• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.119-133
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• 1997

In spite of much progress in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program, the pregnancy rate remains at 20-30%, and the endometrial implantation rate per embryo transferred at 10-15%. As a result, about 90% of embryos may fail to implant to the endometrium, and many attempts such as optimization of follicular development, improvement of in vitro culture system including coculture, and micromanipulation of zona pellucida have been made to improve embryonic implantation after IVF-ET. Recently, several procedures of assisted hatching (AH) using micromanipulation have been introduced, and pregnancies and births have been obtained after AH. To develop and establish AH as an effective procedure to improve embryonic implantation, AH with partial zona dissection (PZD) was performed in 116 cycles of 89 infertile couples who had previous repeated failures of standard IVF-ET more than two times (Group I: 71 cycles in 54 patients), or who had implantation failure of embryos with good quality (Group II: 15 cycles in 13), or who had undergone AH without specific indication (Group III: 30 cycles in 22) from January, 1995 to Februry, 1996, and the outcomes of AH were analyzed according to pregnancy rate. The number of oocytes retrieved after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) was $9.9{\pm}7.1$ in Group I, $11.5{\pm}4.5$ in Group II, and $7.9{\pm}6.4$ in Group III. The number of embryos transferred after AH was $4.7{\pm}1.8$ in Group I, $5.3{\pm}1.3$ in Group II, and $3.5{\pm}2.4$ in Group III. The mean cumulative embryo score (CES) was $56.8{\pm}30.0$ in Group I, $76.1{\pm}35.9$ in Group II, and $38.5{\pm}29.9$ in Group III. The overall clinical pregnancy rate per cycle and per patient was 12.7% (9/71) and 16.7% (9/54) in Group I, 33.3% (5/15) and 38.5% (5/13) in Group II, and 6.7% (2/30) and 9.1% (2/22) in Group III, respectively. There were significant differences in the numbers of oocytes retrieved and embryos transferred, CES, and the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle among three groups. There was a significant inverse correlation between basal serum FSH level and CES, and no pregnancy occurred in patients with CES less than 20. In conclusion, AH of human embryos with PZD prior to ET has improved the implantation and pregnancy rates in IVF-ET patients with the past history of repeated failures, especially in spite of transfer of embryos with good quality, and AH will provide a range of novel techniques which may contribute much to effective management of infertile couples.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.215-225
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• 2013

To assess the efficacy of nematicides for the control of plant-parasitic nematodes in fruit and vegetables fields, soil samples were collected from a cucumber field at Gongju; from strawberry fields at Buyeo, Nonsan, and Jinju; and from a melon field at Gocksung in Jeonnam Province, Korea. Plant-parasitic nematodes were separated from each soil sample and identified. The susceptibilities of the nematodes to abamectin 1.68% SC, cadusafos 3% GR, dazomet 98% GR, fosthiazate 30% SL and BA12011 SL were examined under laboratory and field conditions. The average population density of plant-parasitic nematodes was generally reduced after the treatment with nematicides; however, there was increase in the population of Pratylenchus spp. in soil after treatment with fosthiazate at Buyeo and Gocksung. Furthermore, there were increased populations following treatment with abamectin, cadusafos, and dazomet at Gocksung. The control effects of BA12011 treatment on plant-parasitic nematodes were confirmed to be similar to those of the other 4 nematicides evaluated, although its control effect was higher than that of fosthiazate in cucumber-growing soil at Gongju. The effects of nematicide treatment on egg mass formation in each of the collected soils differed according to the region of soil origin. Abamectin was effective in reducing the degree of egg mass formation in Buyeo and Jinju soil, whereas BA12011 was effective in Nonsan and Gocksung soil. Dazomet was found to inhibit egg mass formation in Gongju soil. To evaluate the effect of the newly developed nematicide, BA12011, experiments were conducted in a cucumber-growing greenhouse. The average population densities of Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., and Helicotylenchus spp. after the first treatment were reduced to a greater extent than after the second treatment. It is thus suggested that early nematicide treatment is important for effective control of plant-parasitic nematodes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2007

