• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.368-375
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• 2020

Objectives: Some animal studies have reported that methyl mercury causes developmental toxicities such as placental and fetal weight loss, but the mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the developmental toxicities of methyl mercury, focusing on placental endocrine function and fetal growth retardation in rats. Methods: Positively same-time-mated female Sprague-Dawley rats were purchased on gestational day (GD) eight and treated with 0, 5, 10 and 20 ppm of methyl mercury (n=5) dissolved in tap water from GD eight through 19. During treatment, the drinking water (methyl mercury) intake and body weight of each pregnant rat was measured daily. On day 19, caesarean sections were performed and blood samples were collected. Developmental data such as placental and fetal weights, fetus numbers, and placental efficiency (fetal weight/placental weight) were also collected. Placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family, such as placental lactogen (PL) -Iv, II, and prolactin-like protein (PLP) -B, levels in serum were analyzed by ELISA. Also, placental tissues were assigned to histochemistry. Results: The mean cumulative methyl mercury exposure for the 5, 10, and 20 ppm groups were 2.37, 4.63, and 9.66 mg, respectively. The mean daily exposure of the 5, 10, and 20 ppm groups were 0.24, 0.47, and 0.97 mg, respectively. Maternal body weight increased in accordance with GD. There was no significant difference in weight gain among the experimental groups. Histopathologic changes were not observed in placental tissues among the experimental groups. However, mean placental and fetal weights were lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups compared to the control. Placental efficiency was also lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups compared to the control. Serum PL-Iv and II levels were lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups than the control, in accordance with the changing pattern of placental and fetal weights and placental efficiency. Conclusion: The inhibitory effects of methyl mercury on the serum levels of placental PRL-GH family such as PL-Iv and II may be secondary leads to the reduction of placental efficiency and fetal growth retardation in rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.111-117
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnancy outcomes and the live birth rate at 1-year age increments in women aged ${\geq}40years$ undergoing fresh non-donor in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET), and to identify predictors of success in these patients. Methods: This retrospective study was performed among women ${\geq}40years$ of age between 2004 and 2011. Of the 2,362 cycles that were conducted, ET was performed in 1,532 (73.1%). Results: The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in women ${\geq}40years$ significantly decreased with each year of increased age (p<0.001). Maternal age (odds ratio [OR], 0.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.540-0.769; p<0.001), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (OR, 0.950; 95% CI, 0.903-0.999; p=0.047), the number of high-quality embryos (OR, 1.258; 95% CI, 1.005-1.575; p=0.045), and the number of transferred embryos (OR, 1.291; 95% CI, 1.064-1.566; p=0.009) were significant predictors of live birth. A statistically significant increase in live birth rates was seen when ${\geq}3$ embryos were transferred in patients 40 to 41 years of age, whereas poor pregnancy outcomes were seen in patients ${\geq}43years$ of age, regardless of the number of transferred embryos. Moreover, the cumulative live birth rate increased in patients 40 to 42 years of age with repeated IVF cycles, but the follicle-stimulating hormone in those ${\geq}43years$ of age rarely showed an increase. Conclusion: IVF-ET has acceptable outcomes in those < 43 years of age when a patient's own oocytes are used. Maternal age, basal FSH levels, and the number of high-quality embryos and transferred embryos are useful predictors of live birth.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.85-89
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of the insemination method on the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture performed between January 2011 and December 2014. Results: There were 2,003 cycles of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and 336 cycles of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), including 25,652 and 4,164 embryos that underwent sequential blastocyst culture, respectively. No significant differences were found in the female patients' age, basal follicle-stimulating hormone level, basal luteinizing hormone level, body mass index, number of oocytes, maturity rate, fertilization rate, or good-quality embryo rate. However, the blastocyst formation rate and embryo utilization rate were significantly higher in the conventional IVF group than in the ICSI group (54.70% vs. 50.94% and 51.09% vs. 47.65%, respectively, p<0.05). The implantation/pregnancy rate (IVF, 50.93%; ICSI, 55.10%), miscarriage rate (IVF, 12.57%; ICSI, 16.29%), and live birth rate (IVF, 42.12%; ICSI, 44.08%) were similar (p>0.05). No cycles were canceled due to the formation of no usable blastocysts. Conclusion: Although the fertilization method had no effect on clinical outcomes, the blastocyst formation rate and embryo utilization rate in the ICSI group were significantly lower than those observed in the conventional IVF group. Therefore, more care should be taken when choosing to perform blastocyst culture in ICSI patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제60권5호
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• pp.576-580
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• 2006

