• Applied Microscopy
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.117-122
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• 2014

We previously have reported that periglomerular calponin expression of the glomerulosclerotic glomeruli in the chronic nephropathy. To investigate the role of calponin during glomerulosclerosis, we examined the detailed localization pattern of calponin in chronic nephropathy rat model using serial morphometric analysis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used, and chronic nephropathy models were established at 8 and 12 weeks after single intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin (10 mg/kg body weight; n=5). In nephropathy models, 16.3% (8 weeks) and 23.4% (12 weeks) glomeruli showed calponin-positivity at glomerular area. In all these glomeruli, showing various sclerotic changes, calponin-immunoreactivities were present only both the glomerular parietal epithelial cells (PECs) and periglomerular myofibroblasts (PMFs). However, in the glomeruli with weak calponin-positive, immunoreactivity was mostly detected in PECs, suggesting that calponin may be expressed in PECs earlier than in PMFs in the glomerulosclerotic change. Some calponin-positive PECs invaded glomerular tuft with loop-shaped projection, and around this projection, nestin expression of glomerular tuft were much reduced. These results suggested that calponin-positive PECs may play a key role in the development of glomerulosclerosis, and direct contact with PECs and glomerular tuft may be more important to degenerative changes of glomeruli.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.30-39
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• 2009

Extraction of glomeruli region plays a very important role for diagnosing nephritis automatically. However, it is not easy to extract glomeruli region correctly because the difference between glomeruli region and other region is not obvious, simultaneously unevennesses that is brought in the sampling process and in the imaging process. In this study, a new method for extracting renal glomeruli region using genetic algorithm is proposed. The first, low and high resolution images are obtained by using Laplacian-Gaussian filter with ${\sigma}=2.1$ and ${\sigma}=1.8$, then, binary images by setting the threshold value to zero are obtained. And then border edge is detected from low resolution images, the border of glomeruli is expressed by a closed B-splines' curve line. The parameters that decide the closed curve line with this low resolution image prevent the noises and the border lines from breaking off in the middle by searching using genetic algorithm. Next, in order to obtain more precise border edges of glomeruli, the number of node points is increased and corrected in order from eight to sixteen and thirty two from high resolution images. Finally, the validity of this proposed method is shown to be effective by applying to the real images.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.391-402
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• 1997

Using the electron microscopical method, this study was attempted to investigate the ultrastructural characteristics of glomeruli in FGS/Kist mice showing high proteinuria. The mucus-like substances were observed in glomerular capillary lumen which were usually narrowed by the widening of mesangial area filled with electron-dense deposits. Some portions of basal lamina in capillary wall were projecting to urinary space. Moreover, many vacuoles were observed in the cytoplasm of visceral epithelial cells, and an irregular-shaped fusion or effacement of foot processes were often shown in areas adjacent to basal lamina of glomeruli.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-41
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• 1999

The experiment was performed to study the morphological responses of the renal glomeruli of the mice after administration of 5-fluorouracil or mitomycin C. 5-fluorouracil (60 mg/kg) or mitomycin-C $(400{\mu}g/kg)$ were injected subcutaneously to the animals every other day, and animals were sacrificed at 4 days or 7 days following the first injections. Pieces of tissues were observed with a JEM 100CX-II electron microscope. The observed results were as follows: 1. In the fourth day following the first injection of 5-fluorouracil or mitomycin C, components of the renal glomeruli of the mice are looked compact since they were filled with the widened the mesangium, and showed narrowing lumen of glomerular capillaries and of urinary spaces. The changes were more significant in the mitomycin C treated mice. 2. In the 5-fluorouracil treated mice, morphological changes of glomeruli were generally recovered in the seventh day, whereas the glomeruli of the mitomycin C treated mice have not shown general recovery. 3. In the fourth and seventh days following the first injection of mitomycin C, in the renal glomeruli of the mice, swollen endothelial cells, and protruded mesangeal cells into the capillary lumen are frequently observed. 4. In the fourth day following the first injection of mitomycin C, in the glomerular basal lamina of the mice, the electron densities of the lamina rara interna and the lamina rara externa were similar to the density of the lamina densa and the expanded lamina rara interna were often seen. From the above results, it is suggested that the cytotoxic effects of the mitomycin C on renal glomeruli are more severe as compared with those of 5-fluorouracil.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.7
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• pp.770-773
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• 2010

