• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.380-386
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of Fuchs dystrophy patients according to COL8A2 gene mutation status. Methods: Eighty-one patients (162 eyes) initially diagnosed with Fuchs dystrophy from 1996 to 2015 were divided into two groups according to COL8A2 gene mutation status. Retrospective analysis was performed comparing gender, age at diagnosis, presence of family history, diabetes mellitus, symptoms of blurred vision in the morning, changes in central corneal thickness and endothelial cell density with time, need for corneal transplantation, and pre-operative corneal status in the two groups. Results: Of the 81 patients, 12 were shown to harbor a COL8A2 gene mutation. Individuals with mutation were significantly associated with presence of family history, diabetes mellitus, and blurred vision in the morning (p = 0.021, p = 0.024, p = 0.044, respectively). They also had significantly thicker central cornea and lower endothelial cell density at the time of diagnosis (p = 0.020, p = 0.005, respectively). The differences in central corneal thickness and endothelial cell density between the two eyes in one patient were significantly smaller in patients with gene mutation (p = 0.043, p = 0.022, respectively). Over a 5-year follow-up period, 60.0% of eyes in patients with gene mutation and 19.2% of eyes in patients without gene mutation underwent corneal transplantation, a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.014). Conclusions: By testing for COL8A2 gene mutation, early binocular disease progression and the possible need for corneal transplantation in the future can be predicted among patients diagnosed with Fuchs dystrophy.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.147-196
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• 2023

Advances in brain science have made it possible to stimulate the brain to treat brain disorder or to connect directly between the neuron activity and an external devices. Non-invasive neurotechnologies already exist, but invasive neurotechnologies can provide more precise stimulation or measure brainwaves more precisely. Nowadays deep brain stimulation (DBS) is recognized as an accepted treatment for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. In addition DBS has shown a certain positive effect in patients with Alzheimer's disease and depression. Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are in the clinical stage but help patients in vegetative state can communicate or support rehabilitation for nerve-damaged people. The issue is that the people who need these invasive neurotechnologies are those whose capacity to consent is impaired or who are unable to communicate due to disease or nerve damage, while DBS and BCI operations are highly invasive and require informed consent of patients. Especially in areas where neurotechnology is still in clinical trials, the risks are greater and the benefits are uncertain, so more explanation should be provided to let patients make an informed decision. If the patient is under guardianship, the guardian is able to substitute for the patient's consent, if necessary with the authorization of court. If the patient is not under guardianship and the patient's capacity to consent is impaired or he is unable to express the consent, korean healthcare institution tend to rely on the patient's near relative guardian(de facto guardian) to give consent. But the concept of a de facto guardian is not provided by our civil law system. In the long run, it would be more appropriate to provide that a patient's spouse or next of kin may be authorized to give consent for the patient, if he or she is neither under guardianship nor appointed enduring power of attorney. If the patient was not properly informed of the risks involved in the neurosurgery, he or she may be entitled to compensation of intangible damages. If there is a causal relation between the malpractice and the side effects, the patient may also be able to recover damages for those side effects. In addition, both BCI and DBS involve the implantation of electrodes or microchips in the brain, which are controlled by an external devices. Since implantable medical devices are subject to product liability laws, the patient may be able to sue the manufacturer for damages if the defect caused the adverse effects. Recently, Korea's medical device regulation mandated liability insurance system for implantable medical devices to strengthen consumer protection.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.681-702
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• 2016

Two different modelling approaches to dune dynamics have been established thus far; continuous models that emphasize the precise representation of wind field, and feedback-based models that focus on the interactions between dunes, rather than aerodynamics. Though feedback-based models have proven their capability to capture the essence of dune dynamics, the compatibility issues on these models have less been addressed. This research investigated, mostly from the theoretical point of view, the algorithmic compatibility of three feedback-based dune models: sand slab models, Nishimori model, and de Castro model. Major findings are as follows. First, sand slab models and de Castro model are both compatible in terms of flux perspectives, whereas Nishimori model needs a tuning factor. Second, the algorithm of avalanching can be easily implemented via repetitive spatial smoothing, showing high compatibility between models. Finally, the wind shadow rule might not be a necessary component to reproduce dune patterns unlike the interpretation or assumption of previous studies. The wind shadow rule, rather, might be more important in understanding bedform-level interactions. Overall, three models show high compatibility between them, or seem to require relatively small modification, though more thorough investigation is needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.651-659
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• 2020

