• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2009

This study was to determine the effects of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol on the attenuation of an ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) after renal auto-transplantation in a pig model. In the treatment group, three pigs were subjected to a renal auto-transplantation followed by the administration of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol and the flushing of ascorbic acid plus hepa-saline solution. Otherwise, the control group used only flushing of hepa-saline solution. Blood samples were collected from these pigs for measurement of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine values on the day before surgery and day 1, 3, 5 and 7 after surgery. The kidneys were taken for histopathological evaluation following euthanasia on day 14 after surgery. Serum creatinine and BUN values showed a significantly difference between control and treatment group on day 1, 3 and 5 (P<0.05). In histopathologic findings, treatment group showed less damage than that of the control group on the basis of renal tubular damage. As a result, this study suggests that the exogenous ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol pretreatment therapy with ascorbic acid irrigation-aspiration has a role of attenuation of renal I/R injury and recovery of renal function in a pig transplantation model.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2006

An area of current research is investigating the app1ication of human mesenchymal stem cells or hMSCs as a cell-based regenerative therapy. In order to achieve effective bone regeneration, appropriate matrices functioning as cell-carriers must be identified and optimized in terms of function, efficacy and biocompatibility. Two methods of approaching optimization of matrices are to facilitate adhesion of the donor hMSCs and furthermore to facilitate recruitment of host progenitor cells to osteoblastic differentiation. Pleiotrophin is an extracellular matrix protein that was first identified in developing rat brains and believed to be associated with developing neuronal pathways. A recent publication by Imai and colleagues demonstrated that transgenic mice with upregulated pleiotrophin expression developed a greater volume of cortical as well as cancellous bone. The proposed mechanism of action of pleiotrophin is demonstrated here. Through either environmental stresses and/or intracellular regulation, there is an increase in pleiotrophin production. The pleiotrophin is released extracellularly into areas requiring bone deposition. A receptor-mediated process recruits host osteoprogenitor cells into these areas. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the osteoconductive properties of pleiotrophin. We wanted to determine if pleiotrophin coating facilitates cellular adhesion and furthermore if this has any effect on hMSCs derived bone formation in an animal model. The results showed a dose dependent response of cellular adhesion in fibronectin samples, and cellular adhesion was facilitated with increasing pleiotrophin concentrations. Histologic findings taken after 5 weeks implantation in SCID mouse showed no presence of bone formation with only a dense fibrous connective tissue. Possible explanations for the results of the osteogenesis assay include inappropriate cell loading.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.12.1-12.7
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• 2010

The National Bio Resource Project-Rat (NBRP-Rat) comprises the largest bank of laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) strains in the world. Its main focus is to develop infrastructure that will facilitate the systematic collection, preservation, and provision of rat strains. To breed effectively more than 180 rat strains in living stock, we establish the genetic control system in which a systematic set of genetic diagnoses and genetic monitoring are included. Genetic monitoring is performed by using 20 polymorphic markers. Monitoring is carried out when a living animal stock is re-established by using cryopreserved embryos or sperm or when a rat strain is first introduced to the NBRP-Rat by a depositor. Additional monitoring is then carried out on each strain every two years. Genetic diagnosis is performed largely by employing the Amp-FTA method. Protocols which detail how to perform a genetic diagnosis of 11 transgenes and 24 mutations have been made. Among the mutations, nine can be detected by simple gel electrophoresis of the PCR products, 11 by restriction enzyme treatment of the PCR products, and four by direct PCR product sequencing. Using this genetic control system, the NBRP-Rat can guarantee the genetic quality of its rat strains.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study is to examine the neuroprotective effect of wheat bran extract (WBE) against ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$)-induced apoptotic cell death in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and memory impairment in triple transgenic animal model's of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg AD mice). Methods : In SH-SY5Y cells, MTT assay and TUNEL staining were conducted to evaluate the protective effect of WBE against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced neurotoxicity and apoptosis. Alterations in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP), expression of proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, cleavage of PARP, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were analyzed to elucidate the neuroprotective mechanism of WBE. To further investigate the memory enhancing effect of WBE, Morris water maze test was performed in 3xTg AD mice. Results : In SH-SY5Y cells, WBE protected against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-caused cytotoxicity and apoptosis as shown by the restoration of cell viability in MTT assay and inhibition of DNA fragmentation in TUNEL staining. $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptotic signals such as dissipation of MMP, decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and cleavage of PARP were suppressed by WBE. Moreover, WBE up-regulated the protein levels of BDNF, which seemed to be mediated by activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). In 3xTg AD mice, oral administration of WBE attenuated learning and memory deficit as verified by reduced mean escape latency in water maze test. Conclusions : WBE protects neuronal cells from $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptotic cell death and restores learning and memory impairments in 3xTg AD mice. These findings suggest that WBE exhibit neuroprotective potential for the management of AD.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.141-146
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• 2008

