• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.359-365
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• 2016

Intact germinal vesicle (GV) arrest and release are essential for maintaining the fertility of mammals inducing human. Intact germinal vesicle release, maturation of oocytes is maintained by very complex procedures along with folliculogenesis and is a critical step for embryonic development. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) has been suggested a key factor for meiotic arrest but so far its mechanisms are controversy. In this study we examine the effects of cGMP on germinal vesicle breakdown in cumulus-enclosed oocytes and denuded oocytes. Spontaneous maturation was inhibited by a cGMP agonist, 8-Br-cGMP with concentration dependent manners both in cumulus-enclosed oocytes and denuded oocytes. The inhibitory effect was more severe in denuded oocytes than cumulus-enclosed oocytes. The Rp-8-Br-cGMP and Rp-pCPT-8-Br-cGMP did not severely block GVB compared to 8-Br-cGMP. The spontaneous GVB inhibitory effects were different by the existence of cumulus. Based on them it is suggested that the cumulus modulates the role of cGMP in GV arrest.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.311-314
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• 2001

To elucidate the effect of dorsal acupoints for canine electroacupuncture anesthesia, mongrel dogs(6 heads: 2.6-10.5kg, 3 males and 3 females) were used. After needling perpendicularly to Tian-Ping(GV-5) and Bai-Hui(GV-20), the electrodes were connected with positive to Tian-Ping and negative to Bi-hui, respectively using with veterinary electroacupuncture apparatus(TEC AM-3000). The electric conditions were 2-4V and 30 Hz. The pain of body surface was checked by hemostatic forceps. The effect of electroacupuncture andesthesia was appreciated by application of laparotomy(2 heads), ear trimming and tail amputation(1 head), castration(2 heads) and enterotomy(1 head), respectively. Induction time, clinical findings and operation findings were investigated under the electroacupuncture anesthesia. The induction time of electroacupuncture anesthesia was very rapid, approximately 1 minute and the pain of body surface including the extremities was not detected. As for clinical findings during electroacupuncture anesthesia, consciousness was evident, pupil reflex was weak and blepharoreaction was existed. As for operation findings, pain was not detected during incision and suture, and bleeding was relatively small volume. The grade of electroacupuncture anesthesia was excellent in all cases applied with ear trimming and tail amputation, laparatomy, castration and enterotomy. Considering above all findings, it was thought that electroacupuncture stimulation at Tian-Ping and Bai-hui examined in the present study induced excellent electroacupuncture anesthesia for dogs.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.533-540
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• 2015

Germination properties, leachate electrical conductivity (EC), and inorganic compound leaching were analyzed to ascertain the storage ability and change of physiological characteristics during storage of Hippophae rhamnoides seeds. Seeds were placed in an incubator at 25℃ and sown in different soil media (sand, vermiculite and horticultural substrate) after being stored for 6, 18 and 30 months at 2℃. All germination properties decreased in accordance to an increase of the seed storage period. Compared with the seed storage for 18 months, germination percentage (GP), germination performance index (GPI), and germination value (GV) of seeds stored for 30 months decreased by more than 50%. When the seeds were sown in different soil media in a greenhouse, those germination properties were similar to the seeds germinated in an incubator, and mean germination time, GPI and GV had a significant difference except GP among soil media. EC and inorganic ion concentration had a strong positive correlation with the seed storage period, but the ratios of inorganic ions from stored seeds revealed that K⁺/Mg²⁺ and Na⁺/Mg²⁺ were inversely correlated with the storage period.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2 s.30
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• pp.9-16
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• 1995

Forty four patients with Bell's palsy were treated with acupuncture from onset and clinical observation was carried on from March 1994 through Feburary 1995. Acupuncture treatment was done 3 times per week and the acupuncture points were LI4 Hapkok, ST36 Choksamni, LI20 Yonghyang, BL2 Ch'anjuk, TE17 Yep'ung, ST4 Chich'ang, ST6 Hyopko, GV26 Sugu, CV24 Sungjang, GB14 Yangbaek and Ex-HN4 Oyo. They were inserted to a depth of 0.5 to 1.0 cm. After insertion, manipulation was carried on until the patients felt strong numbness or De Qi sensation induced by rotating or twisting needles. Through-needling in lengths varying from 2.0 to 3.5 cm was also applied from ST4 Chich'ang to ST6 Hyopko, from GV26 Sugu or CV24 Sungjang to ST4 Chich'ang and from GB14 Yangbaek to Ex-HN4 Oyo. The mean age was 39.3 and 63.6% of the patients were women, including one pregnant woman. There was no recurrent palsy in this study. By applying the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading scales, patients were evaluated weekly from the first treatment to judged recovery or the 7th week of the treatment. 86.4% of the patients were recovered completely within 7 weeks and the average healing period was 3.7 weeks.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2009

