• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2007

Vinclozolin(VCZ), a systemic dicarboximide fungicide, has been used in the control of diseases caused by microorganism of some species in fruits, vegatables and ornamental plants. Although VCZ itself is a very weak antagonist for androgen receptor binding, both melabolites M1 and M2 are effective antagonists. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to VCZ affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. VCZ(10 mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 21(PND 21) through the day when the first vaginal opening(V.O.) was observed. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the VCZ's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. 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 V.O. was shown in the VCZ group(PND $34.00{\pm}1.22$) compared to the control group(PND $38.20{\pm}1.92$; p<0.01). VCZ treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.01). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals, while numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from VCZ group. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the VCZ group. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activity of PR in ovary(p<0.01) from VCZ group were significantly lower than those from the control group while in uterus were similar compared with the control group. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to VCZ during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-313
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• 1999

In this paper, five kinds of neurosecretory cells-light green (LG) cell, dark green (DG) cell, caudo-dorsal (CD) cell, blue green (BG) cell, and yellow (Y) cell- and neuropils in the cerebral ganglion of the African giant snail, Achatina fulica, were observed with an electron microscope. The following results were obtained. The LG cells are circular or ovoid in shape, and about $60{\mu}m$ in size. The nucleus and cytoplasm of the LG cell look light due to their electron-low density. Large granular chromatins are evenly developed in the karyolymph, where round nucleoli are also found. In the cytoplasm, electron -high dense round granules of $0.4{\mu}m$ in average size are crowded. The DG cells are ovoid in shape, and $50\sim20{\mu}m$ in size. These relatively electron-high dense cells were rarely found. In their cytoplasm, cell organelles such as rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are found together with electron -high dense round granules of $0.2{\mu}m$ in average size. The CD cells are ellipsoidal cells densely distributed in caudo-dorsal parts of the cerebral ganglion. They have large nuclei compared with the cytoplasm. The developed granular heterochromatins are observed in the karyolymph, and lots of small round granules of $0.12{\mu}m$ in average size in the cytoplasm. The 3G cells, rarely found around endoneurium of the cerebral ganglion, take the shapes of long ellipses. They look dark due to their electron -high density. In the cytoplasm, small round granules of $0.1{\mu}m$ in average size are found. The Y cells are the smallest among the neurosecretory cells($9\times6.6{\mu}m$ in size). They are found mostly between the medio-dorsal parts and the caudo-dorsal parts of the cerebral ganglion. In the cytoplasm, tiny round granules of $0.08{\mu}m$ in average size form a group. The neuropils are found in the middle of the cerebral ganglion. In the axon ending, round granules with electron -high density ($0.07\sim0.03{\mu}m$ in diameter) and lucent vesicles ($0.03{\mu}m$ in diameter) are found in large quantities. They are excreted in the state of exocytosome formed by the invagination of the limiting membrane of the axon ending.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2010

