• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2007

Objective: A quality management system of international standardization organization (ISO) 9001:2000 has been proposed to properly evaluate and improve the quality of productions and services. The purpose of this article was to describe on successful introduction and application of the ISO system to human assisted reproductive technology (ART) center. Methods: Center for reproductive medicine and infertility of Cheil General Hospital started the action for ISO 9001:2000 certification at January-2004. The ISO system of our center was monitored by measuring the customer satisfaction index and periodical internal and external audit. Reports of non-conformity described corrective and preventive actions for problems and occurrences that were not consistent with the standard process and operation of our center. Continuous management and improvement were performed on the project of customer dissatisfaction. Results: Our center has got the certification of ISO 9001:2000 for "Research and development of IVF-ET program for infertility treatment" from Korean Foundation for Quality at June-2004. The policy of ISO was "To establish the best center of reproductive medicine and infertility" and "To establish the best quality management system". We found 140 cases and 7 cases of non-conformity in internal and external audit for three years, respectively, and performed corrective action. Conclusion: Improvement of customer satisfaction, systemic documentation and transparency and efficacy of working procedure were achieved by application and operation of the ISO system to our center. This ISO system could be used as a basic institutional management system for the national guideline to the human ART center.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2013

This research was conducted to evaluate the influence of $NO_3{^-}:NH_4{^+}$ ratios in fertilizer solution on the vegetative growth and fruit yield of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) through pot cultivation. The Hoaglad's solution was modified to contain various $NO_3{^-}:NH_4{^+}$ ratios such as 100:0 (A), 73:37 (B), 50:50 (C), 27:73 (D), 0:100 (E), and no nitrogen (F). Plants were transplanted into root substrates and the modified solutions were applied as plant needed in plastic house. There were no statistical significances among the treatments from A through D in the fresh and dry weights, and number of leaves 31 days after transplanting, but elevation of $NH_4{^+}$ ratios in the solution decreased the fresh fruit weight 62 days after transplanting with statistical differences. In the results of inorganic element analysis based on the dry weight of fully expanded mature leaves, N and P contents as well as micro cations such as Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu increased as $NH_4{^+}$ ratios were elevated 62 days after transplanting. However, those of macro cations such as K, Ca, and Mg resulted in decreasing tendency. The elevation of $NH_4{^+}$ ratios in fertilizer solution resulted in the increase of EC and total N concentrations ($NO_3{^-}+NH_4{^+}$), but this decreased the pH as well as Ca and Mg concentrations in soil solution 62 days after transplanting. The K concentration in soil solution was the highest in the treatments of C and followed by D, B, E, and A. The above results indicate that the proper $NO_3{^-}:NH_4{^+}$ ratio in the nutrient solution is 73:27 (B) or 100:0 (A) and the B solution is proper for the vegetative growth and that of A is proper for reproductive growth stage.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.19-31
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• 2007

Objective: Pathogenesis of the endometriosis is very complex and the etiology is still unclear. Our hypothesis is that there may be some difference in gene expression patterns between eutopic endometriums with or without endometriosis. In this study, we analyzed the difference of gene expression profile with cDNA microarray. Methods: Endometrial tissues were gathered from patients with endometriosis or other benign gynecologic diseases. cDNA microarray technique was applied to screen the different gene expression profiles from early and late secretory phase endometria of those two groups. Each three mRNA samples isolated from early and late secretory phase of endometrial tissues of control were pooled and used as master controls and labeled with Cy3-dUTP. Then the differences of gene expression pattern were screened by comparing eutopic endometria with endometriosis, which were labeled with Cy5-dUTP. Fluorescent labeled probes were hybridized on a microarray of 4,800 human genes. Results: Twelve genes were consistently over-expressed in the endometrium of endometriosis such as ATP synthase H transporting F1 (ATP5B), eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (NADP+), mitochondrial ribosomal protein L3, ATP synthase H+ transporting (ATP5C1) and TNF alpha factor. Eleven genes were consistently down-regulated in the endometriosis samples. Many extracellular matrix protein genes (decorin, lumican, EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1, fibulin 5, and matrix Gla protein) and protease/protease inhibitors (serine proteinase inhibitor, matrix metalloproteinase 2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1), and insulin like growth factor II associated protein were included. Expression patterns of selected eight genes from the cDNA microarray were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR or real time RT-PCR. Conclusion: The result of this analysis supports the hypothesis that the endometrium from patients with endometriosis has distinct gene expression profile from control endometrium without endometriosis.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.268-275
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• 1982

