• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.203-206
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• 2013

There have been reports of abnormalities in the lumbosacral region involving a lower-than-normal termination of the dural sac, which is caused by disease or anatomical variation. Inadvertent dural puncture or other unexpected complications can occur during caudal epidural block or adhesiolysis in patients with these variations, but only a small number of case reports have described this issue. We report a case of dural puncture by the introducer needle before attempting caudal epidural adhesiolysis, which occurred even though the needle was not advanced upward after penetrating the sacrococcygeal ligament. Dural puncture was caused by a morphological abnormality in the lumbosacral region, with no pathological condition; the dural sac terminal was located more distally than normal. However, dural puncture could have been prevented if we had checked for such an abnormality in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) taken before the procedure.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.155-158
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• 2019

Morphologic changes or functional impairments of the papillary muscle (PM) can influence mitral valve competence. The purpose of this study was to investigate PM size and contractile function using two-dimensional and color tissue Doppler echocardiography in normal dogs. 35 unsedated Beagle dogs without cardiovascular disease were examined. The vertical (VD) and horizontal diameter (HD) of the posterior and anterior PM was measured at end-diastole, and compared with the thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPWd). Longitudinal systolic movement of the PM was quantified as myocardial velocity and strain using tissue Doppler. The VD, HD, and ratios (VD/LVPWd, HD/LVPWd, VD/HD) were significantly greater in the posterior than anterior PM (P < 0.001). The VD and HD of posterior PM and the HD of anterior PM were significantly correlated with LVPWd (r = 0.47, 0.44, and 0.42, respectively). Body weight was significantly correlated with VD of posterior PM (r = 0.37). The peak systolic tissue velocity of the PM was $4.93{\pm}1.25cm/sec$ and peak strain was $-30.83{\pm}11.92%$. PM size and systolic function can be quantitatively assessed using two-dimensional and tissue Doppler. The establishment of these objective PM measurements may be useful to evaluate morphological and functional abnormalities of the canine PM.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2022

Molar incisor malformation (MIM) has been introduced as a new type of dental anomaly. Currently, the morphological and histological characteristics of MIM are known; however, its etiology has not been clearly identified. To date, the long-term prognosis of first permanent molars (FPM) affected by MIM has rarely been reported, and few treatment guidelines have been established. The purpose of this case report was to present guidelines for the extraction of FPM affected by MIM, depending on the presence of the third molar. In patients with a third molar, spontaneous mesial shift of the posterior molars might be induced by extracting the FPM at an appropriate time, that is, when the second permanent molar is at an early furcation stage of the tooth. However, it is recommended that FPM be preserved for as long as possible if a third molar does not exist. When an FPM needs to be extracted, it is suggested to consider space maintenance.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.455-460
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• 2022

Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3; BP-3) is a compound used in sunscreens and enters the oceans due to improper disposal. It is known to disrupt the endocrine signaling in marine organisms, leading to immune and reproductive abnormalities in corals, shellfish and fishes. In this study, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of BP-3 (0, 10, 100 and 1,000 ㎍/L) on the fertilized eggs and hatched larvae of Oplegnathus fasciatus. The morphological changes and hatching and survival rates during embryo development were assessed. In addition, the levels of triiodothyronine (T3) were also measured. The hatched larvae exposed to BP-3 at concentrations of 10 and 100 ㎍/L for 24 h displayed malformation of the tail. After 36 h of exposure to BP-3, spinal deformity was observed at all tested concentrations. The hatching rate was significantly low when exposed to 100 ㎍/L of BP-3. A high levels of T3 was observed when the larvae were exposed to BP-3 at a concentration of 1,000 ㎍/L for 96 h (the end of the experiment). This may be related to increased size of larvae at 1,000 ㎍/L BP-3. In conclusion, our results suggested that BP-3 may interfere with embryo development, resulting in a reduction in hatching rate and malformation of larvae.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.40.1-40.14
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• 2016

