• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Reproduction in ruminant species is a highly complex biological process requiring a dialogue between the developing conceptus (embryo-fetus and associated placental membranes) and maternal uterus which must be established during the peri-implantation period for pregnancy recognition signaling and regulation of gene expression by uterine epithelial and stromal cells. The uterus provide a microenvironment in which molecules secreted by uterine epithelia and transported into the uterine lumen represent histotroph, also known as the secretome, that are required for growth and development of the conceptus and receptivity of the uterus to implantation by the elongating conceptus. Pregnancy recognition signaling as related to sustaining the functional lifespan of the corpora lutea, is required to sustain the functional life-span of corpora lutea for production of progesterone which is essential for uterine functions supportive of implantation and placentation required for successful outcomes of pregnancy. It is within the peri-implantation period that most embryonic deaths occur in ruminants due to deficiencies attributed to uterine functions or failure of the conceptus to develop appropriately, signal pregnancy recognition and/or undergo implantation and placentation. The endocrine status of the pregnant ruminant and her nutritional status are critical for successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The challenge is to understand the complexity of key mechanisms that are characteristic of successful reproduction in humans and animals and to use that knowledge to enhance fertility and reproductive health of ruminant species in livestock enterprises.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2002

Papillary immature metaplasia (PIM) of the uterine cervix (Immature condyloma) is a subset of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) which is frequently associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) types 6 and 11. The histologic features of PIM include filiform papillae lined by evenly spaced immature metaplastic-type cells with frequent nucleoli, mild anisokaryosis, and a low mitotic index. To characterize the cytologic changes associated with PIM, we analyzed 14 cases of PIM from our file. We reviewed biopsy slides and the cervicovaginal smears taken proximate to the time of blopsy. Histologically, nine cases had either flat condyloma (7 cases) or high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (2 cases). Cytologic changes included cells in various stages of maturation with karyomegaly (14 cases), cells with irregularities in the nuclear membrane (13 cases), intermediate cells with karyomegaly(13 cases), cells with binucleatlon (13 cases), and aborted koliocytes (11 cases) Cervicovaginal smears from all cases were interpreted as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), NOS or ASCUS, rule out squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) or LSIL in two cases with flat condyloma or HSIL in a case with severe dysplasia. PIM is a distinct histologic entity that can present with a spectrum of cytologic findings, but cytologic findings may resemble variable reactive conditions and immature HSIL. Therefore, it is difficult to diagnose PIM by cytology alone. However, the meticulous efforts for making the cytologic diagnoses which can Induce active management of patients are recommended because PIM is a variant of LSIL and frequently has a flat condyloma or HSIL.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2020

Although many aquaporin (AQP) transcripts have been demonstrated to express in the female reproductive tract, the defined localizations and functions of AQP subtype proteins remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression of AQP1, AQP3, AQP5, AQP6, and AQP9 proteins in female reproductive tract of mouse and characterized their precise localizations at the cellular and subcellular levels. Immunofluorescence analyses for AQP1, AQP3, AQP6, and AQP9 showed that these proteins were abundantly expressed in female reproductive tract and that intense immunoreactivities were observed in mucosa epithelial cells with a subtype-specific pattern. The most abundant aquaporin in both vagina and uterine cervix was AQP3. Each of AQP1, AQP3, AQP6, and AQP9 exhibited its distinct distribution in stratified squamous or columnar epithelial cells. AQP9 expression was predominant in oviduct and ovary. AQP1, AQP3, AQP6, and AQP9 proteins were mostly seen in apical membrane of ciliated epithelial cells of the oviduct as well as in both granulosa and theca cells of ovarian follicles. Most of AQP subtypes were also expressed in surface epithelial cells and glandular cells of endometrium in the uterus, but their expression levels were relatively lower than those observed in the vagina, uterine cervix, oviduct and ovary. This is the first study to investigate the expression and localization of 5 AQP subtype proteins simultaneously in female reproductive tract of mouse. Our results suggest that AQP subtypes work together to transport water and glycerol efficiently across the mucosa epithelia for lubrication, proliferation, energy metabolism and pH regulation in female reproductive tract.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.253-260
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• 2019

Background: Sometimes general anesthesia is required for dental surgery in pregnant women. Facial bone fractures or neck abscess should be treated immediately. Dental surgery, however, creates a stressful situation that can cause inflammation. Inflammatory responses are a well-known major cause of preterm labor and preterm birth. Here we demonstrate the effects of remifentanil on the factors related to preterm labor and its mechanism of action on amniotic-derived epithelial cells (WISH cells). Methods: WISH cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h and co-treated with various concentrations of remifentanil. MTT assays were performed to measure cell viability. To explain the effects of remifentanil on the factors related to inflammation in WISH cells, activation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and p38 and the expression of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, cyclooxygenase (COX)2, and prostaglandin E $(PGE)_2$ were quantified using western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Results: Remifentanil did not affect WISH cell viability. In western blot analysis, co-treatment with remifentanil resulted in decreased phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, and expression of COX2 and $PGE_2$ in LPS-induced inflammation, but the results were statistically significant only at low concentrations. Reduction of $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ expression was also observed with RT-PCR. Conclusion: Co-treatment with remifentanil does not affect the viability of WISH cells, but reduces the expression of the factors related to inflammation, which can induce uterine contraction and preterm labor. These findings provide evidence that remifentanil may inhibit uterine contraction and preterm labor in clinical settings.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.993-1005
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• 2021

