• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2001

OSBA(oocytes-sperm binding assay) is a tool developed for rapid test of optimal condition of IVF medium and protein source by binding ability of mouse sperm and egg. Mouse oocyte-cumulus complexes were prepared by removing of the cumulus cells with 0.1% hyaluronidase. 10$\pm$2 oocytes per 30 ${mu}ell$ medium drop were inseminated with 3 ${mu}ell$ sperm suspension and were cultured f3r 3 hours and 24 hours, respectively. And the oocytes were recovered gently and the No. of sperm bound on oocytes were counted. In the Exp. 1, the ratio of oocytes bound with one sperm at least were 60.2%(50/83), 2%(2/77) and 100%(79/79) in the medium with no protein, FBS(15%, v/v) and BSA(0.4%. w/v), respectively, Fetal bovine serum(FBS) seriously inhibited sperm binding on oocyte, although bovine serum albumin(BSA) promoted the binding ability. The inhibiting effect of FBS was dependent on the concentration of FBS. The sperm binding ability according to oocyte maturity was tested in the Exp. 2. There was no significant difference between Met. II (mature) and Met. I (intermediate mature) oocytes in the number of oocytes bound with sperm and the number of sperm bound on oocytes. Finally, in Exp. 3, two batches of Ham's F10 medium with good and poor quality by OSBA were tested (The ratios of embryos developed from PN 1-cell stage to hatched blastocyst; 25% vs. 70%). In the medium with good quality, sperm binding ability was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05). The ratio of oocytes bound with one sperm at least was 66% and 90% in the medium with poor and good quality, respectively. Conclusively, It was possible to test IVF medium condition rapidly and easily by OSBA.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding colored barley (CB) and whole crop barley (WCB) on performance, egg quality and blood composition of laying hens. A total of 280, 35 weeks old Brown Nick laying hens were allocated into the individual cage for the period of four weeks. Experimental diets contained 2,750 kcal/kg ME and 16% CP, respectively. The treatments consisted of 5, 10, 15% CB and WCB as feed ingredients with control and there were five replications in each treatment. Higher egg production was noticed at 10% level of CB and 5% level of WCB in the diets, respectively. Feed intake was higher in WCB and CB treatments compared to those of the control (P<0.05), but the feed conversion was not different. Yolk color tended to increase both in WCB and CB groups. Haugh unit seemed to increase WCB treatments. When the CB and WCB were fed at 15% level, blood total proteins, albumin, total cholesterol and triglyceride contents were decreased than that of the control birds, but total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol tended to be higher with the increasing level of WCB. As results, no significant differences were observed in performance and egg quality with different levels of dietary WCB and CB. Thus, CB and WCB can be substituted as a feed ingredient up to 15% level in the laying hens' diet. However, further studies are required by feeding more than 15% levels of CB and WCB in the diet of laying hens.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-43
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• 1977

This experiment was undertaken in order to localize the labeled dbcAMP (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) in oocytes whose development has been suppressed by cold dbcAMP for 6 or 19 hours in vitro. Mouse oocytes were obtained from the ovaries of 3-4 week old A strain female mice, by puncturing the Graafian follicles in the modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate salt solution under the dissecting microscope. Those oocytes which have intact germinal vesicle were cultured in the basic culture medium supplemented with 0.4% bovine serum albumin (BSA). Cultivation of the oocytes was carried out in a microtube developed by Cho (1974). The cultures were then incubated in a humidified 5% $CO_2$ incubator maintained at $37^{\circ}C$ for 6 or 19 hours (Donahue, 1968). DbcAMP was added to culture medium for a final concentration of 100ug/ml, and $^3H-dbc$ AMP (specific activity 13 Ci/mM) for a final concentration of $40{\mu}Ci/ml$ was also added to the medium. For electron microscopic autoradiography, those oocytes recovered from the culture were washed with phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and immediately prefixed in a 2.5% glutaraldehyde overnight and postfixed for 2 hours at $4 ^{\circ}C$ in 1% osmium tetroxide in phosphate buffer with pH 7.4 (Palade, 1952). After fixation, the materials were dehydrated in graded alcohol series and embedded in Epon 812 mixture based on the standard procedures (Luft, 1961). The thin sections $600-700{\AA}$ thick were mounted on the grids of 200 meshes. The grids containing sections were coated with a nuclear emulsion Kodak NTB-3 and stored in a cold dark box (at $4^{\circ}C$) for 3 weeks. After exposure, the samples were developed with Kodak D-19 and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Routine observation was made with Hitachi HU-11E electron microsocope. The results of the observation were as followings: 1. It was found that the labeled dbcAMP penetrated the egg plasma membrane and dispersed at random in the cytoplasm. 2. It was also observed that most of the labeled dbcAMP was attached to microfibrillar lattices portion of the oocyte cytoplasm. There fore, it is presumed that the receptor of the dbcAMP is localized in the microfibrillar lattices of the oocyte. 3. It also seems that some other cell organells such as mitochondria, Golgi complex, cortical granules are not directly related to the action of the dbcAMP. 4. The labeled dbcAMP was neither observed in the membrane nor in the nucleus. Therefore, it seems that there is no relationship between the concentration of dbcAMP and the nuclear membranous permeability. 5. There was no difference in number of dbcAMP particles when oocytes were cultured for 6 hours and 19 hours. 6. However, it was observed that, in same of the oocytes suppressed in germinal vesicle by dbcAMP for 19 hours, cell organells were moved and concentrated to a small portion of the cytoplasm, and that the morphology of the organells greatly changed to an abnormal. form. Therefore, it is supposed that those oocytes were in the process of degeneration. From the above results, it is expected that dbcAMP penetrated the egg membrane and was bound to the receptor which seems to be located in the microfibrillar lattiees portion, and that this dbcAMP-receptor complex inhibited some enzyme system of the oocytes which are essential for the germinal vesicle breakdown.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.19-35
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• 2001

