• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is compare IVF cycle outcome in poor responders between clomiphene citrate (CC) stimulated and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocol. A total of 94 patients responding poorly in previous IVF cycles (estradiol<600 pg/ml or less than 3 oocytes retrieved) subsequently underwent either COH (COH group: 122 cycles, 68 patients) or CC-stimulated cycles (CC group: 43 cycles, 26 patients). CC was administered for five consecutive days starting on cycle day 3 at a dose of 100 mg daily. Serial transvaginal ultrasound examination was done from cycle day 8. Urine was collected $3\sim4$ times before hCG injection for the detection of LH surge. The hCG was administered when serum estradiol reached greater than 150 pg/ml and mean follicle diameter>16 mm. In COH group, ovarian stimulation was done using short protocol (GnRH-a/FSH/HMG/hCG). No difference in age or number of transferred embryos was found between CC group and COH group. COH group had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean peak level of $E_2$ ($810{\pm}112$ vs $412{\pm}55$ pg/ml) and greater number of retrieved oocytes ($3.0{\pm}0.2$ vs $2.0{\pm}0.2$) than CC group. CC group had transferred embryos $(1.8{\pm}0.2)$ compared with $(2.1{\pm}0.2)$ in COH group. However, CC group had higher pregnancy rate than COH group per retrieval [26.9% (7/26) vs 6.2% (6/97)], or per transfer [31.8% (7/22) vs 7% (6/86)]. Although cycle cancellation rate in CC group (48.8%) was higher than that of COH group (21.3%), the pregnancy rate per cycle in CC group was still higher (16.3%) than COH group (4.9%). In addition, implantation rate in CC group was 17.5% (7/40), which was significantly (p<0.01) higher than 3.9% (7/180) in COH group. These data suggest that oocyte and embryo quality are lower in COH cycles of poor responders than CC cycles. We suggest that clomiphene citrate stimulated IVF cycle may be more efficient than COH IVF cycle in poor responders in terms of lower costs and higher pregnancy performance.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.291-299
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• 2016

Human hydatid disease (cystic echinococcosis, CE) is a chronic parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus. As the disease mainly affects the liver, approximately 70% of all identified CE cases are detected in this organ. Optical molecular imaging (OMI), a noninvasive imaging technique, has never been used in vivo with the specific molecular markers of CE. Thus, we aimed to construct an in vivo fluorescent imaging mouse model of CE to locate and quantify the presence of the parasites within the liver noninvasively. Drug-treated protoscolices were monitored after marking by JC-1 dye in in vitro and in vivo studies. This work describes for the first time the successful construction of an in vivo model of E. granulosus in a small living experimental animal to achieve dynamic monitoring and observation of multiple time points of the infection course. Using this model, we quantified and analyzed labeled protoscolices based on the intensities of their red and green fluorescence. Interestingly, the ratio of red to green fluorescence intensity not only revealed the location of protoscolices but also determined the viability of the parasites in vivo and in vivo tests. The noninvasive imaging model proposed in this work will be further studied for long-term detection and observation and may potentially be widely utilized in susceptibility testing and therapeutic effect evaluation.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1992

Catecholamines, serotonin and their metabolites were measured in the posterior hypothalamus of urethane-anesthetized normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) using brain microdialysis which is a recently developed experimental method to measure the release of neurotransmitters and their metabolites at the localized brain area in vivo. Microdialysis probe was implanted stereotaxically to the rat posterior hypothalamus and perfused by Ringer's solution. Monoamines and their metabolites were quantified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. In vitro recovery test of microdialysis showed that there exist inverse relationship between the perfusion flow rate and the relative recovery of neurochemical compounds. The estimated extracellular concentration of dopamine was about 32 nM, of norepinephrine 50 nM, of epinephrine 50 nM, of serotonin 73 nM, of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) 281 nM, of homovanillic acid (HVA) 181 nM, and of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) 3767 nM in the hypothalamic perfusate of the normotensive rat. There was no difference in the basal level of monoamines between the SHR and the WKY. In contrast, the level of DOPAC, HVA and 5HIAA in SHR was higher than that in the WKY, This study demonstrated that the microdialysis technique should be an applicable tool for in vivo measurement of central neurochemical substances.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.551-561
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• 2021