Background: Due to the paucity of oceanic resources utilized in the preparation of diets for cultured fish, commercial feed producers have been trying to replace fishmeal (FM) using alternative protein sources such as vegetable protein meals (VMs). One of the main drawbacks of using VMs in fish feed is related to the presence of a variety of anti-nutritional factors, which could trigger an inflammation process in the distal intestine. This reduces the capacity of the enterocytes to absorb nutrients leading to reduced fish growth performances. Methods: We evaluated the mitigating effects of butyrate and taurine used as feed additives on the morphological abnormalities caused by a soybean meal (SBM)-based diet in the distal intestine of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). We used three experimental diets, containing the same low percentage of FM and high percentage of SBM; two diets were supplemented with either 0.2% sodium butyrate or taurine. Histological changes in the intestine of fish were determined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Infiltration of $CD45^+$ leucocytes in the lamina propria and in the submucosa was assessed by immunohistochemistry. We also quantified by One-Step Taqman$^{(R)}$ real-time RT-PCR the messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance of a panel of genes involved in the intestinal mucosa inflammatory response such as $TNF{\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor alpha) and interleukins: IL-8, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-10, and IL-6. Results: Fish that received for 2 months the diet with 30% soy protein (16.7% SBM and 12.8% full-fat soy) developed an inflammation in the distal intestine, as confirmed by histological and immunohistochemistry data. The expression of target genes in the intestine was deeply influenced by the type of fish diet. Fish fed with taurine-supplemented diet displayed the lowest number of mRNA copies of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-8, and IL-10 genes in comparison to fish fed with control or butyrate-supplemented diets. Dietary butyrate caused an upregulation of the $TNF{\alpha}$ gene transcription. Among the quantified interleukins, IL-6 was the only one to be not influenced by the diet. Conclusions: Histological and gene expression data suggest that butyrate and taurine could have a role in normalizing the intestinal abnormalities caused by the SBM, but the underling mechanisms of action seem different.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.129-133
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• 2011

Drinking of excessive ethanol during pregnancy induces a fetal alcohol syndrome. Genistein is one of naturally occurring isoflavones at relatively high levels in soybeans. In this study, we investigated the effects of genistein ($1{\times}10^{-8}$ and $1{\times}10^{-7}\;{\mu}g$/ml) on the ethanol (1 ${\mu}l$/ml)-induced teratogenesis of developing mouse embryos during the critical period (embryonic days 8.5~10.5) of organogenesis using a whole embryo culture system and then morphological scoring analysis. Ethanol-treated embryos exhibited a variety of developmental abnormalities. However, the total morphological scores for ethanol plus genistein groups were significantly higher than those of ethanol alone group (p<0.05). In particular, there were significant increases in the ethanol plus $1{\times}10^{-8}\;{\mu}g$/ml of genistein group on the scores for heart, optic system, branchial bar, mandibular process, and caudal neural tube and further in the ethanol plus $1{\times}10^{-7}\;{\mu}g$/ml of genistein group on the scores for heart, hind-, mid-, and forebrains, optic system, branchial bars, maxillary and mandibular processes, caudal neural tube, forelimb, hindlimb, and somites as compared with those of ethanol alone group (p<0.05). These results indicate that genistein has a preventive effect against ethanol-induced teratogenesis.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 1998

Recent identification and characterization of plant homeobox genes suggest that they play important roles in morphogenetic events. OSH1, one of the rice homeobox genes, is thought to be related to organ development since the changes of OSH1 gene expression cause morphological abnormalities of leaves by the ectopic expression and is expressed during early embryogenesis. In this experiment, the expression pattern of OSH1 was analyzedinmutants by in situ hybridization, and OSH1's potential as a molecular marker was explored. Region-specific expression of OSH1 during early embryogenesis shows that OSH1 could be used as a molecular marker for characterizing embryo mutants. Although several organless and shootless mutants showed normal expression of OSM1, some mutants exhibited abnormal expression patterns. In a minute organless cle1-1 embryo whose epidermis resembled morphologically the epithelium of scutellum, OSH1 expression was limited to a small basal region. This expression pattern suggests the gross deletion of the basal part. In a radicleless mutant, odm115, OSH1 expression was detected in a basal region instead of subcentral region of the ventral side. Together with other characteristics (short embryo and normal adventitious roots), odm115 was estimated to be derived from the deletion of basal region. Among five shootless mutants, three showed normal expression of OSH1. In the shl2 embryo, no expression of OSH1 was observed. In the shl1 embryo, however, OSH1 expression was extended to a dorsal side, indicating that SHL2 might be related to dorsoventral patterning. The above results of in situ hybrydization clearly indicate that OSH1 can be utilized as a marker for characterizing gene functions of embryo mutants.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2017

