• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2016

This report describes the sex differentiation of the Korean rose bitterling, Rhodeus uyekii, from hatching to 170 days post-hatch (DPH) in relation to total length (TL), body weight (BW), and integral water temperature (IWT). The growth curve of TL from just hatching to 83 DPH was $5.144e^{0.045t}$ ($R^2=0.961$; t, time), and that of BW was $2.398e^{0.086t}$ ($R^2=0.725$). Primordial germ cells (PGCs) were observed at 17 DPH (7.9 mm TL, 3.74 mg BW, $374^{\circ}C$ IWT), and thereafter began to protrude into the peritoneal cavity. At 21 DPH ($9.2{\pm}0.14mm$ TL, $4.8{\pm}0.07mg$ BW, $462^{\circ}C$ IWT), some PGCs contained condensed chromatin and oocyte were observed in meiotic prophase. In contrast to the ovaries, which grew gradually after sexual differentiation, testes began multiplying at 25 DPH (10.1 mm TL, 5.42 mg BW, $550^{\circ}C$ IWT), when testicular differentiation was first identified, and multiplied continuously thereafter. At 33 DPH (11.2 mm TL, 10.5 mg BW, $726^{\circ}C$ IWT), the developing testes contained spermatogonia that exhibited mitotic activity. No spermatocyte or sperm cell was observed until 83 DPH (18.9 TL, 48.2 mg BW, $1,826^{\circ}C$ IWT). At 170 DPH (32.5 mm TL, 270.1 mg BW, $3,740^{\circ}C$ IWT), which was the end point of this study, the mature ovaries showed germinal vesicle breakdown, while the mature testes contained observable spermatocytes and sperm cells. These results allow us to identify the sex differentiation type of the Korean rose bitterling as differentiated gonochoristic.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2007

Previously, we found progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (pgrmc2) was highly expressed in germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes. The present study was conducted to characterize the expression of pgrmc2, as well as pgrmc1, in the mouse gonads and embryos according to their developmental stages. We found that these membrane components were expressed in ovaries, testes, and embryos at various developmental stages in addition to oocytes. Progesterone-3-O-carboxymethyl oxime-BSA-fluorescein isothiocyanate (P4-BSA-FITC) was applied to visualize the presence of the progesterone receptor on mouse oocyte membrane, and we confirmed that immobilized progesterone is localized at surface of the oocyte. This is, at our knowledge, the first report regarding the expression of membrane component of progesterone receptor in the mouse oocytes, embryos, and gonads. The function and signal transduction pathway of progesterone receptor membrane components in oocytes requires further studies.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.131-134
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• 1995

When tachyzoites (RH strain) of Toxoplasmo gondii are injected intramuscularly, experimental mice survive up to 7 days, 1-2 days longer than those infected intraperitoneally. We observed sequential histopathological changes in inguinal Iymph nodes after intramuscular injection of tachyzoites to thighs of specific pathogen free (SPF) mice. Initial findings on 1 or 3 days after the injection were reactive germinal centers, distended sinuses and epithelioid cell clusters in cortical and paracortical regions. Later on 5 days after the injection, however, effacement of nodal structure with depletion of cells and focal necrosis were observed . Necrotizing Iymphadenitis in the experimental murine toxoplasmosis suggests the causal relation between T. gondii infection and the human disease.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2013