Fibroblasts are the most common cells in connective tissue and are responsible for the synthesis of extracellular matrix components. The fibrosis associated with chronic inflammation and injury may contribute to cholangiocarcinoma pathogenesis, particularly through an increase in extracellular matrix components, which participate in the regulation of bile duct differentiation during development. Mitochondria produce ATP through oxidative metabolism to provide energy to the cell under physiological conditions. Also, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been implicated in cellular senescence and aging. Alternations in mitochondrial structure and function are early events of programmed cell death or apoptosis and mitochondria appear to be a central regulator of apoptosis in most somatic cell. Clonorchis sinensis, one of the most important parasite of the human bile duct in East Asia, arouses epithelial hyperplasia and ductal fibrosis. Isolated fibroblast from the bile ducts of rats infected by C. sinensis showed increase of cytoplasmic process. In addition, decrease of cellular proliferation was observed in fibroblasts which was isolated from normal rat bile duct and then cultured in media containing C. sinensis excretory-secretory product. However, the effects of C. sinensis infection on the mitochondrial enzyme distribution is not clearly reported yet. Therefore, we investigated the structural change of C. sinensis infected bile duct and mitochondrial enzyme distribution of the cultured fibroblast isolated from the C. sinensis infected rat bile duct. As a result, C. sinensis infected SD rat bile ducts showed the features of chronic clonorchiasis, such as ductal connective and epithelial tissue dilatation, or ductal fibrosis. In addition, fibroblast in ductal connective tissue was damaged by physical effect of fibrotic tissue and chemical stimulation. Immunohistochemically detected mitochondrial electron transferase (ATPase, COXII, Porin) was decreased in C. sinensis infected rat bile duct and cultured fibroblast from infected rat bile duct. It can be hypothesized that the reason why number of electron transferase decrease in fibroblast isolated from the rat bile duct infected with C. sinensis is because dysfunction of electron transport system is occurred mitochondrial dysfunction, increase of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and apoptosis after chemical damage on the cell caused by C. sinensis infection. Overall, C. sinensis infection induces fibrotic change of ductal connective tissue, mutation of cellular metabolism in fibroblast and mitochondrial dysfunction. Consequently, ductal fibrosis inhibits fibroblast proliferation and decreases mitochondrial electron transferase on fibroblast cytoplasm. It was assumed that the structure of bile duct could not normalized and ductal fibrosis was maintained for a long period of time according to fibroblast metamorphosis and death induced by mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2006

This study was carried out principally to obtain the basic data for the improvement of the reproductive performance and production using plasma progesterone assay and ultrasonography in dairy cow. The results obtained from this studies were as follows. The results of reproductive examination in 85,983 cows were ovarian diseases 40,399 (47.0%), uterine diseases 11,912 (13.9%), pregnancy or pregnant failures 26,587 (30.9%), adhesion of reproductive tracts 172 (0.2%), freemartin 8 (0.01%), and others 6,905 (8.3%), respectively. The treatment status of reproductive dysfunction in 30,241 cows were silent heat or error of estrus detection 14,909 (49.3%), follicular cysts 3,750 (12.4%), luteal cysts 907 (3.0%), inactive ovaries 665 (2.2%), granulosa cell tumor of ovary 3 (0.01%) and endometritis 6,986 (23.1%), respectively. The indices of reproductive efficiency after the periodical examination of reproductive status were as follows; the mean intercalving inteual was reduced from 475 days at the first examination to 381 days at the last examination of reproductive status, the mean interval calving to conception was reduced from 186 to 98 days, the mean interval calving to first service was reduced from 106 to 66 days, the cows showing heat by 60 days postpartum were increased from 32 to 90%, the mean conception rate to first service was increased from 42 to 64%, and the mean service per conception was reduced from 2.6 to 1.8 times, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.56-77
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate effects of Boyanghwano-Tang on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and divided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group (n=8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and Boyanghwano-Tang treated group. Boyanghwano-Tang was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volume of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and investigated the concentration of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results: - The volume($mm^3$) of endometriotic implants in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group ($122.3{\pm}45.0$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($222.1{\pm}109.1$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($1026.3{\pm}196.5$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($1412.5{\pm}345.7$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of TNF-$\alpha$ in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($936.5{\pm}94.3$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($1126.2{\pm}139.9$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of IL-$1{\beta}$ in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($78.5{\pm}13.3$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($105.3{\pm}17.6$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of IL-6 in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($107.4{\pm}15.8$) was decreased compared with control group($122.8{\pm}19.3$). - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of Boyanghwano-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The percentage of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($51.5{\pm}14.1$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($75.1{\pm}16.3$). - The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of Boyanghwano-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The number of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($75.9{\pm}13.1$) was decreased compared with control group($91.0{\pm}28.3$). Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we concluded that Boyanghwano-Tang have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased production of MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and decreased expression of COX-2 and VEGF by administration of Boyanghwano-Tang.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.271-279
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a belly-board device (BBD) in reducing the volume of small bowel during four-field pelvic irradiation. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two cancer patients (14 uterine cervical cancer, 6 rectal cancer, and 2 endometrial cancer) scheduled to receive pelvic irradiation were selected for this study. Two sets of CT images were taken with and without the belly-board device using the Siemens 16 channel CT scanner. All patients were set in the prone position. The CT images were transferred to a treatment planning system for dose calculation and volume measurements. The external surfaces of small bowel and the bladder were contoured on all CT scans and the 4-pelvic fields were added. The dose-volume-histogram of the bladder and small bowel, with and without the BBD, were plotted and analyzed. Results: In all patients, the total small bowel volume included in the irradiated fields was reduced when the BBD was used. The mean volume reduction was 35% (range, $1{\sim}79%$) and was statistically significant (p<0.001). The reduction in small bowel volume receiving $10{\sim}100%$ of the prescribed dose was statistically significant when the BBD was used in all cases. Almost no change in the total bladder volume involved was observed in the field (<8 cc, p=0.762). However, the bladder volume receiving 90% of the prescribed dose was 100% in 15/22 patients (68%) and $90{\sim}99%$ in 7/22 patients (32%) with the BBD. In comparison, the bladder volume receiving 90% of the prescribed dose was 100% in 10/22 patients (45%), $90{\sim}99%$ in 7/22 patients (32%), and $80{\sim}89%$ in 5/22 patients (23%) without the BBD. When the BBD was used, an increase in the bladder volume receiving a high dose range was observed Conclusion: This study shows that the use of a BBD for the treatment of cancer in the pelvic area significantly improves small bowel sparing. However, since the BBD pushed the bladder into the treatment field, the bladder volume receiving the high dose could increase. Therefore it is recommended to be considerate in using the BBD when bladder damage is of concern.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.178-185
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• 2013

