• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2011

Pre-eclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, but remains unclear about the underlying disease mechanisms. Pre-eclampsia is currently believed to be a two-stage disease. The first stage involves shallow cytotrophoblast invasion of maternal spiral arteriole, resulting in placental insufficiency. The hypoxic placenta release soluble factors, cytokines, and trophoblastic debris into maternal circulation, which induce systemic endothelial damage and dysfunction. This cause the second stage of the disease: maternal syndrome. Epidemiological research has consistently demonstrated a familial predisposition to pre-eclampsia. Intensive research efforts have been made to discover susceptibility genes that will inform our understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and that may provide direction for therapeutic or preventative strategies. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the role of genetic factors in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia and explain the molecular approach to search for genetic clues in pre-eclampsia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.8-20
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• 2015

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacopuncture in the treatment of acute peripheral facial paralysis (APFP) through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the clinical evidence for pharmacopuncture as a treatment for PFP. Methods: Literature was searched using databases. The search terms used were "pharmacopuncture," "sweet BV," "apipuncture," "apitoxin," "injection acupuncture," and "herbal acupuncture" in English and "bongchim," "bongyakchim," and "yakchim" in Korean. The RevMan 5.2 program was used for meta-analysis. Results: In all, 1902 studies were screened and the full texts of 219 articles were reviewed. Of these, nine studies were included in the systematic review and nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Treatments utilizing bee venom, sweet bee venom (SBV), Soyeom, Calculus Bovis Fel Ursi Moschus (BUM), Hominis Placenta, and Suseunghwagang (SSHG) were observed in nine RCTs. In the forest plot, the diamond favors the PA treatment against the control treatment. (95% CI: 0.34 [0.08, 0.60], Z = 2.57, P = 0.01), which Our meta-analysis in RevMan 5.2 confirmed the significant efficacy of PA in treating APFP. Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that treatments using Soyeom, bee venom, and BUM are effective in APFP and they reduce the duration of postauricular pain occurring at the acute stage of APFP. However, due to small effect size, further investigation is needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to examine pharmacopuncture treatment for lateral epicondylitis, and to contribute to developing a standardized treatment regimen by reviewing trends in clinical trials. Five randomized controlled trials, 1 case-control study, and 8 cohort studies published after 1999, that involved pharmacopuncture for lateral epicondylitis, were selected from Korean and international online databases (n = 8). The type of pharmacopuncture, dose, frequency, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed. Seven types of pharmacopuncture were used, namely Bee Venom, Illicium henryi Diels, Akebiae Caulis, Angelicae sinensis Diels, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, Hominis Placenta, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix. Dose, treatment duration, and treatment frequency varied widely. One study assessed the treatment efficacy according to frequency. Nine studies lacked data on adverse events. The quality of 5 randomized controlled trials was low. Although pharmacopuncture treatment appeared to be effective for lateral epicondylitis, it was difficult to standardize the regimen for lateral epicondylitis.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.814-821
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to assess the maternal zinc status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationship between the zinc concentration of maternal, umblical cord blood and placental tissue and pregnancy outcomes. Venous blood samples were drawn from 53 pregnant women just before delivery and the cord blood of their newborn babies was collected immediately after birth. In addition, placental tissues were extracted. We investigated the difference in the concentration of zinc in maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue in two gestational age groups (preform delivery group [PT] and normal term delivery group [NT]) at 34.7 wk and 39.0 wk of mean gestational age, respectively). We also assessed correlations of the zinc concentration of maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. Lastly, we studied the correlations between the birth weights and the zinc concentration in the maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. The concentrations of maternal serum zinc and of umbilical cord serum zinc were significantly higher in the PT group (76.9$\pm$37.4 $\mu/dl$, 101.3$\pm$41.4 $\mu/dl$) than in those of the NT group (57.8$\pm$22.4 $\mu/dl$, 80.7$\pm$27.5 $\mu/dl$), respectively (p<0.05). The zinc concentration of the umbilical cord blood was significantly higher than that of the maternal blood in both groups (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the gestational age and the serum zinc concentration in the cord or the maternal serum. Our results showed that there was a negative relationship between the birth weight (r=-0.286) and the maternal serum zinc concentration. Despite there not being a significant difference, there was tendency for the highest concentrations of maternal serum zinc to be associated with the lowest birth weights. These findings support a possible relationship between the maternal zinc status and the pregnancy outcome, and suggest that zinc may play a role in the many biological processes involved in the successful outcome of a pregnancy.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.180-187
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• 1992