This study was conducted to examine the effects of human follicular fluid and gonadotropin (FSH+HCG+rhEGF) on in vitro maturation, fertilization and development of human immature oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected following for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles of the patients. At the time of oocytes collection, oocytes were classified into MII, MI and GV in accordance with their appearance (MII: Fully mature oocyte at metaphase II of meiosis; MI: Nearly mature oocytes at metaphase I of meiosis; GV: Immature oocytes at prophase I of meiosis). After controlled ovarian stimulation using gonadotropin(FSH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in 70 ICSI cycles, 158 MI to MII matured oocytes were intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) ${\sim}4$ h after in vitro culture and 553 MII oocytes were ICSI after denudation. The aspirated MI and GV oocytes were cultured in culture medium containing 10% (v/v) serum protein substitute (SPS), 10% (v/v) human follicular fluid (hFF) and 10% (v/v) serum protein substitute (SPS)+1 IU/ml FSH+10 IU/ml HCG+10 ng/ml recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF). The maturation rate of immature oocytes was similar among the three group. When maturation medium was supplemented with 10% SPS, 10% hFF or gonadotropins, the fertilization rate of in vitro matured oocytes was higher in 10% SPS (80.0%), but there was no statistical significance (78.2%; hFF, 76.9%; gonadotropin, p>0.05). The development rate of human embryos developed to $6{\sim}8$ cells were not significant difference in the medium containing SPS, hFF and gonadotropins (65.6%, 65.9% and 66.7%). The results of these study suggest that human follicular fluid and gonadotropins supplemented in the culture medium was not effected on the in vitro maturation, fertilization and development of human immature oocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2001

Objective: The present study was done to clarify the effects of nicotine and nicotine tartrate on the mouse oocyte maturation in vitro. Methods: GV (germinal vesicle) oocytes were isolated from Graafian follicle of ovaries with sharp needles under a stereomicroscope from female mouse of ICR strain (4 weeks old). Collected oocytes were cultured for 17 hours at $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ in air and 100% humidified condition in incubator. New MHBS was the basic medium used in which nicotine, nicotine tartrate, and mecamylamine (antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor) were added depending on the experimental group. GV oocytes were cultured in one of these media. Results: Nicotine ($300{\mu}M{\sim}5mM$) had no effects on GVBD (germinal vesicle breakdown) compared to the control, but increasing concentration of nicotine led to an decrease in the first polar body formation. However, nicotine ($10{\sim}500{\mu}M$) induced GVBD in a dose-dependent manner of GV oocytes in a medium containing dbcAMP. Nicotine tartrate ($50{\mu}M{\sim}5mM$) had no effects on GVBD compared to the control but, increasing concentration of nicotine tartrate led to an decrease in the first polar body formation. Mecamylamine $10{\mu}M$ added to the medium containing nicotine ($300{\mu}M{\sim}5mM$) showed higher percentage of the first polar body formation compared to the nicotine ($300{\mu}M{\sim}5mM$) treatment group. Mecamylamine $10{\mu}M$ added to the medium containing nicotine tartrate ($50{\mu}M{\sim}5mM$) showed higher percentage of the first polar body formation compared to the nicotine tartrate ($50{\mu}M{\sim}5mM$) treatment group. Conclusion: The present study suggest that nicotine and nicotine tartrate have the harmful effects on the meiotic maturation of the mouse oocytes in vitro. However, mecamylamine block harmful effects of nicotine and nictine tartrate.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.147-152
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate what components of porcine epididymal fluid (pEF) influences the nuclear maturation of porcine germinal vesicle oocytes. Porcine cumulus-oocytes complexes from follicles were cultured in TCM 199 containing pEF. After 48 h cultures, oocytes were examined for evidence of GV breakdown, metaphase I, anaphase-telophase I, and metaphase II. Maturation rate of oocytes was significantly increased in media supplemented with 10% pEF during in vitro maturation (IVM) than in those without pEF. When lipid component of pEF was removed by treating n-heptane, no significant difference was observed in maturation of oocytes between n-heptane treatrment and intact pEF group. However, the proportion of oocytes reaching at metaphase II (M II) was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the oocytes cultured in media containing trypsin-treated pEF compared to those in media with intact pEF. When porcine GV oocytes were matured in the medium supplemented with intact pEF or pEF heated at $56^{\circ}C$ and $97^{\circ}C$, rates of oocytes remained at GV stage were 11.7%, 29.4% and 42.0%, respectively. However, there were no difference in proportion of oocytes reaching at MII stage among intact pEF group and $56^{\circ}C$ group. Present study suggests that 1) pEF contains an enhancing component(s) for nuclear maturation in vitro of oocytes, 2) protein(s) of pEF may be capable to promote nuclear maturation in vitro, and 3) enhancing component for nuclear maturation may consist of two factors, which are responsible for germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and promotion of MII stage.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.105-113
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• 2001

