• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2008

Neural tissue has limited intrinsic capacity of repair after injury, and the identification of alternate sources of neural stem cells has broad clinical potential. We isolated mesechymal-like stem cells from human adipose tissues (AT-MSCs), and studied on transdifferentiation-promoting conditions in neural cells. Dopaminergic and cholinergic neuron induction of AT-MSCs was also studied. Neural differentiation was induced by adding bFGF, EGF, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and butylated hydroxyanisole(BHA) in N2 Medium and N2 supplement. The immunoreactive cells for $\beta$-tubulin III, a neuron-specific marker, GFAP, an astrocyte marker, or Gal-C, an oligodendrocyte marker, were found. AT-MSCs treated with bFGF, SHH and FGF8 were differentiatied into dopaminergic neurons that were immunopositive for TH antibody. Differentiation of MSCs to cholinergic neurons was induced by combined treatment with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), retinoic acid (RA) and sonic hedgehog (Shh). AT-MSCs treated with DMSO and BHA rapidly assumed the morphology of multipolar neurons. Both immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression of a number of neural markers including neuro D1, $\beta$-tubulin III, GFAP and nestinwas markedly elevated during this acute differentiation. While the stem cell markers such as SCF, C-kit, and Stat-3 were not expressed after preinduction medium culture, we confirmed the differentiation of dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons by TH/$\beta$-tubulin III or ChAT/ $\beta$-tubulin III positive cells. Conclusively, AT-MSCs can be differentiated into dopaminergic and cholinergic neuronsand these findings suggest that AT-MSCs are alternative cell source of treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.269-279
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• 2010

Some characteristics of germ cell differntiations and the function of accessory cells during spermatogenesis, and mature sperm ultrastructure in male Protothaca (N.) jedoensis were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphology of the spermatozoa of this species has a primitive type and is similar to those of other species in the subclass Heterodonta. Accessory cells, which are connected to adjacent germ cells, are involved in the supplying of the nutrients for germ cell development. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the cylindrical type and cap shape, respectively. Spermatozoa are approximately $46{\sim}50{\mu}m$ in length including a long sperm nucleus (about $2.44{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $0.45{\mu}m$ in length), and tail flagellum (about $42{\sim}46{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. As some characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle structures, the basal and lateral parts of basal rings show electron opaque part (region), while the anterior apex part of the acrosomal vesicle shows electron lucent part (region). These characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle were found in the family Veneridae and other several families in the subclass Heterodonta. These common characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle in the subclass Heterodonta can be used for phylogenetic and systematic analysis as a taxonomic key or a significant tool. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appear in most species in the family Veneridae and other families in the subclass Heterodonta. However, exceptionally, only three species in Veneridae of the subclass Heterodonta contain 5 mitochondria. The number of mitochondria in the sperm midpiece can be used for the taxonomic analysis of the family or superfamily levels as a systematic key or an important tool.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.685-695
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• 2012

We studied the detailed bathymetry and the geophysical characteristics of the summit of the Dokdo volcano using mutibeam echosounding and geophysical survey data. The bathymetry around the main east and west islets of the Dokdo volcano shows very shallow within about 10 m water depth. From near islets to about 30 m b.s.l., the shallow water area has very steep slope and many irregular sunken rocks. The area from about 30 m to about 80 m b.s.l. shows gentle rises and falls, and less steep slope. The area from 80 m b.s.l. has gradually flat undulation and smooth slope seabaed and is extended to offshore. The main islets of the Dokdo volcano and the rocky sea bottom elongated from the islets might be the residual part of the eroded and collapsed main crater of the Dokdo volcano. The bathymetry and the seafloor image(from backscattering) data show small craters, assumed to be formed by the eruption of later volcanism. The seafloor images propose that, except some areas with shallow sand sedimentary deposits, there are typical rocky bottom such as rocky protrusions and lack of sediments in the main morphology of the survey area. The stepped slopes of the seabed are deduced to be submarine terraces. The several prominent submarine terraces are found at the summit of the Dokdo volcano, suggesting repetition of sea level changes(transgressions and regressions) in the Quaternary. The results of the magnetic anomaly and the analytic signal have a good coherence with other geophysical consequences regarding to the location of the residual crater.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 1999

