• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.87-92
• /
• 2006

The possibility of producing transgenic embryos expressing the green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene have been evaluated after transfer of exogenous gene into the porcine zygote cytoplasm using the intracytoplasm sperm injection (ICSI) as gene delivery method. For DNA binding to sperm heads, 0.05% Triton X-100 or Lipofectin was used. After injection of the sperm bound to DNA by means of Lipofectin or Triton X-100 triturate, the blastocyst formation rates on day 6 were not significantly different from that of ICSI only group (18.8, 19.2 and 25.3%). In terms of GFP expression, more embryos were in GFP form in Triton X-100 group than in Lipofectin group (40.6 vs 36.4%), while percentage of non-mosaic embryos expressing the GFP gene in all blastomere was higher (P<0.05) in Lipofectin group than in Triton X-100 group (4.2 vs 0.9%). ICSI embryos derived from sperm treated with Lipofectin/DNA complex was transferred into 3 recipients and were collected by uterine flushing on days 5, 7 and 15 after embryo transfer, and then GFP expression was observed by a fluorescence microscopy. Over 26% of the collected embryos were normally expressed GFP gene. These results suggest that foreign gene transfer method with DNA bound sperm caused minimal damage to structure of oocytes that can result to full development of porcine embryos. This was confirmed in this study when the embryos that were transferred after ISCI of DNA bound sperm had a normal development and gene expression until preimplantation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.204-213
• /
• 2008

Four ruminally cannulated Holstein cows averaging 43 days in milk (DIM) were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square to determine the effect of feeding extruded soybean, ground canola seed and whole cottonseed on ruminal fermentation and milk fatty acid profile. One hundred and twenty lactating Holstein cows, 58 (${\pm}31$) DIM, were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized block design to study the effects of the three types of oilseeds on production parameters and milk fatty acid profile. The four diets were a control diet (CON) and three diets in which 10% extruded soybean (ESB), 5% ground canola seed (GCS) and 10% whole cottonseed (WCS) were included, respectively. Diets consisted of concentrate mix, corn silage and Chinese wild rye and were balanced to similar concentrations of CP, NDF and ADF. Ruminal fermentation results showed that ruminal fermentation parameters, dry matter intake and milk yield were not significantly affected by treatments. However, compared with the control, feeding cows with the three oilseed diets reduced C14:0 and C16:0 and elevated C18:0 and C18:1 concentrations in milk, and feeding ESB increased C18:2 and cis9, trans11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Production results showed that feeding ESB tended to increase actual milk yield (30.85 kg/d vs. 29.29 kg/d) and significantly decreased milk fat percentage (3.53% vs. 4.06%) compared with CON. Milk protein (3.41%) and solid non-fat (13.27%) from cows fed WCS were significantly higher than from cows fed CON (3.24% and 12.63%, respectively). Milk urea N concentrations from cows fed the ESB (164.12 mg/L) and GCS (169.91 mg/L) were higher than cows fed CON (132.31 mg/L). However, intake of DM, 4% fat corrected milk, energy corrected milk, milk fat and protein yields, milk lactose percentage and yield, somatic cell count and body condition score were not affected by different treatments. The proportion of medium-chain fatty acid with 14 to 16 C units in milk was greatly decreased in cows fed ESB, GCS and WCS. Feeding ESB increased the concentration in milk of C18:1, C18:2, C18:3 and cis9, trans11-CLA content by 16.67%, 37.36%, 95.24%, 72.22%, respectively, feeding GCS improved C18:0 and C18:1 by 17.41% and 33.28%, respectively, and feeding WCS increased C18:0 by 31.01% compared with feeding CON. Both ruminal fermentation and production trial results indicated that supplementation of extruded soybean, ground canola seed and whole cottonseed could elevate the desirable poly- and monounsaturated fatty acid and decrease the medium chain fatty acid and saturated fatty acid content of milk fat without negative effects on ruminal fermentation and lactation performance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.23
• /
• pp.10375-10379
• /
• 2015

