• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-75
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• 2009

The development of the biomedical science and technology has extended an argument about a status in constitutional law of unborn human life and a protection of the potential human life to that of an embryo and a gamete beyond a fetus. This argument has been focused on whether we should provide unborn or potential human life with human dignity and the right to life that are guaranteed by the constitutional law altogether or separately. If the right to life is given to unborn or potential human life, on what grounds can we restrict this right. Those who argue for the unity of the right to life with human dignity and the inseparability of those two claims that the right to life in itself should be guaranteed absolutely. According to the constitutional law, however, any constitutional right of the human person within the protection of essential part of the right can be compared with each other and restricted with some valid reasons from the legal perspective. This measure is unavoidable in reality because one right can come into conflict with another right frequently. Since fetus and embryo are in a process of developing into the human person, it is difficult to think that they are the same with the human person. For that reason, it is hard to consider that the right to life of fetus or embryo is the same with that of the human person. However, since a fetus has a special status as a potential human person, and an embryo also has a special value as a potential fetus upon an implantation, the right to life of fetus or embryo should be judged differently according to the stage of their development. A study on a constitutional status and protection of a fetus and an embryo is essential because unborn or potential human life is the origin of human person. Therefore, we have to make much account of their right to life and seek the legal respect for their inherent value.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.137-155
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• 1996

The development of the ganglia of the trachea was studied by electron microscopy in human fetuses ranging from 40 mm to 260 mm crown rump length. At 40 mm fetus, the tracheal ganglia was observed in the submucosa of the trachea. The primitive ganglia consisted of neuroblasts, undifferentiated cells, and unmyelinated nerve fibers. At 50 mm fetus, the neuroblast and their processes in the tracheal ganglia ware ensheathed by the bodies or processes of satellite cells. The cytoplasm of the neuroblast contained rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi complex, and ribosomes. At 70 mm fetus, cholinergic and adrenergic axon terminals were observed. Cholinergic axon terminals with agranular vesicles were abundant in the tracheal ganglia with increasing age. During next prenatal stage from 100 mm fetus, the ganglion cells and its processes were completely covered by a thin processes of the satellite cells. Unmyelinated nerve fibers were also completely ensheathed by processes of Schwann cell. Synaptic contacts between the cholinergic axon and dendrite of ganglion cells and a few dendrodendritic synapses were first observed at 100 mm fetus. The granule-containing cells were first identified in the tracheal ganglia at 200 mm fetus. These findings indicate that tracheal ganglia of human fetus resembles other parasympathetic and sympathetic ganglia, but not the enteric ganglia.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.157-175
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• 1996

The development of flexor digital tendon of the hand was studied by electron microscopy in human fetuses ranging from 9 mm to 260 mm crown rump length. The primordium of tendons was first identified as discrete collection of mesenchymal cells at 25 mm fetus. Synovial sheath formation had commenced by 40 mm fetus and was complete by 70 mm fetus. Cell junction or adhesion sites at all ages were noted between the tendon cells. When dilatation of the synovial cavity occurred, two types of synovial cells were observed. A-type cells had numerous vesicles and large vacuoles. In contrast, B-type cells were characterized by abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and well-developed Golgi complex. By $150mm{\sim}260mm$ fetuses, a mojority of the synovial cells were type B. The most remarkable difference between the synovial cells of full-term fetus and adult was the larger amount of collagen fibers in the latter. The vascular buds were first observed between the individual fibril bundles in the interfascicular space at 150 mm fetus. At 25 mm fetus, collagen fibrils were first noted within narrow cytoplasmic recesses which were continued with the extracellular space. Collagen fibrils were filled in almost entire extracellular space at 150 mm fetus. Besides collagen fibrils in the extracellular space small elastic fibers were also identified and followed in their development.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.73-83
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• 2005

Higher methylmercury (MeHg) accumulation and susceptibility to toxicity in the fetus than in the mother at parturition is well known. However, the difference in MeHg exposure to fetus and offspring throughout gestation and suckling is not well established. In the human, the effects of MeHg exposure on pregnant and breast-feeding women remain an important issue for elucidation, especially those of continuous uptake in high-fish-consumption populations. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the difference in MeHg exposure to fetus and offspring throughout gestation and lactation using our recent animal and human studies data. In the animal study, adult female rats were given a diet containing 5 ${\mu}$g/g Hg (as MeHg) for 8 weeks. Then they were mated and subsequently given the same diet throughout gestation and suckling. On embryonic days 18, 20, 22 and at parturition, the concentrations of Hg in the brains of fetus were approximately 1.5-2.0 times higher than those in the mothers. However, during the suckling period Hg concentrations in the brain rapidly declined to about 1/10 of that during late pregnancy. Hg concentrations in blood also decreased rapidly after birth. In human study, Hg concentrations in red blood cells (RBCs-Hg) in 16 pairs of maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were compared at birth and 3 months of age after parturition. RBCs-Hg concentration in the umbilical cords was about 1.6 times higher than those in the mothers at parturition. However, all the infants showed declines in Hg concentrations throughout the breast-feeding period. The Hg concentration in RBCs-Hg at 3 months of age was about half that at birth. Both the animal and human studies indicated that MeHg exposure to the fetus might be especially high but it dramatically decreases during the suckling period. Therefore, close attention should be paid to the gestation rather than the breast-feeding period to avoid the risk of MeHg to human infants.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 1998

Ultrastructural study of the development of the atrioventricular (AV) node was studied by electron microscopy in human fetus ranging from 30 mm to 260 mm crown rump length, and compared with human adult. By 30 mm fetus, the right AV nodal primordium was located below the attachment of the right venous valve. The left AV nodal primordium was observed below the attachment of septum primum. The cytoplasm of the nodal primordia contained few mitochondria, and myofibrils. These cells were apposed to each other with occasional desmosomes. In 40 mm fetus, the AV node cells were poorly organized myofibrils, while working myocardial cells were well organized myofibrils with sarcomere. At 70 mm fetus, intercalated discs were developed in the working myocardial cells. At 100 mm fetus, the nodal cells contained a relatively clear cytoplasm with a few groups of myofibrils and mitochondria. By $140\sim200$ mm fetuses, the nodal cells were an increasing number of myofibrils and mitochondria and these were scattered throughout the cytoplasm. At 260 mm fetus, the nodal cells were small and contained a clear cytoplasm with sparse and poorly organized myofibrils and mitochondria. All major ultrastructural features which characterize the adult AV nodal cells were found in this stage. The working myocardial cells were larger and had a more compact cytoarchitecture than nodal cells. Zonula adherens or fasciae adherens type junction were not found between nodal cells, but they frequently observed between nodal and working myocardial cells.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1017-1028
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fetus-related pregnancy stress and temperament, parenting attitude, parent-fetal attachment, and marital quality. Respondents were 285 pregnant women and their spouses who participated in Pregnant Education Programs. Data was collected by means of questionnaire. The results are summarized as follows: The total fetus-related pregnancy stress level of pregnant couples demonstrated a higher relationship while parent-fetal attachment level demonstrated a very significant relationship. There were significant differences between spouses with regard to fetus-related pregnancy stress, parenting attitude, parent-fetal attachment, and marital quality.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.329-348
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• 1996

The prenatal development of lateral motor columns in the lumbar spinal cord was studied by electron microscopy in human embryos and fetuses ranging from 9 mm to 260 mm crown-rump length ($5{\sim}30$ weeks of gestational age). At 9 mm embryo, the lateral motor column were developed from ventro-lateral projection into the marginal layer and composed of primitive neuroblasts. At 20 mm embryo the primitive motor neurons were packed closely together and could readly be distinguished from primitive glioblasts by a presence of large nuclei. The primitive multipolar neurons were observed in lateral motor column at 40 mm fetus. At 80 mm fetus multipolar neurons were characterized by their many dendrites and axons in the vicinity of motor neuron perikarya. At 260 mm fetus, the motor neurons were large and contained all intracytoplasmic structures in the cytoplasm which were also found in mature motor neuron in lateral motor column. The first axo-dendritic synapses found at 40 mm fetus and increased in number throughout fetal development. Axo-somatic synapses with spherical vesicles were first observed at 80 mm fetus. A few axo-somatic synapses were found at next prenatal stages. Axo-dendritic and axo-somatic synapses contained mixed populations of spherical and flattened vesicles by 120 mm fetus. These findings indicate that axo-dendritic synapses develop prior to axo-somatic synapses in the spinal cord during neurogenesis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.177-195
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• 1996

