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Clinicopathological Effects of Waterpepper (Persicaria hydropiper) on Ruminants (여뀌섭취가 반추수에 비치는 임상병리학적 영향)

  • Cho Myoung-Rae;Han Hong-Ryul
    • Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.227-259
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    • 1989
  • Waterpepper is a weed which grows on damp soil. especially near swamps, and in shallow water of ponds and ditches. It Is widespread throughout the country In abundant colonies. In the present experiments, possible toxic effects of waterpepper were investigated in ruminants. Pour cows were fed waterpepper ad libitum or by force in the from of green forage, hay and/or powder, 8 goats were administered in the form of methanol extract, and 4 goats, crude juice, into the lumen. Clinical signs were examined as well as urinalysis, hematology, serum chemical analysis, pH/blood gas analysis and chclinesterase activities following administration of waterpepper. Six goats which were administered the methanol extract or crude juice were sacrificed for pathological examinations., In addition to the clini copathological examinations, the chemical constituents of waterpepper were qualitively analyzed from the methanol extract and the Effects of the waterpepper crude juice were examined on the motility of rabbit duodenum and uterus. It is revealed that waterpepper contains steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannin and essential oils in the methanol extract and nitrates in the crude juice. The crude juice of waterpepper relaxed the rabbit uterine and duodenal smooth muscles. The constraction of duodenum by acetylcholine or BaCl$_2$ were partially inhibited by pretreatment of the crude juice. However, the relaxation of duodenum by the crude juice was not blocked by the pretreatments of phenoxybenzamlne, propranolol, cocaine, reserpine and tetrodotoxin. The constituents of waterpepper to evoke elaxation of duodenal smooth muscle were stable to heat. The cows administered waterpepper showed common clinical symptoms such as acrid expression, restlessness, dullness, inappetence, anorexia, severe diarrhea, mild bloat and left displacement of abomasum, while bloody feces was shown in a cow. The goats administered the mothanol extract showed common clinical signs such as acrid expression, restlessness, dullness, inappetence and soft feces, while bloody feces was shown in a goat, A goat adminstered the crude juice showde bloody feces and diarrhea. Respiratory rates and heart beats were increased along with diarrhea in the experimental cows. The erythrocyte counts and MCHC were decreased whereas PCV, MCV and neutrophils were increased in the cows administered waterpepper. In goats administered methanol extract, there were decreases in erythrocytes, PCV and hemoglobin content, and an increase in MCHC. The goats ingester with the crude juice showed negligible changes in hematologic values compared with control group which was administered the same amount of water instead of the crude juice. The contents of serum calcium, Inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, Iron, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, triglycerides and phospholipids were tended to decrease in cows. In goats serum iron, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, BUN and phospholipids content were decreased while the content of sodium and chloride were increased after administration of the methamol extract The goats ingested with the crude juice did not show significant changes in serum chemical analysis. Even though there were some pathological findings such as hyperemia in the small intestines and kidneys and swelling of liver parenchymal cells, the values of serum AST, ALT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and creatinine did not change significantly. While proteins, hemoglobin and blood were detected in the urine of cows, urine pH, ketone bodies, glucose, bilirubin and urobilinogen content were normal or undetected. There were no significant changes in pH/bolld gas analysis data of cows and cholinesterase activities of plasma and erythrocytes of cows and goats ingested with waterpepper or the methanol extract. It is concluded that waterpepper irritates the gatrointestinal system, causes abdominal pain, relaxes the gastrointestinal smooth muscle and dilatates blood vessels supplied to the system. The irritation and relaxation may lead to abnormal fermentation, maldigestion and malabsorption of nutrients and result in diarrhea, body feces, mild bloat and left displacement of abomasum.

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Ichthyotoxic Cochlodinium polykrikoides red tides offshore in the South Sea, Korea in 2014: I. Temporal variations in three-dimensional distributions of red-tide organisms and environmental factors

