• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 1998

Nowadays many kinds of foreign breed horse and Korean native Cheju horse are raised in Korea. Horse has complicated structure and function to maintain normal health, and to overcome severe condition during gallop at full speed. Sometimes the disease take a bad turn becuase of difficulty of correct diagnosis for horse disease. In recent times, horse farm for fattening and reproduction is gradually increasing. However, thoracic disease and abdominal disease are frequently occuring by defect in raising management. But the diagnosis of these kinds of disease is difficult by former diagnostic method. Ultrasonographic diagnostic method is a method to slove the problem. In abroad, nowadays ultrasonography has been reported for circulatory organs and abdomonal organs in horse, cattle, sheep, and dog, and the importance of ultrasonographic diagnosis is recognized in veterinary clinical medicine. In the country, ultrasonography of Korean native goat, cattle and dog was recently reported, but there was no report for the ultrasonography of horse. So, ultrasonogram for the thyroid glands, jugular vein and carotid artery was evaluated in Cheju horse and Thoroughbred horse. Thyroid gland, jugular vein and carotid artery were determined on both sides of neck. The length of right thyroid lobe at the Thoroughbred horse, Thoroughbred foul, Cheju horse and Cheju foul were 54.8, 45.1, 46.1 and 42.2 mm, respectively. The width of right thyroid lobe at the Thoroughbred horse, Thoroughbred foul, Cheju horse and Cheju foul were 18.1, 14.3, 14.6 and 14.2 mm, respectively. The height of right thyroid lobe at the Thoroughbred horse, Thoroughbred foul, Cheju horse and Cheju foul were 27.3, 25.6, 26.2 and 25.5 mm, respectively. Similar ultrasonographic measurements were obtained for the left thyroid gland. The internal diameter of left jugular vein at the Thoroughbred horse, Thoroughbred foul, Cheju horse and Cheju foul were 10.6, 9.7, 10.5 and 9.2 mm, respectively. Similar ultrasonographic measurements were obtained for the right jugular vein. The internal diameter of right carotid artery at the Thoroughbred horse, Thoroughbred foul, Cheju horse and Cheju foul were 9.5, 8.8, 9.1 and 8.5 mm, respectively. Similar ultrasonographic measurements were obtained for the left carotid artery. It is concluded that the ultrasonographic values of this study provides references for the diagnosis of morphologic changes in the thyroid gland, jugular vein and carotid artery in Korean native Cheju horse and Thoroughbred horse.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2011

Clinical arthritis is typically divided into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Arthritis-induced muscle weakness is a major problem in aged people, leading to a disturbance of balance during the gait cycle and frequent falls. The purposes of the present study were to confirm fiber type-dependent expression of muscle atrophy markers induced by arthritis and to identify the relationship between clinical signs and expression of muscle atrophy markers. Mice were divided into four experimental groups as follows: (1) negative control (normal), (2) positive control (CFA+acetic acid), (3) RA group (CFA+acetic acid+type II collagen), and (4) aging-induced OA group. DBQA/1J mice (8 weeks of age) were injected with collagen (50 ${\mu}g/kg$), and physiological (body weight) and pathological (arthritis score and paw thickness) parameters were measured once per week. The gastrocnemius muscle from animals in each group was removed, and the expression of muscle atrophy markers (MAFbx and MuRF1) and myosin heavy chain isoforms were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. No significant change in body weight occurred between control groups and collagen-induced RA mice at week 10. However, bovine type II collagen induced a dramatic increase in clinical score or paw thickness at week 10 (p<0.01). Concomitantly, the expression of the muscle atrophy marker MAFbx was upregulated in the RA and OA groups (p<0.01). A dramatic reduction in myosin heavy chain (MHC)-$I{\beta}$ was seen in the gastrocnemius muscles from RA and OA mice, while only a slight decrease in MHC-IIb was seen. These results suggest that muscle atrophy gene expression occurred in a fiber type-specific manner in both RA- and OA-induced mice. The present study suggests evidence regarding why different therapeutic interventions are required between RA and OA.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.49-57
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• 2015

