• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.253-263
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• 2006

Objective: Identification of the regulatory mechanism for arrest and initiation of primordial follicular growth is crucial for female fertility. Previously, we found 15 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that were specifically abundant in the day-S-subtracted cDNA library and that the B357 clone was novel. The present study was conducted to obtain the whole sequence of the novel gene including B357 and to characterize its mRNA and protein expression in mouse ovary and testis. Methods: The extended sequence of the 2,965-bp cDNA fragment for the clone B357 was named ${\underline{5}}-{\underline{d}}ay-{\underline{o}}vary-{\underline{s}}pecific\;gene-{\underline{1}}$ (5DOS1) and submitted to GenBank (accession number ${\underline{AY751521}}$). Expression of 5DOS1 was characterized in both female and male gonads at various developmental stages by Northern blotting, real-time RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Results: The 5DOS1 transcript was highly expressed in the adult testis, brain, and muscle as compared to the other tissues. In the ovary, the 5DOS1 transcript was detected in all oocytes from primordial to antral follicles, and highly expressed at day 5 after birth and decreased thereafter. In contrast, expression of 5DOS1 showed a gradual increase during testicular development and its expression was limited to various stages of male germ cells except spermatogonia. Conclusions: This is the first report on the expression and characterization of the 5DOS1 gene in the mouse gonads. Further functional analysis of the 5DOS1 protein will be required to predict its role in gametogenesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.261-269
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• 2003

목 적:본 연구에서는 생쥐 난소 주기에 따른Dazla 유전자의 발현 조절 양상을 관찰하고자 하였다. 연구재료 및 방법: 생후 27일된 암컷 미성숙 생쥐 (total 33EA; each 3 EA)로 부터 Pregnant Mare Serum Globulin (PMSG) 투여전, PMSG 투여 3시간, 6시간, 12시간, 24시간, 48시간 후 난소 조직과 hCG 투여 3시간, 6시간, 12시간, 24시간, 48시간 후 난소 조직을 획득하였다. 암컷 성숙 생쥐 난소와 (n=3) 수컷 성숙 생쥐 (n=3)로부터 고환 조직을 획득하여 대조군으로 사용하였다. 각각의 획득된 조직에서 Dazla mRNA 의 발현 여부를 RT-PCR과 in situ hybridization (ISH) 방법으로 확인하였다. 호르몬 투여 시기에 따른 Dazla 유전자의 발현 강도를 ISH 방법으로 비교하여 정상 난소주기에서 PMSG와 PMSG+hCG 에 의한 Dazla 유전자의 발현 조절 양상을 관찰하였다. 결 과: 미성숙 생쥐, 성숙 생쥐 난소 내 난자 모두에서Dazla 유전자의 발현이 관찰되었다. 성숙 생쥐 고환 내 정자에서도 Dazla 유전자의 발현이 관찰되었다. 미성숙 및 성숙 생쥐의 난포에서는 난포의 성장에 따라 Dazla 유전자의 발현 강도가 강하게 관찰되었다. 미성숙 생쥐에 투여된 PMSG와 PMSG+hCG에 의한 유전자의 발현 강도는 난포의 크기가 같을 경우 호르몬 투여전과 비교하여 차이가 없었다. 결 론: Dazla 유전자는 난소내 난자에서 특이하게 발현되며, 난포의 크기에 따라 난자에서의 dazla유전자 발현의 강도도 증가한다. 그러나 PMSG와 PMSG+hCG에 의하여 유전자 발현이 조절되지 않은 것으로 보아 난소의 배란주기에 따른 유전자의 발현 양상에 변화가 없는 것으로 생각된다.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.624-628
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• 1999

Annual plasma levels of vitellogenin and sex steroids were investigated in relation to the gonadal development for understanding the endocrine control of reproduction in spotted flounder, Verasper variegatus. The plasma vitellogenin level was highest, 6.36 mg/ml, in November when vitellogenesis was most active. The level, thereafter, decreased to 3.81 mg/ml in December with the initiation of spawning. On the other hand, estradiol-17 $\beta$ was highest, 2.7 ng/ml, in December, and rapidly decreased in January when spawning occurred. The decreased level of estradiol-17$\beta$, around 0.2 ng/ml, remained unchanged until May. The profiles of plasma testosterone were similar to those of estradiol-17$\beta$ in the fish, The plasma 17 $\alpha$-hydroxyprogesterone level was relatively low throughout the spawning period, but increased slightly with the initiation of ovarian development, In males, the plasma testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone were highest in December when spermiation actively proceeded, but rapidly decreased during the spawning period (January).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2007

