• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2006

Electrical treatment has been widely used for porcine oocytes activation. However, developmental rates following electrical activation of porcine oocytes is relatively inefficient compared to other domestic animals. To investigate the effects of porcine oocytes on combined activation by both chemical and electrical treatment, in-vitro matured oocytes were activated by combined cycloheximide and electrical pulses treatment. Cumulus-free oocytes were exposed with NCSU-23 medium containing cycloheximide $(10{\mu}g/ml)$ for 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 min and then activated by electrical pulse treatment and cultured in PZM-3 for 8 days. Also effects of exposure to $6.25{\mu}M$ calcium ionophore for 2 min for cumulus-free oocytes were tested. The percentage of blastocyst formation in 10 min exposure to $10{\mu}g/ml$ cycloheximide and electrical pulse treatment was significantly increased (P<0.05) than in the control group. And exposure to $6.25{\mu}M$ calcium ionophore for 2 min with $10{\mu}g/ml$ cycloheximide for 10min and electrical pulse treatment significantly increased (P<0.05) the percentage of blastocyst developmental rates than the control group. In conclusion, activation by combined cycloheximide and electrical stimulation treatment promoted the subsequent development of porcine oocytes and improved the subsequence blastocyst development.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2000

Objective: This study was carried out to compare the effects of the stepwise exposure treatments on the morphological normality, fertilization and blastocyst formation rate of the frozen-thawed mouse mature oocytes by vitrification or ultra-rapid freezing and to use as a fundamental data for the cryopreservation of human oocytes. Materials and Methods: The morphological normality and fertilization rates of the vitrified and ultra-rapid frozen mouse mature oocytes after three-stepwise exposure treatments (1step, 3step and 5step) were observed. After choosing the 3step exposure treatment groups, we observed the morphological normality and fertilization, blastocyst formation rate of the vitrified and ultra-rapid frozen mouse mature oocytes. Results: The morphological normality and fertilization rates of the vitrified mouse mature oocytes after three-stepwise exposure treatments (1step, 3step and 5step) were 75%, 85%, 88% and 58%, 61 %, 54% respectively. There were no significant differences among treatments(p>0.05). The morphological normality and fertilization rate of the control was 92% and 65%. There were no significant differences in fertilization rate among control and treatments (p>0.05). The morphological normality and fertilization rates of the ultra-rapid frozen mouse mature oocytes after three-stepwise exposure treatments (1step, 3step and 5step) were 83%, 83%, 84% and 75%, 63%, 56% respectively. There were no significant differences among treatments (p>0.05). The morphological normality and fertilization rate of the control was 95% and 67%. There were no significant differences among control and treatments (p>0.05). The morphological normality and fertilization rate of the vitrified or ultra-rapid frozen mouse mature oocytes after 3step exposure treatment were 69% and 75%, respectively. The blastocyst formation rate was 60% and 57%. The results did not differ significantly between vitrification and ultra-rapid freezing (p>0.05). Conclusion: As known in the above results, there were no significant differences in the fertilization and blastocyst formation rate of the frozen-thawed mouse mature oocytes by vitrification or ultra-rapid freezing among the control and treatments. It is suggested that vitrification and ultra-rapid freezing method were effective for the cryopreservation of mouse mature oocytes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2016

The impact of mobile phone (MP) radiation on the brain is of specific interest to the scientific community and warrants investigations, as MP is held close to the head. Studies on humans and rodents revealed hazards MP radiation associated such as brain tumors, impairment in cognition, hearing etc. Melatonin (MT) is an important modulator of CNS functioning and is a neural antioxidant hormone. Zebrafish has emerged as a popular model organism for CNS studies. Herein, we evaluated the impact of GSM900MP (GSM900MP) radiation exposure daily for 1 hr for 14 days with the SAR of 1.34W/Kg on neurobehavioral and oxidative stress parameters in zebrafish. Our study revealed that, GSM900MP radiation exposure, significantly decreased time spent near social stimulus zone and increased total distance travelled, in social interaction test. In the novel tank dive test, the GSM900MP radiation exposure elicited anxiety as revealed by significantly increased time spent in bottom half; freezing bouts and duration and decreased distance travelled, average velocity, and number of entries to upper half of the tank. Exposed zebrafish spent less time in the novel arm of the Y-Maze, corroborating significant impairment in learning as compared to the control group. Exposure decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities whereas, increased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) was encountered showing compromised antioxidant defense. Treatment with MT significantly reversed the above neurobehavioral and oxidative derangements induced by GSM900MP radiation exposure. This study traced GSM900MP radiation exposure induced neurobehavioral aberrations and alterations in brain oxidative status. Furthermore, MT proved to be a promising therapeutic candidate in ameliorating such outcomes in zebrafish.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2009

