• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.39-61
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• 2008

Objectives : The present study was performed to investigate whether acupuncture stimulation in the rats affected regeneration properties of the injured sciatic nerve. A differential effect of acupuncture stimulation on the one point near the spinal nerve root controlling sciatic nerve activity and the other point in the peripheral area subordinated by injured nerve was compared. Materials and Methods: Rat sciatic nerves were injured by crush, and the effects on axonal regeneration on injured sciatic nerves were evaluated by acupuncture stimulation at two different regions. In proximal acupuncture stimulation group, acupuncture stimulation was performed on Huatuo Jiaji(EX B2) points located from L5 to S1 vertebral levels to stimulate the nearest spinal nerve root that innervates sciatic nerves. In distal acupuncture stimulation group, acupuncture stimulation was performed on Zusanli(ST 36) and Weizhong(BL 40) points to stimulate at peripheral area dominated by injured sciatic nerves. Acupuncture stimulation was given every other days for 1 or 2 weeks. Sciatic nerve tissues collected from acupuncture stimulation experimental groups, injury control group, and intact animal group were used for protein analysis by Western blotting or Hoechst nuclear staining. To determine axonal regeneration, Dil fluorescence dye was injected into the sciatic nerve 0.5 cm distal to the injury site in individual animal groups and Dil-labeled cells by retrograde tracing were measured in the DRG at lumbar 5 or in the spinal cord. DRG sensory neurons prepared from individual animal groups were used to measure the extent of neurite outgrowth and for immunofluorescence staining with anti-GAP-43 antibody. Results : Animal groups given proximal or distal acupuncture stimulation showed upregulation of GAP-43 and Cdc2 protein levels in the sciatic nerve at 7 days after injury. Cdk2 protein levels were strongly induced by nerve injury, but did not show changes by acupuncture stimulation. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein levels were elevated by acupuncture stimulation above those present in the injury control animals. These increase in regeneration-associated protein levels appeared to be related with increase cell proliferation in the injured sciatic nerves. Hoechst 33258 staining of sciatic nerve tissue to visualize nuclei of individual cells showed increased Schwann cell number in the distal portion of the injured nerve 7 and 14 days after injury and further increases by acupuncture stimulation particularly at the proximal position. Measurement of axonal regeneration by retrograde tracing showed significantly increased Dil-labeled cells in proximal acupuncture stimulation group compared to distal acupuncture stimulation group and injury control group. Finally, an evaluation of axonal regeneration by retrograde tracing showed increased number of Dil labeled cells in the DRG at lumbar 5 or in the ventral horn of the spinal cord at lower thoracic level at 7 days after nerve injury. Conclusions : The present data show that the proximal acupuncture stimulation at Huatuo Jiaji(EX B2) points governing injured sciatic nerves was more effective for axonal regeneration than the distal acupuncture stimulation. Further studies on functional recovery or associated molecular mechanisms should be critical for developing animal models and clinical applications.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.291-299
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• 2009

We report on a quantitative analysis of cone and rod photoreceptors in hamster retina. Cone and rod photoreceptors were counted in retinal whole mounts using differential interference contrast (DIC) optics microscopy after staining of cone photoreceptors were stained with peroxidase-labeled peanut lectin. Middle-to-long-wave-sensitive-(M/L-), and shortwave-sensitive-(S-) cone opsins were visualized by observed using confocal microscope after immunocytochemical procedure. The average cone density was 9,307 $cells/mm^2$, giving a total of cones of 293,060 cone cells per retina. The peak density of cone cells (12,857 $cells/mm^2$) was found 0.3 mm from the optic disk (OD) of the nasal retina. The average rod density was 300,082 $cells/mm^2$, giving a total number of rods of 9,448,150 cells. The peak density of rod cells was found 0.3 mm from the OD of the dorsal retina. Of all photoreceptors studied, the total percentage of rods and cones were 96.99% and cones 3.01%, respectively. The mean ratio of rod and cone was 32.24 : 1. The cone photoreceptors of hamster contained both M/L- and S-cone opsins. The present results suggest that the hamster retina is strongly rod-dominated with some photopic property of vision.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1239-1246
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• 2016

The breeding of yaks is highly seasonal, there are many crucial proteins involved in the reproduction control program, especially in follicular development. In order to isolate differential proteins between mature and immature follicular fluid (FF) of yak, the FF from yak follicles with different sizes were sampled respectively, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) of the proteins was carried out. After silver staining, the Image Master 2D platinum software was used for protein analysis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was performed for differential protein identification. The expression level of transferrin and enolase superfamily member 1 (ENOSF1) was determined by Western blotting for verification analysis. The results showed that 2-DE obtained an electrophoresis map of proteins from mature and immature yak FF with high resolution and repeatability. A comparison of protein profiles identified 12 differently expressed proteins, out of which 10 of them were upregulated while 2 were downregulated. Western blotting showed that the expression of transferrin and ENOSF1 was enhanced with follicular development. Both the obtained protein profiles and the differently expressed proteins identified in this study provided experimental data related to follicular development during yak breeding seasons. This study also laid the foundation for understanding the microenvironment during oocyte development.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.765-772
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• 2007