Goryeri archaeological site is located in the upstream valley of the Danjang River. The basement rocks of the area are composed of the Cretaceous to Palaeogene biotite granite (KbGr), acidic dyke (Kad), Milyang Andesite (Kma) and Jyunggagsan Formation. Among them Milyang Andesite and Jyunggagsan Formation are prevailed in archaeological site and they are composed of reddish brown tuffaceous shale, sandstone and conglomerate, with intercalations of acidic tuffs and lapilli tuffs. The purpose of this research is not only to compare REE pattern of the soil-sedimentary deposits with those of surrounding rocks, but also to identify vitric tephra in the soil-sedimentary deposits derived from the andesite, acidic tuff and lapilii tuff, in order to illucidate the provenance of the vitric tephra. The rare earth element(REE) of the soils and sedimentary deposits results in the same REE pattern with those analyzed from the surrounding basement rocks. This indicates that the soils and sedimentary deposits are originated from the surrounding basement rocks, most probably from the andesite and lapilli tuff. In addition, vitric tephra were identified both in the Quaternary in-situ weathered soils and sedimentary deposits (PMU-13 and PMU-17), and in the weathered surrounding lapilli tuff. These vitric tephra are considered to be different from those of Japanese AT(Aira Tanzawa) -tephra. The latter is predominant with clean, platty, bubble-walled and Y-shaped vitrics, while the former is conspicuous with those shapes of large and diverse size and devitrified, as well as having secondarily bubbled-surfaces reflecting surface weathering. The size of vitric fragments in the Goryeri site is about 300${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and large in size in compasion to 150${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ of Japanese AT-Tephra. The interim results of the research are contradictary to the explanations based on a series of AT-tephra researches carried by Japanese scholar. In short, the vitric materials of the Goryeri archaeological site are most probably originated from the weathering products of the surrounding basement rocks, and are different from the AT-tephra in their size, shape and devitrification properties. Thus it is highly recommended to have a further comprehensive research which is more emphasized the magmatic genesis of these vitric tephra in addition to the external shape and morphology.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 1994

Morphological estimation of human spermatozoa is complicated by the fact that there is great natural variation in shape. This natural variation in shapes makes it difficult to say which forms are associated with infertility and which are normal variations. Possibly post coital test or in vitro cervical mucus penetration tests will help to clarify this question by showing which sperm are capable of penetration. The purpose of this investigation was performed to assess distribution of various morphological abnormalities according to the ability of sperm to penetrate cervical mucus. The sperm-mucus penetration using hen's egg white as substituting mucus for human cervical mucus was done in 45 fertile men with normal semen analysis and 122 infertile men with abnormal seminal parameters more than one. The female partners of 122 infertile couples showed normal results in the female fundamental test for fertility. Conventional semen analysis was evaluated according to the WHO standard normal(l980). The detailed classification of the abnormal sperm was made according to David et al(l975). The vitality of the sperm samples determined by eosin yellow-nigrosin stainig according to the method of Eliasson(l977). Results were as follw; 1. The patients had significantly lower total sperm count, motility (%), normal morphology (%), viability and total functional sperm fractions(TFSF) than fertile donors. 2. The mean value of sperm penetration distance of the patients(28.69${\pm}$11.02mm) showed significantly lower than fertile donors(37.33${\pm}$5.49mm). And 43/45 fertile donors(95.5%) as well as 57/122 patients(46.7%) had over 30mm in sperm penetration distance respectively. While 2/45 fertile donors(4.5 %) and 65/122 patient(53.3%) had under 30mm in sperm penetration distance respectively. 3. The morphological abnormalities in fertile donors were significantly lower 23.04${\pm}$5.83% (head = 12.89${\pm}$4.98, neck=6.11${\pm}$3.83%, and tail=3.43${\pm}$2.65%), compared to 36.03${\pm}$14. 40% in patients(head = 15.98 8.60%, neck 11.20${\pm}$6.56% and tail=8.70${\pm}$6.55%). Also, 3 types of sperm abnormalities including head, neck and tail were significantly lower in patient than fertile donors, respectively. Both the patients and fertile donors showed higher distribution of sperm with abnormal head than abnormal neck and tail. 4. The mean morphological abnormalities(SP>30mm) of the patients(30.68 11.64%; head = 15.95${\pm}$9.35%, neck=8.14${\pm}$4.21 %, tail=6.56${\pm}$5.64%) were significantly lower compared to patients(40.72${\pm}$15.01 %; head=16.02${\pm}$7.69%, neck 13.89${\pm}$7.82%, tail=1O.58${\pm}$6.75%) under 30mm in sperm penetration distance. Also, both groups over 30mm and under 30mm in sperm penetration showed distance higher distribution of sperm with abnormal head than abnormal neck and tail. The morphological abnormalities of head did not show significant difference but abnormal neck and tail were significant difference between the over 30mm and under 30mm group in sperm penetration distance.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2005

