• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.156-162
• /
• 2015

Objective: To investigate fertilization and embryo quality of dysmorphic mature oocytes with specific morphological abnormalities obtained from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods: The fertilization rate (FR) and embryo quality were compared among 58 dysmorphic and 42 normal form oocytes (control 1) obtained from 35 consecutive ICSI cycles, each of which yielded at least one dysmorphic mature oocyte, performed over a period of 5 years. The FR and embryo quality of 441 normal form oocytes from another 119 ICSI cycles that did not involve dysmorphic oocytes served as control 2. Dysmorphic oocytes were classified as having a dark cytoplasm, cytoplasmic granularity, cytoplasmic vacuoles, refractile bodies in the cytoplasm, smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, an oval shape, an abnormal zona pellucida, a large perivitelline space, debris in the perivitelline space, or an abnormal polar body (PB). Results: The overall FR was significantly lower in dysmorphic oocytes than in normal form oocytes in both the control 1 and control 2 groups. However, embryo quality in the dysmorphic oocyte group and the normal form oocyte groups at day 3 was similar. The FR and embryo quality were similar in the oocyte groups with a single abnormality and multiple abnormalities. Specific abnormalities related with a higher percentage of top-quality embryos were dark cytoplasm (66.7%), abnormal PB (50%), and cytoplasmic vacuoles (25%). Conclusion: The fertilization potential of dysmorphic oocytes in our study was lower, but their subsequent embryonic development and embryo quality was relatively good. We were able to define several specific abnormalities related with good or poor embryo quality.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.253-275
• /
• 1999

The effects of Sagunjatang and Samultang on the immunosuppression induced by methotrexate(MTX) in rats were investigated in this study. The multiple parameters of immunity assessed in each rats included leukocyte count, lymphocyte rate, the number of lymphocyte in tibial bone marrow, contact hypersensitivity to DNFB, morphological change of thymocyte and IgG antibody on SDS-PAGE. Sprague-Dawley male rats were used and divided into five groups at random. Group A was normal control. Group B, the MTX treatment control, was injected i.v. with 2mg/kg of on days 9, 11 after sensitization with SRBC on 5th day. Group C, the experimental control, was treated Sagunjatang for 18days and MTX. Group D was treated Samultang for 18days and MTX. Group E was treated Sagunjatang-Samultang for 18days and MTX. The dosage of Sagunjatang and Samultang was $1m{\ell}/day$ respectively. In the case of Group E, rats Were fed Sagunjatang $1m{\ell}$ in the morning and Samultang $1m{\ell}$ in the afternoon. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Leukocyte count in rats induced by intravenous sensitization with SRBC was decreased significantly in Group E. 2. Leukocyte counts of 2weeks later after being treated MTX were increased significantly in Groups C and D. 3. Lymphocyte rate in rats induced by intravenous sensitization with SRBC wasn't changed significantly in all the experimental groups. 4. Lymphocyte rate of 2weeks. later after being treated MTX was increased significantly in Group D. 5. The number of lymphocyte in tibial bone marrow was incereased significantly in Group C. 6. Contact hypersensitivity wasn't changed significantly in all the experimental groups. 7. Morphological finding of thymocyte in group C was similar to normal group as compared with control group. 8. Purified IgG of all the experimental groups showed two bands of 50,000 and 25,000 on SDS-PAGE. But there was no difference among experimental groups.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.17-30
• /
• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the healing effect of Yukmijihwang-tang (YM) on femur fractured mice. Methods Mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal, control, positive control, YM with low, medium, high dosage each. All groups were prepared with femur fracture and treated diffrently. In order to measure bone regeneration effects, we analysed the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), collagen type II alpha 1 chain (Col2a1), Sox9, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osterix genes expressed in bone. For morphological analysis, muscles were removed and femur was observed with naked eye. Results COX2 gene expression in bone marrow significantly decreased. BMP2 gene expression significantly increased. Col2a1 gene expression significantly increased. Sox9 gene expression increased as well. Runx2 gene expression in bone marrow increased, but there was no statistical significance. Osterix gene expression significantly increased. Union of the fracture site progressed more in YM group compared to the control group. The fracture union score was significantly decreased in YM group compared to the control group. Conclusions YM showed anti-inflammatory effect, promoted bone regeneration by stimulating the bone regeneration factor. In conclusion, YM can help fracture healing and it well be applied clinically to patients with fracture.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2021

