• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.48.1-48.18
• /
• 2020

Background: Mature oocytes at the metaphase II status (MII-stage oocytes) played an important role in assisted reproductive technology in non-human primates. Objectives: In order to improve the proportion of MII-stage oocytes retrieval, three different superovulation protocols were performed on 24 female cynomolgus monkeys. Methods: All the monkeys received once-daily injection of follicle-stimulating hormone (25 international unit [IU]) on day 3 of the menstruation, 3-day intervals, twice daily for 8-12 days until the time of human chorionic gonadotropin (1,500 IU) injection, on the 14-17th day of menstruation collecting oocytes. The difference between protocol I and protocol II was that 0.1 mg the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist was injected on day 1 of the menstruation, while the difference between personalized superovulation protocol and protocol II was that oocytes could be collected on the 14-17th day of menstrual cycle according to the length of each monkey. Results: The total number of oocytes harvested using the personalized superovulation protocol was much higher than that using protocol I (p < 0.05), and the proportion of MII-stage oocytes was significantly greater than that from either superovulation protocol I or II (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively), while the proportion of immature oocytes at the germinal vesicle was less than that from superovulation protocol I (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The personalized superovulation protocol could increase the rate of MII-stage oocytes acquired, and successfully develop into embryos after intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and eventually generated fetus.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.662-669
• /
• 2007

Although the function of cellular prion protein (PrP$^C$) and the pathogenesis of prion diseases have been widely described, the mechanisms are not fully clarified. In this study, increases of the portion of non-glycosylated prion protein deposited in the hamster brains infected with scrapie strain 263K were described. To elucidate the pathological role of glycosylation profile of PrP, wild type human PrP (HuPrP) and two genetic engineering generated non-glycosylated PrP mutants (N181Q/N197Q and T183A/T199A) were transiently expressed in human astrocytoma cell line SF126. The results revealed that expressions of non-glycosylated PrP induced significantly more apoptosis cells than that of wild type PrP. It illustrated that Bcl-2 proteins might be involved in the apoptosis pathway of non-glycosylated PrPs. Our data highlights that removal of glycosylation of prion protein provokes cells apoptosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.190-201
• /
• 2024

Background: Deposition of immune complexes drives podocyte injury acting in the initial phase of lupus nephritis (LN), a process mediated by B cell involvement. Accordingly, targeting B cell subsets represents a potential therapeutic approach for LN. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a bioavailable component of ginseng, possesses nephritis benefits in lupus-prone mice; however, the underlying mechanisms involving B cell subpopulations remain elusive. Methods: Female MRL/lpr mice were administered CK (40 mg/kg) intragastrically for 10 weeks, followed by measurements of anti-dsDNA antibodies, inflammatory chemokines, and metabolite profiles on renal samples. Podocyte function and ultrastructure were detected. Publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data and flow cytometry analysis were employed to investigate B cell subpopulations. Metabolomics analysis was adopted. SIRT1 and AMPK expression were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. Results: CK reduced proteinuria and protected podocyte ultrastructure in MRL/lpr mice by suppressing circulating anti-dsDNA antibodies and mitigating systemic inflammation. It activated B cell-specific SIRT1 and AMPK with Rhamnose accumulation, hindering the conversion of renal B cells into plasma cells. This cascade facilitated the resolution of local renal inflammation. CK facilitated the clearance of deposited immune complexes, thus reinstating podocyte morphology and mobility by normalizing the expression of nephrin and SYNPO. Conclusions: Our study reveals the synergistic interplay between SIRT1 and AMPK, orchestrating the restoration of renal B cell subsets. This process effectively mitigates immune complex deposition and preserves podocyte function. Accordingly, CK emerges as a promising therapeutic agent, potentially alleviating the hyperactivity of renal B cell subsets during LN.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.9
• /
• pp.599-604
• /
• 2009

Selenium possesses the chemotherapeutic feature by inducing apoptosis in cancer cell with trivial side effects on normal cells. However, the mechanism in which is not clearly understood. Emerging evidence indicates the overlaps between the autophagy and the apoptosis. In this study, we have investigated the role of autophagy in selenium-induced apoptosis in NB4 cells. We find that autophagy is suppressed in NB4 cells treated by sodium selenite, as measured by electron microscope, acridine orange staining and western blot. Moreover, selenite combined with autophagy inhibitor contributes to the up-regulation of apoptosis, while the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is down- regulated. Consistently, when the inhibitor of PI3K was applied, the autophagic level significantly decreased. In summary, sodium selenite increases NB4 cell apoptosis by autophagy inhibition through PI3K/Akt, and the inhibition of autophagy contributes to the up-regulation of apoptosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.14
• /
• pp.5945-5950
• /
• 2014

Objectives: To retrospectively review the safety and clinical efficacy of bevacizumab concomitant with chemotherapy in Chinese patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSNSCLC). Methods: Clinical data for 79 patients with NSNSCLC who received bevacizumab concomitant with chemotherapy in Chinese PLA General Hospital from April 28th 2009 to May 5th 2013 were retrospectively reviewed to analyze the clinical efficacy including disease control rate (DCR), overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score and the safety. Results: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score was 0-2. By the final cutoff date (June 9, 2013), 54 (68.4%) patients had disease progression and 37 (46.8%) died. The ORR was 32.9% and the DCR was 83.5%. The ORR of the first-, second-, and third- or later-line treatments were 51.4%, 25.0% and 12.5%, while the DCR were 94.3%, 80.0% and 70.8%, respectively. The median OS (mOS) and PFS (mPFS) were 13.5 and 5.83 months, respectively. The mOS of patients with the first-, second-, and third- or later- line treatments were 16.2, 10.9 and 8.30 months, while the mPFS were 7.27, 5.90 and 5.17 months, respectively. Chemotherapy-related adverse events included myelosuppression, vomiting, hepatic dysfunction and renal dysfunction, while the common serious bevacizumab-related adverse events were thromboembolic problems, gastrointestinal perforation and reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, which could be well managed. Conclusions: Bevacizumab concomitant with chemotherapy is effective and the related toxicity can be well tolerated in Chinese patients with NSNSCLC.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.59 no.2
• /
• pp.161-164
• /
• 2016