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death across the world, and gold-standard treatments such as percutaneous coronary intervention and artery bypass grafting have various limitations including myocardial damage and subsequent maladaptive cardiac remodeling. To overcome this, stem-cell therapies are emerging as a promising strategy for cardiovascular regeneration. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have high potential to proliferate and differentiate into endothelial cells for vascularization and tissue regeneration, and several clinical trials have explored EPC function in tissue repair in relation to clinical safety and improving cardiac function. Consequently, EPC has been suggested as a feasible stem-cell therapy. However, autologous EPC transplantation in cardiovascular disease patients is restricted by risk factors such as age, smoking status, and hypertension that lead to reduced bioactivity in the EPCs. New approaches for improving EPC function and stem-cell efficacy have therefore been suggested, including cell priming, organoid culture systems, and enhancing transplantation efficiency through 3D bioprinting methods. In this review, we provide a comprehensive understanding of EPC characteristics, therapeutic approaches, and the current state of clinical research into EPCs as stem-cell therapy for cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.7 s.264
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• pp.511-519
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• 2006

Background: Loss of cardiomyocytes in the myocardial infarction leads to regional contractile dysfunction, and necrotized cardiomyocytes in infracted ventricular tissues are progressively replaced by fibroblasts forming scar tissue. Although cardiomyoplasty, or implantation of ventricular assist device or artificial heart was tried in refractory heart failure, the cardiac transplantation was the only therapeutic modality because these other therapeutic strategies were not permanent. Cell transplantation is tried instead of cardiac transplantation, especially bone marrow is the most popular donated organ. But because bone marrow aspiration procedure is invasive and painful, and it had the fewer amounts of cellular population, the adipose tissue is recommended for harvesting of mesenchymal stem cells. Material and Method: After adipose tissues were extracted from abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and intra-abdominal adipose tissue individually, the cellular components were obtained by same method. These cellular components were tried to transformation with the various titers of 5-azacytidine to descript the appropriate concentration of 5-azacytidine and possibility of transformation ability of adipose tissue. Group 1 is abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and Group 2 is intra-abdominal adipose tissue-retroperitoneal adipose tissue and omentum. Cellular components were extracted by collagenase and $NH_4Cl$ et al, and these components were cultured by non-induction media - DMEM media containing 10% FBS and inducted by none, $3{\mu}mol/L,\;6{\mu}mol/L,\;and\;9{\mu}mol/L$ 5-azacytidine after the 1st and 2nd subculture. After 4 weeks incubation, tile cell blocks were made, immunostaining was done with the antibodies of CD34, heavy myosin chain, troponin T, and SMA. Result: Immunostaining of the transformed cells for troponin T was positive in the $6{\mu}mol/L\;&\;9{\mu}mol/L$ 5-azacytidine of Group 1 & 2, but CD34 and heavy myosin chain antibodies were negative and SMA antibody was positive in the $3{\mu}mol/L\;&\;6{\mu}mol/L$ 5-azacytidne of Group 2. Conclusion: These observations confirm that adult mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissues and intra-abdominal adipose tissues can be chemically transformed into cardiomyocytes. This can potentially be a source of autologous cells for myocardial repair.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2008