This study was conducted to obtain basic informations for breeding and improving cultural practices of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) through investigation of several agronomic characters of 82 major varieties plants in April 20, May 15 and June 20. Stem diameter and plant height were largest in early planting(April 20). On the contrary, they were smallest in late planting(June 15). Therefore, the later planting, the poorer the vegetative growth on the basis of stem diameter and plant height. Number of capsules per plant and number of grains per capsule were 88 and 54, respectively, in the early planting, while they were decreased to 25 capsules and 40 grains in late planting. The percentage of ripeness and 1000 grain weight 78 and 2.3g in the April 20planting while they were 58% and 2.1g in June 20 planting indicating the later planting, the lower the ripeness. Grain yield per m1 in April 20 and June 20 planting was 112 and 18g respectively. Consequently, grain yield significantly decreased as planting delayed. On the basis of the vegetative and reproductive growth, varieties could be classified into early, conventional, late and indetermediate planting adapted groups. The major yield components were highly and postively correlated with accmulated sunshine hours and temperatures confirming that grain yield was closely related with sunshine and temperature. Among the varieties tested, Gurye and Local 135 had more than 150 capsules. Haenam and Woogang had more than 75 grains per capsule. Since grain yield oflate planted sesame were significantly different among the varieties, breeding of sesame for after barly cropping would be more effective under late cultural condition of after barly.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.163-174
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• 2018

Rice cultivation is immensely affected by many climatic factors including temperature, precipitation, etc, and imbalanced climatic conditions negatively affect the growth of rice. In this study, we investigated the effects of different agroclimatic zones of Chungnam Province on rice quality and examined the correlations between climatic characteristics and rice yield components. Average temperatures and rainfall were higher in 'Western Sobaek Inland' than those in the 'South Western coastal zone, and precipitation records showed a wide variation among counties due to typhoons during the examined periods. The average accumulative temperature affecting the magnitude of production during reproductive growth periods was higher in "Cheon-An", "Gong-Ju", "Yeon-Gi (Se-Jong)", "Bo-Ryeong", and "Dang-Jin" counties than those in other counties. The plant height was higher in 'Western Sobaek Inland' counties such as "Yeon-Gi(Se-Jong)" and "Cheon-An", and 'Southern Charyeong Plain' counties such as "Cheong-Yang", "Dang-Jin", and "A-San", than those in other counties. The number of tillers during the 40 days after rice transplantation in "Seo-Cheon" and "Bo-Ryeong" counties increased compared to other counties. This result was relevant to the fact that the date of rice transplantation in those counties was 3 to 4 days later than those in other counties of Chung-Nam Province. The average yield (milled rice basis) was the highest in 'Western Sobaek Inland' zone, showing 3,756 kg ha^-1, followed by 'Southern Charyeong Plain' zone showing 3,621kg ha^-1, and was the lowest in 'South Western coastal zone by 3,315kg ha^-1. "Yeon-Gi(Se-Jong)" and "Dang-Jin" counties showed the highest yields of 4,100kg ha^-1. "Seo-San", "Seo-Cheon", and "Tae-An" counties were relatively lower yields of 3,240~3,280kg ha^-1 in comparison of other counties.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2010

