• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of maternal age on fertilization, embryo quality, and clinical pregnancy in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia. Methods: A total of 416 ICSI cycles using testicular spermatozoa from partners with obstructive azoospermia (OA, n = 301) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA, n = 115) were analyzed. Female patients were divided into the following age groups: 27 to 31 years, 32 to 36 years, and 37 to 41 years. The rates of fertilization, high-quality embryos, clinical pregnancy, and delivery were compared across maternal age groups between the OA and NOA groups. Results: The rates of fertilization and high-quality embryos were not significantly different among the maternal age groups. Similarly, the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were not significantly different. The fertilization rate was significantly higher in the OA group than in the NOA group (p< 0.05). Age-group analysis revealed that the fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were significantly different between the OA and NOA groups in patients aged 27 to 31 years old, but not for the other age groups. Although the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates differed between the OA and NOA groups across all age groups, significant differences were not observed. Conclusion: In couples using testicular sperm from male partners with azoospermia, pregnancy and delivery outcomes were not affected by maternal age. However, women older than 37 years using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia should be advised of the increased incidence of pregnancy failure.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.8
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• pp.718-727
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• 2020

The imbalance between the proliferation and apoptosis of B-cell precursors is an important contributor to the pathogenesis of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), while its specific regulatory mechanism remains perplexing. This study aimed to expound the underlying mechanism of the proliferation and apoptosis of BCP-ALL cells from the perspective of non-coding RNA. In this study, long non-coding RNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (LncRNA CRNDE) was upregulated in the bone marrow of BCP-ALL patients and BCP-ALL cell lines (NALM-6 and RS4;11). Functionally, LncRNA CRNDE knockdown restrained cell proliferation and boosted cell apoptosis in NALM-6 and RS4;11 cells. The subsequent investigation confirmed that LncRNA CRNDE bound to miR-345-5p and negatively regulated miR-345-5p expression. The overexpression of miR-345-5p suppressed cell proliferation and boosted cell apoptosis in NALM-6 and RS4;11 cells. Further experiments revealed that miR-345-5p downregulated cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) expression by targeting its mRNA directly. CREB overexpression reversed the effect of miR-345-5p mimic on cell proliferation and apoptosis in NALM-6 and RS4;11 cells. Finally, in vivo experiments showed that LncRNA CRNDE knockdown prolonged the survival of mice xenotransplanted with NALM-6 cells. In conclusion, LncRNA CRNDE upregulated CREB expression by suppressing miR-345-5p, thus promoting cell proliferation and reducing cell apoptosis in BCP-ALL.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2015

Nafamostat mesilate (NM) is a serine protease inhibitor with anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory effects. NM has been used in Asia for anticoagulation during extracorporeal circulation in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy and extra corporeal membrane oxygenation. Oxidative stress is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease and is associated with vascular endothelial function. We investigated whether NM could inhibit endothelial dysfunction induced by tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$ ). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with TNF-${\alpha}$ for 24 h. The effects of NM on monocyte adhesion, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein expression, p38 mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, and intracellular superoxide production were then examined. NM ($0.01{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect HUVEC viability; however, it inhibited the increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and p66shc expression elicited by TNF-${\alpha}$ (3 ng/mL), and it dose dependently prevented the TNF-${\alpha}$ -induced upregulation of endothelial VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. In addition, it mitigated TNF-${\alpha}$ -induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation and the adhesion of U937 monocytes. These data suggest that NM mitigates TNF-${\alpha}$ -induced monocyte adhesion and the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules, and that the anti-adhesive effect of NM is mediated through the inhibition of p66shc, ROS production, and p38 MAPK activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.241-248
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• 2010