폐 자궁내막증은 월경 시 주기적인 각혈을 동반하는 매우 드문 질환이다. 치료법으로는 호르몬요법인 내과적 방법과 외과적으로 절제하는 방법이 있다. 호르몬 요법은 가임기의 젊은 여성에게 불임을 유발한다는 제약점이 있으므로 대부분의 환자에서 수술 치료를 선택하게 된다. 흉강경을 이용한 절제는 젊은 여성에게 흉터를 최소화하고 통증과 회복기간을 줄일 수 있지만 정확히 병변의 위치를 찾아 자궁내막조직이 남아 재발하지 않도록 완전히 병변을 제거하기가 쉽지 않다. 본 증례에서는 월경 시 각혈을 동반한 17세 된 미혼여성에게 발견된 폐 자궁내막증을 흉강경을 이용하여 절제하였으며, 수술 후 8개월의 기간 동안 재발없이 관찰 중이다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.229-235
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• 2011

Sloan-Kettering virus gene product of a cellular protooncogene c-Ski is an unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. Ski plays multiple roles in a variety of cell types, it can induce both oncogenic transformation and terminal muscle differentiation when expressed at high levels. Ski protein is implicated in proliferation/differentiation in a variety of cells. The alternative fate of granulosa cells other than apoptosis is to differentiate to luteal cells, however, it is unknown whether Ski is expressed and has a role in granulosa cells undergoing luteinization. Thus, the aim of this study was, by means of immunohistochemical methods, to locate Ski protein in the rat ovaries during ovulation and corpora lutea (CL) formation to predict the possible involvement of Ski in luteinization. In addition, we performed to examine whether the initiation of luteinization with luteinizing hormone (LH) directly regulates expression of Ski in the luteinized granulosa and luteal cells after ovulation by in vivo models. In order to examine the expression pattern of Ski protein along with the progress of luteinization, follicular growth was induced by administration of equine chorionic gonadtropin to immature female rat, and luteinization was induced by human chorionic gonadtropin treatment to mimic luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. While no Ski-positive granulosa cells were present in preovulatory follicle, Ski protein expression was induced in response to LH surge, and was maintained after the formation of corpus luteum (CL). These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the luteinized granulosa cells and luteal cells of CL during luteinization, and suggest that Ski may play a role in luteinization of granulosa cells.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.281-284
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• 2010

Purpose: Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a hereditary disorder characterized by symptoms and signs of hypoparathyroidism, typically in association with distinctive skeletal and developmental defects. Hypoparathyroidism is caused by a insufficient end-organ response to PTH (parathyroid hormone). Hypoparathyroidism consists of four types in which the most common form, pseudohypoparathyroidism-Ia, accompany with Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy. We experienced a case of a woman who had been suffering from calcified mass on left foot, diagnosed Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy. Methods: We present a case of a 24-year-old Korean female who visited plastic surgery department with a painful mass on dorsum of the left foot. On the physical exam, bony hard and painful mass, fixed to dermis, was noted. Plain X-ray films demonstrate suspicious calcification on subcutaneous tissue of dorsum of the left foot. The patient was diagnosed pseudohypoparathyroidism 2 years ago at the plastic surgery department. At the visiting time, the laboratory results were within normal range even though the patient actually had a disease. The reason is because the patient has been treated with Vit.D, calcium replacement therapy and thyroid hormone therapy. Moreover, the patient has been treated with anticonvulsant agents due to epilepsy. On the brain computer tomography (CT), calcification was noted on the basal ganglia and dentate nucleus. So we decided the total excision of entire mass from the left foot. Results: We excised main mass with numerous pinhead sized masses which were scattered around the main mass. The $6.0{\times}4.0{\times}0.5\;cm$ sized main mass was bony hard, and its surface was flat and margin was irregular. The permanent biopsy was confirmed that the main mass and all the scattered tiny masses were heterotopic calcification. The patient did not suffer from the pain after the mass excision. The wound has been healed without any problem. Conclusions: Heterotrophic calcification is often accompanied with pseudohypoparathyroidism, but such a huge one is uncommon. We report a case of pseudohypoparathyroidism with heterotrophic calcification developed in dorsum of left foot who was diagnosed by excisional biopsy.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.97-106
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• 1998

