• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.301-314
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• 2005

Objective: Rebamipide is a propionic acid derivative that has an action of the inhibition of superoxide production and removal of hydroxyl radical with the sperm incubation and cryopreservation. In the present study, to investigate whether rebamipide is useful to treat male infertility and sterility, the author observed the antioxidative effects in patient with male infertility and also examined its absorption and distribution in rat genital organ. Methods: To measure the distribution of rebamipide in reproductive organ in the rat, carbon indicated rebamipide, $^{14}C-OPC-12759$, was orally administered to 10 Spraque-Dawley rats and its organ concentration in serum, liver, kidney, stomach, duodenum, colon, urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, epididymis and testicle were measured each time after 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours by using HPLC fluorescent method. The concentrations in semen were measured by HPLC fluorescent method in a sample of 50 infertile males who took 900 mg of rebamipide daily for 3 months. To measure the antioxidative effect and fertility rate for 3 months, each month before and after the treatment, sperm motility, vitality, the oxygen free radical formation, level of peroxidation, fetilizing capacity of semen sample which were obtained from infertile male patients by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence were analyzed by computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid method and hypo-osmotic swelling test. Simultaneously in a sample that wanted baby, both pregnancy and delivery were researched. Results: The $^{14}C-OPC-12759$ concentration in the body of white rats was highest in gastrointestinal organ like stomach, smal intestine and duodenum and followed by genital organ like seminal vesicle, testis and epididymis. The rebamipide concentration in semen of infertile males was $220.77{\pm}327.84ng/mL$ (SD) which showed a large deviation but it was higher than serum which was $126{\pm}76ng/mL$ (SD). In the infertile males, after the treatment with rebamipide, the level of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation have significantly decreased in duration of the treatment (p<0.05) and sperm vitality and fertilizing capacity except sperm motility significantly improved on post treatment of 2~3 months (p<0.05). Out of the 41 cases who hoped for pregnancy, 15 cases (36.6%) became pregnant and 12 cases had childbrith, 2 cases had miscarriage and one case is ongoing. The side effect was observed in 1 case (2%) which experienced diarrhea but it was lost spontaneously. Conclusions: We conclude from this study that rebamipide showed relatively high tendancy of absorption and excretion in the genital organ. In infertile males who had elevated ROS in semen, by specifically inhibiting the cell damage from the antioxidation, a way to preserve sperm motility, vitality and fertilizing capacity was confirmed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2003

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of PVP concentration and exposure temperature to vitrification solution on the post-thaw survival, in vitro maturation and development of immature bovine oocytes (germinal vesicle stage). The vitrification solution (VS) consisted of 40% ethylene glycol (EG)+0.5 M sucrose (S)+10% FBS. PVP was added to VS: 0%, 5% or 10%. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were diluted in VS as one step, after 2 min the COCs were loaded in straw and vitrified by direct immersion into liquid nitrogen. For thawing, the straws were plunged into $30^{\circ}C$ water bath for 10s. After thawing, the oocytes were diluted in 0.5 M (in DPBS with 10% FBS) sucrose solution for 5 min. The survival rate (FDA-test and trypan blue) of immature bovine oocytes was measured. The survival rate was higher in 5% PVP (91.5%) than in 0% (64.2%) or in 10% PVP (79.7%). The proportion of metaphase II formation was 69.35% in control (no vitrified COCs), 9.3% in 40% EG+0.5 M S+0% PVP and 21.05% in 40% EG+0.5 M S+5% PVP (p<0.05). The effect of room temperature ($25^{\circ}C$ for 10 min) and cold temperature ($4^{\circ}C$ for 10 min) on COCs were determined in this study. After IVF, the cleavage and blastocysts rate of oocytes exposed to room temperature and cold temperature in VS+5% PVP was significantly different (2 cell: 63.20% vs 37.97%, blastocysts: 18.40% vs 2.53%). The cleavage rates of frozen-thawed oocytes were 20.53% with PVP and 22.13% without PVP (p>0.05). Two out of 151 oocytes (1.32%) developed to blastocyst stage after frozen-thawed with 5% PVP (p>0.05). Development of oocytes after frozen-thawing to the 2 cell were not significantly affected with or without PVP following IVF. However, the vitrification of immature bovine oocytes with PVP maintained the ability to develop to the blastocyst stage after IVM-IVF and IVC, while no blastocysts were obtained from oocytes vitrified without PVP. These results suggested that PVP has a protective role for vitrification of immature bovine oocytes as far as survival is concerned, however, the protection was not sufficient enough to support blastocyst formation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1205-1214
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• 1999

Whole lupinus albus seeds were pressure toasted at temperatures of 100, 118 and $136^{\circ}C$ for 3, 7, 15 and 30 min to study rumen degradation and post-rumen digestion and to determine optimal heating conditions for the Dutch dairy feed industry. In sacco nylon bag and mobile bag techniques were employed for rumen and intestine incubations to determine ruminal degradation characteristics and intestinal digestion of crude protein (CP) in 4 lactation rumen cannulated and 4 lactating intestinal cannulated Dutch dairy cows fed 47% hay and 53% concentrate according to Dutch dairy requirements. Measured rumen degradation characteristics were soluble fraction (S), undegradable fraction (U), potentially degradable fraction (D), lag time (T0) and rate of degradation (Kd) of insoluble but degradable fraction. Percentage bypass feed protein (BCP), ruminal microbial protein synthesized based on available nitrogen (N_MP) and that based on available energy (E_MP), true protein supplied to the small intestine (TPSI), truly absorbed BCP (ABCP), absorbed microbial protein (AVP) in the small intestine, endogenous protein losses in the digestion (ENDP), true digested protein in the small intestine (TAP or DVE in Dutch) and degraded protein balance (PDB or OEB in Dutch) were totally evaluated using the new Dutch DVE/OEB System. Pressure toasting decreased (p<0.001) rumen degradability of CP. It reduced S (p<0.05) and Kd (p=0.06), increased D (p<0.05) and U (p<0.01) but did not alter T0 (p>0.05), thus resulting in dramatically increased BCP (p<0.001) with increasing time and temperature from 73.7 (raw) up to 182.5 g/kg DM ($136^{\circ}C/15min$). Although rumen microbial protein synthesized based on available energy (E_MP) was reduced, true protein (microbial and bypass feed protein) supplied to the small intestine (TPSI) was increased (p<0.001) from 153.1 (raw) to 247.6 g/kg DM ($136^{\circ}C/15min$). Due to digestibility of BCP in the intestine not changing (p>0.05) average 87.8%, the absorbed BCP increased (p<0.001) from 62.3 (raw) to 153.7 g/kg DM ($136^{\circ}C/15min$). Therefore DVE value of true digested protein in the small intestine was significantly increased (p<0.001) from 118.9 (raw) to 197.0 g/kg DM ($136^{\circ}C/15min$) and OEB value of degraded protein balance was significantly reduced (p<0.001) from 147.2 (raw) to 63.1 g/kg DM ($136^{\circ}C/15min$). It was concluded that pressure toasting was effective in shifting degradation of CP of lupinus albus from the rumen to small intestine without changing intestinal digestion. Further studies are required on the degradation and digestion of individual amino acids and on the damaging effects of processing on amino acids, especially the first limiting amino acids.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.396-403
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• 2009

Male broiler chicks were fed graded levels of organic zinc (zinc-methionine) supplementation to investigate the effects of partial or complete substitution of the organic zinc source for inorganic ones on the development of lymphoid organs and immunological responses. A total of 450 day-old male broilers were distributed into groups of 10 chicks and randomly assigned to nine experimental diets during a 42-day feeding trial. Dietary treatments consisted of two basal diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg added zinc as feed-grade Zn sulfate or Zn oxide in which, Zn was replaced with that provided from zinc-methionine (ZnMet) complex at the levels of 25, 50, 75 or 100%. Two randomly-selected birds from each pen replicate were bled and then slaughtered by cervical cutting on the final day of the trial to measure leukocyte subpopulations and relative weights of lymphoid organs. Among lymphoid organs, only thymus weight was affected (p<0.05) by dietary treatments. The sulfate-supplemented birds were heavier (p<0.01) in relative weight of thymus than oxide-supplemented birds. The 10 days of age-assessed cutaneous hypersensivity reaction was stronger in chicks fed ZnMet-containing diets. Dietary ZnMet supplementation caused (p<0.05) an increase in proportion of lymphocytes and consequently a decrease in heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. Diet fortification by zinc-methionine complex increased (p<0.01) Newcastle antibody titer at 19 days of age. Also, a similar response was observed in antibody titers at 6 and 12 d after infectious bronchitis vaccine administration. There was no significant effect of replacement of dietary zinc on antibody titer against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) at the 6th d post-vaccine inoculation; however, at d 12 after vaccination, ZnMet-fortified diets improved antibody titer against IBDV. Although dietary inclusion of ZnMet had no marked effect on primary antibody titer against sheep erythrocytes, effective responses were observed during secondary reaction from the viewpoint of both total antibody and immunoglobulin Y (IgY) titers. From the present findings, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation with organic zinc improves both cellular and humoral immune responses. It is necessary to replace 75% of supplemental inorganic zinc with organic ZnMet complex to achieve the optimum immunological responses in broiler chicks.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.708-716
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• 2012

In order to investigate and evaluate the effects of red deer antlers on hair growth in the full-thickness wound healing model, Sprague-Dawley rats were given incision wounds through the full thickness of their dorsal skin and deer antler was applied for 40 days. At specified intervals thereafter (4, 8, 16, 32 and 40 days), the animals were sacrificed and the wound site skins were excised, processed, and sectioned. At post-injury days 16, 32 and 40, longer and more active new hair appeared around the healing wound of antler-treated skin. Histological studies showed that the antler extract markedly increases the depth, size, and number of hair follicles. Expression of IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor) mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR. The result showed that the expression of IGF-I (days 16, 32, and 40) was obviously up-regulated in antler-treated skins compared to control skins. Similar results were seen in the ELISA analysis to quantify the IGF-I expression. These results support the notion that wound healing can cause hair growth by enhancing the expression of IGF-I. Deer antler extract appears to have the potential to promote hair growth and could be used in hair growth products.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.585-592
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• 2017

Objective: The present study investigates pre- and post-implantation developmental competence of nuclear-transferred porcine embryos derived from male and female fetal fibroblasts. Methods: Male and female fetal fibroblasts were transferred to in vitro-matured enucleated oocytes and in vitro and in vivo developmental competence of reconstructed embryos was investigated. And, a total of 6,789 female fibroblast nuclear-transferred embryos were surgically transferred into 41 surrogate gilts and 4,746 male fibroblast nuclear-transferred embryos were surgically transferred into 25 surrogate gilts. Results: The competence to develop into blastocysts was not significantly different between the sexes. The mean cell number of female and male cloned blastocysts obtained by in vivo culture ($143.8{\pm}10.5$ to $159.2{\pm}14.8$) was higher than that of in vitro culture of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) groups ($31.4{\pm}8.3$ to $33.4{\pm}11.1$). After embryo transfer, 5 pregnant gilts from each treatment delivered 15 female and 22 male piglets. The average birth weight of the cloned piglets, gestation length, and the postnatal survival rates were not significantly different (p<0.05) between sexes. Conclusion: The present study found that the sex difference of the nuclear donor does not affect the developmental rate of porcine SCNT embryos. Furthermore, postnatal survivability of the cloned piglets was not affected by the sex of the donor cell.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2020

Objective: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the major microorganisms responsible for subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. The present study was designed with the aim to explore the DNA methylation patterns using the Fluorescence-labeled methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (F-MSAP) techniques in a S. aureus-infected mouse model. Methods: A total of 12 out-bred Institute of Cancer Research female mice ranging from 12 to 13 weeks-old were selected to construct a mastitis model. F-MSAP analysis was carried out to detect fluctuations of DNA methylation between control group and S. aureus mastitis group. Results: Visible changes were observed in white cell counts in milk, percentage of granulocytes, percentage of lymphocytes, CD⁴⁺/CD⁸⁺ ratio (CD⁴⁺/CD⁸⁺), and histopathology of mice pre- and post-challenge with S. aureus. These findings showed the suitability of the S. aureus-infected mouse model. A total of 369 fragments was amplified from udder tissue samples from the two groups (S. aureus-infected mastitis group and control group) using eight pairs of selective primers. Results indicated that the methylation level of mastitis mouse group was higher than that in the control group. In addition, NCK-associated protein 5 (Nckap5) and transposon MTD were identified to be differentially methylated through secondary polymerase chain reaction and sequencing in the mastitis group. These observations might play an important role in the development of S. aureus mastitis. Conclusion: Collectively, our study suggests that the methylation modification in Nckap5 and transposon MTD might be considered as epigenetic markers in resistance to S. aureus-infected mastitis and provided a new insight into S. aureus mastitis research in dairy industry and public health.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.76-85
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• 2004

Anaerobic decomposition of municipal solid waste (MSW) had potential adverse impacts such as the production of methane and long-term post closure on human health and the environment. It was demonstrated that aerobic degradation of MSW resulted in the reduction of a methane yield and the enhancement of stabilization of MSW. Excavated solid wastes were both aerobically and anaerobically treated in order to evaluate the effects of air injection on the stabilization of landfill site. The municipal solid waste (MSW) samples were excavated from a 10-year old landfill (operation period: 1991. 11~1994. 11), Jeonju, Korea. Excavated municipal solid wastes are primarily composed of soils and vinyl/plastics. For the two aerobic simulated lysimeters, the levels of $O_2$ ranged 1.6~23.1% and the levels of $CO_2$ ranged 1.5~15.1%, which confirmed the aerobic decomposition. Aeration did prevent methane formation. For the anaerobic simulated lysimeter, the $CO_2$ rose as $O_2$ was consumed and low levels of CH4 were produced. The pH levels ranged from 7.7 to 8.9 for anaerobic lysimeter and from 7.3 to 8.5 for aerobic lysimeters. As expected, aerobic treatment proved to enhance the removal of biodegradable materials in the excavated solid wastes when monitoring the concentration of BOD, COD, $NH_4-N$, and $NO_3-N$ in the leachate.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.399-406
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• 2017

Contrary to the fact that the old films contain artistic and include contemporary literature, religion, and philosophy, latest films are produced with focusing on external interesting composition and sensational scene. A good movie emotionally express the directors' topic message exuding from an interesting story, and empathize with the social agenda which shows a sharp look of the directors' on contemporary social aspect. In the movies of the Coen brothers, it seems like an entertainment movie as typical black comedy genre through irony and happening, but in fact, it inserts a lot of social problems in the film to show that they cynically express their social agenda from a contemplative view. In their movie "The Big Lebowski (1998)", it seems like they are creating comical content through the main characters' unaffected attitude. However, it is director's excellent director of the sub-text that expresses American social issues such as Vietnam war, post-modernism and an obscurantist policy and au fond the comedy about the historical facts of mass production of social maladjustment into black comedy. We expect to contribute to make a step forward in the Korea film industry by analyzing such movies that has the cultural power of influence.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.269-280
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• 2009

The drop formation dynamics of a shear thinning, elastic, yield stress ($\tau_o$) fluid (Carbopol 980 (poly(acrylic acid)) dispersions) in silicone oil has been investigated in a flow-focusing microfluidic channel. The rheological character of each solution investigated varied from Netwonian-like through to highly non-Newtonian and was varied by changing the degree of neutralization along the poly (acrylic acid) backbone. We have observed that the drop size of these non-Newtonian fluids (regardless of the degree of neutralisation) showed bimodal behaviour. At first we observed increases in drop size with increasing viscosity ratio (viscosity ratio=viscosity of dispersed phase (DP)/viscosity of continuous phase (CP)) at low flowrates of the continuous phases, and thereafter, decreasing drop sizes as the flow rate of the CP increases past a critical value. Only at the onset of pinching and during the high extensional deformation during pinch-off of a drop are any differences in the non-Newtonian characteristics of these fluids, that is extents of shear thinning, elasticity and yield stress ($\tau_o$), apparent. Changes in these break-off dynamics resulted in the observed differences in the number and size distribution of secondary drops during pinch-off for both fluid classes, Newtonian-like and non-Newtonian fluids. In the case of the Newtonian-like drops, a secondary drop was generated by the onset of necking and breakup at both ends of the filament, akin to end-pinching behavior. This pinch-off behavior was observed to be unaffected by changes in viscosity ratio, over the range explored. Meanwhile, in the case of the non-Newtonian solutions, discrete differences in behaviour were observed, believed to be attributable to each of the non-Newtonian properties of shear thinning, elasticity and yield stress. The presence of a yield stress ($\tau_o$), when coupled with slow flow rates or low viscosities of the CP, reduced the drop size compared to the Newtonian-like Carbopol dispersions of much lower viscosity. The presence of shear thinning resulted in a rapid necking event post onset, a decrease in primary droplet size and, in some cases, an increase in the rate of drop production. The presence of elasticity during the extensional flow imposed by the necking event allowed for the extended maintenance of the filament, as observed previously for dilute solutions of linear polymers during drop break-up.