The sacrum fused with first caudal vertebra and ilium of a male German shepherd were observed macroscopically. The sacrum and first caudal vertebra were fused, however caudal articular process of the sacrum separated from the cranial articular process of the first caudal vertebra. On the other hand, partial fusion were also observed between the sacrum and ilium. The sacrum and ilium were fused from the cranioventral part of the sacropelvic surface in the wing of ilium to the lateral part of the right cranial articular surface in the sacrum.

The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-ERK) in the spinal cord of rats with acute monophasic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was studied using immunohistochemistry and treatment with inhibitor. P-ERK is constitutively expressed in glial cells in the normal spinal cord. In EAE, some inflammatory cells in the subarachnoid space were positive for p-ERK at the early stage, and its immunoreactivity declined when those cells infiltrated the parenchyma at the peak stage. In a blocking experiment using its inhibitor, the intravenous administration of PD98059 from day 7 to 13 post-immunization did not modulate EAE paralysis. Considering the results, we postulate that intravenous administration of PD98059 is not effective in ameliorating EAE paralysis, although many inflammatory cells express ERK in the subarachnoid space.

Changes in the rat testis interstitium from birth to adulthood were studied using Sprague Dawley rats of 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 40, 60, and 90 days of age to investigate Leydig cell differentiation. In addition, serum testosterone concentrations and luteinizing hormone stimulated (LH; 100 ng/ml) testosterone secretory capacity per testis in vitro were determined via radioimmunoassay. Fetal Leydig cells were present in rat testes from birth to 21 days, and they were only steroidogenic cells in the testis at days 1 and 7. The average volume of a fetal Leydig cell and the absolute volume of fetal Leydig cell per testis were similar at all ages of experimental groups except at day 21 when lower values were observed for both parameters. The number of fetal Leydig cells per testis remained constant from birth through 21 days. Adult Leydig cells were recognized at day 14 and their absolute volume and number per testis increased linearly from 14 to 90 days. The average volume of an adult Leydig cell increased significantly with age and reached maximum size by 60 days of age where the volume was nearly three times bigger than that of at day 14. Total testosterone production per testis in vitro and serum testosterone concentrations were not significantly different at day 1 compared with 7, 14, and 21 days of age. Significant increases were observed at days 40 and 60. Values at days 60 and 90 were not significantly different.

The present study investigated the effects of aging on Leydig cells of Sprague Dawley rats. Rats of 3, 6, 12 and 18 months of age were used. Testes of rat were fixed by whole body perfusion using a fixative containing 2.5% glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer, processed and embedded in epon-araldite. Using $1{\mu}m$ sections stained with methylene blue, qualitative and quantitative morphological studies were performed. Testis incubations were used to determine luteinizing hormone (LH; 100 ng/ml) stimulated testosterone secretory capacity per testis in vitro. Testosterone levels in the incubation medium, and testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels in serum of these four groups of rats were determined by radioimmunoassay. Morphological studies revealed that Leydig cells were more abundant in the testis interstitium at 6, 12 and 18 months when compared with 3 months. The volumes of Leydig cells per testis was significantly higher, at 6, 12 and 18 months of age than those at 3 months. The number of Leydig cells per testis was doubled at 6, 12 and 18 months of age compared with 3 months. The average volume of a Leydig cell was not significantly different between 3 and 6 months of age, however, at 12 and 18 months a significantly lower value was observed. LH-stimulated testosterone production per testis in vitro was reduced by 45% at 6 months of age compared with 3 months; a further significant reduction was observed at 12 and 18 months. Serum testosterone and LH levels were not significantly different between 3 and 6 months of age but at 12 and 18 months a significantly lower value was observed in both groups for these hormones. These results showed that signs of aging are apparent in Leydig cells of Sprague Dawley rats at 12 months of age.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been reported in uterus. We examined the expression of the NOS isoforms, constitutive endothelial (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS), in bovine uterus by immunohistochemistry. eNOS immunoreactivity was localized predominantly to the endothelial cells that line uterine microvessels and to endometrial glandular epithelial cells, but was barely detectable in endometrial stromal cells. iNOS immunostaining was detected in glandular epithelial and stromal cells in the endometrium and in the endothelial cells of myometrial blood vessels. These findings suggest that both eNOS and iNOS may play important roles in the physiology of the uterus, possibly by generating NO.

