Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) is a heavily glycosylated glycoprotein composed of non-covalently linked α- and β-subunits. To study the function and signal transduction of tethered recombinant-eCG (rec-eCG), a single chain eCG molecule was constructed, and the rec-eCG protein was prepared. In this study, we constructed 5 mutants (Δ1, Δ2, Δ3, Δ4, and Δ5) of rec-eCG using data about known glycoprotein hormones to analyze the role of specific follicle stimulating homone (FSH)-like activity. Three amino acids of certain specific sites were replaced with alanine. The expression vectors were transfected into CHO cells and subjected to G418 selection for 2～3 weeks. The media were collected and the quantity of secreted tethered rec-eCGs was quantified by ELISA. The LH- and FSH-like activities were assayed in terms of cAMP production by rat LH/CG and rat FSH receptors. Then, the metabolic clearance rate analyzed by the injection of rec-eCG (5 IU) into the tail vein was analyzed. The mutant eCGs (Δ1, Δ4, and Δ5) were transcripted, but not translated into proteins. Rec-eCG Δ2 was secreted in much lower amounts than the wild type. Only the rec-eCG Δ3 (β-subunit: Gln94-Ile95-Lys96→Ala94-Ala95-Ala96) was efficiently secreted. Although activity is low, its LH-like activity was similar to that of tethered eCGβα. However, the FSH-like activity of rec-eCGβαΔ3 was completely flat. The result of the analysis of the metabolic clearance rate shoed the persistence of the mutant in the blood until 4 hours after the injection. After then, it almost disappeared at 8 hours. Taken together, these data suggest that 94～96 amino acid sequences in eCG β-subunit appear to be of utmost importance for signal transduction of the FSH receptor.

Na+ ion conductivity can be improved by the substitution of an Mg atom for an Al atom to form a nonstoichiometric Na+ β-alumina. We performed a first principles study to investigate the most stable substitution site of an Mg atom and the resulting structural change of the nonstoichiometric Na+ β-alumina. Al atoms were classified as four different layers in the spinel block that are separated by conduction planes in the nonstoichiometric Na+ β-alumina. The substitution of an Mg atom for an Al atom at a tetragonal site was more favorable than that at an octahedral site. The substitution in the spinel block was more favorable than that close to the conduction plane. This result was well explained by the volume changes of the polyhedrons, by the standard deviation of the Mg-O distance, and by the comparison with bulk MgO structure. Our result indicates that the most preferable site for the Mg atom was the tetrahedral site at the spinel block in the nonstoichiometric Na+ β-alumina.

The unique features of spark plasma sintering process are the possibilities of a very fast heating rate and a short holding time to obtain fully dense materials. -SiC powder with 0, 2, 6, 10 wt% of -SiC particles (seeds) and 4 wt% of Al-B-C (sintering aids) were spark plasma sintered at for 10 min. The heating rate, applied pressure and sintering atmosphere were kept at , 40 MPa and a flowing Ar gas (500 CC/min). Microstructural development of SiC as function of seed content and temperature during spark plasma sintering was investigated quantitatively and statistically using image analysis. Quantitative image analyses on the sintered SiC ceramics were conducted on the grain size, aspect ratio and grain size distribution of SiC. The microstructure of SiC sintered up to consisted of equiaxed grains. In contrast, the growth of large elongated SiC grains in small matrix grains was shown in sintered bodies at and the plate-like grains interlocking microstructure had been developed by increasing sintering temperature. The introduction of -SiC seeds into -SiC accelerated the grain growth of elongated grains during sintering, resulting in the plate-like grains interlocking microstructure. In the -SiC seeds added in -SiC, the rate of grain growth decreased with -SiC seed content, however, bulk density and aspect ratio of grains in sintered body increased.