  • Jeong, Hae Jin;Lim, An Suk;Lee, Kitack;Lee, Moo Joon;Seong, Kyeong Ah;Kang, Nam Seon;Jang, Se Hyeon;Lee, Kyung Ha;Lee, Sung Yeon;Kim, Mi Ok;Kim, Ji Hye;Kwon, Ji Eun;Kang, Hee Chang;Kim, Jae Seong;Yih, Wonho;Shin, Kyoungsoon;Jang, Poong Kook;Ryu, Joo-Hyung;Kim, Sung Young;Park, Jae Yeon;Kim, Kwang Young
    • ALGAE
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    • v.32 no.2
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    • pp.101-130
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    • 2017
  • The ichthyotoxic Cochlodinium polykrikoides red tides have caused great economic losses in the aquaculture industry in the waters of Korea and other countries. Predicting outbreak of C. polykrikoides red tides 1-2 weeks in advance is a critical step in minimizing losses. In the South Sea of Korea, large C. polykrikoides red tide patches have often been recorded offshore and transported to nearshore waters. To explore the processes of offshore C. polykrikoides red tides, temporal variations in 3-dimensional (3-D) distributions of red tide organisms and environmental parameters were investigated by analyzing 4,432 water samples collected from 2-5 depths of 60 stations in the South Sea, Korea 16 times from May to Nov, 2014. In the study area, the vegetative cells of C. polykrikoides were found as early as May 7, but C. polykrikoides red tide patches were observed from Aug 21 until Oct 9. Cochlodinium red tides occurred in both inner and outer stations. Prior to the occurrence of large C. polykrikoides red tides, the phototrophic dinoflagellates Prorocentrum donghaiense (Jun 12 to Jul 11), Ceratium furca (Jul 11 to Aug 21), and Alexandrium fraterculus (Aug 21) formed red tides in sequence, and diatom red tides formed 2-3 times without a certain distinct pattern. The temperature for the optimal growth of these four red tide dinoflagellates is known to be similar. Thus, the sequence of the maximum growth rates of P. donghaiense > C. furca > A. fraterculus > C. polykrikoides may be partially responsible for this sequence of red tides in the inner stations following high nutrients input in the surface waters because of heavy rains. Furthermore, Cochlodinium red tides formed and persisted at the outer stations when $NO_3$ concentrations of the surface waters were < $2{\mu}M$ and thermocline depths were >20 m with the retreat of deep cold waters, and the abundance of the competing red-tide species was relatively low. The sequence of the maximum swimming speeds and thus potential reachable depths of C. polykrikoides > A. fraterculus > C. furca > P. donghaiense may be responsible for the large C. polykrikoides red tides after the small blooms of the other dinoflagellates. Thus, C. polykrikoides is likely to outgrow over the competitors at the outer stations by descending to depths >20 m and taking nutrients up from deep cold waters. Thus, to predict the process of Cochlodinium red tides in the study area, temporal variations in 3-D distributions of red tide organisms and environmental parameters showing major nutrient sources, formation and depth of thermoclines, intrusion and retreat of deep cold waters, and the abundance of competing red tide species should be well understood.

Ecosysteme de I′Etang de Berre (Mediterranee nord-occidentale) : Caracteres Generales Physiques, Chimiques et Biologiques