Outlines for plasma $estradiol-17\beta$, components, electrophoretic patterns, and ultrastructural changes were obtained in female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during the seasonal reproductive cycles. Plasma $estradiol-17\beta$ under the natural conditions, exhibited distinct seasonal variation, peaking very late in vitellogenic season during September, decreasing gradually the halt of spawning in December, and ultimately falling during the early stages of seasonal ovarian recrudescence in February and March. This change in $estradiol-17\beta$ appeared to stimulate vitellogenin production as evidenced by increases in plasma calcium, phosphorus, glucose, albumin and total protein levels. The electrophoretic patterns of late maturing or spawning oocytes were stained more intensively than those of late perinucleolus oocytes (molecular weights of approximately 70,000 and 200,000). Two protein bands were found in the SDS-PAGE separation, coincident with the $estradiol-17\beta$ hormone peak. Gonadosomatic indices (GSI) significantly increased from October to January, and showed the highest peak in January, coinciding with the numerically abrupt increase of ripe ova in female. A positive correlation (r=0.701, p<0.01) was established between plasma $estradiol-17\beta$ levels and the gonadosomatic index during the prespawning. The highest level of hepatosomatic index (HSI) observed in December. During the breeding season (December), the gonadotropes were large and filled with GTH-containing inclusions such as granules and globules. The vitellogenic phase began as late perinurleolus oocytes became transformed into early maturing oocytes through the accumulation of yolk, and oocytes reached the late maturing stages as the ooplasm was completely packed with yolk. Marked ultrastructural changed in the granulosa cells during nuclear migration involve the dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the appearance of the rod-shaped mitochondria with tubular cristae. Microvilli (finger-like projections), from the zona radiata and from the oocyte grew, and made contact with each other in the pore canals of the zona radials during vitellogenesis, but were withdrawn as the zona radiata became more compact and devoid of pore canals during oocyte maturation. The zona radiata grew to a tripartite structure such as an outer thin homogeneous layer, and two inner thick helicoidal layers (zona radials interna and zona radiata externa). Under the normal conditions, the ovarian follicle influenced the histological development and periodical secretion of the hormones , sufficient for a oogenesis and gonadal steroid production.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.980-987
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• 2003