Background and Objectives Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disease. On the other hand, there is no treatment that can improve the thyroid function. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can improve the cellular activity. The effect of hypothyroidism is not obvious. This study examined the effects of LLLT on the thyroid gland function of a propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism mouse model. Materials and Methods Twenty-five male ICR mice were distributed into five groups of five animals each: Negative control (none PTU animal) and positive control (PTU animal) of unirradiated animals, and three experimental groups with LLLT (3J, 6J, and 12J). Each mouse was exposed to a distinct dose of a 632-nm laser once a week for three rounds. The positive control group and three LLLT groups were induced into a hypothyroidism state by PTU administration. The animals' thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine levels were measured using an ELISA kit, and their thyroid tissue was harvested and analyzed after sacrifice at the end of the experiment. The hormone level and morphological changes in the tissue of the five groups were compared. Results The thyroid hormone levels in the control group and LLLT groups were similar. On the other hand, the thyroid tissue of the LLLT groups showed some morphological changes that were similar to those of iodine deficiency thyroid. Conclusion LLLT did not affect the thyroid gland function in PTU-induced hypothyroidism mice.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2007

Light is an environmental component inevitably regulating photosynthesis and photo-morphogenesis, which are involved in the plant growth and development. Studies were conducted at the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines in 2004 and 2005, with aims to investigate 1) morphological responses of rice plants to low radiation, 2) morphological alteration of shade-grown plants when exposed to high light intensity, and 3) photosynthetic responses of shade-grown rice plants. Reduction in solar radiation by 40% induced increases in the area on a single leaf basis, biomass partitioning to leaves, and chlorophyll meter readings but brought about retardation of tiller development and decrease in above-ground biomass production of rice varieties. When the shade-grown plants from two weeks of transplanting to panicle initiation were exposed to full solar radiation after panicle initiation, they demonstrated less increase in chlorophyll meter readings and more decrease in leaf nitrogen concentrations from panicle initiation to flowering than control plants that were grown under the ambient solar radiation for whole growth period after transplanting. Shade-grown rice plants exhibited lower carbon assimilation rates but higher internal $CO_2$ concentrations on a single leaf basis than control plants, when measurements for shade-grown rice plants were made under the shading treatments. But when the measurements for shade-grown plants were made under the full solar radiation, light-saturated carbon assimilation rates were similar to control plants. Response of photosynthetic rates to varying light intensities was not considerably different between shading treatments and control. Yield reduction was observed in the shading treatments from panicle initiation to flowering and from flowering to physiological maturity, mainly by less spikelets per panicle and poor grain filling, respectively.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.171-177
• /
• 2013

This study was conducted to find the leaf morphological responses of Quercus serrata and Q. aliena which are potential natural vegetation of riverine in Korea under elevated $CO_2$ and increased temperature. Rising $CO_2$ concentration was treated with 1.6 times than control(ambient) and increased temperature with $2.2^{\circ}C$ above the control(ambient) in the glass greenhouse. As a result, leaf width length, leaf lamina weight and leaf area of Q. serrata and Q. aliena was respectively increased, and number of leaves and specific leaf area(SLA) was decreased by elevated $CO_2$ and temperature. Leaf width length, leaf lamina length, leaf lamina weight, number of leaves, leaf area, and specific leaf area of Q. serrata were not statistically significant difference between control and treatment. Leaf width length and leaf weight of Q. aliena was increased, but specific leaf area was decreased. These results indicated that Q. aliena was to be sensitive than Q. serrata in response to global warming situation. According to the principal component analysis(PCA), two oak species were arranged based on factor 1 and 2 in the control and warming treatment. And change on the warming treatment was clearly distinguishable from the Q. aliena than Q. serrata.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.171-180
• /
• 2003