This study evaluated the effects of milk yield on the postpartum health and reproductive performance of dairy cows. In total, data were collected from 1,060 cows on six dairy farms, including their milk production, body condition score (BCS), postpartum disorders, and reproductive performance. The lactation data were grouped based on the 305-day milk yield into control (< 10,000 kg, n = 445) and high milk yield (${\geq}$ 10,000 kg, n = 615) groups. The milk fat and protein, and BCS were lower during the first 5 months postpartum in the high milk yield group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Ovarian cysts were more frequent (p < 0.0001) in the high milk yield group (28.6%) than in the control group (15.3%), whereas endometritis tended to be less frequent in the high milk yield group (29.6%) than in the control group (35.1%, p = 0.06). A higher proportion of cows tended to receive reproductive hormones (p = 0.06) in the high milk yield group (62.4%) than in the control group (56.6%). The probability of a pregnancy after first insemination tended to be lower (odds ratio = 0.78, p = 0.07) in the high milk yield group (30.2%) than in the control group (35.2%). Furthermore, the hazard of pregnancy by 210 days in milk was lower in the high milk yield group (hazard ratio = 0.84, p = 0.04) than in the control group, which resulted in a 20-day increase in the median interval to pregnancy. In conclusion, high milk yield was related to lower milk fat and protein, lower BCS, an increased incidence of ovarian cysts, and increased use of reproductive hormones, which resulted in decreased reproductive performance of dairy cows.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.261-268
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• 2006

