• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2008

This study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of major histocompatibility complex class II positive (MHC II+) (HLA-DP-like) cells in the cow uterus (cervix, corpus and cornu uteri) and to compare these cells between the estrus and diestrus phases of the estrous cycle. Twenty-nine multiparous cows were used. Tissue samples from the middle of the cervix, the corpus and the right cornu were taken immediately after slaughter at the estrus or diestrus phase. Streptavidin-biotin peroxidase complex staining was used to detect MHC II+ cells. The number of MHC II+ cells per unit area of tissue was counted using image analysis software under a light microscope. Numerous MHC II+ cells were found in the endometrium (cervix, corpus and cornu uteri) in both estrus and diestrus. MHC II+ cells were found in the surface epithelium of the cervix uteri in diestrus, but in the corpus uteri in both estrus and diestrus and in the cornu uteri in estrus. MHC II+ cells were also found freely in the lumen of the glands and between the gland epithelia of the corpus and cornu uteri in both estrus and diestrus. There were also MHC II+ cells in the connective tissue of the myometrium and perimetrium (outside the endometrium) and around the blood vessels. Endothelial cells were frequently positive for MHC II staining. More MHC II+ cells were found in the endometrium than outside the endometrium in both estrus and diestrus (p<0.001). However, there was no difference in the numbers of positive cells between estrus and diestrus either in the endometrium or outside it. These results are the first evidence for HLA-DP-like MHC II+ cells in the bovine uterus. They indicate that antigen presentation by HLA-DP-like MHC II+ cells of the uterus is not influenced by hormonal status.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.50-63
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• 1999

This study was conducted with 20 female gymnasts and 23 age-matched controls to examine the relationship of diet, menstrual function and bone mineral density (BMD). The results obtained are summarized as follows : Energy intake of gymnasts was 968.9$\pm$421.4kcal, and energy expenditure was 2091.4$\pm$361kcal showing negative energy balance(-1,122.5$\pm$534.6kcal). The average intakes of calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin did not meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances for their age groups. Mean age at menarche in gymnasts is 15.8$\pm$1.2 years compared with 11.8$\pm$2.8 years in age-matched controls. The profile of estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone was lower than age-matched controls but not significant. Athletic amenorrheic gymnasts(n=12) have the menstrual irregularity(n=10) and amenorrhea(n=2). A number of variables as such nutritional deficiency in diet, negative energy blasnce and hypogonadotropic hormonal status were included. The bone mineral density (BMD) of female gymnasts were significantly higher than controls for the lumbar neck(p<0.001), trochanter(p<0.01), and Ward's triangle(p<0.001), but there were no significant differences for the lumbar spine and forearm. The lumbar spine BMD had a positive correlation with age and lean body weight. The femoral neck BMD was significantly associated with age, group and lean body mass. The trochanter BMD had significant relationship with group, body mass index, energy expenditure and follicular stimulating hormone. Ward's triangle BMD were related to body mass index and follicular stimulating hormone. The significant association was deterced between forearm BMD and age and lean body weight. The major finding of this investigation is that the BMD of gymnasts were higher than age-matched controls despite the fact that gymnasts as a group had inadequate dietary calcium and a higher propensity to have an interruption of their menstrual cycle. These data indicate that grymnsts involved in sports producing significant impact loading on the skeleton had greater femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle bone density than age-matched controls.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1987.07a
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• pp.191-211
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• 1987

