• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 1994

The objective of the present study is to assess the contribution of bulk flow to the regulatory mechanism of amniotic fluid volume and its ionic concentration in the membranes surrounding the amniotic fluid. For quantitative assessment, we prepared 4 kinds of artificial amniotic fIuids (isotonic isovolumetric, hypotonic isovolumetric, isotonic hypervolumetric and hypotonic hypervolumetric ones) by replacing 70% of amniotic fluid of pregnant rabbits with water or normal Tyrode solutions. Isoosmotic saline of 0.5 ml volume containing 0.05% Censored and 15 mM/l LiCl was administered initially into amniotic sacs of all subject animals. Samples of amniotic fluid were collected in after 30 and 90 minute intervals; the concentrations of Censored, $Na^+\;and\;Li^+$ were determined and compared. Followings are the results obtained. 1. from isovolumetric and increased Congcord group, we couldn't find significant change in $Li^+\;and\;Na^+$ concentration in isotonic amniotic fluid. However, $Na^+$ concentration increased significantly as well as a striking increase in Censored concentration in hypotonic amniotic fluid. 2. In isovoIumetric and decreased Censored group, the rate of $[Li^+]$ decrement and the rate of $[Na^+]$ increment were much higher in hypotonic amniotic fluid than in isotonic. 3. In hypervolumetric and increased Censored group, the rate of $Na^+$ efflux increased proportionately with the increment of Censored concentration up to 0.98, which was higher than the rate of $Li^+$ efflux in isotonic amniotic fluid. However, the increment of $Na^+$ concentration was rather related with the initial $Na^+$ concentration in hypotonic amniotic fluid, showing inverse relationship. $Li^+$ concentration increased only when there was a marked increase in Censored concentration and approached near a maximum value or 1. 4. For hypervolumetric and decreased Censored group, the observations were identical to isovolumetric and decreased Censored group. From these results the following conclusions could be made: 1) There is no net movement of water or monovalent cations across the membranes surrounding amniotic fIuid in isotonic isovolumetric condition. In contrast, there is a net efflux of amniotic fluid by osmotic bulk flow, resulting in elevation of $Na^+$ concentration in hypotonic isovolumetric condition. 2) In hypervolumetric conditions, there is a massive efflux of amniotic fluid or solvent drag through the surrounding membranes by fiItrative bulk flow, where the rate of $Na^+$ efflux has a linear relationship with that of water efflux. This is assumed to be carried out through enlarged and newly opened intercellular spaces resulting from increased intraamniotic pressure. 3) Once increasing intraamniotic pressure reaches a point allowing $Li^+$ to pass through during osmotic bulk flow in hypotonic amniotic fIuid, $Na^+$ influx seems to occur by diffusion simultaneously or immediately thereafter, too.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to produce superior cows by sexual distinction of embryos collected from the donor with pedigree information. Collected embryos distinguished by biopsy using punching or bisection methods and Loop-mediated isothermal amplification of sex-determined DNA for sexing. Six embryos predicted as female were transplanted to recipients and then 2 pregnant cows were normally delivered of calves at 278 and 285 days after embryo transfer. Birth weights of calves named Barani and Borani were 18kg and 25kg, respectively. Adjusted body weights for 90 days were 61.1kg and 88.8kg, respectively. Average daily gains were 0.48kg and 0.71kg, respectively.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.588-596
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• 1994

A decomposition reaction of bauxite ore with $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ was investigated to prepare Al component pregnant solution for the direct product of high purity $Al_2O_3$ from low grade bauxite ore. Al component in the bauxite was sulfatized to $NH_4Al(SO_4)_2$ or $Al_2(SO_4)_3$ in this decomposition. The optimum conditions of the decomposition for bauxite ore were reaction temperature of $425^{\circ}C$, reaction time of 40min, $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ weight ratio to bauxite of 7.0 and particle size of bauxite ore of -200mesh. The optimum leaching conditions of sulfated bauxite ore were leaching temperature of $100^{\circ}C$, leaching time of 1hr and pulp density of 200ml $H_2O$ to sulfated ore of 1.0g bauxite. Under the above mentioned decomposition and leaching conditions, 94% of Al component in the bauxite ore was extracted.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2010

Early cleavage is a reliable prognostic tool for successful embryo transfer in assisted reproduction because early cleaved embryo show better pregnancy rate after transfer. There for, preparation of good embryo recipient is important factor to optimize efficiency of pig cloning. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of early cleavage on the in vivo development of cloned embryos and to analyze breed, parity and estrous synchrony to optimize recipient for pig cloning. In vitro matured porcine oocytes derived from local slaughterhouse and fibroblasts derived from miniature pig fetuses were used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Reconstructed embryos were transferred to recipient pigs on the same day of SCNT or after 1~2 days of in vitro culture for selecting early cleaved embryos. Breed, parity and date of standing estrous of recipients were recorded for analysis. After 25~35 days after embryo transfer pregnancy was diagnosed using ultrasonography, and pregnant recipients were monitored till delivery. Between purebred and crossbred, no significant difference was founded in both pregnancy and delivery rates. However, early cleaved embryos showed significantly higher pregnancy (46.2%) and delivery (12.8%) rates compared to non-selectively transferred group (24.8% and 4.5%, respectively). The results also showed that the recipients showing standing estrous on the same day of SCNT and less than 4 parities were most suitable for pig cloning.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2012