This study investigated the hypothesis that carcinogen-induced elevation of oxyradical during the hepatocarcinogenesis in rat. The hepatic preneoplastic lesions in the Spraque-Dawley rats were induced by the carcinogen treatment such as diethylnitrosamine(DEN) and acetylaminofluorene(AAF) in combination with partial hepatectomy(PH). The liver sample was taken at 2, 6, 10 and 16 months after carcinogen treatments followed by PH. Carcinogen treatments initially increased the indices of oxidative damage(activities of xanthine oxidase and production rates of superoxide anion, microsomal hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical) in the liver compared to PH groups. However, cytosolic hydrogen peroxide did not change significantly throughout the full time period. Of hydrogen peroxide scavenger, the catalase was remained lower than PH groups, whereas the peroxidase was increased after carcinogen treatments. Morphologically, the immunohistochemical analysis with glutathione-S-transferase of a placenta form(GSTP) antibody was used to detect the induction of preneoplastic nodules. During the hepatocarcinogenesis, both production rate of hydroxyl radical and activity of glutathione-S-transferase(GST) markedly increased with the appearance of the preneoplastic nodule. These results indicated that the hydroxyl radical of reactive oxygen species seemed to have a major influence on the hepatocarcinogenesis and the effect of time after removal of the carcinogen also appeared to be highly critical in the hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.42-53
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• 2020

Objective: Recently, microRNA (miRNA) has been identified both as a powerful regulator involved in various biological processes through the regulation of numerous genes and as an effective biomarker for the prediction and diagnosis of various disease states. The objective of this study was to identify and validate miRNAs and their target genes involved in inflammation in placental tissue. Methods: Microarrays were utilized to obtain miRNA and gene expression profiles from placentas with or without inflammation obtained from nine normal pregnant women and 10 preterm labor patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed to validate the miRNAs and differentially-expressed genes in the placentas with inflammation. Correlations between miRNA and target gene expression were confirmed by luciferase assays in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Results: We identified and validated miRNAs and their target genes that were differentially expressed in placentas with inflammation. We also demonstrated that several miRNAs (miR-371a-5p, miR-3065-3p, miR-519b-3p, and miR-373-3p) directly targeted their target genes (LEF1, LOX, ITGB4, and CD44). However, some miRNAs and their direct target genes showed no correlation in tissue samples. Interestingly, miR-373-3p and miR-3065-3p were markedly regulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, although the expression of their direct targets CD44 and LOX was not altered by LPS treatment. Conclusion: These results provide candidate miRNAs and their target genes that could be used as placental biomarkers of inflammation. These candidates may be useful for further miRNA-based biomarker development.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 1990

This study was conducted to find out the changes of ovarian, placental and fetal weights and periods of pregnancy in rats implanted with progesterone-tube during the reproductive stages. One hundred and thirty-four mature rats, 10~13 weeks old, were offered for this experiment. The animals, which were implanted with silicon tubes filled with progesterone on day 15 of pregnancy, were sacrified at 18, 20, 21 and 22 days of pregnancy. The changes of ovarian, placental and fetal weights and the number of fetuses during late pregnancy were recorded. The results obtained were summarized as follows : 1. After progesterone-tube implantation, ovarian weight reached to a peak value of 92.0$\pm$0.9mg at 20 days of pregnancy, there after decreased significantly to 79.5$\pm$7.6 and 68.26$\pm$4.2mg at 20 and 22 days of pregnancy(P<0.01). 2. The placental weight increased rapidly during 15~18 days of pregnancy in control and progesterone treated rats. A peak value of 447.78$\pm$20.9mg was shown at 20 days of pregnancy after progesterone-tube implantation, and in control rats the value decreased significantly to 419.42$\pm$11.6 and 404.1$\pm$29.3mg at 20 and 21 days of pregnancy(P<0.01). 3. The fetal weights was not shown any significant differences between control and progesterone-tube implanted rats. 4. The number of fetuses in control rats were 14.75$\pm$0.4 at 8~10 days of pregnancy and 13.5$\pm$0.3 and 13.25$\pm$0.4 at 12 and 20 days of pregnancy. 5. The significant difference in periods of pregnancy was appeared between progesterone-tube implanted(27.3$\pm$0.3 days) and control(22.1$\pm$0.3 days)rats(P<0.01).

