• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.211-220
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• 2021

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the possibility that curcumin (CMN) protects against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular damage by affecting the phospho-p38 (p-p38) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Methods: Eighteen male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups. The control group was given an intragastric administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) daily for 14 days, the MTX group was given a single intraperitoneal dose of MTX (20 mg/kg) on the 11th day, and the MTX+CMN group was given intragastric CMN (100 mg/kg/day, dissolved in DMSO) for 14 days and a single intraperitoneal dose of MTX (20 mg/kg) on the 11th day. At the end of the experiment, all animals were sacrificed and the testicular tissues were removed for morphometry, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Body and testicular weights were measured. Results: Body weights, seminiferous tubule diameter, and germinal epithelium height significantly decreased in the MTX group compared to the control group. Whereas, the number of histologically damaged seminiferous tubules and interstitial space width significantly increased in the MTX group. In addition, the number of p-p38 MAPK immunopositive cells and the immunoreactivity of NF-κB also increased in the MTX group compared to the control group. CMN improved loss of body weight, morphometric values, and histological damage due to MTX. CMN also reduced the number of p-p38 MAPK immunopositive cells and the NF-κB immunoreactivity. Conclusion: CMN may reduce MTX-induced testicular damage by suppressing the p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제62권2호
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• pp.153-165
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• 2019

Objective : Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a very serious health problem, usually caused by a trauma and accompanied by elevated levels of inflammation indicators. Stem cell-based therapy is promising some valuable strategies for its functional recovery. Nestin-positive progenitor and/or stem cells (SC) isolated from pancreatic islets (PI) show mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics. For this reason, we aimed to analyze the effects of rat pancreatic islet derived stem cell (rPI-SC) delivery on functional recovery, as well as the levels of inflammation factors following SCI. Methods : rPI-SCs were isolated, cultured and their MSC characteristics were determined through flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis. The experimental rat population was divided into three groups : 1) laminectomy & trauma, 2) laminectomy & trauma & phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and 3) laminectomy+trauma+SCs. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) labelled rPI-SCs were transplanted into the injured rat spinal cord. Their motilities were evaluated with Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) Score. After 4-weeks, spinal cord sections were analyzed for GFP labeled SCs and stained for vimentin, $S100{\beta}$, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proinflammatory (interleukin [IL]-6, transforming growth factor $[TGF]-{\beta}$, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-2, myeloperoxidase [MPO]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-1 receptor antagonis) factors. Results : rPI-SCs were revealed to display MSC characteristics and express neural and glial cell markers including BDNF, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), fibronectin, microtubule associated protein-2a,b (MAP2a,b), ${\beta}3$-tubulin and nestin as well as anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 receptor, EP3. The BBB scores showed significant motor recovery in group 3. GFP-labelled cells were localized on the injury site. In addition, decreased proinflammatory factor levels and increased intensity of anti-inflammatory factors were determined. Conclusion : Transplantation of PI-SCs might be an effective strategy to improve functional recovery following spinal cord trauma.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.76-86
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• 2019

Objective: This study was performed to explore the possibility that each oocyte and its surrounding cumulus cells might have different genetic expression patterns that could affect human reproduction. Methods: Differential gene expression analysis was performed for 10 clusters of cumulus cells obtained from 10 cumulus-oocyte complexes from 10 patients. Same procedures related to oocyte maturation, microinjection, and microarray analyses were performed for each group of cumulus cells. Two differential gene expression analyses were performed: one for the outcome of clinical pregnancy and one for the outcome of live birth. Results: Significant genes resulting from these analyses were selected and the top 20 affected pathways in each group were analyzed. Circadian entrainment is determined to be the most affected pathway for clinical pregnancy, and proteoglycans in cancer pathway is the most affected pathway for live birth. Circadian entrainment is also amongst the 12 pathways that are found to be in top 20 affected pathways for both outcomes, and has both lowest p-value and highest number of times found count. Conclusion: Although further confirmatory studies are necessary, findings of this study suggest that these pathways, especially circadian entrainment in cumulus cells, may be essential for embryo development and pregnancy.