Whole-body y-irradiation(WBI), which produces an oxidative stress, is reported to attenuate the acute antinociceptive action of morphine (aμ-opioid receptor agonist), but not DPLPE (að-opioid receptor agonist), in mice. Recently, we also reported that antinociceptive effect of morphine, but not β-endorphin (a novel ε-opioid receptor agonist), was attenuated by oxidative stress. These findings prompted us to investigate the effect of WBI on the antinociception of morphine and β-endorphin in mice. Mice were exposed to WBI (5 Gy) from a 60Co gamma-source and tested 2 hours later for antinociception produced by intracerebroventricular administration of morphine or β-endorphin using the hot water tail-immersion and the writhing tests. WBI significantly attenuated the antinociception produced by morphine only in the hot water tail-immersion test, whereas the antinociception of -endorphin was significantly potentiated by WBI in both tests. These results demonstrate a differential sensitivity of μ- and ε-opioid receptors to WBI, and support the hypothesis that morphine and β-endorphin administered supraspinally produce antinociception by different neuronal mechanisms.

본 연구는 김치건조분말을 제조하는 과정에서 김치의 발효과정과 건조 전후에서 나타나는 향기성분의 변화를 조사하고, β-cyclodextrin의 첨가로 인한 향기성분 포집효과를 검증하고자 GC-MS를 이용하여 분석실험을 실시하였다. 김치를 제조하여 20oC에서 발효시켰을 때, 초기 2일째는 dimethyl sulfide와 carbon disulfide가 생성되었고, 7일이 경과하였을 때, dimethyl disulfide, methyl 2-propenyl disulfide, allyl methyl sulfide, and di-2-propenyl disulfide의 황화합물이 주된 향기성분으로 검출되었다. 본 김치시료를 감압건조 하였을 때, 11개 화합물이 검출되지 않았고 dimethyl sulfide, acetaldehyde and methanethiol를 주로 포함하는 13개 화합물이 잔류하였다. 건조공정 중에서 김치 향기성분의 손실을 최소화하고자 0.25-1.0% 농도의 β-cyclodextrin을 건조보조제로 첨가하였을 때, 향기성분의 포집효과에 의해 건조 김치분말에 잔류하는 향기성분의 함량이 평균 3% 증가하였다. 본 연구결과로 볼 때 cyclodextrin은 건조 김치분말 제조공정뿐만 아니라 건조식품제조에서 건조보조제로 효과적으로 사용할 수 있을 것으로 보인다.

The present study was carried out to establish an animal model, displaying long-term learning and memory dysfunction, since single intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) causes a short-term memory impairment. Male ICR mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) containing 3% cholesterol, 1% corn oil and 0.5% cholic acid, and 1 week later, icv injected with Aβ_1-42 (5 μg/head). Learning/ memory function was assessed via passive avoidance performances 1 day and 2, 4, and 6 weeks after Aβ_1-42 injection, in addition to blood biochemical analyses for lipid profiles and hepatic function. Total cholesterol, lowdensity lipoproteins and hepatic dysfunction parameters markedly increased, while high-density lipoproteins were reduced following HCD feeding. Whereas single injection of Aβ induced temporary memory loss 1 day after administration, exhibiting full recovery after 2 weeks, Aβ treatment in combination with HCD feeding lasted the learning/memory impairment up to 6 weeks. Therefore, it is suggested that hypercholesterolemia augments Aβ-induced memory loss, and that Aβ injection plus HCD feeding could be a long-term memorydeficit model suitable for long-term treatment with drugs or stem cells.

Periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue is a connective tissue that is interposed between the roots of the teeth and the inner wall of the alveolar bone socket. PDL is always exposed to physiologic mechanical force such as masticatory force and PDL cells play important roles during orthodontic tooth movement by synthesizing and secreting different mediators involved in bone remodeling. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was recently shown to play a significant role in the control of bone formation. In the present study, we applied cyclic tensile stress of 20% elongation to cultured human PDL cells and assessed its impact after six days upon components of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. RTPCR analysis showed that Wnt1a, Wnt3a, Wnt10b and the Wnt receptor LRP5 were down-regulated, whereas the Wnt inhibitor DKK1 was up-regulated in response to these stress conditions. In contrast, little change was detected in the mRNA expression of Wnt5a, Wnt7b, Fz1, and LRP6. By western blotting we found decreased expression of the β-catenin and p-GSK-3β proteins. Our results thus show that mechanical stress suppresses the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in PDL cells.