Common usage of the concept of juvenility implies that there is one physiological phase, the juvenile phase, which manifests itself in the various morphological and physiological phenomena observed in juvenile higher plants. The juvenile phase is often defined as that time from seed germination until the plant attains the ability to flower regulating such behaviour. This definition precludes plants from flowering in the juvenile phase. It is of major interest, therefore, to identify the physiological controls(Bluehreife) regulating such behavior. The length of the juvenile period in higher plants ranges from one year to over 60 years in different species. The long juvenile period of seedling is the main cause of the long duration of the breeding process. I determined the length of the juvenile period in various plants and its control of phase changes in natural system in relation to factors such as plant size and age, shoot morphology, apex size, root system and phytohormonal and nutritional status is reviewed. From the own experimental and observational evidence available it appears that both hormonal and nutritional factors can be involved in control of juvenility but that a specific juvenile or flowering hormone is not involved. Grafting, ringing, scoring, root pruning and fertilization have been used to accelerate flowering, but in most cases these cultured treatments are only successful on plants that were passed the juvenile phase. It is suggested that there are intrinsic difference between the meristematic cells of the apieces of juvenile and adult shoot, which are thus determined with respect to there development potentialities. The problems associated with the maintenance of the determined state through mitosis are discussed. The properties of transitional forms of Ribes nigrum L. intermediate between the juvenile and adult phase, are descrived and there implications discussed. Analogies are drawn between juvenile phenomena in woody perennials and in herbaceous species.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2008

Supplementation of serum and estrogen in in vitro maturation(IVM) medium was shown to improve embryo development and quality in several species. This study investigates the effect of ovarian estrus stage on canine oocyte quality and supplementation of medium with canine serum or estrogen on IVM of canine oocytes. As results, in experimental 1, IVM oocytes collected from follicular stage ovaries to MII stages($10.2{\pm}1.5%$) was higher (p<0.05) with 10% canine estrus stage serum than control($1.3{\pm}1.6%$), anoestrus stage serum($4.0{\pm}1.6%$), luteal stage serum($2.7{\pm}1.7%$) and 10% FBS($1.3{\pm}1.6$). In experimental 2, 10% canine estrus stage serum supplementation has highest maturation rate to MII stages($10.0{\pm}1.8%$) and there were significant differences(P<0.05) with another treatment in follicular stages group. In order to investigate the synergic effect of estrous serum and estrogen supplementation, different estrous stage groups of oocytes were cultured with 2 ug/ml estrogen plus various concentrations of different reproductive stage serum and FBS(experimental 3). As results, the rate of maturation to metaphase II(MII) stage was significantly higher(p<0.05) in oocytes from the follicular stage supplemented with estrogen and 10% canine estrus stage serum(11.5%) compared to the other groups(6.0 - 8.8%). The present study was demonstrated that canine serum and the estrus cycle of the bitch affect the meiotic competence of oocytes. Hormonal influences within the follicle may be one of the factors responsible for the greater proportion of maturation of oocyte to MII from bitches at the follicular phase.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.211-247
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• 2021

