• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1557-1563
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• 2005

Ovarian follicular fluid contains both stimulatory and inhibitory agents that influence the growth and maturation of oocyte. In the present study, an attempt was made to isolate and study the biological properties of ovarian follicular fluid peptide(s) in buffaloes. Bubaline ovarian follicular was made steroid- and cell-free. A protein fraction was obtained by saturation (30-35% level) of the follicular fluid with ammonium sulfate. The protein fraction was purified with Sephadex-G 50 gel filtration chromatography and a single peak was obtained in the eluant volume, which was lyophilized. SDS-PAGE of the lyophilized fraction revealed a single band and the molecular weight of the peptide was 26.6 kDa. The peptide stimulated the cumulus cell expansion and in vitro maturation rate of oocytes in buffaloes in a dose dependent manner when it was incorporated at different dose levels (0, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 1,000 ng $ml^{-1}$ of maturation medium). The basic culture medium consisted of TCM 199 with Bovine serum albumin (0.3%). The in vitro maturation rates were comparable to those obtained with a positive control medium (TCM 199+20 ng EGF $ml^{-1}$+steer serum (20%)). Further purification and biological assays may throw more light on the nature and functions of this peptide.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.94-94
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• 2003

Endocrine disrupters (EDs) are exogenous chemicals that interfere with the production, releasing, metabolism, excretion, binding of natural hormones, and whole endocrine systems. EDs are very dangerous since they are extremely stable, not easily degraded, and accumulated in fat and tissue. 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is known as the most toxic EDs. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of TCDD on proliferation of human breast cancer (MCF-7) and endometrial adenocarcinoma (Hec-1B) cells. 10, 100, and 1000 nM of TCDD were treated with steroid free condition. Viable cell counting, MTT, and BrdU assay was performed to investigate cell proliferation. Apoptosis was investigated using DNA laddering. Although, DNA fragmentation as the evidence of apoptosis was not detected, all of these cell lines showed restricted proliferation at 48 hrs after 100 and 1000 nM TCDD treatments. Recently, it has been reported that the expression of transforming growth factor $\beta$s (TGF-$\beta$s) are increased in TCDD treatment and also involved in regulation of cell cycle. Therefore, these results were considered that the decreased cell prolifcration by TCDD is related to the expression of TGF-$\beta$s.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.476-480
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• 2005

Immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric renal transplant recipients is changing consequence of the increasing number of available immunosuppressive agents. The optimal use of immunosuppressive agents requires a thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetic characteristics, but the information on the pharmacokinetic characteristics of these drugs in pediatric transplant recipients is still limited. In general, patients younger than 5 years old show higher clearance rates, therefore the need for higher dosages in younger patients seems evident. By the therapeutic drug monitoring, trough($C_{min}$) and peak level($C_{max}$) are measured and the area under the blood concentration-time curve(AUC), which is taken as being representative of total systemic exposure can be calculated. Cyclosporine A (CSA) has poor bioavailability, which contributes to high inter- and intra-patient pharmacokinetic variability. CSA concentration measured 2 hours after administration($C_2$) has better correlation with the AUC than $C_{min}$ and is an alternative technique that predicts the AUC. Tacrolimus(Tac) has a great deal of inter-individual variability like CSA but intra-individual variability in systemic exposure is considered to be low. Both CSA and Tac are metabolized by a cytochrome P-450 enzyme isoform(CYP3A4). We should consider changing the dosages when CSA or Tac is used in combination with the medicines that inhibit or induce the CYP3A4. In case of steroid-free immunosuppressive therapy, the blood concentration of Tac should be frequently checked and dosage adjustment may be needed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.215-220
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• 2007

We present a case of autoimmune chronic pancreatitis in a previously healthy child without any history of autoimmune disease. A 12-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. The serum amylase, lipase, and IgG levels were elevated and autoantibodies (antinuclear antibody, antineutrophil antibody) were detected. An abdominal CT (computed tomographic) scan revealed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas. ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography) demonstrated an irregular stricture of the main pancreatic duct in the pancreas tail. After two years of oral steroid and immunosuppressive drug therapy, the clinical, laboratory and radiological findings were improved. The patient has been symptom-free for 18 months after the discontinuation of medication.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2015

For recent years, use of autologous fat injection has increased significantly in facial contouring surgery. Along with such increase in use, complications like atypical mycoplasma infection have been also on the increasing trend. The authors report two cases of Mycobacterium chelonae infection that occurred after autologous fat injection. Patients were treated as infection that resistant to common antibiotics and results were negative to routine culture and Gram staining. Acid-fast bacillus stain, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and mycobacterial cultures were conducted for diagnosis under suspicion of atypical mycoplasma infection. Then, combination antibiotics therapy, surgical treatment, and steroid injection were performed for treatment. Both patients were diagnosed with Mycobacterium chelonae in PCR test. They were positive to mycobacterial cultures. Combination antibiotics therapy was repeated to improvement of symptom. However, they could not be free from side effects such as deformation in facial contour, scar and pigmentation even after full recovery. When chronic wound infections after autologous fat injection, we must suspect atypical or mycobacterial infection and conduct examinations for a early diagnosis and proper antibiotic therapy that is effective to the nontuberculous mycobacteria.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2023

