• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.393-398
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• 1997

Cytogenetic analysis was performed in 1321 couples and 141 women with history of abnormal reproductive outcome during 1988-1996. The use of high resolution banding technique and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the chromosome analysis has made the precise evaluation of chromosome aberrations. The prevalence of balanced chromosomal translocation carriers were 3.74% (104/2783 patients). 70 cases (2.52%) were reciprocal translocation carriers and 34 (1.22%) had Robertsonian translocations. Chromosome aberrations were more frequent in women (73 cases) than in men (31 cases). No phenotypical abnormalities were found in all carriers, but they experienced abnormal reproductive outcomes such as recurrent spontaneous abortions, anomalous offsprings or infertility problem. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out on 36 subsequent pregnancies in balanced translocation carriers. The fetal karyotypes showed that 12 cases (33%) were normal, 22 (61%) were balanced translocations, and two (6%) were unbalanced translocations. It is concluded that the prevalence of balanced chromosomal translocations in patients with abnormal reproductive outcome is higher than that of the normal population. Most of the fetal samples showed normal karyotypes or balanced translocations. Although the incidence of chromosomal imbalance in the fetuses was relatively low in prenatal diagnosis, individuals with balanced translocations are predisposed to abnormal offspring with partial trisomy or monosomy. Therefore we recommend that genetic counselling and cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis for translocation carriers have to be offered to prevent recurrent chromosomal abnormal babies.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.399-405
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• 1997

Progesterone is necessary for successful pregnancy and had immunosuppressive properties. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from many women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion responded to trophoblast extract in vitro by prolifertion and releasing soluble, heat-labile factors that are toxic to mouse embryos (embryotoxic factors). Accumulating evidence suggests that T Helper (Th)-1 type immunity to trophoblast is correlated with embryotoxic factor production and is associated with pregnancy loss, while Th2-type immunity is associated with successful gestation. The objective of this study was to determine whether progesterone can inhibit Th1-type cytokine secretion (IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$) by trophoblast-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 23 nonpregnant women (age 25-35) with unexplained recurrent abortion (median 5, range 3 to 15)who otherwise produce embryotoxic factors in response to trophoblast. We also determined whether progesterone affected Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) in this system in vitro and if IL-10 (1,500 pg/mL) could inhibit Th1-type immunity to trophoblast. IFN-${\gamma}$ was detected in 17 of 23 (74%) trophoblast stimulated PBMC culture supernatants ($77.94{\pm}23.79$ pg/mL) containing embryotoxic activity. TNF-${\alpha}$ was detected in 19 (83%) of these same supernatants ($703.15{\pm}131.36$ pg/mL). In contrast, none of the supernatants contained detectable levels of IL-4 or IL-10. Progesterone ($10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}$, $10^{-9}$M) inhibited Th1-type immunity in a dose dependent manner, but had no effect on Th2-type cytokine secretion. The inhibitory effects of progesterone were abrogated with RU486, but did not affect Th2-type cytokine secretion in trophoblast-activated cell cultures. IL-10, like progesterone also inhibited Th1-type cytokine secretion but had no effect on Th2-type cytokines. These data suggest that therapies designed to suppress Th1-type cytokine secretion in women with recurrent abortion who have evidence of Th1-type immunity to trophoblast may be efficacious in preventing pregnancy loss and should be tested in appropriately designed clinical trials.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.275-283
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• 2007

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the expressions of endometriosis related genes in shed endometrial tissues from menstrual blood of patients with or without endometriosis. Methods: The shed endometrial tissues were collected on 2$^{nd}$ or 3$^{rd}$ day of menstrual cycle with Wallace catheter in patients with endometriosis (n=16) and without endometriosis (n=26). The mRNA expressions of twelve kinds of endometriosis related genes were compared between two groups using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The collected shed endometrium was confirmed by histological observation. Expressions of telomerase, c-kit and aromatase mRNA were not detected by RT-PCR in shed endometrial tissues. The mRNA expressions of apoptosis related genes (fas, fas ligand, bcl-2, bax), stem cell factor, estrogen receptor-$\alpha$/$\alpha$, endometriosis protein-I and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor gene were similar between shed endometrial tissues with endometriosis and without endometriosis. Conclusion: We could not find the difference of mRNA expressions of tested endometriosis related genes between shed endometrial tissues with or without endometriosis by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis. It may be related to the dynamical changes of gene expressions in the endometrium with menstrual cycle.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2007