thus, resembles scar tissue. TGF-β1, MMP and TIMP play an essential role in remodeling extracellular matrix during scar formation. This study investigates the pathogenesis of IF with respect to the coordinated expression of factors involved in wound healing. Proliferative activity and expression of TGF-β1, MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were observed using immunohistochemistry in 88 cases of IF and 9 cases of normal oral mucosa(NOM). Proliferative activity and expression of TGF-β1 and TIMP-1 were increased in IF compared to NOM. MMP-1 expression was not significantly increased in IF. We propose that IF is caused by increased expression of TGF-β1 and an imbalance in expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1.

본 연구에서는 미강과 배아로부터의 β-glucan 추출 공정 최적화를 위해 반응표면 분석법으로 모니터링하였다. 중심합성계획법에 따라 추출 온도(X1), 추출 시간(X2), 추출 온도(X3)를 요인변수(Xn)로 하고 미강 추출물의 전자공여능(Y1), 배아 추출물의 전자공여능(Y2), 미강 추출물의 total phenolics(Y3), 배아 추출물의 total phenolics(Y4), 미강 추출물의 β-glucan 함량(Y5), 배아 추출물의 β-glucan 함량(Y6)을 종속변수로 하여 시행하였다. 실험 결과 미강 추출물의 전자공여능도는 추출 온도에 영향을 받음을 알 수 있었다. 안장점에서 추출 조건은 추출 온도는 60.41oC, 추출 시간은 2.75 min, 에탄올 농도 92.60%로 예측되었으며 이 때 84.02%로 비교적 높은 항산화 활성을 보여주었다. 배아 추출물의 전자공여능도의 안장점에서 추출 조건은 추출 온도 54.40oC, 추출 시간 2.23 min, 에탄올 농도 87.52%였다. 미강 추출물의 total phenolics는 추출 온도와 에탄올 농도에 영향을 크게 받은 것으로 나타났고 안장점에서 추출 조건은 추출 온도 40.26oC, 추출 시간 6.69 min, 에탄올 농도 98.56%로 예측되었고 배아 추출물의 total phenolics는 최소점에서 추출 온도 53.67oC, 추출 시간 9.19 min, 에탄올 농도 95.73%에서 최대값을 나타내었다. 미강 추출물의 β-glucan 함량은 안장점일 때 추출 조건이 추출 온도 64.69oC, 추출 시간 7.70 min, 에탄올 농도 96.23%로 나타났다. 배아 추출물의 β-glucan 함량은 추출 시간에 영향을 크게 받았으며 최소점에서 추출 온도 50.03oC, 추출 시간 2.10 min, 에탄올 농도 87.82%에서 미강 추출물에서보다 더 높은 최대값을 나타내었다.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of integrin α3 and integrin β1 in the ameloblastomas. For this study, 10 specimens diagnosed as amoblastomas referred to the Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, and 5 specimens of normal oral mucosa without any inflammatory changes were used as experimental and control groups, respectively. The ameloblastomas devided into follicular type, plexiform type, acanthomatous type, and granular cell type. All specimens; experimental and control group were fixed in 10% neutral formalin solution and embedded in paraffin, and then the serial tissue sections were made 5㎛ in thickness and processed for immunohistochemical observation. The specimens were incubated with primary antibody against integrin α3 or integrin β1, each was diluted at 1 : 100, followed by the Supersensitive non-biotin horse radish peroxidase detection system with DAB as chromogen. After counterstaining with Gill's hematoxylin stain method and mounted, and examined under the light microscope. Based on the intensity of the immunoreactivity, intensity of the immunity was scored no epithelial stain, weak or focal epithelial stain, moderate or focal intensive epithelial stain, intense generalized epithelial staining for the epithelial, and connective tissue component in ameloblastomas, and normal oral mucosa on each. Attained results as follows. Expression of integrin α3 in the oral mucosa, weak reaction was noted on the all layers of epithelium, and submucosa. Expression of integrin β1 in the oral mucosa, intense reaction on the superficial layer, moderate reaction in basal layer were shown. Expression of integrin α3 in ameloblastomas, it was noted that weak reaction on the ameloblast like cells in the all types and rarely in basement membrane. Expression of integrin β1 in ameloblastomas, intense reaction on the tumor cell ,and partly in the nuclei in follicular type was noted, And moderate reaction on the tumor cell in plexiform , acathomatous types, but weak reaction in granular cell type was shown. This results result suggest that integrin α3 may influenced negligibly, but the integrin β1 influenced significantly the development of the ameloblastomas considering the response is increased on the region with highly cellular activities

