• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 1998

This study was carried out to examine whether the developmental capacity of bovine immature oocytes frozen ultra-rapidly using electron microscope (EM) grids and EFS30 can be obtained. As freezing solution, we used EFS30 which consisted of 30% ethylene glycol, 0.5 M sucrose, 18% ficoll and 10% FBS added in D-PBS. As criterior of oocyte viability, the rates of maturation, fertilization and embryonic development were determined. The results obtained in this experiment were summarized as follows: When ultra-rapidly frozen immature oocytes were thawed, 43.2% of them were survived. The rates of maturation (84.1%) and normal 2 pronuclei formation (57.5%) of frozen immature oocytes were not significantly different when compared to those of control (92.5, 65.0%). In addition, the rates of $\geq2$-cell (65.0%) and blastocyst formation (30.8%) of freezing group were not significantly different when compared to those of control (73.7, 35.7%). These results demonstrate that developmental capacity of frozen-thawed bovine immature oocytes can be successfully obtained when survived from the ultra-rapid freezing method using EM grid and EFS30.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2017

To increase the productivity of in vitro development, the antioxidants have been used for culture system of bovine oocytes and embryos. However, comparative studies on these molecules are rare and direct beneficial effects on blastocyst production cannot be discriminated for best results. The study was conducted to determine the influence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), N-acetyl-L-cysteine amide (NACA), glutathione (GSH) and cysteamime (CYS) on maturation competence of COCs from GV to MII stage and productivity of blastocyst formation during in vitro fertilization and culture. There was no difference among maturation rates of oocytes to metaphase II with polar body with antioxidants for any of the treatment groups (p>0.05). However, the significant improvement on the rate of blastocysts ($32.3{\pm}5.0%$) was found in 0.1 mM CYS treatment than 0.3 mM NAC, 0.2 mM NACA or 0.5mM GSH (p<0.05). The addition of NAC ($18.8{\pm}3.7%$) or NACA ($21.2{\pm}3.9%$) did not improve development competence to morula and blastocysts than control ($24.4{\pm}4.1%$) and GSH ($26.5{\pm}5.0%$) (p>0.05). Our study showed that medium supplementation with CYS during IVM and IVC improved the rate of bovine embryo development but not with NAC, NACA and GSH addition.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.546-557
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• 2021

Objective: If fertilization does not occur within a specific period, the quality of unfertilized oocytes in the oviduct (in vivo aging) or in culture (in vitro aging) will deteriorate over time. Icariin (ICA), found in all species of Epimedium herbs, has strong antioxidant activity, and is thought to exert anti-aging effects in vitro. We asked whether ICA protects oocytes against age-related changes in vitro. Methods: We analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of antioxidant, maternal, and estrogen receptor genes, and along with spindle morphology, and the developmental competence and quality of embryos in the presence and absence of ICA. Results: Treatment with 5 μM ICA (ICA-5) led to a significant reduction in ROS activity, but increased mRNA expression of glutathione and antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, peroxiredoxin 5, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2), during aging in vitro. In addition, ICA-5 prevented defects in spindle formation and chromosomal alignment, and increased mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (bone morphogenetic protein 15, cyclin B1, MOS proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, and growth differentiation factor-9). It also prevented apoptosis, increased mRNA expression of antiapoptotic genes (BCL2-like 1 and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5), and reduced mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 and activation of caspase-3). Although the maturation and cleavage rates were similar in all groups, the total cell number per blastocyst and the percentage of apoptotic cells at the blastocyst stage were higher and lower, respectively, in the control and ICA-5 groups than in the aging group. Conclusion: ICA protects oocytes against damage during aging in vitro; therefore, it can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies.

• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.35-77
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• 2023

This study aims to solve the entangled loop between demographic transition (DT) and economic growth by analyzing cross-country data. We undertake a national-level group analysis to verify the compressed transition of demographic variables over time. Assuming that the LA (latecomer advantage) on DT over time exists, we verify that the DT of the latecomer is compressed by providing a formal proof of LA on DT over income. As a DT has the double-kinked functions of income, we check them in multiple aspects: early maturation, leftward threshold, and steeper descent under a contour map and econometric methods. We find that the developing countries (the latecomer) have speedy DT (CDT, compressed DT) as well as speedy income such that DT of the latecomers starts at lower levels of income, lasts for a shorter period, and finishes at the earlier stage of economic development compared to that of developed countries (the early mover). To check the balance of DT, we classify countries into four groups of DT---balanced, slow, unilateral, and rapid transition countries. We identify that the main causes of rapid transition are due to the strong family planning programs of the government. Finally, we check the effect of latecomer's CDT on economic growth inversely: we undertake the simulation of the CDT effect on economic growth and the aging process for the latecomer. A worrying result is that the CDT of the latecomer shows a sharp upturn of the working-age population, followed by a sharp downturn in a short period. Compared to early-mover countries, the latecomer countries cannot buy more time to accommodate the workable population for the period of demographic bonus and prepare their aging societies for demographic onus. Thus, we conclude that CDT is not necessarily advantageous to developing countries. These outcomes of the latecomer's CDT can be re-interpreted as follows. Developing countries need power sources to pump up economic development, such as the following production factors: labor, physical and financial capital, and economic systems. As for labor, the properties of early maturation and leftward thresholds on DTs of the latecomer mean that demographic movement occurs at an unusually early stage of economic development; this is similar to a plane that leaks fuel before or just before take-off, with the result that it no longer flies higher or farther. What is worse, the property of steeper descent represents the falling speed of a plane so that it cannot be sustained at higher levels, and then plummets to all-time lows.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.531-548
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical, histologic findings of distracted regenerate and TMJ response in modified distraction osteogenesis (DO) technique combined with compression force as biomechanical stimulation method which has been suggested in 2002, and developed thereafter by authors. This study was performed with two experiments. First experiment was designed to explore the optimal ratio of compression force versus distraction force for the new DO technique. Second experiment was planned to evaluate the reaction of TMJ tissue, especially condyle, disc after application of the DO technique with compression force. Total 52 New Zealand adult male-rabbits with 3.0kg body weight were used for the study. For the first study, 30 adult male-rabbits underwent osteotomy at one side of mandibular body and a external distraction device was applied on each rabbit with same manner. In the control group of 10 rabbits, final 8 mm of distraction with 1 mm rate per day was done with conventional DO technique after 5 latency days. For the experimental group of 20 rabbits, a compression force with 1 mm rate per day was added to the distracted mandible on 3-latency day after over-distraction (over-lengthening). As the amount of the rate of compression versus distraction, experimental subgroup I (10 rabbits) was set up as 2 mm compression versus 10 mm distraction (1/5) and experimental subgroup II (10 rabbits) was set up as 3 mm compression versus 11 mm distraction (about 1/3). All 30 rabbits were set up to obtain final 8 mm distraction and sacrificed on postoperative 55 day to analysis on biomechanical, and histologic findings of the bone regenerates. For second study, 22 adult male-rabbits were used to evaluate TMJ response after the DO method application with compression force. In the control group, 10 rabbits was used to be performed with conventional DO method, on the other hand, in a experimental group of 10 rabbits, 10 mm distraction with 2 mm compression (1/5 ratio) was done. The remaining 2 rabbits served as the normal control group. Histomorphologic examinations on both condyle, histological studies on condyle, disc were done at 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 weeks after distraction force application. The results were as follows: 1. On the bone density findings, the experimental group II (force ratio - 1/3) showed higher bone density than the other experimental group (force ratio - 1/5) and control group (control group - $0,2906\;g/cm^2$, experimental group I - $0.2961\;g/cm^2$, experimental group II - $0.3328\;g/cm^2$). 2. In the histologic findings, more rapid bone maturation like as wide lamellar bone site, more trabeculae formation was observed in two experimental groups compared to the conventional DO control group. 3. In morphologic findings of condyle, there were no differences of size and architecture in the condyle in the control and experimental groups. 4. In histologic findings of condyles, there were thicker fiberous and proliferative layers in experimental group than those of control group until 2 weeks after distraction with compression force. But, no differences were seen between two groups on 3, 4, 7 weeks after compression. 5. In histologic findings of disc, more collagen contents in extracellular matrix, more regular fiber bundles, and less elastin fibers were seen in experimental group than control group until 2 weeks after distraction with compression. But, no differences were seen between two groups on 3, 4, 7 weeks after distraction with compression. From this study, we could identify that the new distraction osteogenesis technique with compression stimulation might improve the quality of bone regeneration. The no remarkable differences on TMJ response between control and experimental groups were seen and TMJ tissues were recovered similarly to normal TMJ condition after 3 weeks.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2002