Purpose: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), also known as embryo screening, is a pre-pregnancy technique used to identify genetic defects in embryos created through in vitro fertilization. PGD is considered a means of prenatal diagnosis of genetic abnormalities. PGD is used when one or both genetic parents has a known genetic abnormality; testing is performed on an embryo to determine if it also carries the genetic abnormality. The main advantage of PGD is the avoidance of selective pregnancy termination as it imparts a high likelihood that the baby will be free of the disease under consideration. The application of PGD to genetic practices, reproductive medicine, and genetic counseling is becoming the key component of fertility practice because of the need to develop a custom PGD design for each couple. Materials and Methods: In this study, a survey on the contents of genetic counseling in PGD was carried out via direct contact or e-mail with the patients and specialists who had experienced PGD during the three months from February to April 2010. Results: A total of 91 persons including 60 patients, 49 of whom had a chromosomal disorder and 11 of whom had a single gene disorder, and 31 PGD specialists responded to the survey. Analysis of the survey results revealed that all respondents were well aware of the importance of genetic counseling in all steps of PGD including planning, operation, and follow-up. The patient group responded that the possibility of unexpected results (51.7%), genetic risk assessment and recurrence risk (46.7%), the reproduction options (46.7%), the procedure and limitation of PGD (43.3%) and the information of PGD technology (35.0%) should be included as a genetic counseling information. In detail, 51.7% of patients wanted to be counseled for the possibility of unexpected results and the recurrence risk, while 46.7% wanted to know their reproduction options (46.7%). Approximately 96.7% of specialists replied that a non-M.D. genetic counselor is necessary for effective and systematic genetic counseling in PGD because it is difficult for physicians to offer satisfying information to patients due to lack of counseling time and specific knowledge of the disorders. Conclusions: The information from the survey provides important insight into the overall present situation of genetic counseling for PGD in Korea. The survey results demonstrated that there is a general awareness that genetic counseling is essential for PGD, suggesting that appropriate genetic counseling may play a important role in the success of PGD. The establishment of genetic counseling guidelines for PGD may contribute to better planning and management strategies for PGD.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.401-410
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• 2009

Purpose : Pelvis and lumbar spine radiography, among various types of diagnostic radiography, include gonads of the human body and give patients high radiation dose. Nevertheless, diagnostic reference levels for patient radiation dose in pelvis and lumbar spine radiography has not yet been established in Korea. Therefore, the radiation dose that patients receive from pelvis and lumbar radiography is measured and the diagnostic reference level on patient radiation dose for the optimization of radiation protection of patients in pelvis and lumbar spine radiography was established. Methods : The conditions and diagnostic imaging information acquired during the time of the postero-anterior view of the pelvis and the postero-anterior and lateral view of the lumbar spine at 125 medical institutions throughout Korea are collected for analysis and the entrance surface dose received by patients is measured using a glass dosimeter. The diagnostic reference levels for patient radiation dose in pelvis and lumbar spine radiography to be recommended to the medical institutes is arranged by establishing the dose from the patient radiation dose that corresponds to the 3rd quartile values as the appropriate diagnostic reference level for patient radiation dose. Results : According to the results of the assessment of diagnostic imaging information acquired from pelvis and lumbar spine radiography and the measurement of patient entrance surface dose taken at the 125 medical institutes throughout Korea, the tube voltage ranged between 60~97 kVp, with the average use being 75 kVp, and the tube current ranged between 8~123 mAs, with the average use being 30 mAs. In the posteroanterior and lateral views of lumbar spine radiography, the tube voltage of each view ranged between 65~100 kVp (average use: 78 kVp) and 70~109 kVp (average use: 87 kVp), respectively, and the tube current of each view ranged between 10~100 mAs(average use: 35 mAs) and between 8.9~300 mAs(average use: 64 mAs), respectively. The measurements of entrance surface dose that patients receive during the pelvis and lumbar spine radiography show the following results: in the posteroanterior view of pelvis radiography, the minimum value is 0.59 mGy, the maximum value is 12.69 mGy and the average value is 2.88 mGy with the 1st quartile value being 1.91 mGy, the median being 0.59 mGy, and the 3rd quartile value being 3.43 mGy. Also, in the posteroanterior view of lumbar spine radiography, the minimum value is 0.64 mGy, the maximum value is 23.84 mGy, and the average value is 3.68 mGy with the 1st quartile value being 2.41 mGy, the median being 3.40 mGy, and the 3rd quartile value being 4.08 mGy. In the lateral view of lumbar spine radiography, the minimum value is 1.90 mGy, the maximum value is 45.42 mGy, and the average value is 10.08 mGy with the 1st quartile value being 6.03 mGy, the median being 9.09 mGy and the 3rd quartile value being 12.65 mGy. Conclusions : The diagnostic reference levels for patient radiation dose to be recommended to the medical institutes in Korea is 3.42 mGy for the posteroanterior view of pelvis radiography, 4.08 mGy for the posteroanterior view of lumbar spine radiography, and 12.65 mGy for the lateral view of lumbar spine radiography. Such values are all lower than the values recommended by 6 international organizations including World Health Organization, where the recommended values are 10 mGy for the posteroanterior view of pelvis radiography, 10 mGy for the posteroanterior view of lumbar spine radiography and 30 mGy for the lateral view of lumbar spine radiography.