In this report, we investigated the detoxication effects of Saururus chinenis, Geranium nepalense, Lonicera japonica, Cassia obtusifolia, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, or their mixtures by employing acute toxicity tests for nicotine and dioxin. When fatal doses $(LD_{100}\;=\;42\;mg/kg)$ of nicotine were injected into the abdominal cavities of ICR mice, those treated with OHEM showed delayed paralysis, half the duration of hyperactivity, and a 73 % survival rate. The results revealed the strong detoxicating effects of the mixtures. We also measured the amount of the degradation product of nicotine and cotinine in humans. Consumption of OHEM promoted (he more specific) the metabolic pathways of nicotine, increasing continine excretion by 1.5 times. As a result the amount of cotinine in urine was reduced to less than 5% after treatment with OHEM. In order to test the toxicity of dioxin, we used TcnN(SD)BR rats exposed to TCDD. While TCDD treatment reduced the blood levels of hemoglobin and platelet, OHEM consumption relieved these effects and, furthermore, helped to recover the number of platelet to the normal level (p<0.05). Moreover, neutrophils (%) and monocytes (%), which were reduced by the injection of TCDD, recovered to normal levels upon treatment with OHEM. The amount albumin reduced by TCDD (p<0.05) normalized, while the activities of GOT and GTP increased by TCDD were reduced. Increases in total cholesterol and neutral fatty acids induced by TCDD were also reduced by OHEM injection (p<0.05). In the kidney, TCDD-induced rises in creatinine were suppressed by OHEM treatment, while decreases in iron levels from TCDD were raised to normal. The treatment of TCDD had more toxic effects in the blood and pancreas than on the liver, kidney and heart. On the other hand, the detoxication of OHEM had significant effects on the liver and pancreas. The normalization by OHEM of various clinical abnormalities induced by TCDD demonstrates the detoxicating effect of OHEM that ameliorates systemic metabolism not properly functioning.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.779-789
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• 2017

The effects of orally administered Seomaeyakssuk (Artemisia argyi H.) vinegar on lipid metabolism in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFC) diet were analyzed. The experimental animals were divided into five groups: a normal diet group (normal, N), HFC diet group (control, C), HFC diet with lovastatin at 20 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) group (positive control, PC), HFC diet with malt vinegar group (TM), and HFC diet with Seomaeyaksuk vinegar group (TS) (2 mL/kg B.W.). After 4 weeks of feeding rats the experimental diet, contents of serum total lipids and total cholesterol levels of TM and TS groups were significantly lower than those of the PC group. Triglyceride contents of the TM and TS groups were not significantly different from those of the PC group but significantly lower than those of the C group. Content of serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was significantly lower than that of the N group but higher than that of the C group. Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol content of serum was 190.68 mg/dL in the TS group, which was the lowest except for the N group. Aspartate transaminase and albumin transaminase activities as a measurement of liver damage index were not significantly different between the TM, TS, and C groups. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance content of the TS group was reduced to a similar level as the N group but was lower than that of the C group in the liver and significantly higher than that of the N group. Antioxidant activity of the TS group was 55.69% in serum, which was a similar to that of the N group, and was 52.39% in the liver, which was not significantly different than that of the C group. From these results, we conclude that Seomaeyakssuk vinegar improves serum lipid content as a result of the complex action of vinegar, an active ingredient of Seomaeyakssuk and a product of the fermentation process.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2001

Background : Perfusion scans are accurate predictors of postoperative lung function. There are few previous studies aimed at predicting the postoperative exercise capacity using the perfusion scanning and those that did reported contradictory results. Method : We prospectively studied the preoperative spirometric, exercise tests and perfusion scans from in 49 consecutive patients who were admitted to Inha University Hospital with surgically resectable lung cancer from Jan. 1998 to Jun. 1999 29 patients who had any condition affecting the lung function and exercise capacity, or refused a surgical resection or a follow-up study were excluded. Spirometric and exercise tests were performed 6 months after operation in 20 patients. Results : The predicted postoperative $FEV_1$, FVC and TLC correlated well with the following corresponding postoperative values : $r_s$ and p value, 0.809 and 0.000 for the $FEV_1$ 0.895 and 0.000 for the FVC ; 0.741 and 0.006 for the TLC, respectively. The measured postoperative exercise values were slightly higher than the postoperative exercise values predicted, $VO_{2max}$ and $Wr_{max}$, were as 112% of $VO_{2max}$ predicted and 119% of $WR_{max}$ predicted. The change in $FEV_1$, FVC and TLC had a weak correlation with the change in $VO_{2max}$ and $WR_{max}$. Conclusion : The perfusion scan was a useful tool for predicting the postoperative exercise capacity. However, they had a tendency to underestimate the exercise capacity, especially in the patients who had a pneumonectomy. A weak correlation between the change in lung function and exercise capacity was observed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.361-367
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• 2005

