• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.62.1-62.10
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• 2022

Background: The corneal and limbal morphology relevant to corneal epithelial maintenance in ten different species was examined using histological methods. Objectives: The presence of a Bowman's layer, limbal epithelial cell, and superficial stromal morphology was examined in the following species to evaluate the differences in corneal thickness and epithelium: Java sparrows, frogs, macaws, spoonbills, red pandas, penguins, horses, Dobermans, orangutans, and humans. Methods: Corneal sections (4 ㎛) were obtained from ten ocular globes from three different animal classes: Aves, Amphibia, and Mammalia. All sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff reaction. After microscopy, all stained slides were photographed and analyzed. Results: Significant morphological differences in the corneal and limbal epithelia and their underlying stroma between species were observed. The number of corneal epithelial cell layers and the overall corneal epithelial thickness varied significantly among the species. The presence of a Bowman's layer was only observed in primates (orangutans and humans). Presumed supranuclear melanin caps were noted in four species (orangutans, macaws, red pandas, and horses) in the limbal basal epithelial layer (putative site of corneal epithelial stem cells). The melanin granules covered the apex of the cell nucleus. Conclusions: Supranuclear melanin capping has been described as a process within the epidermis to reduce the concentration of ultraviolet-induced DNA photoproducts. Similarly, there may be a relationship between limbal stem cell melanin capping as a protective mechanism against ultra-violet radiation.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.441-450
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• 2023

Objective: Serum amyloid A3 (SAA3), an acute phase response protein, plays important roles in opsonization, antimicrobial activity, chemotactic activity, and immunomodulation, but its expression, regulation, and function at the maternal-conceptus interface in pigs are not fully understood. Therefore, we determined the expression of SAA3 in the endometrium throughout the estrous cycle and at the maternal-conceptus interface during pregnancy. Methods: Endometrial tissues from pigs at various stages of the estrous cycle and pregnancy and with conceptuses derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), conceptus tissues during early pregnancy, and chorioallantoic tissues during mid- to late pregnancy were obtained and the expression of SAA3 was analyzed. The effects of the steroid hormones, interleukin-1β (IL1B), and interferon-γ (IFNG) on the expression of SAA3 were determined in endometrial explant cultures. Results: SAA3 was expressed in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, with the highest level on day 12 of pregnancy. The expression of SAA3 in the endometrium was significantly higher on day 12 of pregnancy than during the estrous cycle. Early-stage conceptuses and chorioallantoic tissues during mid to late pregnancy also expressed SAA3. The expression of SAA3 was primarily localized to luminal epithelial cells in the endometrium. In endometrial explant cultures, the expression of SAA3 was induced by increasing doses of IL1B and IFNG. Furthermore, the expression of SAA3 decreased significantly in the endometria of pigs carrying conceptuses derived from SCNT on day 12 of pregnancy. Conclusion: These results suggest that the expression of SAA3 in the endometrium during the implantation period increases in response to conceptus-derived IL1B and IFNG. The failure of those appropriate interactions between the implanting conceptus and the endometrium leads to dysregulation of endometrial SAA3 expression, which could result in pregnancy failure. In addition, SAA3 could be a specific endometrial epithelial marker for conceptus implantation in pigs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.1034-1043
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• 2023

Objective: Two serine protease inhibitors, peptidase inhibitor 3 (PI3) and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), play important roles in protease inhibition and antimicrobial activity, but their expression, regulation, and function at the maternal-fetal interface in pigs are not fully understood. Therefore, we determined the expression and regulation of PI3 and SLPI in the endometrium throughout the estrous cycle and at the maternal-fetal interface in pigs. Methods: Endometrial tissues during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, conceptus tissues during early pregnancy, and chorioallantoic tissues during mid to late pregnancy were obtained, and the expression of PI3 and SLPI was analyzed. The effects of the steroid hormones estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) on the expression of PI3 and SLPI were determined in endometrial explant cultures. Results: PI3 and SLPI were expressed in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, with higher levels during mid to late pregnancy than during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Early-stage conceptuses and chorioallantoic tissues during mid to late pregnancy also expressed PI3 and SLPI. PI3 protein and SLPI mRNA were primarily localized to endometrial epithelia. In endometrial explant cultures, the expression of PI3 was induced by increasing doses of P4, and the expression of SLPI was induced by increasing doses of E2 and P4. Conclusion: These results suggest that the PI3 and SLPI expressed in the endometrium and conceptus tissues play an important role in antimicrobial activity for fetal protection against potential pathogens and in blocking protease actions to allow epitheliochorial placenta formation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.685-702
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• 2023

