• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2009

It has been reported that not only collagen but also elastin contribute to inhibit skin wrinkle formation. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces photo-aging on human skin. Because UV radiation increases elastase activity, it is thought that increased elastase activity could be the major reason for skin elasticity reduction and wrinkle formation by UV. In the present study to standardize elastase activity measuring system, purified elastases from porcine pancrease and human neutrophil, and cell extracts of normal human primary fibroblasts, 3T3 mouse fibroblasts, and CCD-25Sk human fibroblasts were used as various enzyme sources. Furthermore, elastase activities were compared according to concentrations of enzyme and substrate and incubation time. Phosphoramidon was used as a positive control to inhibit elastase activities of normal human primary fibroblasts and CCD-25Sk fibroblasts. However, it had no influence on the activity of porcine pancreatic elastase. Therefore, it is suggested that elastase used for testing anti-wrinkle agents should be selected carefully.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.524-529
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• 2006

Gamma irradiation at 30 kGy was applied to cereal powders to evaluate their possible genotoxicity. The genotoxicity of 30 kGy-irradiated cereal powders was evaluated by Salmonella typhimurium reversion assay, chromosomal aberration test and in vivo micronucleus assay. The result were negative in the bacterial reversion assay with S. typhimurium TA98, IA100, TA1535 and TA1537. No mutagenicity was detected in the assay with and without metabolic activation. In chromosomal aberration tests with CHL cells and in vivo mouse micronucleus assay, no significant difference in the incidences of chromosomal aberration and micronuclei was observed between non-irradiated and 30 kGy-irradiated cereal powders. These result indicate that cereal powders irradiated at 30 kGy did not show any genotoxic effect under these experimental conditions.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.495-502
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• 2008

To analyze the growth of SOB(Thiobacillus novellus) and biochemical corrosion of concrete, simulation test method and device were developed, and basic conditions for SOB growth were established. Two types of simulation tests were conducted according to a transplant method and a concentration of $H_2SO_4$. As a result, the SOB growth in distinct manners and antibiosis of specimen were observed. In the case of the specimens indirectly transplanted with SOB through culture solution submersion at a hydrogen sulfide level of 120 ppm, the rapid activation of SOB and the resulting sulfuric acid production were observed. However, SOB were shown to grow rapidly and then die out in a relative short period of time. Meanwhile, in the case of the specimens directly transplanted with SOB at a hydrogen sulfide level of 50 ppm, the long-term growth of SOB was possible, but the production of sulfuric acid by SOB did not progress. In the case of the antibiotic metal-mixed specimens, SOB with destroyed cell membranes and internal organizations were observed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the development rates of human embryos co-cultured with cumulus cells to each blastocyst stage. Human zygotes were co-cultured on cumulus cell monolayer in YS medium supplemented with 20% hFF. On day 2, if patient had four or more "good" embryos (regular blastomeres without fragmentation), embryos were further cultured for 72hrs. Blastocysts on day 5 were classified into early blastocyst (ErB), early expanding blastocyst (EEB), middle expanding Blastocyst (MEB), and expanded blastocyst (EdB) on the basis of their morphological aspects of trophectoderm cells and blastocoele. Subsequently, maximum 3 of best blastocysts were transferred in 486 cycles. The results in this study were as follows: Patients who had four or more "good" embryos on day 2 were 498 persons, but patients whose embryos could not be transferred due to failure in development to the blastocyst stage on day 5 were 12 persons (2.4%). The development rate of embryos to the blastocyst stage was 58.2% (2,885/4,957) on day 5, and the rates that developed to the ErB, EEB, MEB, and EdB stage were 15.0% (743/4,957), 14.9% (739/4,957), 14.4% (714/ 4,957), and 13.9% (689/4,957), respectively. Total 1366 blastocysts were transferred in 486 cycles (mean number=2.81). The implantation rate and the ongoing implantation rate obtained by observing the number of G-sac and FHB were 29.9% (409/1,366) and 22.5% (308/1,366), respectively. The clinical pregnancy rate was 51.2% (249/486), and the ongoing pregnancy rate' was 39.1% (190/486). Among women showing ongoing pregnancy, women with singleton were 50% (95/190), women with twin were 37.9% (72/190), and women with triplet were 12.1% (23/190). Although triplet pregnancy rate in this study was high such as 12.1%, because many blastocysts with high viability were produced in our co-culture system using cumulus cells on day 5, we really believe that a multiple pregnancy except twin should not occur by selecting good embryos for maximum two blastocyst transfer. These results demonstrate that autologous cumulus cells may be used for the production of blastocysts with high developmental competence, and the use of autologous cumulus cells to be collected easily, and to be treated conveniently at OPU must be an effective means for obtaining high implantation and pregnancy rate.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.363-368
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• 1999

