• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2008

Serial ultrasonographic examinations were daily performed from 15 days after ovulation until parturition to determine the time of first detection and ultrasonographic appearance of the fetal and extra-fetal structures in pregnant 10 Maltese, 10 Yorkshire Terrier, 15 Shih-tzu, and 10 Miniature Schnauzer bitches, respectively. Gestational age was timed from the day of ovulation (day 0), which was estimated to occur when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0ng/ml. The gestational length was $63.4{\sim}63.6$ (range: $61{\sim}65$) days and the geatational length was no statistically significant difference among bitches (p>0.05). The initial detection of the extra-fetal structures were; gestational sac at days $18.9{\sim}19.5\;(17{\sim}22)$, zonary placenta at days $24.6{\sim}25.5\;(23{\sim}28)$, yolk sac membrane at days $24.6{\sim}25.5\;(23{\sim}27)$, yolk sac tubular shape at days $26.1{\sim}26.3\;(24{\sim}28)$, and amniotic membrane at days $26.1{\sim}28.2\;(24{\sim}31)$, respectively. The time of the first detection of the extra-fetal structures were no statistically significant difference among bitches (p>0.05). The initial detection of the fetal structures were; embryo initial detection at days $22.5{\sim}22.9\;(21{\sim}24)$, heartbeat at days $23.2{\sim}23.8\;(21{\sim}25)$, embryo bipolar shape $27.6{\sim}28.9\;(26{\sim}30)$, fetal movement at days $31.9{\sim}32.8\;(27{\sim}34)$, limb buds at days $29.1{\sim}30.7\;(27{\sim}33)$, stomach at days $31.1{\sim}33.1\;(29{\sim}34)$, urinary bladder at days $32.4{\sim}33.2\;(29{\sim}35)$, skeleton at days $34.7{\sim}35.9\;(34{\sim}39)$, and kidney at days $42.1{\sim}44.7\;(41{\sim}48)$, respectively. The the time of the first detection of the fetal structures were no statistically significant difference among bitches (p>0.05). These results indicate the evaluation of the time of first detection and ultrasonographic characteristics of the gestational structures might be useful for pregnancy diagnosis, estimating fetal age, embryonic resorption, fetal monster, abnormal fetal growth and fetal viability, respectively.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1391-1398
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• 2005

The anti-thrombic properties of the oriental herbal medicine Daejowhan(DJW, 大造丸) which consists of 11 kinds of herbs (indicated as ratio) of Rehmanniae Radix 24%, Hominis Placenta 5%, Testudinis Carapax 9%, Eucommiae Cortex 9%, Asparagi Radix 9%, Phellodendri Cortex 9%, Achyranthis Radix 7%, Liriopis Tuber 7%, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 7%, Ginseng Radix 5% and Schizandrae Fructus 3% were investigated. The water extracts from DJW inhibited Platelet-activating factor(PAF) induced platelet aggregation. DJW was extracted with methanol and further fractionated by ethylacetate. A 70% methanol extract showed a strong inhibition against PAF-induced aggregation in vitro and in vivo assays. The ethylacetate soluble fraction was shown to have inhibitory effect on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in vitro assay. The ethylacetate soluble fraction specially protected against the lethality of PAF, while verapamil did not afford any protection. These results indicate that the water extracts and alcoholic-fractions inhibit the action of PAF in vivo by an antagonistic effect on PAF, so that it may be useful in treating disorders caused by PAF, such as acute allergy, inflammation, asthma, gastrointestinal ulceration, toxic shock and so forth. DJW was investigated regarding its assumed anti-thrombic action on human platelets which was deduced from its ability to suppress Arachidonic acid(AA)-induced aggregation, exocytosis of ATP, and inhibition of Cyclooxygenase(COX) and Thromboxane synthase(TXS) activity. The latter two effects were estimated from the generation of Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and Thromboxane $A_2(TXA_2)$ respectively. Exogenously applied AA ($100{\mu}mol/{\ell}$) provoked a $89\%$ aggregation of platelets, the release of 14 pmol ATP, and the formation of either 225 pg $TXA_2$ or 45 pg $PGE_2$, each parameter being related to 106 platelets. An application of DJW 5 min before AA dose-dependently diminished aggregation, ATP-release and the synthesis of $TXA_2$ and $PGE_2$ with $IC_{50}$ values of 74, 108, 65, $72{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively. The similarity of the $IC_{50}$ values suggest an inhibition of COX by DJW as primary target, thus suppressing the generation of $TXA_2$ which induces aggregation of platelets and exocytosis of ATP by its binding on $TXA_2$-receptors.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.247-254
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• 1996