The present sutdy aimed to determine whether olmesartan, an angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 ($AT_1$) receptor blocker, can influence the CA release from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla. Olmesartan ($5{\sim}50{\mu}M$) perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition of the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (56 mM, a direct membrane-depolarizer), DMPP (100 ${\mu}M$) and McN-A-343 (100 ${\mu}M$). Olmesartan did not affect basal CA secretion. Also, in adrenal glands loaded with olmesartan (15 ${\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}M$, an activator of voltage-dependent L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels), cyclopiazonic acid (10 ${\mu}M$, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase), veratridine (100 ${\mu}M$, an activator of voltage-dependent $Na^+$ channels), and Ang II (100 nM) were markedly inhibited. However, at high concentrations ($150{\sim}300{\mu}M$), olmesartan rather enhanced the ACh-evoked CA secretion. Taken together, these results show that olmesartan at low concentrations inhibits the CA secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotininc and muscarinic receptors) as well as by direct membrane depolarization from the rat adrenal medulla, but at high concentrations it rather potentiates the ACh-evoked CA secretion. It seems that olmesartan has a dual action, acting as both agonist and antagonist at nicotinic receptors of the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, which might be dependent on the concentration. It is also thought that this inhibitory effect of olmesartan may be mediated by blocking the influx of both $Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$ into the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells as well as by inhibiting the $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, which is thought to be relevant to the $AT_1$ receptor blockade, in addition to its enhancement on the CA secreton.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.4
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• pp.414-418
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• 2007

The average number of oviposion scars in lower (facing the Land) and upper part (facing the Sun) of P. koraiensis logs were $16.3{\pm}13.9$ and $3.3{\pm}3.6$, respectively. Oviposition preference of Monochamus saltuarius adults was lower part of Pinus koraiensis. Estimated average number of larvae and egg from oviposition scars ($64.7{\pm}23.8$) in P. koraiensis logs was $18.8{\pm}10.0$ in the laboratory condition. However, oviposition scars were $63.6{\pm}31.1$ and average number of larvae and egg was $2.0{\pm}2.6$ in field condition. When we fed with inner bark (phloem) and xylem of P. koraiensis, body weight of M. saltuarius larvae was normal. However, when we only fed xylem of P. koraiensis, body weight and size were reduced but they were recovered after feeding inner bark (phloem). Esterase isozymes were assessed from larvae fat body of M. saltuarius and Est1 were specifically activated when we fed with inner bark (phloem) and xylem.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.99-109
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• 2008

Protein phosphorylation at tyrosine residues is a key regulatory event that modulates insulin signal transduction. We studied the PTPN1 gene with regard to susceptibility to Korean type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its related quantitative traits. A total of seven SNPs [g.36171G>A (rs941798), g.58166G>A (rs3787343), g.58208A>G (rs2909270), g.64840C>T (rs754118), g.69560C>G (rs6020612), g.69866G>A (rs718050), and g.69934T>G (rs3787343)] were selected based on frequency (>0.05), linkage disequilibrium (LD) status, and haplotype tagging status. We studied the seven SNPs in 483 unrelated patients with type 2 diabetes (age: $64{\pm}2.8$ years, onset age: $56{\pm}8.1$ years; 206 men, 277 women) and 1138 nondiabetic control subjects (age: $64{\pm}2.9$; 516 men, 622 women). The SNP rs941798 had protective effects against T2DM with an odds ratio of 0.726 (C.I. $0.541{\sim}0.975$) and p-value=0.034, but none of the remaining six SNPs was associated with T2DM. Also, rs941798 was associated with blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, insulin sensitivity. rs941798 also has been associated with T2DM in previous reports of Caucasian-American and Hispanic-American populations. This is the first report that shows an association between PTPN1 and T2DM in the Korean as well as Asian population.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 2020

This paper of descriptive-correlative design determined the effects of health perception, need of exercise and self-efficacy on the frequency of exercise among diabetic patients. A total of 86 questionnaires were retrieved from these groups of diabetic patients, who regularly visits endocrinology clinics and accomplished voluntarily the major instrument distributed from two university hospitals in A city, during June to July, 2018. The result was a significant positive relationship that existed between health perception (r=.215, p=.043) and self-efficacy (r=.440, p<.001) with frequency of exercise respectively. Regression analysis revealed that the factor affecting the frequency of exercise is self efficacy (β=.440, p<.001) which illustrated to have a significant effect in the model's explanatory power at 18.4%(F=20.836, p<.001) results. This suggests that diabetic patients with a high positive health perception increase self-efficacy, their self-efficacy will help increase the frequency of exercise if further developed. Therefore, if an intervention program is developed to improve the health perception and self-efficacy education program for diabetics, it will help improve the frequency of exercise, namely diabetes management exercise.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2012

