• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.147-154
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• 2006

전세계적으로 매년 대량생산되는 프탈레이트(phthalate)류 물질은 플라스틱처럼 다양한 생활용품의 원료로 사용되기 때문에 인간에 대한 노출 정도가 매우 높은 산업 물질이다. 대표적으로 di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP)와 그 활성 대사물인 monoethyl hexyl phthalate(MEHP)가 내분비계 장애물질(endocrine disruptor)로 작용하여 인간과 실험 동물의 생식계를 교란한다는 증거들이 급속히 축적되고 있다. 본 연구는 DEHP가 암컷 흰쥐의 사춘기 개시와 이와 관련된 생식 지표들의 변화에 미치는 효과를 조사한 것이다. 생후 25 일부터 corn oil 또는 DEHP(100mg/kg/day i.p.)를 사춘기 개시의 지표인 질구 개방(vaginal opening, VO)이 일어나는 날까지 투여하였다. 다음 날 희생시킨 후 난소와 자궁의 외양과 조직 무게를 측정하여 DEHP가 이들 조직에서의 세포증식에 미치는 효과를 조사하였고, 현미경 관찰을 통해 해부학적인 변화 양상을 조사하였다. 또한 혈액내의 LH 수준을 방사면역측정법(RIA)로 측정하였다. 자궁 성숙의 지표인 프로게스테론 수용체(PR) 발현 양상은 정량적인 RT-PCR로 확인하였다. 결과로, DEHP 투여에 의해 질구 개방이 지연됨을 확인하였다($35.3{\pm}0.7\;day$ in control group vs $37.3{\pm}0.7\;day$ in DEHP group, p<0.05). 흥미롭게도, 첫번째 주사 다음 날(p<0.05)부터 이후 마지막 주사 날(p<0.01)까지 DEHP 군의 체중이 대조군에 비해 유의하게 낮음을 관찰하였다. 난소와 자궁의 크기와 무게, 그리고 혈중 LH 수준도 대조군에 비해 DEHP 군에서 유의하게 감소하였다. 질구 개방이 일어난 대조군의 난소에서는 성숙의 지표인 그라프 난포(Graafian follicle)와 황체가 관찰되었으나 DEHP 군의 난소에서는 미성숙한 1차, 2차 난포 그리고 작은 퇴화 난포(atretic follicle)들만이 다수 관찰되었다. 자궁의 경우도 대조군에서는 내막층과 근막층은 물론 상피층까지 잘 발달된 과다 성장 상태와 함께 분비선 수의 증가가 나타났으나 DEHP 군에서는 모든 세포층의 발달이 미약한 상태였다. 이러한 결과는 DEHP가 과립세포에서의 에스트로겐 합성 분비에 억제적 효과를 나타내는 것에 기인하는 것으로 보인다. RT-PCR 결과 난소(p<0.05)와 자궁(p<0.01)에서의 PR mRNA 수준은 DEHP 투여에 의해 유의한 발현 감소가 나타났다. 결론적으로, 본 연구는 사춘기 전 특정 시기에 단기적인 DEHP 투여에 의해 암컷 흰쥐의 생식계 활성화가 억제되고, 그 결과 사춘기가 지연될 수 있음을 시사한다.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.170-180
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• 2020

Objective: To compare short- and long-term dentoalveolar, skeletal, and rotational changes evaluated by Björk's structural method of superimposition between children with Class II malocclusion treated by functional appliances and untreated matched controls. Methods: Seventy-nine prepubertal or pubertal children (mean age, 11.57 ± 1.40 years) with Class II malocclusion were included. Thirty-four children were treated using an activator with a high-pull headgear (Z-activator), while 28 were treated using an activator without a headgear (E-activator). Seventeen untreated children were included as controls. Lateral cephalograms were obtained before treatment (T1), after functional appliance treatment (T2), and after retention in the postpubertal phase (T3). Changes from T1 to T2 and T1 to T3 were compared between the treated groups and control group using multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Relative to the findings in the control group at T2, the sagittal jaw relationship (subspinale-nasion-pogonion, p < 0.001), maxillary prognathism (sella-nasion-subspinale, p < 0.05), and condylar growth (p < 0.001) exhibited significant improvements in the Z- and E-activator groups, which also showed a significantly increased maxillary incisor retraction (p < 0.001) and decreased overjet (p < 0.001). Only the E-activator group exhibited significant backward rotation of the maxilla at T2 (p < 0.01). The improvements in the sagittal jaw relationship (p < 0.01) and dental relationship (p < 0.001) remained significant at T3. Condylar growth and jaw rotations were not significant at T3. Conclusions: Functional appliance treatment in children with Class II malocclusion can significantly improve the sagittal jaw relationship and dental relationships in the long term.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.563-575
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• 2003