This study was conducted to analyze the transgenic efficiency and sex ratio in ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock-out (KO) transgenic pigs according to generation. GalT KO piglets were produced by artificial insemination or natural mating. The transgenic confirmation of GalT KO was evaluated by PCR amplification using specific primers. After electrophoresis, three types of bands were detected such as 2.3 kb single band (Wild), 2.3 and 3.6kb double bands (GalT KO -/+; heterozygote), and 3.6kb single band (GalT KO -/-; homozygote). Transgenic efficiency in F1 generation was 64.5% (23/35) of GalT KO (-/+). In F2 generation, GalT KO transgenic efficiency was 36.4% (21/57, Wild), 47.5% (28/57, GalT KO -/+), and 16.1% (8/57, GalT KO -/-), respectively. Interestingly, no homozygote piglets were born in 6 deliveries among total 11 deliveries, although they were pregnant between male (M) and female (F) $F_1$ heterozygote. In the 5 litters including at least one GalT KO -/- piglet, the transgenic efficiency was 13.3% (2/24, Wild), 51.3% (14/24, GalT KO -/+), and 35.3% (8/24, GalT KO -/-), respectively. The sex ratio of M and F was 40:60 in $F_1$ and 49:51 in $F_2$ generation, respectively. Based on these results, GalT KO transgenic pigs have had a reproductive ability with a normal range of transgenic efficiency and sex ratio.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2 s.30
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• pp.9-16
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• 1995

Forty four patients with Bell's palsy were treated with acupuncture from onset and clinical observation was carried on from March 1994 through Feburary 1995. Acupuncture treatment was done 3 times per week and the acupuncture points were LI4 Hapkok, ST36 Choksamni, LI20 Yonghyang, BL2 Ch'anjuk, TE17 Yep'ung, ST4 Chich'ang, ST6 Hyopko, GV26 Sugu, CV24 Sungjang, GB14 Yangbaek and Ex-HN4 Oyo. They were inserted to a depth of 0.5 to 1.0 cm. After insertion, manipulation was carried on until the patients felt strong numbness or De Qi sensation induced by rotating or twisting needles. Through-needling in lengths varying from 2.0 to 3.5 cm was also applied from ST4 Chich'ang to ST6 Hyopko, from GV26 Sugu or CV24 Sungjang to ST4 Chich'ang and from GB14 Yangbaek to Ex-HN4 Oyo. The mean age was 39.3 and 63.6% of the patients were women, including one pregnant woman. There was no recurrent palsy in this study. By applying the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading scales, patients were evaluated weekly from the first treatment to judged recovery or the 7th week of the treatment. 86.4% of the patients were recovered completely within 7 weeks and the average healing period was 3.7 weeks.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-56
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological outcomes following the use of 30% minocycline-loaded polycaprolacton film and 2% minocycline-loaded gel that was applied locally into pockets combined with scaling and root planing. 25 human subjects who were non-pregnant, non-lactating, aged 20-50 and diagnosed as moderate to advanced adult periodontitis were enrolled. Subjects were excluded if they had a history of severe acute or chronic systemic disease, if they required antibiotic prophylaxis for dental treatment for any reason, or if they reported a history suggestive of hypersensitivity reactions to minocycline or tetracycline. 4quadrants that had several teeth with a 5-8mm probing pocket depth and radiographic evidence of alveolar bone loss for each patient were selected and divided into test sites and control sites according to the split-mouth design. Scaling and root planing was done for each site at baseline(0week). Test sites received the minocycline gel and strip and control sites had saline irrigation. The patients received both treatments simyltaneously. Subgingival irrigation of sterile saline was applied to the control sites for approximately 30 seconds. Minocycline strip and gel was applied into the periodontal pocket at 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks each after scaling and root planing in the test sites. The clinical and microbiological measurements were made at baseline and at the follow-up visits 6, 10, 14, 20 weeks. The results of this study were as follows; 1. The sulcular bleeding index, probing pocket depth and Periocheck test was significantly reduced and the relative proportions of spirochetes and motile rods were significantly reduced and the proportion of cocci was correspondingly increased, in locally delivered minocycline strip group compared to saline irrigation group. 2. In locally delivered minocycline gel group, The effect was the same with minocycline strip group as compared with saline irrigation therapy. 3. There was no significant differences between minocycline strip group and minocycline gelgroup. In conclusion, minocycline HCl local drug delivery combined with scaling and root planing may provide added improvement of clinical and microbiological responses by inhibiting bacterial recolonization of treated sites. It is suggested that the local administration of minocycline-HCl in the periodontal pocket is effective when combined with subgingival mechanical debridement.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.237-250
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• 1997