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of slow freezing with vitrification method for cryopreservation of mouse pronuclear stage embryos. Methods: Mouse pronuclear embryos obtained from superovulated mice and classified into 2 groups of slow freezing and vitrification. Slow freezing solution consisted of 1.5 M PROH, 0.1 M sucrose, while vitrification solution consisted of 40% ethylene glycol, 18% Ficoll and 0.5 M sucrose diluted in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline supplemented with 10% SSS. Recovery and survival rates after thawing and development rates to hatching balstocyst stage were compared between two groups. Results: After freezing and thawing, recovery rate of slow freezing group was 93.8%, whereas vitrification group was 66.5% (p<0.01). Survival rate of recovered embryos were similar between two groups as 83.2% in slow freezing and 87.6% in vitrification. Embryo development rates to 2-cell stage after 24 hrs (77.0% vs 59.1%), 4-cell after 48 hrs (72.6% vs 53.3%), blastocyst after 96 hrs (53.1% vs 40.1%) of thawing were significantly higher in vitrification group than those of slow freezing group, respectively. Conclusion: The vitrification method may provide better developmental competence of frozen-thawed embryos than that of slow freezing method for cryopreservation of mouse pronuclear stage embryos.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.212-219
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• 2006

Research literatures (e.g. research report, scientific paper and thesis, published between 2001 and 2005) of 332 collected from KISTI, KISS, ARPC databases were investigated and analyzed to give an overview of domestic ginseng researches. Most of recent ginseng researches have been performed by private nonprofit institutions and individuals, which suggests that a role of public institution fur ginseng researches needed to be enlarged. In terms of research fields, cultivation and agricultural researches have been mainly accomplished in ginseng research. Cell physiology and reproductive function researches occupied large part of pharmacological studies, but clinical studies were relatively limited. Studies on general food products development have taken the main part in fields of food products including functional foods. As the result of analysis of 312 domestic ginseng patents by classifications of world international property organization (WIPO), it was categorized into food technology, medicinal fermentation development technology, fermentation technology, and agriculture-fisheries technology. This integrated overview of the widely scattered ginseng literatures shows current general research trends in Korea and will be able to suggest further needs on cultivation, studies and industralization of ginseng.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2006

Retinol-binding protein(RBP) plays an important role in the specific transport of retinol to target cells through the blood stream in higher vertebrates. In order to clarify the effects of 4-nonylphenol(4-NP) on RBP mRNA expression in the rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli which is common in coastal waters of Korea and commercially important species, the cDNA library was constructed from the liver, and a partial fragment of the RBP gene was cloned. The deduced amino acid sequence from the RBP mRNA showed a high homology to the amino acid sequence from Sparus aurata(80%), Oncorhynchus mykiss(72%) or Anguilla anguilla(78%). Effects of 4-NP on RBP and vitellogenin(VTG) mRNA expression level in rockfish were examined by the northern blot analysis. In female and male rockfish injected with 4-NP(10 mg/kg BW, lower dose), there was no changes in the levels of VTG mRNA expression in the liver. The RBP mRNA levels, however, decreased at 48 hours after the injection in male. In the rockfish injected with 4-NP(25 mg/kg BW, higher dose), the level of VTG mRNA expression increased after 24 hours, regardless of sex. The level of RBP mRNA expression decreased at 48 hours after the injection in both sexes. These data indicate that estrogenic mimics such as 4-NP exhibit a contrasting effect on RBP and VTG gene expression in rockfish.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 2002.02a
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• pp.282-288
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• 2002

