• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2011

Procymidone is a fungicide with anti-androgenic properties widely used to protect fruits from fungal infection, which induces an excessive reactive oxygen species production in male reproductive organs. In this study, to clarify whether procymidone affect the cellular antioxidant system of prostate at onset of puberty, gene expression patterns of the representative antioxidant enzymes such as cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase (GPx1), phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx (PHGPx), selenoprotein P (SePP), cytoplasmic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and manganese SOD (SOD2) were investigated in the rat ventral prostates exposed to procymidone using real-time RT-PCR analyses. Seven-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats castrated at 6 weeks old were treated with procymidone (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg per day) orally for 7 consecutive days after testosterone propionate (0.4 mg/kg per day) administration by subcutaneous injection. As compared to normal control animals, GPx1 mRNA expression in prostates significantly increased by the administration with TP and/or procymidone. However, PHGPx and SOD1 mRNA levels significanatly decreased by over 25 mg/kg of procymidone treatment and SePP and SOD2 mRNA levels was significanatly reduced by over 50 mg/kg of procymidone treatment. These findings indicate that procymidone may affect the antioxidant system of prostatic cells in up-regulation mode of GPx1, but in down-regulation modes of PHGPx, SePP, SOD1, and SOD2, suggesting that procymidone may affect differently the cellular antioxidant system of prostate according to the exposure doses.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2018

The aim of this study was performed to evaluate the effects of ice-binding protein from the arctic yeast Leucosporidium (LeIBP) supplementation on cryopreservation of boar sperm. The collected semen was diluted ($1.5{\times}10^8/ml$) in lactose egg yolk (LEY) and cooled at $5^{\circ}C$ for 3 h. The cooled semen was then diluted ($1{\times}10^8/ml$) in LeIBP containing LEY with 9% glycerol and maintained at $5^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. The semen was divided into six experimental groups (control, 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/ml of LeIBP). The straws were kept on above the liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) vapors for 20 minutes and then plunged into $LN_2$. After thawing, computer-assisted sperm analysis was used for sperm motility and flow cytometry was performed to assess the viability, acrosome integrity (FITC-PSA/PI), ROS (DCF/PI), lipid peroxidation (BODIPY C11/PI) and apoptosis (Annexin V/PI), respectively. No significant responses were observed for sperm motility. However, sperm viability was significantly increased on 0.05 and 0.1 mg/ml of LeIBP groups compared to control (P < 0.05). In addition, acrosome integrity was significantly increases LeIBP groups (P < 0.05) and both ROS and lipid peroxidation level were lower in all LeIBP groups than those of control (P < 0.05). On the other hand, a significant higher apoptosis rate was observed in 0.05 and 0.1 mg/ml of LeIBP groups compared to control (P < 0.05). It can be assumed that a supplementation of LeIBP in boar sperm freezing extender is an effective method to increase the sperm qualities after cryopreservation.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2007

Antioxidants were well known to be essential supplements in the complex media and serve as a reservoir of oxygen. In this study, Hanwoo COCs (cumulus oocytes complexes) were matured and developed in L-cysteine-TCM199 and analyzed metaphase chromosome. Maturation rate of Hanwoo COCs were 73.4%, 94.6% in 0.1% PVA, 0.1 mM L-cysteine, respectively and showed significantly different between the treatments (p<0.05). Blastocyst formation were revealed 20.3%, 10.0% in 5% FBS+TCM199, 0.1 mM L-cysteine+1% BSA, respectively. There were no significant difference among treatment groups. Metaphase chromosome were showed 18.3%, 12.0% in 5% FBS-TCM199, 0.1 mM L-cysteine, respectively and analyzable chromosome were 6.1%, 4.0% and had no differences between the treated groups. In the case of in vitro developmental stages, metaphase chromosome were showed 18.3%, 12.0% in $4{\sim}16$ cells stage, 43.1%, 13.0% in morulae stage and 94.8%, 100.0% in blastocyst stage. These results suggested L-cysteine has beneficial role for in virto maturation and development in Hanwoo COCs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2018