Eosinophils act as effectors in the inflammatory reactions of allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis patients and others with allergic disorders suffer from eosinophilia, an accumulation of eosinophils due to increased survival or decreased apoptosis of eosinophils. In this study, a differential phosphoproteome analysis of AML14.3D10 eosinophil cell line after treatment with IL-5 or dexamethasone was conducted in an effort to identify the phosphoproteins involved in the proliferation or apoptosis of eosinophils. Proteins were separated by 2-DE and alterations in phosphoproteins were then detected by Pro-Q Diamond staining. The significant quantitative changes were shown in nineteen phosphoproteins including retinoblastoma binding protein 7, MTHSP75, and lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1. In addition, seven phosphoproteins including galactokinase I, and proapolipoprotein, were appeared after treatment with IL-5 or dexamethasone. Especially, the phospho-APOE protein was down-regulated in IL-5 treated AML14.3D10, while the more heavily phosphorylated APOE form was induced after dexamethasone treatment. These phosphoproteome data for the AML14.3D10 cell line may provide clues to understand the mechanism of eosinophilia as well as allergic disorders including atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 2002

To investigate the antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of Sophorae radix extracts administered to the arthritic rat model, immunohistochemical stains for CGRP in the L4, L5 and L6 spinal cord and ganglia were done, and paw swelling thickness were measured. Complete Freund,s Adjuvant(CFA) were injected to subcutaneous tissue of left foot paw of rats to induce arthritis. Sophorae radix extracts was administered immediately after CFA injection for 10 days. The spinal cord and ganglia were frozen sectioned(30㎛). These sections were stained by CGRP immunohistochemical staining method, and observed with light microscope. The results were as follows : 1. The change of paw swelling thickness of experimental group decreased from 4 day to 10day after CFA injection compared to control group. 2. The change of differential leukocytes counts of experimental group increased the ratio of lymphocytes. and decreased the ratio of neutrophils compared to control group. 3. The change of CGRP immunoreactive nerve fiber of dorsal horn of experimental group was dense stained compared to control group. 4. The number of CGRP immunoreactive neurons of L4 and L5 spinal cord of experimental group was less than in those control group. These results suggested that Sophorae radix extracts reduces the number of CGRP immunoreactive neurons and nerve fibers of spinal cord and ganglia, and decrease paw swelling thickness in arthritic rat model, which may be closely related to analgesic and antiinflammatory effects of Sophorae radix.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.213-219
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• 1998

Glycogen-rich clear ceil carcinoma of the breast is an unusual variant of carcinoma with a recorded incidence of $1.4{\sim}3%$ of breast carcinomas. The cytologic characteristics have not been well described. We report two cases of glycogen-rich clear cell carcinoma with corresponding fine needle aspiration(FNA) cytologic findings and compare them to infiltrating ductal carcinoma and other clear ceil malignancies with a review of literature. One was a 62-year-old woman exhibiting a palpable mass of the right breast. The smears showed atypical tight cell clusters and individually scattered single cells containing leanly or clear abundant cytoplasm with well defined cytoplasmic margins. Mild to moderate nuclear pleomorphism and a prominent nucleolus were present. The other was a 42-year-old woman who was admitted with a right breast mass. The smears showed moderately cellular, tightly cohesive tumor cells. The cytoplasmic outline was generally well demarcated. The tumor cells Contained foamy to clear abundant cytoplasm with large and small vacuoles. The nuclear pleomorphism was marked. Both tumors resected by modified radical mastectomy, were diagnosed as glycogen-rich clear cell carcinoma. Histologically, the clear cell nature of tumor cells were not characteristic enough to predict this type of the tumor. Some cytologic features can be distinguished other clear cell breast cancer from glycogen-rich carcinoma. Recognition of these unusual patterns in a breast FNAC should raise the suspicion of a clear cell carcinoma including glycogen-rich subtype. Cytological localization of glycogen using PAS and D-PAS staining may permit the correct Identification and differential diagnosis of this tumor.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.5-9
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• 2005