We investigated selective dry etching of GaAs over AlGaAs and InGaP in high density planar inductively coupled $BCl_3/SF_6$ plasmas. The process parameters were ICP source power (0-500 W), RE chuck power (0-30W) and gas composition $(60-100\%\;BCl_3\;in\;BCl_3/SF_6)$. The process results were characterized in terms of etch rate, selectivities of GaAs over AlGaAs and InGaP, surface morphology, surface roughness and residues after etching. $BCl_3/SF_6$ selective etching of GaAs showed quite good results in this study. Selectivities of GaAs $(GaAs:AlGaAs\~36:1,\;GaAs:InGaP\~45:1)$ were superior at $18BCl_3/2SF_6$, 20 W RF chuck power, 300 W ICP source power and 7.5 mTorr. Addition of $(5-15\%)SF_6\;to\;BCl_3$ produced relatively high selectivities of GaAs over AlGaAs and InGaP during etching due to decrease of etch rates of AlGaAs and InGaP (boiling points of etch products: $AlF_3\~1300^{\circ}C,\;InF_3>1200^{\circ}C$ at atmosphere) at the condition. SEM and AFM data showed slightly sloped sidewall and somewhat rough surface$(RMS\~9nm)$. XPS study on the surface of processed GaAs proved a very clean surface after dry etching. It shows that planar inductively coupled $BCl_3/SF_6$ plasmas could be a good candidate for selective dry etching of GaAs over AlGaAs and InGaP.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 2002

The TiO$_2$ coating solutions were synthesized with different concentrations (T1-0.7N, T2-2.0N) of hydrochloric acid used as catalyst. and TiO$_2$ thin films were prepared by sol-gel dip coating. Their structural and optical properties were examined as a function of calcination temperature. XRD results showed that T1 thin films calcined at 400~80$0^{\circ}C$ had the anatase phase, while those calcined at 100$0^{\circ}C$ had the rutile phase. T2 thin films calcined at 40$0^{\circ}C$ and $600^{\circ}C$ had the anatase phase, with the rutile phase for calcination at 80$0^{\circ}C$. Crystallinity of T2 thin films was superior to that of T1 thin films. The crystallite size of TiO$_2$ thin films increased with increasing calcination temperature, and the crystallite size of anatase phase in T2 thin films was larger than that in T1 thin films, but the crystallite size of rutile phase in T2 thin films was smaller. The surface morphology of the films showed that the films were formed more densely in the rutile phase than in the anatase phase, this phenomenon appeared conspicuously in T2 thin films. The transmittance of the samples with thin films on quartz glass calcined at 100$0^{\circ}C$ was significantly reduced at wavelength range about 300-700 nm due to the increased absorption originating from the change of crystallite phase and composition of the films and the scattering effect originating from increasing crystallite size. The refractive index of TiO$_2$ thin films increased, and hence the film thickness as well as the porosity of TiO$_2$ thin films decreased with increasing calcination temperature. Furthermore, the refractive index of T2 thin films was higher than T1 thin films, and porosity of T2 films was lower.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

