• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2009

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a basic multifunctional protein which has been reported to be a serine phosphoprotein with yet-identified functions. As a first step towards understanding the general role of N protein phosphorylation during virus replication, the non-phosphorylated mutant N gene was constructed by mutating all serine residues to alanine. This recombinant N protein was identified to be unphosphorylated, confirming that serine residues truly function as core amino acids responsible for N protein phosphorylation. The PRRSV N protein has been shown to possess the biological features of nuclear localization and N-N homodimerization which individually play critical roles in virus infection. In the present study, therefore, it was attempted to investigate whether these two properties of the N protein are modulated by its phosphorylation status. However, experimental results showed that the non-phosphorylated N protein was still present in the nucleus and nucleolus, and was able to associate with itself by non-covalent interactions. Taken together, the data suggest phosphorylation-independent regulation of N protein nuclear transport or oligomerization, thereby implying the potential involvement of phosphorylation in regulating the activities of the N protein at other levels including RNA-binding capacity.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.16.1-16.10
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• 2020

This study was conducted in Lake Hayq between January and December 2018. The objectives of this study were to determine the growth, condition, sex ratio, fecundity, length at first sexual maturity (L₅₀), and spawning seasons of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Monthly fish samples of C. carpio were collected using gillnets of stretched mesh sizes of 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 13 cm and beach seines of mesh size of 6 cm. Immediately after the fish were captured, total length (TL) and total weight (TW) for each individual were measured in centimeters and grams, respectively, and their relationship was determined using power function. Length at first maturity (L₅₀) was determined for both males and females using the logistic regression model. The spawning season was determined from the frequency of mature gonads and variation of gonadosomatic index (GSI) values of both males and females. Fecundity was analyzed from 67 mature female specimens. The length and weight relationship of C. carpio was TW = 0.015TL^2.93 for females and TW = 0.018TL^2.87 for males that indicate negative allometric growth in both cases. The mean Fulton condition factor (C_F) was 1.23 ± 0.013 for females and 1.21 ± 0.011 for males. The value of C_F in both cases was > 1 that shows both sexes are in good condition. Among the total 1055 C. carpio collected from Lake Hayq, 459 (43.5%) were females and 596 (56.5%) were males. The chi-square test showed that there was a significant deviation between male and female numbers from 1:1 ratio (χ²= 22, df = 11, P > 0.05) within sampling months. The length at first sexual maturity (L₅₀) for females and males were 21.5 and 17.5 cm, respectively. Males mature at smaller sizes than females. The spawning season of C. carpio was extended from February to April, and the peak spawning season for both sexes was in April. The average absolute fecundity was 28,100 ± 17,462. C. carpio is currently the commercially important fish while Nile tilapia fishery has declined in Lake Hayq. Therefore, this baseline data on growth, condition, and reproductive biology of common carp will be essential to understand the status of the population of carp and design appropriate management systems for the fish stock of Lake Hayq, Ethiopia, and adjacent countries.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3447-3453
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• 2016

Background: Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is highly fatal disease with poor prognosis, with a 5 year survival rate of <10%. It is relatively rare cancer worldwide; however it is the sixth cancer and second most common gastrointestinal tract cancer in Nepalese women. The study focused on associations of certain demographic, lifestyle, dietary, and reproductive factors with gall bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: We conducted a hospital-based matched case control study on newly diagnosed cases of primary GBC at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. Controls were healthy non-GBC relatives of cancer patients, matched for age, sex and marital status (in case of females) with cases at a ratio of 1:2. Data were collected between April 2012-April 2013 by semi structured interview from both cases and controls. Analyses were carried out with SPSS. Conditional logistic regression was used to find odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 50 cases and 100 controls were enrolled in this study. On bivariate analysis, factors found to be significantly associated with gallbladder cancer were illiteracy (OR=3.29, CI=1.06-10.2), history of gallstone disease (OR=27.6, CI=6.57, 115.6), current smoker (OR=2.42, CI=1.005-5.86), early menarche <13 years (OR=2.64, CI=1.09-6.44), high parity more than 3 (OR=3.12, CI=1.25,7.72), and use of mustard oil (OR=3.63, CI=1.40, 9.40). A significant protective effect was seen with high consumption of fruits at least once a week (OR=0.101, CI=0.03-0.35). On multivariate analysis, history of gallstone disease, early menarche, current smoker and high consumption of fruits persisted as significant factors. Conclusions: History of gallstone disease, cigarette smoking and early menarche were associated with increased risk of gallbladder cancer while high consumption of fruits was found to have a protective effect.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 1998