Incidence of estrum or abortions in pregnant cows may be affected by large follicles developed together with corpus luteum in pair ovaries of pregnant cows. But the follicles of pregnant phase were not assessed about histological findings. Determination of the healthy and atretic follicles by presence of proliferative cells or apoptotic cells and histological compositions of follicles would be used as important data on measurements of ovarian functions. This study was focussed mainly to investigate macroscopical, histological and immunohistochemical findings of ovarian follicles of pregnant Korean native cows and dairy cows (Holstein). In immunohistochemical methods, assessments of proliferative cells using PCNA antibody and apoptotic cells using TUNEL methods were performed. The follicles were observed on all 24 pregnant cows (17 Korean native cows and 7 Holstein cows). Follicles of greater than 10 mm in daimeter were developed in 37.5% (9/24 heads) of these pregnant cows. largest follicles from in these cows were $16.0{\times}15.0mm$ in diameter in a Korean native cow(l20 days of gestation), $13.4{\times}10.1mm$ in a Korean native cow(50 days of gestation), $12.9{\times}11.5mm$ in a Holstein cow (120 days of gestation). 40.5% among all follicles having diameter of greater than 1.0 mm in pregnant cows were assessed as atretic follicles and in addition, healthy follicles also showed less in number and smaller in size and thinner in wall layer compared with those of cyclic phase ovaries. In immunohistochemical findings, also proliferative positive cells and apoptotic positive cells on the granulosa cell layers in the healthy follicles of pregnant cows appeared less than on those of cyclic follicles. So these follicles were assessed as weakly active follicles. In large follicles, above positive cells were not nearly appeared but granulosa cell debris were more appeared among the granulosa cells. So these large follicles were assessed as inactvie or atretic follicles. The above findings suggest that small follicles of pregnant phase were weakly active or atretic and large follicles were inactive or atretic.

Dysfunction of mesangial cells has been contributed to the onset of diabetic nephropathy. Insulin like growth factors (IGFs) are also implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. However, it is not yet known about the effect of high glucose on IGF-I and IGF-II secretion in the mesangial cells. Furthermore, the relationship between cAMP and high glucose on the secretion of IGFs was not elucidated. Thus, we examined the mechanisms by which high glucose regulates secretion of IGFs in mesangial cells. Glucose increased IGF-I secretion in a time- (>8 hr) and dose- (>15 mM) dependent manner (p<0.05). Stimulatory effect of high glucose on IGF-I secretion is predominantly observed in 25 mM glucose (high glucose), while 25 mM glucose did not affect cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase release. High glucose also increased IGF-II secretion. The increase of IGF-I and IGF-II secretion is not mediated by osmotic effect, since mannitol and L-glucose did not affect IGF-I and IGF-II secretion. 8-Br-cAMP mimicked high glucose-induced secretion of IGF-I and IGF-II. High glucose-induced stimulation of IGF-I and IGF-II secretion was blocked not by pertussis toxin but by SQ 22536 (adenylate cyclase inhibitor). Rp-cAMP (cAMP antagonist), and myristoylated protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor amide 14-22 (protein kinase A inhibitor). These results suggest that cAMP/PKA pathways independent of Gi protein may mediate high glucose-induced increase of IGF-I and IGF-II secretion in mesangial cells. Indeed, glucose (>15 mM glucose) increased cAMP formation. In conclusion, high glucose stimulates IGF-I and IGF-II secretion via cAMP/PKA pathway in mesangial cells.