Objective: Zearalenone (ZEA) has estrogen-like effects. Our previous study has shown that ZEA (0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg) could induce abnormal uterine proliferation through transforming growth factor signaling pathway. To further study the other regulatory networks of uterine hypertrophy caused by ZEA, the potential mechanism of ZEA on porcine endometrial epithelial cells (PECs) was explored by the Illumina Hiseq 2000 sequencing system. Methods: The PECs were treated with ZEA at 0 (ZEA0), 5 (ZEA5), 20 (ZEA20), and 80 (ZEA80) µmol/L for 24 h. The collected cells were subjected to cell cycle, RNA-seq, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and western blot analysis. Results: The proportion of cells in the S and G2 phases decreased (p<0.05), but the proportion of cells in the G1 phase increased (p<0.05) in the ZEA80 treatment. Data analysis revealed that the expression of Wnt pathway-related genes, estrogen-related genes, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway-related genes increased (p<0.05), but the expression of genetic stability genes decreased (p<0.05) with increasing ZEA concentrations. The relative mRNA and protein expression of WNT1, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) were increased (p<0.05) with ZEA increasing, while the relative mRNA and protein expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1) was decreased (p<0.05). Moreover, our immunofluorescence results indicate that β-catenin accumulated around the nucleus from the cell membrane and cytoplasm with increasing ZEA concentrations. Conclusion: In summary, ZEA can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by up-regulating WNT1 and β-catenin expression, to promote the proliferation and development of PECs. At the same time, the up-regulation of GSK-3β and down-regulation of CCND1, as well as the mRNA expression of other pathway related genes indicated that other potential effects of ZEA on the uterine development need further study.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.297-306
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• 2020

The aims of the present study were to confirm that regulation of the PA and environment via TGF-β regulation of sperm by Percoll-separated in porcine uterine epithelial cells. And, it was performed to identify the cytokines (TGF-β1, 2 and 3, TGF-β receptor1 and 2; interleukin, IL-6, IL-8) and PA-related genes (urokinase-PA, uPA; tissue-PA, tPA; PA inhibitor, PAI; uPA-receptor, uPAR) by spermatozoa. The experiment used porcine uterus epithelial cells (pUECs) and uterine tissue epithelial cells, Boar sperm were separated by discontinuous Percoll density gradient (45/90%), and tissues were co-incubated with spermatozoa, followed by real-time PCR. PA activity was measured of sperm by discontinuous Percoll density gradient (45/90%) for 24 hours. To measure viability and acrosome damage of sperm double stained propidium iodide (PI) and SYBR-14 or FITC-PNA were used. In results, binding ratio of Percoll-separated sperm was found no differences, but sperms isolated from 90% Percoll layer reduced PA activity (p < 0.05). when co-cultured sperm selected Percoll in porcine uterus tissues epithelial cells, 90% layer sperm increased TGF-β R1, contrastively tPA and PAI-1 in comparison with control (p < 0.05). 45% sperm was decreased the expression of uPA (p < 0.05). TGF-β decreased PA activity in the supernatant collected from pUECs (p < 0.05). Especially, The group including uPA, PAI-1 were induce sperm intact, while it was reduced in sperm damage when compared to control (p < 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference group of tPA and tPA+I in the dead sperm and acrosome damage compared to control. The expression of tPA and PAI showed a common response. Percoll-separated spermatozoa in 90% layer reduced tPA and IL-related gene mRNA expression. Thus, Percoll-sparated sperm in 90% layer show that it can suppress inflammation through increased expression of TGF-β and downregulation of PA and IL in epithelial cells compared to 45% layer Percoll.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.659-662
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• 2007