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether the transvaginal ultrasonographic analysis of endometrial pattern and thickness could predict the stage of menstrual cycle. Endometrial pattern and thickness were observed in those patients receiving infertility work up from April, 1994 to July, 1998 at Seoul National University Hospital. The study group was 185 patients with normal regular menstrual cycles. Among them, 44 patients received endometrial biopsy, and the date of endometrium was compared with the observed endometrial pattern and thickness. The observed endometrial pattern was presence or absence of central cavity echogenicity, triple line sign, endometrial hypoechogenicity, ring sign, endometrial hyperechogenicity and posterior acoustic sonic enhancement. The results were as follows; Central cavity echogenicity was seen throughout menstrual cycle. Triple line sign was observed in 81.1% of patients during early secretory phase. However, in mid to late secretory phase, triple line sign was appeared in only 6.8%. The percentage of positive endometrial hypoechogenicity was highest in early secretory phase. In contrast to hypoechogenicity, positive endometrial hyperechogenicty was highest in mid to late secretory phase. Ring sign was observed in 73.5% of the patients during early secretory phase with peak incidence. Posterior acoustic enhancement was seen in 72.7% of the patients during late secretory phase. The sensitivity and specificity of being a secretory phase if the patients showed hyperechogenic endometrium, were 84.2%, 83.3% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of being a secretory phase if the patients showed posterior acoustic enhancement were 93.8%, 58.3% respectively. Endometrial thickness was not correlated with endometrial dating. In conclusion, transvaginal ultrasonographical delineation of the endometrial pattern might be useful tool in predicting endometrial status during normal menstrual cycle. But, endometrial thickness could not predict the endometrial dating.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2010

Objective: X inactivation is the silencing one of the two X chromosomes in female mammals for gene dosage on the X-chromosome between female and male. X inactivation is controlled by X inactive-specific transcript (XIST) gene, untranslated RNA. XIST is expressed only from the inactive X (Xi), not expressed from the active X (Xa). The Xist promoter is methylated on the silent Xist allele on the Xa in somatic cells, and less methylated on the Xist-expressing Xi. We investigated the difference of XIST methylation pattern of the promoter and 5'-region of XIST from male (XY) and female (XX) subjects. Methods: The direct quantification of XIST methylation is required for clinical application of normal XX and XY blood. Methylation percentage of eight CpG sites (-1696, -1679, -1475, -1473, -1469, +947, +956, +971) of XIST gene were diagnosed by pyrosequencing. Results: We directly quantitated the methylation percentage of the promoter and 5'-end of XIST by pyrosequencing. The average methylation percentages at CpG6-8 sites (+947, +956, +971) were 45.2% at CpG6, 49.9% at CpG7, and 44.2% at CpG8 from normal female and normal male were 90.6%, 96.7%, 87.8%, respectively. Nether CpG 1-5sites (-1696, -1679, -1475, -1473, -1469) had any effect on XX and XY. Conclusion: This method is sensitive for quantifying the small percentage change in the methylation status of XIST, and may be used for diagnosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 1994