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly used as probiotics; however, not all LAB strains have the same beneficial effects. To successfully use LAB as probiotics in canines, LAB species should originate from the canine intestinal tract as they display host specificity. The objective of this study was to investigate the phenotypic and genomic traits of potential probiotic LAB isolated from canine fecal samples. Twenty LAB samples were evaluated for their potential probiotic characteristics including resistance to low pH, bile salts, hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, adhesion to epithelia or mucosa, and production of inhibitory compounds. Additionally, we evaluated their safety and other beneficial effects on canine health, such as DPPH free radical scavenging, and β-galactosidase. Four strains demonstrated potential probiotic characteristics and were selected: Enterococcus hirae Pom4, Limosilactobacillus fermentum Pom5, Pediococcus pentosaceus Chi8, and Ligilactobacillus animalis FB2. Safety evaluations showed that all strains lacked hemolytic activity, could not produce biogenic amines, and did not carry any pathogenic genes. In addition, L. fermentum Pom5 and P. pentosaceus Chi8 displayed susceptibility to all antibiotics and concordant with the absence of antibiotic resistance genes. Based on their phenotypic and genomic characteristics, L. fermentum Pom5 and P. pentosaceus Chi8 were identified as potential probiotic candidates for canines.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.71-85
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• 1972

This investigation was undertaken to establish the ultrastructural organization of the retina in domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus B.) comparing with the ultrastructure that has been indicated in other Aves by several workers. The electron microscope observations were made on selected segments of retinal tissue prefixed for 2 hrs in 1.25% glutaraldehyde buffered with 0.2 M cacodylate at pH 7.2 and then postfixed in cold 1% osmium tetroxide in 0.4 M cacodylate buffer for 2 hrs. After postfixation, tissues were dehydrated in alcohol series, embedded in Epon 812 mixture from propylene oxide and stained with saturated uranyl acetate and $Pb(NO_3)_2$ solution. Specimens were examined with a Hitachi HS-7S electron microscope. The pigment epithelia cells contain numerous mitochondria with prominent dense granules and several changeful spaped Golgi bodies. The internal fine structure of the receptor outer segments revealed the characteristic stacks or arrays of bimembranous disks. The ellipsoid outer portion of the cone inner segments is composed of a tightly packed mass of extraordinarily large mitochondria. The outer limiting membrane is seen to contain many junctional complexes, the fibrillar material of which is electron-dense.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.699-709
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• 2024

Oxya chinensis sinuosa (OC) is a well-known edible insect. Several researches on the health benefits of OC consumption have been performed to date; however, their effect on eye health remains largely unknown. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of OC extracts on the oxidative stress on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Oxidative damage has been identified as one of the key regulatory factors in agerelated macular degeneration. H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, a well-known oxidative stress factor, can cause cell death in retinal pigment epithelia cells. In this study, we found that three OC extracts effectively prevented H₂O₂-induced ROS production and subsequent death of ARPE-19 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the OC extracts inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases including p38, JNK, and ERK. The OC extracts restored IκBα degradation induced by H₂O₂, indicating that OC extracts suppressed the activation of nuclear factorκB. Furthermore, the three OC extracts were shown to have antioxidant effects by upregulating the intracellular expression of key antioxidant proteins such as SOD, NQO, and HO-1. Here we demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of the OC extracts on ARPE-19, indicating their potential role in improving eye health. These results suggest that three OC extracts plays a critical role in oxidative stress-induced cell death protects in ARPE-19 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.229-241
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• 2008