Observation of intra-vascular threadlike structures in the blood vessels of rats is reported with the images by differential interference contrast microscope, and fluorescence inverted microscope of the acridine-orange stained samples. The confocal microscope image and the hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed the distinctive pattern of nuclei distribution that clearly discerned the threadlike structure from fibrin, capillary, small venule, arteriole, or lymph vessel. Physiological function of the intra-vascular thread in connection with acupuncture is discussed. Especially, this threadlike duct can be a circulation path for herb-liquid flow, which may provide the scientific mechanism for therapeutic effect of herbal acupuncture.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.35 no.4 s.139
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• pp.330-337
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• 2004

Based on the traditional application of Carthamus tinctorious L. (CF) as a component of Korean medicinal decoctions, in the present study, we investigated in vitro an immunomodulatory activity of water extract of CF(WECF). Water extract of CF significantly increased the in vitro proliferative responses of spleen cells (SPC). However, addition of WECF during anti-CD3 activation resulted in a significant decrease in SPC proliferation. Flow cytometric analysis showed that WECF addition chanced T and B cell frequencies in anti-CD3-activated spleen cell populations. Using purified cells, it was revealed that WECF is mitogenic to B cells but rather inhibitory to T cell Proliferation. Upon anti-CD3 stimulation, high concentration (1 mg/ml) of WECF significantly inhibited T cell proliferation until day 2 of stimulation. At day 3, anti-CD3-activated cells exposed to WECF recovered their proliferation to the level comparable to control. Although B cell proliferation was also inhibited in proliferation at day 1, it recovered sooner and then was rather augmented by WECF at day 3. These data indicate that WECF down-regulates lymphocyte proliferation at early phase of activation but T cells are more vulnerable than B cells to WECF, However, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells did not differ in WECF-mediated immunotoxicity. Data of propidium iodide (PI) staining showed that WECF accelerates activated T cell, but not B cell, apoptosis and WECF concurrently inhibited cytokine production of activated T cells. Taken together, WECF exhibits B cell mitogenic activity and differential toxicity more pronounced to T cells, suggesting a possible in vivo application of WECF for specific control of T cells without alteration of B cell activity.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.200-211
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• 1999

The periapical response to injury is a complex interaction of inflammatory, immune, neural, vascular and synthetic activity. TGF-${\beta}$ is a potent modulator of proliferation and differentiation in various tissue, seems to lead to an increase in extracellular matrix. MMP are a family of proteolytic enzyme that mediate the degradation of extracellular matric macromolecules, but little is known about theirs possible role in periapical tissue. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differential expression of TGF-${\beta}$ and MMP-1 in tooth follicle, periapical abscess, granuloma and cyst. The expression of TGF-${\beta}$ and MMP-1 in Periapical tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis. Correlationship among the periapical lesions were stastically analyzed. The degree of MMP-1 expression in periapical abscess was higher than in any other periapical lesion, and stastically significant. TGF-${\beta}$ expression is the prominent in granuloma than other periapical lesion, which was stastically significant. The increased expression of MMP and TGF-${\beta}$ was not co-related with inflammatory cell infiltration degree of the periapical cyst. The expression degree of MMP and TGF-${\beta}$ was not co-related with periapical abscess and cyst, but expression of MMP and TGF-${\beta}$ showed strong positive co-relationship with periapical granuloma, which was stastically significant. TGF-${\beta}$ expression by Western blot analysis was prominent in granuloma and cyst, and similar to the results by imunohistochemistry. MMP-1 expression is less than TGF-${\beta}$, but there is not extreme difference between periapical lesion. These results suggest that TGF-${\beta}$ and MMP may be involved in tissue remodeling and has an important role in progress or mediation of periapical lesions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1199-1203
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to examine the binding potential of sperm to the epithelium of the sperm storage tubules (SST) in vitro and in vivo to assess the functional maturation of fowl sperm. Sperm from the testis, epididymis, as well as the proximal, middle and distal vas deferens were incubated in vitro with either the uterovaginal junction (UVJ)- or infundibular tissue containing SST at $39^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. Aliquots of sperm were also artificially inseminated into the uteri of hens, and the UVJ and infundibulum were collected 24 h post artificial insemination (AI). After incubation and AI, tissues were washed to remove loosely adhered sperm and subjected to fluorescence staining with 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride (DAPI) for counting the number of bound sperm per 0.25 mm2 of surface area. Sperm from the testis, epididymis, and the three segments of the vas deferens exhibited their differential (p<0.05) binding capacity, which increased gradually from the testicular to distal vas deferens sperm under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Existing similar trend, sperm, regardless of their source had a lesser affinity to bind to the epithelium of the infundibular SST than to the UVJ-SST. These experimental results suggested that fowl sperm may undergo gradual changes in the process of functional maturation, whereby they gain the ability to bind to the epithelium of the SST during their passage through the male reproductive tract (MRT).