It has been reported that chitosan has little genetic toxicity as one of natural and nontoxic chelator and reduces the internal retention of radiostrontium in the mouse. This study is to examine that when water soluble chitosan is provided to the mouse on 17 days of pregnancy before and after radiostrontium contamination, how effectively it can inhibit an acute transfer of radiostrontium to fetus through placenta contaminated. Water soluble chitosan powder is mixed with general food for 60 days and 10%(Group 1) and 1%(Group 2) are provided respectively, and it is observed that the group with radiostrontium contamination on 17 days of pregnancy can inhibit more effectively the transfer of radiostrontium to fetus through placenta than control group with general food and the groups (Group 3, Group 4) with 10% and 1% of chitosan powder respectively after radiostrontium contamination (p<0.01, Table 1). It is found that when the pregnant mouse contaminated by radiostrontium on 17 days of pregnancy is prefed by chitosan, the transfer of radiostrontium to fetus through placenta can be inhibited.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 1998

The maintenance of a viable pregnancy has long been viewed as an immunological paradox. The deveolping embryo and trophoblast are immunologically foreign to the maternal immune system due to their maternally inherited genes products and tissue-specific differentiation antigens (Hill & Anderson, 1988). Therefore, speculation has arisen that spontaneous abortion may be caused by impaired maternal immune tolerance to the semiallogenic conceptus (Hill, 1990). Loss of recall antigen has been reported in immunosuppressed transplant recipients and is associated with graft survival (Muluk et al., 1991; Schulik et al., 1994). Progesterone $(10^{-5}M)$ has immunosuppressive capabilities (Szekeres-Bartho et al., 1985). Previous study showed that fertile women, but not women with unexplained recurrent abortion (URA), lose their immune response to recall antigens when pregnant (Bermas & Hill, 1997). Therefore, we hypothesized that immunosuppressive doses of progesterone may affect proliferative response of lymphocytes to trophoblast antigen and alloantigen. Proliferative responses using $^3H$-thymidine ($^3H$-TdR) incorporation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to the irradiated allogeneic periperal blood mononuclear cells as alloantigen, trophoblast extract and Flu as recall antigen, and PHA as mitogen were serially checked in 9 women who had experienced unexplained recurrent miscarriage. Progesterone vaginal suppositories (100mg b.i.d; Utrogestan, Organon) beginning 3 days after ovulation were given to 9 women with unexplained RSA who had prior evidence of Th1 immunity to trophoblast. We checked proliferation responses to conception cycle before and after progesterone supplementation once a week through the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. All patients of alloantigen and PHA had a positive proliferation response that occmed in the baseline phase. But 4 out of 9 patients (44.4%) of trophoblast antigen and Flu antigen had a positive proliferative response. The suppression of proliferation response to each antigen were started after proliferative phase and during pregnancy cycles. Our data demonstrated that since in vivo progesterone treated PBMCs suppressed more T-lymphocyte activation and $^3H$-TdR incorporation compare to PBMCs, which are not influenced by progesterone. This data suggested that it might be influenced by immunosuppressive effect of progesterone. In conclusion, progesterone may play an important immunological role in regulating local immune response in the fetal-placental unit. Furthermore, in the 9 women given progesterone during a conception cycle, Only two (22%) repeat pregnancy losses occured in these 9 women despite loss of antigen responsiveness (one chemical pregnancy loss and one loss at 8 weeks of growth which was karyotyped as a Trisomy 4). These finding suggested that pregnancy loss due to fetal aneuploidy is not associated with immunological phenomena.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify useful clinical factors for the identification of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who would benefit from in vitro maturation (IVM) treatment without exhibiting compromised pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of 186 consecutive patients with PCOS who underwent human chorionic gonadotropin-primed IVM treatment between March 2010 and March 2014. Only the first IVM cycle of each patient was included in this study. A retrospective case-control study was subsequently conducted to compare pregnancy outcomes between IVM and conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Results: Through logistic regression analyses, we arrived at the novel finding that serum $anti-M{\ddot{u}}llerian$ hormone (AMH) levels and the number of fertilized oocytes in IVM were independent predictive factors for live birth with unstandardized coefficients of 0.078 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.005-1.164; p=0.037) and 0.113 (95% CI, 1.038-1.208; p=0.003), respectively. Furthermore, these two parameters were able to discriminate patients who experienced live births from non-pregnant IVM patients using cut-off levels of 8.5 ng/mL and five fertilized oocytes, respectively. A subsequent retrospective case-control study of patients with PCOS who had serum AMH levels ${\geq}8.5ng/mL$ showed that IVM had pregnancy outcomes comparable to conventional IVF, and that no cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were observed. Conclusion: Serum AMH levels are a useful factor for predicting pregnancy outcomes in PCOS patients before the beginning of an IVM cycle. IVM may be an alternative to conventional IVF for PCOS patients if the patients are properly selected according to predictive factors such as serum AMH levels.