Few preoperative extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM) cases with pituitary adenoma have been reported. No such case had long follow-up to see the outcome of EPM. We reported a 38-year-old man complaining of nausea, malaise and transient loss of consciousness who was found to have severe hyponatremia. Neurologic deficits including altered mental status, behavioral disturbances, dysarthria and dysphagia developed despite slow correction of hyponatremia. Endocrine and imaging studies revealed hypopituitarism, nonfunctional pituitary macroadenoma and extrapontine myelinolysis. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed after three weeks of supportive therapy, when neurological symptoms improved significantly. The patient recovered function completely 3 months after surgery. Our case indicates that outcome of EPM can be good even with prolonged periods of severe neurologic impairment.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2011

The Qiantang Medical School(錢塘醫派) formed on the basis of the education provided by L$\ddot{u}$shantang(侶山堂) in the specific area of Hangzhou(杭州) displays clear differences from other medical schools in that it combined medicine with educational and research activities. The Qiantang Medical School(錢塘醫派) played an important part in the history of the traditional Chinese medicine via providing the education through Confucian academies and the researches conducted to find appropriate treatment methods based on the climate and natural environment of the southern part of China. The tradition of joint researches on the classical works of Chinese medicine is equally important in terms of the traditional Chinese medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.1 s.69
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2007

Objectives : This study was to assess the Traditional chinese medicine forecast subjects that had been expected to be accomplished over 20 year (1990-2010). The result will help Korea medical society to compare the status of Korean Medicine with that of Traditional Chinese Medicine and to plan for polices and studies on Korean Traditional Medicine. Methods : Assessed targets were the subjects selected by the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, which are classified into 6 fields. These were assigned by the quantity of related theses. Reference source is CAJ（China academic Journal) of CNKI (China National Knowledge infrastructure). Results : 1) Forecast subject ratio by field was basic theory 31% / clinical research 17% / Chinese herbal drug 17% / acupuncture and moxa 17% / Tui-na(推拿) and Qi-gong(氣功) 9% / medical information, literature history 6%. 2) Accomplishment percentage (full accomplishment) by field was medical information, literature, history 60% / basic theory 50% / acupuncture and moxa 46% Tui-na(推拿) and Qi-gong(氣功) 38% / chinese herbal drug 25% / clinical research 23%. Conclusions : 78% of all forecast subjects were accomplished or partially accomplished. According to 'accomplishment percentage by field', while those in the medical information, literature, history field were most realized of all, those in the clinical research field were least realized.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.384-394
• /
• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the image quality of novel dark-blood computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging combined with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) compared to delayed-phase CTA images with hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), to visualize the cervical artery wall in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Materials and Methods: This prospective study continuously recruited 53 patients with TAK (mean age: 33.8 ± 10.2 years; 49 females) between January and July 2022 who underwent head-neck CTA scans. The arterial- and delayed-phase images were reconstructed using HIR and DLR. Subtracted images of the arterial-phase from the delayed-phase were then added to the original delayed-phase using a denoising filter to generate the final-dark-blood images. Qualitative image quality scores and quantitative parameters were obtained and compared among the three groups of images: Delayed-HIR, Dark-blood-HIR, and Dark-blood-DLR. Results: Compared to Delayed-HIR, Dark-blood-HIR images demonstrated higher qualitative scores in terms of vascular wall visualization and diagnostic confidence index (all P < 0.001). These qualitative scores further improved after applying DLR (Dark-blood-DLR compared to Dark-blood-HIR, all P < 0.001). Dark-blood DLR also showed higher scores for overall image noise than Dark-blood-HIR (P < 0.001). In the quantitative analysis, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values between the vessel wall and lumen for the bilateral common carotid arteries and brachiocephalic trunk were significantly higher on Dark-blood-HIR images than on Delayed-HIR images (all P < 0.05). The CNR values were significantly higher for Dark-blood-DLR than for Dark-blood-HIR in all cervical arteries (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with Delayed-HIR CTA, the dark-blood method combined with DLR improved CTA image quality and enhanced visualization of the cervical artery wall in patients with TAK.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.547-561
• /
• 2024

In this study, we aim to investigate the precise alterations in the gut microbiota during the onset and advancement of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and examine the impact of Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus) on DN. Eight-week-old male KK-Ay mice were administered antibiotic cocktails for a duration of two weeks, followed by oral administration of R. gnavus for an additional eight weeks. Our study revealed significant changes in the gut microbiota during both the initiation and progression of DN. Specifically, we observed a notable increase in the abundance of Clostridia at the class level, higher levels of Lachnospirales and Oscillospirales at the order level, and a marked decrease in Clostridia_UCG-014 in DN group. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae at the family level. Moreover, oral administration of R. gnavus effectively aggravated kidney pathology in DN mice, accompanied by elevated levels of urea nitrogen (UN), creatinine (Cr), and urine protein. Furthermore, R. gnavus administration resulted in down-regulation of tight junction proteins such as Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1, as well as increased levels of uremic toxins in urine and serum samples. Additionally, our study demonstrated that orally administered R. gnavus up-regulated the expression of inflammatory factors, including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and Interleukin (IL)-6. These changes indicated the involvement of the gut-kidney axis in DN, and R. gnavus may worsen diabetic nephropathy by affecting uremic toxin levels and promoting inflammation in DN.