This study was to confirm whether the vitrification method using EFS40 freezing solution has detrimental effect on the cytoskeleton and chromosome constitution of the immature mouse oocytes by indirect immunocytochemistry and chromosome analysis. Immature mouse oocytes were vitrified using EFS40 (40% EG, 18% ficoll, 0.5 M sucrose diluted in M2 medium), thawed and then survived oocytes were in vitro matured for 16 hr. When the microtubule morphology and micro filament distribution in vitrified-thawed immature mouse oocytes were examined, normal percentage of two cytoskeleton in vitrified group (93.9 and 100.0%) was not significantly different from that in control (100.0 and 100.0%) and exposed group (94.4 and 100.0%). The rate of oocytes containing a normal chromosome number in vitrified group was 65.8%, this result was not significantly different from that in control (79.6%) and exposed group (69.0%). These results indicated that exposure to cryoprotectant or freezing has not effect on the alteration of cytoskeleton morphology and the chromosome constitution of mouse oocytes and that our vitrification methods using EFS40 freezing solution was suitable for the cryopreservation of immature mouse oocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 1999

The beneficial effect of glucose and phosphate ions in culture medium on the development of human embryos in vitro has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of fertilization and culture of embryos in glucose/phosphate-free m-TALP medium on pregnancy rates in IVF-ET program. The patients in 244 IVF-ET cycles received GnRH agonist + HMG regimens. A does of 10,000 IU HCG was administered when two or more dominent follicles reached 18mm in diameter. Thirty-six hours after HCG, oocytes were recovered transvaginally using ultrasound guidance. Aspirated oocytes were matured for 4 to 6 h in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% follicular fluid (FF). Insemination was carried out with 50,000 motile spermatozoa in TCM-199 + 10% FF or m-TALP + 5% FF + 5% fetal cord serum (FCS) according to experimental design. After 6 h, oocytes were washed 3 to 4 times and cultured in each fresh medium. After 20 h, oocytes were freed from cumulus/corona cells and examined for the presence of pronuclei. Fertilized oocytes were transferred into each co-culture drops and cultured for further incubation. On day 3, embryo transfer was performed with grade 1 and 2 embryos. Monolayers for co-culture of embryos were prepared by plating $1{\times}10^5$ cumulus cells/ml in 10ul drop of TCM-199 + 10% FF or m-TALP + 5% FF + 5% FCS media 24 h prior to the onset of co-culture. Development to 4 to 16 cell stage was observed at 70x magnification following two days of incubation. Pregnancy was confirmed by detecting increasing serum ${\beta}$-hCG concentrations for 11 days following embryo transfer. Data were analyzed by ${\chi}^2$-test. Oocytes from 244 IVF-ET cycles were randomized. The number of cycles and mean age of patients were 97 and 147, 31.3 yrs and 31.2 yrs for TCM-199 (control) and m-TALP groups, respectively. The mean number of retrieved oocytes/cycle, fertilization rates, number of embryos transferred/ET and pregnancy rates were 11.1 and 10.3, 65.1% and 67.3%, 4.1 and 4.7, 28.9% and 43.8% for TCM-199 and m-TALP groups, respectively. Differences in the pregnancy rates were found between control and m-TALP groups (p<0.05). The pregnancy rate of patients divided according to maternal age groups of ${\leq}30$, 31-35, $36{\leq}$ were 44.4% and 49.0%, 26.1% and 41.3%, 29.2% and 41.2% for control and m-TALP groups, respectively. These data indicate that culture of human embryos in glucose/phosphate-free m-TALP medium improves pregnancy rates.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.405-411
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• 2008