We previously reported that the extract of Taraxacum platycarpum (AF-343) had several biological properties such as skin hydration and anti-inflammatory effects, thereby AF-343 be a promising anti-atopic dermatitis agent. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate its effect on modulation of extracellular matrix proteins in human skin fibroblasts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expressions of type I collagen, MMP-1, Smad2/3, and TIMP-1 proteins in AF-343-treated human skin fibroblasts. Human skin fibroblasts were treated by various concentrations of AF-343 (0~2 mg/ml). The expressions of type I collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), Smad2/3, and TIMP-1 proteins were analyzed by Western blot analysis. In addition, level of type I collagen mRNA was analyzed by CAT assay. Expression of type I collagen protein was increased in AF-343-treated human skin fibroblasts by dose and time-dependent manners. Consistent with this result, the expressions of phospho-Smad2/3 in skin fibroblasts were increased and MMP-1 expression was decreased by AF-343 treatment. TIMP-1 expression was not significantly changed in AF-343 treated skin fibroblasts. Extract of Taraxacum platycarpum (AF-343)-induced up-regulation of type I collagen expression was through increased expression of phospho-Smad2/3. These results were occurred combined with down-regulation of MMP-1 in skin fibroblasts. Taken together, this study indicated that AF-343 has property of the modulation of ECM in tissue as well as skin hydration and anti-inflammation.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2007

Esterase isozymes were extracted from final instar larvae of M. saltuarius treated with selective diets and inhibitors. Twenty esterase isozymes were separated on 12% native-PAGE gel and stained with three different substrates(${\alpha}$-naphthyl acetate, ${\beta}$-naphthyl acetate, or ${\alpha}$-naphthyl butyrate). Interestingly, the isozymes of Est7(${\alpha}$-naphthyl acetate and ${\alpha}$-naphthyl butyrate) and Est6(${\beta}$-naphthyl acetate) were specifically activated in final instar larvae fed with the bark of Pinus koraiensis. However, we could not find any band from substrate ${\beta}$-naphthyl stearate. The esterase activities of Est3, Est6, and Est7 were inhibited by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. In addition, The esterase activities of Est4, Est6, and Est7 were also inhibited by eserine. However, inhibition of esterase activities in methoprene, bornyl acetate, linal, cineol, and citral was not observed. However, It is necessary to reconfirm these results in vivo.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.570-577
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bone mineral density on life styles, dietary habits and nutrient intakes among the male college students. The subjects were divided into four groups; $Q_1$ (calcaneus BMD < 25 percentile, n = 117), $Q_2$ (25 percentile $\le$ calcaneus BMD < 50 percentile, n = 118), $Q_3$ (50 percentile $\le$ calcaneus BMD < 75 percentile, n = 118) $Q_4$ (calcaneus BMD $\ge$ 75 percentile, n = 116). And they were asked about general characteristics, life style, dietary habit, and nutrient intake using questionnaire and 24-hr recall method. They were measured the bone mineral density of calcaneus using quantitative ultrasound. The average age of the subjects of the study was 23.0 yews and the average height, weight, and BMI were 174.7 cm, 69.0 kg, $22.5 kg/m^2$. The bone mineral density in calcaneus was $0.43 g/cm^2$ in $Q_1,\;0.50 g/cm^2$ in $Q_2,\;0.56 g/cm^2$ in $Q_3$, and $0.69 g/cm^2$ in $Q_4$ (p < 0.001). The results showed that $Q_1$ tended to have irregular exercise compared to the other three groups. Compared with $Q_1$ and $Q_2$, the frequency of skipping breakfast was lower in $Q_3$ and $Q_4$. Also the results showed that the $Q_4$ was significantly more often to drink coffee compared with the other three groups (p < 0.01). The mean daily energy intake was 2210.6 kcal ($88.4\%$ of RDA). The intake of energy, vitamin $B_2$, calcium, and zinc did not meet the Korean RDA. Also the $Q_2$consumed significantly lower intakes of protein (p < 0.05) and plant protein (p < 0.05) compared to the $Q_3$ and $Q_4$. The $Q_1$ and $Q_2$ consumed significantly lower intakes of vitamin $B_2$ (p < 0.01) compared to the $Q_3$ and $Q_4$. In conclusion, male student in lower bone mineral density appeared to have unhealthy life styles and dietary habits in terms of irregular exercise, high frequency of skipping breakfast and lower intakes of protein, vitamin $B_2$ showing a strong need proper education on meal practices and exercise habits for the bone health.