Antiinflammatory effect of lactic acid bacteria: inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by suppressing nuclear factor-kappaB in Raw264.7 macrophage cells.

Lactobacillus casei 3260 (L. casei 3260) was evaluated in relation to the inflammatory response mediated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in Raw264.7 macrophage cells. The treatment of Raw264.7 cells with L. casei 3260 significantly inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and prostaglandins E2 (PGE2), followed by suppression of COX-2. To clarify the molecular mechanism, the inhibitory effect of L. casei 3260 on the NF-kappaB signaling pathway was examined based on the luciferase reporter activity. Although the treatment of Raw264.7 cells with L. casei 3260 did not affect the transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB, it did inhibit NF-kappaB activation, as determined by the cytosolic p65 release and degradation of I-kappaBalpha. Therefore, these findings suggest that the suppression of COX-2 through inhibiting the NF-kappaB activation by LPS may be associated with the antiinflammatory effects of L. casei 3260 on Raw264.7 cells.

Resistance of Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC 3099 from Kimchi to oxidative stress.

The antioxidative capacity of two lactic acid bacteria isolated from Kimchi, a Korean fermented food, was evaluated by measuring the resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and compared with that of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as a positive control. Both intact cells and cell-free extracts of Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC 3099 exhibited higher antioxidative activity in inhibiting lipid peroxidation among the strains evaluated with an inhibitory level of 38.6% and 48.5%, respectively. To evaluate the resistance of the two lactic acid bacteria to ROS, we tested their survival in the presence of 1 mM hydrogen peroxide, 0.4 mM hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide anions induced by 10 mM paraquat. L. plantarum KCTC 3099 was viable even after 8 hours in the presence of both 1 mM hydrogen peroxide and 0.4 mM hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, the survival of L. plantarum KCTC 3099 was not affected by superoxide anions generated by using paraquat, indicating that it has resistance to superoxide anions. To define the antioxidative mechanism, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and metal ion chelating activities were determined. L. plantarum KCTC 3099 presented little SOD activity, but had the higher level of chelating activity for both Fe2+ and Cu2+ metal ions at 13.6 ppm and 23.9 ppm, respectively. These results suggested that the antioxidative capacity of L. plantarum KCTC 3099 is apparently caused by chelating metal ions rather than by SOD activation.

Endometrial profilin 1: a key player in embryo-endometrial crosstalk / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#Despite extensive research on implantation failure, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between the embryo and the maternal endometrium, which is critical for successful pregnancy. Profilin 1 (PFN1), which is expressed both in the embryo and in the endometrial epithelium, acts as a potent regulator of actin polymerization and the cytoskeletal network. In this study, we identified the specific role of endometrial PFN1 during embryo implantation. @*Methods@#Morphological alterations depending on the status of PFN1 expression were assessed in PFN1-depleted or control cells grown on Matrigel-coated cover glass. Day-5 mouse embryos were cocultured with Ishikawa cells. Comparisons of the rates of F-actin formation and embryo attachment were performed by measuring the stability of the attached embryo onto PFN1-depleted or control cells. @*Results@#Depletion of PFN1 in endometrial epithelial cells induced a significant reduction in cell-cell adhesion displaying less formation of colonies and a more circular cell shape. Mouse embryos co-cultured with PFN1-depleted cells failed to form actin cytoskeletal networks, whereas more F-actin formation in the direction of surrounding PFN1-intact endometrial epithelial cells was detected. Furthermore, significantly lower embryo attachment stability was observed in PFN1-depleted cells than in control cells. This may have been due to reduced endometrial receptivity caused by impaired actin cytoskeletal networks associated with PFN1 deficiency. @*Conclusion@#These observations definitively demonstrate an important role of PFN1 in mediating cell-cell adhesion during the initial stage of embryo implantation and suggest a potential therapeutic target or novel biomarker for patients suffering from implantation failure.

