A Survey on the Public Perceptions of Disaster-Related Mental Health Service / 신경정신의학

Objectives@#This study examined post-disaster mental health problems and related public perception of disaster-related mental health services. The differences of these perceptions according to the disaster experience and disaster type were also investigated. @*Methods@#Data were collected via telephone and online surveys, and information from 2928 respondents was analyzed. The participants were allocated across age, sex, and residence area. @*Results@#Those who had experienced disasters showed a more negative perception of post-disaster mental health services than those who had not. While natural disaster survivors most often reported financial problems as secondary stressors after a disaster, social disaster survivors were more likely to report mental health problems. Regarding national mental health support for disaster, disaster-experiencing respondents more often tended to prefer mental health services than non-disaster-experiencing respondents. @*Conclusion@#The current study can help understand the public perception of disaster-related mental health and the needs of mental health services. These findings could suggest directions and grounds for policies of a national support system for disaster-related mental health.

Gene expression profiling of mouse aborted uterus induced by lipopolysac charide / 대한해부학회지

To identify genes that participate in the abortion process, normal pregnant uteri were compared to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced abortion uteri. At day 6 of pregnancy, mice were treated with LPS at various time points to induce an abortion. Total RNAs were applied to a cDNA microarray to analyze genes with altered expression. At the early stage (2 hours) of LPS-induced abortion, upregulated genes were mainly composed of immune responsive genes, including Ccl4, Ccl2, Cxcl13, Gbp3, Gbp2, Mx2, H2-Eb1, Irf1 and Ifi203. Genes related to toll-like receptor signaling were also overexpressed. At late stages of abortion (12-24 hours), many genes were suppressed rather than activated, and these were mainly related to the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, and anti-apoptosis. Altered expression of several selected genes was confirmed by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that many known genes were altered in the LPS-treated pregnant uterus, implying that the molecular mechanisms of the genes involved in LPS-induced abortion are complicated. Further analysis of this expression profile will help our understanding of the pathophysiological basis for abortion.

Bilateral asymmetric supernumerary heads of biceps brachii / 대한해부학회지

Anatomical variations of the biceps brachii have been described by various authors, but the occurrence of bilateral asymmetric supernumerary heads is rare and has not been reported. We found three accessory heads of the biceps brachii muscle on right arm and an anomalous third head of biceps brachii on left arm. The third, fourth, and fifth heads of right arm originated from the body of humerus at the insertion site of coracobrachialis and inserted into the distal part of biceps brachii short head in order. The third head of left arm originated from humerus at the insertion site of coracobrachialis and combined with the distal part of biceps brachii and continued to the proximal part of common biceps tendon. Understanding the existence of bilateral asymmetric supernumerary heads of biceps brachii may influence preoperative diagnosis and surgery on the upper limbs.

Alterations of COX-1, 2 mRNA and Protein Expression in Pregnant Rat Kidney / 대한해부학회지

The pregnancy causes the marked changes in maternal renal hemodynamic and volume homeostasis. During pregnancy, renal sodium and water retention result in an expansion of extracellular fluid and plamsma volume. This study was to examine the alteration of expression and localization of COX-1, 2, mRNAs and proteins in the kidneys of non-pregnant (NP) and pregnant rats using RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated on various time sets : days 10.5 (P10.5), 12.5 (P12.5), 17.5 (P17.5), and 19.5 (P19.5). In RT-PCR, COX-1 expression was gradually increased from P10.5 to P19.5 compared with NP rat. COX-2 expression was gradually decreased from P10.5 to P17.5 compared with NP rat, but restored NP level at P19.5. In Western blot analysis, COX-1, 2 proteins were detected in ~70, ~72 kDa, respectively. COX-1 expression was gradually increased from P10.5 to P17.5 and peaked at P19.5 compared with NP rat. COX-2 expression of pregnant rats was slightly decreased compared with NP rat. In NP rat, immunoreactivity of COX-1 was detected in entire collecting duct, glomerular epithelium, and medullary interstitial cells. In pregnant rats, the pattern of cellular labeling and signal intensity of COX-1 protein was identical to NP rat, but signal intensity was markedly increased in the inner stripe of outer medulla and inner medulla at P19.5. COX-2 immunoreactivity of NP rat was detected in the cortical thick ascending limb and macula densa. In pregnant rats, the pattern of cellular labeling of COX-2 protein was identical to NP rat, but signal intensity was slightly decreased. These results suggest that the expansion of extracellular fluid volume and water retention may be partly regulated by COX-1 rather than COX-2 during the pregnancy, especially at late stage.