Purpose : Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a versatile immunosuppresive agent used to prevent graft rejection syndrome and treat autoimmune disease. One of the major side effects associated with CsA is the abnormal gingival hyperplasia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the mRNA expression of the MMP-1, TIMP-1, and $TGF-{\beta}_1$ and the concentration of CsA in cultured human gingival keratinocytes. Materials & Methods : Gingival keratocytes were obtained from gingival tissues of 4 healthy donors. The cultured gingival keratocytes were incubated with increasing concentrations of CsA (0-2000 ng/ml) for 24 hours and the expression of MMP-1, TIMP-1, and $TGF-{\beta}_1$ were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results : The expressions of MMP-1 and $TGF-{\beta}_1$ were not significantly different according to the concentrations of CsA. The expression of TIMP-1 was significantly increased at the CsA concentration of 500 ng/ml. Conclusion : We concluded that the gingival hyperplasia induced by CsA was more related with TIMP-1 than MMP-1 or $TGF-{\beta}_1$ on gingival collagen metabolism in patients treated with CsA.

• 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.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1497-1504
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• 2007

To investigate the function and secretion of human thrombopoietin (TPO) in mammalian cells, hTPO cDNA was cloned using human liver cDNA, and recombinant hTPO (rec-hTPO) was produced in CHO cell lines. In addition, six N-linked glycosylation sites were substituted for Ala to elucidate the role of each carbohydrate chain. To analyze the biological activity, rec-hTPO protein was injected subcutaneously. Blood was withdrawn for platelet determination. The metabolic clearance rate (MCR) was also analyzed at the 1, 4, 10 and 24 hr after tail vein injection. Wild-type TPO (WT) was efficiently secreted into the medium. However, a hTPO mutant with 116 deleted nucleotides detected by PCR cloning was not secreted. The N-linked glycosylation sites had nearly the same expression quantity as rec-hTPO WT apart from mutants 3 and 4. The glycosylation site of mutant 4 appeared to be an indispensable site for hTPO secretion. Also characterized was the biological activity through an injection with rec-hTPO (10 ng) to ICR mice (7 weeks). The result of the blood analysis showed a considerable increase in the platelet number six days after He injection. To analyze the pharmacokinetics, rec-hTPO was injected into the tail vein (5 ng). The result was 200 pg/ml 1hr after this injection. Following this, it dramatically decreased and virtually disappeared 10 hours after the injection. Thus, rec-hTPO may be a treatment for thrombopenia by the production of the high active rec-hTPO. In addition, hTPO can permit the development of potent new analogues that stimulate the platelet value.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2011

$\beta$-1,3-glucanase from Pyrococcus furiosus was applied for the saccharification of laminarin, which is a major oligo-saccharide component of brown algae, and the reaction mixture produced from laminarin was utilized as a substrate for alcohol fermentation using yeast. To prepare the recombinant $\beta$-1,3-glucanase, a $\beta$-1,3-glucanase gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Laminarin was degraded to an oligo- and mono-saccharide, such as glucose, after reaction with the purified recombinant $\beta$-1,3-glucanase, and the products after enzymatic treatment were confirmed by TLC and HPLC analysis. Decomposed laminarin after enzyme reaction was only added to the medium as a C-source for yeast alcohol production reaction. 0.3% alcohol production was detected from the cultured broth by gas chromatography after 48 hr of incubation. Further evaluation for optimal conditions of saccharification and alcohol fermentation can be suggested, as well as the possibility of using this enzymatic method to produce ethanol using laminarin.