• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.87-92
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• 2011

Objective: This study aimed to determine the safety and clinical effect of artificial shrinkage (AS) in terms of assisted hatching of fresh blastocysts. Also, we evaluated the correlation between patient age and the effect of AS on clinical outcome. Methods: Two AS methods, using a 29-gauge needle and laser pulse, were compared. Seventy-three blastocysts were shrunk using a 29-gauge needle and the same number of other blastocysts were shrunk by a laser pulse. We evaluated the shrunken blastocysts hourly and considered them viable if they re-expanded >70%. Blastocyst transfer cycles (n=134) were divided into two groups: a control group consisted of the cycles whose intact embryos were transferred (n=100), while the AS group consisted of the cycles whose embryos were replaced following AS (n=34). The implantation and pregnancy rates of the control group and AS group were compared ($p$ <0.05). Results: The re-expansion rates of the 29-gauge needle and laser pulse AS groups were similar (56 [76.7%] vs. 62 [84.9%], respectively). All of the remaining shrunken blastocysts were re-expanded within 2 hours. There was no degeneration of shrunken blastocysts. The total and clinical pregnancy rate of the AS group (23 [67.6%]; 20 [58.8%], respectively) was significantly higher than that of the control group (47 [47.0%]; 39 [39.0%], respectively). In the older patient group, there was no difference in the clinical outcomes between the AS and control groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that AS of blastocoele cavity, followed by the transfer, would be a useful approach to improve the clinical outcome in cycles in which fresh blastocyst stage embryos are transferred.

• 대한기계학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한기계학회 2000년도 추계학술대회논문집B
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• pp.192-198
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• 2000

Three dimensional thermal cycle analysis of the plunger is carried out in repeated forming process of the TV glass, which is continued work of two dimensional analysis where an efficient method has been proposed. The plunger undergoes temperature fluctuation during a cycle due to the repeated contact and separation from the glass, which attains a cyclic steady state having same temperature history at every cycle. Straightforward analysis of this problem brings about more than 90 cycles to get reasonable solution. An exponential function fitting method is proposed, which finds exponential function to best approximate temperature values of 3 consecutive cycles, and new cycle is restarted with the fitted value at infinite time. Number of cases are analyzed using the proposed method and compared to the result of straightforward repetition, from which one finds that the method always reaches nearly convergent solution within $9{\sim}12$ cycles, but turns around afterwards without further convergence. Two step use is found most efficient, in which the exponential fitting is carried out fer the first 12 cycles, followed by simple repetition, which shows fast convergence expending only 6 additional cycles to get the accuracy within 2 error. This reduces the computation cycle remarkably from 90 to 18, which is 80% reduction. From the parametric studies, one reveals that the overall thermal behavior of the plunger in terms of cooling parameters and time is similar to that of 2 dimensional analysis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.284-292
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• 2020

Objective: This study investigated whether adding outer-well medium to inhibit osmotic changes in culture media in a dry-type incubator improved the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. Methods: In culture dishes, the osmotic changes in media (20 µL)-covered oil with or without outer-well medium (humid or dry culture conditions, respectively) were compared after 3 days of incubation in a dry-type incubator. One-step (Origio) and G1/G2 (Vitrolife) media were used. Results: The osmotic changes in the dry culture condition (308 mOsm) were higher than in the humid culture conditions (285-290 mOsm) after 3 days of incubation. In day 3 IVF-ET cycles, although the pregnancy rate did not significantly differ between the dry (46.2%) and humid culture (51.0%) groups, the rates of abortion and ongoing pregnancy were significantly better in the humid culture group (1.5% and 49.5%, respectively) than in the dry culture group (8.3% and 37.8%, respectively, p<0.05). In day 5 IVF-ET cycles, the abortion rate was significantly lower in the humid culture group (2.2%) than in the dry culture group (25.0%, p<0.01), but no statistically significant difference was observed in the rates of clinical and ongoing pregnancy between the dry (50.0% and 25.0%, respectively) and humid culture groups (59.5% and 57.3%, respectively) because of the small number of cycles. Conclusion: Hyperosmotic changes in media occurred in a dry-type incubator by evaporation, although the medium was covered with oil. These osmotic changes were efficiently inhibited by supplementation of outer-well medium, which resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.219-227
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• 2006