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancers, such as papillary and follicular cancers, have a favorable prognosis. However, poorly differentiated thyroid cancers, such as medullary, squamous and anaplastic advanced thyroid cancers, are very aggressive and insensitive to radioiodine treatment. Thus, novel therapies that attenuate metastasis are urgently needed. We found that both PDGFC and PDGFRA are predominantly expressed in thyroid cancers and that the survival rate is significantly lower in patients with high PDGFRA expression. This finding indicates the important role of PDGF/PDGFR signaling in thyroid cancer development. Next, we established a SW579 squamous thyroid cancer cell line with 95.6% PDGFRA gene insertion and deletions (indels) through CRISPR/Cas9. Protein and invasion analysis showed a dramatic loss in EMT marker expression and metastatic ability. Furthermore, xenograft tumors derived from PDGFRA geneedited SW579 cells exhibited a minor decrease in tumor growth. However, distant lung metastasis was completely abolished upon PDGFRA gene editing, implying that PDGFRA could be an effective target to inhibit distant metastasis in advanced thyroid cancers. To translate this finding to the clinic, we used the most relevant multikinase inhibitor, imatinib, to inhibit PDGFRA signaling. The results showed that imatinib significantly suppressed cell growth, induced cell cycle arrest and cell death in SW579 cells. Our developed noninvasive apoptosis detection sensor (NIADS) indicated that imatinib induced cell apoptosis through caspase-3 activation. In conclusion, we believe that developing a specific and selective targeted therapy for PDGFRA would effectively suppress PDGFRA-mediated cancer aggressiveness in advanced thyroid cancers.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2005

Many studies have been performed on the bovine leukemia virus (BLV) since bovine leukosis had been reported in 1968 in Korea. However, there was no report on the ultrastructural examination of BLV. An attempt to detect C-type viral particles in the cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes of Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle, was made to determine whether in vitro viral expression might be used as a reliable method to identify the cow which is likely to transmit BLV. In transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination, the virus particles were found predominantly outside of the lymphocytes even though a few particles were also observed within the membrane bound cytoplasmic vacuoles. All of them were C-type particles consisting of a central, electron-dense core separated by a clear area from a limiting envelope with a unit membrane structure. Virus particles were easily detected in the lymphocyte which was cultured with medium supplemented with either T-lymphocyte mitogen (conconavalin A) or B-lymphocyte mitogen (lipopolysaccharide). Identical viral particles, although fewer, were also consistently present in the lymphocytes cultured with medium which was containing foetal bovine serum (FBS) only and which was containing neither FBS or mitogen. By contrast, no virus particle was detected in extensive examination of lymphocytes before culture. In conclusion, the BLV cultivation and detection methods established in this study could be used as a tool to identify and eliminate the cattle which can transmit the BLV.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 1997

Using a bioassay for tuber enlargement activity, which was carried out with culture of microtuber of nodal stem segments in vitro, the endogenous substances was detected from leaves of yam(Diosorea alata L., cv. Solo Yam) treated under the short and the long day length condition. Tuber enlargement activity was found in both the aqueous and ethyl acetate phase of extract obtained from leaves of yams. Those activity was found in both the aqueous and ethyl acetate phase of extract obtained from leaves of yams. Those activities increased under the short day length, whereas not increased under the long day length. Guided by bioassay, the active substances in the ethyl acetate phase were purified by charcoal adsorption chromatography. The result obtained indicated that the 40% ethanol fraction contained the most prominent tuber enlargement activity. In seasonal changes of the leaves, tuber enlargement activity remained almost constant during summer(June-August), but after. the middle of September, the activity increased gradually and then reached a maximum in early October. Jasmonic acid (JA) was isolated with the guidance of microtuber test and identified by gas chromatography. The level of endogenous JA in the leaves of plants was more than $290{\mu}g/kg$ at the 10 hr day length. These results seem evidences for the occurrence of the tuber enlargement activity which is formed in leaves under the short days and transmitted to under ground part to induce growth and enlargement of tuber.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the suitability of the pubertal assay and the enhanced TG 407 as methods for detection of endocrine-mediated effects, especially thyroid function. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged daily with 0, 12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg alachlor in corn oil during 30 days. The effects of alachlor on thyroid gland, the genital organs and thyroid hormone were measured in male and female rats. Dose of alachlor 25, 50 mg/kg/day increased relative weight of testis and thyroid gland in exposed male rats and decreased relative weight of vagina in exposed female rats. Relative weight of thyroid gland was decreased in alachlor 25 mg/kg/day exposed female rats. Dose of alachlor 25, 50 mg/kg/day decreased plasma T4 and testosterone in female rats. Another purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of endocrine disruptors as like thyroid hormone in vitro. Luciferase activity was measured to dectect reaction of test chemicals and thyroid hormone response elements in HeLaTRE cell. Dose of alachlor 1 nM-1000 nM increased 100-134% luciferase activity compared with control.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.471-478
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• 2000

