• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.182-195
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• 2001

Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) is a devastating illness for which there is little effective treatment. The key cytokines currently implicated in the fibrotic process are the transforming growth factor-${\beta}_1$(TGF-${\beta}_1$), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$), endothelin-1(ET-1) and interferon-$\gamma$(IFN-$\gamma$). The rat model for paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis was chosen to investigate the role of ET-1 in this disease. Both ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression in lung lesions were examined using immunohistochemical staining. After $Bosentan^{(R)}$ administration, an orally active ET-$l_A$ and ET-$1_B$ receptor antagonist, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression were analyzed. Method : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, the control group, the fibrosis group, and the fibrosis-$Bosentan^{(R)}$-treated group. The animals were sacrificed periodically at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 days after administering saline or paraquat. The effects between groups were compared with the results of light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining for ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$. The degree of fibrosis was evaluated by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining, which were graded by a computerized image analyzer. The degree of immunohistochemical staining was categorized by a semi-quantitative analysis method. Results : The lung collagen content had increased in the paraquat instillated animals by day 3, and continued to increase up to day 14. A daily treatment by gavage with $Bosentan^{(R)}$ (100mg/kg) did not prevent the increase in collagen deposition on the lung that was induced by paraquat instillation. There were increased immunohistochemical stains of ET-1 on the exudate, macrophages, vascular endothelial cells and pneumocytes in the paraquat instillated group. Furthermore, TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression was higher on the exudate, macrophages, some inflammatory cells, pneumocytes( type I, and II), vascular endothelium and the respiratory epithelial cells around the fibrotic area. After Bosentan treatment, there were no definite changes in ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression. Conclusion : Fibrosis of the Paraquat instillated group was more advanced when compared with the control group. In addition, there was increased ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression around the fibrotic area. ET-1 is associated with lung fibrosis but there was little effect of the ET-1 receptor blocker($Bosentan^{(R)}$) on antifibrosis.Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) is a devastating illness for which there is little effective treatment. The key cytokines currently implicated in the fibrotic process are the transforming growth factor-${\beta}_1$(TGF-${\beta}_1$), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$), endothelin-1(ET-1) and interferon-$\gamma$(IFN-$\gamma$). The rat model for paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis was chosen to investigate the role of ET-1 in this disease. Both ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression in lung lesions were examined using immunohistochemical staining. After $Bosentan^{(R)}$ administration, an orally active ET-$1_A$ and ET-$1_B$ receptor antagonist, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression were analyzed. Method : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, the control group, the fibrosis group, and the fibrosis-$Bosentan^{(R)}$-treated group. The animals were sacrificed periodically at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 days after administering saline or paraquat. The effects between groups were compared with the results of light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining for ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$. The degree of fibrosis was evaluated by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining, which were graded by a computerized image analyzer. The degree of immunohistochemical staining was categorized by a semi-quantitative analysis method. Results : The lung collagen content had increased in the paraquat instillated animals by day 3, and continued to increase up to day 14. A daily treatment by gavage with $Bosentan^{(R)}$ (100mg/kg) did not prevent the increase in collagen deposition on the lung that was induced by paraquat instillation. There were increased immunohistochemical stains of ET-1 on the exudate, macrophages, vascular endothelial cells and pneumocytes in the paraquat instillated group. Furthermore, TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression was higher on the exudate, macrophages, some inflammatory cells, pneumocytes( type I, and II), vascular endothelium and the respiratory epithelial cells around the fibrotic area. After Bosentan treatment, there were no definite changes in ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression. Conclusion : Fibrosis of the Paraquat instillated group was more advanced when compared with the control group. In addition, there was increased ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression around the fibrotic area. ET-1 is associated with lung fibrosis but there was little effect of the ET-1 receptor blocker($Bosentan^{(R)}$) on antifibrosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.49-62
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was designed to examine the effects of Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. on lowering lipid and anti-oxidation using hyperlipidemic rat. Methods : Male rats weighting $195.21{\pm}4.93g$ were divided into 4 groups and fed high fat diet for 8 weeks. Each of 7 rats was divided into a control and sample group. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline(100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. And we fed each experimental group of rats basal diet and administered an extract of Polygonatum odoratum(100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. We measured lipid of plasma and liver, concentration of anti-oxidative activity and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$($TNF-{\alpha}$). Results : 1. Concentration of plasma free fatty acid, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a significant decrement in the 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. groups than that of control group. Concentration of plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride showed a significant decrement in all Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. groups than that of control group. However, concentration of plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was not significantly different in all the treatment groups. 2. Concentration of liver total cholesterol showed a significant decrement in the 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. groups than that of control group. Concentration of liver triglyceride(TG) showed a significant decrement in all Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. groups than that of control group. 3. Concentration of plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance showed a significant decrement in the 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. groups than that of control group. 4. The values of glutathione peroxidase activity showed a significant increment in all Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. groups than that of control group. The values of superoxide dismutase activity and catalase activity showed a significant increment in the 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. groups than that of control group. 5. The values of plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were not significantly different in all treatment groups. 6. Concentration of liver $TNF-{\alpha}$ showed a significant decrement in the 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. groups than that of control group. Conclusions : Based on the results in this study, the Polygonatum odoratum EtOH ext. showed a positive effect in lowering lipid and anti-oxidation.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.848-852
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• 2012