Reproductive cycle of natural population and artificial control experiments of gonadal development by the conditions of water temperatures-feeding and starvation of Ruditapes philippinarum were investigated by histological observations. The reproductive cycle of natural population in females and males can be categorized into five successive stages; early active (February to March), late active (April to May), ripe (April to August), partially spawned (May to October), and spent-inactive stage (August to March). In the artificial control experiments, gonadal development of this species was inhibited by the low water temperature (10$^{\circ}C$). In the experimental group which was exposed to artificial high water temperatures of 19$^{\circ}C$ and 22$^{\circ}C$, gonadal development was accelerated by the higher water temperatures and was faster (about one month) than that in natural populations. In the high water temperatures-feeding experimental group, the gonadal developmental phase was faster in the small-size group than that in the large-size group, and was faster in lower water temperature (10$^{\circ}C$)(p=0.01). The gonad developmental phases in the high water temperature (22-28$^{\circ}C$)-starvation experimental group showed faster (paired sample t-test, p=0.004) than those in the high water temperature-feeding group in females and males. In the high water temperature-feeding experimental group of female and male gonadal developments of small sized group were more sensitive than those in large sized group after 42 days cultivation, However, the gonadal development of male was more sensitive to the lower water temperature than female. On the whole, sexual maturation in the high water temperature experimental group was faster than those in the low water temperature group, and showed a significant difference (paired sample t-test, p=0.001) between female and male. In the starvation experimental group after 42 days, gonadal developments in the high water temperature-large male group showed faster than those in the high water temperature-large female group. However, in small size, gonad developmental phases showed the same pattern between feeding and starvation experimental groups. During the main spawning season, in the high water temperature-starvation experimental groups in females and males, their gonadal development showed faster than that in higher water temperature-feeding experimental group regardless of their sexes and individual sizes and showed a significant difference (paired sample t-test, p=0.004).

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate in vitro/in vivo development of vitrified-thawed immature mouse oocytes. Immature mouse oocytes were vitrified with EFS40 (40% ethylene glycol, 18% ficoll and 0.5 M sucrose). Thawed oocytes were matured for 16 hr in vitro. Matured oocytes with the first polar body were fertilized with the concentration of 1~2$\times$10$^{6}$ $m\ell$ of epididymal sperm. After fertilization, cleavage ($\geq$ 2-cell) and in vitro/in vivo development rates were examined. $\pi$ Ie results were summarized as follows: in vitro maturation rate of immature mouse oocytes in vitrified-thawed group was similar to that in exposed group (67.5%) and control (66.3%), but cleavage rate of vitrified-thawed oocytes (64.9 %) and blastocyst formation rate (59.0%) were significantly different compared to those of exposed group (83.7 and 74.7%) and control (90.7 and 83.7%) (p＜0.05). However, when the blastocysts derived from immature mouse oocytes vitrified-thawed were transferred to pseudopregnant mouse, total implantation (31.3%) was slightly lower than that in control (40.8%), but live fetus formation rate (66.7%)was slightly higher than that in control (58.1%), there was not significantly different. Therefore, when the blastocyts produced in vitro were transferred into recipients, although the development in vitro of oocytes vitrified-thawed was decreased, live fetus formation rate was similar to that of control group. The present results indicate that immature mouse oocytes can be frozen successfully by vitrification with EFS40.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.324-340
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• 1990