In order to achieve successful in vitro production of embryo, it is necessary to establish intrauterine environment during in vitro culture. Thus, this study was investigated to establish embryo culture system using co-incubated collagen matrix gel (CM) with endometrial epithelial cells (EC). Endometrial epithelial cells were isolated from porcine endometrium at follicular phase, the cells seeded in insert dish for co-incubation with CM-coated culture dish. Then, culture media treated with/without 2.0 IU/ml hCG or 10 ng/ml $IL-1{\beta}$. After incubation for 24 h, the co-incubated insert dishes were removed from CM-coated culture dish before embryo culture. Embryos at 48 h after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were cultured on the dish for 120 h with porcine zygote medium. We determined PTGS-2 expression in the ECs, VEGF protein in co-incubated CM with EC and observed cleavage rate and blastocyst development of embryos at 168 h after IVF. In result, expression of PTGS-2 was higher at co-incubated EC with hCG and $IL-1{\beta}$ groups than EC without hCG and $IL-1{\beta}$. The VEGF protein was detected at co-incubated CM with EC, EC treated with hCG and $IL-1{\beta}$ groups higher than CM group. Also, cleavage rate was no significantly difference among all group, however, blastocyst development was significantly higher in co-incubated CM with EC treated with hCG group than un-treated groups (p<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that novel embryo culture system using co-incubated collagen matrix gel with endometrial epithelial cells treated with $IL-1{\beta}$ is beneficial and useful for enhancing the production of porcine blastocysts in vitro.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to understand the management level of pathogenic bacteria in HACCP system implemented animal farms. Microbial samples were collected from manure, floor, compost depot, manure on belt, low milk tank, dust in laying house and egg collector in HACCP system implemented Korean beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, and laying Hens farms. O157, O111 and O26 strains of E. coli were not detected in HACCP system implemented Korean beef cattle farm. The detection rate of E. coli from manure and floor in HACCP system implemented cattle farms (Korean beef cattle and dairy farm) was lower than those of non-HACCP system implemented cattle farm. Salmonella spp. was detected in HACCP system implemented cattle farms (Korean beef cattle and dairy farm). Compared with pervious studies, lower detection rate of Salmonella spp. at floor and compost depot in HACCP system implemented swine and commercial layer farms were indicated. In conclusion, implementation of HACCP system in animal farms would enhance the management level of biological hazard compare to normal animal farms.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.189-202
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• 2000

This study was conducted to see what types of bovine rotaviruses were isolated at Jedong farm in Jeju province and Seohwa farm in Chungnum province. The results were as follows. 1. Rotavirus was positively detected in 18 out of 39 fecal samples from calves with diarrhea in Jeju province and in 13 out of 18 fecal samples from calves with diarrhea in Chungnam province. 2. The electropherotype pattern of dsRNA for 31 viruses was shown to be 4 : 2 : 3 : 2 type like traditional group A and the imigration pattern of dsRNA was the long type like NCDV (G6), JBR (G6), B223 (G10) and KK3 (G10). 3. The serotypes of the 18 viruses of Jedong and 9 viruses of Seowha were shown to be group A, subgroup I, G6, and P1 by ELISA and PCR analyses. The serotypes of S-2, S-6, S-9 and S-12 viruses of Seowha were shown to be group A, subgroup I, G10, but was not shown to be P type. 4. The partial nucleotide sequence of VP4 of S-8 was 97% homology with that of BRV 033. VP4 of J-10 showed 96% homology with that of BRV 033 in nucleotide sequence.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.101-112
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• 2000

Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe vomiting and diarrhea in children worldwide and classified as a genus in the family Reoviridae. Rotavirus has eleven segmented dsRNAs and the virion consists of three shells. Outer capsid VP7 and VP4 induce neutralizing antibodies and are classified into G types (glycoprotein VP7) and P types (protease-sensitive VP4). Characterization of VP7 gene of Korean isolates of human rotavirus was performed using multiplex PCR and nucleotide sequence analysis. After RT-PCR amplification of full length (1,062 bp) of VP7 genes, the amplified PCR products were G typed by multiplex PCR and the nucleotide sequences were compared with those of reference rotavirus from GenBank. The G type analysis revealed that 25% (2/8) belong to G1, whereas 37.5% (3/8) benong to G2 and G4, respectively. The Korean isolates within the same serotypes showed high homology of nucleotide sequences and could be discriminated from foreign isolates exception with two strains (CAU009 and CAU022). But Korean isolates CAU009 and CAU022 were close related into japanease isolates 417 (99.2%) and indian isolates (97.6%) than Korean isolatese. Our results showed that these two strains were supposed to be originated from abroad. As a results, The G typing and nucleotide sequence analysis of VP7 gene of rotavirus isolated from infants in Korea could be used for identification, serotying and determination of novel or unusual strains of rotaviruses.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.263-278
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• 2013

The silkworm extract powder contain 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a potent ${\alpha}$-glycosidase inhibitor, has therapeutic potency against diabetes mellitus. Therefore, natural products containing DNJ from mulberry leaves and silkworm are consumed as health functional food. The present study was performed to evaluate the safety of the silkworm extract powder, a health food which containing the DNJ. The repeated toxicity studies and gentic toxicity studies of the silkworm extract powder were performed to obtain the data for new functional food approval in MFDS. The safety was evaluated by a single-dose oral toxicity study and a 90 day repeated-dose oral toxicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats. The silkworm extract powder was also evaluated for its mutagenic potential in a battery of genetic toxicity test: in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay, in vitro chromosomal aberration test, and in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay. The results of the genetic toxicology assays were negative in all of the assays. The approximate lethal dose in single oral dose toxicity study was considered to be higher than 5000 mg/kg in rats. In the 90 day study, the dose levels were wet at 0, 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg/day, and 10 animals/sex/dose were treated with oral gavage. The parameters that were monitored were clinical signs, body weights, food and water consumptions, ophthalmic examination, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, necropsy findings, organ weights, and histopathological examination. No adverse effects were observed after the 90 day administration of the silkworm extract powder. The No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) of silkworm extract powder in the 90 day study was 2000 mg/kg/day in both sexes, and no target organ was identified.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.239-253
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• 2017