Immunohistochemical Localizaion of Carbonic Anhydrase Isozymes IV and IX in Rat Salivary Gland / 대한해부학회지

This study presents distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes IV and IX, membrane associated forms, and CA I and II, cytoplasmic forms, in rat parotid and submandibular glands using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Western blot analysis demonstrated that CAs I, II and IX were found to be abundantly expressed, but CA IV was weakly expressed in parotid gland. Submandibular gland expressed abundant CAs I and II, weak CA IX, and undetectable level of CA IV. In hematoxylin-eosin staining, parotid gland was entirely composed of serous acini and their ducts while submandibular gland was mixed population of serous and mucous lobules. Most of lobules (submandibular gland proper type) contained mostly serous acini and their ducts with granular convoluted duct. Some lobules (sublingual gland type) contained mostly mucous acini with serous demilune and their ducts without granular convoluted duct. In parotid gland, CAs IV and IX were immunolocalized in duct cells and not in serous acinar cells. Immunoreactivity for CAs I and II was also detectable in duct cells. Serous acinar cells were positive for CA II, and negative for CA I. In submandibular gland, CAs IV and IX were immunolocalized in duct cells but not in acinar cells of both types of lobules. Immunoreactivity for CAs I and II was also detectable in duct cells of both types of lobules. Cells of serous acini and serous demilune were positive for CA II, and negative for CA I. Mucous cells were negative for both CAs I and II. These results demonstrate the distribution of CA isoenzymes in parotid and submandibular glands of the rat, and suggest CAs IV and IX as well as CAs I and II are related to electrolytes metabolism of saliva in duct cells.

Expression and Localization of General Transcription Factor IIA Gene in Hypokalemic Rat / 대한해부학회지

Potassium balance in chronic hypokalemia is regulated by ion channels, ion transporters, and various related genes. We isolated general transcription factor IIA (GTF IIA) gene using a DNA chip microassay, a useful method in cloning genes. Northern analysis and in situ hybridization (ISH) were carried out to analyze the expression and localization of GTF IIA mRNA in rat in relation to the amount of potassium in the diet. Isoform-specific 32P-labeled cDNA (Northern analysis) or digoxigenin-labeled cRNA (ISH) probes were used. Northern analysis demonstrated that GTF IIA mRNA was expressed abundantly in testis; modestly in heart, kidney, lung, adrenal gland, liver, and spleen; and weakly in brain, distal colon, duodenum, salivary gland, and stomach. In potassium-restricted animals, GTF IIA expression was decreased in the kidney, adrenal gland, and spleen, but expression was restored to normal levels in L3w. The expression level in the lung was decreased in L3d and L2w, and increased in L1w and L3w. ISH showed that mRNA for the GTF IIA gene was detected in the distal convoluted tubule, S3 segment of the proximal tubule, and cortical collecting duct in the normal group. In potassium-restricted groups, the hybridization signal was detected in the distal convoluted tubule, S3 segment of the proximal tubule, and entire collecting tubule. The signal intensity of the outer and inner medullary collecting ducts was higher in the potassium-restricted group than in the normal group but was decreased in the distal convoluted tubule and S3 segment of the proximal tubule. In the normal group, mRNA of the GTF IIA gene was detected in the zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal gland, lymphocytes of the marginal zone, germinal center of the spleen, and bronchial epithelium and lymphocytes of the lung. mRNA for the GTF IIA gene was also detected in the cells of the basal portion of the intestinal glands of the distal colon and stomach, and in spermatogonia and spermatocytes of the seminiferous tubule. These results suggest that expression of GTF IIA differs between various tissues and that increased expression of the GTF IIA gene in the outer and inner medullary collecting ducts of the hypokalemic kidney might regulate the ion transporter genes in these segments.