• 대한치위생과학회지
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.11-18
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• 2021

Background: The present study aimed to analyze which curriculum is the most relevant to dental hygiene students when they participate in clinical practice in order to provide a useful reference for preparing educational guidance in this field. Method: The survey utilized in the present study consisted of six questions about general characteristics, such as grade, satisfaction with major, amount of clinical practice, period of clinical practice, place of clinical practice, and the most interesting are during clinical practice. When evaluating curriculum relevancy, the following were ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where 5 = very useful, 4 = comparatively useful, 3 = normal, 2 = comparatively unuseful, 1 = very unuseful: difference in requirements in the field of clinical practice, reason for this difference, and question about the utility of each curriculum. On this scale, higher points implied higher relevance. Result: The highest groups of curricula regarding curriculum utility were as follows: operative dentistry (59.6%), pre-clinical practice (55.2%), dental materials and clinical practice (54.4%), and prosthetic dentistry (49.6%). The lowest groups of curricula regarding curriculum utility were as follows: oral physiology (2.0%), oral histology and embryology (1.6%), and oral microbiology (1.2%). These results imply a lack of connection between the curriculum and tasks in clinical practice. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it appears that both theory and practice courses of the clinical curriculum must be conducted systematically, and that there is a need to conduct education for the fundamental curricula, such as oral physiology, oral histology and embryology, and oral microbiology, regarding the relevance of tasks practiced in clinics.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.740-751
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• 2022

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mixture of encapsulated essential oils (EOs) addition on nutrient digestion, serum biochemical parameters, peripheral blood alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), and acid phosphatase (ACP-ase) positive lymphocyte ratios and intestinal morphology in laying hens. Methods: A total of 320 laying hens of 48-wk-old were randomly allotted into 4 treatment groups with 10 replicates of 8 birds in each replicate. The birds were fed a basal diet (control) or the diet added with mixture of EOs (which consist of eugenol, nerolidol, piperine, thymol, linalool, and geraniol) at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for period of 84 days. Results: The addition of EOs at 100 or 200 mg/kg increased the dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestion as compared to control. The addition of all doses of EOs did not affect serum gamma glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and P but increased serum asparate aminotransferase (AST) concentration. The addition of 200 mg/kg EOs increased serum creatinine, while 100 mg/kg decreased Ca concentration. The addition of 100 and 200 mg/kg EOs generally improved ANAE and ACP-ase positive peripheral blood lymphocyte ratios and intestinal morphology. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, the addition of 100 or 200 mg/kg encapsulated EOs generally increased apparent nutrient digestion and serum AST concentration, improved ANAE and ACP-ase positive peripheral blood lymphocytes and intestinal morphology in laying hens.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.34-43
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of royal jelly (RJ), a powerful natural antioxidant, on cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian damage. Methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Oral treatment was administered to all rats for 16 days after a single intraperitoneal injection. The control group received intraperitoneal and oral saline; the RJ group received intraperitoneal saline and 100 mg/kg/day oral RJ; the cyclophosphamide group received intraperitoneal 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide and oral saline; and the treatment group received intraperitoneal 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide and 100 mg/kg/day oral RJ. The groups were compared in terms of ovarian reserve tests and histopathological changes in the ovary and uterus. Results: All follicle counts were higher in the treatment group than in the cyclophosphamide group. The increase in the number of preantral follicles (p=0.001) and the decrease in the number of atretic follicles (p=0.004) were statistically significant. RJ treatment significantly improved follicular degeneration and cortical fibrosis in the ovary and epithelial and gland degeneration in the uterus due to cyclophosphamide toxicity. Conclusion: According to these results, RJ reduces cyclophosphamide-related ovarian and endometrial damage in rats. For this reason, it should be further investigated to determine its effects on reproductive function.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.31.1-31.13
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• 2022

Background: Compared to medium containing 108 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), in vitro maturation (IVM) using a simple medium with reduced (61.6 mM) NaCl increases the cytoplasmic maturation and embryonic development of pig oocytes. Objectives: This study determines the effect of a complex medium containing reduced NaCl on the IVM and embryonic development of pig oocytes. Methods: Pig oocytes were matured in Minimum Essential Medium Eagle-alpha modification (αMEM) supplemented with 61.6 (61αMEM) or 108 (108αMEM) mM NaCl, and containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (αMEMP) or pig follicular fluid (PFF) (αMEMF). Medium-199 (M199) served as the control for conventional IVM. Cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation, intra-oocyte glutathione (GSH) contents, size of perivitelline space (PVS), and embryonic development after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) were evaluated after IVM. Results: Regardless of PVA or PFF supplementation, oocytes matured in 61αMEM showed increased intra-oocyte GSH contents and width of PVS (p < 0.05), as well as increased blastocyst formation (p < 0.05) after PA and SCNT, as compared to oocytes matured in 108αMEMP and M199. Under conditions of PFF-enriched αMEM, SCNT oocytes matured in 61αMEMF showed higher blastocyst formation (p < 0.05), compared to maturation in 108αMEMF and M199, whereas PA cultured oocytes showed no significant difference. Conclusions: IVM in αMEM supplemented with reduced NaCl (61.6 mM) enhances the embryonic developmental competence subsequent to PA and SCNT, which attributes toward improved oocyte maturation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.4.1-4.16
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• 2021