The effects of removing the endothelium on the vasodilatory response to substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was examined in the isolated rabbit renal artery. The vasodilator response to substance P ($0.1{\mu}M$) was completely absent in vessels in which the endothelium had previously been removed. There was no significant difference in the vasodilatation produced in response to CGRP ($0.1{\mu}M$), or VIP ($0.1{\mu}M$) in the intact and removed-endothelium rabbit renal artery segments. L-NAME ($100{\mu}M$) significantly reduced the vasodilatory response to substance P ($0.1{\mu}M$). This inhibition was significantly attenuated when L-arginine (10 mM) was also present in the organ bath along with L-NAME ($100{\mu}M$). Indomethacin ($1{\mu}M$) did not significantly affect the vasodilatation produced in response to substance P ($0.1{\mu}M$). The inhibitory effect of L-NAME ($100{\mu}M$) and indomethacin ($1{\mu}M$) on the vasodilatory response to substance P ($0.1{\mu}M$) was not significantly different from that produced by L-NAME ($100{\mu}M$) alone. This study indicates that substance P induced vasodilatation via an endothelium-dependent mechanism in the isolated rabbit renal artery. It also established that CGRP and VIP induced vasodilatation by an endothelium-independent mechanism and substance P-induced vasodilatation is at least partially via NO.

The studies were carried out on the correlation between microsomal lipid peroxidation level and drug metabolizing enzyme activities in rat liver microsomal suspensions on various ages (2-week-old, 2, 4, 8, and 12-month-old). The lipid peroxidation levels of liver homogenates tended to be elevated in a 4-month-old rat livers, but it was a little decreased in 8 and 12-month-old rat livers. The lipid peroxidation levels of microsomal suspension was not shown any significant differences by ages. Lipid peroxidation levels and microsomal cytochrome P450 and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity showed a direct correlation (r=0.72 and r=0.64), respectively. The activities of cytochrome P450-dependent aminopyrine-N-demethylase and benzpyrene hydroxylase in rat liver microsomes were increased by ages up to 8-month-old rats and maintained in 12-month-old rats. The correlation between lipid peroxidation levels and these cytochrome-dependent enzyme activities showed a high direct correlation (r=0.97 and r=0.81), respectively.

The aim of this study was to investigate trazodone's effect on vasorelaxation and blood pressure lowering and to examine its underlying mechanism of action in isolated thoracic aorta and anesthesized rats. Precontracted aortic rings with high KCl were relaxed with trazodone, at concentrations of $50{\mu}M$ or greater. However, precontracted rings with phenylephrine (PE) were relaxed with trazodone, at concentrations of $0.03{\mu}M$ or greater, in a concentration-dependent manner. These relaxant effects of trazodone on endothelium intact rat aortic rings were significantly greater than those on denuded rings. The trazodone-induced relaxations were suppressed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channel blocker, tetrabutylammonium (TBA), a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, nifedipine, $Na^+$ channel blockers, lidocaine and procaine, and removal of extracellular $Na^+$, but not by aminoguanidine, 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n, n-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC), indomethacin, glibenclamide and clotrimazole. In vivo, infusion of trazodone elicited significant decrease in arterial blood pressure. Trazodone-induced decrease in blood pressure was markedly inhibited by pretreatment of intravenous injection of saponin, L-NNA, methylene blue, TBA, lidocaine or nifedipine. These findings suggest that the endothelium-dependent relaxation and decrease in blood pressure induced by trazodone is mediated by release of NO from the endothelium, activation of TBA-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels or inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel.

