• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.187-198
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• 2013

In this study, we measured the morphometric and histological changes in the cyprinid loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, during the early period of growth. Eyes, yolk length, yolk height, and yolk volume of the larva decreased for 16 days post hatching (DPH) (P<0.05). During 60 DPH (P>0.05), the most anterior extension of the head ${\times}$ the posterior end of the supraoccipital, the most anterior extension of the head ${\times}$ the origin of the dorsal fin, the most anterior extension of the head ${\times}$ the origin of the pectoral fin, the posterior end of the supraoccipital ${\times}$ the origin of the pelvic fin, and the origin of the dorsal fin ${\times}$ the ventral origin of the caudal fin gradually decreased, whereas the most anterior extension of the head ${\times}$ the dorsal origin of the caudal fin, the origin of the dorsal fin ${\times}$ the origin of the anal fin, the origin of the dorsal fin ${\times}$ the origin of the pectoral fin, and the insertion of the dorsal fin ${\times}$ the origin of the pelvic fin gradually increased (P<0.05). In the cyprinid loach, the retina is composed of six layers: the epithelial layer, ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform layer, outer limiting membrane, and rod and cone layer (RCL). After hatching, part of the RCL gradually increased in density. The kidney and midgut epithelium were already formed in the cyprinid loach just after hatching and grew gradually in subsequent days.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.269-274
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of fibroblast co-culture on in vitro maturation (IVM) of prepubertal mouse preantral follicles. The intact preantral follicles were obtained from the ovaries of 12-14 day old mice and these were cultured individually in ${\alpha}$-minimal essential medium (${\alpha}$-MEM) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), $100mIU/m{\ell}$ recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH), 1% insulin-transferrin-selenium, $100{\mu}g/ml$ penicillin and $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ streptomycin as base medium for 12 days. A total of 200 follicles were cultured in base medium co-cultured with mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) (MEF group) (n=100) or only base medium as control group (n=100). Survival rate of follicles on day 12 of culture were significantly higher in the MEF group of 90.0%, compared with 77.0% of the control group (p=0.021). Follicle diameters on day 6 and 8 of the culture period were significantly larger in the MEF group than those in the control group (p=0.021, p=0.007, respectively). Estradiol levels in culture media on day 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 of the culture period were significantly higher in the MEF group (p=0.043, p=0.021, p=0.006, p<0.001 and p=0.008, retrospectively). Our data suggest that MEF cell co-culture on IVM of mouse preantral follicle increases survival rate and promotes follicular growth and steroid production.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2013

This study was performed to investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR-${\gamma}$) ligand, pioglitazone, on production of regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome in infertile patients with endometriosis. Sixty-four infertile patients with stage III or IV endometriosis undergoing IVF were randomly allocated to the study or the control group. The long protocol of GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) was used for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in all patients. Patients in the study group were treated with pioglitazone at a dose of 15 mg/day orally from the starting day of GnRH-a treatment to the day of hCG injection. Blood samples were drawn for serologic assay of RANTES on the first day of GnRH-a treatment and the day of hCG injection. There were no differences between the study and control groups in patient characteristics. There were also no differences between the two groups in COS duration, and the numbers of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes and embryos transferred. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was higher in the study group, but this difference was not statistically significant. However, embryo implantation rate was significantly higher in the study group of 12.5% compared with 8.6% in the control group (P<0.05). The serum RANTES levels after pioglitazone treatment were significantly lower than those before pioglitazone treatmen in the study group (P<0.05). Our data suggest that pioglitazone treatment can suppress RANTES production and improve the embryo implantation rate in patients with endometriosis undergoing IVF.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.1 s.54
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• pp.28-38
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• 2005

