• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2007

Oxytocin is a neurohypophyseal hormone which has multiple functions in mammals. Mainly, oxytocin regulates milk ejection and has an effect on uterine contraction and is related to maternal behavior. Maternal behavior is believed to be suppressed by stress and facilitated by oxytocin. In the cesarean section, oxytocin may be administrated into uterus to promote uterine involution. The present study aimed to test the effect of oxytocin into uterus on maternal behavior of rats with cesarean section. It was measured the effects on maternal behavior of oxytocin infused into uterus in rats with cesarean section as a stressor. In the first experiment, pup survival rate of between a control group and a group with laparotomy as a stress in natural parturition rats was compared. In the second experiment, survival rate for 2 weeks and maternal pup searching behavior (MPSV) were observed in one cesarean sectioned group without oxytocin and the other cesarean sectioned group with oxytocin. Infanticide was observed in stressed group in the first experiment while a normal maternal behavior was observed in a control one. In the second experiment, MPSV was only observed in a cesarean sectioned group with oxytocin and infanticide was observed in two groups except one rat which is thought to be affected by oxytocin as operated relatively late. This is the first study to show that the administration of oxytocin into uterus in the cesarean section is not involved in the regulation of maternal behavior in rats. In conclusion, this study proves the needs of oxytocin into brain in cesarean section related rats model and further study of maternal behavior list, like MPSV.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 1992

The tegumental ultrastructure of juvenile and adult Echinostoma cinetorchis (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Three-day (juvenile) and 16-day (adult) worms were harvested from rats (Sprague-Dawley) experimentally fed the metacercariae from the laboratory-infected fresh water snail, Hippeutis cantori. The worms were fifed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, processed routinely, and observed by an ISI Korea DS-130 scanning electron microscope. The 3-day old juvenile worms were elongated and ventrally curved, with their ventral sucker near the anterior two-fifths of the body. The head crown was bearing 37∼38 collar spines arranged in a zigzag pattern. The lips of the oral and ventral suckers had 8 and 5 type II sensory papillae respectively, and bewteen the spines, a few type III papillae were observed. Tongue or spade-shape spines were distributed anteriorly to the ventral sucker, whereas peg-like spines were distributed posteriorly and became sparse toward the posterior body. The spines of the dorsal surface were similar to those of the ventral surface. The 16-day old adults were leaf-like, and their oral and ventral suckers were located very closely. Aspinous head crown, oral and ventral suckers had type II and type III sensory papillae, and numerous type I papillae were distributed on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker. Scale-like spines, with broad base and round tip, were distributed densely on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker but they became sparse posteriorly. At the dorsal surface, spines were observed at times only at the anterior body. The results showed that the tegument of E. cinetorchis is similar to that of other echinostomes, but differs in the number and arrangement of collar spines, shape and distribution of tegumenal spines, and type and distribution of sensory papillae.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1337-1347
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• 2009

Purpose:Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a simple sulfur-containing amino acid. It is abundantly present in tissues such as brain, retina, heart, and skeletal muscles. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of taurine, but limited data are available for such effects during neonatal period. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury via anti-apoptosis mechanism. Methods:Embryonic cortical neurons isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days gestation were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into hypoxia group, taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, and taurine-treated group after HI insult. In the in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed in 7-day-old SD rat pups. The pups were exposed to hypoxia, administered an injection of 30 mg/kg of taurine, and killed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the hypoxic insult. We compared the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 among the 3 groups by using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. Results:The cells in the taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, although similar in appearance to those in the normoxia group, were lesser in number. In the taurine-treated group, Bcl-2 expression increased, whereas Bax and caspase-3 expressions reduced. Conclusion:Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects onperinatal HI brain injury due to its anti-apoptotic effect. The neuroprotective effect was maximal at 1-2 weeks after the hypoxic injury.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1102-1111
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• 2008