Serial ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 9 pregnant Korea Jin-do dog from days 15 to 60 to determine the size of gestational structures throughout pregnancy. Gestational age was timed from the day of ovulation (Day 0), which was estimated to occur when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml. Extra-fetal structures were measureable from days 17 to 49. Outer uterine diameter increased from $7.0{\pm}0.7$ ($mean{\pm}SD$)mm at day 17 to $54.0{\pm}2.2mm$ at day 49 and inner chorionic cavity diameter increased from $3.0{\pm}0.7mm$ at day 17 to $37.5{\pm}0.6mm$ at day 49. Uterine wall thickness increased from $2.8{\pm}0.4mm$ at day 17 to $8.3{\pm}0.5mm$ at day 49, placental thickness increased from $1.0{\pm}0.1mm$ at day 22 to $5.7{\pm}0.2mm$ at day 49 and length of chorionic cavity or zonary placenta increased from $5.5{\pm}1.3mm$ at day 20 to $52.3{\pm}2.2mm$ at day 49. Inner chorionic cavity diameter, outer uterine diameter and placental length each increased at a linear rate through day 37, after which time, each had a marked plateau in growth. Of the extra-fetal structures, inner chorionic cavity diameter was the most accurate for estimation of gestational age until day 37. Fetal structures were measureable from days l7 to 60. Crown-rump length, increased from $3.0{\pm}0.7mm$ at day 22 to $118.7{\pm}3.1mm$ at day 49, fetal body diameter increased from $4.0{\pm}0.7mm$ at day 25 to $55.8{\pm}1.7mm$ at day 60 and fetal head diameter increased from $4.3{\pm}0.6mm$ at day 26 to $29.8{\pm}0.8mm$ at day 60. Of the fetal structures, fetal head diameter was the most accurate for estimation of gestational age from day 37 until day 60.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.76-92
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• 1997

Porpilyromonas endodontalis is specifically involved in endodontic infections. The bacterium can be isolated almost exclusively only from infected rool canals. P. gingivalis also has been implicated in endodontic infection. Pathogemcity of P. gingival is is attributed to a variety of virulence factors, especially proteases, produced by the bacterium. Importance of P. endodontalis in endodontic infection has been revealed. However, the pathogenic property of P. endodontalis has not been extensively studied. The present study was undertaken to characterize the proteolytic activity of P. endodontalis and compare the activity with that of P. gingivalis which has the most potent and diverse proteases among oral bacteria. For this purpose, culture supematants(SUP) and cell extracts(CE) were obtained from these two bacteria and were subjected to zymography using 15% polyacrylamide gel copolymerized with gelatin, type I, IV collagens or albumin. Hydrolysis of the collagens was further investigated by the cleavage assay using native type I and IV collagens in solution-phase. The results were as follows: 1. P. endodontalis apparently has a proteolytic activity that is comparable with that of P. gingivalis. 2. SUP and CE obtained from P. endodontalis and P. gingival is showed the strongest activity for gelatin, followed by type I and IV collagens, and albumin. 3. In the zymography, no noticeable difference in proteolytic activity for gelatin and albumin between the SUP and CE was observed, but in the cleavage assay using native collagens, the SUP showed a stronger collagenolytic activity than the CE. 4. The gelatinolytic activity of both the SUP and CE from these two bacteria was diminished in the presence of $CaCl_2$ or reducing agents such as ${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol(DTT). 5. Type I(calf skin and human placenta) collagenolytic activity of P. endodontalis and P. gingivalis was reduced by DTT but not affected by $CaCl_2$. The inhibitory effect of DTT, however, was reduced to some extent by $CaCl_2$. 6. Type IV collagenolytic activity of these two bacteria was not affected by $CaCl_2$ but increased to some extent in association with the reducing agents. 7. Hydrolysis of albumin by P. endodontalis and P. gingivalis was demonstrated only in the presence of the reducing agents. The overall results indicate that with respect to proteolytic activity, P. endodontalis appears to be as potent as P. gingivalis, or maybe more, and its proteolytic characteristic is similar to that of P. gingivalis. This suggests that P. endodontalis has so potent proteolytic activity that can participate by itself in endodontic infections and apical periodontitis, causing tissue destruction.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.101-105
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• 1999