A 13-year-old girl was diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis (CF)-related multifocal bronchiectasis accompanied by nephrotic-range proteinuria of unknown cause. On renal biopsy, there were many segmental homogeneous deposits of amyloid tissue with positive Congo red staining in the glomeruli and interstitium. On electron microscopy, relatively straight, non-branching, randomly arranged amyloid fibrils were showed in the mesangium of the glomeruli. These fibrils were approximately 10 nm in diameter, compatible with secondary amyloidosis. Her level of serum amyloid A was remarkably elevated. To our knowledge, this girl is the first case of secondary renal amyloidosis induced by bronchiectasis in Korean children.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2016

Congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease that is difficult to diagnose. CLD requires early treatment to correct electrolyte imbalance and alkalosis and to prevent severe dehydration. Renal injury is clearly associated with defective electrolyte balance induced by CLD, particularly during the first months or years of life. A 7-year-old boy was diagnosed with CLD following detection of a homozygous mutation (c.2063-1G>T) in SLC26A3 at 6 months of age. During treatment with electrolyte supplements, mild proteinuria was detected at 8 months of age, and is still present. Renal biopsy showed the presence of focal renal dysplasia, with metaplastic cartilage and mononuclear cell infiltration, calcification, and fibrosis in the interstitium. Up to two-thirds of the glomeruli exhibited global obsolescence, mostly aggregated in the dysplastic area. In nondysplastic areas, the glomeruli were markedly increased in size and severely hypercellular, with increased mesangial matrix, and displayed segmental sclerosis. The marked glomerular hypertrophy with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis suggested a compensatory reaction to the severe nephron loss or glomerular obsolescence associated with renal dysplasia, with superimposed by CLD aggravating the tubulointerstitial damage.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.199-207
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• 1998

Ginseng saponin (G5) purified from Panax ginseng, increase renal blood flow in rats. Nitric oxide (NO) is thought to be a substance endogenously released by G5 in preconstricted lungs and cultured endothelial cells. The present study aims to determine whether G5 could stimulate endogenous 1'elease of NO in rat kidney and urine levels of the stable NO metabolites, nitrite (NO,) and nitrate (NO,) and urinary COMP levels were measured 8 hr after a single intraperitoneal injection of GS (200 mg/kg) Into rats. The effects of the WO synthesis inhibitor, Nu-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, .1nd the NO precursor, L-arginine, on the G5-induced changes were also determined. The activity of NO synthase, as determined by conversion of ('"C)-L-arginine to ('"C)-L-citrulline, in whole kidney, glomeruli and cortical tubules were also investigated. A single injection of GS resulted in endogenous production of NO as reflected by increase in serum and urine levels of N021N03 and urinary cGMP levels, which were inhibited by the addition o ( N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and restored fly L-arginine. GS also stimulated the activity of NO synthase in whole kidney as well as glomeruli and cortical tubules, and Nu-nitro-L-arginine methyl tilter significantly prevented this increase. In conclusion, GS stimulates endogenous NO production and thus, may play a protective role 1 11 the kidney by modulating renal blood flow.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.246-252
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• 2001

We report the result of a high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in a Henoch-Schnlein purpura patient with severe abdominal pain and nephrotic syndrome who did not respond to methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Kidney biopsy showed diffuse mesangial cell proliferative glomerulonephritis with fibrocellular crescent formation in approximately 50% of glomeruli. Mesangium of all glomeruli were strong positive for IgA and C3 antibodies. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment was introduced and dramatic improvement of gastrointestinal symptom and proteinuria as well as hematuria was noted. Immunoglobulin administration should be considered in Henoch-Schnlein purpura patients with steroid-resistant intractable gastrointestinal manifestation and renal involvement.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.76-95
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• 1991