Hemibarbus mylodon (Cypriniformes) is an endemic freshwater fish species in the Korean peninsula, for which urgent conservation efforts are needed. To understand their stress responses in relation to metal toxicity and thermal elevation, we performed a real-time RT-PCR-based expression assay of hepatic copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), a key antioxidant enzyme, in response to experimental heavy metal exposure or heat treatment. The transcription of hepatic Cu/Zn-SOD was differentially modulated by acute exposure to Cu, cadmium (Cd), or Zn. Exposure to each metal at $5{\mu}M$ for 24 h revealed that Cu stimulated the mRNA expression of Cu/Zn-SOD to a greater extent than the other two heavy metals. The elevation in Cu/Zn-SOD transcripts in response to Cu exposure was dose-dependent (0.5 to $5{\mu}M$). Time course analysis of Cu/Zn-SOD expression in response to Cd exposure ($5{\mu}M$) revealed a transient pattern up to day 7. Exposure to thermal stress (an increase from 22 to $30^{\circ}C$ at a rate of $1^{\circ}C/h$ followed by $30^{\circ}C$ for 18 h) did not significantly alter SOD transcription, although heat shock protein 90 kDa (HSP90) transcription was positively correlated with an increase in temperature.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2010

Purpose: Common complications of immediate breast reconstruction with implant are capsular contracture, malposition of implant, hematoma and seroma. Especially, the most severe complication is implant exposure caused by inflammation or necrosis of skin flap margin of mastectomy site. This article reports the experience of cases of salvage in such an exposure of implant. Methods: From July, 2002 to Feb., 2009, sixty-five patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with implant were retrospectively analyzed. Exposure of implant was happened in 5 of 65 patients and they were treated at out patient district. Two of five patients were reconstructed with saline implnt and all of them underwent the enveloping of the implant with AlloDerm$^{(R)}$ and Serratus muscle flap. Remaning three patients were reconstructed with silicone implant and all of them underwent the enveloping of the implant with AlloDerm$^{(R)}$. Results: In the group of patients who underwent reconstruction with saline implant, implant exposure was found in one patient due to partial necrosis of the margin of skin flap and debridement and primary repair were done. In the other one patient, dressing with antibiotic ointment were done. And debridement and primary repair were proceeded. In the group of patients who underwent reconstruction with silicone implant, implant exposure was found in one patient. After removal of the implant, tissue expansion was done and a new silicone implant was inserted. Implant exposure were found in the other two patients, antibiotics ointment application and primarily repaired. Conclusion: It was the common knowledge that the exposed implant should be removed. But salvage of the exposed implants may be possible with proper treatment. Four of five patients (80%) with exposed breast implant were salvaged with conservative management.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.185-193
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• 2024

Background: The mechanisms leading to lung fibrosis are still under investigation. This study aimed to demonstrate whether antacids could prevent the development of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods: This population-based longitudinal cohort study was conducted between January 2006 and December 2010 in South Korea. Eligible subjects were ≥40 years of age, exposed to proton pump inhibitors (PPI)±histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H-2 blockers) or H-2 blockers only, and had no history of ILD between 2004 and 2005. Exposure to antacids was defined as the administration of either PPI or H-2 receptor antagonists for >14 days, whereas underexposure was defined as antacid treatment administered for less than 14 days. Newly developed ILDs, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), were counted during the 5-year observation period. The association between antacid exposure and ILD development was evaluated using adjusted Cox regression models with variables, such as age, sex, smoking history, and comorbidities. Results: The incidence rates of ILD with/without antacid use were 43.2 and 33.8/100,000 person-years, respectively and those of IPF were 14.9 and 22.9/100,000 person-years, respectively. In multivariable analysis, exposure to antacid before the diagnosis of ILD was independently associated with a reduced development of ILD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.71; p<0.001), while antacid exposure was not associated with development of IPF (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.09; p=0.06). Conclusion: Antacid exposure may be independently associated with a decreased risk of ILD development.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.214-223
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• 2017

