• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.370-379
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• 2022

Human pregnancy is a delicate and complex process where multiorgan interactions between two independent systems, the mother, and her fetus, maintain pregnancy. Intercellular interactions that can define homeostasis at the various cellular level between the two systems allow uninterrupted fetal growth and development until delivery. Interactions are needed for tissue remodeling during pregnancy at both fetal and maternal tissue layers. One of the mechanisms that help tissue remodeling is via cellular transitions where epithelial cells undergo a cyclic transition from epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) and back from mesenchymal to epithelial (MET). Two major pregnancy-associated tissue systems that use EMT, and MET are the fetal membrane (amniochorion) amnion epithelial layer and cervical epithelial cells and will be reviewed here. EMT is often associated with localized inflammation, and it is a well-balanced process to facilitate tissue remodeling. Cyclic transition processes are important because a terminal state or the static state of EMT can cause accumulation of proinflammatory mesenchymal cells in the matrix regions of these tissues and increase localized inflammation that can cause tissue damage. Interactions that determine homeostasis are often controlled by both endocrine and paracrine mediators. Pregnancy maintenance hormone progesterone and its receptors are critical for maintaining the balance between EMT and MET. Increased intrauterine oxidative stress at term can force a static (terminal) EMT and increase inflammation that are physiologic processes that destabilize homeostasis that maintain pregnancy to promote labor and delivery of the fetus. However, conditions that can produce an untimely increase in EMT and inflammation can be pathologic. These tissue damages are often associated with adverse pregnancy complications such as preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (pPROM) and spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). Therefore, an understanding of the biomolecular processes that maintain cyclic EMT-MET is critical to reducing the risk of pPROM and PTB. Extracellular vesicles (exosomes of 40-160 nm) that can carry various cargo are involved in cellular transitions as paracrine mediators. Exosomes can carry a variety of biomolecules as cargo. Studies specifically using exosomes from cells undergone EMT can carry a pro-inflammatory cargo and in a paracrine fashion can modify the neighboring tissue environment to cause enhancement of uterine inflammation.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.57-68
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• 1974

These experiments were performed in order to study histologically and histochemically on the epithelial cells of gall bladder in Carassius carassius, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Natrix tigrina lateralis, Urloncha striata var. domesticus and Bos taurus var. domesticus. The results of the observation were as follows: 1. There were different cell types in the epithelium of gall bladder in each animal and it could not be supported histochemically that the epithelia cells of gall bladder were divided into two cell types of the rod-shaped and barrel-shaped ones. 2. The epithelium of gall bladder in Carassius carassius, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Natrix tigrina lateralis, Urloncha striata var. domesticus and Bos taurus var. domesticus was simple columnar epithelium. 3. The eosinophilities of cytoplasm in the epithelial cells of gall bladder were in uniform stronger in the upper portion of nucleus in Carassius carassius, Bufo bufo gargarizans and Natrix tigrina lateralis than its other portions, and in Urloncha striata var. domesticus and Lepus cuniculus var. domesticus existed uniformly in all portions, but there were many non-eosinophilic cells in Bufo bufo gargarizans and many cells that weakly eosinophilic around nucleus in Bos taurus var. domesticus. 4. The periodic acid Schiff's reactivities in the epithelial cells of gall bladder were different in each other and the epithelial cells in PAS reaction were divided into two cell types of the dark and light ones. There presented the light cells of 6.4%, 4.3% and 3.7% of epithelial cell of gall bladder in Carassius carassius, Bufo bufo gargarizans and Urloncha striata var. domesticus for each other, but were not presented in Natrix tigrina lateralis and Bos taurus var. domesticus. 5. The ninhydrin-Schiff-active proteins were much in the epithelial cells of gall bladder in Bos taurus var. domesticus, Carassius carassius, Urloncha striata var. domesticus and Natrix tigrina lateralis in order and were much in epithelial cells in the upper portion of mucosal folds in Carassius carassius, Urloncha striata var. domesticus and Natrix tigrina lateralis, and the ninhydrin-Schiff-active protein of the epithelium of gall bladder in Bufo bufo gargarizans was uniformly distributed. 6. The epithelial cells of gall bladder in Carassius carassius, Natrix tigrina lateralis, Urloncha striata var. domesticus and Bos taurus var. domesticus had no stain reactivity or weak stain reactivity to neutral fat and all epithelial cells in Bufo bufo gargarizans had strong stain reactivity, though they were different in quantity of epithelial cell portion. 7. The stain reactivities to RNA and DNA were stronger in the epithelial cells of the upper portion of mucosal fold than in those of other portions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.537-547
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• 1994

