Immunohistochemical study on the expression of calcium binding proteins (calbindin-D28k, calretinin, and parvalbumin) in the cerebral cortex and in the hippocampal region of nNOS knock-out(−/−) mice

Yu Jin Cho,Jae Chul Lee,Bong Gu Kang1,2,Jaeyeol An,Hyeon Suk Song1,2,Onju Son,Do-Hyun Nam,Choong Ik Cha,Kyeung Min Joo 대한해부학회 2011 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.44 No.2

Nitric oxide (NO) modulates the activities of various channels and receptors to participate in the regulation of neuronal intracellular Ca2+ levels. Ca2+ binding protein (CaBP) expression may also be altered by NO. Accordingly, we examined expression changes in calbindin-D28k, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal region of neuronal NO synthase knockout(−/−) (nNOS−/−) mice using immunohistochemistry. For the first time, we demonstrate that the expression of CaBPs is specifically altered in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal region of nNOS−/− mice and that their expression changed according to neuronal type. As changes in CaBP expression can influence temporal and spatial intracellular Ca2+ levels, it appears that NO may be involved in various functions, such as modulating neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis, regulating synaptic transmission, and neuroprotection, by influencing the expression of CaBPs. Therefore, these results suggest another mechanism by which NO participates in the regulation of neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis. However, the exact mechanisms of this regulation and its functional significance require further investigation.

In vitro Conidial Germination and Mycelial Growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae Coordinated by Hydrogen Peroxide-and Nitric Oxide-signalling

( Yu Jin Do ),( Do Hyeon Kim ),( Myung Sung Jo ),( Dong Gi Kang ),( Sang Woo Lee ),( Jin-won Kim ),( Jeum Kyu Hong ) 한국균학회 2019 韓國菌學會誌 Vol.47 No.3

Chemicals related to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO) generations were exogenously applied to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae (Fof ) causing Fusarium wilt disease in strawberry plants, and regulations of in vitro conidial germination and mycelial growth of the fungus by the chemical treatments were evaluated. H₂O₂ drastically reduced the conidial germination of Fof in a dose-dependent manner, and treatment with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT) catalase inhibitor also led to dose-dependent inhibition of conidial germination but relatively moderately. Gradual decreases in mycelial growth of Fof were found by high concentrations of H₂O₂, whilst exogenous 3-AT slightly increased the mycelial growth. Increasing sodium nitroprusside (SNP) NO donor, N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) NO synthase (NOS)-inhibitor and tungstate nitrate reductase (NR) inhibitor led to dose-dependent reductions in conidial germination of Fof in quite different levels. SNP conversely increased the mycelial growth but increasing L-NAME moderately decreased the mycelial growth. Tungstate strongly enhanced mycelial growth. Differentially regulated in vitro mycelial growths of Fof were demonstrated by SNP, L-NAME and tungstate with or without H₂O₂ supplement. Superoxide anion production was also regulated during the mycelial growth of Fof by nitric oxide. These results show that H₂O₂ and NO-associated enzymes can be suggested as fungal growth regulators of Fof as well as eco-friendly disease-managing agents in strawberry production fields.

Rice Genome Resequencing Reveals a Major Quantitative Trait Locus for Resistance to Bakanae Disease Caused by Fusarium fujikuroi

Kang, Do-Yu,Cheon, Kyeong-Seong,Oh, Jun,Oh, Hyoja,Kim, Song Lim,Kim, Nyunhee,Lee, Eungyeong,Choi, Inchan,Baek, Jeongho,Kim, Kyung-Hwan,Chung, Nam-Jin,Ji, Hyeonso MDPI AG 2019 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES Vol.20 No.10