Backgrounds : Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) is known as the chronic inflammatory diseasethat induces persistent inflammation in the joint cavity. The destruction of cartilage occurs as the result of bones destoyed by pannus, several influential cytokines induced by the synovial capsulitis, varieties of proteinases, $O_2$ radicals, and the secondary degenerative changes of articular cartilage. The type 2 collagen-induced arthritis model is used in recent experimental research on rheumatoid arthritis. Cervus elaphus sibiricus (Nockyong) has the effect of relieving pain by nourishing the muscles, joints, and bones. It is also known to be efficacious in promoting and enhancing the immune system. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture to inhibit the generation of proinflammatory enzyme on type 2 collagen-induced arthritis. I investigated the inhibition of mRNA transcription of MIF(macrophage migration inhibitory factor), $TNF-{\alpha}$(Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$) and MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9) of Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture using an in vitro test. Also investigated was the inhibition of differentiation of Th 1 cells and activation of cytokines(MIF, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, MMP-9), which are known to cause initial RA ,and are also related to the morphology of the synovial membranes of the joint capsule, by an in vivo test, using CIA(collagen induced arthritis) model mice. Materials & methods : The laboratory animals used in this experiment were 4 week-old DBA female mice, weighing approximately 20 grams, and adjusted to the laboratory environment. The experiment was divided into the normal group(NOR)-no treated group, control group(CON)-CIA induced group, and sample group(SAM)-Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture treated group. RA was induced in the mice via injection of $50{\mu}{\ell}$ C II mixed CFA. The Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture solution was applied on $GB_{35}$(陽陵泉) for 26 days from the 3rd day of RA inducement. The concentration of the solution was determined via a MTT assay. To research the effect on the expression of MIF, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and MMP-9 mRNA, RT-PCR was performed on synovial membrane cells from the knee joint of CIA mice. C II induced RA knee joint's histo-chemical synovial membrane was observed using a specimen model via the Hematoxilin and Eosin dying technique. Results : The expression of mRNA of RA-related cytokines such as MIF, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and MMP-9 dosedependently decreased in the cell from the synovial membranes of the joint, which is treated with Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture solution. In mice treated with Cervus elaphus sibiricusherbal acupuncture, the damage of synovial membranes of the joint was lessened, and differentiation of Th 1 cells was suppressed. The activation of RA-related cytokines such as MIF was suppressed, and the generation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and MMP-9 showed a statistically significant decreas. Conclusions : It is speculated that Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture has the therapeutic effect of palliating the damage of the tissue impaired by RA by inhibition of the initial RA progression and by regulating excessive differentiation of Th 1 cell as it suppresses the generation of RA-related cytokines during the highest stage of RA by acting on pro-inflammatory enzymes.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2007

The morphology of gonad and reproductive cycle of ribbed gunnel (Dictyosoma burgeri) were investigated on the basis of histological observation. The specimens were monthly sampled in the coastal waters of Jeju from November 2001 to February 2003. The ovaries and testis of this species are categorized as cystovarian and lobule type, respectively. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of female increased in November and maintained high values from December to February. The GSI of male was similar to that of female although it was decreased in February. The reproductive cycle can be grouped into the following successive stage in the ovary: growth (October to November), mature (November to February), spawning (January to February), and degenerating and recovery (March to September). And in the testis, the stage observed were: multiplication (August to November), growth (November to January), mature and spawning (November to February), and degenerating and recovery (January to September). The minimum maturation size of D. burgeri was over 15.0 cm and fecundity ranged from 2,194 to 6,581 eggs. The relationship between the fecundity and fish body was calculated in the fecundity (F) equation as: $F=0.4057TL^{3.1425}$ ($R^2=0.7621$) for total length (TL); $F=149.88BW^{0.9579}$ ($R^2=0.7982$) for body weight (BW), respectively. The fecundity was correlated positively with TL and BW. The histological observations of the gonads suggested that major spawning of this species probably occurs between January to February, when low water temperature ($13{\pm}0.3^{\circ}C$) period.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.406-414
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• 2016

Among 6 leu codons, CUG is the most frequently used codon in E. coli. It is recognized by leu-tRNA(CAG) encoded by four genes scattered on two chromosomal loci (leuT and leuPQV ). In the process of constructing a strain with no functional leu-tRNA (CAG) gene on chromosome, we made two mutant strains separately, one on leuPQV locus (${\Delta}leuPQV$), and the other on leuT locus [$leuT^*$(GAG)], where the anticodon of leuT was changed from CAG to GAG, thereby altering its recognition codon from CUG to CUC. We attempted to combine these two mutations by transduction using $leuT^*$(GAG) strain as a donor and ${\Delta}leuPQV$ strain as a recipient. Large and small colonies appeared from this transduction. From PCR and DNA sequencing, large colony was confirmed to be the reciprocal recombinant as expected, but the small colonies contained both mutant $leuT^*$(GAG) and wild type leuT (CAG) genes in the cell. This heterozygous diploid strain did not show any unusual morphology under microscopic observation, but, interestingly, it showed a linear growth curve in rich medium with much slower growth rate than wild type cell. It always formed homogenous small colonies in the selection medium, but, when there was no selection, it readily segregated into $leuT^*$(GAG) and leuT (CAG). From these observations, we suggested that the strain with both $leuT^*$(GAG) and leuT (CAG) genes was not a partial diploid (merodiploid), but a full diploid cell having two different chromosomes. We proposed a model explaining how such a heterozygous diploid cell was formed and how and why its growth showed a linear growth curve.