Immunohistochemical Distribution of Carbonic Anhydrase in Rat Exorbital Lacrimal Gland / 대한해부학회지

There are several carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes, which differ in their kinetic properties, tissue distribution, and subcellular localization. In this study, the distribution of CA isozymes I, II, IV, and IX was investigated in the rat exorbital lacrimal gland using Western blotting analysis and immunohistochemical staining. In the Western blotting analysis of the rat lacrimal gland, CA II and CA IX were expressed abundantly and CA IV was expressed weakly. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the exorbital lacrimal gland showed a multilobular tubuloacinar gland composed of acinar and ductal cells. Immunohistochemical reaction revealed no CAI staining in acinar cells and positive staining in intercalated and small duct cells. CA II reactivity was detected in the supranuclear cytoplasm of acinar cells and appeared to vary between acini. The intercalated and collecting duct cells showed weak or no immunoreactivity for CA II. CA IV was detected in the intercalated and collecting duct cells but not at the acinar cells. CA IX was detected in the intercalated and collecting duct cells, and in only a few acinar cells. These results demonstrate the differential distribution of CA isoenzymes in the exorbital lacrimal gland of the rat and suggest that CA II is related mainly to the electrolyte metabolism of tears in the acinar cells and that CAs I, IV, and IX are related to the electrolyte metabolism of tears in the duct cells.

Application of Tyramide Signal Amplification (TSA) Both to Biochip Platform and to the Immunoelectron Microscopy to Label Proteins within the Organelle / 대한해부학회지

The tyramide signal amplification (TSA) technique, based on the ability of HRP to catalyze the deposition of tyramide onto the surrounding proteins, has been proved to detect scarce tissue antigens. In this study we applied this technique to a biochip platform and an immunocytochemistry at the electron microscopic level. First, in the optical fluorescence sensing, the signal was amplified by Dako Envision(TM) (goat anti-mouse immunoglobulins IgG conjugated to peroxidase labelled-dextran polymer) and tyramide-Cy3, which was then compared to the non-amplified control using goat antimouse IgG-Cy3 conjugate instead. The result showed that the tyramide method produced a more sensitive signal than the control method. Secondly, in the pre-embedding immunocytochemistry, we investigated to see whether it is possible to label proteins within a organelle in the cell using the TSA method. The signal was amplified by a primary antibody, a biotinylated secondary antibody, streptavidin-HRP, biotinyl-tyramide, and streptavidinnanogold followed by silver enhancement and gold toning. Then, this protocol was compared to the non-amplified or simple protocol that does not include the steps of streptavidin-HRP and biotinyl-tyramide. With the TSA protocol, the labeling for a membrane bound antigen (gp100) that is known to be exclusively localized to melanosomes in melanocyte, was tested in a melanoma cell line (G361) and found to be highly sensitive and more enhanced than with the simple protocol. Moreover, the gold particles were well localized to the subcellular structures or melanosomes both in the TSA and simple protocols, which indicates that resolution of the signals remains high. Control experiment with omission of the primary antibody demonstrated that background levels or nonspecific bindings are negligible. This result showed that the TSA method can be successfully applied to label the intra-organelle protein that is known to be labeled only in the specific fixation condition with the optimal permeability.

Immunohistochemical Study on the Distribution of Carbonic Anhydrase Isozymes in Pancreatic Islet of Rat / 대한해부학회지

The distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoenzymes I, II, IV, and IX was investigated in pancreatic islet of the rat using Western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry. Western blotting analysis demonstrated strong CAI and II expression, but weak CAIV and no CAIX expression. Immunohistochemical reaction of pancreatic islet revealed no staining for CAI and II. CAIV was detected in the peripheral cells of the islet. CAIX was detected in the peripheral cells and occasional in the centrally located cells. Signals for CAIV were observed at the plasma membrane and/or in the cytoplasm of islet cells. Location of CAIV in the A cells was confirmed by subjecting serial sections of pancreas to staining for CAIV and glucagon, which showed colocalization in the A cells. Immunohistochemical staining of pancreatic acinus revealed abundant staining for CAI in interacinar blood vessels and CAII in ductal and acinar cells. These results demonstrate the differential distribution of CA isoenzymes in pancreatic islet, and suggest that A cells of pancreatic islet might contain both CAIV and IX.