Globally, esophageal cancer is the seventh most common cancer, and the male-to-female ratio in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is significantly imbalanced at 4:1 to 8:1. Obesity, reflux, and smoking are known risk factors for this sex difference; however, fully explaining this remains challenging. Studies have investigated the link between exogenous sex hormones and esophageal cancer occurrence. A meta-analysis revealed a lower risk of EAC in female who had undergone hormone replacement therapy. Androgen-deprivation therapy in patients with prostate cancer was associated with a decreased risk of EAC. Tissue-based studies have reported varied results regarding the relationship between estrogen receptor expression and survival in female patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Circulating hormone studies have suggested that higher testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels decreased EAC risk in men, and free testosterone was inversely correlated in female with ESCC. However, a high androgen-estrogen ratio in male patients with EAC was linked to increased odds of EAC. Sex hormones influence carcinogenesis, affecting cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, inflammation, and cell death. The studies were limited by the small sample size and varying hormone measurement methods; thus, future studies with definitive conclusions on the association between esophageal cancer and sex hormones are warranted.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.308-313
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• 1997

To investigate the effects of Angelica keiskei Koidz on cholesterol metabolism, male Sprague Dawley rats were fed diets containing 5% of A. keiskei flour for 6 weeks. A. keiskei decreased plasma contents of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride while showing no change in HDL-cholesterol, resulting in reduction of atherosclerotic index. Decrease in liver concentration of triglyceride and increases in fecal excretion of cholesterol, total neutral steroid and bile acid were also observed. Those results suggest that A. keiskei improves hypercholesterolemia through, at least in part, reducing the absorption of cholesterol and enhancing the catabolism of cholesterol to bile acids.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.651-662
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• 2006

Phthalate esters that are used as plasticizers and also found at low levels in foods such as dairy products are often mentioned as suspected endocrine disrupters. The purpose of the present study is to elucidate whether perinatal exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate(DBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) affects several aspects of reproductive function in rats especially sexual differentiation of the brain. To this end, the dams were provided with pulverized soy-free diet containing 20, 200, 2,000 and 10,000 ppm of DBP, 40, 400, 4,000 and 20,000 ppm of DINP, or 480, 2,400 and 12,000 ppm of DEHA from gestational day (GD) 15 to postnatal day (PDN) 21, the day of weaning, and serum sex steroid hormone, gonadotropin levels and sexual behaviors after maturation were assessed. At Postnatal week (PNW) 20-21, serum levels of sex steroids and gonadotropins in both male and female rats, as well as estrous cyclicity in females, were not changed by perinatal exposure to DBP, DINP and DEHA, indicating that these chemicals did not affect sexual differentiation of the brain controlling the endocrine system of hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. On the other hand, inhibitory influences on sexual behaviors, especially on ejaculation in males and lordosis in females, were observed by perinatal exposure to these chemicals. These results suggest that these chemicals may act directly on discrete regions of the hypothalamus regulating sexual behaviors, but not regulating gonadotropin secretion, thereby affect sexual differentiation of the brain with a resultant decrease in sex-specific behaviors in adulthood.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2007

Purpose: We evaluated calcium resolution and clinical improvement of calcific tendinitis after conservative and arthroscopic treatment. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 126 patients of calcific tendinitis treated from January, 2002 to April, 2005. Average age was 53 and female dominant in 77% of the cases. Calcium deposits were involved in supraspinatus tendon in 84% of the cases. We compared clinical changes for 64 cases treated with injection, and 12 cases treated by arthroscopic decompression with 6 month follow-up. Results: 77%(49/64) of the cases with steroid injection showed symptom improvement. Even though complete resolution of calcific deposit occurred in 36%(23/64), incomplete resolution in 17%(11/64) and no change in 47%(30/64), Pain was relieved in 87%(20/23), 82%(9/11) and 67%(20/30), respectively. With arthroscopic treatment, calcium deposit completely resolved in 83%(10/12), and all cases showed pain free motion after 6 months. Conclusion: Conservative treatment with steroid injection was effective for acute pain in resorptive phase. In cases of arthroscopic treatment, there was no need for complete removal of calcium deposit during the procedure, but clinical symptoms improved with resolution of the deposit.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 1988

혈액에서 생물학적 활성을 나타내는 (bioavailable) steroid hormone은 주로 비결합형(free form)과 알부민 결합형(albumin-bound form)으로 구성된다. 특히 Testosterone (T)과 5 alpha-Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)의 활성적 분획이 전체의 T, DHT 양에 비해 생리적 현상과 보다 잘 일치하는 것으로 알려지고 있다. 본 연구는 섬광면역측정법(Luminescence immunoassay, LIA)으로 혈청내 활성적 T 및 DHT의 농도의 측정에 이용하고져 하였다. 항체는 T- 또는 DHT-3-CMO-BSA를 항원으로 토끼에 면역주사하여 얻었다. 추적자는 T-3-CMO, DHT-3-CMO에 aminobutylethylisoluminol(ABEI)를 부착시켜 사용하였다. 항체중 IgG분획을 Protein-A-Sepharose CL-4B로 분리한 후 Immunobead(Bio-Rad)에 부착시켜 Solid-phase LIA를 실시하였다. 본 연구에서 LIA는 정확도(accuracy), 정밀도(precision), 감도(sensitivity), 교차반응도(specificity)등을 조사하고, 기존의 방사면역측정법(RIA)과 비교하여 만족할만한 결과를 얻었다. 혈청내 T및 DHT의 활성적 분획의 농도를 측정한 결과는 다음과 같았다. T의 경우는 남성에서 T의 전체량의 33% 이상으로 $7.1{\pm}1.5nmol/l$, 여성에서는 26% 이상으로 $0.28{\pm}0.05nmol/l$이었다. DHT의 활성적 분획은 남성의 경우 $601.7{\pm}85.8pmol/l$, 여성의경우 $52.4{\pm}19.9\;pmol/l$이었다. 이상의 결과를 보아 본 연구에서 이용된 LIA는 혈청내 활성적 농도를 측정하기에 충분하다고 사료된다. 또한 이 방법을 이용하여 여성의 Androgenicity 및 남성 정소기능등의 제어방법에 응용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.