Medaka(Oryzias latipes) and earthworm(Eisenia fetida) toxicity tests were carried out and ecological risk assessment in water and soil was performed with national monitoring data. NOEC of alachlor was $100\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ in the medaka early life-stage test. Embryonic development, hatchability and time to hatching of medaka eggs were affected by this chemical. The $LC_{50}$ and NOEC of alachlor were $94.1\;mg\;kg^{-1}\;and\;55.0\;mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively, in the earthworm acute toxicity test. The environmental monitoring has been carrying out by NIER since 1999. Exposure levels of alachlor in water and soil were $ND{\sim}0.54\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}\;and\;ND{\sim}0.9\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$, respectively, in national monitoring data which had been performed from 2000 to 2004. The measured water and soil exposure levels were applied to evaluate the environmental risk assessment. The PNEC of alachlor in water and in soil were determined as $1\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}\;and\;55.0\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$, respectively using the safety factors which were suggested in EU and OECD. The HQs (PEC/PNEC) were determined to be below 1 for both water and soil when the maximum exposure levels ($0.54\;{\mu}g\; L^{-1}$ in water and $0.9\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$ in soil) were applied. Conclusively, our study indicated that there was not significant ecological risk of alachlor in water and soil of our monitoring sites.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.345-352
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate the treatment results and prognostic factors after radiotherapy in stage IIB uterine cervix cancer. Materials and methods : We retrospectively analyzed the records of 90 patients with stage IIB uterine cervix cancer who received radiotherapy between 9/94 and 12/99. Age was ranged from 28 to 79 years (median 57). Tumor size was $\geq4\;cm$ in 64 patients. Preteatment SCC level was measured in 75 patients. Twenty nine patients received conventional radiotherapy (QD) and the others received modified hyper-fractionated radiotherapy (BID). Only 7 patients in BID had tumor size <4 cm. All patients received high dose rate brachytherapy $(4\;Gy\times7\;or\;5\;Gy\times6)$. No Patient received concurrent chemotherapy during radiotherapy. Follow up period was ranging from 9 to 76 months (median 38). Results : The 5-year overall and disease free survival rates were $73.4\%\;and\;71.6\%$, respectively. Local recurrences occurred in $10\%$ of patients, and distant metastasis in $18.9\%$. There was a significant correlation between OS/DFS and tumor size $(<4cm;\;OS\;95.2\%,\;DFS\;91.4\%,\;\geq4cm;\;OS\;63.4\%,\;DFS\;63.4\%)$. Pretreatment SCC level was one of prognostic factors only in univariate analysis. Conclusion : With modified hyperfractionated radiotherapy, there was very low local recurrence rate $(6.6\%)$ and high 5-year overall and disease free survival rate $(75.4\%\;and\;70.5\%)$, which is comparable to results after concurrent chemoradiotherapy in bulky, locally advanced stage IIB uterine cervix cancer.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2007

Purpose : To evaluate the mucoid degeneration (MD) of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee by correlation of MRI findings with pathology, in the patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and Methods : This study included 17 patients (mean 68.8 years old) who underwent preoperative MRI. In proton density-weighted sagittal and coronal images ACLs were evaluated for the thickness and signal intensity (SI). Total knee replacement arthroplasty was performed and the pathologic findings of ACL were evaluated. MD was classified as 3 grades according to the degenerated amount in microscopy. Thickness and SI was evaluated as normal or increased on MRI. Results : All of the 4 patients who showed thickened ACL showed increased SI on MRI. All of the 8 patients with increased SI of the ACL on MRI had MD in the ACL. However, remained 9 patients also had MD, in spite of their normal thickness and SI on MRI. Calcification was seen in 5 patients. Conclusion : Eight cases who showed ACL thickening or increased SI on MRI were well correlated with MD, however, because the other nine cases who showed normal thickness and normal SI of ACL on MRI also showed MD in pathology, normal MRI finding should not exclude the possibility of MD of ACL.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.438-446
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• 2007