호흡기능 또는 근기능이 얼굴의 구조적 관계에 미치는 영향을 평가하고자 어려서부터 한가지 운동종목을 전공하여 온 체육대학 학생 137명을 운동의 유형에 따라, 지속적으로 심폐지구력이 많이 요구되는 운동군(1군), 심폐지구력이 많이 요구되기는 하나 1군보다는 적게 요구되는 운동군(2군), 그리고 순간적인 근력이 크게 요구되는 운동군(3군)으로 분류하고, 정모 및 측모 방사선사진을 계측학적으로 평가하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 머리너비길이지수는 모두 단두개에 속하였으며, 각 군간에 유의한 차이가 없었다(p>0.05). 2. 1군과 2군의 얼굴지수는 유의한 차이가 없었으나(p>0.05), 1군과 3군간, 2군과 3군간에는 현저한 차이가 있었다(p<0.05). 3. 얼굴지수와 높은 상관관계를 지닌 각 군의 계측항목은 전하안면높이(상관계수: $0.63{\sim}0.69$, p<0.001), 총안면높이, 전상치조높이, 전하치조높이 및 총안면두개높이 등이었다. 4. 3군의 두개계측치는 전상안면높이(상관계수: $0.36{\sim}0.55$, p<0.001) 및 전하안면높이(상관계수: $0.31{\sim}0.56$, p<0.001)와 높은 상관관계를 나타냈다. 5. 1군과 2군은 얼굴의 수직 계측치가 전반적으로 컸고, 3군은 수평 계측치가 크게 나타나는 경향을 보였다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.255-261
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• 2006

일부 식물성 에스트로겐(phytoestrogen)의 경우, 긍정적인 효과를 갖는 것으로 보이지만, 대부분의 내분비계 장애 물질(endocrine disruptor 또는 endocrine disrupting compound, EDC)은 노출된 개체의 내분비계를 교란시켜 인간이나 야생 동물의 건강에 해로운 것으로 알려져 있다. 선행 연구에서 본 연구자들은 사춘기 전에 단기간으로 식물성 에스트로겐인 genistein(GS)을 투여했을 때 암컷 흰쥐의 생식계가 활성화되어 조기 사춘기가 유도되지만, 플라스틱 가소제인 di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP)를 투여했을 때 반대로 생식계의 불활성화가 유도되어 사춘기 지연이 초래됨을 보고하였다. 본 연구에서는 사춘기전 GS 또는 DEHP 투여가 흰쥐 난소와 자궁에서의 성적인 성숙 상태를 반영하는 에스트로겐 수용체($ER\;{\alpha}$ and $ER\;{\beta}$)와 LH 수용체(LHR) 발현에 미치는 효과를 조사하였다. GS(100 mg/kg/day i.p.)를 생후 25일부터 사춘기 개시의 지표인 최초의 질구 개방(vaginal opening, VO)이 일어나는 날까지 투여하고 다음 날(day 32) 희생시켰다. 유사하게, DEHP(100 mg/kg/day i.p.)를 생후 25일부터 대조군(corn oil $200\;{\mu}L$)에서 최초 질구 개방(vaginal opening, VO)이 일어나는 날까지 투여하고 다음 날(day 36) 희생시켰다. 희생 직후 난소와 자궁의 total RNA를 추출하여 각 호르몬 수용체들의 전사 수준을 측정하기 위해 정량적인 RT-PCR을 수행하였다. GS 투여에 의해 자궁에서의 $ER\;{\alpha}$, $ER\;{\beta}$ 그리고 LHR mRNA 수준 모두 대조군에 비해 유의하게 증가하였다. GS군의 난소에서는 LHR 발현이 유의하게 증가하였으나 $ER\;{\alpha}$와 $ER\;{\beta}$의 발현은 증가하는 경향만을 보였다. 한편, DEHP군에서는 난소와 자궁에서의 $ER\;{\alpha}$, $ER\;{\beta}$ 그리고 LHR mRNA 수준은 모두 대조군에 비해 유의하게 감소하였다. 사춘기 전의 암컷 흰쥐의 난소와 자궁에서 성숙과 관련된 생식호르몬 수용체들의 발현 변화는 이들 조직의 무게와 해부학적인 변화, 그리고 혈중 생식호르몬들의 수준 등 사춘기 과정에서의 표현형적인 측면 변화-2차 성징-들을 반영하는 것으로 추정된다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.183-190
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• 2009