Regulations of Bicarbonate Ions in Pregnant Rat Kidney / 대한해부학회지

The marked hemodynamic and hormonal changes of normal pregnancy are associated with striking alterations in renal physiology involving structure, dynamics, tubular function, and volume homeostasis. A number of acid-base or electrolyte disorders are associated with decreased or increased HCO3-reabsorption in the renal tubules. The present study was to examine the alterations of expression and distribution of Na+/HCO3-cotransporter (NBC), Na+/H+ exchanger-3 (NHE-3), and carbonic anhydrase I and II (CA I, II) proteins in the kidneys of non-pregnant (NP) and pregnant rats using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Sprague-Dawley female rats were studied on days 10 (P 10), 12 (P 12), 14 (P 14), 17 (P 17), and 19 (P 19) of pregnancy. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the expression of NBC, ~110 kDa at molecular mass, was increased in pregnant rats, particularly P 12, compared with NP rat. The expression of NHE-3, ~83 kDa at molecular mass, was increased in pregnant rats, particularly P 12 and P 14. The expression of CA I, ~30 kDa at molecular mass, was decreased in pregnant rats, particularly P 14, but, CA II protein, ~30 kDa at molecular mass, was similar NP rat. In immunohistochemistry, strong immunoreactivity of NBC of NP rat was exclusively detected in the basolateral membranes of S1 and S2 segment of proximal tubules whereas not in S3 segment. In pregnant rats, the pattern of cellular labeling of NBC was identical to that of NP rat, but signal intensity was increased, particularly P 12. In NHE-3, strong immunoreactivity was detected in apical membranes and brush borders of S3 segments and moderate in S1 and S2 segments. In pregnant rats, the pattern of cellular labeling was identical to that of NP rat, but the signal intensity was increased, particularly P 12 and P 14. Expression of CA I and II proteins was detected in entire collecting duct. Signal intensity was prominent in type A intercalated cells and moderate in type B intercalated cells. In pregnant rats, the pattern of cellular labeling of CA I and II proteins was identical to that of non-pregnant rat, but the signal intensity of CA I was decreased in cortical collecting duct, particularly P 14 and CA II was identical to that of NP rat. These results suggest that the regulation of NBC and NHE-3 expressions in the proximal tubules and CA I expression in cortical collecting duct may maintain HCO3-concentration during the pregnancy.

Adaptive Responses to Dexamethasone Treatment in Rat Kidney Proximal Tubules / 대한해부학회지

Excess accumulation of glucocorticoid increases acid secretion and HCO3- reabsorption in the kidney. Reabsorption of HCO3-, which almost occurs at the proximal tubule, is mediated Na+ / H+ exchanger-3 (NHE-3) and H+ -ATPase on the apical membrane and the Na + /HCO3- cotransporter-1 (NBC-1)on the basolateral membrane. Impact of glucocorticoid was investigated by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy to correlate the changes with the effect of in vivo dexamethasone treatment for the rat kidney proximal tubule. In a control group, immunoreactivity of NHE-3 was detected in the apical membrane and the brush borders of S1, S2 and 3 segments of the proximal tubule. Immunoreactivity of NBC-1 was detected in the basolateral membrane of S1 and S2 segments of the proximal tubule. Immunoreactivity of NHE-3 and NBC-1 protein was more pronounced in dexamethasone treated groups than the control group. Dexamethasone 1 mg/kg caused most intense immunoreactivity for NHE-3 and NBC-1 protein, however, 0.01 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg produced less intense immunoreactivity with no appreciable differences between these lower doses of dexamethasone groups. By electron microscopy, the tubular cells of S1 segment of the control group revealed numerous mitochondria, endocytic apparatuses, lysosomes and many basal cytoplasmic processes. In dexamethasone treated groups, the cells of S1 and S2 segments of the proximal tubule had more mitochodria and more basolateral invaginations and had an increased number of more elongated microvilli, compared with the control group. The cells of the S3 segment of the control group showed scant lateral interdigitations and had a few smaller mitochondria. The cells of the S3 segment of dexamethasone treated groups had many mitochodria and an increased number of microvilli in the brush border, but revealed no difference of basolateral invaginations among the different groups of dexamethasone. These results indicate that prolonged administration of excess glucocorticoid increases NHE-3 and NBC-1 protein, and the up-regulation of these proteins could result in increased HCO3 - reabsorption in the rat renal proximal tubules. It also suggests that these adaptive responses closely correlate to morphological alterations of proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Effect of Insulin Therapy on Vagina in Diabetic Rat / 대한해부학회지