The pronuclear injection of metallothionein-human growth hormone (MT-hGH) gene into rabbit zygotes was performed to establish in vitro developmental system and to detect the presence of the injected gene by nested PCR. Mature female New Zealand White rabbits were superovulated by eGG and hCG treatments. The rabbits were mated and the zygotes were collected from the oviducts 18-22 h after hCG injection by flushing with D-PBS. Two to three picoliters of MT-hGH gene was microinjected into male pronuclei. The foreign gene-injected zygotes were cultured in TCM-199 or RD mediurn containing 10% FCS with a monolayer of rabbit oviductal epithelial cefls in a 5% $CO_2$ incubator. The presence of injected DNA in rabbit embryos or blastomeres at different developmental stages .vas detected by a nested PCR analysis. The results are summarized as follows ; 1.The developmental rate of the MT-hGH gene-injected zygotes to blastocyst was significantly higher in TCM-199 medium (68.1%) than in RD medium (42.9%). 2.The gene injection into pronuclei at 18 or 22 hours post hCG treatment during pronuclear stage did not much affect on the in vitro development of the rabbit embryos. 3.The rate of gene-positive embryos detected by the nested PCR analysis was significantly decreased when they developed to blastocysts. The results indicate that the screening of transgene in rabbit embryos by nested PCR analysis could be a prornisible method for the preselection of transgenic embryos. Furthermore, the preselection of transgenic embryos would greatly reduce hoth the cost and effort of production of transgenic animals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.423-430
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• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of red-yeast-rice on bone metabolism in overiectomized (OVX) rats. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 210 $\pm$ 5 g, 9 weeks old age) were divided into two groups. One group were OVX, and the other group received sham operation (SHAM), and received either control diet (20％ casein) or a red-yeast-rice power supplemented diet (0.1％) for 9 weeks. And then each rat group was further divided into control diet (casein 20％) and red-yeast-rice powder supplemented (0.1％) diet group. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 9 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co, Wisconsin, USA) in spine and femur on 5, 9 weeks after feeding. The serum and urine concentrations of Ca and P were determined. Bone formation was measured by serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations. And bone resorption rate was measured by deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks immunoassay and corrected for creatinine. Serum osteocalcin, growth hormone, IGF-l and calcitonin were analyzed using radioimmunoassay kits. Urinary Ca and P excretion were not significantly different among the groups. Within the OVX group, the red-yeast-rice group had a lower crosslinks value than the casein group. Therefore the red-yeast-rice supplemented groups had a lower bone resorption ratio than the casein group in the ovariectomized rats. And, the red-yeast-rice group had significantly higher IGF-l hormone than casein group in ovariectomized rats. The red-yeast-rice group had higher spine bone mineral content than those of control group within the OVX groups. This study was an important first step in establishing that the observed beneficial effects of red-yeast-rice on bone, and this study also established the need for a study on the long-term effect of this supplement in a human.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.313-315
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• 2014

13개월령의 중성화하지 않은 암컷 미니어처 슈나우저 개가 귓바퀴의 소양감, 통증 및 상처치유의 지연을 주증으로 내원하였다. 환자의 혈청 성장호르몬 농도가 참고범위 이하로 측정되었으며 자일라진 자극검사를 통해 뇌하수체 왜소증으로 진단되었다. 보호자가 원하지 않아 성장호르몬 및 프로게스틴 치료는 진행하지 않았으며, 탈모의 개선을 목적으로 멜라토닌 투여를 시작하였다. 멜라토닌 투여 이후, 귓바퀴의 탈모가 개선되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 한국양식학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.303-310
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• 1998

난황형성 단계에 있는 암컷 어미에게 갑상선 호르몬인 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine ($T_3$)를 20 mg $T_3$/kg 체중으로 주사하여 출산된 조피볼락 자어를 대조구인 sham구 및 control구 자어와 함께 30일간 사육하면서 성장과 생존율을 비교하였다. 자어에게는 출산후 5일째까지 rotifer를 공급하였고, 6~15일까지 rotifer와 Artemia nauplii를, 이후 30일까지 Artemia nauplii와 넙치용 배합사료를 혼합공급하였다. 출산후 자어의 성장은 대조구들에 비해 $T_3$구에서 유의하게 빨랐으며, 생존율 역시 T하(3)구가 대조구들 보다 유의하게 높았다. 실험종료시 치어의 비만도는 $T_3$구가 control구에 비해 다소 낮았고, sham구에 비해서는 유의하게 낮았다. 이상의 결과, 조피볼락에 대한 $T_3$의 모체주사는 모체에서 유래된 외인성$T_3$가 초기 출산자어의 생리활성을 증진시켜, 자치어의 성장과 생존율 향상에 도움을 줄 수 있는 것으로 평가되었다.