The fermented soybean product, cheonggukjang, is favored by many people, partly due to its bio-functional ingredients. Since the fermentation process of cheonggukjang is mediated by enzymes, including proteases, produced by microbes, analysis of the proteome profile changes in cheonggukjang during fermentation would provide us with valuable information for fermentation optimization, as well as a better understanding of the formation mechanisms of the bio-functional substances. The soluble proteins from cheonggukjang were prepared by a phenol/chloroform extraction method, in order to remove interfering molecules for high resolution 2-D gel analysis. Proteomic analysis of the cheonggukjang different fermentation periods suggested that most of the soluble soy proteins were degraded into smaller forms within 20hr, and many microbial proteins, such as mucilage proteins, dominated the soluble protein fraction. The proteomic profile of cheonggukjang was very different from natto, in terms of the 2-D gel protein profile. Among the separated protein spots on the 2-D gels, 50 proteins from each gel were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS and PMF for protein identification. Due to database limitations with regard to soy proteins and microbial proteins, identification of the changed proteins during fermentation was restricted to 9 proteins for cheonggukjang and 15 for natto. From de novo sequencing of the proteins by a tandem MS/MS, as well as by database searches using BLASTP, a limited number of proteins were identified with low reliability. However, the 2-D gel analysis of proteins, including protein preparation methods, remains a valuable tool to analyze complex mixtures of proteins entirely. Also, for intensive mass spectrometric analysis, it is also advisable to focus on a few of the interestingly changed proteins in cheonggukjang.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.101-114
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• 2011

The rock-carved Buddha statue at Dosolam (Korea Treasure No. 1200) of the Seonunsa temple in Gochang is unique style sculptured on natural rock cliff of 13.0m height. The Buddha statue is composed of volcanic complex with tuff, dacitic tuff breccia, tuff bereccia and lithic tuff. Especially, the Buddha statue is characterized by hydrothermal alteration and fragmentation on the upper and lower part. As a result of damage diagnosis, exfoliation and detachment of physical weathering are high of 11.3% and 9.3%, respectively. Infrared thermography analysis, exfoliation and micro-cracks occurred in the measuring parts that have not been confirmed by naked eyes. Chemical index of alteration and weathering potential index of host rock for the Buddha statue are 55.16 to 64.01 and 6.14 to 9.92 which are represented within highly weathering degree. In surface, dark black, reddish brown and white discoloration are observed prominently in the lower. Brown discoloration 6.9% is highest. According to the P-XRF measurements, high concentration of Fe in common, in part of dark black discoloration was Mn, white and brown discoloration in part of S and Ca content were higher. Biological weathering that yellowish brown and dark gray crustoes lichenes appeared by 20.8% and 13.3%, respectively. Therefore, comprehensive deterioration rate of Buddha statue show physical damage by 21.2%, discoloration for inorganic contaminants by 10.8% and biological damage by 39.4%. Ultrasonic velocity measurement carried out of Buddha statue on the surface by 555 points. Measured value of ultrasonic velocity was about 2,273m/s(1,067 to 3,215m/s, and weathering coefficient is 0.5(0.4 to 0.8) that progress on MW(moderately weathered) to HW(highly weathered) grade of rocks.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2000