Purpose : Child sexual abuse is a significant and serious problem that affects public health and society. Pediatricians are responsible for preventing and detecting sexual abuse of children. The aim of this study was to examine clinical findings of child sexual abuse. Methods : The authors retrospectively studied 292 patients between the ages of 0 and 18 who were referred for evaluation of sexual abuse to the Emergency Department of the National Police Hospital from Oct 1, 2001 to May 5, 2005. Results : Sixty three (21.6 percent) of sexual abuse victims were younger than 6 years of age; 89 (30.5 percent) were 6-12 years of age; and 104 (47.9 percent) were 12-18 years of age. Attack time was the most common between noon and 6 pm. Victims were attacked in their home or nearby (51.4 percent). One hundred fifty six (53.6 percent) offenders were accquaitances, thirty nine (13.4 percent) of whom were family members. The disclosure of attack by parents with abnormal physical symptoms was more common in younger children than in adolescence. Eighty nine (30.5 percent) victims had no specific physical findings, 51 percent had injury to the hymen, 37.3% had injury to external genitalia, and 4 percent had anal injury. One case of gonorrhea and thirteen cases of chlamydia were found. Sperm was found in 19 cases and acid phosphatase was positive in 28 cases. The absence of physical findings and laboratory findings was more common in younger children than in those in adolescence. The time interval from attacks to hospital visits had a significant negative correlation with age. Conclusion : For younger victims, the time interval from attack to hospital visitis was more prolonged. Victims may have no physical evidence of sexual abuse. Therefore, a careful history should be obtained and a through physical examination should be performed. Pediatricians must play a leading role in evaluation and treatment of sexually abused children, considering children,s growth and development. Coordination with other professionals is necessary to provide consultation, medical treatment, and legal assistance for the sexually abused children and families.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.237-243
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• 2006

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of frozen-thawed ET in poor prognosis patients such as the old age (38~44 years; OA group) and the patients who did not achieve clinical pregnancy with the first fresh ET cycle (non-pregnant patients; NP group). Methods: Laboratory and clinical data were collected from fresh and frozen-thawed ET cycles of OA and NP group. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and conventional insemination or ICSI, in vitro culture and ET were performed by routine procedures. Supernumerary embryos were frozen by the slow freezing method, and frozen embryos were thawed by the rapid thawing method. Embryo development, pregnancy and implantation rates were statistically analyzed by Student t-test and chi square test Results: Mean ages were similar between fresh ET ($40.0{\pm}1.8$ years, n=206) and frozen-thawed ET ($39.9{\pm}1.9$ years, n=69) cycles in OA group. However, the clinical pregnancy and implantation rate of subsequent frozen-thawed ET significantly higher than those of fresh ET cycles (29.0% and 11.2% vs. 16.5% and 7.0%, p<0.05). In NP group, there was no difference in the mean age between fresh ET ($31.2{\pm}2.3$ years, n=40) and frozen-thawed ET ($31.9{\pm}3.1$ years, n=119) in subsequent cycles. The clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were similar between the subsequent fresh ET (42.5% and 22.6%) and the frozen-thawed ET (40.3% and 18.8%). Conclusion: In old age patients, higher pregnancy rate of frozen-thawed ET compared to fresh ET cycles in this study. It may be related that better uterine environments for implantation in frozen-thawed ET cycles than that of non-physiological hormonal condition in uterus of fresh COH cycles.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of preoperative semen parameters on both seminal improvement and pregnancy rates following varicocelectomy. Methods: This survey was done in 278 patients who underwent microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy from January 2001 until October 2006. By the total motile sperm counts (TMSC) before operation, the patients were stratified into three groups. Group A (mild oligoasthenospermia) was defined as above 20 million, group B (moderate oligoasthenospermia) was defined as between 5 and 20 million, and group C (severe oligoasthenospermia) was defined as below 5 million. Improvement rates of TMSC and pregnancy rates following varicocelectomy of each groups were compared. Results: The average TMSC of all the patients was 25.75 million before operation and after operation, it was 80.24 million, showing an average increase of 54.49 million (211.6%). To take a look at mean absolute increase (mean relative increase proportion), group A showed 67.90 million (131.2%), group B 62.20 million (482.5%) and group C 26.33 million (1841.2%). The patients with varicocele whose semen parameter is in bad condition show relatively a low mean absolute increase but high mean relative increase proportion. There was no significant difference in natural pregnancy rate among each groups (p=0.119, p=0.059). Conclusions: Even in the varicocele patient whose semen parameter was in bad condition before surgical operation. varicocelectomy could be chosen as the first treatment to male infertility.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.69-83
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• 2011