<P>Bakanae disease (BD), caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi, has become a serious threat in rice-cultivating regions worldwide. In the present study, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was performed using F2 and F3 plants derived after crossing a BD-resistant and a BD-susceptible Korean japonica rice variety, ‘Samgwang’ and ‘Junam’, respectively. Resequencing of ‘Junam’ and ‘Samgwang’ genomes revealed 151,916 DNA polymorphisms between the two varieties. After genotyping 188 F2 plants, we constructed a genetic map comprising 184 markers, including 175 kompetitive allele-specific PCR markers, eight cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers, and a derived CAPS (dCAPS) marker. The degree of BD susceptibility of each F2 plant was evaluated on the basis of the mortality rate measured with corresponding F3 progeny seedlings by in vitro screening. Consequently, qFfR9, a major QTL, was discovered at 30.1 centimorgan (cM) on chromosome 9 with a logarithm of the odds score of 60.3. For the QTL interval, 95% probability lay within a 7.24-7.56 Mbp interval. In this interval, we found that eight genes exhibited non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by comparing the ‘Junam’ and ‘Samgwang’ genome sequence data, and are possibly candidate genes for qFfR9; therefore, qFfR9 could be utilized as a valuable resource for breeding BD-resistant rice varieties.</P>

Case report: Mass mortality of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) caused by acute gas bubble disease

( Yoonhang Lee ),( Nameun Kim ),( Ju-yeop Lee ),( Hyoyeong Kang ),( Minji Sung ),( Young-bin Yu ),( Kyunghoi Kim ),( Jae-young Je ),( Hyun-woo Kim ),( Ju-chan Kang ),( Do-hyung Kim ) 한국어병학회 2021 한국어병학회지 Vol.34 No.2

This is the first report describing acute mass mortality occurred in juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) caused by gas bubble disease (GBD). A total of 610 fish (average weight = 35 g), which were more than half of the fish acclimated at 17℃ in an aquarium, were killed within two days of acclimation. The dead and moribund fish showed excessively opened opercula and mouths, and occasionally, severe exophthalmia. Through microscopic observation, numerous gas emboli were found in the gills of the dead and live fish, while the fish were not infected with any microbial pathogens. The dissolved oxygen (DO) saturation level of the rearing water and seawater nearby the facility reached 145% and 286%, respectively, whereas other water quality parameters (such as salinity, pH, and chemical oxygen demand) were normal. The extreme saturation rate of seawater in the shore nearby seemed to be due to an enormous algal bloom that occurred there. Through molecular identification based on 18S rDNA sequences, the most dominant algal species was most closely related to Ulva californica (99.87% sequence identity) followed by U. prolifera, U. linza, and U. curvata (99.81%). Therefore, it can be concluded that supersaturated seawater due to mass algal bloom caused gas bubble disease in the olive flounder, leading to mass mortality. After technical adjustment, such as increased aeration, lowered water circulation rate, and inlet water filtration using micro-pore carbon filters, the DO level became normal, no further mortality occurred and the status of the fish was stabilized.

Controlled Release of Ursodeoxycholic Acid from Pullulan Acetate Nanoparticles to Modulate Glutamate-Induced Excitotoxicity in PC-12 Cells

Yu, Kwang Sik,Oh, Jun Young,Kim, Min Cheol,Kang, Seong Hee,Lee, Nam Seob,Han, Seung-Yun,Ryu, Ki Hyun,Jeong, Young Gil,Kim, Do Kyung Hindawi Limited 2018 Journal of nanomaterials Vol.2018 No.-

<P>The neuroprotective effects of the ursodeoxycholic acid- (UDCA-) loaded pullulan acetate (PA) (UDCA-PA) nanospheres stabilized by poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were identified by in vitro study. The UDCA-PA nanospheres were constructed by nanoemulsion process. The UDCA-PA nanospheres were analyzed using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Then, the UDCA-PA nanospheres were used to treat PC-12 neuronal cells, which were formerly triggered by glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. As a result, the cells treated with the UDCA-PA nanospheres showed higher survival rate against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Furthermore, the UDCA-PA nanospheres decreased immunoreactivity of Annexin V, a membrane marker for apoptotic cells, in PC-12 with glutamate-induced injury. Particularly, the UDCA-PA nanospheres decreased the level of apoptosis-related proteins such as caspase-3. Taken together, the UDCA-PA nanospheres increased neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced neuronal damage via inhibition of apoptosis at low concentration.</P>