Eupatilin treatment inhibits transforming growth factor beta-induced endometrial fibrosis in vitro / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#Endometrial fibrosis, the primary pathological feature of intrauterine adhesion, may lead to disruption of endometrial tissue structure, menstrual abnormalities, infertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss. At present, no ideal therapeutic strategy exists for this fibrotic disease. Eupatilin, a major pharmacologically active flavone from Artemisia, has been previously reported to act as a potent inducer of dedifferentiation of fibrotic tissue in the liver and lung. However, the effects of eupatilin on endometrial fibrosis have not yet been investigated. In this study, we present the first report on the impact of eupatilin treatment on transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-induced endometrial fibrosis. @*Methods@#The efficacy of eupatilin on TGF-β–induced endometrial fibrosis was assessed by examining changes in morphology and the expression levels of fibrosis markers using immunofluorescence staining and quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. @*Results@#Eupatilin treatment significantly reduced the fibrotic activity of TGF-β–induced endometrial fibrosis in Ishikawa cells, which displayed more circular shapes and formed more colonies. Additionally, the effects of eupatilin on fibrotic markers including alpha-smooth muscle actin, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, collagen type I alpha 1 chain, and matrix metalloproteinase-2, were evaluated in TGF-β–induced endometrial fibrosis. The expression of these markers was highly upregulated by TGF-β pretreatment and recovered to the levels of control cells in response to eupatilin treatment. @*Conclusion@#Our findings suggest that suppression of TGF-β–induced signaling by eupatilin might be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of endometrial fibrosis.

Controlling molecular weight and degree of deacetylation of chitosan by response surface methodology.

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for controlling molecular weight (MW) and degree of deacetylation (DOD) of chitosan in chemical processing. In a reduced model, MW of chitosan is y = 1736166.406 - 250.745X(1)X(2) - 265.452X(2)X(3), with R( 2) = 0.86, and DOD of chitosan is y = 30.6069 + 0.3396X(1) + 0.4948X(2) + 0.0094X(3)(2), with R( 2) = 0.89. MW of chitosan depends on the crossproduct of temperature and NaOH concentration and the crossproduct of NaOH concentration and time, and DOD depends linearly on temperature and NaOH concentration, and quadratically on time. Chitosan was widely depolymerized in a range from 1,100 kDa to 100 kDa and deacetylated from 67.3 to 95.7% by NaOH alkaline treatment. MW and DOD of chitosan were drastically decreased and increased, respectively, with increase of temperature, reaction time, and NaOH concentration. Furthermore, the rate of MW decrease and DOD increase of chitosan gradually decreased with prolonged reaction time.

Comparison of the effect of different media on the clinical outcomes of the density-gradient centrifugation/swim-up and swim-up methods / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Sperm must be properly prepared in in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) programs in order to control the fertilization rate and ensure that embryos are of high quality and have appropriate developmental abilities. The objective of this study was to determine the most optimal sperm preparation method for IVF. METHODS: Patients less than 40 years of age who participated in a fresh IVF-ET cycle from November 2012 to March 2013 were included in this study. Poor responders with less than three mature oocytes were excluded. Ham's F-10 medium or sperm-washing medium (SWM) was used in combination with the density-gradient centrifugation/swim-up (DGC-SUP) or SUP methods for sperm preparation. A total of 429 fresh IVF-ET cycles were grouped according to the media and methods used for sperm preparation and retrospectively analyzed (DGC-SUP/Ham's F-10, n=82; DGC-SUP/SWM, n=43; SUP/Ham's F-10, n=181; SUP/SWM, n=123). RESULTS: There were no significant differences among these four groups with respect to the mean age of the female partners, duration of infertility, number of previous IVF cycles, and retrieved oocytes. We determined that both the DGC-SUP and SUP methods for sperm preparation from whole semen, using either Ham's F-10 or SWM media, result in comparable clinical outcomes, including fertilization and pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: We suggest that both media and both methods for sperm preparation can be used for selecting high-quality sperm for assistive reproductive technology programs.

Simultaneous bilateral tubal pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer / 대한산부인과학회지

A case of simultaneous bilateral tubal pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer is presented. On the 22 days after ET, the patient complained of low abdominal pain and vaginal spotting for one day and was suspected of left tubal pregnancy by transvaginal ultrasonography. However, laparoscopy revealed the bilateral tubal pregnancy and laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy was performed. This unusual type of ectopic pregnancy must be kept in mind when evaluating a patient suspected of a possible early abnormal gestation after assisted reproductive technologies. It is critical to perform a close inspection of the abdomen, pelvis, and contralateral tube during surgery.