The most commonly reported sexual problems in diabetic women are sexual arousal disorder and a lack of vaginal lubrication. The aims of this study were to investigate the vaginal structural changes and expressions of TGF-beta1, Ec-NOS and estrogen receptor alphaby histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis in diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic rats. The mean blood glucose levels were significantly increased in the diabetic rats (453+/-88.4 mg/dL)compared to the control group (79+/-6 mg/dL)and insulin-treated diabetic rats (56.7+/-0.6 mg/dL).The vaginal wall in control rat showed 6~11 layered stratified squamous epithelial lining and submucosal smooth muscle, connective tissue and vasculatures. In diabetic rat, the vaginal epithelium was reduced to 2~6 layers and the submucosal vasculatures were decreased n size and number.Collagen fibers were increased and irregularly distorted arrangement. Insulin-treated diabetic rat showed similar morphologic features as control rat.In diabetic rat, TGF-beta1 expression was upregulated by 1.65 times and Ec-NOS expression was 40% downregulated compared to control and insulin-treated diabetic rats in Western blot analysis. In control and insulin-treated diabetic rats, TGF-beta1 immunoreactivity was detected in fibroblasts and the collagen fibers, Ec-NOS immunoreactivity in the endothelial cells of blood vessels, and estrogen receptor alphaimmunoreactivity in the basal and intermediate cell layers of stratified squamous epithelium, smooth muscle fibers, and nerve fibers. In diabetic rat, expression of TGF-beta1, Ec-NOS, and estrogen receptor alphawas exhibited comparable cellular patterns of labeling, but signal intensity was increased in TGF-beta1 and decreased in Ec-NOS and estrogen receptor alpha. These results suggest that vaginal tissue fibrosis in diabetes mellitus may be caused by altered expression of TGF-beta1, NOS and estrogen. It also mplies that sexual arousal disorder and lack of vaginal lubrication in the diabetic women could be protected or delayed by controlling blood glucose levels.

Alterations of Cyclooxygenase-1, 2 Expression in Hypokalemic Rat Kidney / 대한해부학회지

A number of acid-base or electrolyte disorders are associated with decreased or increased HCO3- reabsorption in the renal tubules. There has been a general agreement that potassium depletion induces metabolic alkalosis and affects the expression of the several ion transporters in rats. The present study was to examine the alterations of expression and distribution of COX-1, 2 mRNAs and proteins in the kidneys of normal and K-depleted rats using RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Predicted size of COX-1 mRNA was 306 bp. It's expression was increased in K-depleted rats, particularly LK 2W, but decreased in LK 3D. Predicted size of COX-2 mRNA was 356 bp and it's expression was increased in K-depleted rats, particularly LK 2W. Western blot analysis demonstrated that COX-1 protein, ~70 kDa at molecular mass, was increased in potassium-depleted rats, particularly LK 2W and decreased in LK 3D, compared with normal rat. COX-2 protein, ~72 kDa at molecular mass, was only increased in LK 3D and others were comparable with normal rat. In immunohistochemistry, COX-1 was detected in entire collecting duct, intraglomerular mesangial cells, arterial endothelial cells, medullary interstitial cells, papillary epithelial cells, and pelvic epithelium. Signal intensity of the collecting duct was more increased toward the papillary tip. In K-depleted rat, the pattern of cellular labeling of COX-1 protein was identical to that of normal rat. However, the signal intensity of LK 3D was only decreased in cortical and outer medullary collecting duct and that of LK 2W was increased particularly in the inner stripe of outer medullary collecting duct and proximal 1/3 inner medullary collecting duct. Immunoreactivity of COX-2 of normal rat was detected in the cortical thick ascending limb and macula densa. In K-depleted rat, the pattern of cellular labeling of COX-2 protein was identical to that of normal rat, but the signal intensity was only increased in LK 3D rat. These results suggest that chronic hypokalemia enhances the expression of COX-1, 2 mRNAs and proteins and the regulation of K reabsorption depends on COX-1 rather than COX-2 by the portions of expression.

