. The regional differences of $R2^*$ within the both kidneys were evaluated respectively. Results: BOLD MRI was successful in all participants. No gross artifact interfered with $R2^*$ measurement. The mean $R2^*$ at 3.0 T was $17.1{\pm}2.60s^{-1}$ in the cortex and $27.7{\pm}4.83s^{-1}$ in the medulla (p < 0.001). The $R2^*$ value in the medulla was significantly higher in the male than female volunteers (p = 0.025). There were no statistical differences of $R2^*$ according to the side and location in the kidney (p = 0.197). Conclusion: Renal BOLD MRI can be efficiently performed with 3.0 T MRI. Renal medullary hypoxia is present in normal volunteers. Our results may be used as reference values in the evaluation of pathologic conditions using BOLD MRI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2000

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of cerebral blood flow measurement applied to perfusion weighted image with short-scan time single shot gradient echo-planar technique in measuring cerebral blood volume(rCBV) of normal rabbits. Materials and methods : With 2.1-3.6 kg weighted rabbits, image is acquired when they are in supine position in children positioner. Perfusion weighted image is acquired to 44 seconds per 1 second successively. After 4 seconds later, Gd-DTPA 2ml are injected into int. jugular vein with 2 ml per second and normal saline is also injected after that. Same technique is applied 2 times per 30 minites in same rabbit. After Image is obtained in two part of cerebral cortex at vertex, convexity, in one of basal ganglia with choosing about $3-5{\textrm{mm}^2}$ areas. Curve of signal intensity changes in time sequence is drawn. After this images are transmitted by PC and software IDL, regional cerebral blood volume is measured with imaging processing program made by us. Results : With 22 of 24 rabbits, satisfactory 1-2 signal intensity versus time curve is made. Cerebral blood capacity and contrast media stay time (ST) is measured in two cerebral cortex and basal ganglia refering in parietal cerebral cortex. Mean focal cerebral blood flow capacity ratio in cortex was $0.97{\pm}0.35$ and in basal ganglia, $0.99{\pm}0.37$, mean contrast media stay time in cortex was $9.83{\pm}1.63$ sec and in basal gaiglia, $9.42{\pm}1.14$ sec, but there was no statistically significant difference between two areas ($\rho$=0.05). Conclusion : In cerebral cortex and basal ganglia, there is no difference in mean focal blood volume and mean contrast stay time. Therefore, PWI is useful in cerebral blood flow and early diagnosis, prognosis of cerebral ischemic disease. Hereafter, it is helpful in analysing cerebral blood flow changes with comparison difference in rCBV between normal tissue and ischemic tissue, and that with DWI finding in infarcted patient.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.197-203
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• 2005

Purpose : Changes in metalloproteinases(MMP) activity have been demonstrated in several disease states, including rheumatoid arthritis and tumor metastasis. More importantly, increased myocardial MMP activity has been reported to occur in both clinical and experimental forms of dilated cardiomyopathy. There was no report about MMP in adriamycin(ADR)-induced cardiomyopathy. The purpose of this study was to investigate gene expression of MMP and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMP) in ADR-induced cardiomyopathy and clarify the relationship between MMP and cytokines. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups. The first group was control. The second group was given intraperitoneal injections of ADR(5 mg/kg) twice a week over two weeks. Serum concentrations of MMP, TIMP, interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ were measured. RNA extraction was performed from frozen rat hearts. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was employed. cDNA Microarray analysis was performed by using a set of 5,184 sequence-verified rat cDNA clones. Results : Serum MMP and TIMP levels were not significantly different between the two groups. IL-6 was $36.8{\pm}2.8pg/mL$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ $2.2{\pm}2.7pg/mL$ in the ADR group. They were significantly higher than in the control group. Serum MMP correlated significantly with TNF-${\alpha}$(r=0.41, P<0.05). There was no gene expression of MMP, IL-6 or TNF-${\alpha}$ in the hearts of both groups. Gene expression of TIMP was significantly depressed in the hearts of the ADR group. Conclusion : These results suggested a potential role for TNF-${\alpha}$ in the regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling in ADR induced cardiomyopathy. Rapid screening of multiple decreased gene expression by DNA chip may be a useful diagnostic test to detect early cardiac injury before developing ADR induced cardiomyopathy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.691-700
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to estimate food intakes of the long-lived elderly and to obtain the data for establishing dietary guidelines that may be recommended for the general population for the sake of longvity. The subjects of the study were 224 elderly people of age over 85 years living in Kyungpook Sung-Ju area who have no problem in daily living. The food consumption survey was carried out seasonally by the repeated 24-hr recall method for one year. The subject group for this study was composed of 58 males and 166 females, the average age being 87 years old. Food intakes of the winter were more than any other seasons. The mean daily total food intake per capita was 594.4g, 513.5 g (86.4%) from plant foods and 79.3 g(13.3%) from animal foods. The sequence of high intakes of food groups were cereals, vegetables, fruits, fishes, legumes and meats. Boiled white rice, beef soup, soybean paste soup, soybean paste stew, broiled yellow croaker, kimchi, ra myon and broiled noodles were consumed most frequently. In conclusion, the subjects consumed much more plants foods than animal foods and consumed more natural and seasonal foods than processed foods and also showed food habits of eating small meals. Dietary habits of eating small meals containing abundant amount of fresh plant foods might partially contribute to the longevity of the subjects.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-73
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• 1979

