• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.345-351
• /
• 2000

Objective: Hatching of the blastocyst from the zona pellucida (ZP) is a key event in mammalian implantation. In vivo, two factors have been identified as possible mediators of hatching: lysis of the ZP by substances elaborated either from the embryo or female reproductive tract and pressure exerted on the zona by expansion of the blastocyst. Two methods of zona manipulation were already in use to enhance the ability of embryos to hatch: mechanical PZD and chemical ZD by acidic Tyrode's solution. But several controversies of each method have been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pronase for mouse embryo hatching. Methods: Mouse embryos were obtained following ovulation induction of $F_1$ animals. Fresh and cryo-thawed morula embryos were exposed to 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 ${\mu}g/ml$ pronase in Ham's F10 for 72 hrs. Main outcome measures were the rates of partial hatching and completely hatched blastocysts, and cell number of it. Results: In fresh and cryo-thawed group, the rates of completely hatched blastocyst were significantly higher in 5 ${\mu}g/ml$ pronase treatment group than control group. There was no difference in completely hatched blastocyst total cell number between pronase treatment group and control group. This suggest that pronase treatment did not harmful in mouse embryo development. In pronase treatment group, zona pellucida were thinner than control group. Conclusion: The addition of pronase to culture media may accelerate the hatching of embryo. So, enzymatic treatment of the zona may provide a valuable and effective assisted hatching technique for human in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.43 no.1 s.133
• /
• pp.27-32
• /
• 2005

Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were isolated from an ocular patient in the Republic of Korea and maintained in the laboratory (designated KI-1). In the present study, its genotype was determined by analyzing dense granule antigen 6 (GRA6) gene and surface antigen 2 (SAG2) gene as typing markers. Digestion of the amplification products of GRA6 and of the 5' and 3' ends of SAG2, respectively, with Mse I, Sau3A I, and Hha I, revealed that KI-1 is included in the genotype I, which includes the worldwide virulent RH strain. In addition, when the whole sequences of the coding regions of SAG1, rhoptry antigen 1 (ROP1), and GRA8 genes of KI-1 were compared with those of RH, minor nucleotide polymorphisms and amino acid substitutions were identified. These results show that KI-1 is a new geographical strain of T. gondii that can be included in the genotype I.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.303-308
• /
• 2011

This study investigated whether elevated host immune capacity can inhibit T. gondii infection. For this purpose, we used silk protein extracted from Bombyx mori cocoons as a natural supplement to augment immune capacity. After silk protein administration to BALB/c mice for 6 weeks, ratios of T lymphocytes ($CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T-cells) and splenocyte proliferative capacities in response to Con A or T. gondii lysate antigen (TLA) were increased. Of various cytokines, which regulate immune systems, Th1 cytokines, such as IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-2, and IL-12, were obviously increased in splenocyte primary cell cultures. Furthermore, the survival of T. gondii (RH strain)-infected mice increased from 2 days to 5 or more days. In a state of immunosuppression induced by methylprednisolone acetate, silk protein-administered mice were resistant to reduction in T-lymphocyte ($CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T-cells) numbers and the splenocyte proliferative capacity induced by Con A or TLA with a statistical significance. Taken together, our results suggest that silk protein augments immune capacity in mice and the increased cellular immunity by silk protein administration increases host protection against acute T. gondii infection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.196-199
• /
• 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate and analyze fractures types, sites and surgical approach of wild birds in Korea. The study was conducted on data collected for fracture lesion sites, species, outcomes, surgical methods, treatments and medical records from wildlife centers in South Korea. All birds were subjected to clinical examination, followed by surgical invasion and post-operative care. Fractures were more common in adult non-raptor species (51.57%) as compared to raptors (48.43%). Of the 254 cases evaluated, maximum cases comprised ulnar fractures (29.70%), followed by radial (21.76%) and humeral fractures (17.35%). Treatment procedures at 340 fracture sites were maximally treated with figure-8 bandage (33.07%), external skeletal fixator-intramedullary pin (ESF+IM tie-in fixation) (20.86%), and other varied procedures. All birds were kept indoors till recovery. Treatment outcomes were dependent on the type of bone fractured and surgical method applied. Based on the surgical treatments and outcomes, birds were kept hospitalized, and released or euthanized. The findings of this study provide information for veterinarians regarding the fractures sites, basic database for the species and outcomes of fracture repair in wild birds.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.211-218
• /
• 2003

Background: Vitamin C is an essential nutrient, taken as a daily supplement by many people. Recently, high-dose vitamin C is considered as a therapeutic regimen in some clinical situations. Until now, few studies have been done with the effects of high-dose vitamin C on the immune response. Methods: In this experiment, the effects of high-dose vitamin C on cell-mediated immune response in immunologically competent mice were evaluated. After intraperitoneal injection of 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/day of vitamin C for 10 days, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) was provoked against DNFB in the pinnae as a model for cell-mediated immune response. Severity of DTH reaction was evaluated as the thickness of pinnae, and the vitamin C levels were measured in the serum, liver, kidney, lung, pinnae, and splenocytes. Results: After challenge, the thickness increased at its peak on the $2^{nd}$ day in all groups. On the first day, the pinnae were thicker in the injected groups than in the control. On the contrary, the increment of the pinnae thickness was attenuated and the number of cells infiltrated in the site of DTH decreased proportionately to the amount of vitamin C administered from the second day on. With vitamin C exogenously given, the serum level peaked at 30 min after injection, and returned abruptly to its basal level without accumulation. However, it accumulated in the liver, kidney, and especially in the pinnae inflamed and splenopcytes, proportionately to the amount administered. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is suggested that, in one hand, exogenously administered high-dose vitamin C accumulated in the splenocytes and presumably changed the function of them resulting in the augmented cell-mediated immune response, as was revealed in the first day of DTH reaction. On the other hand, it seems likely that the vitamin C also showed anti-inflammatory effects.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.167-173
• /
• 2009