Support has always been considered an important nursing concept. However, there is no agreement among nurse researchers as to a conceptual definition of supportive nursing or meaningful supportive behaviors. Clarification of the concept, support in nursing, is necessary to promote communication among nurses on nursing behaviors that are effective in providing support and on understanding the relevant properties and charcteristics of the concept, supportive nursing care. The objectives of the study were : 1. to analyse the concept, support in nursing, in order to provide a definition of supportive nursing care, and 2. to operationalize the definition of supportive nursing care and use it as an experimental nursing intervention for patients with low back pain. The first part of the study used the concept analysis approach developed by Walker and Avant(1983) to define the concept of supportive nursing care. The properties of supportive nursing care, defined by this analysis, included perception of supportive need, reciprocal interaction(Transaction), listening, providing empathy and information related to health, and confirmation of the patient's verbal and non - verbal response. The second part, the experimental part of the study, was done using King's(1970) Interpersonal Theory for Nursing. The concept, supportive nursing care, as defined in the concept analysis was operationalized and used as the experimental intervention. The experiment tested the effectiveness of the independent variable, supportive nursing care on the dependent variables, depression, mood and patient satisfaction, in the patients with low back pain in army hospitals. The instruments used to measure the dependent variables were Zung's(1965) Self- Rating Depression Scale, Ryman and Colleagues'(1974) Mood Questionnaire and LaMonica and Colleagues'(1986) Patient Satisfaction Scale. The experimental design used for this study was a Solomon 4 group experimental design. This design has the strength of allowing for observation of the main effects of supportive nursing care and pretesting, and for observation of the interaction effects of pretesting and supportive nursing care. The design includes one experimental group and three control groups. The Subjects of this study were 150 young male patients with low back pain on Neuro - Surgical Wards in three general army hospitals. There were 35 in the experimental group, 39 in the pre - posttest control group, 36 in the treatment - posttest control group and 40 in the posttest only control group. Supportive nursing care, as operationalized by the researcher according to the concept analysis, was given to the patients in the experimental group and the treatment -posttest control group, individually for 30 minute sessions, every other day for 5 days. Data collection was done using a questionnaire. The data were collected in a pretest one week before the supportive nursing care sessions, a posttest immediately after the sessions and follow- up test one week later. Hypotheses testing was done using 2×2 factorial analysis of variance and Meta analysis(Stouffer's Z method). The results of this study are summarized as follows : 1. Hypothesis Ⅰ, “There will be a difference on depression level between the patients with low back pain who receive supportive nursing care and those who do not receive supportive nursing care”, was supported (F＝8.49, p＜.05). 2. Hypothesis Ⅱ, “There will be a difference on mood level between the patients with low back pain who receive supportive nursing care and those who to not receive supportive nursing care”, was supported (Z meta＝2.17, p＜.05). 3. Hypothesis Ⅲ, “There will be a difference on satisfaction level between the patients with low back pain who receive supportive nursing care and those who do not receive supportive nursing care”, was supported (F＝13.67, p＜.05). 4. ANOVA, done to examine the interaction effect of history and maturation, showed no significant difference on the dependent variables between the observations of the pretest scores of the experimental group, the pretest scores of the pre- posttest control group and the posttest score of the posttest only control group. 5. To test for continuing effect of supportive nursing care, paired t-test was done to compare the scores for the dependent variables at the posttest and at the one week later follow-up test. No significant difference on the scores for the dependent variables was found between the posttest scores and the follow-up test scores for the two groups that received supportive nursing care, the experimental group and the treatment-posttest control group. In conclusion, it was found that in the case of young soldiers with low back pain in army hospitals, their depression level was decreased, their mood state was changed positively and their satisfaction level was increased by receiving supportive nursing care. Further, the effectiveness of the supportive nursing care lasted for at least one week in this study. The significance of this study to nursing is in the analysis of the concept of supportive nursing care and the demonstration of the effectiveness of supportive nursing care as an intervention within the limits of the study.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2008