Identification of mTOR inhibitor-resistant genes in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Yu, Seong-Lan,Lee, Dong Chul,Baek, Seung Woo,Cho, Do Yeun,Choi, Jong Gwon,Kang, JaeKu Dove Medical Press 2018 Cancer management and research Vol.10 No.-

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is frequently activated in various squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Although mTOR inhibitors are suggested as effective treatments in immunosuppressed patients with metastatic SCC, they are still not proven to be favorable in treating skin SCC patients not undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. Moreover, the exact mechanism of the mTOR signaling pathway in SCC has not yet been identified. In this study, we aimed to determine the genes associated with mTOR inhibitors in skin SCC.</P><P><B>Materials and methods</B></P><P>The identification of cell viability according to concentration of everolimus and Western blot was done. To analyze the global gene expression profiles, A431 and HSC-1 cells were treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or 100 nM of everolimus for 72 hours. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using Affymetrix analysis. To identify the gene network associated with everolimus resistance in SCC cells, pathway analysis was performed using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) tool.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The effects of cell death with respect to the mTOR inhibitor concentration were observed in the HSC-1 cell line; however, the mTOR inhibitor did not show effective cytotoxic activity in the A431 cell line. p-mTOR concentration also diminished with respect to everolimus concentrations in the HSC-1 cell line. Moreover, the microarray results showed that the <I>MYC/CCND1/TP73/NUPR1/SBD/ERBB2/CDKN2B</I> genes were related to mTOR inhibitor resistance. However, CCND1 gene overexpression was most closely related to mTOR inhibitor resistance.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>We identified mTOR inhibitor resistance genes, and our findings may help select therapeutic targets in skin SCC.</P>

Highly Fluorescing Solid DNA-Cationic Polyelectrolyte Complexes Prepared from a Natural DNA and a Poly(fluorenevinylene-alt-phenylene) Bearing Quaternary Ammonium Pendants

Yu, Young-Jun,Kwon, Young-Wan,Kim, Kyu-Nam,Do, Eui-Doo,Choi, Dong-Hoon,Jin, Jung-Il,Shin, Hee-Won,Kim, Yong-Rok,Kang, Ik-Joong,Mikroyannidis, John A. The Polymer Society of Korea 2009 Macromolecular Research Vol.17 No.4

A fluorescing, copolymer(Q)-bearing, quaternary ammonium pendant was mixed with excess natural salmon sperm DNA with a molecular weight of $1.3{\times}10^6$(2,000 base pairs) to afford highly fluorescing, complex mixtures. The fluorescence life-time of the polymer Q was greatly increased when mixed with DNA: for the mixture of Q:DNA=1:750 the fast and slow decay lifetimes increased from ca. 10 to 100 ps and from 20 ps to ca. 1 ns, respectively. The enhanced fluorescence of the mixtures was ascribed to efficient compartmentalization and reduced conformational relaxation of the polymer Q by complexation with excess DNA.

Triple antithrombotic therapy versus dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation

Kang, Dong Oh,Yu, Cheol Woong,Kim, Hee Dong,Cho, Jae Young,Joo, Hyung Joon,Choi, Rak Kyong,Park, Jin Sik,Lee, Hyun Jong,Kim, Je Sang,Park, Jae Hyung,Hong, Soon Jun,Lim, Do-Sun Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. 2015 Coronary artery disease Vol.26 No.5