The zinc-lead deposits at the Yeonhwa I mine were investigated in terms of ore-forming geologic setting, structural style of ore control, geometry of individual orebodies, zoning, paragenesis and chemical composition of skarn minerals, as well as metal grades and ratios of selected orebodies. The Yeonhwa I mine is characterized by a large swarm of chimney type massive orebodies with thin skarn envelopes, boldly developed through a thick sequence of Pungchon Limestone, the overlying Hwajeol Formation, and the underlying Myobong Slate of Cambrian age. Nearly 20 orebodies of similar shape, but of varying size are arranged in a V-shaped pattern with northwest and northeast trends, clearly indicating an outstanding ore control by a conjugate system of fractures with these trends. Important orebodies are the Wolam 1, 2, 3, and 5 orebodies in the west, and the Namsan 1, 2, 3. and 5 orebodies in the east, among others. The Wolam 1 orebody, which was observed from the -360 level through the -240, -120, and 0 levels to the surface outcrops (totaling a vertical height of about 500m), shows a vertical variation in skarn mineralogy, ranging from pyroxene-garnet zone on the lower levels. through pyroxene (without garnet) zone on the intermediate levels, and finally to rhodochrosite vein on the upper levels and surface. Microprobe analyses of pyroxene and garnet on a total of 14 mineral grains revealed that pyroxenes are manganoan salitic in most samples, with downward increase of Fe and Mn, whereas garnets are highly andraditic, containing fractions of subordinate grossular with downward decrease of Fe. This indicates a reverse relationship of Fe-contents between pyroxene and garnet with depth. Ore minerals are major sphalerite, subordinate galena, and minor chalcopyrite. Sulfide gangue minerals include major pyrrhotite, and minor pyrite and marcasite of later age. Two types of variational trends in metal grades and ratios with depth are present on the plots of assay data from the Wolam orebodies: one is a steady upward increase in Pb, Zn, and Pb:Zn ratios, with a terminal decline at the top of orebody: the other is an irregular or sinusoidal change. The former is characteristic of chimney-type orebodies, whereas the latter is of vein· shaped orebodies. The Pb grades show large variations among orebodies and from level to level, whereas the Zn grades are relatively constand or less variable.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2008

Tissue-specific and temporal regulation of milk protein gene expression is advantageous when creating transgenic animal that produces foreign protein into milk. Gene expression, i.e. protein production, is regulated not only by promoter strength but also mRNA stability. Especially, poly A tail length by polyadenylation affects in vivo and in vitro mRNA stability and translation efficiency of the target gene. In the present study, nucleotide sequence of 3'-UTR was analyzed to evaluate the effects of mRNA stability on the target gene expression. Based on the poly A signal of 3' -untranslated region (UTR), nucleotide sequences of putative cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) and downstream elements (DSEs: U-rich, G-rich, GU-rich) were analyzed and used to construct 15 luciferase reporter vectors. Each vector was transfected to HC11 and porcine mammary gland cell (PMGC) and measured for dual luciferase expression levels after 48 hours of incubation. Luciferase expression was significantly higher in construct #6 (with CPE 2, 3 and DSE 1 of exon 9) and #11 (with CPE 2, 3 and DSE 1, 2 and 3 of exon 9) than construct #1 in the PMGC. These results suggest that expression of target genes in PMGC may be effectively expressed by using the construct #6 and #11 on production of transgenic pig.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.367-374
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• 2010

Telomeres at the end of chromosomes consist of tandem repeats of (TTAGGG)n DNA sequence and associated proteins. Telomeres have the essential functions in chromosome stability and genome integrity and are hence related to cell senescence and cancer. This study was carried out to quantify the amount of telomeric DNA and establish age prediction equations by using the quantity of telomeric DNA for cattle. Analysis of the telomere quantity of the lymphocytes was performed at different age, across breeds and between different sexes of cattle. We quantified the amount of telomeric DNA by the Q-FISH technique using the telomeric DNA probe in 460 cattle at age of 1~166 months in Korean Cattle and Holstein breeds. In results, we found that the amount of telomeric DNA decreased gradually with age. The amount of telomeric DNA of Korean Cattle was significantly higher than that of Holstein breed (P<0.01). In addition, the amount of telomeric DNA in male was significantly higher than that in female (P<0.01). Using the relationship between age and the amount of telomeric DNA in cattle, age predicting equations were established as a result of regression analysis. Because sex and breeds influenced telomeric DNA quantity, the age prediction equations were estimated separately in Korean Cattle females and Holstein females. The regression equations were $\hat{Y}$=$38.102X^2$-220.103X + 318.309 (P<0.0001, $R^2$=0.8019) in Korean Cattle females and $\hat{Y}$ = $42.799X^2$ - 199.682X + 242.106 (P<0.0001, $R^2$ = 0.8379) in Holstein females, where the X was quantity of telomeric DNA and Y was predicted age in months. These equations predicted the age of cattle with high significance and accuracy and have high R square values. Thus, it could be possible to scientifically predict the age using the above equations for Korean Cattle and Holstein females.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.313-323
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• 2009

