• 대한한의학회지
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

Objectives: Astragalus membranaceus has been reported to inhibit immune responses, but its effect on hair loss is not clear. In this study, the effect of A. membranaceus extract (AM) on hair regrowth in C57BL/6 mice with natural hair loss in the telogen phase was investigated. Methods: Mice with natural hair loss were topically treated with 1% AM on the dorsal skin for 2 weeks. Dorsal skin samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and probed with an anti-mouse CD8a IgG. The mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ and interleukin (IL)-4 were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: AM treatment induced hair regrowth in hair loss mice, while control mice suffered continued hair loss. Tapering hair shafts and broken hair follicles were decreased as well as CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration. In addition, the expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 were reduced by AM treatment. Also, AM treatment significantly increased the KGF expressions in Hs68 fibroblast cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that topical application of A. membranaceus may be an alternative therapy for hair loss.

• BMB Reports
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.586-594
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• 2006

Germinal centers (GCs) have been identified as site at which the somatic mutation of immunoglobulins occurs. However, somatic mutations in immunoglobulins have also been observed in animals that normally do not harbor germinal centers. This clearly indicates that somatic mutations can occur in the absence of germinal centers. We therefore attempted to determine whether or not GCs exist in TNFR1-deficient mice, and are essential for the somatic mutation of immunoglobulins, using (4-hydroxy-3-nitropheny)acetyl-ovalbumin (NP-OVA). Both wild-type and TNFR1-deficient mice were immunized with NPOVA, and then examined with regard to the existence of GCs. No typical B-cell follicles were detected in the TNFR1-deficient mice. Cell proliferation was detected throughout all splenic tissue types, and no in vivo immune-complex retention was observed in the TNFR1-deficient mice. All of these data strongly suggest that no GCs were formed in the TNFR1-deficient mice. Although TNFR1-deficient mice are unable to form GCs, serological analyses indicated that affinity maturation had been achieved in both the wild-type and TNFR1-deficient mice. We therefore isolated and sequenced several DNA clones from wild-type and the TNFR1-deficient mice. Eight out of 12 wild-type clones, and 11 out of 14 clones of the TNFR-1-deficient mice contained mutations at the CDR1 site. Thus, the wild-type and TNFR1-deficient mice were not extremely different with regard to types and rates of somatic mutation. Also, high-affinity antibodies were detected in both types of mice. Collectively, our data appear to show that affinity maturation may occur in TNFR1-deficient mice, which completely lack GCs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.485-496
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• 2016

We describe 2 echinostome species recovered from an Eastern cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis coromandus, from Cheongju-si (city), Chungcheongbuk-do (province), Korea. Total 72 Pegosomum bubulcum specimens were recovered from the bile duct. They were $7,566{\times}2,938{\mu}m$ in average size and had 27 collar spines with vitelline extension from anterior 1/3 level of the esophagus to mid-level of the posterior testis as characteristic features. Total 9 specimens of Nephrostomum ramosum were recovered in the small intestines of the bird. They were ribbon-shaped, $11,378{\times}2,124{\mu}m$ in average size, and morphologically variable in some organs, i.e., the number of collar spines (47-50), the shape of ovary and testes, and the extension of vitelline follicles. These morphological variations observed in a single host indicated that these features are not critical for the classification of Nephrostomum species and thus were reconsidered taxonomically as synonym of N. ramosum. This study is the first report documenting and describing both flukes and their associated genera in Korea.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.112-118
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• 2004

위장관에서 용종성 병변이 있을 때 Cowden 증후군의 감별이 필요하며 소아 연령에서는 모든 증상이 발현되지 않으므로 추적 관찰이 필요하리라 판단된다. 특히, 식도의 극세포증은 모습이 독특하고 거의 대부분의 증례에서 보고되고 있어 최근 Cowden 증후군의 진단 시 질병특유의 기준으로 활용되기도 하므로 특히 염두에 둘 필요가 있으며, 그러나 소아 연령에서는 적절한 나이가 될 때까지는 극세포증의 발현이 지연될 수 있음도 반드시 고려하여야 할 것으로 판단된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권12호
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• pp.865-872
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• 2014