Background: Current vascular prostheses are still inadequate for reconstruction of small-diameter vessels. Autologous pericardium can be a good alternative for this purpose as it already possesses good blood compatibility and shows a mechanical behavior similar to that of natural arteries. However, the clinical use of autologous pericardial tissue as a small-diameter vascular graft has limitations due to mixed outcomes from uncertain biological behavior and difficulty to gain reliable patency results in animal experiments. To study this issue, we implanted fresh and glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium as small-diameter arterial grafts in dogs, and compared their time-related changes histologically. Material and Method: As a form of 5mm-diameter arterial graft, one pair of autologous pericardial tissue was used for comparison between the glutaraldehyde-treated and the glutaraldehyde-untreated grafts in the bilateral carotid arteries in the same dog. The patency of the grafts were evaluated at regular intervals with Doppler ultrasonography. After the predetermined periods of 3 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, the grafts in each animal were explanted. The retrieved grafts were processed for light and electron microscopic analyses following gross observation. Result: Of 7 animals, 2 were excluded from the study because one died postoperatively due to bleeding and the other was documented as one side of the grafts being obstructed. All 10 grafts in the remaining 5 dogs were patent. Grossly, a variable degree of thromboses were observed in the luminal surfaces of the grafts at 3 days and 2 weeks, despite good patency. Pseudointimal smooth blood-contacting surfaces were developed in the grafts at f month and later. By light microscopy, mesothelial cell layers of the pericardial tissue were absent in all explanted grafts. Newly formed endothelial cell layers on the blood-contacting surface were observed in both the glutaraldehyde-treated and fresh grafts at 3 months and later. The collagen fibers became degraded by fragmentation in the fresh graft at 1 month and In the glutaraldehyde-treated graft at 3 months. At 6 months, the collagen layers were no longer visible in either the glutaraldehyde-treated or fresh grafts. By electron microscopy, a greater amount of coarse fibrin fibers were observed in the fresh grafts than in the glutaraldehyde-treated grafts and, more compact and well-arrayed layers were observed in the glutaraldehyde-treated grafts than in the fresh grafts. Conclusion: The glutaraldehyde-treated small-diameter pericardial arterial grafts showed a better endothelialization of the blood-contacting surface and a slower fragmentation of the collagen layers than the fresh grafts, although it has yet to be proven whether these differences are so significant as to affect the patency results between the groups.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2010

Purpose: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which mediates neovascularization of uterine endometrium may be involved in the neovascularization in the utero-placental circulation. Low numbers of endothelial progenitor colony-forming unit (CFU) in culture are predictive biomarker of vascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the number of CFU in preeclampsia differed from that in normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Women with singleton normal (n=26) or preeclamptic (n=20) pregnancies were studied during the third trimester. The number of EPCs was quantified by CFU methodology. Plasma levels of angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and placental growth factor (PlGF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: CFU numbers were significantly decreased in the preeclamptic patients compared with the controls (median, 3; range 1-12 vs. 31; 3-81 CFU/well, P<0.001). A majority of the cells comprising individual colonies were positive for endothelial characteristics (Ulex europaeus lectin staining and acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake). Plasma levels of the sFlt-1 were highly elevated (P<0.001) in patient with preeclampsia compared to controls, whereas PlGF were highly reduced (P=0.004), but these factors did not associate with CFU numbers. Conclusion: Our results suggest that reduced numbers of CFU obtained from maternal peripheral blood may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.34-59
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the inhibiting effects of Gungguijohyeoleum on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and we divided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group(n=8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and Gungguijohyeoleum treated group(n=8), Gungguijohyeoleum was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volumes of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and investigated the concentrations of cytokines(MCP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results: - The volume ($mm^3$) of endometriotic implants in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group ($76.4{\pm}24.5$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($222.1{\pm}109.1$). - The concentration (pg/ml) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluids in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group ($1060.8{\pm}280.8$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($1412.5{\pm}345.7$). - The concentration (pg/ml) of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluids in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group ($827.5{\pm}219.9$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($1126.2{\pm}139.9$). - The concentration (pg/ml) of $IL-1{\beta}$ in peritoneal fluids in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group($83.4{\pm}9.0$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($105.3{\pm}17.6$). - The concentration (pg/ml) of IL-6 in peritoneal fluids in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group($108.9{\pm}15.7$) was decreased compared with control group($122.8{\pm}19.3$). - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of Gungguijohyeoleum treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The percentage(%) of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group($56.8{\pm}12.8$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($75.1{\pm}16.3$). -The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of Gungguijohyeoleum treated group was weakly observed than that of control group. - The numbers of mast cells in transplanted uterine tissue in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group($35.4{\pm}18.4$) were significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group ($91.0{\pm}28.3$). Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we concluded that Gungguijohyeoleum has inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased production of MCP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, COX-2, VEGF and mast cells by administration of Gungguijohyeoleum.