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) undergoing the testicular sperm extraction (TESE) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with different histopathologic subgroups. Method: A total of 122 embryo-transferred TESE/ICSI cycles were compared among NOA subgroups; Germ-cell aplasia (GA, 40 cycles), Maturation arrest (MA, 32 cycles) and severe hypospermatogenesis (S-HS, 50 cycles). Obstructive azoospermia (OA, 667 cycles) patients were served as a control. TESE/ICSI outcomes such as fertilization rate (FR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) were evaluated. Results: The 2PN FR of embryo-transferred TESE/ICSI cycle was 58.1% in GA, 42.2% in MA and 48.0% in S-HS, which was significantly lower than that of OA (72.9 %, p<0.001). For ICSI-spermatozoa cycles, there were no significant differences in CPR (22.6%, 29.4% and 26.1%) and LBR (16.1%, 29.4% and 19.6%) among NOA subgroups. The CPR of ICSI-spermatid cycles was 0.0%, 9.1% and 0.0% without a live birth. For ICSI-spermatocyte cycles, no clinical pregnancies occurred in any group. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the FR of embryo-transferred TESE/ICSI cycles among NOA subgroups. The FR among all NOA subgroups was significantly lower than that of OA. Testicular histopathology in NOA did not affect successful pregnancy if spermatozoa extraction from the testis is successful and embryo transfer is possible.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.431-438
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• 2000

To clarify the annual reproductive cycle in a rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, monthly changes in gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and histological feature of gonads and plasma levels of sex steroid hormones ($estradiol-l7{\beta},\;17{\alpha},\;20{\beta}-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one,\;testosterone\;and\;11-ketotestosterone$) were investigated. The annual reproductive cycle in females could be divided into 5 periods as follows: 1) recovery period (June to September): serum level of $estradiol-l7{\beta}$ increased gradually; 2) vitellogenesis period (Septemer to february) : vitellogenic oocytes were obsewed, GSI sustained high value, and serum level of $estradiol-l7{\beta}$ increased; 3) gestation period (February-April): developing larva showed in the ovary, and serum levels of $17{\alpha},\;20{\beta}-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one$ and testosterone increased; 4) partrition period (April to May) : larva were delivered, and value of GSI and serum levels of hormones decreased rapidly; 5) resting period (May to June) : value of GSI and serum levels of $estradiol-l7{\beta}$ and testosterone remained low. The annual reproductive cycle in males could be divided into 6 periods; 1) early maturation period (April to June): value of GSI and serum levels of hormones incresed gradually, cyst of spermatogonia incresed in number, and a small number of cyst of spermatocyte was observed; 2) mid-maturation perid (June to September); value of GSI and serum levels of hormones increased, and germ cells in many cysts were undergoing active sperrnatogenesis; 3) late maturation period (September to November) : value of GSI and serum levels of hormones remained high and spermatozoa were released into the lumina of the seminal lobules; 3) spermatozoa dischaging period (Nobember to December) : the lumina of the seminal lobules were enlarged and filled with mature spermatozoa; 4) degeneration period (December to Februauy)i value of GSI decresed and cyst of spermatocyte were decresed in number; 5) resting period (December to April) : no histological changes of testes were observed, and value of GSI and serum levels of hormones remained low. In November, the lumina of the seminal lobules were filled with mature spermatozoa and sperm masses were present in the ovarian cavity. Thus, copulation in this species occurred in November and December.