Objective: Sperm morphology plays an important role in infertility, especially in cases of defects in the heads of spermatozoa. Tapered-head or elongated-head spermatozoa are examples of morphological abnormalities. The aim of this study was to compare the semen parameters, levels of protamine deficiency, and frequency of apoptosis between patients with normozoospermia and those with teratozoospermia with tapered-head spermatozoa. Methods: Fifty-two semen samples (27 patients with tapered-head sperm and 25 fertile men) were collected and semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization criteria for each sample. Protamine deficiency and the percentage of apoptotic spermatozoa were evaluated using chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assays, respectively. Results: Sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology in the tapered-head spermatozoa (cases) were significantly lower than in the normozoospermic samples (controls). CMA3-reactive spermatozoa (CMA3+) in the case group were more common than in the controls. Apoptotic spermatozoa (TUNEL-positive) were significantly more common in the cases than in the controls. Conclusion: This analysis showed that tapered-head spermatozoa contained abnormal chromatin packaging and exhibited a high rate of apoptosis, which can be considered to be an important reason for the impaired fertility potential in teratozoospermic patients with tapered-head spermatozoa.

• ALGAE
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2012

Germanium dioxide ($GeO_2$) has been used for many years in the cultivation of red and green algae as a means of controlling the growth of diatoms. Brown algae are sensitive to $GeO_2$, however, the basis of this sensitivity has not been characterized. Here we use embryos of $Fucus$ $vesiculosus$ to investigate morphological and physiological impacts of $GeO_2$ toxicity. Morphometric features of embryos were measured microscopically, and physiological features were determined using pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry. At 5 mg $L^{-1}$ $GeO_2$, embryos grew slower than controls and developed growth abnormalities. After 24 h, initial zygote divisions were often oblique rather than transverse. Rhizoids had inflated tips in $GeO_2$ and were less branched, and apical hairs were deformed, with irregularly aligned, spheroidal cells. Minimum fluorescence ($F_0$) showed minor differences over the 10 days experiment, and pigment levels (chlorophylls $a$, $c$ and total carotenoids) showed no difference after 10 days. Optimum quantum yield increased from ca. 0.52 at 24 h to 0.67 at 5 days, and $GeO_2$-treated embryos had higher mean values (significant at 3 and 5 days). Optimum quantum yield of photosystem II (${\Phi}_{PSII}$) was stable in control thalli after 5 days, but declined significantly in $GeO_2$. Addition of silica (as $SiO_2$) did not reverse the effects of $GeO_2$. These results suggest that $GeO_2$ toxicity in brown algae is associated with negative impacts at the cytological level rather than metabolic impacts associated with photosynthesis.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.393-400
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• 1998

As a series of safety studies on DA-3585, a recombinant human erythropoietin, its local irritancy was examined in rabbits after the following treatments; application into the conjunctival sac of the eye(single), subcutaneous injection (single and -day repeated)and intravenous injection (7-day repeated.)In addition, perivascular irritation of DA-3585 was investigated in mice. In the result of ocular irritation test, 10,000IU/ml solution of DA-3585 could be considered as a non-irritating material. The local irritation of DA-3585 by a single and 7-day repeated subcutaneous injection was negligible and not so much different from that of saline. In the vascular irritancy test, macro-and microscopic observations revealed that local irritation of DA-3585 was comparable to that of saline when injected into retroauricular vein of rabbits for 7 consecutive days. Furthermore the perivascular administration of DA-3585 upto the concentration of 10,000 IU/ml did not induce any morphological abnormalities at injection sites. The results obtained from the present study suggest that the local irritancy of DA-3585 is not different from that of saline when injected through intravenous or subcutaneous route for clinical practice.