Vegetation can make not only to lower the urban ambient air temperature (UAAT) by crop evapotranspiration (ET) and increasing solar radiation albedo, but also to reduce the urban air pollution by $CO_2$ uptake and $O_2$ emission in addition to the reducing ozone concentrations by aid of lower the UAAT. To evaluate the effect of vegetation on urban heat island mitigation (UHIM), the climate change of 6 cities during 30 years are analysed, and the amount of ET, $CO_2$ uptake, $O_2$ emission and ozone concentrations are estimated in Korea. The most hot season is the last part of July and the first part of August, and the highest average UAAT of a period of ten days was $35.03^{\circ}C$ during 30 years (1979 - 2008). The mean values of maximum ET of rice and soybean in urban area during urban heat island phenomena were 6.86 and $6.00mm\;day^{-1}$, respectively. The effect of rice and soybean cultivation on lowering the UAAT was assessed to be 10.5 and $3.0^{\circ}C$ in Suwon, respectively, whereas the differences between the UAAT and canopy temperature at urban paddy and upland in Ansung were 2.6 and $2.2^{\circ}C$. On the other hand, the urban-garden in Suwon city had resulted in lowering the UAAT and the surface temperature of buildings to 2.0 and $14.5^{\circ}C$, respectively. Furthermore, the amounts of $CO_2$ uptake by rice and soybean were estimated to be 20.27 and $15.54kg\;CO_2\;10a^{-1}day^{-1}$, respectively. The amounts of $O_2$ emission by rice and soybean were also assessed to be 14.74 and $11.30kg\;O_2\;10a^{-1}day^{-1}$, respectively. As other cleaning effect of air pollution, the ozone concentrations could be also estimated to reduce 21.0, 8.8, and 4.0 ppb through rice-, soybean cultivation, and urban gardening during most highest temperature period in summer, respectively.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2003

In the previous study, we obtained list of differentially expressed genes between postnatal day 1 and day 5 mouse ovaries using suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) and found that MT Oansposon-like element, clone MTi7(MTi7) was one of the highly expressed genes in the day 5 mouse ovary(Park et at., 2002). Results of in situ hybridization and RNA interference revealed that the expression of MTi7 is oocyte-specific in the ovary and may be involved in the regulation of oocyte maturation(Park et at., 2003). At present, MTi7 sequence has been known only in the mouse. Therefore, the present study was accomplished 1) to identify MTi7 sequence in the other mammalian species, such as bovine, porcine, rat, and human, and 2) to evaluate the flanking sequence of the mouse MTi7 since it has transposon characteristics. Using ovarian cDNAs derived from low different species, we cloned and identified new MTi7 sequence showing a high degree of sequence homology with the mouse MTi7(87∼98%). By using inverse PCR, we found that the mouse MTi7 may intercalated the beta-carotene 15, 15'-monooxygenase(Bcdo) gene and/or serine protease inhibitor, Kunitz Dpe I(Spint 1) gene. By finding the MTi7 sequences in the other mammalian species and the flanking gene of the MTi7 in mouse, it is expected to reveal the role(s) of MTi7 in the oogenesis as well as folliculogenesis in the near future.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.818-822
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• 2004