This study was conducted to compare the endocrine milieu, and pregnancy rates in In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer(IVF-ET) program employing combined with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a) and pergonal(LH 75lU+FSH 75lU) when either human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) or progesterone were used for luteal phase support. A total number of 40 IVF-ET treatment cycles were prospectively studied. Ovarian hyperstimulation method was modified ultrashort protocol using GnRH-a. All patients started Decapeptyl at menstrual cycle day # 2, and HMG was started at # 3 days. When leading follicle was ${\geqq}$18mm or at least two follicles were ${\geqq}$14mm in diameter, HCG 10000lU intramuscularly was injected. After 36 hours HCG administration, oocytes were retrieved as usual guided by transvaginal ultrasound. Embryo were transfered 36-48 hours later. The patient's cycles were prospectively randomized to receive HCG(20cycles) or Progesterone (20cycles) for luteal support. The progesterone group received 25mg 1M starting from the day of ET. The HCG group received 1500IU 1M. on days 0, +2, +5 after ET. Estadiol($E_2$) and Progesterone($P_4$) were measured on the day of oocyte aspiration, ET day, and every 6 days thereafter. Results were follows as; 1. Estradiol, progesterone and LH levels on the day of HCG trigger, retrieved oocytes and number of transfered embryo were not significantly different in both groups. 2. On the day of aspiration and embryo transfered day, $E_2$, $P_4$ level were significantly higher in progesterone group than HCG group(p<0.01). 3. $E_2$, $P_4$ level on 6 days after ET were significantly higher in progesterone group than HCG group(p<0.01). But, $P_4/E_2$ ratio was not different in both groups. 4. $E_2$, $P_4$ level 12 days after ET were decreased abruptly in both groups and higher hormonal level appeared in HCG group(P<0.01). 5. The total pregnancy rate in the HCG group was 40% (8/20) and in the progesterone group 15%(3/20). 6. Comparing the pregnant and nonpregnant cases progesterone group was not different the hormonal status. In HCG group, pregnant cases appeared in higher $P_4$, $P_4/E_2$ ratio than nonpregnanct cases(P<0.01).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 2020

Objective: Despite extensive research on implantation failure, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between the embryo and the maternal endometrium, which is critical for successful pregnancy. Profilin 1 (PFN1), which is expressed both in the embryo and in the endometrial epithelium, acts as a potent regulator of actin polymerization and the cytoskeletal network. In this study, we identified the specific role of endometrial PFN1 during embryo implantation. Methods: Morphological alterations depending on the status of PFN1 expression were assessed in PFN1-depleted or control cells grown on Matrigel-coated cover glass. Day-5 mouse embryos were cocultured with Ishikawa cells. Comparisons of the rates of F-actin formation and embryo attachment were performed by measuring the stability of the attached embryo onto PFN1-depleted or control cells. Results: Depletion of PFN1 in endometrial epithelial cells induced a significant reduction in cell-cell adhesion displaying less formation of colonies and a more circular cell shape. Mouse embryos co-cultured with PFN1-depleted cells failed to form actin cytoskeletal networks, whereas more F-actin formation in the direction of surrounding PFN1-intact endometrial epithelial cells was detected. Furthermore, significantly lower embryo attachment stability was observed in PFN1-depleted cells than in control cells. This may have been due to reduced endometrial receptivity caused by impaired actin cytoskeletal networks associated with PFN1 deficiency. Conclusion: These observations definitively demonstrate an important role of PFN1 in mediating cell-cell adhesion during the initial stage of embryo implantation and suggest a potential therapeutic target or novel biomarker for patients suffering from implantation failure.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.390-398
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• 2018