Ninety seven cases of histopathologically diagnosed spontaneous canine parvovirus enteritis(CPE) were studied gross pathologically, histopathologically, immunohistochemically, to investigate histopathological types of small intestinal lesions, and antigen distributions in each pattern related to the infected age. And also, reliability of histopathological method in diagnosis of CPE was inspected with immunohistochemistry. The results were as follows : 1. Age-related occurring ratio in histopathologically diagnosed CPE was 53.6% in 4-8 weeks, 26.8% in 9-15 weeks, 8.25 in 16-19 weeks and 11.3% in 20-45 weeks of the clog age. 2. In histopathologic classification based on patterns of villi/crypts lesions of small intestine(jejunum), the ratio of A type (initial phase of necrosis of crypt epithelia, desquamated epithelial cells in the dilated lumen of the crypt) was 20.6%; the ratio of B type(middle phase of atrophy and fission of the villi, collapse of the mucosa, loss of normal crypt structure) was 62.9%, and C type(regenerative phase of the crypt architecture) was 16.5%. 3. The ratio of A, B, C type in 4-8 weeks old, respectively, was 23.5%, 61.5%, 15.4%; in 9-15 weeks old was 19.2%, 65.4%, 15.3% in 16-19 weeks old was 25.0%, 75.0%, 0.0%; and in 20-45 weeks old was 9.0%, 54.5%, 36.4%. 4. The antigen distribution in the nuclei of the crypt epithelial cells was higher than of the cytoplasm and numerous desquamated epithelial cells in dialated crypts in A type; The antigen cytoplasm and numerous desquamated epithelial cells in dialated crypts in A type; The antigen distribution in the nuclei of the collapsed crypt epithelial cells was not higher than that of the cytoplasm, crypts were lined by and filled with released viral antigens from the destructed epithelial cells in B type; and its distribution was also higher than in the epithelial cells adjacent to the tips of the villi, but it was not reacted in the regenerative crypt epithelial cells in C type. 5. Immunohistochemically detected antigen ratio in the small intestine of histopathologically diagnosed CPE was 94.6%, and this result indicates that histopathological diagnosis is very reliable method in diagnosis of CPE.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 2017

Most men infected with Trichomonas vaginalis are asymptomatic and can remain undiagnosed and untreated. This has been hypothesized to result in chronic persistent prostatic infection. Adhesion of the protozoan organisms to mucosal cells is considered a first and prerequisite step for T. vaginalis infection. Adhesion of T. vaginalis to prostate epithelial cells has not yet been observed; however, there are several reports about inflammation of prostate epithelial cells induced by T. vaginalis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether adhesion and cytotoxicity of T. vaginalis are involved in inflammation of prostate epithelial cells. When RWPE-1 cells were infected with T. vaginalis (1:0.4 or 1:4), adhesion of T. vaginalis continuously increased for 24 hr or 3 hr, respectively. The cytotoxicity of prostate epithelial cells infected with T. vaginalis (RWPE-1: T. vaginalis=1:0.4) increased at 9 hr; at an infection ratio of 1:4, cytotoxicity increased after 3 hr. When the RWPE-1 to T. vaginalis ratio was 1:0.4 or 1:4, production of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, CCL2, and CXCL8 also increased. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was verified by measuring decreased E-cadherin and increased vimentin expression at 24 hr and 48 hr. Taken together, the results indicate that T. vaginalis adhered to prostate epithelial cells, causing cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and EMT. Our findings suggest for the first time that T. vaginalis may induce inflammation via adhesion to normal prostate epithelial cells.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2006