Gastroprotective effects of Korean rice-wine (Yakju) in two types of acute experimental gastric ulcer induced in rats and in mice were evaluated. Korean rice-wine were administered to 24-hr fasted rats 30 min before administration of 60% EtOH in 150 mM HCl or absolute ethanol. Korean rice-wine prevented formation of gastric ulcers induced by 60% EtOH in 150 mM HCl at oral doses of 250-1,000mg/kg and reduced gastric ulcers induced by absolute ethanol at oral doses of 62.5-1,000mg/kg, and inhibitory effect against 30% alcohol treatment for 7 days (twice/day). These results suggest Korean rice-wine have inhibitory effects on gastric lesion and ulceration.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the development rates of human embryos co-cultured with cumulus cells to each blastocyst stage. Human zygotes were co-cultured on cumulus cell monolayer in YS medium supplemented with 20% hFF. On day 2, if patient had four or more "good" embryos (regular blastomeres without fragmentation), embryos were further cultured for 72hrs. Blastocysts on day 5 were classified into early blastocyst (ErB), early expanding blastocyst (EEB), middle expanding Blastocyst (MEB), and expanded blastocyst (EdB) on the basis of their morphological aspects of trophectoderm cells and blastocoele. Subsequently, maximum 3 of best blastocysts were transferred in 486 cycles. The results in this study were as follows: Patients who had four or more "good" embryos on day 2 were 498 persons, but patients whose embryos could not be transferred due to failure in development to the blastocyst stage on day 5 were 12 persons (2.4%). The development rate of embryos to the blastocyst stage was 58.2% (2,885/4,957) on day 5, and the rates that developed to the ErB, EEB, MEB, and EdB stage were 15.0% (743/4,957), 14.9% (739/4,957), 14.4% (714/ 4,957), and 13.9% (689/4,957), respectively. Total 1366 blastocysts were transferred in 486 cycles (mean number=2.81). The implantation rate and the ongoing implantation rate obtained by observing the number of G-sac and FHB were 29.9% (409/1,366) and 22.5% (308/1,366), respectively. The clinical pregnancy rate was 51.2% (249/486), and the ongoing pregnancy rate' was 39.1% (190/486). Among women showing ongoing pregnancy, women with singleton were 50% (95/190), women with twin were 37.9% (72/190), and women with triplet were 12.1% (23/190). Although triplet pregnancy rate in this study was high such as 12.1%, because many blastocysts with high viability were produced in our co-culture system using cumulus cells on day 5, we really believe that a multiple pregnancy except twin should not occur by selecting good embryos for maximum two blastocyst transfer. These results demonstrate that autologous cumulus cells may be used for the production of blastocysts with high developmental competence, and the use of autologous cumulus cells to be collected easily, and to be treated conveniently at OPU must be an effective means for obtaining high implantation and pregnancy rate.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.116-124
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• 2013

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ is thought to contribute to pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to investigate the effect of infliximab (TNF-${\alpha}$ antagonist) treatment on pathologic findings and gene expression in a monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension rat model. Methods: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to 3 groups: control (C), single subcutaneous injection of normal saline (0.1 mL/kg); monocrotaline (M), single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (60 mg/kg); and monocrotaline + infliximab (M+I), single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline plus single subcutaneous injection of infliximab (5 mg/kg). The rats were sacrificed after 1, 5, 7, 14, or 28 days. We examined changes in pathology and gene expression levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin receptor A (ERA), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP). Results: The increase in medial wall thickness of the pulmonary arteriole in the M+I group was significantly lower than that in the M group on day 7 after infliximab treatment (P<0.05). The number of intraacinar muscular arteries in the M+I group was lower than that in the M group on days 14 and 28 (P<0.05). Expression levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, ET-1, ERA, and MMP2 were significantly lower in the M+I group than in the M group on day 5, whereas eNOS and TIMP expressions were late in the M group (day 28). Conclusion: Infliximab administration induced early changes in pathological findings and expression levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, and MMP2 in a monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension rat model.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.9.1-9.6
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• 2020