The classical type of transient receptor potential (TRPC) channel is a molecular candidate for $Ca^{2+}$-permeable cation channels in mammalian cells. Because TRPC4 and TRPC5 belong to the same subfamily of TRPC, they have been assumed to have the same physiological properties. However, we found that TRPC4 had its own functional characteristics different from those of TRPC5. TRPC4 channels had no constitutive activity and were activated by muscarinic stimulation only when a muscarinic receptor was co-expressed with TRPC4 in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. Endogenous muscarinic receptor appeared not to interact with TRPC4. TPRC4 activation by $GTP{\gamma}S$ was not desensitized. TPRC4 activation by $GTP{\gamma}S$ was not inhibited by either Rho kinase inhibitor or MLCK inhibitor. TRPC4 was sensitive to external pH with $pK_a$ of 7.3. Finally, TPRC4 activation by $GTP{\gamma}S$ was inhibited by the calmodulin inhibitor W-7. We conclude that TRPC4 and TRPC5 have different properties and their own physiological roles.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.45 no.2 s.142
• /
• pp.153-156
• /
• 2007

The small intestines of 6 species of rodents and 1 species of insectivore were examined seasonally for Plagiorchis muris infection in 3 different localities in northern Gyeonggi-do (Province), near the demilitarized zone (DMZ). A total of 1,496 animals, including 1,366 Apodemus agrarius, 54 Crocidura iasiura (insectivore), 32 Mus musculus, 28 Micronytus fortis, 9 Eothenomys regulus, 6 Micronys minutus, and 3 Cricetulus triton, were live-trapped at Yeoncheon-gun (n = 351), Paju-shi (804) and Pocheon-gun (343) at 3-mo intervals from December 2004 to September 2005. A total of 1,647 P. muris were collected from 72 (5.3%) A. agrarius. The infection rate was the high-est in Pocheon-gun (8.2%), followed by Yeoncheon-gun (5.0%) and Paju-shi (4.2%). A higher infection rate was observed in A. agrarius captured during September (19.4%) than those captured during December (3.0%), June (2.6%), or April (0%). However, the worm burden was the highest in June (av. 32.1/animal), followed by September (24.7), December (4.0), and April (0). None of the other animal species were found infected with P. muris. The results reveal that A. agrarius is a natural definitive host for P. muris, and infection rates and worm burdens vary seasonally and geographically.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.403-411
• /
• 2023

The shift in the medical paradigm from treatment to prevention and diagnosis has underscored the growing significance of biosensors. Notably, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has spurred the widespread adoption of biosensors for the detection of viral genes and antigens. Consequently, there has been a substantial increase in both the demand for biosensors and the industries associated with their production. Furthermore, biosensors find applications not only in healthcare but also in diverse fields such as environmental monitoring, food quality control, military defense, and industrial processes. In this brief review, we delve into the essential attributes of biosensors, namely sensitivity, selectivity, and stability. We provide an overview of the latest research trends aimed at improving these attributes. Additionally, we introduce recent research cases in which these attributes are being applied both in vivo and in vitro.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.795-802
• /
• 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of temperature and supplementation with skim milk powder (SMP) on the microbial and proteolytic properties during the storage of cottage cheese. Cottage cheese was manufactured using skim milk with 2% SMP and without SMP as the control, and then stored at $5^{\circ}C$ or $12^{\circ}C$ during 28 days. The chemical composition of the cottage cheese and the survival of the cheese microbiota containing starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) and non-starter culture lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) were evaluated. In addition, changes in the concentration of lactose and lactic acid were analyzed, and proteolysis was evaluated through the measurement of acid soluble nitrogen (ASN) and non-protein nitrogen (NPN), as well as electrophoresis profile analysis. The counts of SLAB and NSLAB increased through the addition of SMP and with a higher storage temperature ($12^{\circ}C$), which coincided with the results of the lactose decrease and lactic acid production. Collaborating with these microbial changes, of the end of storage for 28 days, the level of ASN in samples at $12^{\circ}C$ was higher than those at $5^{\circ}C$. The NPN content was also progressively increased in all samples stored at $12^{\circ}C$. Taken together, the rate of SLAB and NSLAB proliferation during storage at $12^{\circ}C$ was higher than at $5^{\circ}C$, and consequently it led to increased proteolysis in the cottage cheese during storage. However, it was relatively less affected by SMP fortification. These findings indicated that the storage temperature is the important factor for the quality of commercial cottage cheese.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.325-330
• /
• 2013

Kefir is traditional fermented milk produced by various lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast, which produce lactic acid, ethanol, carbon dioxide, and other flavor compounds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different commercial oligosaccharides, such as maltotriose, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), and isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO), on the fermentation properties of kefir. First, we determined the acidification kinetic parameters, such as $V_{max}$, $t_{max}$(h), $t_{pH5.0}$(h), and $t_f$(h) of fermented milk supplemented with 4% (w/w) of different oligosaccharides. The probiotic survival and chemical composition (pH, organic acids profile, and ethanol content) of kefir during fermentation were also measured. Compared to control fermentation, all oligosaccharides increased acidification rate and reduced the time to complete fermentation (pH 4.7). The addition of FOS, in particular, resulted in the lowest $t_f$(h) and the highest populations of LAB and yeast during fermentation. All oligosaccharides increased ethanol production during fermentation. Further, significant differences were observed in the formation rates of six organic acids during fermentation. This study provided comparative data on the properties of commercial oligosaccharides for kefir manufacturing. Consequently, FOS especially had the potential for adequate and effective oligosaccharides in commercial kefir for the improvement of cost- and time-effectiveness.