Cellular cyclic adenosine-3' 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) modulator is known as meiotic inhibitor and can delays spontaneous maturation in IVM experiment. Among many cAMP modulators, the role of Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) on IVM isn't known. The purpose of this study is to improve the maturation of oocytes derived from follicles ${\leq}3mm$ in diameter through PACAP as meiotic inhibitor during pre-in vitro maturation (pre-IVM). First, we checked PACAP and its receptors in cumulus cells and, to establish the optimal phase and concentration of PACAP for pre-IVM, we conducted chromatin configuration assessments. As a result, the rate of GV (Germinal Vesicle) according to duration of pre-IVM was significantly decreased 12 h and 18 h after IVM (87.1 and 84.1%, respectively) compared to 0 h (99.4%). When COC was cultured for 18 h, the GV rate in the $1{\mu}M$ of PACAP treatment group (82.1%) was significantly higher than any other PACAP treatment groups (60.5, 64.1, 74.4 and 69.9 %, respectively). So, we divided into four groups as follows; MF (the conventional IVM group, obtained from follicle from 3 to 6 mm in diameter), SF (the conventional IVM group, obtained from follicle ${\leq}3mm$ in diameter), Pre-SF(-)PACAP (IVM group including 18 h pre-IVM without $1{\mu}M$ of PACAP, obtained from follicle ${\leq}3mm$ in diameter) and Pre-SF(+)PACAP (IVM group including 18 h pre-IVM with $1{\mu}M$ of PACAP, obtained from follicle ${\leq}3mm$ in diameter). To examine the effect of PACAP during pre-IVM, we investigated analysis of nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. In cumulus cells, PACAP receptors, ADCYAP1R1 and VIPR1 were detected but were not detected in oocytes. After IVM, the Pre-SF(+)PACAP had the highest Metaphase II rate (91.7%) among all groups (P<0.05). The GSH levels in the MF and Pre-SF(+)PACAP were significantly higher than in the other groups (P<0.05) and ROS levels was no significant difference among all groups. In conclusion, these results indicated that even though the oocytes were derived from SF, pre-IVM application of PACAP improved meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation by regulating intracellular oxidative stress.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.467-473
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• 1996

Although a polypyrrole shows better electrical conductivity, 100∼400 ${\Omega}^{-1}cm^{-1}$, than other organic conducting polymers, its electrical conductivity will be worsen in the presence of the oxygen due to its easy oxidation. On the other hand, polythiophene shows better stability in the air while its electrcal conductivity is poor compared to the polypyrrole. We succeed to develope the mixed polymer electrode that is stable in the air and shows a good redox characteristics. The mixed polymer electrode has been prepared by the electrical polymerization of polypyrrole on the Pt electrode as 1.70 C$cm^{-2}$ and then coating with polythiophene as 0.34 C$cm^{-2}$. The polymerization rate of polythiophene was $3.89{\times}10^{-8}$ at the bare Pt electrode and $6.07{\times}10^{-8}cms^{-1}$ at the mixed polymer electrode. And the standard rate constants of each electrode were $5.16{\times}10^{-6}\;and\;3.94{\times}10^{-4} cms^{-1}$ respectively. Also, the electrocatalytic rate of the polypyrrole polymer electrode was $3.45{\times}10^{-3}cm^3mol^{-1}s^{-1}.$ We found the immobilized layer at the modified electrode acted as an electrocatalyst. Finally, this polymerization process at the Pt electrode was the electron transfer controlled, but that the mixed polymer electrode was the diffusion and charge transfer controlled.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.411-422
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to identify the difference of emergency care conditions where the nurse is posted in the 119 relief squard or not. The data composed a total of 777 cases of emergency activity of one police stand in Seoul during March, June. September and December in 1998. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The age of the subjects was 20-60 age 54.3%, over 60 age 35.4% with an average age of 50.2. Among them men were 55.0%, the unemployed were 60.8%. The place of the occurrence of an accident was the house, 49.7% and the cause as illness was 59.6%. 2. The main symtom was pain the 36.2% the main consciousness state was alert 76.9%: The state of the patients as chronic was 59.6%. 3. The consulting hospital of the 119 relief squad as a third medical center was 79.9%. The distance to the medical center as less than 5 km was 77.2%, and an average transfer distance was 5.38 km. The cases of doctor guided emergency care was 0.9%, the cases that had posted nurses in 119 relief squads was 48.6%. 4. The case of the best emergency care operation was difficulty in breathing, 62.1% and the second was unconsciousness, 46.1 %. The more serious the consciousness state, the higher the rate of emergency care operation. There wasn't any difference in emergency care operation concerning transfer distance. 5. The cases that had the posted nurses was 19.1%, the cases of no nurse was 11.7% among the cases of emergency care operation during transfering; the cases that had posted nurses had the higher emergency care operation. (p<0.05). Airway maintenance was 14.8% in cases that had the posted nurses, while in the cases of no nurse, 10.9%; and oxygen inspiration was 16.0% in cases that had the posted nurses while in the cases of no nurse 7.6% (p<0.01); spinal fixation was 6.6% in cases that had the posted nurses while in the cases of no nurse 4.6%(p<0.05). With these results, we can conclude that the cases that had the posted nurse showed higher emergency care operation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.400-407
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• 2003