Neodymium is a future-oriented material due to its unique properties, and its use is increasing in various industrial fields worldwide. However, the toxicity caused by repeated exposure to this metal has not been studied in detail thus far. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential inhalation toxicity of nano-sized neodymium oxide ($Nd_2O_3$) following a 28-day repeated inhalation exposure in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were exposed to nano-sized $Nd_2O_3-containing$ aerosols via a nose-only inhalation system at doses of $0mg/m^3$, $0.5mg/m^3$, $2.5mg/m^3$, and $10mg/m^3$ for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week over a 28-day period, followed by a 28-day recovery period. During the experimental period, clinical signs, body weight, hematologic parameters, serum biochemical parameters, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathological findings were examined; neodymium distribution in the major organs and blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and oxidative stress in lung tissues were analyzed. Most of the neodymium was found to be deposited in lung tissues, showing a dose-dependent relationship. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) were the main observations of lung histopathology. Infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the $2.5mg/m^3$ and higher dose treatment groups. PAP was observed in all treatment groups accompanied by an increase in lung weight, but was observed to a lesser extent in the $0.5mg/m^3$ treatment group. In BALF analysis, total cell counts, including macrophages and neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, increased significantly in all treatment groups. After a 4-week recovery period, these changes were generally reversed in the $0.5mg/m^3$ group, but were exacerbated in the $10mg/m^3$ group. The lowest-observed-adverse-effect concentration of nano-sized $Nd_2O_3$ was determined to be $0.5mg/m^3$, and the target organ was determined to be the lung, under the present experimental conditions in male rats.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2013

Amoebic keratitis (AK) caused by Acanthamoeba is one of the most serious corneal infections. AK is frequently misdiagnosed initially as viral, bacterial, or fungal keratitis, thus ensuring treatment delays. Accordingly, the early detection of Acanthamoeba would contribute significantly to disease management and selection of an appropriate anti-amoebic therapy. Recently, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method has been applied to the clinical diagnosis of a range of infectious diseases. Here, we describe a rapid and efficient LAMP-based method targeting Acanthamoeba 18S rDNA gene for the detection of Acanthamoeba using clinical ocular specimens in the diagnosis of AK. Acanthamoeba LAMP assays detected 11 different strains including all AK-associated species. The copy number detection limit for a positive signal was 10 DNA copies of 18S rDNA per reaction. No cross-reactivity with the DNA of fungi or other protozoa was observed. The sensitivity of LAMP assay was higher than those of Nelson primer PCR and JDP primer PCR. In the present study, LAMP assay based on directly heat-treated samples was found to be as efficient at detecting Acanthamoeba as DNA extracted using a commercial kit, whereas PCR was only effective when commercial kit-extracted DNA was used. This study showed that the devised Acanthamoeba LAMP assay could be used to diagnose AK in a simple, sensitive, and specific manner.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.113-120
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• 1999

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). It is believed that NO is an important mediator in numerous physiological and inflammatory responses. Particularly, a large amount of NO released from the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is mostly associated with inflammatory processes. Overproduction of NO in these processes including sepsis and autoimmune diseases can have deleterious consequences and pathophysiologic relevance. Therefore, for the discovery of new inhibitory agents against iNOS activity, we have evaluated about 100 kinds of natural products after partition into three layers (n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous) from 100% methanol extracts to study inhibitory effects on iNOS activity induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells culture system. As a positive control, curcumin, which is known as an anti-tumor promoter, anti-inflammatory agent as an iNOS inhibitor, was used and showed the dose-dependent inhibitory effect $(IC_{50},\;2.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Among tested fractions, the n-hexane fraction of Cimicifuga heracleifolia $(IC_{50}:\;9.65\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Forsythiae fructus $(IC_{50}:\;6.36\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Saposhnikovia divaricata $(IC_{50}:\;5.92\;{\mu}g/ml)$, and the ethyl acetate fraction of Chrysanthemum sibiricum $(IC_{50}:\;2.56\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Gastrodia elata $(IC_{50}:\;3.46\;{\mu}g/ml)$, and the aqueous fraction of Dianthus chinensis $(IC_{50}:\;6.73\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Euonymus alatus $(IC_{50}:\;6.78\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Mechania urticifoloria $(IC_{50}:\;8.01\;{\mu}g/ml)$ showed strong inhibitory activity against LPS-stimulated iNOS. Especially, the ethyl acetate fraction of Chrysanthemum sibiricum $(IC_{50}:\;2.56\;{\mu}g/ml)$, which exhibited the strongest inhibition against iNOS, was fractionated with silica-gel column chromatography. These subfractions exhibited dose-dependent inhibition against iNOS activity in the range of $2.59-5.6\;{\mu}g/ml$ except for fraction No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 16. Our study shows that Chrysanthemum sibiricum has the strongest inhibitory effect against iNOS activity and has similar effect to curcumin. Therefore, further studies for the identification of active principles from Chrysanthemum sibiricum and investigation for the mechanism of the inhibition of iNOS by active principles will be performed.