Purpose : Resveratrol, extracted from red wine and grapes, has an anti-cancer effect, an antiinflammatory effect, and an antioxidative effect mainly in heart disease and also has neuroprotective effects in the adult animal model. No studies for neuroprotective effects during the neonatal periods have been reported. Therefore, we studied the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats via anti-apoptosis. Methods : Embryonic cortical neuronal cell culture of rat brain was performed using pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days of gestation (E18) for the in vitro approach. We injured the cells with hypoxia and administered resveratrol (1, 10, and $30{\mu}g/mL$) to the cells at 30 minutes before hypoxic insults. In addition, unilateral carotid artery ligation with hypoxia was induced in 7-day-old neonatal rats for the in vivo approach. We injected resveratrol (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally into animal models. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to identify the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol through anti-apoptosis. Results : In the in vitro approach of hypoxia, the expression of Bax, caspase-3, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, indicators of the level of apoptosis, were significantly increased in the hypoxia group compared to the normoxia group. In the case of the resveratrol-treated group, expression was significantly decreased compared to the hypoxia group. And the results in the in vivo approach were the same as in the in vitro approach. Conclusion : The present study demonstrates that resveratrol plays neuroprotective role in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage during neonatal periods through the mechanism of anti-apoptosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Background: The pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome with sepsis is acute lung injury (ALI) that's' caused by endotoxin (LPS). We evaluate effects of moxifloxacin on LPS-induced ALI in a rat model. Material and Method: The rats were divided into 3 groups as the control group (C), the LPS insult group (L), and the LPS+moxifloxacin treated group (L-M). ALI was induced by endotracheal instillation of E.coli LPS, then moxifloxacin was given in 30 minutes. Five hours later, we checked the lung weight/body weight ratio(the L/BW ratio), the protein & neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity & the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the expressions of cytosolic and secretory phospholipase $A_2$ (c, $sPLA_2$), and the morphology of the lung with using a light microscope. Result: The L/BW ratio, the protein content and the neutrophil count in the BALF, and the MPO activity and the MDA content in lung were significantly increased in group L compared to group C, and these factors were markedly decreased in group L-M compare to group L. The $cPLA_2$ expression and the $sPLA_2$ expression were increased in group L and the $cPLA_2$ expression was decreased in group L-M. Yet the $sPLA_2$ expression was not changed in group L-M. Morphologically, many inflammatory findings were observed in group L, but not in group L-M. Conclusion: Many of the inflammatory changes of ALI that were caused by LPS insult were ameliorated by moxifloxacin treatment.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2005

Synapses are contact points where one neuron communicates with another. The morphological change of synapses under various physiological or pathological conditions has long been hypothesized to modify their functional properties. 3-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of synapses with serial ultrathin sections has contributed to the understanding of ultrastructural dimensions and compositions of synapses. The 3-D reconstruction procedures, however, require a great amount of expertise as well as include prohibitively timeconsuming processes. Here, we introduce efficient 3-D reconstruction technique using high-voltage electron microscopy (HVEM). Primarily, we established an optimal section thickness and staining condition to observe synaptic structures in detail under HVEM. The result showed that synaptic profiles were preserved at the section thickness of 250 nm without the overlapping of synaptic ultrastructures. An increase in the reaction time of en bloc staining was most efficient to enhance contrast than the extension of postembedding staining or the addition of uranyl acetate during dehydration. Then, 3-D reconstruction of parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in the rat cerebellum was carried out with serial HVEM images and reconstruction software. The images were aligned and the contours of synapses were outlined on each section. 3-D synapses were finally extracted from the section files by grouping all the synaptic contours. The reconstructed synapse model clearly demonstrated the configuration of pre and postsynaptic components. These results suggest that 3-D reconstruction of synapses using HVEM is much efficient and suitable for massive quantitative studies on synaptic connectivity than conventional TEM approach using numerous ultrathin sections.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.47-62
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• 1981