Effect of Delayed Estrogen Replacement on Clitoral Corpus Cavernosal Blood Flow and Histologic Composition in Rabbit / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: A decline in the circulating levels of estrogen impairs clitoral engorgement and leads to histopathological changes in the clitoral corpus cavernosum. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of delayed estrogen replacement on the clitoral corpus cavernosal blood flow and histological composition in castrated rabbit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand White female rabbits(3.0-3.5kg) were randomly divided into three groups of five; two groups(castration group, estrogen replacement group) were castrated and the control group underwent sham operations. Nine weeks after surgery, the hormone replacement group received subcutaneous injections of estrogen(50microgram/kg/day), whereas the castrated group received vehicles for 4 weeks. The clitoral blood flow(ml/min/100g tissue) was measured by a laser Doppler flow meter before and after pelvic nerve stimulation(PNS). Clitoral tissue was processed for histology with Masson's trichrome stain. The expression of TGF-beta was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The clitoral corpus cavernosal blood flow after PNS was significantly decreased in the castrated gruop(5.1+/-1.7) compared with the control group(9.3+/-3.1), and increased in the estrogen replacement group(7.4+/-0.4), but without statistical significance compared with the castrated group. On histomorphometry, the percentage of clitoral cavernosal smooth muscle in the castrated group(49.0+/-4.4) was significantly decreased compared with the control(58.7+/-2.3) and the estrogen replacement groups (62.7+/-4.2). The TGF-beta immunoreactivity was increased in both the castrated and estrogen replacement groups. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed estrogen replacement improved the clitoral corpus cavernosal blood flow and increased the percentage of clitoral cavernosal smooth muscle, even though there was evidence of cavernosal fibrosis in the castrated rabbits. These results suggest that delayed estrogen replacement therapy seems to improve sexual function in menopausal women.

Intracavernosal Injection of Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 Improves Erectile Function in Aging Rat / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is known to promote the proliferation and migration of penile cavernous smooth muscle cells in rat. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether IGF-1 could restore erectile function in the aging rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: young (4~5 months; n=10) and old (24 months; n=30). The old group was further divided into vehicle only (phosphate buffered saline plus 0.1% bovine serum albumin; n=10) and IGF-1 treatment (100 microgram; n=20) groups. Half of the IGF-1 dose (50 microgram) was injected on the first day, and half was injected on the third day. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, erectile function was evaluated by hemodynamic study, and corpus cavernosal histology was examined by histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: The ratio of peak intracavernosal pressure to systemic arterial blood pressure was significantly lower in the vehicle-only old rats (63.1 8.5%) compared to young rats (74.6 3.2%) (p=0.016). However, after 4 weeks of treatment, the ratio was significantly increased in the IGF-1 treatment group (77.2 7.0%) compared to the vehicle-only group (p<0.05). The percentage of smooth muscle was significantly lower in the vehicle-only old rats (12.8 2.2%) compared to young rats (17.8 3.7%) (p=0.047), whereas, it was significantly increased in the IGF-1 treatment group (19.4 3.3%) compared to the vehicle-only group (p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Intracavernosal injection of IGF-1 in the old rats resulted in increased intracavernosal pressure and higher percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle. These results suggest that intracavernosal injection of IGF-1 appears to restore smooth muscle integrity and improve erectile function in aged rats.