According to the recent development of measurement system utilizing one or a set of boreholes, visualization of the explored underground became to be a major issue. It induced even the introduction of monitoring apparatuses on the borehole wall with multi-function tool, but the usage of these was often limited by where is unfavorable rock condition and a few of engineers can approach. And so, a portable type of borehole camera with only the essential function has been investigated and a few of commercial models about this is recently being applied into the field condition. This paper was based on the monitoring results obtained using a commercial model by Dr. Nakagawa. Discontinuities in rock mass were the topic for the visualization, and it was studied how can visualize their three dimensional distribution and what a numerical formulation is needed and how to understand the visualization result. The numerical formulation was based on the geometric correlation between the dip direction / dip of discontinuous plane and the trend / plunge of borehole, a set of the equation of a plane was induced. As field application of this into two places, it is found that the above visualization methodology will be especially an useful geotechlical tool for analyzing the local distribution of discontinuities.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.27-53
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• 2016

This case analyzed the efficiency of 79 R&D projects performed within one private research center in machine tools industry. DEA was used for efficiency analysis. Input variables were R&D investment expense and man-month. Output variables were achievement rate on target development period and expected net sales within 5-years. Samples are divided into product development, Prior technology development, and control technology development. The key result is that Prior technology showed the lowest efficiency because of high uncertainty. It was so difficult to determine its goals and to make its specific plans. With respect to scale, the proportions of CRS(constant returns to scale) were 34.6%, 14.3% and 38.9% for product development, prior technology, control technology respectively. As for IRS(increase returns to scale), they were 53.8%, 85.7% and 38.9% for product development, prior technology, control technology respectively. As for DRS(decrease returns to scale) they were 11.5%, 0% and 22.2% for product development, prior technology, control technology respectively. On the whole, in this case, insufficient input was more problematic than excessive input, which means the lack of investment in R&D. Prior technology can be the source of the future competitiveness of companies. To operate inefficient DMU efficiently, the optimal input should be managed and it is derived from comparison with the reference group.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.250-255
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• 2007

The RecA protein of Deinococcus radiodurans is essential for the extreme radiation resistance of this organism. The central steps involved in recombinational DNA repair require DNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis by recA protein. Key feature of RecA protein-mediated activities is the interactions with ssDNA and dsDNA. The ssDNA is the site where RecA protein filament formation nucleates and where initiation of DNA strand exchange takes place. The effect of sequence heterogeneity of ssDNA was examined in this experiment. The rate of homopolymeric synthetic ssDNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis was constant or nearly so over a broader range of pHs. For poly(dT)-dependent ATP or dATP hydrolysis, rates were generally faster, with a broader optimum between pH 7.0 and 8.0. Activities of RecA protein were affected by the ionic environment. The ATPase activity was shown to have different sensitivity to anionic species. The presence of glutamate seemed to slimulate the hydrolytic activity. Dr RecA protein was shown to require $Mg^{2+}$ ion greater than 2 mM for binding to etheno ssDNA and the binding stoichiometry of 3 nucleotide for RecA protein monomer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.249-253
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• 2013

Background: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumor of mesothelial surfaces. Previous studies have observed an association between ABO blood groups and risk of certain malignancies, including pancreatic and gastric cancer; however, no information on any association with MM risk is available. The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations amoong MM clinicopathological features and ABO blood groups and Rh factor. Materials and Methods: In 252 patients with MM, the ABO blood group and Rh factor were examined and compared with the control group of 3,022,883 healthy volunteer blood donors of Turkish Red Crescent between 2004 and 2011. The relationship of blood groups with various clinicopathological features were also evaluated in the patient group. Results: The median age was 55 (range: 27-86) and 61.5% of patients were male. While 82.8% of patients had a history of exposure to asbestos, 60.7% of patients had a smoking history. Epithelioid (65.1%) was the most common histology and 18.7% of patients had mixed histology. Overall, the ABO blood group distribution of the 252 patients with MM was comparable with the general population. The median overall survival (OS) was 14 months (95% confidence interval, 11.3-16.6 months). The median OS for A, B, AB, and O were 11, 15, 16, and 15 months respectively (p=0.396). First line chemotherapy was administered to 118 patients. The median OS of patients on pemetrexed or gemcitabine was longer than patient who was not administered chemotherapy [17 months (95%CI, 11.7-22.2) vs. 9 months (95%CI, 6.9-11.0); p<0.001]. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that patients with MM can benefit from treatment with pemetrexed or gemcitabine in combination with cisplatin. We did not observe a statistically significant association between ABO blood group and risk of MM.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.118-128
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate the toothbrush abrasion characteristics of seven commercially available light-cured cervical restorative materials one resin-modified glass-ionomer material(Fuji II LC) three polyacid-modified composites(Compoglass, Dyract, F2000), and three light-cured composites(Heliomolar, Palpique Estelite, UniFil F). All samples were stored in distilled water at $37^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. 2.0N of weight was loaded during the test and the abraded surfaces were examined with profilometer and SEM after 100,000 cycles. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The highest hardness value of 79.7 was observed in the FT group and the lowest value of 20.0 was observed in the HM group. Results of Tukey test showed that an overall significant difference was indicated except the CG and DR groups(p<0.05). 2. The highest surface roughness was observed in the FL group and the lowest was observed in the UF group. Results of Tukey test showed the significant difference between the FL or FT and UF groups(p<0.05). 3. Statistically higher abrasion and surface roughness were observed for the dentifrice of paste type, Perio A+, than for that of gel paste type, Tom & Jerry. 4. The surface roughness values increased on the abraded surfaces because of the protrusion of filler particles due to selective removal of matrix resin.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6097-6100
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• 2012