Objectives: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has become an assisted reproductive technique for couples carrying genetic conditions that may affect their offspring. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue characterized by bone fragility and low bone mass. At least 95% of cases are caused by dominant mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2. In this study, we report on our experience clinical outcomes with 5 PGD cycles for OI in two couples. Methods: Before clinical PGD, we assessed the amplification rate and allele drop-out (ADO) rate of alkaline lysis and nested PCR protocol using heterozygous patient's single lymphocytes in the pre-clinical diagnostic tests for OI. We performed 5 cycles of PGD for OI by nested PCR for the causative mutation loci, COL1A1 c.2452G>A and c.3226G>A, in case 1 and case 2, respectively. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with HaeIII restriction enzyme in the case 1 and direct DNA sequencing. Results: We confirmed the causative mutation loci, COL1A1 c.2452G>A in case 1 and c.3226G>A in case 2. In the pre-clinical tests, the amplification rate was 94.2% and ADO rate was 22.5% in case 1, while 98.1% and 1.9% in case 2, respectively. In case 1, a total of 34 embryos were analyzed and 31 embryos (91.2%) were successfully diagnosed in 3 PGD cycles. Eight out of 19 embryos diagnosed as unaffected embryos were transferred in all 3 cycles, and in the third cycle, pregnancy was achieved and a healthy baby was delivered without any complications in July, 2005. In case 2, all 19 embryos (100.0%) were successfully diagnosed and 4 out of 11 unaffected embryos were transferred in 2 cycles. Pregnancy was achieved in the second cycle and the healthy baby was delivered in March, 2008. The causative locus was confirmed as a normal by amniocentesis and postnatal diagnosis. Conclusions: To our knowledge, these two cases are the first successful PGD for OI in Korea. Our experience provides a further demonstration that PGD is a reliable and effective clinical techniques and a useful option for many couples with a high risk of transmitting a genetic disease.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1980

This study was carried out to examine the substitution possibility into fiber pot instead of Jiffy pot for the good transplanting. Fiber pot was made of fiber, wood waste particle, and bark powder (10% of the particle weight) and also latex was added into the furnish as a binder. The pots were sprayed with just enough urea solution to prevent nitrogen deficiency of pot media coming from the breakdown of wood fiber in the pot wan during the plant growing. The utility of fiber pot was compared with that of Jiffy pot in the service test of two tree species under a green-house condition. The results obtained can be summarized as follows ; 1. Fiber pot made of 30% wood fiber+70% particle including 10% of bark powder, and 3%-latex has shown a good results like that of Jiffy pot in the sp. gr., tear factor and burst factor. For water absorption, fiber pot made of 50% fiber+50% particle, and 3%-latex got the best result. In the consideration of the above physical and mechanical properties of the fiber pot for good root penetration through the pot wall and facile handling, fiber pot made of 30% fiber+70% particle, and 3%-latex may be seemed to be good. 2. There were no harms in sapling growth in fiber pot as well as in Jiffy pot. The root penetration ability through the fiber pot was slightly inferior to that of Jiffy pot, and yet the pot damage through transportation seemed to be slighter in fiber pot than in Jiffy pot.

• Proceedings of the Korean System Dynamics Society
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• 2003.08a
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• pp.83-108
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• 2003

