• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 1998.07a
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• pp.12-18
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• 1998

Tremendous progress has been made over the past quarter-century studying the genetics of gametogenesis and the resulting gametes and embryos. Studies merging molecular techniques and conventional cytogenetics are now beginning to bridge the gap between what we have learned about the meiotic process in males and females and what we know of the mitotic chromosomes of zygotes. Numerical abnormalities in sperm, oocytes and embryo can now diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). "At risk" couples can, therefore, have only unaffected embryos replaced in the sterus and avoid the possibility of terminating a pregnancy that might only be diagnosed as affected later gestation. Single-cell genetic analysis has also provided powerful tools for studying genetic defects arising during early human development. Recent studies of sperms, oocytes and cleavage-stage human embryos have revealed an unexpectedly high incidence. These genetic abnormalities are likely to contribute to early pregnancy loss and have important implications for improving pregnancy rates in infertile couples by assisted reproduction. The widespread use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) awaits further documentatio of safety and accuracy. Other issues also must be addressed. First, the ethical issues regarding germ cell and embryo screening must be addressed including what diseases are serious enough to warrant the procedure. Another concern is the use of this technology for non-genetic disorders such as gender selection. Finally, the experimental nature of these procedure must continually be discussed with patients, and long-term follow-up studies must be undertaken. Development of more accurate and less expensive assays coupled with improved assisted reproductive technology success rates may make PGD a more widely use clinical tool. The future awaits these development.velopment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.369-375
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• 2003

The ultrasonography was performed in 77,924 subestrous dairy cows from 680 dairy farms at 57 districts. The cows were examined for confirmation of resumption of ovaries and uterus after 30 days postpartum, for early pregnancy diagnosis after 30 days post-insemination, confirmation of pregnancy at 8 month post-insemination, and for diagnosis of reproductive dysfunctions, respectively. The results of reproductive examination by ultrasonography in 77,924 dairy cows were ovarian disorders 35,452 (46.8%), uterine disorders 10,721 (13.8%), pregnancy and pregnant failure 24,044 (30.8%), adhesion of reproductive tracts 167 (0.2%), freematins 13 (0.01%) and others 6,527 (8.4%) cows, respectively. The 13,732 (49.6%) cows out of 27,694 cows were treated for silent heat or error of estrus detection, 3,473 (12.5%) cows for follicular cysts, 815 (3.0%) cows for luteal cysts, 606 (2.2%) cows for inactive ovaries, 4 (0.01%) cows for granulosa cell tumors, and 6,455 (23.3%) cows for endometritis, respectively. The indices of reproductive efficiencies before (2001-08-10) and after (2003-07-20) periodical examination of reproductive status were as follows; the mean intercalving interval were shortened from 471 days to 383 days, the mean interval calving to conception were shortened from 187 days to 99 days, the mean interval calving to first service were shortened from 105 days to 67 days, the mean cows showing heat by 60 days postpartum were increased from 33% to 89%, the mean conception rate to first service were increased from 43% to 68%, and the mean service per conception were shortened from 2.6 times to 1.8 times, respectively. These results suggest that periodical examination of reproductive status would be useful for the improvement of the reproductive performance in dairy cows.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.106-114
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• 2020

Breast metastases of extramammary malignant neoplasms are rare, with an incidence of 0.3%-2.7% among all malignant mammary tumors. Breast metastases from gastric carcinoma are very rare (<0.1%), and this event is even rarer during pregnancy. Herein, we describe a 39-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of an Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) that was characterized by prominent tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Three years after undergoing radical surgery, the patient developed bilateral breast nodules during her pregnancy. A breast biopsy was performed, and histology confirmed a diagnosis of EBVaGC; tumor cells showed positivity for cytokeratin 8/18 and E-cadherin, and negativity for cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, cytokeratin 5/6, caudal type homebox 2, androgen receptor, mammaglobin, gross cystic disease fluid protein-15, and estrogen and progesterone receptors. We also discuss the main diagnostic pitfalls. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an EBVaGC with lymphoid stroma that developed breast metastases during pregnancy.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.194-202
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• 2021