Although the antidepressant effects of imipramine (IMI) have been well known in several studies, the effects on cardiovascular system, particularly the vasorelaxant effects, have not known clearly. We hypothesis that IMI-induced vasorelaxation involves NO (nitrie oxide), activation of guanylate cyclase (GC) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel. The possible roles of the endothelium and $Ca^{2+}$ in IMI-induced responses were investigated using isolated rings of rat thoracic aorta and anesthesized rats. In KCl-precontracted rings. IMI produces endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxations in intact (+E) as well as endothelium-denuded (-E) rat aorta in a concentration-dependent manner. In phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted rings, the IMI-induced relaxation was significantly greater in +E rings. The IMI-induced relaxations were suppressed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and aminoguanidine, a non-selective GC inhibitor, methylene blue, $Na^+$ channel blockers, lidocaine and procaine, or $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, in PE-precontracted +E rings, but not in PE-precontracted -E rings. These relaxations were also suppressed by lidocaine or procaine in -E aortic rings. However, IMI-induced relaxations were not inhibited by a PLC inhibitor 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n,n-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC), an inositol monophosphatase inhibitor, lithium, indomethacin and dexamethasone in +E and -E rings. In vivo, infusion of IMI elicited significant decrease in arterial blood pressure. After intravenous injection of saponin, NOS inhibitors. MB and nifedipine, infusion of IMI inhibited the IMI-lowered blood pressure markedly. These findings suggest that the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by IMI is mediated by activation of NO/cGMP signaling cascade or inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel, and this mechanism may contribute to the hypotensive effects of IMI in rats.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play an essential role in a variety of immune reactions involving $CD4^+$ T cells and have been used to enhance tumor-specific immune responses. Immunosuppression in patients with cancer includes the downregulation of function and number of DCs. Although DCs have been studied, the apoptosis of Des induced by anticancer drugs for chemotherapy remains largely uncharacterized. This study demonstrated that GM-CSF protects DCs from 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or mitomycin C-induced apoptosis. After 6 - 10 days culture, DCs were characterized by specific surface marker, CD11c and MHC class II. MTT assay revealed that GM-CSF significantly enhanced the viability of DCs treated with 5-FU or mitomycin C. The percentage of dead cells of DCs was determined by cell size using FACScan and GM-CSF was clearly effective. However, GM-CSF did not increase the expression of MHC class II on viable DCs gated, suggesting that GM-CSF may differentially regulate critical factors involved in the function of DCs. For the quantitative analysis of apoptosis, annexin V-FITC staining was performed. 5-FU induced the apoptosis of DCs and GM-CSF significantly protects DCs from 5-FU-induced apoptosis. Taken together, the results in this study that GM-CSF has an anti-apoptosis effect on DCs may provide patients with cancer with clinical benefits to overcome the immunosuppression induced by the decrease of number and functional insufficiency of DCs.

Vascular smooth muscle relaxation is modulated by an increase in cGMP subsequent to nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial cells. The effects of cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors were investigated in phenylephrine-precontracted rat aorta rings by using the specific inhibitors of PDE I, III, IV and V as relaxing agents (calmodulin-activated PDE inhibitors, IBMX and $W_7$, type I; cAMP-specific PDE inhibitors, milrinone, type IV; Ro 20-1724, type III and cGMP-specific PDE inhibitor, zaprinast, type V). All the PDE inhibitors produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in the ring with intact endothelium (+E). Except for milrinone, all the PDE inhibitors-induced relaxations were inhibited by removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine, $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, methylene blue (MS) or nifedipine. The specific PDE I and PDE IV inhibitors both produced endothelium-independent relaxations which were inhibited by MS in -E rings. However, zaprinast had no effect in -E rings. Except for milrinone, sodium nitroprusside (a NO donor)-induced relaxation was significantly augmented by all PDE inhibitors in +E rings. The results suggest that I) the vasorelaxant properties of IBMX, $W_7$, Ro 20-1724 and zaprinast are dependent on endothelium or on interaction with $Ca^{2+}$ regulation, 2) each PDE is differently distributed in vascular tissues (endothelial and smooth muscle cells), 3) the vasodilations of PDE inhibitors are due to the increase of cAMP and cGMP formation through inhibition of cAMP- and cGMP-PDE and 4) the vasodilation action of milrinone does not involve in endothelial-cyclic nucleotide system.

The extracts from 40 different traditional medicinal herbs were used to investigate the antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli. Among them, the extracts from Paeonia suffruticosa (PS), Siegesbeckia orientalis (SO), Schizandra chinensis (SC), Caesalpinia sappan (CS) and Rhus javanica (RJ) exhibited high antimicrobial activities against E. coli, Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the RJ extract against E. coli were 0.8 mg/ml. After heating treatment of these extracts, the antimicrobial activities against E. coli were significantly reduced in case of the CS extract. After alkaline or acid treatment of these extracts, the antimicrobial activities against E. coli were significantly increased in the PS extract but reduced in both SO and RJ extract. Since extracts from RJ and CS exhibited the highest antimicrobial activities, bacterial growth-inhibiting activities against E. coli by these two extracts were further examined. Optical density at 620 nm after 24 hours incubation of E. coli in the presence of 100, 300 or 500 ppm of RJ extract ranged from 0.1 to 0.2 compared to 0.35~0.65 in the absence of RJ extract, indicating that growth of E. coli was significantly inhibited within 24 hours by the addition of at least 100 ppm of RJ extract. Optical density at 620 nm after 24 hours incubation of E. coli in the presence of 300 or 500 ppm of CS extract ranged from 0.01 to 0.25 compared to 0.5~0.55 in the absence of CS extract, indicating that growth of E. coli was also significantly inhibited within 24 hours by the addition of at least 300 ppm of CS extract. In conclusion, these findings suggest that extracts from RJ and CS may play important roles for antimicrobial activities against E. coli causing various animal diseases.