목 적: 자궁내막증이 체외 수정에 미치는 영향에 대하여 알아보고, 자궁내막증의 체외 수정 결과의 차이에 대해 살펴보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 1994년부터 2004년까지 제일병원 아이소망센타에서 자궁내막증으로 체외 수정을 시술 받은 697명의 환자 (총 1,199주기)를 후향적으로 연구하였다. 경증의 자궁내막증은 638주기, 중증의 자궁내막증은 561주기였으며, 난관 요인을 가진 325명 (459주기)를 대조군으로 하였다. 제외 기준으로는 여성의 나이가 35세 이상, basal FSH level이 20 mIU/ml 이상인 경우, 심각한 남성 요인의 경우를 제외하였다. 결 과: 중증의 자궁내막증은 난관 요인 보다 획득된 난자의 수 ($9.97{\pm}7.2$ vs. $13.4{\pm}7.9$ (p<0.0001)), 총 배아 수 ($6.5{\pm}4.8$ vs. $9.1{\pm}5.6$ (p<0.0001)), 양질의 배아 수 ($2.43{\pm}1.6$ vs. $2.74{\pm}1.7$ (p=0.013))가 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았다. 하지만, 중증의 자궁내막증의 임신율은 난관 요인과 유사하였다 (35.7 vs. 36.8 (%)). 경증의 자궁내막증은 중증의 자궁내막증과 난관 요인보다 불임 기간이 길었으며 ($55.4{\pm}25.7$ vs. $47.6{\pm}25.6$ vs. $44.4{\pm}30.9$ (개월) p<0.0001)), 수정률이 의미 있게 낮았으나 ($64.8{\pm}22.9$ vs. $69.9{\pm}22.5$ vs.$70.8{\pm}20.8$ (%) (p<0.0001)), 임신율에 유의한 차이는 없었다 (31.1 vs. 35.7 vs. 36.8 (%)). 또한, 체외 수성 이전에 치료 받은 병력이 있던 경증과 중증의 자궁내막증 (363주기 vs. 470주기)은 경증의 자궁내막증에서 중증의 자궁내막증보다 불임 기간이 길고 ($56.5{\pm}26.3$ vs. $46.9{\pm}25.8$ (개월), p<0.0001), 수정률이 낮았으며 ($64.7{\pm}23.3$ vs. $70.5{\pm}22.7$ (%), p=0.001), 임신율과 태아 생존율이 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았다 (29.2 vs. 36.2 (%), p=0.045, 23.9 vs. 31.5 (%), p=0.043). 결 론: 체외 수정 시 이전에 치료를 받았던 경증의 자궁내막증은 중증의 자궁내막증보다 임신율과 태아 생존율이 낮았고, 이는 현저한 수정률 감소와 긴 불임 기간이 관련이 있다고 생각된다. 따라서, 장기간의 불임 기간을 가진 경증의 자궁내막증을 가진 불임 여성은 체외 수정을 좀 더 일찍 고려해 볼 수 있겠다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.166-171
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• 2012

Objective: We compared the assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes among infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with IVM, conventional IVF, GnRH agonist, and GnRH antagonist cycles. Methods: The prospective study included a total of 67 cycles in 61 infertile women with PCOS. The women with PCOS were randomized into three IVF protocols: IVM/IVF with FSH and hCG priming with immature oocyte retrieval 38 hours later (group A, 14 cycles), GnRH agonist long protocol (group B, 14 cycles), and GnRH antagonist multi-dose flexible protocol (group C, 39 cycles). IVF outcomes, such as clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR), miscarriage rate (MR), and live birth rate (LBR), were compared among the three groups. Results: Age, BMI, and basal FSH and LH levels did not differ among the three groups. The number of retrieved oocytes and 2 pronucleus embryos was significantly lower in group A compared with groups B and C. The CPR, IR, MR, and LBR per embryo transfer showed no differences among the three groups. There was no incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in group A. Conclusion: The IR, MR, and LBR in the IVM cycles were comparable to those of the GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist cycles. The IVM protocol, FSH and hCG priming with oocyte retrieval 38 hours later, is an effective ART option that is comparable with conventional IVF for infertile women with PCOS.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.7-11
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• 2013

Objective: We evaluated the fertilization potential of immature oocytes obtained from controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles of patients undergoing ICSI. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 463 ICSI cycles containing at least one immature oocyte at oocyte denudation. ICSI was performed on mature oocytes at oocyte denudation (metaphase-II [MII] oocytes) and the oocytes that extruded the first polar body between oocyte denudation and ICSI (MI-MII oocytes). Fertilization and early embryonic development were compared between MII and MI-MII oocytes. To investigate the pregnancy potential of MI-MII oocytes, the pregnancy outcome was analyzed in 24 ICSI cycles containing only immature oocytes at retrieval. Results: The fertilization rate of MI-MII oocytes (37.0%) was significantly lower than that of MII oocytes (72.3%). The rates of delayed embryos and damaged embryos did not significantly differ. Eighty-one immature oocytes were retrieved in 24 cycles that retrieved only immature oocytes and 61 (75.3%) of them were in the MI stage. ICSI was performed on 36 oocytes (59.0%) that extruded the first polar body before ICSI and nine MI-MII oocytes (25.0%) were fertilized. Embryo transfers were performed in five cycles. Pregnancy was observed in one cycle, but it ended in biochemical pregnancy. Conclusion: In ICSI cycles, oocytes that extruded the first polar body between denudation and ICSI can be used as a source of oocytes for sperm injection. However, their fertilization and pregnancy potential are lower than that of mature oocytes. Therefore, ovarian stimulation should be performed carefully for mature oocytes obtained at retrieval, especially in cycles with a small number of retrieved oocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.69-79
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• 1989