The aim of the research was to provide basic information for a suitable management and utilization of protected trees by law. To achieve this aim, this study investigated the current state, management status and utilization of protected trees by law in Gyeongsan city. The result of the current state of protected trees indicated that there were 55 protected trees designated since 1982. These trees consisted of 8 species which were located at 41 places. Major species was Sophora japonica (30.9%), followed by Zelkova serrata (23.6%). The protected trees have been used as sacred trees (45.5%) in the villages, followed by scenic trees (36.7%). 38.2% of the protected trees were 200 to 300 years old and 54.6% of the trees were 15 to 30 m in height. 34% of the protected trees were located in the villages, followed by beside road (19.5%). Single trees (78%) were mostly planted. The result of the management status indicated that 58.5% of the root area in protected trees were covered with bare ground, followed by gravel mulch (19.5%). The average of soil hardness was 9.64 mm. The safety fence of tree was installed at 9 places (22%) and a stone wall was built at 22 places (53.7%). 70.9% of the protected trees had a surgical operation to prevent cavities and to cure decay. Granite stone signs were installed at 33 places. The result of the utilization of protected trees indicated that 13 places were used as a rest area in the villages. It consisted of shelters, benches, athletic facilities and outdoor tables. The research suggested potential places for a mini park(pocket park) to recover a local community by using surrounding available land and improving current rest areas of protected trees. The research presented here is a first step towards a more comprehensive analysis of protected trees in Gyeongsan and further research is needed.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.30-51
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• 2011

During the process of modernization, many rural villages in Korea have experienced degeneration and breakdown, losing sustainability. However, Oeam village in Asan City, South Chungcheong Province (State-designated cultural heritage, Important Folk Material No. 236) has established itself as a unique folk village, which evolves with sustainability, pursuing the revival of Neo-traditionalism. Oeam village is a tribal village of the Yis from the Yean region and has maintained environmental, economic, and social sustainability and soundness for over five centuries. Thus, the village has sustained itself well enough to be a cultural asset with 'Outstanding Universal Value', in terms of its value as world cultural heritage. The village maintains its own identity, filled with a variety of traditional and scenic cultural assets that symbolize a gentry village. Those assets include Confucian sceneries (head family houses, ancestral shrines, tombs, gravestones, commemorative monuments, and pavilions), various assets of folk religion (totem poles, protective trees at the entrance of a village, shrines for mountain spirits, village forests), tangible and intangible cultural assets related to daily lives (vigorous family activities, rigorous ancestral rituals, family rituals, collective agriculture and protection of ecosystem), which have all been well preserved and inherited. In particular, this village is an example of a well-being community with a well-preserved folksy atmosphere, which is based on environmentally sound settlements (nature + economy + environment + community) in a village established according to geomancy, East Asia's unique principle of environmental design. In addition, the village has kept the sustainability and authenticity for more than 500 years, combining restraint towards the environment and the view of the environment which respects the natural order and cultural values (capacity + healthy + sustainability). Therefore, the Oeam folk village can be a representative example of a folksy and scenic Korean community which falls into the category of IV (to exemplify an outstanding type of building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape which illustrates significant stages in human history) and V (to exemplify an outstanding traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of cultures, or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change) of Unesco's World Cultural Heritage.