We investigated the effect of green tea and its fractions of alcohol and polysaccharide on jejunal crypt survival, endogenous spleen colony formation, and apoptosis in jejunal crypt cells of mice irradiated with high and low dose of gamma-irradiation. Jejunal crypts were protected by pretreatment of green tea (i.p.: 50 mg/kg of body weight, at 12 and 36 hours before irradiation., p.o.: 1.25% water extract, for 7days before irradiation, p<0.01) and alcohol and polysaccharide fractions showed no significant modifying effects. Green tea and its fractions administration before irradiation (i.p. at 12 and 36hours before irradiation) resulted in an increase of the formation of endogenous spleen colony (p<0.05). The frequency of radiation-induced apoptosis in intestinal crypt cells was also reduced by pretreatment of green tea (i.p. at 12 and 36 hours before irradiation, p<0.05., p.o. for 7days before irradiation, p<0.001) and its fractions (p<0.001). These results indicated that green tea might be a useful radioprotector, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product. Further studies are needed to characterize better the promotion nature of green tea and its components.

Changes of plasma DNA contents and serum biochemical values were measured in rats administered with $HgCl_2$ to investigate the in vivo cytotoxic effects of mercury and examine the usefulness of these changes as indicators of mercury exposure and diagnosis of mercury poisoning. Rats were given once intraperitonealy $HgCl_2$(0.13. 0.32. 0.8 and 2 mg/kg b.w) and the changes of plasma DNA contents and serum biochemical values were measured at the time of 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the administration of $HgCl_2$. Plasma DNA contents began to increase from 2 hours after the administration of $HgCl_2$ in all the treatment groups significantly compared to control with dose-dependent pattern. The levels of plasma DNA reached to peak at 48 hours as 2.77, 7.60, 15.46 and 16.51 times higher than control in each treatment group of 0.13, 0.32, 0.8 and 2 mg/kgb.w, respectively and remained to be higher until 72 hours after the administration. The values of creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen and glucose of serum were increased, however the values of alkaline phosphatase, total protein and triglyceride were decreased. These changes of increase and decrease showed dose-dependent pattern but the starting time, maintenance and magnitude of change were various and characteristic according to serum biochemical indices. Among the changes of serum biochemical values, those of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and blood urea nitrogen were apparently and significantly increased compared to control from 2 to 72 hours by the administration of 2 mg/kg $HgCl_2$. This study demonstrates that plasma DNA and serum biochemical values such as aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen and etc. are valuable as biomarkers for mercury exposure assessment and diagnosis of mercury poisoning.