Purpose: Multiple skin leiomyoma and uterine myoma bearing autosomal dominant traits are benign smooth muscle tumors which originate in skin or female uterus. Skin leiomyoma occurs after gene mutation originating from arrector pili muscle of hair follicle where its clinical manifestations vary significantly from person to person. Our department hereby reports the histological findings and genetic evaluations of this very rare disease. Methods: A 57-year-old woman presented in our institute with multiple tumors in the left and central parts of her back that started to appear since 19 years ago. The patient was diagnosed as having uterine myoma 15 years ago and underwent hysterectomy. Biopsy has been done on the specimen, and genomic DNA was separated from Fumarate hydratase gene for it to go through PCR amplification. The results of PCR amplification were aligned by sequencer. Results: According to the results of biopsy, tumor cells were spindle-shaped and were aligned in a bundle where there was no dysplasia or mitosis. Moreover, these cells had abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with elongated nucleus, and benign leiomyoma that showed positive reactions to SMA stain were found. In genetic examination, mutations such as heterozygous single nucleotide substitutions were found in alignments of amplified DNA. Conclusion: Multiple skin leiomyoma and uterine myoma are relatively uncommon diseases that are transmitted through autosomally dominant traits from genetic mutations. When a patient's chief complaint lies upon skin-colored or brown masses that occur in multiples appearing in the trunk or extremities with characteristic clinical symptoms and histological findings, and when the patient's family history is acknowledged such as skin or uterine leiomyoma or renal tumor, necessary genetic examination on multiple skin leiomyoma and uterine myoma could be done, and thereby precise diagnosis could also be made.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5653-5657
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• 2014

Background: To evaluate factors which effect treatment interruption during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and overall survival in patients with uterine cervical cancer stage IB2-IVA in Srinagarind Hospital. Materials and Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2007, 107 patients with stage IB2-IVA as FIGO staging, 2000, were treated with CCRT in Srinagarind Hospital. Factors which caused treatment interruptions and impacted on overall survival were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Twenty of 107 patients had treatment interruption during CCRT in patients with uterine cervical cancer stage IB2-IVA in Srinagarind Hospital. The causes of treatment interruption were as follows: hematologic toxicity was found in 16 of 20 cases, 12 cases with grade 2 and 4 cases with grade 3; three of 20 cases had gastrointestinal toxicities, 1 case with grade 2 and 2 cases with grade 3; one case had grade 3 skin toxicity. The mean total treatment time of the uninterrupted and interrupted groups were significantly different (78.98 days vs 161.80 days, p <0.001). The patients who could tolerate ${\geq}5$ cycles of cisplatin administration had significantly higher mean white blood counts (WBC) ($9,769cells/mm^3$ vs $7,141cells/mm^3$, p=0.02). The mean initial hemoglobin (Hb) in the uninterrupted group was significantly higher than the interrupted group (11.5 mg% vs 10.3 mg%, p=0.03). Other factors including age, KPS, initial platelets, initial serum creatinine levels showed no statistical significance. The 3-year overall survival of the uninterrupted group was better than in the interrupted group (78.6% vs 55.0%, p=0.03). Conclusions: The initial Hb and WBC levels were significantly correlated with treatment interruption during CCRT in patients with uterine cervical cancer. The 3-year overall survival of the uninterrupted group was significantly better than interrupted group. These factors may then be used indirectly to predict the outcomes of treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.1-24
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Bojungikgi-Tang on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and we divided the rats into three groups: (1) sham-operated group (n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group(n=8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and Bojungikgi-Tang treated group. Bojungikgi-Tang was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volume of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and analysed the concentration of cytokines(MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were also performed. Results: 1. The volume($mm^3$) of endometriotic implants in Bojungikgi-Tang treated group(129${\pm}$39) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group(222${\pm}$109). 2. The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluids in Bojungikgi-Tang treated group(1012${\pm}$248) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group(1413${\pm}$346). 3. The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$ of TNF-${\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluids in Bojungikgi-Tang treated group(887${\pm}$196) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group(1126${\pm}$140). 4. Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of Bojungikgi-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. 5. The percentage of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in Bojungikgi-Tang treated group(56${\pm}$17) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group(75${\pm}$16). 6. The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of Bojungikgi-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we concluded that Bojungikgi-Tang has inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased production of MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$, and decreased expression of COX-2 and VEGF infiltration by administration of Bojungikgi-Tang.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.322-336
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• 2021

Objective: Endometriosis is a chronic debilitating inflammatory condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissues outside the uterine cavity. Pelvic soreness and infertility are the usual association. Due to the poor effectiveness of the hormone therapy and the high incidence of recurrence following surgical excision, there is no single effective option for management of endometriosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells studied for their broad immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties; however, their efficiency in endometriosis cases is still a controversial issue. Our study aim was to evaluate whether adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) could help with endometriosis through their studied anti-inflammatory role. Methods: Female Wistar rats weighting 180 to 250 g were randomly divided into two groups: group 1, endometriosis group; established by transplanting autologous uterine tissue into rats' peritoneal cavities and group 2, stem cell treated group; treated with AD-MSCs on the 5th day after induction of endometriosis. The proliferative activity of the endometriosis lesions was evaluated through Ki67 staining. Quantitative estimation of interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and transforming growth factor β expression, as well as immunohistochemical detection of CD68 positive macrophages, were used to assess the inflammatory status. Results: The size and proliferative activity of endometriosis lesions were significantly reduced in the stem cell treated group. Stem cells efficiently mitigated endometriosis associated chronic inflammatory reactions estimated through reduction of CD68 positive macrophages and the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Stem cell therapy can be considered a novel remedy in endometriosis possibly through its anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties.