• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.435-438
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• 2015

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a condition of uncertain etiology, choriocarcioma, or placental-site hydatidiform moles, invasive moles, choriocarcinoma, and placental-site trophoblastic tumors. It arises from the abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue and spreads beyond the uterus hematogenously. The early diagnosis of GTD is important to ensure timely and successful management and the preservation of fertility. We report the unusual case of a metastatic choriocarcinoma that formed bullae on the lung surface and presented as recurrent pneumothorax in a 38-year-old woman with elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. She underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection of the involved lung and four subsequent cycles of consolidation chemotherapy. No other evidence of metastatic disease or recurrent pneumothorax was noted during 22 months of follow-up. GTD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax in reproductive-age women with an antecedent pregnancy and abnormal beta-hCG levels.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.240-246
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• 2006

Cyanobacteria are present abundantly in rice fields and are important in helping to maintain rice fields fertility through nitrogen fixation. Many rice fields soil contain a high density of cyanobactera, and over 50% of cyanobacterial genera that are in existence in rice paddy fields are heterocystous filamentous forms. A total of 142 isolates of heterocystous filamentous cyanobacteria were screened from 100 soil samples taken from rice paddy fields in 10 different locations across Korea, classified according to their morphological characteristics under light microscopy, and their susceptibly to fungicides examined. The collected blue-green alga were classified into a total of 14 genera, including seven genera of filamentous cyanobacteria and seven genera of nonfilamentous cyanobacteria. In particular, 142 heterocystous filamentous cyanobacteria were isolated and classified into six genera, including Anabaena, Nostoc, Calothrix, Cylindrospermum, Nodularia, Scytomena, and Tolypotrix. Yet, over 90% of the heterocystous filamentous cyanobacteria isolated from the rice paddy fields belonged to two genera: Anabaena and Nostoc. The response of 129 $N_2-fixing$ cyanobacterial isolates, 53 Anabaena and 76 Nostoc, to 10 fungicides was then investigated. The results showed that the Nostoc spp. were more tolerant of the ten tested fungicides than the Anabaena spp., and among the ten tested fungicides, benomyl showed the highest acute toxicity to Anabaena spp. and Nostoc spp. In conclusion, although benomyl is a very useful agent to control phytopathogenic fungi, the application of this fungicide to rice fields should be considered because of its toxicity to the heterocystous filamentous cyanobacteria.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 2009

A cell frequently utilizes glucose as a fuel of energy and a major substrate of lipid and protein syntheses. A regulation of glucose movement into and out of the cells is precisely controlled by cooperative works of passive and sodium-dependent active processes. At least 13 glucose cotransporter (Slc2a, GLUT) isoforms involve in passive movement of glucose in cells. The efferent ductules (EDs) play in a number of important functions for maintenance of male fertility. In the present study, using real-time PCR analysis, we determined gene expression of five Slc2a isoforms in the EDs. In addition, we compared expression levels of these Slc2a isoforms according to postnatal development ages, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months. Results from the current study showed that expression of Slc2a1, Slc2a3, and Slc2a5 mRNAs reached the highest levels at 1 month of age, followed by a transient decrease at 3 months of age. In addition, the level of Slc2a4 mRNA reminded at steady until 1 month of age and was significantly reduced at 3 months of age, whereas the highest level of Slc2a 8 mRNA was detected at 2 weeks of age. Data from the present study indicate a differential expression of various Slc2a isoforms in the ED according to postnatal ages. Thus, it is believed that glucose movement through the epithelial cells in the ED would be regulated by the coordinated manner among Slc2a isoforms expressed at a given age.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 1999

This study was carried out with the purpose of looking into the transcriptionally regulated genes related to the anther development, characterizing them, and applying their promoters to induce male-sterile plants and restore their fertility. Fifteen anther-specific clones were isolated from the anther cDNA library of Chinese cabbage through the differential screening and sequenced partially at both ends. These partial sequence data showed that cDNA clones BAN52, 84, 101, and 229 are very similar to polygalacturonase, ascorbate oxidase, $H^+-translocating$ ATPase, and pectin esterase genes respectively. However, the other clones have not been matched to any of gene sequences in data bank. In northern dot blot analysis, the transcripts of cDNA clone BAN5, 10, 33, 52, 57, 102, 103, 215, 229 appeared in the flower bud of 2.1 mm in length and their amounts were gradually increased along with the anther development. Transcription of cDNA clone BAN32, 54, 62, 84, 101 began in flower bud of 3.9 mm, which is the late stage in anther development. However, the transcription of BAN87 was very small, but its transcript was detected in all anther developmental stages.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence and differential expression of connexin isoforms in the efferent ductules (ED) of male rat reproductive tract during postnatal development. Total RNA was isolated from the ED collected from rats at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months of ages. Expression of six connexin mRNAs of 14 isoforms tested was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Fluctuation of mRNA levels of connexins 26 and 30 was found according to ages. A significant decrease of connexin 31.1 mRNA level was observed in the ED at 1 month of age. The highest levels of connexin 37 and 45 mRNAs were detected in the ED of early developmental period, while the expression of connexin 43 was the lowest at 1 week of age. The present study demonstrates differential regulation on expression of connexin isoforms in the rat ED in age-dependent manner.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.146-158
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• 1988

In order to examine differential mortality, the life tables for the insured persons in national pension scheme were estimated by sex and types of coverage(the insured in workplaces vs. the insured in rural areas). The averages of 1994-1996 data are used for insured in workplaces, but 1996 data are used for insured in rural areas. Life expectancies at the age of 18 are 59.5 years and 67.2 years each for insured males and females and thus 7.7 years longer for females than males in workplaces. Sex difference in mortality reduces as age increases, and more rapidly at younger ages than old ages. For insured in rural areas, life expectancies at the age of 18 are 51.4 years and 61.1 years each for insured males and females and thus sex difference is 9.7 years. The greater sex difference in mortality in rural areas can be explained by sex selective migration. The difference of life expectancy between insured in workplaces and insured in rural areas is 8.1 years for males, and 6.1 years for females. Because rural-urban difference in educational attainment is greater for males than females, the greater difference in life expectancy is observed for males than females.