We have a cultured method to grow rat mammary epithelial cells (RMEC) for 1 to 14 days in 1:1 mixture of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium: Nutrient and F-12 (DMEM/F-12) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), human EGF, insulin, hydrocortisone, human transferrin and $17{\beta}$-estradiol in vitro. We were able to isolate and distinguish two cell types, luminal epithelial cells and myoepithelial cells, from primary clutures of RMEC. Immunocytochemical stains were used to distingusih luminal epithelial cells and myoepithelial cells. Peanut lectin (PNA) was stained in most alveolar epithelail cells and luminal epithelial cells of rats, while Thy-1.1, a maker of potential rat mammary myoepithelial cells, was expressed in myoepithelial cells in the rat. Also, we examined the expression patterns of three types of gap junction proteins, connexin 26 ($C{\times}26$), connexins 32 ($C{\times}32$) and connexin 43 ($C{\times}43$) by immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis. In the cell types, the results show that at the early stage of culture, luminal epithelial cells were increased and these cells were surrounded by myoepithelial cells. At the late stage of culture, luminal epithelial cells were decreased, in contrast myoepithelial cells were increased. In the expression pattern of gap junction, $C{\times}26$ maintained it's expression until day 3, but afterwards gradually decreased in intensity. Expression of $C{\times}32$ remained until day 5, then decreased slightly. $C{\times}43$ gradually increased untill the middle time of culture then decreased in intensity. These results suggest that connexins may be important for the control of growth in rat mammary epithelial cell types.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential adverse effects of 2-BP on pregnant dams and embryo-fetal development after maternal exposure during the gestational days (GD) 6 through 19 in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test chemical was administered subcutaneously to pregnant rats at dose levels of 0, 375, 750 and 1250 mg/kg/day. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights and food consumption were examined. All dams were subjected to caesarean section on GD 20 and their fetuses were examined for external, visceral and skeletal abnormalities. At above 750 mg/kg, toxic effects including signs of toxicity, suppressed body weight, decreased gravid uterine weight and reduced food intake were observed in pregnant dams. An increase in the fetal deaths, a decrease in the litter size, a reduction in the fetal body weight and an increase in the incidence of fetal morphological alterations were also found. There were no adverse effects on either pregnant dams or embryo-fetal development at a dose level of 375 mg/kg. These results suggest that a 14-day subcutaneous dose of 2-BP is embryolethal and teratogenic at above 750 mg/kg/day in pregnant rats. In the present experimental condition, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of 2-BP is considered to be 375 mg/kg/day for dams and embryo-fetuses, respectively.

The safety of Brucella abortus strain RB51(SRB51) was investigated in dairy cows and Korean native cattle of 4~7th month of gestation. From experimentally inoculated cattle, 18 of 25 (72.0%) dairy cows, and 3 of 10 (30.0%) Korean native cattle were aborted or delivered premature fetus. There were no significant differences in the incidence of abortion depending on the inoculation route (intramuscular and subcutaneous) and dosages ($1{\times}10^9$, $2.8{\times}10^9$, and $4.0{\times}10^9$ CFU). The antibodies to the SRB51 were measured by a dot blot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The highest titers to SRB51 were detected between 5~7 weeks after inoculation and the specitic antibody could be detected up to 28 weeks after inoculation. The SRB51 was isolated from amnio-allantoic fluid, bronchial lymph node, mammary gland, and supramammary lymph node in 5 of 25 dairy cows during 4 weeks after either abortion or delivery. Although SRB51 was isolated from 4 of 24 aborted fetus or normally delivered calves at parturition time, it was not isolated during 4 weeks afterward. Eleven of twentyfive dairy cows showed the endometritis and/or necrosis until 6 weeks after delivery, no lesions were seen at 8 weeks after delivery and uterus from control dairy cows. The results of present study revealed that SRB51 might induce the clinical signs of brucellosis in the pregnant cattle at 4~7th month of gestation.

Currently, both the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been used to detect Neospora caninum antibodies. Several factors such as the buffers, the conjugate, the pattern of fluorescence, and the cross reactivity with other apicornplexan protozoan, may result in poorly correlated data. The present study was undertaken to develop and evaluate the Neospora agglutination test (NAT) for the detection and quantification of IgG antibodies to N. caninum from various animal species. Compared to the ELISA method, the NAT with a cutoff value of 1:512 gave a high index of coincidence (kappa=0.807) and no cross reactivity to Toxoplasma gondii antiserum. Hence, this NAT method, which did not require a species-specific secondary antibody and expensive tools, would be easily available for the detection of antibodies to N. caninllm of various animal species.