N-Methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG) removes N-methylpurine and other damaged purines in DNA. RT-PCR analysis revealed MPG mRNA expression at various tissues of fetal development from day 8 to day 18 fetus and day 400 mature adult. The MPG transcripts were abundant during fetal development in mice. In placenta, the MPG mRNA was continuously decreased from day 8 post coitum (p.c) to day 18 p.c. fetus. The high level of mRNA in fetal brain and liver was drastically declined in day 400 mature adult. The expression of MPG, originally characterized by its highest level of expression in the epididymis of adult mouse, was detected with high level in several other reproductive organ, including the ovary, oviduct, testis, vas deference, uterus, and seminal vesicles. These results demonstrate developmental stage- and tissue-specific variation of MPG gene expression.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.742-746
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• 1999

Contents of mineral element and cytokinin in the xylem sap of 'Keumdongee' and 'Tongilhwang' oriental melons were compared with those in oriental melons grafted onto 8 rootstocks. The effect of grafting on the fruit quality of oriental melon was also investigated. Flesh firmness varied with rootstocks. Soluble solids contents in the placenta tissue of grafted 'Tongilhwang' were higher than that in the 'Keumdongee'. Electric conductivity of the xylem sap in own-rooted plants was higher in 'Keumdongee' than in 'Tongilhwang', but it increased in 'Tongilhwang' once they were grafted. The sap volume per plant was greater in 'Keumdongee' than in 'Tongilhwang'. The mineral concentrations varied considerably depending on the rootstock used. Xylem sap of grafted oriental melons contained a higher amount of mineral ions, especially $NO_3{^-}$ and $PO_4{^-}$, than did the sap in own-rooted plants. The increase in the mineral levels in sap due to grafting was most apparent in 'Tongilhwang'. Xylem sap from both 'Keumdongee' and 'Tongilhwang' contained trans-zeatin (t-Z), trans-zeatin riboside (t-ZR), and dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR). Small amounts of isopentenyl adenine (IPA) and isopentenyl adenine riboside (IPAR) were also detected. Trans-zeatin riboside was the most abundant, followed by t-Z. Cytokinin concentration in 'Keumdongee' was not significantly influenced by rootstock type used, although the highest concentration of cytokinins in 'Keumdongee' was obtained with 'Chamtozwa' rootstock. However, the cytokinin concentration in 'Tongilhwang' increased with grafting irrespective of rootstock type used.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.159-169
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• 1999

Osteomalacia is syndrome of diverse etiology. characterized pathophysiologically by a failure of normal mineralization of bone and epiphyseal cartilage. This study was performed to investigate causes of disease, pathogenic mechanisms, symptoms, therapies and precriptions through the successive medical literatures. recent chinese medical literatures and chinese medical journals. It is similar to atrophic debility of bones, bone leaning, bone exhaustion, rheumatism involving the bone, osteodynia and cold and heat of bone etc. of oriental medicine. The most principal cause of this is deficiency of kidney. similar to hypophosphatemia caused by increased renal clearance and deficiency of vitamin D, and the rest are senility, deficiency of spleen, deficiency of qi and deficiency of blood. There are nourishing the kidney and spleen, nourishing the qi and blood, warming and passing the muscle and mac, passing an articulation an invigorating the muscle and bone, in principal therapy. And in medical herbs are rehmanniae radix preparat, corni fructus, discoreae rhizoma, cuscutae semen, tigridis os, juglandis semen, hominis placenta, drynariae rhizoma, eucommiae cortex, cynomorii herba, cervi cornus colla, cervi pantotrichum cornu, moutan cortex, polygoni multiflori radix, angelicae gigantis radix, achyranthis bidentatae radix, cibotii rhizoma, hirudo, eupolyphaga, spatholobi caulis, salviae miltiorrhizae radix, draconis resina, curcumae longae rhizoma. In care there are a sun-bath, exercise, high protein diet and taking vitamin D. And they reduce smoking, coffee, drinking etc.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.290-296
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• 2011