In microbial coal desulfurization process (MCDP) by using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, the effect of process variables on pyritic sulfur removal efficiency has been investigated. The inhibitory effect of toxic materials contained in coal matrix on the activity of desulfurizing bacteria have been evaluated in coal extracts, and the results showed that the method was useful to evaluate the applicability of a coal which is to be desulfurization to MCDP. The removal efficiency increased with decreasing particle size and decreases with increasing pulp density, but has no significant influence of particle size and pup densities at high pulp densities over 20 wt%. The mass transfers of gaseous nutrients such as oxygen and carbon dioxide into coal slurry with various pulp densities and coal particle size has been studied in an airlift bioreactor. Mass transfer coefficient was independent of pulp density in coal slurry with fine particle below 175 $\mu\textrm{m}$, but significantly decreased with increasing pulp density over 225 $\mu\textrm{m}$. The coal particles over 575 $\mu\textrm{m}$ were significantly settled to the bottom of bioreactor resulting in poor mixing. Considering mass transfer, pulp density and coal mixing, an optimal size of coal particle for the microbial coal desulfurization process seems to be about 500 $\mu\textrm{m}$.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2022

As the demand for wearable devices increases, many studies have been studied on the development of flexible electrode materials recently. In particular, the development of high-performance flexible electrode materials is very important for wearable sensors for healthcare because it is necessary to continuously monitor and accurately detect body information such as body temperature, heart rate, blood glucose, and oxygen concentration in real time. In this study, we fabricated the nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on polyaniline/carbon nanotube fiber (PANI/CNT fiber) electrode. PANI layer was synthesized on the flexible CNT fiber electrode through electrochemical polymerization process in order to improve the performance of a flexible CNT fiber based electrode material. Surface morphology of the PANI/CNT fiber electrode was observed by scanning electron microscopy. And its electrochemical characteristics were investigated by chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Compared to bare CNT fiber electrode, this PANI/CNT fiber electrode exhibited small electron transfer resistance, low peak separation potential and large surface area, resulting in enhanced sensing properties for glucose such as wide linear range (0.024~0.39 and 1.56~50 mM), high sensitivity (52.91 and 2.24 ㎂/mM·cm²), low detection limit (2 μM) and good selectivity. Therefore, it is expected that it will be possible to develop high performance CNT fiber based flexible electrode materials using various nanomaterials.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.289-297
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• 2004

In this study, membranes were coupled to a sequencing batch reactor for simultaneous removal of organic matter and nitrogen, and the influences of MLSS (mixed liquor suspended solid) concentration and the sludge loading rate on membrane fouling and bioactivity were investigated. The amount of membrane fouling slightly increased with MLSS concentration at both non-aeration and aeration conditions, but effect of MLSS concentration was more significant at aeration condition. Although the effect of MLSS concentration on membrane fouling was found to be insignificant at low concentration level, extremely low sludge loading, which were generated by the maintenance of large amount of biomass in the reactor, caused severe membrane fouling, and air scouring effect decreased significantly in this condition. Specific bioactivity was constantly reduced as sludge loading rate decreased. In spite of high MLSS concentration over 17,000 mg/L, the activity of the reactor decreased at extremely low sludge loading rate presumably due to the lower oxygen transfer and the competition of biomass to deficient substrate.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.224-224
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• 2012

For decades, carbon fiber has expanded their application fields from reinforced composites to energy storage and transfer technologies such as electrodes for super-capacitors and lithium ion batteries and gas diffusion layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Especially in fuel cell, water repellency of gas diffusion layer has become very important property for preventing flooding which is induced by condensed water could damage the fuel cell performance. In this work, we fabricated superhydrophobic network of carbon fiber with high aspect ratio hair-like nanostructure by preferential oxygen plasma etching. Superhydrophobic carbon fiber surfaces were achieved by hydrophobic material coating with a siloxane-based hydrocarbon film, which increased the water contact angle from $147^{\circ}$ to $163^{\circ}$ and decreased the contact angle hysteresis from $71^{\circ}$ to below $5^{\circ}$, sufficient to cause droplet roll-off from the surface in millimeter scale water droplet deposition test. Also, we have explored that the condensation behavior (nucleation and growth) of water droplet on the superhydrophobic carbon fiber were significantly retarded due to the high-aspect-ratio nanostructures under super-saturated vapor conditions. It is implied that superhydrophobic carbon fiber can provide a passage for vapor or gas flow in wet environments such as a gas diffusion layer requiring the effective water removal in the operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Moreover, such nanostructuring of carbon-based materials can be extended to carbon fiber, carbon black or carbon films for applications as a cathode in lithium batteries or carbon fiber composites.