본 연구는 상업용 규모의 쇄미선별공정에 사용할 수 있는 파이로트 규모 원통형 홈 선별기 시작기의 설계 및 제작에 필요한 기초 연구로서, 실험실용 원통형 홈 선별기를 이용하여 쇄미선별 실험을 실시하였다. 원통 회전속도, trough각도, indent 크기와 형상, 공급량을 요인으로 하여 완전립의 수거율과 순도, 쇄립의 수거율과 순도 및 선별효율을 조사하였다. 수행한 연구결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 1. 선별효율에 대한 원통 회전속도와 trough각도의 단독효과 및 교호작용은 1% 수준에서 유의성이 인정되었다. 원통 회전속도가 커지면trough각도 역시 그에 따라 적절히 증가시켜야만 선별효율의 저하가 방지되는 것으로 나타났다. 2. 최고 선별효율 값은 홈의 모양과 크기, 그리고 공급량에 관계없이 낮은 회전속도 (17rpm)와 중간 trough각도 (37.5$^{\circ}$또는 60$^{\circ}$)가 조합된 처리에서 나타났으며, 60~70% 범위의 높은 값을 보였다. 선별효율에 관한 원통 회전속도와 trough각도의 최적 조합은 17rpm, 37.5$^{\circ}$라고 판단된다. 3. 말발굽형 홈과 반구형 홈 간 선별효율의 차이는 없었다. 따라서, 실제 상업용 규모의 원통형 홈 쇄미선별기 개발에 있어서는 제작이 쉽고 유지.보수가 간편한 반구형 홈을 채택하는 것이 바람직할 것으로 생각된다. 길이 2.5mm이하의 미립인 쇄미의 선별에 사용할 홈의 크기는 2.5mm 보다는 약간 큰 3.0mm 정도가 되어야만 할 것으로 판단된다. 4. 공급량에 따른 선별효율의 차이는 1% 수준에서 유의성이 인정되었으며, 공급량이 작았을 때 전반적으로 선별효율이 높았다.타리 시프터를 채택, 사용하고 있었으며, 로타리시프터 사용상의 문제는 회전몸체를 지지하는 rod spring의 파손 등 구조와 관련된 것이었다. 로타리 시프터에 의한 쇄립의 선별과 제거정도는 만족할 만한 수준은 아니었다. 4. 국내 유통백미 완전립의 길이, 폭, 두께는 각각 5.02mm, 2.93mm, 2.03mm이었으며, 산물밀도와 천립중은 각각 745.3kg/m3 및 20.46g이었다. 5. RPC 백미제품의 품질경쟁력 향상을 유도하고자 현행 쇄미의 정의와 기준을 보다 강화하여 다음과 같은 쇄미 기준과 계급을 설정, 제시하였다. "완전립" - 길이가 3.75mm이상인 미립 "준완전립" - 길이가 2.5∼3.75mm인 미립 "쇄미" - 길이가 1.75∼2.5 mm인 미립 "이물" - 길이가 1.75mm이하인 미립.볼 때 상토 종자혼합비 6 : 1, 성형롤 회전속도 약 7 rpm으로 판단되며, 이 때 제조능력은 시간당 약 65 Kg(펠렛종자 약 39,000 개), 성형률 약 87 %, 종자손실률은 약 30 %, 펠렛종자 내 평균 종자수는 약 5.5 개, 완전 벼 종자 3개 이상 포함 펠렛종자 비율은 약 100 %가 될 것으로 보인다. 세포의 Androgen 생성을 촉진시키는 역할이 있는 것으로 보여진다 따라서 옻나무 유래 F는 포유동물의 생식기능에 중요하게 작용하는 것으로 사료된다.된다.정량 분석한 결과이다. 시편의 조성은 33.6 at% U, 66.4 at% O의 결과를 얻었다. 산화물 핵연료의 표면 관찰 및 정량 분석 시험시 시편 표면을 전도성 물질로 증착시키지 않고, Silver Paint 에 시편을 접착하는 방법으로도 만족한 시험 결과를 얻을 수 있었다.째, 회복기 중에 일어나는 입자들의 유입은 자기폭풍의 지속시간