Background : Differential diagnosis of lymphocytic pleural effusion is difficult even with many laboratory findings. Nitric oxide(NO) level is higher in the sputum or exhaled breath of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis than in those without tuberculosis. In addition, there are some reports about the increased level of NO metabolites in body fluids of cancer patients. However, there is no data on the NO levels in the pleural fluid of patients with tuberculous pleurisy. Method : The serum and pleural fluid NO in the patients with acute lymphocytic pleural effusion were analyzed. Results : Of total 27 patients, there were 14 males and average age of patients was 48 years. The final diagnosis was tuberculous pleurisy in 17 cases and malignant pleural effusion in 10. The pleural fluid NO level was $540.1{\pm}116.4{\mu}mol$ in the tuberculous pleurisy patients and $383.7{\pm}71.0{\mu}mol$ in the malignant pleural effusion patients. The serum NO level was $624.7{\pm}142.0{\mu}mol$ in tuberculous pleurisy patients and $394.4{\pm}90.4{\mu}mol$ in malignant pleural effusion patients. There was no significant difference in the serum and pleural fluid NO level between the two groups. The NO level in the pleural fluid showed a significant correlations with the pleural fluid neutrophil count, the pleural fluid/serum protein ratio, and pleural fluid/serum albumin ratio (p<0.05 in each). The protein concentration, leukocyte and lymphocyte count in the pleural fluid were significantly higher in the tuberculous pleurisy patients than the malignant pleural effusion patients (p<0.05 in each). Conclusion : NO is not a suitable marker for a differential diagnosis of lymphocytic pleural effusion. However, the NO level in the pleural fluid might be associated with the neutrophil recruitment and protein leakage in the pleural space.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.497-506
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• 2007

Background: The present investigation was performed in rats and isolated human neutrophils in order to confirm the presumptive role of the positive feedback loop of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$) activation by plateletactivating factor (PAF). Methods: The possible formation of the positive feedback loop of the $cPLA_2$ activation and neutrophilic respiratory burst was investigated in vivo and in vitro by measurement of the parameters denoting acute lung injury. In addition, morphological examinations and electron microscopic cytochemistry were performed for the detection of free radicals in the lung. Results: Five hours after intratracheal instillation of PAF ($5{\mu}g/rat$), the lung leak index, lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the number of neutrophils and the concentration of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were increased by PAF as compared with those of control rats. The NBT assay and cytochrome-c reduction assay revealed an increased neutrophilic respiratory burst in isolated human neutrophils following exposure to PAF. Lung and neutrophilic $cPLA_2$ activity were increased following PAF exposure and exposure to hydrogen peroxide increased $cPLA_2$ activity in the lung. Histologically, inflammatory findings of the lung were observed after PAF treatment. Remarkably, as determined by $CeCl_3$ cytochemical electron microscopy, increased production of hydrogen peroxide was identified in the lung after PAF treatment. Conclusion: PAF mediates acute oxidative lung injury by the activation of $cPLA_2$, which may provoke the generation of free radicals in neutrophils.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2007

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have often been reported to suffer from depression and anxiety possibly due to the exacerbation, hospitalization and mortality of COPD. However,scarce data are available in Korea. This study assessed degree of depression and anxiety, and evaluated the factors associated with depressive symptoms in COPD. Methods: The cross-sectional data on the lung function measurements, smoking behavior, body mass index (BMI), age, gender, depressive symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were evaluated in 72 outpatients with COPD and 50 controls without underling lung diseases from September, 2005 to October, 2006 in the Ewha medical center. Results: 1) The age, body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin levels were similar in the patients and controls. The BDI scores (16(0-37) vs. 12(1-30), p=0.001) and the prevalence of depression (36% vs. 6%, p<0.0001) were higher in the COPD patients than in the controls. In the COPD group, the prevalence of depression increased with increasing GOLD stage (p=0.008). The prevalence was 18%(4/22), in mild cases, 30%(6/20) in moderate cases, 52%(13/25) in severe cases and 60%(3/5) in very severe cases. 2) The SAI and TAI scores were higher in the COPD patients (44(20-67) and 47(20-66)) than in the healthy controls (39(26-65) and 44(33-90)). There were a significant correlation between the depression and anxiety scores (p<0.001). 3) A lower BMI, lower postbronchodilator $FEV_1$, current smoking behavior and severity of COPD were univariately associated with the depressive group in COPD, 4) while multivariate logistic analysis revealed only the severe-to-very severe group (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 12.9) to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: COPD is strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Therfore, screening for psychological problems in COPD patients is essential, particularly in patients with severe-to-very severe COPD.