Background: XELOX plus bevacizumab (XELOX-Bev) and FOLFIRI plus Bevacizumab (FOLFIRI - Bev) treatments are an effective strategies patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).The aim of this study was to compare efficacy of first-line XELOX-Bev treatment vs FOLFIRI-Bev treatment for mCRC. Materials and Methods: A total of 409 patients with mCRC who received chemotherapy were included and divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (n=298) received XELOX-Bev and Group 2 (n=111) FOLFIRI-Bev. Comparisons were made in terms of overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival, response rate (RR), and grade 3-4 toxicity. Results: Median follow-up was 11 months in Group 1 and 15 months for Group 2. Complete remission was observed in 29 (9.7%) and 2 (1.8%) patients, partial remission in 139 (46.6%) and 27 (24.5%), stable disease in 88 (29.5%) and 49 (44.1%) and progressive disease in 42 (14.1%) and 33 (30.0%) patients in Group 1 and 2, respectively. Median OS was 25 months (range 2-57 months, 95%CI; 22.2-27.7) for Group 1 and 20 months (range 1-67 months, 95%CI; 16.8-23.1) for Group 2 (p=0.036). Median PFS was 9.6 months (range 2-36 months, 95%CI; 8.8-10.4) for Group 1 and 9 months (range 1-44 months, 95%CI; 7.4-10.5) for Group 2 (p=0.019). Objective RR was 56.4% in Group 1 and 26.1% in Group 2 (p<0.001). Conclusions: First-line XELOX-Bev is more effective with a better response rate, prolongation of median PFS/OS, and a superior safety profile compared with FOLFIRI-Bev.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.2501-2504
• /
• 2014

Background: Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine derivative which is frequently used alone or in combination regimens for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Although overall and progression free survivals have increased in recent years with the use of new generation drugs, predictive factors that would further improve the outcomes are needed. Previous studies have demonstrated the relation between post-treatment increase in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and predicting therapy response as well as survival. The present study investigated the clinical impact of MCV elevation in metastatic breast cancer patients treated with capecitabine. Materials and Methods: The data of a total of 82 patients from three centers followed between June 2005 and June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic data and hormone receptor status of the patients, as well as initial examination before and after treatment and data concerning progression were recorded. MCV ${\geq}100$ fl was considered as macrocytosis. Capecitabine was given at a dose of $2500mg/m^2$ daily for 14 days every three weeks. Pre-treatment and post-treatment MCV and other parameters of complete blood count were recorded. Post-treatment initial evaluation was performed after 2 cycles of therapy. Results: The median age of the patients was 46.5 years (range 26-72 years) and 54% were premenopausal. Performance status was ECOG 0 and 1 in 81 (99%) patients. The median number of cycles for capecitabine therapy was 5 (min-max: 2-18). The median ${\Delta}MCV$ level (post-treatment values at sixth week - baseline) was 6.4. Whilst ${\Delta}MCV$ was ${\geq}6.4$ in 42 patients, it was <6.4 in 40 patients. Clinical benefit (complete response+partial response+stable disease) was observed in 37 (88%) of 42 patients with a median ${\Delta}MCV$ ${\geq}6.4$ and in 30 (75%) of 40 patients with ${\Delta}MCV$ <6.4 with no statistically significant difference (p=0.158). No significant difference was determined between the group with ${\Delta}MCV$ ${\geq}6.4$ and the group with ${\Delta}MCV$ <6.4 in terms of progression-free survival (11 vs 12 months) (p=0.55) and overall survival (20 months vs. 24 months) (p=0.11). Conclusions: The identification of new predictive markers in metastatic breast cancer is very important. In some recent studies, increase in MCV has been suggested as a marker in tumor response. In the present study, however, no significant difference was determined between tumor response and increase in MCV. Further studies including higher numbers of patients are needed to determine whether increase in MCV is a predictive marker or not.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.192-198
• /
• 2018