한 산업에서 인력 수급을 전망하는 것은 인력의 수요자인 기업의 측면에서는 안정적인 인력 확보 전략을 수립하기 위해서, 공급자인 산업 종사자들에게 있어서는 자신들이 앞으로 진출해야할 산업의 매력도를 파악하기 위해서, 그리고 정부 차원에서는 관련 산업에 있어서 중복 투자의 방지와 효율적이고 균형 된 산업 발전을 위한 정책 수립을 위해서 매우 중요하다. 그러나 이러한 인력 수급 전망들은 종종 잘못된 시장 분석으로 인하여 인력의 과소 공급 또는 과잉 공급이라는 의도하지 않은 결과를 가져오는 경우가 있다. 이는 전체적인 시각에서 시장의 구조적 특성을 분석하기보다는 현상을 조사하는 수준에 머물거나 현재의 상황 또는 단일 산업만을 고려할 뿐 시간의 흐름에 따른 동태적 변화와 지연된 피드백의 효과, 그리고 관련 산업간의 유기적 연관관계를 반영하지 못한 채 단기적이고 단선적인 관점에서 인력 수급을 전망하는데 그 원인이 있다고 볼 수 있다. 특히, 다른 산업과의 연관 관계가 복잡하고 인력의 수요의 급증에도 불구하고 산업에서 요구하는 인력을 양성하기까지 많은 시간이 소요되는 첨단 산업 및 신생 산업에서의 경우 이러한 현상은 더욱 두드러지게 나타날 수 있다. 이러한 관점에서 본 논문은 변수간의 상호 동태적인 관계와 시간의 흐름에 따른 행태를 분석하는 데 용이한 SD 방법론에 기초하여 최근 빠르게 성장하고 있는 정보보호산업에서의 동태적인 인력 수급 모델을 구현하여 향후 국내 정보 보호 인력의 수급 행태가 어떻게 전개될 것인지를 분석해 보았으며 이를 통하여 동태적 시각에서 인력 수급 불균형 현상의 원인을 파악하고 문제 해결을 위한 대안을 제시하고자 한다.채취하여 임신진단키트(제네디아프로테 트, 녹십자)를 이용하여 임신여부를 1차적으로 확인하였다. 과배란을 유기한 13두의 공란우중 9두(69.2%)가 과배란 반응을 나타내었으며, 회수된 수정란 51개중 이식가능수정란은 38개(74.5%) 였다. 발정동기화를 유도한 수란우 40두중에서 35두(87.5%)가 발정이 동기화되었으며, 그 중 황체검사를 통하여 30두의 수란우에 수정란을 이식하였다. 수정란이식후 13일(발정주기 21일)에 혈액을 이용한 임신진단에서 농가별 수태율은 각각 37.5%, 70.0%, 60.0% 및 71.4% 로서 평균 60.0%를 나타내었다.서 39$^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ 배양기에 48시간 배양하면서 생존여부를 판단하였다. 실험 2에서 확장배반포배 수정란이 25.3%의 생존율을 나타내었으며, 실험 1과 실험 3에서는 수정란의 형태와 관계없이 생존성을 확인할 수 없었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 glycerol 완만동결에서는 확장배반포기 수정란 이상이 보존가능한 것으로 추정되나 더 추가적인 연구가 요구된다.c kinase 활성의 변동은 정소 내 간충조직, 세정관 상피의 증식 및 기능적 분화 과정을 매개하는 생리적 활성분자 수용체 하위의 신호전달 과정에 Src-Csk loop에 의한 조절가능성을 확인할 수 있었다.rugrene의 향기성분이 주요 성분군으로 확인되었다. 2. 생강나무에서 생강의 향기를 발산하는 성분으로는 $\beta$-myrcene, o-terpinolene, phellandrone, ι-limonene, $\beta$-eudes

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2010

Follicular cystic ovary (FCO) is one of the major causes of reproductive failure in cattle. Genetic alterations affect the function of diverse cells and/or tissues, which could be present in cystic ovaries. A microarray analysis was performed to screen differential gene expressions in follicular cystic follicles of cattle. In this study, we hypothesized that follicular cysts may be induced by changes in ion- and transporter-related gene expression. Microarray data showed that fibrinogen-gamma (FGG) and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8) were up-regulated, while choline transporter-like protein 4 (SLC44A4), very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase homolog 2 (SLC27A5), annexin 8 (ANXA8), and aquaporin 4 were down-regulated in follicular cystic follicles. A semi-quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to validate DEGs altered in follicular cystic follicles. Of six DEGs, three DEGs (FGG, SLC44A4, and aquaporin 4) showed a positive correlation between microarray and semi-quantitative PCR data. We focused on FGG, among three DEGs, which was highly up-regulated in follicular cystic follicles. The FGG mRNA was upregulated by 8.4-fold and by 1.7-fold in the bovine follicular cystic follicles as judged by microarray and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. However, there was no significant changes in the expression level of FGG protein in both follicular cystic follicles and granulosa cells isolated from follicular cystic follicles by Western blot analysis. Although this study does not reveal a positive correlation between the mRNA and protein level, FGG appears to be an important biomarker in the discrimination of follicular cyst from normal ovary.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2007

Endometrial cells play important roles in implantation and during pregnancy. This study was carried out to identify whether two-pore domain $K^+\;(K_{2P})$ channels are expressed in endometrial cells of Korean cattle. $K_{2P}$ channels set the resting membrane potential of many kinds of neuronal cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems. RT-PCR data showed that TASK-1, TASK-3, TREK-1, TREK-2, and TRAAK were expressed in bovine endometrial cells, and the mRNA expression levels were similar between endometrial cells with or without endometritis. The protein expression was confirmed by using commercially available polyclonal antibodies (TASK-3, TREK-1, TREK-2, and TRAAK). TASK-3 and TREK-1 were expressed in all area of endometrial cells including nuclei, while TREK-2 and TRAAK were expressed in all area of cells except nuclei. These results demonstrate for the first time the presence of $K_{2P}$ channel in endometrial cells of Korean cattle.