A single injection of cadmium chloride (3.75 mg/kg) was made into the peritoneal cavities of albino rats. The cortices of kidney were obtained from the experimental animals at 3 hr., 6 hr., 12 hr., 24 hr. and 36 hr. after administration of cadmium chloride, respectively. The specimens of each experimental animal were prefixed in 2% glutaraldehyde-4% paraformaldehyde solution for $2{\sim}4$ hours, and these specimens were post-fixed in 1% osmic acid. After fixation, the specimens were dehydrated with alcohol and acetate and embedded in Epon 812. Ultrathin sections, $600{\sim}800{\AA}$ thickness were made and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. And all the preparations were observed with Hitachi-600 transmission electron microscope. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The main changes in ultrastructures of the glomeruli observed at 3 hr. after cadmium chloride administration include loss of filtration slit and fenestrae of capillary endothelium that was resulted from thickings of the basal lamina and fusion of pedicels of the podocytes. At 12 hr. after cadmium chloride administration the Bowman's capsules were mostly filled with abnormally thickened and fused pedicels. After 24 hr. however, the only recognized change was loss of fenestrae of the capillary endothelium. And the ultrastructure of the glomeruli were almost normal in 36 hr. after cadmium chloride treatment. 2. At 3 hr. after treatment with cadmium chloride, in the renal tubular cells the vesicles and vacuoles increased in number at the apical portion, of the tubular epithelial cells, the basal infoldings were reduced and the basal lamina was thickened. After 12 hr., a number of phagosomes appeared at the apical portion and the cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum were swollen. At 24 hr. after cadmium chloride administration irregularly shaped mitochondria were observed in the apical area, and mitochondria with swollen cristae were found at the basal portion. And after 36 hr. The ultrastructures of the epithelial cells appeared almost normal except for a moderate increase in the number of vesicles and vacuoles. Consequently it is suggested that in albino rats, cadmium chloride induces acute reversible degenerative changes in the glomeruli as well as in the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.335-336
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• 1996

Artemisinin, a new antimalarial to treat patients infected with strains of Plasmodium jalciparum, derived from the plant Artemisia annua Linn, has immunopharmacologic actions such as enhence the PHA -induced lymphocyte transformation rate, increased the weight of spleen but reduced the weight of thymus, reduced phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophage, remarkably reduced the level of serum IgG and hemolysin fonning capacity (sentitized with SRBC), inhibited the activity of Ts cells of donor mice by supraoptimal immunuization(SOI), but enhenced activity of Ts cells of recipient mice by SOI. These results suggested that Ts cells may be the target cells of artemisinin. To the serum complement C3 level of plasmodium berghei-infeted mice, artemisinin (i. m,) could remarkly increase it. The artemisinin also obviously reduced the prostaglandin E(PGE) in the mouse hind paw swelling induced by carrageenin. Numerous studies have demonstrated that pharmacologic doses of PGE attenuate the development of immunocomplex nephritis. Some autologous immune mechanisms may be invoolved In the pathogensis of some types of glomurulonephritis. Glomerular abnormalities can be induced in animals by variety of immunological manipulations. The resulting disorder has many clinical and pathogical similarities to the disease in human. Our purpose was therefore to test the ability of the artemisinin to lessen the severity of rabbit IgG accelerated nephrotoxic serum glomerulonephritis in mice model. Mice which had treated with rabbit IgG and NTS, administrated with saline, showed Significant inceases of urinary protein, cholesterol level, and decrease of serum albumin in NS group. On the contrary, By i.g. adminstration of artemisinin at dose of 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg for 14 days after NTS injection, shown that artemisinin inhibited the nephritic changes in some parameters by means of urinary protein(p<0.05, p<0.01) and serum choleterol(p<0.05, p<0.01) and albumin (p<0.05, p<0.01), blood urea nitrogen (p<0.05, p<0.01), serum albumin(p<0.05, p<0.01); Cyclophosphamide(i.p. 10mg/kg for 14d) had almost same effect as the artemisinin had. Morphological studies shown that The picture of kidney from the mouse with NTS-nephritis accerated with rabbit IgG, treated with i.g. saline as the control, the mesangiocapillary were enlarged and proliferated; There were inflammatory cells infiltrating around the glomeruli; The ethelial cell were proliferated in the wall of Bowman's capsule. Histopatholological picture of kidney from the NTS-nephritis accerated with rabbit IgG mouse treated with i.p. 10mg/kg cyclophosphamide as the positive control. No siginicant histopathological evidence were found. Treaded with i.p. 12.5mg/kg artemisinine, the picture shown that mesangiocapillary were lightly proliferated; There were inflammatory cells infiltrating around the glomeruli; Treaded with i.p. 25mg/kg artemisinine, The picture shown that the mesangiocapillary were lightly proliferated; Treaded with i.p. 50mg/kg artemisinine, The picture shown that both the mesangiocapillary proliferated and the inflammatory cells infiltrating around the glomeruli are less than treated with saline, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg artemisinine. On the basis of these studies we conclude that the artemisinin can relieve pathological change caused by NTS-nephritis aacerated with rabbit IgG.