To search a new porcine pheromonal odorant, the models of four type (2D-QSAR, HQSAR, CoMFA & CoMSlA) were derived from quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) between tetrahydrofuran-2-yl family compounds and their observed binding affinity constants (Obs.p$[Od]_{50}$). The optimized CoMFA model (predictability; $r^{2}_{cv.}(q^2)$=0.886 & correlation coefficient: $r^{2}_{ncv.}$=0.984) from ligand based approaches was confirmed as the best model among them. The $N^{1}$-allyl-$N^{2}$-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl)oxalamide (P1), 2-(4-trimethylammoniummethylcyclohexyloxy)tetrahydrofurane (P5) and 2-(3-trimethylammoniummethylcyclohexyloxy)tetrahydrofurane (P6) molecules predicted as porcine pheromonal odorant by the CoMFA model were showed relatively high binding affinity constant values (Pred.p$[Od]_{50}=8{\sim}10$) and very lower toxicity values against some sorts of toxicity.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2007

In this study, using FIV-based lentivirus vector system, we tried to express hG-CSF in tetracycline-controllable manner. hG-CSF influences the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of cells in the neutrophil lineage. To enhance stability and translation of hG-CSF transcript, WPRE sequence was also introduced into FIV-Tet-On vector at downstream region of either the hG-CSF gene or the sequence encoding rtTA. Primary culture cells (CEF, chicken embryonic fibroblast; PFF, procine fetal fibroblast) infected with the recombinant FIV were cultured in the medium supplemented with or without doxycycline for 48 hours, and induction efficiency was measured by comparing the hG-CSF gene expression level using quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot and ELISA. Higher hG-CSF expression and tighter expression control were observed from the vector in which the WPRE sequence was placed at downstream of the hG-CSF (in CEF) or rtTA (in PEE) gene. This FIV-Tet-On vector system may be helpful in solving serious physiological disturbance problems which has continuously hampered successful production of transgenic animals and gene therapy.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2006

To search of new porcine pheromonal odorants for biostimulation control system technologies to improve reproductive efficiency in livestock species, the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) for binding affinity constant $(p(Od)_{50})$ between porcine odorant binding protein (pOBP) and ligands of odorant 2-(cyclohexyloxy) tetrahydrofurane derivatives as substrate molecule was conducted and discussed. In the optimized CoMFA model AIV with chirality $(C_1'(R),\;C_2(S))$ in substrate molecule and atom based fit alignment (A) of odorants, the statistical results showed the best predictability of the binding affinities $(p(Od)_{50})$ based on the LOO cross-validated value $r^2_{cv}.\;(q^2=0.886)$ and non-cross-validated conventional coefficient $(r^2_{ncv}.=0.984)$. the binding affinity constants exhibited a good correlation with steric (40.8%), electrostatic (14.6%) and hydrophobic (44.6%) factors of the substrate molecules. from the analytical results of the contour maps, which may give us some valuable informations to the modification of odorants for effective binding affinity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.264-267
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• 2005