In mammals, puberty is a dynamic transition process from infertile immature state to fertile adult state. The neuroendocrine aspect of puberty is started with functional activation of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal hormone axis. The timing of puberty can be altered by many factors including hormones and/or hormone-like materials, social cues and metabolic signals. For a long time, attainment of a particular body weight or percentage of body fat has been thought as crucial determinant of puberty onset. However, the precise effect of high-fat (HF) diet on the regulation of hypothalamic GnRH neuron during prepubertal period has not been fully elucidated yet. The present study was undertaken to test the effect of a HF diet on the puberty onset and hypothalamic gene expressions in immature female rats. The HF diet (45% energy from fat, HF group) was applied to female rats from weaning to around puberty onset (postnatal days, PND 22-40). Body weight and vaginal opening (VO) were checked daily during the entire feeding period. In the second experiment, all animals were sacrificed on PND 36 to measure the weights of reproductive tissues. Histological studies were performed to assess the effect of HF diet feeding on the structural alterations in the reproductive tissues. To determine the transcriptional changes of reproductive hormone-related genes in hypothalamus, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Body weights of HF group animals tend to be higher than those of control animals between PND 22 and PND 31, and significant differences were observed PND 32, PND 34, PND 35 and PND 36 (p<0.05). Advanced VO was shown in the HF group (PND $32.8{\pm}0.37$ p<0.001) compared to the control (PND $38.25{\pm}0.25$). The weight of ovaries (p<0.01) and uteri (p<0.05) from HF group animals significantly increased when compared to those from control animals. Corpora lutea were observed in the ovaries from the HF group animals but not in control ovaries. Similarly, hypertrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelia was found only in the HF group animals. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activities of KiSS-1 in HF group animals were significantly higher than those from the control animals (p<0.001). Likewise, the mRNA levels of GnRH (p<0.05) were significantly elevated in HF group animals. The present study indicated that the feeding HF diet during the post-weaning period activates the upstream modulators of gonadotropin such as GnRH and KiSS-1 in hypothalamus, resulting early onset of puberty in immature female rats.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.90-94
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• 2013

Background: This study was conducted to examine if basal luteinizing hormone (LH) levels could be useful for screening central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls. Methods: A total of 90 girls under the age of 8 years were included in this study. They underwent the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test at Good Gang-An Hospital from March 2008 to December 2012 for evaluation of premature sexual development. Patients were classified into two groups: the pubertal response group of patients who had 5 IU/L peak LH levels in the GnRH stimulation test, and the prepubertal response group of patients who had LH levels <5 IU/L. Chronological and bone ages, height, weight, body mass index, gonadotropin response to GnRH stimulation, and basal levels of LH, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol were studied in both groups. The relationship between basal LH and peak-stimulated LH was evaluated using Spearman's correlation. To determine the optimal cut-off values of basal LH levels for differentiating between two groups, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed. Results: When the correlation between basal LH levels and peak LH after GnRH stimulation was analyzed in all subjects (N=90), basal LH levels had a statistically significant positive correlation with peak stimulated LH levels (rs=0.493, p<0.001). The cut-off level of optimal basal LH was 0.1 IU/L, according to the ROC curves. Its sensitivity was 73.3%, and its specificity was 77.8%. Conclusion: The study results showed that serum basal LH levels are useful for screening CPP in girls.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.701-705
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• 2007

Seven rc mutant and seven normal male birds (Rhode Island Red suie, RIR) were used in this study to determine the effects of rc mutation on semen characteristics, testosterone profile and spermatogenic tissues. All birds were randomly selected at week 12 of age and housed in individual cages and were fed and watered ad libitum. The birds were exposed to a 14L:10D light cycle during experiment. Semen were collected at weeks 22 to 23 from each bird twice a week and evaluated for semen volume (SV), sperm concentration (SC), total sperm count (TSC), percent of sperm motility (%SM), dead sperm (%DS), and sperm metabolic activity (SMA). To determine the testosterone concentration (TC) in plasma, blood was collected at weeks 12, 16 and 18. Testicular tissue were collected, processed and evaluated for semineferous tubule diameter (STD), round spermatid number (RSN), percent elongated sperm (%ES) and semineferous tubules length (STL). Body weight (BW), comb weight (CW) and testes weight (TW) were weighted at the end of experiment (week 23). The SV, TSC and %SM were significantly higher in normal birds but the %DS was higher in blind birds (p<0.05). The SC did not differ significantly between the two groups but its value was higher in normal birds. The sperm metabolic activity in the first h of collection did not differ significantly between the two groups but after 24 h, the level of SMA in normal group was significantly higher (p<0.05). The level of TC did not differ significantly between the two genotype groups but normal birds had higher TC in all collections except the last one. The STD, RSN, %ES and STL in normal birds were higher when compared to blind birds but the differences were insignificant except for ES percent. The BW, CW and TW between the two groups did not differ significantly but the weights were higher in normal group compared to blind birds. Statistical analysis of semen characteristics, testosterone profile and histological factors were indicated detrimental effects of rc mutation in prepubertal RIR blind male birds due to lack of light.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제52권6호
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• pp.399-411
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• 2022