Fine structure of the processes of intramembranous ossification and endochondral ossification at the tip of the distal phalanx of human fetuses was studied by electron microscopy. In 50 mm fetus, intramembranous ossification of the tip of cartilaginous phalanx was first noted. The osteoblasts of the perichondral zone of tip of cartilaginous phalanx started to lay down a thick membranous bony lamella. Most of the hypertrophied chondrocytes in the marginal parts of tip of the distal phalanx remained viable after being embeded in mineralized cartilaginous septa. The tuberosity of the distal phalanx was formed by membranous bony trabeculae on the exterior of the subperiosteal cap at 80 mm fetus. At this stage endochondral ossification was first observed in distal extremity of the distal phalanx. The maority of hypertrophied chondrocytes in the center of distal extremity appeared to be disintegrating. Resorption of calcified matrix was undertaken by perivascular cells and chondroclasts. From the periosteum, zone of calcification, vascular sprouts expanded within a recently opened lacunae, and the invading osteoblasts laid down osteoid and bone. After 120 mm fetus, endochondral and subperiosteal ossification proceeded in only one direction, just proximally. These findings demonstrate that intramembranous ossification, calcification, and endochondral ossification start at tip of the distal phalanx instead of at the center of the shaft, as was the case in other long bones.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.117-168
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• 2009

Generally, criminal law protect the human life after he/she has born. Before the birth, the life of fetus are protected by prohibition of abortion, not of murder. Also, the fetus is not considered as an object of infliction of injury. A popular opinion and case law say that the fetus becomes a person at the point of an outset labor pains. Recently, some theories allege that traditional opinions is not sufficient in the case of induced delivery, so it should be decided by norm, not by a simple fact, whether a unborn child is a fetus or a person, and that the fetus should be considered as an object of infliction of injury. These theories can be meaningful because these could protect human life more comprehensively. In the other side, however, these could harm the legal stability and bring the excessive punishment. Abortion of negligence is not punishable in criminal law, and there is little possibility of the fetus injury without the injury of the pregnant woman. And the Contergan Case, if it happened again, must be dealt with as crime about environment or public health more severely. These new approaches are in conflict with the principle of "nulla poena sine lege" and other fundamental rules of the criminal law, and should lead to the excessive punishment and criminal provisions. Accordingly, the decision of Supreme Court of Korea about the beginning point of human being should be maintained.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-22
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• 1998

The development of the superior cervical ganglion was studied by electron microscopic method in human fetuses ranging from 40 mm to 260 mm of crown-rump length(10 to 30 weeks of gestational age). At 40 mm fetus, the superior cervical ganglion was composed of clusters of undifferentiated cell, primitive neuroblast, primitive supporting cell, and unmyelinated fibers. At 70 mm fetus, the neuroblasts and their processes were ensheated by the bodies or processes of satellite cells. The cytoplasm of the neuroblast contained rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi complex, Nissl bodies and dense-cored vesicles. As the neuroblasts grew and differentiated dense-cored vesicles moved away from perikaryal cytoplasm into developing processes. Synaptic contacts between the cholinergic axon and dendrites of postganglionic neuron and a few axosomatic synapses were first observed at 70 mm fetus. At 90 mm fetus the superior cervical ganglion consisted of neuroblasts, satellite cells, granule-containing cells, and unmyelinated nerve fibers. The ganglion cells increased somewhat in numbers and size by 150 mm fetus. Further differentiation resulted in the formation of young ganglion cells, whose cytoplasm was densely filled with cell organelles. During next prenatal stage up to 260 mm fetus, the cytoplasm of the ganglion cells contained except for large pigment granules, all intracytoplasmic structures which were also found in mature superior cervical ganglion. A great number of synaptic contact zones between the cholinergic preganglionic axon and the dendrites of the postganglionic neuron were observed and a few axosomatic synapses were also observed. Two morphological types of the granule-containing cells in the superior cervical ganglion were first identified at 90 mm fetus. Type I granule-containing cell occurred in solitary, whereas type II tended to appeared in clusters near the blood capillaries. Synaptic contacts were first found on the solitary granule-containing cell at 150 mm fetus. Synaptic contacts between the soma of type I granule-containing cells and preganglionic axon termials were observed. In addition, synaptic junctions between the processes of the granule-containing cells and dendrites of postganglionic neuron were also observed from 150 mm fetus onward. In conclusion, superior cervical ganglion cells and granule-containing cells arise from a common undifferentiated cell precursor of neural crest. The granule-containg cells exhibit a local modulatory feedback system in the superior cervical ganglion and may serve as interneurons between the preganglionic and postganglionic cells.