Changes of growth and histopathological feature in the mantle structure of the equilateral venus, Gomphina veneriformis exposed to tribultyltin chloride (TBTCl) for 36 weeks were observed. Concentrations of TBTCl were 0, 0.4, 0.6, and $0.8{\mu}g/L$. A regression analysis by power function of SPSS was shown that the growth of experimental groups was significantly decreased after 12 weeks of exposure. For histological analysis, mantle tissues were characterized using H-E stain, AB-PAS (pH 2.5) reaction and Masson's trichrome stain, and epidermal layer thickness and mucous cell distribution were analysed using the image analyser. The mantle had 4-folds (inner-inner, inner-outer, middle, and outer) and its epidermal layer consisted of simple epithlia. A periostracum was observed in the periostracal groove between middle and outer fold. Inner epidermal layer consisted of simple ciliated columnar epithelia, but the outer epidermal layer consisted of simple non-ciliated columnar epithelia. Alcian blue positive mucous cells showed blue color (7462c, 653c) in the inner fold, violet color (2583c) in the middle fold, and blue color (647c, 7455c) in inner epidermal layer (numbers in the parenthesis are codes of Pantone process coated color). Hemolymph sinus in the mantle was extended, and mucous cells in inner plica of the middle fold were stained as blue (7455c) and violet (2587c), after 12 weeks of TBTCI exposure. Cilia and striated border were disappeared, and number of mucous cells in the inner epidermal layer was reduced. Serious histopathological changes in middle and outer fold near the periostracum were observed after 36 weeks. Moreover, epidermal layer thickness and mucous cell distribution were showed decreasing tendency as exposure time to TBTCI was increased. Results of this study suggested that TBTCl induced growth disorder with histopathological changes.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.56-77
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate effects of Boyanghwano-Tang on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and divided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group (n=8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and Boyanghwano-Tang treated group. Boyanghwano-Tang was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volume of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and investigated the concentration of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results: - The volume($mm^3$) of endometriotic implants in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group ($122.3{\pm}45.0$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($222.1{\pm}109.1$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($1026.3{\pm}196.5$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($1412.5{\pm}345.7$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of TNF-$\alpha$ in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($936.5{\pm}94.3$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($1126.2{\pm}139.9$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of IL-$1{\beta}$ in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($78.5{\pm}13.3$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($105.3{\pm}17.6$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of IL-6 in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($107.4{\pm}15.8$) was decreased compared with control group($122.8{\pm}19.3$). - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of Boyanghwano-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The percentage of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($51.5{\pm}14.1$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($75.1{\pm}16.3$). - The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of Boyanghwano-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The number of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($75.9{\pm}13.1$) was decreased compared with control group($91.0{\pm}28.3$). Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we concluded that Boyanghwano-Tang have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased production of MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and decreased expression of COX-2 and VEGF by administration of Boyanghwano-Tang.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.835-845
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• 1998

Background: Silica-induced lung diseases is characterized by the accumulation of inflammatory cells at early stage and fibrosis in pulmonary parenchyma and interstitium at late stage. As a consequence of inflammation, silicosis is accompanied with the expansion of interstitial collagen and the formation of fibrotic nodule. In this process, several kinds of lung cells produce cytokines which can amplify and modulate pulmonary fibrosis. The alveolar macrophage is a potent source of proflammatory cytokines and growth factor. But in the process of silicotic inflammation and fibrosis, there are many changes of the kinetics in cytokine network. And the sources of cytokines in each phase are not well known. Method: 2.5 mg of silica was instillated into the lung of C57BL/6J mice. After intratracheal instillation of silica, the lungs were removed for imunohistochemical stain at 1, 2, 7 day, 2, 4, 8, 12 week, respectively. We investigated the expression of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ in lung tissue. Results: 1) The expression of IL-6 increased from 1 day after exposure to 8 weeks in vascular endothelium. Also peribronchial area were stained for IL-6 from 7 days and reached the peak level for 4 weeks. 2) The IL-1 $\beta$ was expressed weakly at the alveolar and peribronchial area through 12 weeks. 3) The TNF-$\alpha$ expressed strongly at alveolar and bronchial epithelia during early stage and maintained for 12 weeks. 4) TGF-$\beta$ was expressed strongly at bronchial epithelia and peribronchial area after 1 week and the strongest at 8 weeks. Conclusion: The results above suggests IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ appear to be a early inflammatory response in silica induced lung fibrosis and TGF-$\beta$ play a major role in the maintenance and modulation of fibrosis in lung tissue. And the regulation of TNF-$\alpha$ production will be a key role in modultion of silica-induced fibrosis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.34-59
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the inhibiting effects of Gungguijohyeoleum on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and we divided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group(n=8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and Gungguijohyeoleum treated group(n=8), Gungguijohyeoleum was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volumes of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and investigated the concentrations of cytokines(MCP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results: - The volume ($mm^3$) of endometriotic implants in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group ($76.4{\pm}24.5$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($222.1{\pm}109.1$). - The concentration (pg/ml) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluids in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group ($1060.8{\pm}280.8$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($1412.5{\pm}345.7$). - The concentration (pg/ml) of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluids in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group ($827.5{\pm}219.9$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($1126.2{\pm}139.9$). - The concentration (pg/ml) of $IL-1{\beta}$ in peritoneal fluids in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group($83.4{\pm}9.0$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($105.3{\pm}17.6$). - The concentration (pg/ml) of IL-6 in peritoneal fluids in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group($108.9{\pm}15.7$) was decreased compared with control group($122.8{\pm}19.3$). - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of Gungguijohyeoleum treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The percentage(%) of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group($56.8{\pm}12.8$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($75.1{\pm}16.3$). -The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of Gungguijohyeoleum treated group was weakly observed than that of control group. - The numbers of mast cells in transplanted uterine tissue in Gungguijohyeoleum treated group($35.4{\pm}18.4$) were significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group ($91.0{\pm}28.3$). Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we concluded that Gungguijohyeoleum has inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased production of MCP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, COX-2, VEGF and mast cells by administration of Gungguijohyeoleum.