당근 (Daucus carota L.)은 β-carotene이 풍부하게 함유되어 있는 뿌리채소로서 잘 알려져 있으며 또한 신품종 육성을 위한 Agrobacterium 이용 형질전환도 비교적 용이한 식물로도 잘 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 뿌리 부위를 1 mm 정도의 두께로 얇게 절단한 당근채에 대하여 화학처리에 의한 표면상해를 유발시키고 이에 의한 Agrobacterium 이용 형질전환의 증대를 분석하였다. MTT를 이용한 세포활성분석을 통하여 0.1-0.3% NaOH 또는 1-4% H2O2 용액의 처리 (3 min)가 당근채 세포활성에 미약한 독성을 나타냈으나 각각 그 보다 고농도 처리에서는 육안으로 비교될 정도의 세포활성 저하를 초래하였다. NaOH나 H2O2 처리 후 1/2 x MS배지 (pH 5.7)로 세척한 당근채는 agroinfiltration 및 3 일간의 동시배양을 거쳐 β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene의 발현정도를 비교하였다. 그 결과, 형광법에 의한 GUS 효소활성측정에서 화학물 처리는 10-15 배 이상의 GUS효소의 활성증대가 확인되었다.

To detect exoplanets and study pulsation of K giant stars, we have observed precise RV (radial velocity) of about 55 early K giant (K0 - K4) stars brighter than V = 5 magnitude since 2003 by using BOES, a high resolution Echelle spectrograph attached to the 1.8 m telescope at BOAO (Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory). We detected periodic RV variation of KO III star β Gem (HD 62509) with a period P=596.6 ± 2.3 days and a semi-amplitude K=44.8 ± 0.7 ms-1 If we adopt 1.7 M⊙ for the mass of β Gem, this yields the minimum mass of the companion m sin i = 2.64 M Jupiter results agree well with Hatzes et al. (2006) and Reffert et al. (2006), and confirm their discovery of a planetary object around β Gem. We also confirmed about 192 minutes short period stellar oscillation found by Hatzes and Zechmeister (2007). This is the first report of exoplanet detection using BOES and demonstrates that the RV observation using BOES is accurate and stable enough to detect exoplanets around bright K giant stars.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella parasitized by its endoparasitoid Cotesia plutellae undergoes various physiological alterations which involves immunosuppression and developmental arrest. Its symbiotic virus, C. plutellae bracovirus (CpBV) is highly essential for their successful parasitization which possesses more than 136 genes encoded. CpBV15βunique in CpBV genome is expressed at low levels in early and at higher levels during late parasitization period. This gene product alters the hemocyte-spreading behavior through inhibition of protein synthesis under in vitro conditions. In the current study, we investigated its specific involvement in physiological functions in the host by transient expression and RNA interference techniques. The open reading frame of CpBV15βwas cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector and this recombinant CpBV15β was transfected into healthy non-parasitized 3rd instar P. xylostella by microinjection. CpBV15βwas expressed as early as 24 h and was consistent up to 72 h. Due to the expression of this gene, the hemolymph storage protein levels were significantly reduced and the ability of the hemocytes to adhere and spread on extracellular matrix was altered or reduced, wherein CpBV15βwas detectable in the cytoplasm of hemocytes based on indirect immunofluorescence assay. To confirm the role of CpBV15β, its double stranded RNA could efficiently recover the functional efficacy of hemocytes towards non-self and synthesis of storage proteins. Thus these results clearly demonstrate the role of CpBV15βin altering the host physiology by involving in cellular immune response and host protein synthesis.