In this study the effect of vitamin C administration on pregnancy rates during summer heat stress in dairy cows was examined. A total of 80 Holstein-Friesian cows were divided into control and treatment groups (n = 40 each). Control group animals were given 10 mL isotonic normal saline, and treatment group, Vitamin C (4 mg/kg) on artificial insemination day (day 0) and 4^th, 8^th and 12^th day post insemination. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on 30^th day post insemination by ultrasonography. Blood samples were randomly taken from 11 animals from each group. Serum P₄, GSH, MDA and plasma 8-OHdG levels were determined by using ELISA method. Results showed that 8-OHdG levels were lower in treatment group on day 4, 8 and 12 (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. Similarly, pregnancy rate was higher in treatment group (32.5%) than control (22.5%), respectively. However, MDA, P₄ and GSH levels were similar in both groups at 4^th, 8^th and 12^th day. A gradual increase in P₄, and MDA levels, and a strong positive correlation between 0, 4^th (r = 0.54), 4, 8^th (r = 0.59) and 8, 12^th (r = 0.51) day was found. Similarly, GSH levels also showed positive correlation at days 0, 4^th (r = 0.47) and 4, 8^th (r = 0.56). However, a strong negative correlation (r = -0.56) between MDA day 0, and GSH day 8 was found. In conclusion, vitamin C application during insemination period in postpartum cows increases pregnancy rate, and reduces oxidative stress metabolite 8-OHdG levels.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.266-271
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• 2021

Osteoporosis associated with pregnancy and lactation is a rare disease that can cause osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Patients usually complain of severe back pain, which is easily mistaken for pain due to pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation, making a rapid diagnosis and treatment difficult. The authors diagnosed OVCF related to pregnancy and lactation through a physical examination, simple radiography, whole-body bone scan, magnetic resonance image, bone marrow density, and blood tests in a 29-year-old female patient and a 31-year-old female patient who presented with low back pain. This paper reports two cases of symptom improvement through a teriparatide injection, wearing thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis and taking calcium and vitamin D with a review of the literature.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2018

Partial hydatidiform mole and coexisting fetus is a rare entity with antecedent high risk of maternal and fetal complications, and risk of persistent trophoblastic disease in later life. Here, we report a case of twin pregnancy with live fetus identified as 45,X and normal placenta and another partial mole. Ultrasound scan at 10 weeks showed a hydrops fetus with a focal area of multicystic placenta. The patient underwent chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis for chromosomal analysis, and the result was 45,X. Based on these finding, the patient then underwent induced abortion. Pathological examination (immunohistochemical staining) of the placenta confirmed the partial mole. This report suggests that careful prenatal ultrasonography and appropriate karyotyping in a molar pregnancy and coexisting fetus enable early diagnosis and may be beneficial for prognosis.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2016

Congenital myotonic dystrophy (CMD) which is transmitted in an autosomal-dominant manner, can also be observed in newborns born to asymptomatic parents who have a myotonic dystrophy type 1 or premutation allele, especially from the mother. A mother with myotonic dystrophy could be subfertile and the pregnancy could be complicated with the risk of a preterm birth. Newborns with CMD may demonstrate symptoms such as hypotonia and poor motor activity, as well as respiratory and feeding difficulties. Additionally, CMD has a high mortality rate at birth. Detection of the signs and symptoms during pregnancy is helpful for a prenatal diagnosis of CMD in cases where the family history is not known.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2008