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a long-term adverse effect of chemotherapy treatment. However, current available treatment regimens are not optimal. Emerging evidence suggests that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) could restore the structure and function of injured tissues, but the homing and restorative effects of BMSCs on chemotherapy injured ovaries are still not clear. In this study, we found that granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis induced by cisplatin was reduced when BMSCs were migrated to granulosa cells (GCs) in vitro. Chemotherapy-induced POF was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin in rats. BMSCs labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were injected into the rats via the tail vein to investigate the homing and distribution of BMSCs in vivo. The number of BMSCs in the ovarian hilum and medulla was greater than in the cortex, but no BMSCs were found in the follicles and corpus lutea. In addition, the BMSCs treatment group's antral follicle count and estradiol levels increased after 30 days, compared with the POF group. Hence, our study demonstrates that intravenously delivered BMSCs can home to the ovaries, and restore its structure and function in POF model rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.179-183
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• 1999

This study was performed to determine the significance of a baseline ovarian cyst on the response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and the outcome of IVF-ET. One hundred one patients who underwent IVF-ET were enrolled in this study. The outcome of 31 patients, who had an ovarian cyst of >10mm detected at ultrasound examination performed on day 3, was compared with that of 70 patients who underwent a similar protocol and did not have an ovarian cyst. E2 level on the day of hCG administration, the number of follicles, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of embryo transferred and the pregnancy rate were evaulated. The E2 level on the day of hCG adminstration and the number of mature oocytes retrieved were lower in the group with a baseline cyst. The pregnancy rate also was significantly lower in the group with a cyst (21% versus 38%). Therefore a baseline ovarian cyst on cycle day 3 was associated with a poorer outcome after IVF-ET.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.13-21
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• 1991

To investigate the factors that affect the fertilization and cleavage rates of mature oocytes, 44 patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) with FSH/hMG/hCG regimen for IVF - ET were analyzed. During follicular phase, serum LH levels were measured by radioimmunoassay and bioassay. Based on the mean follicular immunoactive LH(i-LH) and bioactive LH(b-LH) levels, patients were divided into 3 groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in basal serum FSH levels on menstrual cycle day 3, serum estradiol($E_2$) and progesterone ($P_4$) levels on the day of hCG administration, and the numbers of follicles aspirated and oocytes retrieved among groups. In relation to the mean follicular i-LH levels, the fertilization and cleavage rates of mature oocytes did not show a significant difference among groups. However, in groups with higher mean follicular b-LH levels, the fertilization and cleavage rates were reduced significantly. During late follicular phase, day-to-day variance in b-LH levels was not significant, but there was a significant difference among groups. There was no significant correlation between serum P. and b-LH levels. These data suggest that the fertilization and cleavage rates of mature oocytes are adversely affected by the raised mean follicular b-LH levels, and monitoring of serum b-LH levels is more useful in COH when compared with i-LH. It appears that the reduced rates are not due to the attenuated endogenous LH surge.

• 한국패류학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.363-375
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• 2012