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on cerebral blood flow by Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography(TCD) Method : Monitoring of TCD was examined in 11 healthy women volunteer(mean $age:\;24.5{\pm}2.9\;\;years$) before, during and after acupuncture on Paekoe(GV20). Mean velocity, pulsatility index, systolic velocity and diastolic velocity values are analyzed from DWL. MDX4 at different depths of both middle cerebral artery. Results : The results showed a significant(p<0.05; Friedman test & Wilcoxon signed ranks test) increase in mean velocity, systolic velocity and diastolic velocity decrease in pulsatility index, which was measured at different depths of both middle cerebral artery. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupuncture could have a specific effect on cerebral blood flow.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2004

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of morphology, reproductive cycle, incubation time and activation of oocytes on in vitro maturation of cat oocytes and development of IVM/IVF embryos. The results were summarized as follows: 1. When recovered from ovaries collected at different stages of the reproductive cycle (inactive, follicular and luteal stage), the developmental rates of oocytes to GV and MI stage were 72.5% and 27.5%, 57.5% and 7.5%, 62.5% and 17.5%, respectively. 2. The developmental rates of oocytes with cumulus cells to GV and MI stage in different conditions of incubation (5% $CO_2$ , 95% $O_2$ and 10% $CO_2$, 90% $O_2$) were 70.0% and 27.5%, 52.5% and 20.0%, 55.0% and 12.5%, respectively. 3. The developmental rates to GV and MI oocytes when cultured at different time of incubation (17∼20, 21∼24, 25∼28 and 29∼32 h) were 67.5% and 20.0%, 67.5% and 30.0%, 62.5% and 22.5%, 65.0% and 15.0%, respectively. 4. The fertilization and cleavage rates of freshly collected oocytes with and without cumulus cells were 72.5% and 25.0%, 37.5% and 7.5%, respectively. The rates were greater in oocytes with cumulus cells than those without cumulus cells. 5. The fertilization and cleavage rates of oocytes recovered from ovaries collected at different stages of the reproductive cycle (inactive, follicular and luteal stage) were 75.0% and 25.0%, 40.0% and 7.5%, 50.0% and 15.0%, respectively.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.704-713
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Gastric varices (GVs) are a major cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. The current treatments of choice are balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) and the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). We aimed to compare the efficacy and outcomes of these two methods for the management of GV bleeding. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who received BRTO (n=157) or TIPS (n=19) to control GV bleeding from January 2005 to December 2014 at a single tertiary hospital in Korea. The overall survival (OS), immediate bleeding control rate, rebleeding rate and complication rate were compared between patients in the BRTO and TIPS groups. Results: Patients in the BRTO group showed higher immediate bleeding control rates (p=0.059, odds ratio [OR]=4.72) and lower cumulative rebleeding rates (logrank p=0.060) than those in the TIPS group, although the difference failed to reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences in the rates of complications, including pleural effusion, aggravation of esophageal varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, and portosystemic encephalopathy, although the rate of the progression of ascites was significantly higher in the BRTO group (p=0.02, OR=7.93). After adjusting for several confounding factors using a multivariate Cox analysis, the BRTO group had a significantly longer OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=0.44, p=0.01) and a longer rebleeding-free survival (aHR=0.34, p=0.001) than the TIPS group. Conclusions: BRTO provides better bleeding control, rebleeding-free survival, and OS than TIPS for patients with GV bleeding.