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) have been suspected to have immunosuppressive effects on pigs. To investigate the correlation between these virus infection and the lesions of lymph nodes including sub-mandibular and inguinal lymph node, 44 pigs (PCV2 single, n = 14; PRRSV single, n = 10; PCV2/PRRSV, n = 14; negative control, n = 6) were examined by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Histopathologically, granulomatous lymphadenitis characterized by lymphoid depletion with histiocytic cells infiltration was observed in PCV-2 single and PCV-2/PRRSV group. Immunohistochemically, there were significant reduction of B and T lymphocytes in lymph nodes of these groups, while the number of macrophages was increased. In only PRRSV infected group, germinal center hypertrophy and lymphoid necrosis were observed. Immunohistochemically, the number of CD3+ T lymphocytes was slightly increased. Severe lymphocytic depletion in PCV-2 infection-related lymph nodes might be associated with producing immunocompromised state in pig. Comparing with PCV-2 infected group, PRRSV produced minor effects on the changes in immune cell population in the lymph nodes of pigs. PRRSV may increase susceptibility of the disease in pigs by disruption of the first defense lines in target organs, such as the alveolar macrophages in lungs.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.585-590
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of oral-administered sex hormone for hybrid sturgeon, bester juvenile. The bester juveniles (2 months after hatching) were received a diet containing various doses of $17\alpha$-methyltestosterone (MT) or estradiol-$17\beta$ ($E_2$) for 6 months. Somatic growth of bester sturgeon juvenile did not show significant differences between experimental and control groups (27.9-30.5 cm; 125.1-161.7 g), although survival percentages showed a decreasing tendency in MT-treated animals. By histological examination, germ cells were recorded as smooth type in MT-treated fish and uneven type of germinal epithelium in $E_2$-treated animals. Their sex ratios were 5:4:1 (male: female: undifferentiation) in control and low dose of MT-treated fish (1 mg/kg), and 9:1:0 in fish treated with high dose of MT (10 mg/kg), whereas the ratios were reversed by both low and high doses of $E_2$ treatment, recorded as 2:8:0. Gonadal areas were not significantly differed in all trials (424,600.4 - 1,039,656.3 ${\mu}m^2$). Total number of germ cells, number of germ cells per gonadal areas and number of germ cells per area were significantly higher to 144.7-148.7 cells/section, 374.0-408.5 $cells/mm^2$ and 1,599.5-1,670.9 $cells/mm^2$ in $E_2$ treatment than those of others (30.4-63.9 cells/section, 148.4-226.9 $cells/mm^2$ and 850.0-1,050.6 $cells/mm^2$), respectively. And somatic growth according to their gender was not significantly differed between male and female.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 1987

This experiment was performed on mice to investigate the effects of an immunopotentiator, picibanil(PC), on the immune responses such as phagocytic activity of reticuloen-dothelial(RE) system, E rosette formation rate of splenic lmphocytes and morphological changes of lymph node tissue. Groups of mice were treated with a single(1KE/kg BW) or sequential(0.1, 0.25 and 0.5KE/kg BW for successive 3 days) intravenous injections of PC. PC treated and untreated control mice were sensitized with 50% sheep erythrocyte suspension(0.2ml/mouse) at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after PC treatment. Functional and morphological examinations were carried out 5 days after sensitization. The following results were obtained: The phagocytic activity of RE system and the weight of liver and spleen were increased significantly at 3rd, 5th and 7th day. The peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocyte and percent of lymphocyte and monocyte were slightly increased. The rates of E rosette formation of splenic lymphotytes, sequential PC treated groups were more increased at 3rd and 5th day in sequential PC treated groups than in single treated groups. Thereafter it returned gradually to the control level by the time of 10th day. Microscopically primary lymph follicles with indistinct germinal center (GC) were partially disrupted and the parafollicular areas were consisted of the pyroninophilic cells in control group. In PC treated group, the parafollicular areas were markedly proliferated and developments of secondary lymph follicles with enlarged and prominent GC were more pronounced in the sequential injected groups compared to single injected groups. These results indicate that PC affected not only parafollicular area of the T-cell area, but also GC of the B-cell area. It suggests that PC may potentiate both cell mediated immunity and humoral immunity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.554-558
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• 2007

Kimura's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder presenting regional lymphadenopathy with painless soft tissue mass. Clinically, peripheral eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE levels are observed, and proteinuria associated with renal disease can also be present. Although its etiology is not clearly understood, it occurs predominantly in young Asian males and presents as a deep, subcutaneous mass involving salivary glands of the preauricular and submandibular regions. Spontaneous remission is very rare, and although treatments such as steroid, cytotoxic therapy and irradiation are available, chronic recurrence is very common. As such, surgical excision is regarded as the mainstay of therapy for localized lesions. Histopathologically, Kimura's disease features eosinophilic abscsesses and dense lymphoid aggregates with germinal center. Clinical differential diagnosis of Kimura's disease from other parotid diseases with accompanying lymphadenopathy is often very challenging prior to biopsy. The authors report a case of a 19-year-old male diagnosed with Kimura's disease in the parotid region who underwent surgical excision and was followed up for 6 years, along with a review of related literature.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.543-547
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• 2019

Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans worldwide, causing serious diseases in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. T. gondii rhoptry protein 13 (ROP13) is known as one of the key proteins involved in host cell invasion. In this study, we generated virus-like particles (VLPs) vaccine expressing T. gondii rhoptry ROP13 and investigated VLPs vaccine efficacy in mice. Mice immunized with ROP13 VLPs vaccine elicited significantly higher levels of T. gondii-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgA antibody responses following boost immunization and challenge infection, whereas antibody inductions were insignificant upon prime immunization. Differing immunization routes resulted in differing antibody induction, as intranasal immunization (IN) induced greater antibody responses than intramuscular immunization (IM) after boost and challenge infection. IN immunization induced significantly higher levels of IgG and IgA antibody responses from feces, antibody-secreting cells (ASCs), $CD4^+$ T, $CD8^+$ T cells and germinal center B cell responses in the spleen compared to IM immunization. Compared to IM immunization, IN immunization resulted in significantly reduced cyst counts in the brain as well as lesser body weight loss, which contributed to better protection. All of the mice immunized through either route survived, whereas all na?ve control mice perished. These results indicate that the ROP13 VLPs vaccine could be a potential vaccine candidate against T. gondii infection.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.50.1-50.19
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• 2022

Autoreactive B cells are not entirely deleted, but some remain as immunocompetent or anergic B cells. Although the persistence of autoreactive B cells as anergic cells has been shown in transgenic mouse models with the expression of B cell receptor (BCR) reactive to engineered self-antigen, the characterization of naturally occurring anergic B cells is important to identify them and understand their contribution to immune regulation or autoimmune diseases. We report here that a low-level expression of CD138 in the splenic B cells marks naturally arising anergic B cells, not plasma cells. The CD138^int B cells consisted of IgM^lowIgD^high follicular (FO) B cells and transitional 3 B cells in homeostatic conditions. The CD138^int FO B cells showed an anergic gene expression profile shared with that of monoclonal anergic B cells expressing engineered BCRs and the gene expression profile was different from those of plasma cells, age-associated B cells, or germinal center B cells. The anergic state of the CD138^int FO B cells was confirmed by attenuated Ca²⁺ response and failure to upregulate CD69 upon BCR engagement with anti-IgM, anti-IgD, anti-Igκ, or anti-IgG. The BCR repertoire of the CD138^int FO B cells was distinct from that of the CD138^- FO B cells and included some class-switched B cells with low-level somatic mutations. These findings demonstrate the presence of polyclonal anergic B cells in the normal mice that are characterized by low-level expression of CD138, IgM downregulation, reduced Ca²⁺ and CD69 responses upon BCR engagement, and distinct BCR repertoire.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.42.1-42.10
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• 2020

Long-lasting post-switched plasma cells (PCs) arise mainly from germinal center (GC) reactions, but little is known about the mechanism by which GC B cells differentiate into PCs. Based on our observation that the expression of the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EPBβ) is associated with the emergence of post-switched PCs, we enquired whether a cell-autonomous function of C/EPBβ is involved in the program for PC development. To address this, we generated C/EPBβ-deficient mice in which the Cebpb locus was specifically deleted in B cells after transcription of the Ig γ1 constant gene segment (Cγ1). In response to in vitro stimulation, B cells from these Cebpb^fl/flCγ1^Cre/+ mice had defects in the induction of B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp1) and the formation of IgG1⁺ PCs, but not in proliferation and survival. At steady state, the Cebpb^fl/flCγ1^Cre/+ mice had reduced serum IgG1 titers but normal IgG2c and IgM titers. Moreover, upon immunization with T-dependent Ag, the mice produced reduced levels of Ag-specific IgG1 Ab, and were defective in the production of Ag-specific IgG1 Ab-secreting cells. These results suggest that a cell-autonomous function of C/EPBβ is crucial for differentiation of post-switched GC B cells into PCs through a Blimp1-dependent pathway.