• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.845-851
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• 2010

Purpose: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been widely used to treat short stature. However, there are some concerns that growth hormone treatment may induce skeletal maturation and early onset of puberty. In this study, we investigated whether rhGH can directly affect the neuronal activities of of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Methods: We performed brain slice gramicidin-perforated current clamp recording to examine the direct membrane effects of rhGH on GnRH neurons, and a whole-cell voltage-clamp recording to examine the effects of rhGH on spontaneous postsynaptic events and holding currents in immature (postnatal days 13-21) and adult (postnatal days 42-73) mice. Results: In immature mice, all 5 GnRH neurons recorded in gramicidin-perforated current clamp mode showed no membrane potential changes on application of rhGH (0.4, $1{\mu}g/mL$). In adult GnRH neurons, 7 (78%) of 9 neurons tested showed no response to rhGH ($0.2-1{\mu}g/mL$) and 2 neurons showed slight depolarization. In 9 (90%) of 10 immature neurons tested, rhGH did not induce any membrane holding current changes or spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs). There was no change in sPSCs and holding current in 4 of 5 adult GnRH neurons. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that rhGH does not directly affect the GnRH neuronal activities in our experimental model.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.186-190
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• 2018

Esophageal atresia (EA) with proximal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF; gross type B) is a rare defect. Although most patients have long-gap EA, there are still no established surgical guidelines. A premature male infant with symmetric intrauterine growth retardation (birth weight, 1,616 g) was born at 35 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The initial diagnosis was pure EA (gross type A) based on failure to pass an orogastric tube and the absence of stomach gas. A "feed and grow" approach was implemented, with gastrostomy performed on postnatal day 2. A fistula was detected during bronchoscopy for recurrent pneumonia; thus, we confirmed type B EA and performed TEF excision and cervical end esophagostomy. As the infant's stomach volume was insufficient for bolus feeding after reaching a body weight of 2.5 kg, continuous tube feeding was provided through a gastrojejunal tube. On the basis of these findings, esophageal reconstruction with gastric pull-up was performed on postnatal day 141 (infant weight, 4.7 kg), and he was discharged 21 days postoperatively. At 12 months after birth, there was no catch-up growth; however, he is currently receiving a baby food diet without any complications. In patients with EA, bronchoscopy is useful for confirming TEF, whereas for those with long-gap EA with a small stomach volume, esophageal reconstruction with gastric pull-up after continuous feeding through a gastrojejunal tube is worth considering.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2012

Epimedii Herba is a traditional medicinal herb used in Korea and China and exerts estrogenic activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of peripubertal administration of Epimedii Herba on pubertal development in female rats using a modified protocol of the rodent 20-day pubertal female assay. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (21 days old after weaning, 10 rats per group) were divided into five groups: saline (Con), ethinyl estradiol (E2), Epimedii Herba ext (Ext), icariin (ICI), and icaritin (ICT), which were administered by oral gavage (E2 by subcutaneous injection) from postnatal day (PND) 21 through PND40. The time to vaginal opening (VO) was shorter for the Epimedii groups, particularly for the ICT group (p<0.05). Treatment with ICI and ICT significantly increased the duration of the estrus cycle (ICI, 2.78 days; ICT, 4.0 days; control, 1.78 days). Ovary weight was reduced by E2 treatment and increased by the Ext, ICI, and ICT treatments while the weight of the uterus and pituitary glands increased significantly only in the E2 and ICT groups. Although Epimedii Herba displayed relatively weak estrogenic activity, its repeated administration could affect pubertal development in female rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.325-334
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• 2005