Objective: The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to study the skeletal and dental effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) along with a miniscrew-assisted expander (Hyrax) after six months of retention. Methods: After sequence generation, concealed allocation, and implementation, 24 female patients were randomly divided (1:1) into two-groups: bone-borne rapid palatal expansion (BBE) without LLLT (n = 12) and BBE with LLLT (n = 12). Eligibility criteria included female patients aged 10-13 years old with bilateral posterior crossbites. Intraoral and extraoral photographs, cone-beam computed tomography images, and digital study models were obtained before expansion and six months after retention. The 7 mm Hyrax appliance was anchored to four palatal mini-screws, which were activated twice daily for 15 days, then locked and kept in place as a retainer. LLLT was performed in the laser group during expansion and retention, according to the guidelines provided. Results: The records of 24 patients were analyzed. According to the post-retention measurements, both groups showed a significant increase in nasal and maxillary widths and total facial height. In the laser group, the Sella-Nasion-Point A and Point A-Nasion-Point B angles and the interpremolar apical distance were significantly increased. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that the parameters and protocol of LLLT do not clinically affect the efficiency of BBE in prepubertal and pubertal patients.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.269-274
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of fibroblast co-culture on in vitro maturation (IVM) of prepubertal mouse preantral follicles. The intact preantral follicles were obtained from the ovaries of 12-14 day old mice and these were cultured individually in ${\alpha}$-minimal essential medium (${\alpha}$-MEM) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), $100mIU/m{\ell}$ recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH), 1% insulin-transferrin-selenium, $100{\mu}g/ml$ penicillin and $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ streptomycin as base medium for 12 days. A total of 200 follicles were cultured in base medium co-cultured with mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) (MEF group) (n=100) or only base medium as control group (n=100). Survival rate of follicles on day 12 of culture were significantly higher in the MEF group of 90.0%, compared with 77.0% of the control group (p=0.021). Follicle diameters on day 6 and 8 of the culture period were significantly larger in the MEF group than those in the control group (p=0.021, p=0.007, respectively). Estradiol levels in culture media on day 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 of the culture period were significantly higher in the MEF group (p=0.043, p=0.021, p=0.006, p<0.001 and p=0.008, retrospectively). Our data suggest that MEF cell co-culture on IVM of mouse preantral follicle increases survival rate and promotes follicular growth and steroid production.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.111-118
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• 2009

목 적 : 어린시기에 genistein과 같은 식물성 에스트로겐의 섭취가 사회적 관심사로 대두되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 어린 쥐에서 genistein에 노출이 사춘기 개시 및 생식기관에 미치는 영향을 알아 보았다. 방 법 : 이유기(3주령) 암컷 흰쥐를 저용량 genistein (10 mg/kg/day), 고용량 genistein (100 mg/kg/day), 대조군의 세 그룹 (각 그룹 당 n=6)으로 나누고 첫 번째 질구 개방이 확인되는 날까지 농도별로 각각 경구 투여하였다. 질구 개방일을 확인하고 생식 기관의 무게를 측정하며 난소와 자궁에서 $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$, PR 유전자들의 발현양상을 RT-PCR을 이용해 비교하였고, 난소와 자궁의 구조적 이상을 확인하기 위해 조직학적 분석을 실시하였다. 결 과 : 고용량 genistein 투여군은 저용량군 및 대조군에 비해 질구 개방일이 유의하게 촉진되었다. RT-PCR결과, $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$, PR의 전사활성은 genistein에 노출된 쥐들의 난소와 자궁에서 유의하게 증가하였다. 그라프 난포와 황체는 genistein 투여군의 난소에서만 발견되었고, 대조군의 난소에서는 1차, 2차 난포들과 작은 미성숙 난포들만이 관찰되었다. Genistein 처리군의 자궁에서도 내막층 근막층 및 상피층이 과다성장상태였으나 대조군에서는 모든 세포층과 분비선이 미약하게 발달하였다. 결 론 : 결론적으로, 사춘기 이전 시기에 비교적 단기간의 genistein 노출이라도 미성숙 암컷 흰쥐에서 생식 내분비 활성을 일으켜 조기 사춘기와 성 스테로이드 호르몬 수용체의 발현 양상 변화를 초래할 수 있으며, genistein의 노출이 아동기 성성숙에 미치는 영향에 대한 더욱 많은 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.