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), a central nervous system stimulant, is contained in various foods, beverages and over-the-counter medications. Sulfadimethoxine (SDM) is one of the anti-thyroid agents and induces proliferation of thyroid capsule in two stage thyroid carcinogenesis model using N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN). In this study, we examined the effect of caffeine on fibrous proliferation of thyroid capsule in DHPN and SDM-treated rats. Five-week-old male F344 rats were given a single subcutaneous injection of DHPN (2,800 mg/kg, body weight). Starting one week thereafter, SDM (1,000 ppm in drinking water) with or without caffeine (1,500 ppm in diet) was administered for 12 weeks. All animals were autopsied and histopathological examination of the thyroid glands was performed. Thyroid follicular proliferative changes were induced in all rats treated with DHPN+SDM. In addition, the proliferation of perithyroidal fibrous tissue and pleomorphic thyroid follicular cells within the capsule were observed in DHPN+SDM treated group. Caffeine would not be related to these lesions in this experimental condition. although pentoxifylline, a methyl xanthine derivative, has an anti fibrotic effects.

Canine sarcoptic mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis) burrow usually in the stratum corneum of the skin of dogs and rabbits. Antigens from the burrowing mites induce cutaneous inflammatory reaction and humoral and cell-mediated immune response in the host. The effect of immunization induced by somatic antigens of house dust mite (Dermatophagoides spp.) has been evaluated to control the canine sarcoptic mite in this experiment. Twelve common antigens (187, 142, 126, 120, 109, 92, 80, 68, 51, 30, 25, 17 kDa) were found using SDS-PAGE with silver staining and Western blot between canine sarcoptic mite and house dust mite. In order to evaluate the immunologic effect of these common antigens 10 New Zealand white rabbits were divided as 4 groups such as negative control (group I), positive challenged control (group II), vaccinated (group III), and vaccinated-challenged (group IV) groups. Group II was artificially infested with about 1,000 canine sarcoptic mites and group III and IV were immunized with somatic antigens of house dust mite. In addition group IV was artificially infested with about 1,000 canine sarcoptic mites and group II, IV were treated with ivermectin. At the 8 weeks of the vaccination with common antigen, the antibody titers of all groups of II, III and IV had been increased. Both infestation score and live canine sarcoptic mite counts of group IV were lower than group III. Infestation score of group II become 0 by 2 weeks and group IV by 4 weeks after infestation. These results suggest that house dust mite, which is easy to culture in vitro, can be a vaccine candidate for protection of canine sarcoptic mite infestation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a protein-free, standardized dialysate/ultrafiltrate (HD) derivatives from calf blood (Solcoseryl$^{(R)}$) for second-intention full-thickness skin wound healing in dogs. Three $2{\times}2cm$ area-matched full-thickness skin wounds were created bilaterally on the dorsolateral aspect of the trunk of nine dogs. In each dog, two wounds were treated with HD, cemella asiatica extract (Centrasol$^{(R)}$) and normal saline, respectively. For six weeks, the wounds were evaluated grossly for contraction, epithelialization and healing and were examined histopathologically. In the first week of the wound healing period, HD stimulated wound contraction and healing more significantly than centasol and normal saline (p<0.05). Neutrophils were more increased in the HD-treated wounds than those in centasol or normal saline treated wounds. In the second week, HD stimulated epithelialization more significantly than centasol or normal saline (p<0.05), and neovascularization and granulation more increased in the HD-treated wounds than those in centasol and normal saline treated wounds. In conclusion, HD was the most effective on early wound contraction, epithelialization and healings among three experimental drugs in full-thickness skin wound.

This study was carried out to compare the efficacy of carboxymethyl chitosan fabric (CMCF) with that of the combination of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and CMCF for the prevention of postoperative adhesions in the rat. Adhesions were induced by suturing both the ileal serosa and peritoneum scraped until petechial bleeding occurred. CMCF were sutured between two surfaces, and LMWH were instilled intraperitoneally immediately before closure of the peritoneomuscular layer. The adhesions were blindly assessed 2 weeks later by using a tensiometer. The mean tensile strength(Newton) of formed adhesions was $2.59{\pm}0.85$ in control group, $2.10{\pm}0.75$ in the CMCF group and $1.53{\pm}0.44$ in the CMCF+LMWH group. The most favorable prevention against adhesion was achieved in the CMCF+LMWH group. Therefore, we could conclude that CMCF+LMWH were effective in prevention against postoperative adhesion in the rat.