In our study, oriental melon (Cucumis melo L. var makuwa Makino) was harvested in Seongju at major harvest time from June to August with the intervals of one month in 2009. In order to elucidate the effect of meteorological condition of harvest time on fruit quality and water-soluble vitamin contents of oriental melon, quality attributes including weight, hardness, and sugar were examined and water-soluble vitamin contents such as folic acid and vitamin C were analyzed. Fruit quality factors and water-soluble vitamin contents were the highest in June when rainfall was low and solar radiation was high. Meanwhile, both of them were the lowest in July when it was the worst weather condition for cultivation of oriental melon. After then, the contents of folic acid and vitamin C increased when the rainfall had decreased in Aug. The contents of both vitamins were much high in placenta than peel and flesh. In conclusion, the meteorological condition of the summer season by torrential rains and lack of solar radiation influence water-soluble vitamin contents, especially folic acid contents of oriental melon as well as quality attributes such as hardness and sugar.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.849-855
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• 2003

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role as a signaling molecule in the proliferation of placenta trophoblasts. In this study, we investigated the effect of NO on the activation of phospholipase C (PLC) in BeWo cells, choriocar-cinoma cell line. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an agent to produce NO spontaneously in cells, alone increased $［^3H］$ thymidine incorporation of BeWo cells, indicating NO stimulates proliferation of the cells. NO-induced proliferation of BeWo cells was blocked by U73122, an inhibitor of PLC, suggesting that NO-induced PLC activation is involved in the cell proliferation. NO also stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in BeWo cells, indicated by increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in Western blotting using anti-phospho-ERK1/2 antibody. NO-induced phos-phorylation of ERK1/2 was not abrogated by U73122. $PLC\gamma_1$l but not$PLC\gamma_2$ was tyrosine phosphorylated by SNP in immunoprecipitation assay using anti-$PLC\gamma_1$/$PLC\gamma_2$ antibodies, and SNP-induced phosphorylation of $PLC\gamma_1$ was abrogated by pre-treatment of cells with genistein and PD98059, indicating that NO induced-phosphorylation of $PLC\gamma_1$ is mediated by ERK. These results suggest that NO stimulates the proliferation of BeWo cells through ERK and $PLC\gamma_1$.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.6
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• pp.442-449
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• 2010

Background: Melanoma antigen genes (MAGE) are expressed in many human malignant cells and are silent in normal tissues other than in testis and in placenta. But MAGE expression in benign lung diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis or cases with severe inflammation, needs further evaluation to overcome false-positive findings. We evaluated detection rates of the melanoma antigen genes (MAGE) RT-nested PCR in bronchoscopic washing samples from patients with benign lung disease, as well as in patients with malignancies. Methods: Bronchial washing fluid from 122 patients was used for cytological examination and MAGE gene detection using RT-nested-PCR of common A1-6 mRNA. We compared the results from the RT-nested PCR and the pathologic or bacteriologic diagnosis. We also analyzed the expression rate and false positive rate of MAGE gene. Results: Among 122 subjects, lung cancer was diagnosed in 23 patients and benign lung disease was diagnosed in 99 patients. In patients with lung cancer, the positive rate of MAGE expression was 47.8% (11/23) and in benign lung disease group, the expression rate was 14.1% (14/99). Among benign lung disease group, the expression rate of MAGE gene (25.0%) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (11/44) was especially high. Conclusion: MAGE A1-6 RT-nested PCR of bronchial washing fluid can be used as a complementary method in lung cancer, but that test results in a high false positive rate in tuberculosis patients.