Livestock species experience several stresses, particularly weaning, transportation, overproduction, crowding, temperature, and diseases in their life. Heat stress (HS) is one of the most stressors, which is encountered in livestock production systems throughout the world, especially in the tropical regions and is likely to be intensified due to global rise in environmental temperature. The gut has emerged as one of the major target organs affected by HS. The alpha- and beta-diversity of gut microbiota composition are altered due to heat exposure to animals with greater colonization of pathogenic microbiota groups. HS also induces several changes in the gut including damages of microstructures of the mucosal epithelia, increased oxidative insults, reduced immunity, and increased permeability of the gut to toxins and pathogens. Vulnerability of the intestinal barrier integrity leads to invasion of pathogenic microbes and translocation of antigens to the blood circulations, which ultimately may cause systematic inflammations and immune responses. Moreover, digestion of nutrients in the guts may be impaired due to reduced enzymatic activity in the digesta, reduced surface areas for absorption and injury to the mucosal structure and altered expressions of the nutrient transport proteins and genes. The systematic hormonal changes due to HS along with alterations in immune and inflammatory responses often cause reduced feed intake and production performance in livestock and poultry. The altered microbiome likely orchestrates to the hosts for various relevant biological phenomena occurring in the body, but the exact mechanisms how functional communications occur between the microbiota and HS responses are yet to be elucidated. This review aims to discuss the effects of HS on microbiota composition, mucosal structure, oxidant-antioxidant balance mechanism, immunity, and barrier integrity in the gut, and production performance of farm animals along with the dietary ameliorations of HS. Also, this review attempts to explain the mechanisms how these biological responses are affected by HS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4685-4690
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between cosmetic outcome (CO), body image, and quality of life in post breast-conserving therapy (BCT) women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study concerned one-year post-completed BCT Thai women. The data included subjective and objective CO with a questionnaire covering demographic and clinical data, anti-hormonal treatment status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, Self-Reported Cosmetic Outcomes (SRCO), Self-Reported Breast Symmetry (SRBS), Body Image Scale (BIS), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy with Breast Cancer subscale (FACT-B). Participants had breast photographs taken for the evaluation of objective cosmetic outcome (OCO) after breast cancer conservation treatment. The relationship between CO and FACT-B was tested using Spearman's rank correlation Results: A total 127 participants volunteered for the study. The participant characteristics were age 52(${\pm}9$), Buddhist 87%, married 65%, body mass index 25.0(${\pm}4.6$), breast cup size A-C 91%, college educated 60%, employed 66%, ECOG 0-1 95%, tumor size less than or equal to 2 cm 55%, no lymph node metastasis 98%, and taking tamoxifen 57%. Two percent of the participants regretted their decision to undergo BCT. The SRCO was excellent in 2%, good in 68%, fair in 30%, and poor in 0%. For SRBS, rates were 17%, 58%, 24% and 1% for excellent, good, fair and poor cosmetic outcomes, respectively. The BCCT scores were excellent 24%, good 39%, fair 32%, and poor 6%. The median total QOL score of the participants was 130 (93-144). There was no significant correlation between CO and FACT-B scores. Conclusions: The significance of CO for FACT-B in Thai women with breast cancer could not be assessed in detail because of a very low level of correlation. The results may be due to the effects of cultural background.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.112-117
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• 2001

International index of erectile function (IIEF) has a high sensitivity and specificity for the evaluating treatment of erectile dysfunction. IIEF was used to evaluate on an international level the effectiveness of red ginseng on patients with erectile dysfunction and determine its possible development as a natural drug. 50 patients with erectile failure who were 20 years or older and without organic cause were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1(25 patients) received red ginseng 600mg three times a day and group 2 (25 patients) received placebo in the same fashion for 8 weeks. Each group was evaluated with IIEF at the start and end of therapy. Of the 50 patients 47 (group 1 24, group 2 23) who completed the 8 week therapy were evaluated. The mean age and symptom duration of the patients was 45.7$\pm$8.7 (27-68) and 6.2$\pm$5.6(1-29) years, respectively. Patient age, symptom duration. marriage status, marriage duration, partner age were not statistic significance between the two groups (p>0.05). Blood chemistry, urinalysis, and hormonal assay did not reveal difference between the two groups. primary efficacy (erectile rigidity and its maintenance) and all domains in secondary efficacy were significantly better after therapy in group 1 compared to those of group 2 (p<0.05) except for frequency of sexual desire, degree of sexual desire, and frequency of intercourse trial (p>0.05). Group 1 patients were significantly more satisfied after treatment compared to group 2 patients with 58.3% (14/24)and 26.1%(6/23) satisfaction rates, respectively. There were no adverse reactions or complications with ginseng adiminstration. Further study into the effects of saponin and ginsenoside that are the main substances in ginseng for erectile dysfunction is needed. In addition, its possible additive effect with ginseng and sildenafil should be elucidated in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.559-564
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• 2015