Objectives: This study evaluated the biocompatibility and bioactive potential of NeoMTA Plus mixed as a root canal sealer in comparison with MTA Fillapex. Materials and Methods: Polyethylene tubes filled with NeoMTA Plus (n = 20), MTA Fillapex (n = 20), or nothing (control group, CG; n = 20) were inserted into the connective tissue in the dorsal subcutaneous layer of rats. After 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, the specimens were processed for paraffin embedding. The capsule thickness, collagen content, and number of inflammatory cells (ICs) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) immunolabeled cells were measured. von Kossa-positive structures were evaluated and unstained sections were analyzed under polarized light. Two-way analysis of variance was performed, followed by the post hoc Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05). Results: At 7 days, the capsules around NeoMTA Plus and MTA Fillapex had more ICs and IL-6-immunostained cells than the CG. However, at 60 days, there was no significant difference in the IC number between NeoMTA Plus and the CG (p = 0.1137) or the MTA Fillapex group (p = 0.4062), although a greater number of IL-6-immunostained cells was observed in the MTA Fillapex group (p = 0.0353). From 7 to 60 days, the capsule thickness of the NeoMTA Plus and MTA Fillapex specimens significantly decreased, concomitantly with an increase in the collagen content. The capsules around root canal sealers showed positivity to the von Kossa stain and birefringent structures. Conclusions: The NeoMTA Plus root canal sealer is biocompatible and exhibits bioactive potential.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

포획된 야생의 우수리땃쥐 Crocidura lasiura는 구치의 마모와 높이를 이용하여 3개의 연령군으로 분류하였고 번식과 생식기관의 계절적 변이를 조사하였다. 유수들은 구치에서 마모를 가지지 않았고 세 번째 구치 높이가 첫 번째와 두 번째 구치보다 낮았고 비번식상태만을 가졌다. 아성수들은 약간의 마모를 가졌고 세 번째 구치가 첫 번째와 두 번째 구치 높이에 도달했고 성수들은 구치에 깊은 마모를 가졌으며 아성수와 성수는 계절에 따라 번식 혹은 비번식상태를 가졌다. 조직학적 관찰을 근거로 아성수와 성수 수컷의 번식상태는 2월 초에서 10월 초까지 유지되었고 4월에 가장 높은 번식활동을 보였으며 암컷의 번식 상태는 3월 말에서 10월까지 유지되어, 수컷이 암컷보다 빨리 성적 성숙에 이르는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 반면 번식상태는 비번식기 동안 중단되며 이것은 식량자원인 토양 무척추동물의 부족때문이라 생각된다. 번식기의 아성수와 성수들은 많은 생식세포들로 채워진 확장된 세정관을 가지는 큰 정소와 많은 정자들을 가진 팽창된 부정소 미부를 가졌고 10.0 g 이상의 몸무게와 0.03 g 이상의 정소와 부정소 무게를 가졌다. 번식기의 암컷들은 4~6개의 새끼를 가진 임신상태이거나 난소에 성숙난포들과 황체를 가졌고 9.6 g 이상의 몸무게를 가졌다.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.125-132
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• 2010

작은땃쥐 Crocidura suaveolens는 치아 마모도를 이용하여 3개의 연령군으로 분류하였고 생식기관의 계절적 변이를 조사하였다. 유수들의 구치는 치아 마모를 보이지 않았고 세 번째 구치의 높이가 첫 번째와 두 번째 구치보다 낮았으며, 아성수는 약간의 치아 마모를 보였고 세 번째 구치의 높이가 첫 번째와 두 번째 구치의 높이에 이르렀고, 성수들은 깊은 치아 마모를 보였으며 세 번째 구치 높이 역시 첫 번째와 두 번째의 구치에 도달하였다. 조직학적 조사를 근거로, 번식의 계절적 변이가 명확해졌으며, 수컷 성수의 번식 상태는 2월 초에서 10월 초까지 유지되었고 4월과 7월에 가장 높은 번식 활동을 보였고 비번식기는 10월 중순에서 1월 말까지였다. 번식기에 포획된 아성수와 성수 수컷은 다양한 생식세포들로 채워진 확장된 세정관을 가진 큰 정소와 많은 정자들을 가진 팽창된 부정소 미부를 가졌고 비번식기에 포획된 아성수와 성수 수컷들은 정원세포만으로 채워진 가늘어진 세정관을 가진 작은 정소와 정자를 가지지 않는 감소된 부정소를 가졌다. 몸무게가 3.9g 이상이고 정소와 부정소 무게가 0.013 g 이상인 수컷은 번식기에 성적 성숙에 도달하였고, 몸무게가 3.8 g 이상이고 번식기에 포획된 암컷들은 5~6마리의 새끼를 가진 임신상태이거나 난소에 성숙난포들과 황체를 가지고 있었다.