BACKGROUND: The optimal antithrombotic regimen in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for complex coronary artery disease is unclear. We compared the net clinical outcomes of triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT; aspirin, thienopyridine, and warfarin) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; aspirin and thienopyridine) in AF patients who had undergone DES implantation. METHODS: A total of 367 patients were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively; 131 patients (35.7%) received TAT and 236 patients (64.3%) received DAPT. DAPT and warfarin were maintained for a minimum of 12 and 24 months, respectively. The primary endpoint was the 2-year net clinical outcomes, a composite of major bleeding and major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE). Propensity score-matching analysis was carried out in 99 patient pairs. RESULTS: The 2-year net clinical outcomes of the TAT group were worse than those of the DAPT group (34.3 vs. 21.1%, P=0.006), which was mainly due to the higher incidence of major bleeding (16.7 vs. 4.6%, P<0.001), without any significant increase in MACCE (22.1 vs. 17.7%, P=0.313). In the multivariate analysis, TAT was an independent predictor of worse net clinical outcomes (odds ratio 1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.06–2.50) and major bleeding (odds ratio 3.54, 95% confidence interval 1.65–7.58). After propensity score matching, the TAT group still had worse net clinical outcomes and a higher incidence of major bleeding compared with the DAPT group. CONCLUSION: In AF patients undergoing DES implantation, prolonged administration of TAT may be harmful due to the substantial increase in the risk for major bleeding without any reduction in MACCE.

Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis E virus in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Korea

( Yu-ri Park ),( Ji-young Park ),( Dae-young Kang ),( Do-hyun Han ),( Hachung Yoon ),( Wooseog Jeong ),( Dong-jun An ),( Sang-geon Yeo ),( Choi-kyu Park ) 한국가축위생학회 2016 韓國家畜衛生學會誌 Vol.39 No.4

We determined the nationwide seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the wild boar population in Korea. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results showed that 42% of the 528 wild boars that were hunted between 2013 and 2014 were anti-HEV antibody positive. Furthermore, all Korean provinces showed an HEV seroprevalence between 9.8% and 51.1%, suggesting that wild boar HEV infection occurs throughout the country. Importantly, infected wild boar could act as a potential reservoir for HEV and could aid transmission to other animals and humans.

Tailoring of nanoporous TiO₂ spheres with 100–200 nm sizes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Yu, Sora,You, Ji Su,Yang, In Seok,Kang, Paul,Rawal, Sher Bahadur,Sung, Sang Do,Lee, Wan In Elsevier 2016 Journal of Power Sources Vol.325 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Highly porous and monodispersed TiO<SUB>2</SUB> spheres (SPs) with diameters in the range of 100–200 nm, notably smaller than the conventional SPs reported thus far, were selectively controlled, and found to be an outstanding building block for the mesoporous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> layer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The prepared TiO<SUB>2</SUB> films employing these SPs are highly transparent, and the fabricated DSCs exhibit significantly enhanced photovoltaic performances. Particularly, the 100 nm-sized TiO<SUB>2</SUB> SP (SP100) provides a photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.66% with a <I>J</I> <SUB> <I>SC</I> </SUB> of 17.98 mA/cm<SUP>2</SUP>, <I>V</I> <SUB> <I>OC</I> </SUB> of 808 mV, and <I>FF</I> of 0.734, which is higher than the PCE of DSCs with the typical 20 nm-sized TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanoparticle (NP20) or conventional 250 nm-sized SP (SP250). Transient photoelectron spectroscopic analyses revealed that both the electron diffusion coefficient and electron lifetime of the TiO<SUB>2</SUB> layer increase as the size of the SPs decreases. The tiny TiO<SUB>2</SUB> SPs prepared in this work offer distinct advantages in electron transport as well as dye-soaking and electrolyte diffusion.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Nanoporous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> spheres (SPs) with sizes of 100–200 nm are selectively synthesized. </LI> <LI> Prepared SPs are an excellent building block for the mesoporous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> layer of DSCs. </LI> <LI> DSC employing 100 nm-sized TiO<SUB>2</SUB> SP (SP100) demonstrates PCE of 10.66%. </LI> <LI> SP100 shows advantages in electron transport, dye-soaking and electrolyte diffusion. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>