Changes in the rabbit Leydig cell from birth to adulthood were studied in New Zealand white rabbits of 1, 7, 21, 35, 49, 70, 105, 147, 196, and 252 days (n = 8 rabbits per group) of age. The objectives of this study were to understand the fate of the fetal Leydig cells, to determine the changes in serum testosterone levels, and leutenizing hormone-stimulated testosterone production per testis in vitro, and to quantify adult Leydig cells by number and average volume with age. Testes of rabbits were fixed by whole body perfusion using a fixative containing 2.5% glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer, processed and embedded in Epon-araldite. Using $1{\mu}m$ sections stained with methylene blue-azure II, qualitative and quantitative (stereological) morphological studies were performed. Testosterone levels in the incubation medium of luteinizing hormone-stimulated (100 ng/ml) testosterone secretion per testis in vitro, and in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. The average volume of a testis of 1-day-old rabbits was determined as $0.0073cm^3$ and the parameter increased linearly from birth to 252 days ($3.93cm^3$). The volume density of the seminiferous tubules increased with age from 33.76% at day 1 to 88.2% at day 252. The volume density of the interstitium represents 66.24% of the testicular parenchyma at day 1. This proportion progressively diminished during development to reach a value of 11.8% at day 252. The volume density of Leydig cells increased almost linearly from birth (0.001%) to 252 days (2.62%). Leydig cell mass per testis increases from 0.0012 mg to 0.25 mg between days 1 and 35, from 2.66 mg to 44.3 mg between days 49 and 105 and from 65.42 mg and 102.9 mg between days 147 and 252. The absolute numbers of adult Leydig cells per testis increased linearly from birth to 252 days. The average volume of adult Leydig cell on days 1, 7, 21 and 35 was not significantly different; a gradual and continued increase was observed thereafter, reaching a 3-fold increase at 196 and 252 days. Serum testosterone concentrations were not significantly different at day 1 compared days 7, 21, 35. Significant increases were observed at days 49 and 70. Values at days 70 and 105 and days 147, 196, and 252 were not significantly different. LH-stimulated testosterone production per testis in vitro was significantly different at day 1 compared days 7, 21, 35. Significant increases were observed at days 49 and 70. Hormonal values at days 105, 147, 196, and 252 were not significantly different. These data suggested Leydig cell developmental phase can be classified: a neonatal phase (1-7 days), a prepubertal phase (14-49 days) and an adult phase (70-252 days). Immature and mature adult Leydig cells, initially detected at days 7 and 49, respectively, and mature adult Leydig cells were abundant Leydig cell type according to the number and absolute volume per testis form day 49 onwards.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.161-169
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• 2018

Purpose: We assessed the influence of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) on the inhospital outcomes of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) infants. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with singletons born at $23^{+0}$ to $33^{+6}weeks$ of gestation at Seoul National University Hospital from 2007 to 2014. We compared clinical outcomes between infants who received ACS 2 to 7 days before birth (complete ACS), at <2 or >7 days (incomplete ACS), and those who did not receive ACS in IUGR and AGA infants. Multivariate logistic regression using Firth's penalized likelihood was performed. Results: 304 neonates with 91 IUGR neonates were eligible. Among AGA neonates, mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02 to 0.78), hypotension within 7 postnatal days (aOR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.64), and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death (aOR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.77) were lower in complete ACS group after adjusting for pregnancy induced hypertension and uncontrolled preterm labor. Mortality (aOR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.78), hypotension (aOR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.70), and severe BPD or death (aOR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.92) were also lower in the incomplete ACS group. Among IUGR infants, after adjusting for birth weight and 5-minute Apgar score, inhaled nitric oxide use within 14 postnatal days was lower in both complete ACS (aOR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.67) and incomplete ACS (aOR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.37) groups. Conclusion: ACS was not effective in reducing morbidities in IUGR preterm infants.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2002

The immunohistochemical localization of the nerve growth factor (NGF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNIF) in the developing Mongolian gerbil forebrain was investigated by the immunohistochemical and electron microscopy methods. Generally, the NGF specifically recognizes the neurons, the GFAP does the glia, and the CNIF does the motor neurons. This study demonstrates the location of the NGF, GFAP and CNTF in the developing Mongolian gerbil from the embryonic days 17 (E17) to the postnatal weeks 3 (PNW 3). The NGF was localized at E19 in the olfactocy bulb and the cerebral cortex, expanded to the hippocampus, and the diagonal bond from the late prenatal period to PNW 3. GFAP was observed in the lateral ventricle and the third ventricle at E17, projected into the cerebral cortex at E19. The GFAP was observed to have the largest numbers in several parts of the forebrain at the postnatal days 2 (PND2), while the most numerous CNTF was observed at PNW 2. The CNTF-IR cells were observed only in the postnatal days and were found in the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex both neuron and neuroglia at PND3. Electron microscopy showed that the NGF, GFAP and CNTF were not related to any connections with any particular subcellular structure. These results suggest that NGF, GFAP and CNTF be related to the neuron and neuroglia at the prenatal and postnatal stages in the developing Mongolian gerbil.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 1995