  • Kim, Ki-Tai
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.22 no.2
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    • pp.247-258
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    • 2004
  • Climatological, hydrological and planktonical research studies, measurements of primary production and photosynthetic efficiency from December 1976 to December 1978 have been carried out in two brackish lakes: Lake Etang de Berre and Lake Etang de Vaine located in the French Mediterranean coast, in the region of Carry-le-Rouet located on the north-west Mediterranean near Marseilles, and in fresh water inflows from 4 Rivers (Touloubre, Durance, Arc, Durancole) to Lake Etang de Berre. Physico-chemical parameters were measured for this study: water temperature, salinity, density, pH, alcalinity, dissolved oxygen (% saturation), phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, silicate etc. Diverse biological parameters were also studied: photosynthetic pigments, phaeopigments, specific composition and biomass of phytoplankton, primary pelagic production etc. Climatical factors were studied: air-temperature, solar-radiation, evaporation, direction (including strength) of winds, precipitation and freshwater volume of the four rivers. The changes in Lake ‘Etang de Berre’ ecosystem depend on the quality of the water in the Durance River, and on the effects of seawater near the entrance of the Caronte Canal. The water quality of the lake varies horizontally and vertically as a result of atmospheric phenomena, maritime currents and tides. The distribution of water temperatures is generally heterogeneous. Southeasterly winds and the Northeasterly Mistral wind are important in the origins of circulated and mixed water masses. These winds are both frequent and strong. They have, as a result, a great effect on the water environment of Lake Etang de Berre. In theory, the annual precipitation in this region is well over eight times the water mass of the lake. The water of the Durance River flows into Lake Etang de Berre through the EDF Canal, amounting to 90% of the precipitation. However, reduction of rainfall in dry seasons has a serious effect on the hydrological characteristics of the lake. The temperature in the winter is partially caused by the low temperature of fresh water, particularly that of the Durance River. The hydrological season of fresh and brackish water is about one month ahead of the hydrological season of sea water in its vicinity. The salinity of Lake Etang de Berre runs approximately 3$\textperthousand$, except at lower levels and near the entrance to the Caronte Canal. However, when the volume of the Durance River water is reduced in the summer and fall, the salinity rises to 15$\textperthousand$. In the lake, the ratio of fresh water to sea water is six to one (6:1). The large quantities of seston conveyed by rivers, particularly the Durance diversion, strongly reduce the transparency in the brackish waters. Although the amount of sunshine is also notable, transparency is slight because of the large amount of seston, carried chiefly by Tripton in the fresh water of the Durance River. Therefore, photosynthesis generally occurs only in the surface layer. The transparency progressively increases from freshwater to open seawater, as mineral particles sink to the bottom (about 1.7kg $m^{-2}a^{-1}$ on the average in brackish lakes). The concentration of dissolved oxygen and the rate of oxygen saturation in seawater (Carry-le-Rouet) ranged from 5.0 to 6.0 $m\ell$ㆍ.$1^{-1}$, and from 95 to 105%, respectively. The amount of dissolved oxygen in Etang de Berre oscillated between 2.9 and 268.3%. The monographs of phosphate, nitrate, nitrite and silicate were published as a part of a study on the ecology of phytoplankton in these environments. Horizontal and vertical distributions of these nutriments were studied in detail. The recent diversion of the Durance River into Lake Etang de Berre has effected a fundamental change in this formerly marine environment, which has had a great impact in its plankton populations. A total of 182 taxa were identified, including 111 Bacillariophyceae, 44 Chlorophyceae, and 15 Cyanophyceae. The most abundant species are small freshwater algae, mainly Chlorophyceae. The average density is about $10^{8}$ cells $1^{-1}$ in Lake Etang de Berre, and about double that amount in Lake Etang de Vaine. Differences in phytoplankton abundance and composition at the various stations or at various depths are slight. Cell biovolume V (equivalent to true biomass), plasma volume VP (‘useful’ biomass) and, simultaneously. the cell surface area S and S/V ratio through the measurement of cell dimensions were computed as the parameters of phytoplankton productivity and metabolism. Pigment concentrations are generally very high on account of phytoplankton blooms by Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Cryptophyceae. On the other hand, in freshwaters and marine waters, pigment concentrations are comparatively low and stable, showing slight annual variation. The variations of ATP concentration were closely related to those of chlorophyll a and phytoplankton blooms only in marine waters. The carbon uptake rates ranged between 38 and 1091 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with an average surface value of 256 mg; water-column carbon-uptake rates ranged between 240 and 2310 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with an average of 810, representing 290 mg$Cm^{-2}$, per year 45 000 tons per year of photosynthetized carbon for the whole lake. Gross photosynthetic production measured by the method of Ryther was studied over a 2-year period. The values obtained from marine water(Carry-le-Rouet) ranged from 23 to 2 337 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with a weighted average of 319, representing about 110 gCm$^{-2}$ per year. The values in brakish water (Etang de Berre) ranged from 14 to 1778 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with a weighted average of 682, representing 250 mg$Cm^{-2}$ per year and 38 400 tons per year of photosynthesized carbon for the whole lake.

Biological Control of the Mushroom Fly, Lycoriella mali, Using Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis를 이용한 느타리 재배에서 버섯파리의 생물학적 방제)

  • Moon, Byung-Ju;Lee, Su-Hee;Lim, Eun-Kyung;Kim, Tae-Sung;Kim, Hyun-Ju;Song, Ju-Hee;Kim, Ik-Soo
    • The Korean Journal of Mycology
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.50-55
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    • 2002
  • Biological control against mushroom fly, Lycoriella mali, was performed by using Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis Bti-D and Bti-U, isolated from dead mushroom fly in oyster mushroom houses. Control values of the bacterial strains Bti-D and Bti-U against L. mali in bottle culture of oyster mushroom were 74.4% and 64.2%, respectively, and the value in small tray culture were 75.8% and 56.8%, respectively. In the experiment to develop the mass, cheap media for Bti-D and Bti-U isolates, the Biji broth (bean curd residue, called Biji in Korean language) was selected as a culture medium for an inexpensive and mass cultivation by the measurement of optical density of the two bacteria grown in the different media tested. Insecticidal effect of the formulation contained different ingredients that were prepared by using the Bti-D strain cultured in the Biji broth was tested in tray and bottle culture of oyster mushroom. The WCS formulation that contained corn starch as bio-gel (86.4%) was more effective to control the mushroom fly than living cells (69.1%) in bottle culture of oyster mushroom. Moreover, insecticidal effect of the WCS formulation was improved when water of pH 8 was used for dilution of the formulation. Effect of the WCS formulation using water of pH 8 and chemicals, Zuron (dimillin) W.P. on the control of mushroom fly and the productivity of oyster mushroom was investigated in tray culture of oyster mushroom. The Zuron W.P. was more effective to control the mushroom fly than the WCS formulation. However, compared with no treatment, the productivity of the mushroom treated with the WCS formulation was improved than that of the mushroom with Zuron W.P.