d-amphetamine이 사람에서 paranoid schizophrenia와 아주 유사한 model psychosis를 일으키며 또한 사람과 실험동물에서 실제 정신분열증에서 뚜렷이 관찰되는 behavioral perservation을 일으킬 수 있음이 관찰되었다. 이에 많은 학자들은 이러한 양상의 행동변화가 정신분열증의 원인 추구에 중요한 의미를 주는 뇌변화를 반영할지도 모른다는 생각에 많은 연구를 거듭하여 왔다. 지금까지는 주로 catecholamine기전에 대하여 집중적 연구가 수행되어져 왔으나 최근에는 d-amphetamine의 약리기전의 일부는 5-HT기전이 차지하고 있으며, 여러 행동변화에는 catecholaimin 보다 5-HT 가 더 중요하게 관계하고 있다는 주장이 나오고 있다. 또한 d-amphetamine은 시험관내에서 MAO 특히 신경전달물질 분해요소인 A type를 가역적으로 억제할 수 있음이 보고되어 많은 흥미를 끌어왔으나 생체내에서의 억제여부는 직접적으로 확인이 되고 있지 않다. 그러나 최근에 Braestrup(1977)과 El Hait(1978)등은 간접적인 방법으로 생체내에서도 억제시킬 수 있음을 보고하고 있다. 이에 저자는 d-amphetamine에 의해 야기되는 행동변화와 그 밑바탕을 이루는 생화학적 기전에 5-HT가 차지하는 역할을 알아보기 위해서 다음의 실험을 시행하였다. 첫째, d-amphetamine의 급성, 만성 투여가 5-HT의 5-HIAA 로의 turnover와 MAO활성도에 어떤 영향을 미치며, 더 나아가서 이 양자사이에 어느 정도 상관관계가 있는지를 알아보기 위해서 d-amphetamine을 투여한 후 시간 경과에 따라서 뇌내 5-HT, 5-HIAA, 5-HT turnover rate와 MAO 활성도를 측정하였다. 둘째, d-amphetamine, 5-HT 합성을 증가시키는 약물과 합성을 억제시키는 약물을 투여하고, 위의 생화학적 실험과 행동관찰을 병합 실시하여 비교분석하였다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1) d-amphetamine (6 mg/kg)을 급성투여시, 뇌내 5-HT함량이 투여 1시간 후에 최고로(대조치의 123%, p<0.001) 증가되다가 이후 감소하며, 5-HIAA 함량은 처음 15분부터 감소하기 시작하다가 30분에 최저로 떨어지며(대조치의 78%, p<0.005) 이후 증가하여 24시간째는 약간 대조치 이상으로 회복되었다. 미토콘드리아 MAO활성도는 1시간째에 최저로 떨어지다가(대조치의 89%, p<0.05)이후 회복하기 시작하여 24시간째에 약간 대조치 이상으로 회복되었다. 5-HT의 turnover rate는 MAO활성도 변화와 거의 같은 변화를 보였다. 2) 만성투여시 (하루 2번, 14일간 투여)는 5-HT 함량, 5-HIAA 함량, MAO 활성도 및 5-HT turnover rate 모두가 중등도로 감소되었다. (각각 대조치의 87%, 69%, 80%, 79%). 3) MAO 활성도와 5-HT turnover rate 사이에는 높은 상관관계가 있었다. (r=0.866, p<0.001, N=94). 4) MAO 활성도의 역동학 실험에서는 대조치에 비해 투여군에서 Km 값은 의미가 있는 증가가 있었으나 $V_{max}$값은 큰 변동이 없었다. 5) d-amphetamine을 급성 투여할때는 sleeping과 lying components는 상당한 감소를 보인 반면, locomotor activity 는 1시간까지는 상당한 증가를 보였으며 용량이 적을수록 더 큰 증가가 있었다. 반면 stereotypy는 1시간까지 용량이 증가할수록 더 큰 증가가 나타나서 locomotor activity에서 stereotypy 의 증가로 이행을 나타내었다. 만성 투여시는 locomotor activity는 점차적인 감소를 보였으나 stereotypy는 점차적인 증가가 나타나서 14일쯤에는 평형에 도달하였다. 6) PCPA 단독 투여군(400 mg/kg, 3번)에 있어서는 5-HT와 5-HIAA 함량의 상당한 감소가 나타났으나 MAO 활성도와 행동에는 큰 변화를 나타내지 않았다. PCPA전 처치군에 있어서도 5-HT와 5-HIAA 함량은 마찬가지로 상당한 감소를 나타내었으나 gnawing, sniffing과 locomotor activity는 더 증가를, stereotyped head weaving, forepaw treading과 hindlimb abduction은 상당한 감소를 나타내었다. 7) L-tryptophan(100 mg/kg)단독 투여시는 5-HT 함량은 약간 증가를 나타내었으나 5-HIAA 함량은 상당한 증가를 보였다. MAO활성도나 행동은 큰 변화없었다. L-tryptophan 전처치군에 있어서는 5-HT 함량은 더 큰 증가를 보였으나, 5-HIaa 함량은 MAO 활성도는 별 변화없었으며 stereotypedlateral head waving, forepaw treading 과 hindlimb abduction은 증가를, locomotor activity, gnawing과 sniffing components는 감소를 나타내었다. 8) d-amphetamine 단독투여, 혹은 L-tryptophan 전처치, PCPA 전처치후 측정한 5-HT 함량과 stereotyped head weaving, forepaw treading, hinilimb abduction components 사이에는 높은 상관관계가 있었다(r=0.789, p<0.001). 반면 5-HT 함량과 locomotor activity, stereotyped gnawing과 sniffing components 사이에는 약한 음성의 상관관계가 있었다. (r=0.554, p <0.005). 이상의 결과로 미루어 볼때 5-HT의 5-HIAA 로의 turnover rate 는 주로 MAO 활성도에 의해서 조절되며 5-HT 기전이 d-amphetamine에 의해서 야기된 여러 행동변화 중 상당한 부분에서 중요한 역할을 하리라고 생각된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1751-1760
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• 2015