The histological and histochemical study of the axis body of piglet was performed in order to clarify the ossification process. These experimental animals collected from after birth to 52 days were used for this study. The results were summarized as follows; 1. The epiphysis, the intercentrum 2 and the centrum of proatlas were appeared in the axis body and dens of piglet after birth. 2. In 39 days of age piglet, the ossification of the intercentrum 2 was first observed but the epiphysis was already initiated. The centrum of proatlas was observed cranioventral part of the dens of the 52 days piglet axis. 3. The notochordal remnants revealed distinctively in the part between the centrum 1 and the centrum2, in the apical cartilaginous tissue of dens and in the caudal cartilaginous part of body of axis. 4. Intramembranous ossification occurred in the adjacent area of perichondrium of centrum 2. These ossified trabeculae show the woven bone configuration.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.318-329
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• 1987

Weanling female Sprague Dawley rate were fed 1.2mg pyridoxine' HCl/kg diet Cdepleted diet) and 2 22mg pyridoxine' HCI/kg dietCcontrol diet). The control and one depleted group were fed their diets throughout growth, gestation, and lactation. Other three depleted groups were fed the depleted diet throught growth and gestation, and then pyridoxine w was supplemented by feeding control diet at 5, 10, and 21 days postpartum. The brains were analyzed for proteolipid protein, cholesterol, and cerebrosi­d de. Percentage stimulation of erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity was also determined. Body and brain weight were significantly lower at all ages in depleted group than the control and depleted group showed inadequacy of B6 at all ages. PProteolipid protein and cholesterol were significa­n ntlylower in the depleted group at 10, 21, 35 and 5 50 days. The postnatal development of cerebroside in brain was delayed in depleted groups suppleme­I nted at 5, 10, and 21 days. When supplementation was initiateo at 5 days postparturn, contents of cho­lesterol proteolipid protein were reversed. But some differences in brain development of pups we­re evident when supplementation of dams was de­layed to 10 days or 21 days.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.783-792
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• 2008

The present study was performed to determine expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase(Cyp19) in the efferent ductules(EDs) and the epididymis of male rat reproductive tract at different postnatal ages. Total RNAs isolated were reverse-transcribed, and cDNAs were utilized for real-time PCR analysis. In the EDs, the Cyp19 transcript was expressed at all prepubertal ages with the highest level at 14 days of age, but not at 90 days of age. Expression of Cyp19 mRNA in the epididymis was found at all age groups, except 7 days of age. Distinct expression patterns of Cyp19 transcript were shown in each segment of the epididymis. These results indicate that expression of Cyp19 gene in the excurrent duct of male reproductive tract is differentially regulated in age-dependent and segment-specific manners.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.478-487
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• 1994

The developmental changes of three enteroendocrine cells, i.e. gastrln, somatostatin and serotonin, of gastric and small intestinal mucosa in pre- and postnatal rat were examined by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. In the course of development, gastrin cells were obsenred in the pyloric gland region and the whole part of small intestine, while somstostatin and serotonin cells in the whole gastric gland region and small intestine. More entroendocrine cells were detected in the pyloric gland region and duodenum than in the other portion. In the stomach, gastrin, somatostatin and serotonin ceils were first obsenred in the pyloric Bland region on 17, 19 and 19 days of gestation respectively. The small intestinal gastrin and serotonin cells were first appeared in the duodenum and iriunum on 17 and 15 days of gestation respectively, and somatostBtin cells in duodenum on 17 days of gestation. The number of cells examined from the stomach were increased from fetal to weanling period and showed a decrease during adult period: the notable increase was shown at the end of suckling period or at early weanling period. The cells of the small intestine increased from fetal to suckling period, especially, these cells markedly increased at the end of fetal period or at early suckling period, and decreased from weanling period. The shape of these cells was oval or fusiform during fetal period. In the stomach, most of gastrin cells turned out to be oval and open-type from suckling period, while the remaining two tripes of cells were oval and open- or closed-type. In the small intestine, 311%Ves of cells examined were changed to fusiform and open-type from the end of fetal period. Three types of cell were distributed over the stratified epithelium on 15 and 17 days of gestation. In the stomach, these cells were distributed lower gastric pit and gland from the following fetal period, and were detected mainly on the upper part of gland from suckling period, and then obsenred on the whole part of gland. In the small intestine, most of cells distributed over only between epithelium of villi on 19 days of gestation, increased in number on the crypt from following fetal period, and also observed abundantly in the crypt at adult period.