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.141-145
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• 1993

The present study was performed in order to clarify the significance of serum amyloid A(SAA) estimation for the diagnosis of bovine amyloidosis and SAA as a useful parameter for the health status in herds. Twelve dutch dairy cows with final diagnosis(2 with amyloidosis, 3 with acute inflammatory disease and 7 with chronic inflammatory disease) were used to charify the significance of SAA determination for the diagnosis of bovine amyloidosis. The SAA concentration in the group of inflammatory disease was higher than that of amyloldotic group. Further the SAA value in the group of acute inflammatory disease was higher than that of chronic ones. To clarify the significance of SAA estimation as a useful parameter for the health status in herds, two Korean dairy farms(A and B) were selected and the SAA concentration was determined in total 76 cows(49 from A farm and 27 from B farm). The SAA concentration in cows from A farm was ranged with 0～169%. The cows with high level of SAA(31～169%) had the disease histories(1 with retained placenta, 3 with chronic mastitis, 2 with acute mastitis, 1 with abortion and acute mastitis, 1 with ovarian dysfunction, 1 with downer cow syndrome and 1 with laceration of the teat). The SAA value in the cows from B farm was ranged with 0～29% and disease history was not detected. In conclusion the SAA determination only is thought to be difficult for the diagnosis of bovine amyloidosis. Furthermore SAA estimation is thought to be a useful parameter for the health status in herds.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.501-505
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• 2008

Serial ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 9 Miniature Schnauzer bitches from day 15 of gestation until parturition to determine the ultrasonographic measurement of gestational structures. Ovulation was designated the day that plasma progesterone concentration exceeded 4.0 ng/ml (day 0). Extra-fetal structures were measured from day 17 or 18 to 60. Outer uterine diameter (OUD) increased from $6.50{\pm}1.06mm$ ($Mean{\pm}SD$) to $50.89{\pm}5.62mm$, inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICCD) increased from $2.10{\pm}0.15mm$ to $37.15{\pm}4.36mm$, and length of placenta (PL) increased from $7.50 {\pm}1.41mm$ to $40.62{\pm}3.27mm$. OUD and ICCD were significantly and linearly relative to gestational age especially through day 37, whereas PL was not significantly relative to gestational age. Of the extra-fetal structures, ICCD was the most accurate for estimation of gestational age before day 38 of gestation. Fetal structures increased at a linear rate to parturition. Fetal crown-rump length (CRL) increased from $2.55{\pm}0.07mm$ on day 22 to $85.25{\pm}9.89mm$ on day 48. Fetal head diameter (HD) increased from $3.43{\pm}0.64mm$ on day 27 to $25.06{\pm}0.41mm$ on day 63. Fetal body diameter (BD) increased from $ 5.96{\pm}0.84mm$ on day 30 to $43.76{\pm}3.36mm$ on day 63. Of the fetal structures, HD was the most accurate for estimation of gestational age after day 38 to parturition.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2020

This study describes pathological, immunohistochemical, and bacteriological findings in adult dogs and fetuses naturally infected with Brucella (B.) canis. A total of 42 dogs including 40 dogs and 2 aborted fetuses were examined. The most common gross lesions in infected dogs were swelling of lymph nodes and spleen. The testes showed marked swelling with multifocal to diffuse reddish discoloration. The most significant histopathological lesions were observed in the placenta. Placental trophoblasts were markedly hypertrophied due to the accumulation of intra-cellular gram-negative bacteria. Lymphocytic inflammation of varying severity was observed in the reproductive organs such as male testis, epididymis, and prostate gland and female uterus. Strong immunolabelling was observed in the cytoplasm of most trophoblasts in the placental tissues using immunohistochemistry. However, immunohistochemical staining did not demonstrate any organisms in other organs of dogs and fetuses. B. canis isolates were most frequently obtained from the whole blood (82.5%) and superficial inguinal lymph node (77.5%) in both sexes. In addition, the isolation rate was higher in male genital organs than in those of females. Hence, management of male dogs is most important because infected dogs can play a role as carriers.