Localization of Cyclooxygenase Isozymes in Skin Wound Healing in Mouse / 대한해부학회지

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 expressions in the incisional wound healing of mouse skin were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. By Western blotting, compared to normal skin, COX-2 activity was increased at days 1, 4, 8, and 12 and was maximal at 4 day after incisional wound of mouse skin whereas COX-1 was barely detectable. In normal skin, COX-1 immunostaining was observed among the basal cells of epidermis whereas COX-2 immunostaining was detected in the more differentiated, suprabasal keratinocytes. At 1~4 days after wound, COX-2 staining was particularly prominent in the inflammatory cells, and at day 8, many macrophage-like cells were stained positively. COX-2 immunoreactive fibroblast, macrophage-like cells, and newly formed vascular endothelial cells were increased in number at 12 days after incision. These data suggest that COX-2 is constitutively expressed, just as is COX-1, in epidermis and is associated with keratinocyte differentiation. In addition, these findings support the well-established role for COX-2, the prostaglandins that they generate, as mediators of inflammatory response.

A Study on Ciliogenesis of Tracheal Epithelium in Human Fetus / 대한해부학회지

Ciliogenesis was investigated in the tracheal epithelium of human fetus at mid trimester of gestation (15~22 weeks), and the substructure of basal body was studied with serial, cross sections. The ciliogenic cells were long columnar cells with an electron -lucent cytoplasm, and contained rich free ribosomes and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Apical cytoplasm of these cells contained various structures related to ciliogenesis including fibrous granules, procentrioles, centrioles and basal bodies. Basal bodies were located near apical plasma membrane and had basal foot and striated rootlets. In cross section, alar sheets appeared at transitional area between distal portion of basal body and axoneme, and basal foot at distal portion of basal body. Alar sheets arouse from each peripheral triplets of basal body and projected radially clockwise in apex to base view. Basal foot was a cone shaped structure with cross striation which base attached to two or three of the peripheral triplet sets and apex converged to basal foot cap. Three dimentional reconstruction by serial cross section of the basal body showed a structural relationship of alar sheets and basal feet with basal body. By immunohistochemistry, alpha -tubulin label was seen in both basal and surface ciliated cells, and gamma-tubulin label was seen in the apical region of surface cilated cells. These results indicate that ciliogenesis of tracheal epithelium of human fetus is performed mainly by acentriolar ciliogenesis, and suggest the ciliogenesis and ciliary movement at mid trimester of gestation are active.

Downregulation of TGF-beta1 Expression in Penile Corpus Cavernosum by Antisense TGF-beta1 Oligonucleotides in Diabetic Rat / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides on the expression of TGF-beta1 in the penile corpus cavernosum of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (200-210 g) were divided into two groups: control (n=10) and experimental group (n=30). The experimental group was received intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). After 2 weeks, development of diabetes was verified by measuring body weight and blood sugar levels. The experimental group was divided further into 3 groups: vehicle (liposome only), sense oligomer group, and antisense oligomer (5'-CCGAGGGCGGCATGGGGGA-3') group. Penile tissues were used to perform Western analysis and immunohistochemistry for the TGF-beta1 expression. RESULTS: The mean glucose concentrations were 86 9 mg/dl in the control group and 485 119 mg/dl in the experimental group. Downregulation of TGF-beta1 protein expression was noted in the antisense oligomer group compared to sense oligomer group. In the immunohistochemistry, control group showed weak immunoreactivity whereas vehicle or sense oligomer group showed strong immunoreactivity both after 1 and 5 days of treatment. Antisense oligomer treated diabetic group showed weak immunoreactivity similar to control group after 1 day of treatment, even though they showed similar immunoreactivity as vehicle or sense oligomer group after 5 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides suppressed the expression of TGF-beta1 in the corpus cavernosum of diabetic rats. It implies that penile corpus cavernosal fibrosis may be prevented by the application of antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides.