Certain hexavalent chromium compounds when administered via inhalation have the potential to induce lung injury in human and experimental animals. In present study, the inhalation effect of hexavalent chromium on morphological change and weight change of rat organ were investigated. Rats were exposed to hexavalent chromium ($Na_2CrO_4{\cdot}4H_2O$) at concentration of $0.36mg/m^3$ (group 1), $1.8mg/m^3$ (group 2), ascorbic acid and $1.8mg/m^3$ (group 3) and filtered air (group 0, control group) for I week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks. The weight of lung and kidney in group 2 and group 3 significantly higher than in control group at same exposure period. The epithilial cells of bronchiole in group 1, 2, 3 were more flatten than group 0. In the lung, the number of macrophage was significantly increased and morphologically changed macrophages were observed in group 1, 2, 3. The morphological change of the lung did not significant between group 2 and group 3, however, in group 1 was milder than in group 2 and group 3. The severity of morphological change were depend on exposure period in the lung. The morphological changes by hexavalent chromium of the liver and kidney were also observed These results suggest that inhalation of hexavalent chromium effects on not only respiratory organ, but also the liver and the kidney via blood stream.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.28 no.9
• /
• pp.17-22
• /
• 2012

Wind blown sand is expected to disrupt the operation of the railway as the presented railway project in this paper consists of large earthworks in extreme topography of the mega dune fields. For successful railway construction in sand dune area, effective mitigation measure is the most important factor to protect the track from wind blown sand. The effective mitigation measure requires an integrated consideration of the earthworks geometry and the direct control measures such as fence system. Basically there's no perfect measure protecting railway track from wind blown sand, and it would be more economical and effective to develop robust, deliberate maintenance program for track and direct control measure on the basis of geo-morphological study. The purpose of this study is to identify the large scale geo-morphological terrains and specific sand dune morphology in the project area in UAE and estimate the direction and migration rate for sand dunes with the local variations in prevailing wind directions by undertaking literature review, and aerial photographs, satellite images, and ground studies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.154-160
• /
• 2000

Aflatoxin B1 is known as the most potent mycotoxin produced by several fungi. It has been demonstrated to be not only carcinogenic but teratogenic and mutagenic as well in humans. To prevent or inactivate aflatoxins, several chemical of physical methods were tested for ammoniation, using insecticides as an wxample, but they were unsuitable for food products. On the contrary, biological control by antagonistic microorgani는 is and ideal method. In order to control aflatoxin B1 biologically, the antagonists #07, #63, #75, #74, and #61 were separated from various samples by using the antagonistic activity test. Among them, culture filtrate part A (non heat-treated) of #63 and #74 on aflatoxin B1 produced by Aspergillus fkavus were shown to be 95% and 75%, respectively. Based on the morphological characteristics, #63 was deduced as an Azospirillum sp.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.812-819
• /
• 2015

Gladiolus is one of the most popular cut flowers in the world floral market and is highly attractive to consumers. The production of poor-quality gladiolus spikes is one of the most important hurdles to obtaining high prices for this crop. The main objectives of this study were to improve the quantitative characteristics of gladiolus spikes, to increase propagule production and to enhance chemical constituent levels in leaves to help improve plant growth. We performed foliar application of bioregulators, including polyamines (putrescine and spermine) and vitamins (ascorbic acid and thiamine), at different concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.4, 0.7 and 1 mM) to gladiolus plants at the three leaf, five leaf and slipping stages. Application of 1 mM putrescine was the most effective treatment, with prominent effects on economically important spike traits including spike length (55.53 cm), spike diameter (7.53 mm), florets per spike (13.99), first floret diameter (9.66 cm) and first floret weight (4.90 g), followed by spermine treatment. The 1 mM putrescine treatment also had positive effects on corm-associated traits including corm diameter and corm weight, with values of 4.57 cm and 26.16 g compared to 3.47 cm and 17.16 g in control plants, respectively. The contents of chemical constituents in leaves, including total chlorophylls ($8.06mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$), total carotenoids ($1.66mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$), total soluble sugars ($4.75 mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$) and phenolics ($0.89mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$) increased in response to foliar application of 1 mM putrescine compared to the control. Ascorbic acid and thiamine also had positive effects on various plant morphological traits and chemical constituents in leaves compared to control plants, but the growth-promoting effects of polyamines were more pronounced. Hence, applying polyamines to gladiolus leaves will help improve spike production and increasing propagule (cormel) yields.