Background: Previous studies have observed an association between ABO blood group and risk for certain gastrointestinal malignancies, including pancreatic and gastric cancer. However, it is unclear whether there is such an association with colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, possible relationships between ABO blood groups and Rh factor and KRAS status in patients with CRC were investigated. Materials and Methods: In 1,620 patients with CRC, blood group and Rh factor were examined and compared with the control group of 3,022,883 healthy volunteer blood donors of the Turkish Red Crescent between 2004 and 2011. The relationship of blood groups with wild type K-ras status was also evaluated. Results: Overall distributions of ABO blood groups as well as Rh factor were comparable between patients (45% A, 7.2% AB, 16.4% B, 31.4% O, and 87.2% Rh+) and controls (42.2% A, 7.6% AB, 16.3% B, 33.9% O, and 87.7% Rh+) (p=0.099). However, there were statistically significant difference between patients and controls with respect to O vs. non O blood group (p=0.033) and marginally significant difference for A vs. non-A blood group (p=0.052). Among patients, the median age was 62 (range 17-97), 58.1% were male. There were no statistically significant differences respect to sex and K-ras status. Conclusion: In present study, the ABO/Rh blood groups were statistically significantly associated with the risk of CRC. There were no relationship between K-ras status and ABO blood group and Rh factor. However further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to establish the role of blood groups and to define t he mechanisms by which ABO blood type affect CRC.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.193-204
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• 2017

The influence of triploidization on histological characteristics of retina, trunk kidney, liver and midgut tissue, and cell cycle of tail fin and gill tissue in far eastern catfish, Silurus asotus were analyzed. In the infertile triploid fish, the nucleus and/or cell size of secondary proximal tubule cells of trunk kidney, hepatocyte and midgut epithelium are much larger than those of the corresponding cells in the diploid fish (P<0.05). However, triploid tissue showed fewer number of outer nuclear layer in retina and nuclei in secondary proximal tubule of trunk kidney than those for diploid tissue. The mean percentages of the $G_l-$, the S- and the $G_2+M-phase$ fractions were 92.5%, 3.2% and 4.3% in tail fin tissue of diploid, and 93.4%, 2.6% and 4.0% in those of triploid, respectively. There were no significant differences in the percentages of each cell cycle fraction between diploid and triploid. The mean percentages of each phase fractions were 75.1%, 11.1% and 13.8% in gill tissue of diploid and 85.2%, 8.9% and 5.9% in those of triploid, respectively. The differences of cell cycle between tail fin tissue and gill tissue were statistically significant in diploid and triploid (P<0.05). Also, the differences between diploid and triploid were statistically significant in tail fin tissue and gill tissue (P<0.05). Cyclin D1 and cyclin E expressions were not significantly difference between gill tissue and tail fin tissue, and protein expressions of induced triploid were higher than those of diploid. Results from this study suggest that some characteristics in the triploid exhibiting larger cell and nucleus size with fewer number of cell than diploid can be used as an indicator in the identification of triploidization and ploidy level in far eastern catfish.