Background: The participation of women in cervical cancer screening in Malaysia is low. Self-sampling might be able to overcome this problem. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of self-sampling for cervical smear in our country. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 258 community dwelling women from urban and rural settings who participated in health campaigns. In order to reduce the sampling bias, half of the study population performed the self-sampling prior to the physician sampling while the other half performed the self-sampling after the physician sampling, randomly. Acquired samples were assessed for cytological changes as well as HPV DNA detection. Results: The mean age of the subjects was $40.4{\pm}11.3years$. The prevalence of abnormal cervical changes was 2.7%. High risk and low risk HPV genotypes were found in 4.0% and 2.7% of the subjects, respectively. A substantial agreement was observed between self-sampling and the physician obtained sampling in cytological diagnosis (k=0.62, 95%CI=0.50, 0.74), micro-organism detection (k=0.77, 95%CI=0.66, 0.88) and detection of hormonal status (k=0.75, 95%CI=0.65, 0.85) as well as detection of high risk (k=0.77, 95%CI=0.4, 0.98) and low risk (K=0.77, 95%CI=0.50, 0.92) HPV. Menopausal state was found to be related with 8.39 times more adequate cell specimens for cytology but 0.13 times less adequate cell specimens for virological assessment. Conclusions: This study revealed that self-sampling has a good agreement with physician sampling in detecting HPV genotypes. Self-sampling can serve as a tool in HPV screening while it may be useful in detecting cytological abnormalities in Malaysia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5715-5719
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy of women in the world. The disease is caused by infectious and non-infectious, environmental and lifestyle factors. Tobacco smoke has been one of the most widely studied environmental factors wiith possible relevance to breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of tobacco smoking in breast cancer patients in a hospital based cohort and to establish prognostic implications if any. Materials and Methods: A retrospective audit of 100 women with pathological diagnosis of invasive breast cancer was included in this study. The verbal questionnaire elicited information on current and previous history of exposure to smoking in addition to active smoking. All analyses were adjusted for potential confounders, including stage at presentation, alcohol intake, hormonal replacement therapy, oral contraceptive intake, obesity and menopausal status. Results: The mean age at presentation of breast cancer was $51.4{\pm}10.86$ years. Mean age of presentation was $53.1{\pm}11.5$ and $45.7{\pm}11.9$ years in never smokers and passive smokers, respectively. Age at presentation varied widely in patients exposed to tobacco smoke for >10 years in childhood from $40.3{\pm}12.0$ years to $47.7{\pm}13.9$ in patients exposed for > 20years as adults. Among passive smokers, 60.9% were premenopausal and 39.1% of patients were postmenopausal. In never smokers, 71.4% were post menopausal. Expression of receptors in non-smokers vs passive smokers was comparable with no significant differences. Metastatic potential in lung parenchyma was slightlyelevated in passive smokers as compared to never smokers although statistically non-significant. Conclusions: An inverse relationship exists between the intensity and duration of smoking and the age at presentation and poor prognostic factors. The results strongly suggest efforts should be taken to prevent smoking, encourage quitting and restrict exposure to second hand smoke in India.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5257-5261
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• 2012

Background: High incidence of breast cancer and its fatal effect has reached an alarming stage across the globe, including the third world countries. Many factors have been reported to be associated with the development of breast cancer but detailed structural and functional information is missing. CA 15-3 is one of the known potential tumor marker of breast cancer; however little is known about structure and functional site of this protein. Present study aims to investigate the functional role of CA 15-3 in breast cancer, especially in development and metastasis. Material and Methods: Hundred female breast cancer patients confirmed by histopathological reports were included in the study. Their physiological characters were recorded in a performa. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to estimate serum CA 15-3 level. Immunohistochemistry was done for estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and Her2/neu receptors expression. Results: The study revealed the details of physiological characteristics of female breast cancer. Mean age was $37.72{\pm}5.99$ and $55.05{\pm}7.28$ years and serum CA 15-3 (MUC1) level was $60.47{\pm}8.59$ and $63.17{\pm}4.58$ U/ml in pre and post-menopause respectively, and both groups of women had sedentary life style. Their receptor status especially of progesterone, estrogen and HER-2/neu were positive in 50% of premenopausal women and 65% of postmenopausal women. Conclusion: There are multiple physiological factors promoting breast cancer. High serum CA 15-3 level and hormonal imbalance of ER, PR and Her2/neu appears to be the main cause of breast cancer. It may be possible that the functional sites of these proteins may be altered which may increase the chances of metastasis in breast cancer.