Miscanthus is a perennial energy plant that reproduces via rhizomes and has C4 metabolism. The flowering pattern of a wild type M. sacchariflorus (WTM) is affected by environmental conditions such as photoperiod and soil water status. Geodae-Uksae 1 (Geodea), which is a new M. sacchariflorus cultivar, has a lower heading rate than WMS; however the mechanism with why this happens is unknown. To confirm the effects of drought or waterlogging stresses on the growth of WTM and Geodea at the reproductive stage, we investigated variations in morphological characteristics and nutrient contents of the two Miscanthus species after four months of three water treatments. Morphological traits of the two Miscanthus species under the drought condition were similar to those under the control condition. But, the height of Geodea increased by 30% in response to the waterlogging stress. In WTM, the heading rate under the drought condition was lowest, while there was no significant difference between the waterlogging and control conditions. In the two Miscanthus species, nutrient contents, such as sucrose, total N, $P_2O_5$, K and Mg, were the highest under the drought condition, wherea Ca and Mg contents under the waterlogging condition were more than three times lower than those under the drought condition. The current study results showed that drought stress accelerated senescence and then inhibited nutrient mobilization in WTM, while waterlogging stress promoted the growth. This study is the first report to confirm that waterlogging stress promotes flowering of M. sacchariflorus.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.10-22
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• 2022

We studied the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (LSB) supplemented to lactating sows on reproductive traits and farrowing duration and to piglets from day 7 of life on post-weaning performance and IgG concentration. Ninety-six Landrace × Yorkshire sows started the trial 5 days before the expected farrowing date. Sows were distributed into 2 groups according to parity number and backfat thickness: control (CON: regular lactation diet) and LSB (CON + LSB at 2 × 10⁹ colony forming units [CFU]/kg of feed). Seven days after birth, litters were randomly selected from each group and supplemented creep feed with or without LSB at 2 × 10⁹ CFU/kg. At weaning, piglets from CON sows were shifted to a commercial farm and allocated to 14 pens in groups of 25 piglets/pen according to the creep feed supplemented during lactation. Piglets followed a 3-phase feeding program: creep, pre-starter and starter, with or without LSB at 2 × 10⁹ CFU/kg LSB in creep and pre-starter, and 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg LSB in starter. The piglets were vaccinated against classical swine fever on days 41 and 72 of life. One day before each vaccination and at the end of the trial, blood samples were collected from 15 randomly selected piglets per treatment and assessed for total IgG. Supplemented sows with non-supplemented litters displayed the lowest backfat thickness loss during lactation (p < 0.05). The LSB supplementation shortened farrowing duration (p < 0.05) and increased feed intake (p < 0.05) during the first week of lactation. The LSB-fed piglets were heavier at the end of creep (p < 0.05), pre-starter (p < 0.05), and the trial (p < 0.05); grew faster during creep (p < 0.05), starter (p < 0.05), and overall (p < 0.05); and displayed an improved feed conversion ratio during creep (p < 0.05). Total IgG content was higher at days 40 (p < 0.05) and 71 (p < 0.05) in LSB-fed piglets. We conclude that supplementing sows with Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 from late gestation until weaning shortens farrowing duration, increases feed intake, and minimizes backfat losses during lactation. When supplemented to piglet diet, post-weaning performance is improved. This improvement observed could be linked to a better immune status, as suggested by the higher IgG.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2022

Akey factor in evolution is reproduction, which is also a major concern in medicine. Evolutionists have proposed many theories and hypotheses to explain the low fertility rates of modern industrial societies, which are contrary to maximization of biological fitness. Given that childbirth is the most significant factor affecting reproductive fitness, it is likely that a variety of psychological modules related to childbirth behavior and intention evolved over time. Several evolutionary psychological modules have been proposed in relation to reproduction, including sexual desire, status-seeking, a need for nurturing, and the desire for children. Previously adaptive psychological modules may now be expressed maladaptively due to the discrepancy between the Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA) and the environment of modern industrial society. Several evolutionary ecological factors influence childbirth intention in modern society, including individual personality factors, childhood life history experiences, and socioecological factors throughout reproductive life. By focusing on mental, social, and ecological factors, this review examines several hypothetical models relating to evolutionary psychological factors and childbirth decisions in modern industrial society, as well as a possible explanation for the low birth rate.