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been demonstrated to be a practical method for the diagnosis of various brain diseases such as acute infarction, brain tumor, and white matter disease. In this study, we used two techniques to examine the average signal intensity (SI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the brains of patients who ranged in age from 10 to 60 years. Our results indicated that the average SI was the highest in amygdala (as derived from DWI), whereas that in the cerebrospinal fluid was the lowest. The average ADC was the highest in the cerebrospinal fluid, whereas the lowest measurement was derived from the pons. The average SI and ADC were higher in $T_2^*$-DW-EPI than in FLAIR-DW-EPI. The higher the b-value, the smaller the average difference in both imaging techniques; the lower the b-value, the greater the average difference. Also, comparative analysis of the brains of patients who had experienced cerebral infarction showed no distinct lesion in the general MR image over time. However, there was a high SI in apparent weighted images. Analysis of other brain diseases (e.g., bleeding, acute, subacute, chronic infarction) indicated SI variance in accordance with characteristics of the two techniques. The higher the SI, the lower the ADC. Taken together, the value of SI and ADC in accordance with frequently occurring areas and various brain disease varies based on the b-value and imaging technique. Because they provide additional useful information in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with various brain diseases through signal recognition, the proper imaging technique and b-value are important for the detection and interpretation of subacute stroke and other brain diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1625-1630
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• 2008

A microorganism capable of producing high level of poly-3-hydoxybutyrate (PHB) from xylose was isolated from soil. The isolated strain J-65 was identified as Bacillus megaterium based on the morphological, biochemical and molecular biological characteristics. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth of B. megaterium J-65 were $37^{\circ}C$ and 8.0, respectively. The optimum medium composition for the cell growth was 2% xylose, 0.25% $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, 0.3% $Na_2HPO_4{\cdot}12H_2O$, and 0.1% $KH_2PO_4$. The optimum condition for PHB accumulation was same to the optimum condition for cell growth. Copolymer of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyric and ${\beta}$-hydroxyvaleric acid was produced when propionic acid was added to shake flasks containing 20 g/l of xylose. Fermenter culture was carried out to produce the high concentration of PHB. In batch culture, cell mass was 9.82 g/l and PHB content was 35% of dry cell weight. PHB produced by B. megaterium J-65 was identified as homopolymer of 3-hydoxybutyric acid by GC and NMR.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2001

Two attenuated Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates, Paf-CMV and Rs2-CMV that had been selected from CMV isolates associated with satellite RNA (satRNA) were tested for cross-protection effect in pepper plants. The viruses selected as attenuated strains appeared to be identical serologically and physically to the challenge virus (Mf-CMV), but they were lower in the dilution end-point of infectivity of crude sap than Mf-CMV When symptoms were observed in several indicator plants after inoculation, Paf-CMV and Rs2-CMV were symptomless or showed mild mosaic symptoms while another satRNA isolate Ap-CMV developed severe mosaic symptoms on the leaves as Mf-CMV. The nucleotide sequences of the satRNAs were determined by sequencing full-length cDNA clones. Paf-, Rs2- and Ap-satRNAs were 386, 335, and 347 nucleotides long, respectively, The sequences were then compared with the other known Y-satRNA, revealing that nucleotide sequences of the satRNAs consisted of 5'- and 3'-terminal conserved regions. However variations occurred on the middle regions of the sequences, especially those related to symptom interference, showing significant differences between Paf-satRNA and other isolates. Infectious transcripts of Paf-satRNA and Rs2-satRNA induced mild mosaic symptoms in pepper plants when supported by genomic RNAs of Mf-CMV. Under greenhouse conditions, Paf-CMV and Rs2-CMV were tested for cross-protection effect in pepper and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv, Xanthi nc) plants against Mf-CMV. No symptoms were developed on the plants vaccinated with Paf-CMV until 3 weeks after inoculation with the virulent strain; however another attenuated isolate, Rs2-CMV, showed less effectiveness in cross-protection. Depending on the concentration of the challenged virus, symptoms sometimes appeared later in the upper leaves. However, in plants challenged with low concentrations (below 0.2 mg/ml) of the challenge inoculum, symptoms caused by the virulent strain did not develop on the plants vaccinated with Paf-CMV. In the field experiments, the number of pepper plants with severe mosaic symptoms in the control plots was progressively increased after transplanting and reached approximately 50% after 50 days. On the other hand, the incidence of mosaic disease appeared very low on the plants that had received the protective inoculation with Paf-CMV.