A Case of Prenatally Diagnosed Cephalopagus / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Conjoined twin rarely occurs in human, with a reported incidence of 1:50,000 to 1:100,000 pregnancies. The site and extent of fusion are infinitely variable. Classification systems for conjoined twins are usually based on the fused anatomic region. The early prenatal diagnosis and assessment for shared vital organs are desirable for optimal obstetrical counseling and management. When severe forms are diagnosed prior to 24 weeks, pregnancy termination via vaginal delivery can be considered. With the advent of ultrasound, prenatal diagnosis is possible during the late first trimester or early second trimester. We report a case of cephalopagus diagnosed prenatally by ultrasonogram in the second trimester and subsequently was terminated, with a brief review of literature.

A Case of Reactive Systemic Amyloidosis Due to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Involving Heart and Kidney / 대한류마티스학회지

No abstract available.

Two Cases of Acardiac Acephalus / 대한주산의학회잡지

No abstract available.

A Case of Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary Associated with Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

5% of ovarian neoplasms consist of granulosa cell tumors. 10% of cases coexist with pregnancy2. We report on delivery of normal infant in young woman with granulosa cell tumor diagnosed and treated during pregnancy. At laparotomy a large right ovarian granulosa cell tumor was found and right salpingo- oophorectomy was performed. A normal infant was delivered by cesarean section at full term.

A Case of Patau Syndrome Diagnosed in Antenatal Care / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Patau syndrome is the least common and most severe viable autosomal trisomy. First identified as a cytogenic syndrome in 1960, Patau syndrome is caused by extracopy of chromosome 13. It is characterized by holoprosencephaly, cleft lip, cleft palate, cyclopia, polydactyly, congenital heart disease, and intrauterine growth retardation. Because of severity of congenital defects, extremely short survival time is expected. The rare survivors have profound mental retardation and seizures. So life sustaining procedures are generally not attempted. We report a case of Patau syndrome, which was diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography at 25 weeks gestational age.

G769A Variation of Inhibin alpha -gene in Korean Women with Premature Ovarian Failure

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is menopause before the age of 40 years. The frequency of POF is about 1% of all women. Recently inhibin alpha gene (INHalpha) has been indicated as candidate in POF pathogenesis. Inhibin, a glycoprotein, is a gonadal hormone, which can inhibit the synthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which has an important role in the recruitment and development of ovarian follicles during the folliculogenesis. G769A variation of INH alpha, alanine, is highly conserved across species, and has an important role of its receptor binding. We screened a G769A transition in the INHalpha from the total population of the patients of 84 women with POF and 100 normal fertile women. We found no variation between the normal subjects and the POF patients. G769A variation of INHalpha is rare in Korea women with POF.

Accumulation of mtDNA Deletion (Delta mtDNA4977) showing Tissue-Specific and Age-Related Variation / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVES: Controversial arguments exists on both the case for and against on the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion in association to tissue and age. The debate continues as to whether this mutation is a major contributor to the phenotypic expression of aging and common degenerative diseases or simply a clinical insignificant epiphenomenon. The objective of this study was to determine whether the accumulation of mtDNA deletion is correlated with age-related and tissue-specific variation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven tissues from blood, ovary, uterine muscle, and abdominal muscle were obtained from patients ranging in age from 31~60 years. After reviewing the clinical reports, patients with mitochondrial disorder were excluded from this study. The tissues were obtained at gynecological surgeries with the consent of the patient. Total DNA isolated from blood, ovary, uterine muscle, and abdominal muscle was amplified by two rounds of PCR using two pairs of primers corresponding to positions 8225-8247 (sense), 13551-13574 (antisense) for the area around deleted mtDNA and 8421-8440 (sense), 13520-13501 (antisense) for nested PCR product. A statistical analysis was performed by c2-test. RESULTS: About 0% of blood, 94.8% of ovary, 71.4% of uterine muscle, and 86.1% abdominal muscle harbored mtDNA deletion. When we examined the proportion of deleted mtDNA according to age deletion rate was 90% of ovary, 63.6% of uterine muscle, 77.7% of abdominal muscle in thirties and 100% of all tissue in fifties. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the mtDNA deletion is varied in tissue-specific pattern and increases with aging.