Tegumental Ultrastructures of Spirometra erinacei by Developmental stages (만손열두조충의 발육단계별 표피 미세구조)

  • Sohn, Woon-Mok;Lee, Jin-Ha
    • Applied Microscopy
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.41-56
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    • 2005
  • Present study was performed to observe the tegumental ultrastructures by the developmental stages which derived from the experimental life cycle of Spirometra erinacei in laboratory conditions. In SEM view, coracidium was spherical in shape with numerous cilia, and its surface was covered with long cilia, tuberclelike projections with millet-like processes, and small holes. The body surface of procercoid was covered with numerous pointed microtriches except that of frontal pit with stout spine-like ones. However that of cercomer was covered with somewhat sparse blunt-tiped microtriches. Plerocercoids of 3 days old resembled the mature procercoid in shape, and their frontal pits were covered with numerous stout spine-like microtriches. However frontal pit and body surface in more than 5 days old ones were covered with conoid microtriches. On the surface of adult scolex, hairly long filamentous and stout short microtriches were mixedly distributed. Filamentous microtriches were more densely distributed in the anterior portion than in the posterior of scolex. The neck and immature proglottid were covered with only stout short conoid microtriches. In TEM view of coracidia, embryophore and oncosphere were obviously distinguished. The embryophore contained numerous glycogen particles, mitochondria and lipid granules. The cilia on the surface of embryophore rooted in the coracidial sheath, and consisted of 9 pairs of microtubules and 2 core complex. The oncosphere was covered with a thin and unarmed tegument, and was multi-nucleated. The protoplasmic layer of procercoid and plerocercoid consisted of disc-shaped bodies, vacuoles and mitochondria. Their tegumental cells commonly retained a nucleus, granular endoplasmic reticulums and secretory granules. The protoplasmic layer of plerocercoid was more compacted than that of procercoid. From the above results, it was confirmed that the tegumental ultrastructures are something different according to the developmental stages of S. erinacei.

Effect of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}-antagonists$ on the Spontaneous Contractions and Electrical Activities of Guinea-pig Stomach (기니피그 위 평활근의 자발적 수축과 전기적 활동에 대한 $Ca^{2+}$$Ca^{2+}$-길항제 영향)