Background: Fucosterol is a compound commonly found in algae that has various biological activities. The purpose of this study was to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) validation method for fucosterol and to compare the fucosterol contents of 11 algal species from Ulleungdo, Korea. Method: In this study, we successfully isolated and identified fucosterol from a 70% EtOH extract of Sargassum miyabei, and subsequently conducted specificity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, and precision analyses for development of an HPLC validation method. Fucosterol contents were compared using the established HPLC validation conditions. Results: We successfully isolated fucosterol from a 70% EtOH extract of S. miyabei and identified it based on spectroscopic analysis. On the basis of HPLC validation using the fucosterol isolated from S. miyabei, we confirmed specificity (8.5 min), linearity (R² = 0.9998), LOD (3.20 ㎍ mL^-1), LOQ (9.77 ㎍ mL^-1), accuracy (intra-day and inter-day variation, 90-110%), and precision (RSD, 1.07%). Fucosterol contents in the 11 assessed algal species ranged from 0.22 to 81.67 mg g^-1, with the highest content being recorded in a 70% EtOH extract of Desmarestia tabacoides (81.67 mg g^-1), followed by that of Agarum clathratum (78.70 mg g^-1). Conclusions: The results indicate that 70% EtOH extracts of D. tabacoides and A. clathratum containing fucosterol with various effects can be potential alternative sources of fucosterol.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2008

Objective: To evaluate predictor of IVF outcomes following single embryo transfer in patients with decreased ovarian reserve. Methods: A retrospective review was performed in 919 IVF cycles with elevated basal serum FSH (${\geq}12\;mIU/mL$), the number of retrieved oocytes ${\geq}4$ and serum $E_2$ concentration on hCG day <500 pg/ml between Jan. 1996 and Dec. 2006. Two hundred thirty five IVF cycles following single embryo transfer were included. Pregnancy rates and live birth rates was evaluated according to maternal age, serum $E_2$ on hCG day, basal FSH level, the number of blastomere on day 3 ET, stimulation protocol, the number of cycles of ET. Statistical analysis was used SPSS 12.0 program. Results: OPU cancellation rates were 25.6% (235 cycles), OPU failure rates were 18.5% (170 cycles), embryo transfer cancellation rates were 14.0% (129 cycles). Pregnancy rates following single embryo transfer was 8.1% (19 cycles) and live birth rates was 4.7% (11 cycles). Pregnancy rates and live birth rates of women under 35 years old was statistically higher than those of women above 35 years old (20% vs. 3.5% (p<0.0001), 12.3% vs. 1.8%, (p=0.002)). There was no difference in basal FSH, serum $E_2$ on hCG day, and the number of blastomere on ET, and stimulation protocol. Cumulative pregnancy rates according to the number of cycles of ET were $1^{st}$ 8.1%, $2^{nd}$ 9.2%, $3^{rd}$ 9.7%, $4^{th}$ 9.0%, and $5^{th}$ 9.5%. Conclusion: Pregnancy rates and live birth rates of IVF-ET cycles following single embryo transfer in patients with decreased ovarian reserve are statistically increased in women under 35 yrs old. There is no difference in cumulative pregnancy rates. These data may be helpful for counseling women with decreased ovarian reserve in attempting IVF with their own eggs or when choosing donor oocytes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.843-848
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• 2009

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of oak acorns and corn on broilers growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat fatty acid (FA) composition according to different ages of broilers. Two separate groups of 400 male broilers, reared for six weeks, were fed diets containing 33.5% green oak acorns (GO) and 67% of corn (C), respectively. At day 35, the body weight of the chickens fed the GO diet was 12% lower (p<0.05) compared with controls (C). However, at day 56 birds reached similar final weights. Abdominal adipose tissue (AAT) was 78% higher in the controls compared to those fed the oak acorn-based diet. The total lipids (TL) of thigh muscle were higher in the controls compared to dietary treatment GO (3.1 against 2.5 g/100 g of muscle). There were significant differences in fatty acid (FA) composition of the muscle between two groups. The broilers fed oak acorn exhibited more C18:2, as well as a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and PUFA:SFA (saturated fatty acid) ratio than those on the control diet, but no significant differences were observed among groups for the age of birds. There was a higher proportion of linolenic acid in broilers fed the oak acorn compared to the controls (0.8 vs. 0.6%). Furthermore, linolenic acid content decreased with age (p<0.001) in both groups. The results indicated no significant differences in FA with the age of birds. In conclusion, the meat fatty acids provided by the GO diet appeared to improve the nutritional quality preferred by the consumer.