Ultrastructure of germ cells, the cyst epithelial cells and interstitial cells during spermatogenesis of the stone flounder, Kareius bicoloratus (Pleuronectidae) sampled on the west coast of Korea were investigated by electron microscopic observations. In the primary spermatocyte, the synaptonemal complexes appear in the zygotene stage of the prophase during maturation division. In the growing testis, especially, the interstitial cells (Leydig cells) appear near the primary, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. Well-developed interstitial cells (steroid hormone secreting cells) which are located in the interlobular space in growing testis have three morphological characteristics of a vesicular nucleus, mitochondria with tubular cristae and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. During spermatogenesis, the primary and secondary spermatocytes attach to the cyst epithelial cell (Sertoli cell) having an elongated ovoid or triangular nucleus and several mitochondria in the cytoplasm. In the growing testis, lipid droplets, the mitochondrial rosettes and glycogen particles appear in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cells near the secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. Particularly, the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, little lipid droplets and the large amount of glycogen particles are present in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cell in the late growing testis. In the late stage of spermiogenesis, the proximal centriole is joined to the nuclear envelope, the distal centriole forms the basal body of the flagellum and gives rise to the axial filament of the flagellum. No acrosome of the sperm is formed as seen in other teleost fish. The head of the spermatozoon is approximately $3{\mu}m$ in length and its tail is about $30{\mu}m$ in length. The axoneme of the tail flagellum of the spermatozoon consists of nine outer doublet microtubules at the periphery and two centrial singlet microtubules at the center. The spermatozoon of this species has two axonemal lateral fins. Especially, the cyst epithelial cells which located near groups of gametes in the various stages, show three functions: nutrition, phagocytosis and steroidogenesis. Especially, the nuclei of cyst epithelial cells in the recovery stage of the testicular developmental stages appear to be irregular in shape after spermiation. Of three functions of the cyst epithelial cell, several characteristics of phagocytosis are showed in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cells in the recovery stage of the testicular developmental stages. At this stage, therefore, it is assumed that the cyst epithelial cells are involved in degeneration and resorption of undischarged germ cells after spermiation.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.44-46
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• 1978

This is to report of a case of bilateral taurodontism of mandibular right & left 1st deciduous molars of 4 year-old female. Taurodontism is a morphologic condition of tooth, it seems to be caused by delayed or incomplete union of horizontal epithelial flaps of the epithelial diaphragm. This union is necessary in order to initiate dentinogenesis in the bifurcation area.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 1997.07a
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• pp.22-22
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• 1997

The physiological activity of tracheal epithelial cells is closely related with the ionic conditions of cytosol, specially the concentration of cytosolic Ca$\^$2＋/. We have prepared microsomes in these cells and the molecular mechanisms of ionic regulations were investigated.(omitted)

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.226-226
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• 2019

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 1995

The protozoan parasite, Entcmoeba histoIWticc, is one of major causative agents of intestinal disease all over the world. In acute experimental infection, the early host response to 5. histoIHtica is characterized by an infiltration of neutrophils. However, the chemotactic signal for this response is not well known. Based on the (jading that human epithelial cells produce the potent neutrophil chemoattractant and activator, interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-8 gene expression was examined thoroughly in human colon epithelial cells exposed to 5. histolvtica trophozoites. Cellular RNAs were extracted from HT-29 or Caco-2 human colon epithelial cells exposed to 5. histoLvtica trophozoites for 30 minutes, 1 and 3 hours. IL-8 mRNA transcripts were measured by reverse transcriptional polprnerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using synthetic standard RNA. The number of IL-8 mRNA molecules increased from 30 minutes to 3 hours of exposure period, reaching 3.1 H 107 molecules/ug of total RNA. Expression pattern of IL-8 mRNA transcripts was parallel to the amounts of IL-8 protein measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Lysates of 5. histoIVtica also induced expression of mRNA for IL-8 in colon epithelial cells. These results sugf:esc that acute inflammatory reaction by 5. histoIVticc may be initially triggered by proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 secreted from epithelial cells of the colon.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.343-351
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• 2019

Background: Preterm labor and miscarriage may occur in stressful situations, such as a surgical operation or infection during pregnancy. Pharyngeal and buccal abscess and facial bone fractures are inevitable dental surgeries in pregnant patients. Remifentanil is an opioid analgesic that is commonly used for general anesthesia and sedation. Nonetheless, no study has investigated the effects of remifentanil on amniotic epithelial cells. This study evaluated the effects of remifentanil on the factors related to uterine contraction and its mechanism of action on amniotic epithelial cells. Methods: Amniotic epithelial cells were preconditioned at various concentrations of remifentanil for 1 h, followed by 24-h lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. MTT assays were performed to assess the cell viability in each group. The effects of remifentanil on factors related to uterine contractions in amniotic epithelial cells were assessed using a nitric oxide (NO) assay, western blot examinations of the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), and RT-PCR examinations of the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Results: Remifentanil did not affect viability and nitric oxide production of amniotic epithelial cells. Western blot analysis revealed that remifentanil preconditioning resulted in decreased expressions of NF-κB and PGE2 in the cells in LPS-induced inflammation, and a tendency of decreased COX2 expression. The results were statistically significant only at high concentration. RT-PCR revealed reduced expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α. Conclusions: Preconditioning with remifentanil does not affect the viability of amniotic epithelial cells but reduces the expression of factors related to uterine contractions in situations where cell inflammation is induced by LPS, which is an important inducer of preterm labor. These findings provide evidence that remifentanil may inhibit preterm labor in clinical settings.