The pharmacokinetic properties of KR-V compounds, recently developed as new anti-HIV agents, were studied after i.v. and p.o. administration in rats. The concentrations of the KR-V series were determined in rat plasma using an high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV detection system. Of the 19 KR-V compounds investigated in the present study, only KR-V 3, 10, 14, 16 and 18-1 showed oral bioavailability. The plasma concentration-time data could be adequately described by an one-compartment open model. In the i.v. kinetic study (10mg/kg), the CLt of KR-V 3, 10, 14 and 16 (>4L/hr/kg) were significantly higher than that of KR-V 18-1 (1.1 L/hr/kg). The AUC of KR-V 18-1 was greater ($8.97{\mu}g{\cdot}hr/ml$) than that of the other compounds, but the Vd (0.58 L/kg) was lower. In the p.o. kinetic study (50mg/kg), although the t-1/2 of KR-V 18-1 was shorter than that of the other compounds, the AUC ($3.659{\mu}g{\cdot}hr/ml)$ and $C_{max}(1.891{\mu}g/ml$) were markedly higher. In a seperated in vitro experiment, only KR-V 18-1, of the 5 compounds with bioavailibility, exhibits potent activity against HIV-1 mutant strains. Therefore, KR-V 18-1 is expected to become a new potent anti-AIDS drug candidate/lead compound.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.266-271
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• 2005

Background : Ethambutol(EMB) is one of the first-line drugs included in short-course anti-tuberculosis therapy. The point mutations in embB gene have been speculated to be associated EMB resistance. However, detection of embB mutations at these positions have been observed in both EMB-susceptible isolates; thus, it remains controversial whether these mutations are associated with EMB resistance Methods : The 36 M. tuberculosis isolates were selected from clinical isolates which tested susceptible to EMB and resistant to at least one drug. DNA extracted from the isolates was analyzed by amplifying embB gene. The PCR products were purified and directly sequenced. We reviewed the history of past drug susceptibility test results. Results : Out of 36 EMB-susceptible strains, 3 strains (8.3%) had a mutation in codon 306 or 406 of the embB gene. These three strains had at least isoniazid resistance. They grew at 1.0 mcg/ml of EMB in Lowenstein-Jensen media. The patients of the strains were continuously smear-positive for over 3 years despite taking TB therapy. One strain had been EMB-resistant in past drug susceptibility tests. Conclusion : EMB-susceptible strains containing embB mutation may be caused by decreased viability in vitro test not by itself.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.70-81
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• 2000

DA-5018 is a synthetic capsaicin derivative under development as a non-narcotic a analgesic ag$\varepsilon$nt. DA-50 18 showed a potent analgesic activity against acute and chronic pain m model(Tablel, 2.), but it had a narrow margin of safety. DA-5018 did not bind to opioid(${\kappa}, {\delta}, {\mu}$), NKl, CGRP receptors in vitro and its analgesic effect was not antagonized by naloxone, a and it did not develop analgesic tolerance. In addition DA-5018 had no inhibitory effects against c cyclooxygenase and 5-lipooxygenase activities. DA-5018 significantly increased the relcase of substance P from the slices of the rat spinal cord. These results suggest that DA-50 18 is not a narcotic nor aspirin-like analgesic and the release of substance P is one of analgesic mechanism of action of DA-5018. We found that DA-5018 was almost ten times more potent and was at l least IOO-times less irritable compared to capsaicin. Accordingly development of topical formula was adopted. Topical formula was desiged and screened by flux test of DA-5018 using hairless mouse skin and several formulas were selected. With these topical formulas we a assessed the analgesic efficacy and carried out the toxicity, skin irritation and pharmacokinetic studies. In streptozotocin-induced hyperalgesic rat and 50 % galactose-fed hyperalgesic rat as diabetic pain models, DA-5018 cream increased the pain thresh이ds up to 77.0% and 24.4% respectively, while Zostrix-HP(capsaicin cream) incr$\varepsilon$as cd by 65.9% and 21.0%. DA-5018 c cream showed a good analgesic effect as welI in FCA-induced arthritic rat. DA-5018 cream did not show any toxicological signs in acute and chronic toxicity test and had little skin irritation in car swclIing and scratching t$\varepsilon$st. Pharmacokinetics of DA-50 18 were studied after topical application of ${14}^C$-Iabelled or unlabelIed DA-5018 cream. Plasma and skin concentrations c except applied skin wcre below the dctection limit and after 7-day cummulative application, plasma concentrations were also below detection limit DA-50 18 may have an advantag$\varepsilon$ ov$\varepsilon$r c capsaicin and is now being developed as a topical agent for the treatment of pains. DA-50 18 cream was approved for Korean IND and is now under a Phase II clinical study for arthritic pain a after finising Phase I study. DA-50 18 was also liscensed out to Stiefel Company in America in