  • Rhie, Sang-Ho;Kim, Ki-Whan
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.241-257
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    • 1987
  • The effects of external $Ca^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}-antagonists$ on the spontaneous contractions and electrical activities were investigated in guinea-pig stomach in order to clarify the mechanism for the generation of slow waves. Electrical responses of circular smooth muscle cells were recorded using glass capillary microelectrodes filled with 3 M KCl. All experiments were performed in tris-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with 100% $O_2$ and kept at $35^{\circ}C$. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The amplitude of spontaneous contractions was maximal at around 2-4 mM $Ca^{2+}$, whereas their frequency was inversely related with external $Ca^{2+}$ within the range of 0.5 to 16 mM $Ca^{2+}$. 2) Verapamil suppressed the amplitude of spontaneous contraction in a dose-dependent manner, while the frequency of spontaneous contractions was almost not changed over the whole concentration of verapamil $(0.01{\sim}5\;mg/l)$. 3) Manganese increased both the amplitude and the frequency of spontaneous contractions dose-dependently in low $Mn^{2+}$ (below 0.05 mM $Mn^{2+}$), while their amplitude and frequency were decreased in high $Mn^{2+}$ (above 0.1 mM $Mn^{2+}$). 4) The ampltude and maximum rate of rise of slow waves were incrased in high $Ca^{2+}$ solution. In $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution, the spontaneous contractions recorded simultaneously with slow waves ceased and tonic contraction ($Ca^{2+}-free$ contracture) was developed in parallel with membrane depolarization and the disappearance of slow waves. 5) Verapamil (1 mg/1) decreased the amplitude and maximum rate of rise of slow waves and it depolarized the membrane by about 6 mV, whereas the frequency of slow waves was not affected by verapamil. 6) Manganese showed different characteristic effects between low and high $Mn^{2+}$ on the slow waves: In low $Mn^{2+}$ (0.05 mM $Mn^{2+}$), the initial rapid increases and the subsequent gradual decreases in three parameters of slow waves (amplitude, rate of rise, and frequency of slow waves) till a new steady state were observed. However, in high $Mn^{2+}$ (0.5 mM $Mn^{2+}$) slow waves disappeared and membrane was depolarized. From the above results, the following conclusions could be made: 1) $Ca^{2+}$ is necessary for a generation of the slow waves, even though it is small amount. 2) Verapamil suppresses the spontaneous contractions of gastric antral strip by the decreases in amplitude and maximum rate of rise of slow waves, while this drug does not block the $Ca^{2+}-channel$ involved in the generation of slow waves. 3) Manganese has dual actions on the $Ca^{2+}-channels$; the $Ca^{2+}-channel$ involved in the generation of slow waves (or Na-Ca exchange system) or the channel for the generation of spike potentials are stimulated by a low concentration of $Mn^{2+}$, while both the $Ca^{2+}$. Channels are blocked by high concentration of $Mn^{2+}$.

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Effect of Small Dose of Radiation on Induction of Apoptosis in Murine Tumors (마우스 종양에서 저선량 방사선이 Apoptosis의 유도에 미치는 영향)

  • Seong, Jin-Sil;Pyo, Hong-Ryull;Chung, Eun-Ji;Kim, Sung-Hee;Suh, Chang-Ok
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.307-313
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    • 1999
  • Purpose : To investigate the Presence of adaptive response by low dose radiation in murine tumors in relation to radiation induced apoptosis as well as related mechanism. Materials and Methods : Syngeneic murine tumors, OCa-I and HCa-l, were given 0.05 Gy pretreatment followed by therapeutic dose of 25 Gy radiation. Induction of apoptosis was analyzed for each treatment group. Regulating molecules of apoptosis, p53, Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-X, were also analyzed by Western blotting. Results : In 0.05 Gy pretreatment group of OCa-I, 25 Gy-induced apoptosis per 1000 cells was 229, which was estimated at $30\%$ lower level than the expected (p<0.05). In contrast, this reduction in radiation induced apoptosis was not seen in HCa-l. In the expression of apoptosis regulating molecules, p53 increased in both tumors in response to radiation. Bcl-2 and Bax did not show significant change in both tumors however, the expression of Bcl-2 surpassed that of Bax in 0.05 Gy pretreatment group of OCa-l. Bcl-X was not expressed in OCa-l. In HCa-l, Bcl-X showed increased expression even with 0.05 Gy. Conclusion : Adaptive response by low dose radiation Is shown in one murine tumor, OCa-l, in relation to radiation induced apoptosis. Apoptosis regulating molecules including Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-X, appear to related. This study shows an evidence that adaptive response is present, but not a generalized phenomenon in vivo.

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ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENTIAL GENE EXPRESSION IN NORMAL, CYST AND AMELOBLASTOMA CELLS (정상, 낭종 및 법랑아세포종 세포에서의 유전자 발현 차이 분석)