Morphological Adaptive Responses of Intercalated Cell of Renal Collecting Duct to Chronic Changes of Potassium Diet / 대한신장학회잡지

Potassium(K+) balance is achieved by the control of urinary K+ excretion and by the control of K+ absorption from the digestive tract. It has been established that chronic potassium depletion is associated with a remarkable hypertrophy of the outer medullary collecting duct of the kidney. But, there are no morphological studies regarding the intercalated cells during the chronic changes of potassium diet. Electron microscopy was performed to observe the morphological alterations of the intercalated cell of the entire collecting duct in response to chronic changes of potassium diet in rat kidney. By electron microscopy, the characteristic features of normal type A intercalated cell of the cortical collecting duct included numerous micro-projections of the apical plasma membrane, complicated basal infolding, apical cytoplasmic tubulovesicles, evenly distributed mitochondia, and centrally located nucleus. In potasium-depleted type A intercalated cell, microprojections of the apical plasma membrane were increased in length and number, basal infoldings were uncomplicated, tubulovesicles were almostly disappeared, and mitochondria were increased in number. Type A intercalated cell of potassium-loading after restriction was found to be almost normal except longer microprojections and increased mitochondria. The characteristic features of normal intercalated cell of the outer medullarycollecting duct(OMCD) included relatively short micro-projections of the apical plasma membrane, uncomplicated basal infoldings, apical cytoplasmic tubulovesicles, and apically distributed mitochondia. In comparison with normal, potassium-depleted intercalated cell of OMCD was hypertrophy, microprojections of the apical plasma membrane were increased in length and number, basal infoldings were complicated, tubulovesicles were almost disappeared, mitochondria were increased in number, and several lysosomes were appeared. Intercalated cell of OMCD of potassium-loading after restriction was found to be almost normal except increased cell size, longer microprojections, and increased mitochondria and lysosomes compared to control. The characteristic features of normal intercalated cell of the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) included very short and scant microprojections of the apical plasma membrane, uncomplicated basal infoldings,apica cytoplasmic tubulovesicles, evenly distributed mitochondia, and some lysosomes. In potasium-depleted intercalated cell of IMCD, cell size was prominently increased, microprojections of the apical plasma membrane were increased in length and number, basal infoldings were complicated, tubulovesicles were almostly disappeared, and mitochondria were increased in number. Intercalated cell of IMCD of potassium-loading after restriction was found to be almost normal except increased cell size and increased microprojections in number and length compared to control. These results suggest that intercalated cells adapt through morphological changes to preserve potassium balance during chronic changes of potassium diet.

Morphological Adaptive Responses of Gastric Parietal and Colonic Surface Epithelial Cells to Chronic Changes in Dietary Potassium / 대한해부학회지

Potassium (K+) balance is achieved by the control of urinary K+ excretion and by the control of K+ absorption from the digestive tract. It has been established that chronic potassium depletion is associated with a remarkable hypertrophy of the collecting duct of the kidney. But, there is no morphological studies regarding the stomach and distal colon during the chronic changes of potassium diet. Electron microscopy was performed to observe the morphological alterations of the stomach and distal colon in response to chronic changes of potassium diet in rat. Electron microscopy of normal parietal cells revealed the presences of many mitochondia, tubulovesicles, and short basal cytoplasmic processes and microvilli in the intracellular canaliculi. In potasium-depleted parietal cells, mito-chondria were increased in size and number, and tubulovesicles almost disappeared, and microvilli in the intracellular canaliculi were increased in number and length, and short basal cytoplasmic processes were also increased in size and number. Parietal cells of potassium-loading after restriction were found to be almost normal. Two types of surface columnar epithelial cells were present in normal distal colon. Type I cells had many mitochondria and abundant coated vesicles in the supranuclear region. Type II cells had moderate amount of mitochondria and relatively fewer coated vesicles. In comparison with normal, potasium-depleted surface columnar epithelial cells had more abundant and larger mitochondria and more numerous and longer (1.4~1.6 times than normal) microvilli. Surface columnar epithelial cells of potassium-loading after restriction were recovered almost to normal. These results suggest that gastric parietal cells and surface columnar epithelial cells of distal colon adapt through morphological changes to preserve potassium balance during chronic changes of potassium diet.