Objective: The effects of cryopreservation with or without coculture on the in vitro development of blastomere-biopsied 8-cell mouse embryos were investigated. This experimental study was originally designed for the setup of a preclinical mouse model for the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in human. Methods: Eight-cell embryos were obtained after in vitro fertilization (IVF) from F1 hybrid mice (C57BL(표현불가)/CBA(표현불가)). Using micromanipulation, one to four blastomeres were aspirated through a hole made in the zona pellucida by zona drilling (ZD) with acid Tyrode's solution (ATS). A slow-freezing and rapid-thawing protocol with 1.5M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 0.1M sucrose as cryoprotectant was used for the cryopreservation of blastomere- biopsied 8-cell mouse embryos. After thawing, embryos were cultured for 110 hours in Ham's F-10 supplemented with 0.4% bovine serum albumin (BSA). In the coculture group, embryos were cultured for 110 hours on the monolayer of Vero cells in the same medium. The blastocyst formation was recorded, and the embryos developed beyond blastocyst stage were stained with 10% Giemsa to count the total number of nuclei in each embryo. Results: The survival rate of embryos after cryopreservation was significantly lower in the blastomere-biopsied (7/8, 6/8, 5/8, and 4/8 embryos) groups than in the non-biopsied, zona intact (ZI) group. Without the coculture, the blastocyst formation rate of embryos after cryopreservation was not significantly different among ZI, the zona drilling only (ZD), and the balstomere-biopsied groups, but it was significantly lower than in the non-cryopreserved control group. The mean number of cells in embryos beyond blastocyst stage was significantly higher in the control group ($50.2{\pm}14.0$) than in 6/8 ($26.5{\pm}6.2$), 5/8 ($25.0{\pm}5.5$), and 4/8 ($17.8{\pm}7.8$) groups. With the coculture using Vero cells, the blastocyst formation rate of embryos after cryopreservation was significantly lower in 5/8 and 4/8 groups, compared with the control, 7/8, and 6/8 groups. The mean number of cells in embryos beyond blastocyst stage was also significantly lower in 4/8 group ($25.9{\pm}10.2$), compared with the control ($50.2{\pm}14.0$), 7/8 ($56.0{\pm}22.2$), and 6/8 ($55.3{\pm}25.5$) groups. Conclusion: After cryopreservation, blastomere-biopsied mouse embryos have a significantly impaired developmental competence in vitro, but this detrimental effect might be prevented by the coculture with Vero cells in 8-cell mouse embryos biopsied one or two blastomeres. Biopsy of mouse embryos after ZD with ATS is a safe and highly efficient preclinical model for PGD of human embryos.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.467-471
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the bactericidal activity of weakly alkalic electrolyzed water (WEW) against Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus on perilla leaves. The influences of organic matter, inform of bovine serum, and the ratio of WEW to perilla leaves on bactericidal activity of WEW were also examined. Treatment of these organisms with 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm WEW was performed for 1 min, 3 min and 5 min, respectively. Higher bactericidal activity was observed after a treatment with 100 ppm WEW compared to a treatment with 25 ppm WEW by 0.7 $log_{10}CFU/g$. The bactericidal activity of WEW also decreased with increasing bovine serum concentration. At the ratio of 10:1 (WEW: perilla leave), levels of Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus were only reduced by 0.57 and 0.79 $log_{10}CFU/g$, respectively. It is suggested that the removal of organic debris prior to application of sanitizers and treatment above the ratio of 25:1 (WEW: perilla leave) is needed in order to improve WEW activity.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.177-181
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• 2009

'Pyeongwon' is a new japonica rice cultivar which is developed from a cross between Jinbu19 and Samjiyeon4 from North Korea by the rice breeding team of National Institute of Crop Science, RDA. Pyeongwon has about 107 days duration from seeding to heading in mid-northen plain, alpine, north-eastern coastal and southern alpine areas. It has about 67 cm culm length and tolerance to lodging. Pyeongwon has 13 tillers per hill and 82 spikelets per panicle. It showed tolerance to heading delay and spikelet sterility due to cold treatment similar to Odaebyeo. It also showed slow leaf senescence and moderate tolerance to viviparous germination during the ripening stage. Pyeongwon has resistance to blast disease but susceptible to stripe virus and brown planthopper. Milled rice of Pyeongwon has translucent kernels, relatively clear non-glutinous endosperm and medium short grain. It is characterized as a low gelatinization temperature and slightly lower amylose content (17.1%) variety compared to Odaebyeo (19.5%) and has good palatability of cooked rice. The milled rice yield performance of this cultivar was about 5.28 MT/ha by ordinary culture in local adaptability test for three years. This cultivar may be highly adaptable to the mid-northen plain, alpine, north-eastern coastal and southern alpine areas of Korea.