  • Yang, Cheol-Hee;Baik, Byeong-Ju;Yang, Yeon-Mi;Kim, Jae-Gon
    • Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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    • v.32 no.1
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    • pp.75-88
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    • 2005
  • Ameloblastoma is the most commonly occurring odontogenic tumor in oral cavity. Although most are benign epithelial neoplasm, they are generally considered to be locally aggressive and destructive, exhibiting a high rate of recurrence. The biological behavior of this neoplasm is a slowly growing, locally invasive tumor without metastasis, therefore malignant neoplasm, changed its histological appearance to carcinoma or showed distant metastasis, is only defined clinically. In this study, we identified the differentially expressed genes(DEGs) in stages under benign or malignant ameloblastoma compared with normal patient using ordered differential display(ODD) reverse transcription(RT)-PCR and $GeneFishing^{TM}$ technology. ODD RT-PCR is rather effective when the investigation of samples containing very small amounts of total RNA must be accomplished. ODD RT-PCR used the means of amplification with anchored T-primer and adaptor specific primer. bearing definite two bases at their 3' ends and so this method could display differential 3'-expressed sequence taqs(ESTs) patterns without using full-length cDNAs. Compared with standard differential display, ODD RT-PCR is more simple and have enough sensitivity to search for molecular markers by comparing gene expression profiles, However, this method required much effort and skill to perform. $GeneFishing^{TM}$ modified from DD-PCR is an improved method for detecting differentially expressed genes in two or more related samples. This two step RT-PCR method uses a constant reverse primer(anchor ACP-T) to prime the RT reaction and arbitrary primer pairs(annealing control primers, ACPs) during PCR. Because of high annealing specificity of ACPs than ODD RT-PCR, the application of $GeneFishing^{TM}$ to DEG discovery generates reproducible, authentic, and long(100bp to 2kb) PCR products that are detectable on agarose gels. Consequently, various DEGs observed differential expression levels on agarose gels were isolated from normal, benign, and malignant tissues using these methods. The expression patterns of the some isolated DEGs through ODD RT-PCR and $GeneFishing^{TM}$ were confirmed by Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR. The results showed that these identified DEGs were implicated in ameloblastoma neoplasm processes. Therefore, the identified DEGs will be further studied in order to be applied in candidate selection for marker as an early diagnosis during ameloblastoma neoplasm processes.

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Growth Characteristics of Cucumber Scion and Pumpkin Rootstock under Different Levels of Light Intensity and Plug Cell Size under an Artificial Lighting Condition (인공광형 폐쇄형 육묘시스템 내 광량 및 플러그 트레이 규격에 따른 오이 접수 및 호박대목의 생육특성)

  • Jang, Yoonah;Lee, Hye Jin;Choi, Chang Sun;Um, Yeongcheol;Lee, Sang Gyu
    • Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.383-390
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    • 2014
  • This study was conducted to investigate the growth characteristics of cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock under different levels of light intensity (photosynthetic photon flux, PPF) and plug cell size in a closed transplant production system with artificial lighting. Cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock seedlings were grown under the combinations of three levels of PPF (PPF 165, 248, and $313{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$) and five types of plug tray (50, 72, 105, 128, and 200 cells in the tray) for nine days. The shoot dry weight and relative growth rate increased with increasing PPF and plug cell size. As PPF increased, cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock seedlings had higher dry matter, lower specific leaf area, and lower hypocotyl length. The first true leaf of cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock unfolded at eight and seven days after sowing, respectively, except the treatment using 200-cell plug tray. The unfolding of first true leaf of seedlings grown in 200-cell plug tray was delayed by one day. Accordingly, it was considered that the use of small cell size such as 200-cell plug tray would require more time for the production of scion and rootstock. Based on the results, we suggest that cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock be grown in 105-cell to 128-cell plug tray for eight days and 72-cell to 105-cell plug tray for seven days, respectively, when using splice grafting method with root-removed rootstock. Additionally, higher PPF is suggested to improve the growth and quality of scion and rootstock.

Effect of Di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP) on the Onset of Puberty in Female Rat (암컷 흰쥐의 사춘기 개시에 미치는 di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP)의 효과)

  • Lee, Kyeung-Yeup;Lee, Sung-Ho
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.147-154
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    • 2006
  • Phthalates such as di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP) are industrial chemicals with wide-ranging human exposures because of their use in plastics and other common consumer products. Consequently, their adverse effects as endocrine disruptor in the reproductive physiology of both laboratory rodents and human have been studied extensively. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to DEHP affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. DEHP(100mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 25(PND 25) through the day when the first vaginal opening(VO) was observed, and the animals were sacrificed on the next day. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the DEHP's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. Specific radioimmunoassay was carried out to measure serum LH levels. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptor(PR), total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a result, delayed VO was shown in the DEHP group(PND $37.3{\pm}0.7$) compared to the control group(PND $35.3{\pm}0.7$; p<0.05). DEHP treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.05). Interestingly, elevation of serum LH levels was shown in the DEHP group(p<0.05). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals. Numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from DEHP-treated animals. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the DEHP-treated group. These effects were probably due to the inhibitory effects of DEHP on the synthesis and secretion of estrogen from granulosa cells. In the semiquantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activities of PR in both ovary(p<0.05) and uterus(p<0.01) from DEHP-treated animals were significantly lower than those from the control animals. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to DEHP during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.

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