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2009

Spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs) only are responsible for the generation of progeny and for the transmission of genetic information to the next generation in male. Other in vitro studies have cultured SSCs for proliferation, differentiation, and genetic modification in mouse and rat. Currently, information regarding in vitro culture of porcine Germline Stem Cell(GSC) such as gonocyte or SSC is limited and is in need of further studies. Therefore, in this study, we report development of a successful culture system for gonocytes of neonatal porcine testes. Testis cells were extracted from $10{\sim}14$-day-old pigs. These cells were harvested using enzymatic digestion, and the harvested cells were purified with combination of percoll, laminin, and gelatin selection techniques. The most effective culture system of porcine gonocytes was established through trial experiments which made a comparison between different feeder cells, medium, serum concentrations, temperatures, and $O_2$ tensions. Taken together, the optimal condition was established using C166 or Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast(MEF) feeder cell, Rat Serum Free Medium(RSFM), 0% serum concentration, $37^{\circ}C$ temperature, and $O_2$ 20% tension. Although we discovered the optimal culture condition for proliferation of porcine gonocytes, the gonocyte colonies ceased to expand after one month. These results suggest inadequate acquirement of ingredients essential for long term culture of porcine GSCs. Consequently, further study should be conducted to establish a successful long-term culture system for porcine GSCs by introducing various growth factors or nutrients.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.114-123
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• 2015

Plants can respond and adapt to cold stress through regulation of gene expression in various biochemical and physiological processes. Cold stress triggers decreased rates of metabolism, modification of cell walls, and loss of membrane function. Hence, this study was conducted to construct coexpression networks for time-based expression pattern analysis of genes related to cold stress in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis). B. rapa cold stress networks were constructed with 2,030 nodes, 20,235 edges, and 34 connected components. The analysis suggests that similar genes responding to cold stress may also regulate development of Chinese cabbage. Using this network model, it is surmised that cold tolerance is strongly related to activation of chitinase antifreeze proteins by WRKY transcription factors and salicylic acid signaling, and to regulation of stomatal movement and starch metabolic processes for systemic acquired resistance in Chinese cabbage. Moreover, within 48 h, cold stress triggered transition from vegetative to reproductive phase and meristematic phase transition. In this study, we demonstrated that this network model could be used to precisely predict the functions of cold resistance genes in Chinese cabbage.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2005

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the clinical effect of low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in unexplained recurrent spontaneous aborters (RSA) with elevated peripheral CD56+ natural killer (NK) cell levels and to determine the pre-conceptional NK cell percentage predictive of subsequent successful pregnancy outcome. Materials and Methods: Sixty four cases of unexplained recurrent miscarriage with elevated peripheral NK cells (>15%) were received low dose IVIg infusion at the dosage of 400 mg/Kg/month after confirmation of gestational sac and continued until 20 weeks. The patients were divided into two groups according to the pregnancy outcome: Group I was success of treatment defined as live birth at or after 25 gestational weeks and Group II was failure of treatment. The preconceptional levels of the peripheral blood NK cells were compared between two groups. Results: Fifty-three pregnancies resulted in live births after 25 weeks and 11 resulted in abortion (Overall success rate of IVIG treatment was 82.8%). Preconceptional CD56+ NK cell percentage in group II ($27.4{\pm}1.9%$) was higher than those in group I ($22.3{\pm}0.8%$). By using ROC curve, optimal discrimination between success and failure of treatment was achieved with ${\leq}27%$ of preconceptional NK cell percentage. Conclusion: In RSA patients with elevated NK cells, we suggest that preconceptional peripheral blood CD56+ NK cell level could be a useful marker for predicting successful treatment outcome of low-dose IVIg infusion.