The early diagnosis of bovine pregnancy is an essential component of successful reproductive planning on farms, because lack of bovine pregnancy over the long term results in reproductive failure and low milk yield-the latter of which is a special concern on dairy farms. This study was designed to identify early pregnancy-specific whey proteins in bovine, by comparing milk samples collected from cattle during pregnancy (Days 30 and 50) and from non-pregnant cattle. In this study, differentially expressed proteins in five pregnant and five non-pregnant Holstein dairy cattle were investigated and compared, using proteomics analysis. The first dimension was applied to a pH $3.0{\sim}10.0$ strip, by loading a 2-mg milk protein sample. After the second-dimension separation was performed, the gels were stained with colloidal Coomassie brilliant blue. The stained gels were scanned and the images were analyzed, to detect variations in protein spots between non-pregnant and pregnant cattle milk protein spots, using ImageMaster, this was followed by analysis with MALDI TOF-MS. Analysis of the 2-DE gel image resulted in a total of approximately $500{\sim}600$ protein spots, of which 12 spots were differentially expressed, six spots were up-regulated, and four spots were down-regulated; two spots were identified as pregnancy-specific proteins. These proteins were identified as lactoferrin, NA-DH dehydrogenase subunit 2, albumin, serum albumin precursor and transferrin. Our results via 2-D PAGE analysis revealed composite profiles of several milk proteins related to early bovine pregnancy, implying the possible use of these milk proteins in the early detection of bovine pregnancy.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.167-175
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate the result that in-vivo or in-vitro embryos of Hanwoo cows were transferred to Holstein cows. Seventeen Hanwoo cows were used as donors for production of in-vivo embryos and fresh hanwoo in-vivo embryos were transferred to 1,150 Holsteins. And 2 embryos were transferred to 188 Holstein recipients to produce twin calves. Diagnosis on pregnancy was performed by rectal palpation at $60\sim90$ days after transfer. The pregnancy rate of Holstein recipients was 55.8% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vivo embryos and 38.2% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vitro embryos. The delivery rate of pregnant Holstein recipients was 88.4% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vivo embryos and 75.6% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vitro embryos. The rate of delivery of Holstein recipients transferred with two Hanwoo embryos was 36.2% and the rate of twin production was 25.9%. The rate of twin production by embryo transfer with in-vivo embryos was 30.4%, whereas the fate with in-vitro embryos was 15.6%. The pregnancy rate according to the grade of corpus luteum of Holstein recipients transferred with Hanwoo in-vitro embryos was 41.5 and 36.0% for A and B grade, respectively. The pregnancy rate according to the transfer in site in the uterine lumen of recipients was 40.9 and 32.7% for anterior and middle site, respectively. The pregnancy rate according to day of embryo transfer after estrus of recipients was 45.5, 38.8 and 39.7% for day 6, day 7 and day 8, respectively. There was difference of pregnancy rate according embryo transfer technician ($30.5\sim45.8%$) individual dairy farm ($21.1\sim51.0%$). These results are supposed to indicate that the rate of pregnancy after transfer with Hanwoo embryos to Holstein recipients was similar to that within the same breed, and consequently that this method would be beneficial to enhance the productivity in Hanwoo reproduction.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.211-215
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• 2004

Toxoplasmosis has been well known as an important human infection to consider especially in pregnant women. Although many serologic methods are available, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis can be extremely difficult. The presence of increased levels of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies indicates an infection, but it does not differentiate between a recent and past infection. The purpose of our study was to compare the performance of the ELISA T. gondii IgG/IgM test, a widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, to the ELISA IgG avidity method. One hundred and four serum samples (from 38 males and 66 females) were tested and evaluated from symptomatic patients (chorioretinitis, lymphadenopathy), and from women in their first trimester of pregnancy who were suspected of having toxoplasmosis, The high IgG avidity and ELISA IgG antibody levels were in agreement for 51 of the specimens (49.0％). Thirty-eight discrepant (borderline) results from the IgG avidity method were positive for IgM (3 specimens) and IgG (37 specimens). Interestingly, out of the eight serum samples that were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies, two samples were low IgG avidity, and three samples were borderline. There was no statistically significant relation observed between the results of the IgG avidity method and the ELISA IgG test, and the IgG avidity method and ELISA IgM test (X$^2$=1.987; p=0.370 and X$^2$=2.152; p=0.341, respectively). The IgG avidity method was considered easy to perform and an acceptable approach for the differentiation of discrepant results (recent/chronic) and for the current detection of T. gondii antibodies. We concluded that the determination of IgG avidity is a helpful tool for the diagnosis of the ocular form of toxoplasmosis and it is a safe method for screening this disease in the first trimester of pregnancy.