Steroid hormone profiles during luteal phase of clomiphene citrate(CC)/human menopausal gonadotropin(hMG)/human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG)-stimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)/hMG/hCG-stimulated IVF cycles were compared. In seventy three cycles stimulated with CC/hMG/hCG regimen, follicles were aspirated during exploratory laparotomy and yielded 7 pregnancies, and in 83 cycles stimulated with FSH/hMG/hCG regimen, follicles were aspirated by laparoscope and made 13 pregnancies. Serum estradiol($E_2$) and progesterone($P_4$) levels were determined on days 2, 5, 7, and 9 after follicle aspiration. The FSH/hMG/hCG regimen was more effective than the CC/hMG/hCG regimen in folliculogenesis, ie, ovarian stimulation, follicular phase $E_2$ peak levels, oocyte maturation, and the number of retrieved oocytes. There was no significant difference between luteal serum $P_4/E_2$ ratio of the two regimens, suggesting that secretory endometrial build-up ability for implantation may not differ each other. Several significant correlations were observed between follicular phase seum $E_2$ peak levels and luteal phase serum $E_2$ and $P_4$ levels in the FSH/hMG/hCG-stimulated cycles but any correlation was not significant in the CC/hMG/hCG-stimulated cycles, suggesting that somewhat more follicles may eventually fall in atresia even after attaining dominant stage in the CC/hMG/hCG-stimulated cycles than the FSH/hMG/hCG-stimulated cycles.

• 대한수학회지
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.1213-1231
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• 2007

The domination number ${\gamma}(G)$ of a graph G=(V,E) is the minimum cardinality of a subset of V such that every vertex is either in the set or is adjacent to some vertex in the set. The bondage number of b(G) of a graph G is the cardinality of a smallest set of edges whose removal from G results in a graph with domination number greater than ${\gamma}(G)$. In this paper, we calculate the bondage number of the Cartesian product of cycles $C_3\;and\;C_n$ for all n.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.28.1-28.10
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• 2021

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of repeated uses and autoclaving in the instrumented area, fracture resistance, and time of instrumentation of thermally treated nickel-titanium reciprocating systems. Materials and Methods: Two hundred simulated canals were instrumented using Reciproc Blue and WaveOne Gold. Each file was used up to 10 times or until fracture. The instrumented area was measured in pre- and post-operative images, using ImageJ software. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis evaluated the number of uses of instruments before fracture. Instrumented area and time of instrumentation were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis. Correlations among the number of uses and instrumented area were measured. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Reciproc Blue presented a higher estimated number of uses in comparison with WaveOne Gold (p = 0.026), but autoclaving did not affect the resistance to fracture of instruments (p > 0.05). The instrumented area was different among the evaluated groups (p = 0.039), and the instrumented area along the uses of both tested instruments was reduced. With the time of instrumentation, there was also a significant difference among the evaluated groups; the groups without sterilization cycles were faster, in comparison to those submitted to autoclaving (p = 0.010). Conclusions: Reciproc Blue was more resistant than WaveOne Gold, suffering later fracture. Additionally, the sterilization cycles did not influence the estimated number of uses of thermally treated reciprocating instruments, but the instrumented area of root canals was reduced along with the repeated uses of both instruments.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.25-34
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• 1988

The intrafo1licular echoes of cumulus oophoruses within ovarian follicles were assessed with the use of ultrasound in 86 women taking part in an in vitro fertilization(IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer(GIFT) program, stimulated with pure follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)/human menopausal gonadotropin(hMG)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). When intrafo1licular echoes were clearly separated from the follicular wall or relatively dispersed within the follicle, they were considered to be a dissociated cumulus, and when they were only slightly prominent from the follicular wall, they were suspected to be a nondissociated cumulus. A cumulus was seen in 62.1% of the follicles larger than 10 mm diameter and 75.1% of them were dissociated. The larger the follicles in size, the more the cumuluses in number and dissociation. The number of follicles and intrafollicular echoes per woman was not different whether or not she would be pregnant, but the number of dissociated cumuluses was significantly more in pregnant women. The number of observed dissociated cumuluses correlated significantly with the number of recovered mature oocytes. When an intrafollicular echo is seen, it can be taken as evidence of a sign of maturity of that particular follicle and oocyte. Ultrasonographic monitoring of intrafollicular echoes and follicular size is very helpful to predict follicular maturation in ovulation stimulation cycles.