A 12-year-old, 8.0 kg, spayed female, mixed-breed dog was presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Chungnam National University (VMTH, CNU). That case has been growing up mass in her left upper hindlimb about for 2 years and has showed vomiting and anorexia for 3 days. The patient was diagnosed with mast cell tumor on the basis of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology techniques. According to World Health Organization clinical staging system for diagnosing mast cell tumors, it was classified into stage IIIa. The patient was treated by adjuvant corticosteroid therapy, but complete surgical excision was not achieved by owner's request. In the early stage of therapy, the size of the mass was gradually reduced with only adjuvant glucocorticoid therapy, so the patient's general condition was maintained well. But after 53 days later, the treatmant was not effective anymore and mass size was increased. Two months later, she was euthanized because of intermittent vomiting and severe respiratory distress. Splenic mass, duodenal ulceration, liver mass and infiltrated mast cell tumor in upper hindlimb muscle region were found in necropsy examination.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2003

Objective: This study was performed to examine the maturation and the development to the blastocyst stage of immature oocytes collected from patients with high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Materials and Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected following only HCGpriming for non stimulated IVF-ET cycles of the patients. At the time of oocyte collection, COCs were classified into three groups in accordance with their appearance (Group I: oocytes with dispersed cumulus cells; Group II: oocytes with compacted cumulus cells; Group III: oocytes with sparse cumulus cells). The in vitro maturation and blastocyst development rates of the COCs were compared among these groups. From August 2001 to June 2002, 48 IVM/IVF-ET cycles from 42 patients (mean age: $32.4{\pm}3.8$ years) were performed. To prevent the occurrence of OHSS, the patients were primed with 10, 000 IU HCG alone 36 h before oocyte collection without gonadotropin stimulation. Oocytes were aspirated on cycle days from 7 to 13. The normal COCs were classified into three groups according to their appearance. The aspirated immature oocytes were cultured in YS maturation medium containing 30% (v/v) human follicular fluid (HFF), 1 IU/ml FSH, 10 IU/ml HCG and 10 ng/ml rhEGF. Fertilization was induced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). All zygotes were co-cultured with cumulus cells in $10{\mu}l$ YS medium containing 10% HFF until day 7 after oocyte collection. Blastocyst transfer was performed on day 5 after ICSI. Results: Th e mean number of oocytes cultured in the IVM/IVF cycles was $24.7{\pm}10.6$. Of 1185 COCs, those assigned to Group I, II and III were 470 (39.7%), 414 (35.0%) and 301 (25.4%), respectively. The maturation rate (94.5%, 444/470, p<0.05) in Group I was significantly higher than those of Group II (62.8%, 260/414) and Group III (73.1%, 220/301). Especially, 30.9% of COCs in Group I (145/470) was matured on the day of oocyte aspiration. There were no differences in the rates of fertilization and cleavage among the three groups. The development rate to the blastocyst stage in Group I (54.6%, 206/377, p<0.05) was also significantly higher than those in Group II (33.0%, 68/206) and Group III (30.1%, 52/173). Twenty-four clinical pregnancies (50.0%) was obtained and 22 pregnancies (45.8%) are ongoing. Implantation rate in the present study was 24.6%. Conclusion: These results suggest that there is a positive correlation between the appearance of COCs and the developmental competence of the immature oocytes in non stimulated IVM/IVF cycles.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2006

To search of a new porcine pheromonal odorants, the comparative molecular similarity indices analysis(CoMSIA) between porcine odorant binding protein(pOBP) as receptor and ligands of green odorants 2-(Cyclohexyloxy)tetrahydrofurane derivatives as substrate molecule were conducted and disscused quantitatively. In the optimized CoMSIA model(I-AI) with chirality($I:\;C_{1'}(R),\;C_2(S)$) in substrate molecules and atom based fit alignment(AE) of the odorants the statistical PLS results showed the best predictability of the binding affinities based on the LOO cross-validated value ${r^2}_{cv.}\;(q^2=0.856)$ and non cross-validated conventional coefficient(${r^2}_{ncv.}=0.964)$). The structural distinctions of the highest active molecules were able to understand from the interaction between pOBP and green odorants in the contour maps with CoMSIA model.