Mucin2 (MUC2), an important regulatory factor in the immune system, plays an important role in the host defense system against bacterial translocation. Probiotics known to regulate MUC2 gene expression have been widely studied, but the interactions among probiotic, pathogens, and mucin gene are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of MUC2 in blocking effects of probiotics on meningitic E. coli-induced pathogenicities. In this study, live combined probiotic tablets containing living Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus were used. MUC2 expression was knocked down in Caco-2 cells by RNA interference. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), which enhances mucin-promoted probiotic effects through inducing production of Sadenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), was used to up-regulate MUC2 expression in Caco-2 cells. The adhesion to and invasion of meningitic E. coli were detected by competition assays. Our studies showed that probiotic agents could block E. coli-caused intestinal colonization, bacteremia, and meningitis in a neonatal sepsis and meningitis rat model. MUC2 gene expression in the neonatal rats given probiotic agents was obviously higher than that of the infected and uninfected control groups without probiotic treatment. The prohibitive effects of probiotic agents on MUC2-knockdown Caco-2 cells infected with E44 were significantly reduced compared with nontransfected Caco-2 cells. Moreover, the results also showed that 5-Aza-CdR, a drug enhancing the production of SAMe that is a protective agent of probiotics, was able to significantly suppress adhesion and invasion of E44 to Caco-2 cells by upregulation of MUC2 expression. Taken together, our data suggest that probiotic agents can efficiently block meningitic E. coli-induced pathogenicities in a manner dependent on MUC2.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.355-366
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• 2002

Background : The heat shock protein (HSP) 70 families are known to protect cells against the irreversible tissue injury induced by stress and to induce the recovery of cell function during stress. Heat pretreatment was reported to decrease the acute lung injury (ALI) of rats induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the role of heat shock with LPS co-treatmenton ALI is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of heat treatment, which was given immediately after the beginning of ALI induced by LPS intratracheally administered in rats. Methods : Either saline (saline group) or LPS was intratracheally instilled without heat treatment (LPS group). In addition, heat was conducted 18 hours prior to the instillation of LPS (pre-treatment group) and conducted immediately after instillation of LPS (co-treatment group). Six hours after the LPS or saline treatment, blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue samples were obtained. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the heat shock protein expression in the lung tissue, the differential counts of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the BAL fluids, and the LDH, protein, $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-10 levels in BAL fluid and serum were measured. Results : 1) The MPO activity, the differential PMN counts in the BAL fluid, BAL fluid and serum cytokines were higher in the LPS, the heat pre-treatment and co-treatment group than those of the saline group (p value <0.05). 2) The MPO activity and the protein level in the BAL fluid from the heat co-treatment group were similar to those of the LPS group. 3) The serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ level of the heat co-treatment group was significantly higher than that of the LPS group (p=0.01). Conclusion : Heat shock response administered immediately after a LPS instillation did not attenuate the ALI in this model.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.424-429
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate whether peripheral or central administration of triptolide is involved in pain modulation in inflammatory orofacial pain. The inflammatory orofacial pain was induced by the injection of 5% formalin into right vibrissa pad of rats. The pain behavioral response was measured the number of grooming or scratching on the orofacial area for 9 successive 5 minutes intervals. Triptolide was administrated into the identified vibrissa pad (12.5, 25, $50{\mu}g/50{\mu}l$) or intracisternal space (0.01, 0.1, $1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) 10 min before formalin injection. The nociceptive responses were reduced in the 2nd phase (11~45 minutes), particularly 20, 30 minutes after fomalin injection following administration of triptolide into vibrissa pad (25, $50{\mu}g/50{\mu}l$). Intracisternal ($1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) administration of triptolide alleviated the formalin-induced pain behaviors in the 2nd phase, especially 25~40 minutes after formalin injection. Triptolide could be a promising analgesic agent in the treatment of inflammatory orofacial pain.