Objective: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to compare the differences between infertile women with successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes regarding the expression of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors and a group of related cytokines before and after exposure to their husbands' seminal plasma. Methods: This study was performed on 19 couples with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF treatment. Among the studied group, nine and 10 couples had successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes, respectively. This study was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Before seminal plasma exposure, the expression levels of T-bet (p< 0.007), $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.013), and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.017) were higher in the infertile women with IVF failure than in those with successful IVF outcomes, while those of GATA3 (p< 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-35 (p< 0.003) were lower. After seminal exposure, the expression of T-bet (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.02), and $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.001) increased in the unsuccessful IVF group, while the expression of Foxp3 (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), IL-23 (p= 0.04), IL-17 (p= 0.02), IL-6 (p< 0.001), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ (p= 0.01), and IL-35 (p< 0.001) increased in the successful IVF group. Conclusion: In summary, IVF failure was associated with imbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses. Moreover, our results show that seminal plasma might have a positive effect on IVF outcomes via changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 1993

The toxic effects of methylmercury on the ultrastructures of the brain and gill tissues of fightingfish and compensative effects of red ginseng were investigated by means of electron microscopy. The brain neuron of methylmercury exposure group showed dilatation of dendrite and axon, numerical decrease of ribosomes, partial loss of nucleoplasm and cytoplasm and considerable swelling of mitochondria as compared with the normal neuron. And necrotic cell with ruptured nucleus and vacuolated mitochondria was noticeable. While, slight swelling of mitochondria, some dilation of dendrite and axon and numerical increase of ribosome occurred in the neuron of methylmercury-red ginseng treatment group as compared with the methylmercury exposure group. In the gill lamella of methylmercury exposure group, collapse of pillar cells and arms, dilated epithelial cell and thickened membrane were observed. While, in the gill lamella of methylmercury-red ginseng treatment group, arms were slightly disintegrated and basement membrane was some thickend as compared with the methylmercury exposure group. From the above results, it is concluded that red ginseng has detoxication effect on methylmercury toxicity and so takes compensative effect on injured tissues caused by methylmercury intoxication.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.203-212
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• 2012

The physiological effects of elevated $CO_2$ concentration and temperature were examined for Quercus gilva and Q. glauca grown under control (ambient $CO_2$ and temperature) and treatment (elevated $CO_2$ and temperature) conditions for 39 months. The objective of the study was to measure the long-term responses, in physiological parameters, of two oaks species exposed to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature. The photosynthetic rate of Q. gilva was found to be decreased, but that of Q. glauca was not significantly affected, after long-term exposure to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature. Stomatal conductance of Q. glauca was reduced by 21.7%, but that of Q. gilva was not significantly affected, by long-term exposure to $CO_2$ and temperature. However, the transpiration rate of the two oak species decreased. Water use efficiency of Q. gilva was not significantly affected by elevated $CO_2$ and temperature, while that of Q. glauca was increased by 56.6%. The leaves of Q. gilva grown under treatment conditions had an increased C:N ratio due to their reduced nitrogen content, while those of Q. glauca were not significantly affected by long-term exposure to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature. These results suggest that the long-term responses to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature between Q. gilva and Q. glauca are different, and that Q. gilva, the endangered species, is more sensitive to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature than Q. glauca.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.1367-1373
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• 2001

This study used fowl sperm from three White Leghom rooster reared at our laboratory. Semen samples were exposed to the magnetic field strengths of from 650 to 5700 Gauss for one. two, or three days to investigate the influence of magnetic field on the orientation of fowl spermatozoa. Fowl spermatozoa were found to orient with their long axis of heads perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. The fowl spermatozoa were initially influenced when magnetic field intensities were from 650 to 5700 Gauss and the highest values (70.67, 72.49 and 71.79%) were found in the 5700 Gauss treatment at one, two, and three days exposure, respectively. Although percentages of the perpendicular oriented fowl spermatozoa increased along with the enhancement of the magnetic field intensity, the degree of orientation was only significantly higher in the treatments having the magnetic field strength from 1500 to 5700 Gauss than that in the control treatment at all exposure time. In addition, the experimental results also showed that the percentages of all orientational types of fowl spermatozoa (perpendicular category including upward perpendicular and downward perpendicular and parallel type consisting of leftward parallel and rightward parallel) in all treatments tended to be stable during exposure time. From the results of this study. it is suggested that (1) the diamagnetic anisotropy of the inside structural components of fowl spermatozoa induce them to orient perpendicular to the magnetic field direction, (2) the degree of orientation increased according to the enhancement of magnetic field strengths, (3) fowl spermatozoa had not an high sensitivity to the magnetic field, and the level of perpendicular orientation of fowl spermatozoa in this study is nearly similar to that of cattle sperm in the study of Suga et al. (2000).