The gametogenic cycle, the number of spawning seasons per year and first sexual maturiity of the pen shell, Atrina (Servatrina) pectinata, were investigated by quantitative statistical analysis using an Image Analyzer System. Compared two previous results (the spawning periods in the reproductive cycles in 1998 and 2006) by qualitative histological analysis with the present results by quantitative statistical analysis, there are some differences in the spawning periods: the spawning period (June to September) by quantitative statistical analysis was one month longer than those of two previous reports (June to July or June to August) by qualitative histological analysis. However, the number of spawning seasons studied by the qualitative and quatitative analyses occurred once per year. In quantitative statistical analysis using an image analyzer system, the patterns of monthly changes in the percent (%) of the areas occupied by follicles to the ovary area in females (or that of the areas occupied by spermatogenic stages to the testis area in males) showed a maximum in May, and then sharply droped from June to September, 2006. From these data, it is apparent that the spawning season of A. (S.) pectinata occurred once a year from June to September, indicating a unimodal gametogenic cycle during the year. Shell heights of sexually mature pen shells (size at 50% of group sexual maturity, $GM_{50}$) that were fitted to an exponential equation were 15.81 cm in females and 15.72 cm in males (considered to be one year old).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제15권11호
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• pp.1546-1552
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• 2002

Proliferation and differentiation of ovarian cells are regulated by gonadotrophins and various intraovarian factors, with many of their actions dependent on growth factors. Transforming growth factor-$\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) has been reportedly involved in the regulation of ovarian follicular development. The overall objectives of the present study were to examine the influence of TGF-$\beta$1 expression in ovarian follicular development or yolk formation and to investigate the association of egg weight with ovarian TGF-$\beta$1 expression at 60 wk. Egg weights of 70 Korean Native Ogol Chicken (KNOC) were recorded from 20 to 60 wk. Ovaries were taken at 60 wk, and TGF-$\beta$1 was measured with ELISA, respectively. Based on egg weight up to 60 wk and TGF-$\beta$1 expression in ovary, the chickens were divided into high and low groups. Egg weights and follicle weight in the high TGF-$\beta$1 group were higher than those in the low groups. Also, TGF-$\beta$1 expression and follicle weight in high egg weight group were higher than those in the low groups. Taken together, the results indicate that TGF-$\beta$1 is associated with egg weight in KNOC. This association of TGF-$\beta$1 with egg weight in KNOC supports the report that TGF-$\beta$ is mainly involved in the development and differentiation of follicles in the poultry. Further studies about other endocrine factors related to yolk formation are required to fully understand the endocrine mechanism of egg weight in Korean Native Ogol Chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제15권7호
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• pp.1045-1050
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• 2002

The aims of this study were to detect spontaneously occurring apoptosis in cultured porcine ovarian cells, to examine the role of growth hormone (GH), tyrosine kinase (TK), protein kinase G (PKG) and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) in the control of this process, and to determine whether the effect of GH on apoptosis is mediated by TK-, PKG- and cdc2-dependent intracellular mechanisms. We studied the action of pGH (10 ng/ml), blockers of TK (genistein, lavendustin, both 100 ng/ml), PKG (Rp-Br-PET-cGMPS, 50 nM; KT5823, 100 ng/ml) and CDK (olomoucine, $1{\mu}g/ml$), as well as combinations of GH with these blockers, on the onset of apoptosis in cultured granulosa cells isolated from antral (3-6 mm) porcine follicles. The functional characteristics of an early apoptotic event, DNA fragmentation, were determined using terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL), whilst morphological signs of advanced apoptosis such as pyknosis, chromatin marginalization, shrinkage and fragmentation of nucleus, were detected using routine light microscopy. After culture, some ovarian granulosa cells exhibited DNA fragmentation, which in some cases was associated with morphological apoptosis-related changes (pyknosis, shrinkage and fragmentation of the nucleus). GH significantly reduced the proportion of TUNEL-positive cells. Neither TK nor CDK blockers when given alone, significantly affected the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells although both PKG blockers significantly increased this index. Furthermore, TK and PKG blockers given together with GH, prevented or reversed the inhibitory effect of GH on apoptosis, whilst the CDK blocker olomoucine promoted it. These observations demonstrate apoptosis in porcine ovaries and suggest the involvement of GH, TK, PKG and CDK in the control of this process. They also suggest that the effect of GH on ovarian apoptosis is mediated or regulated by multiple signalling pathways including TK-, PKG- and CDK-dependent intracellular mechanisms.