Background: Ginseng has been used as an ergogenic agent, although evidence for its effectiveness is weak. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of a ginsenoside complex (UG0712) on changes in exercise performance. Methods: Sedentary individuals (n = 117) were randomly assigned into one of three groups: low-dose ginsenoside supplementation (100 mg/d, n = 39), high-dose ginsenoside supplementation (500 mg/d, n = 39), or a placebo group (500 mg/d, n = 39). All participants underwent a supervised 12-wk aerobic and resistance exercise training course. To assess the effects of supplementation on physical performance, maximal oxygen consumption ($VO_2max$), anaerobic threshold (AT), lactic acid, and muscle strength of the dominant knee were measured at baseline, every visit, and after the training program. Results: Both ginsenoside groups showed significant increases in $VO_2max$ and muscular strength during exercise training. There were no definite changes in AT and lactic acid levels over time. After exercise training, there were definite differences in the $VO_2max$ (28.64.9 to $33.7{\pm}4.9ml/kg/min$ in high-dose group vs. $30.4{\pm}6.7$ to $32.8{\pm}6.6ml/kg/min$ in placebo, p = 0.029) and AT ($19.3{\pm}4.2$ to $20.9{\pm}3.5ml/kg/min$ in high-dose group vs. $20.0{\pm}5.1$ to $20.0{\pm}4.9ml/kg/min$ in placebo, p = 0.038) between the high-dose ginsenoside and placebo groups. However, there was no difference in $VO_2max$ between the low-dose ginsenoside and placebo groups (p = 0.254). There were no differences in muscular strength during exercise training among the three groups. Conclusion: High-dose ginsenoside supplementation (UG0712) augmented the improvement of aerobic capacity by exercise training.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.631-635
• /
• 2017

We report facile solution processing of mesoporous hematite (${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$) thin films for high efficiency solar-driven water splitting. $Fe_2O_3$ thin films were prepared on fluorine doped tin oxide(FTO) conducting substrates by spin coating of a precursor solution followed by annealing at $550^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. in air ambient. Specifically, the precursor solution was prepared by dissolving non-toxic $FeCl_3$ as an Fe source in highly versatile dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) as a solvent. The as-deposited and annealed thin films were characterized for their morphological, structural and optical properties using field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The photoelectrochemical performance of the precursor (${\alpha}-FeOOH$) and annealed (${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$) films were characterized and it was found that the ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ film exhibited an increased photocurrent density of ${\sim}0.78mA/cm^2$ at 1.23 V vs. RHE, which is about 3.4 times higher than that of the ${\alpha}-FeOOH$ films ($0.23mA/cm^2$ at 1.23 V vs. RHE). The improved performance can be attributed to the improved crystallinity and porosity of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ thin films after annealing treatment at higher temperatures. Detailed electrical characterization was further carried out to elucidate the enhanced PEC performance of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ thin films.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.16-20
• /
• 2010

Objectives: We review the sleep problems of the alcohol dependence patients. Especially we are interested in the prevalence, the severity of symptoms, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in the alcohol dependence patients. Methods: We recruit 86 alcohol dependence patients who were admitted from October 6th, 2008 to October 17th, 2008. We interviewed each patient and evaluated sleep questionnaires such as the Sleep Disorder Questionnaire (SDQ), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) rating scale. The presence of RLS and its severity were assessed using the IRLSSG diagnostic criteria and the IRLSSG severity scale, respectively. Depression and anxiety were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI). Results: Of all 86 patients, 59 patients have insomnia, 33 patients have RLS, 30 patients have Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), 29 patients have nightmare. RLS patients have more high score in the BAI ($21.70{\pm}10.36$ vs $14.67{\pm}11.98$), and their sleep quality was poor in the PSQI ($11.09{\pm}4.08$ vs $7.92{\pm}3.91$) than non-RLS patients. Conclusion: This study shows that alcohol dependence patients show many sleep problems such as insomnia and RLS. So we should notice that the sleep problems of alcohol dependence patients are important in clinical approach and treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.659-681
• /
• 2001

Platelet-rich plasma(PRP) has been known to increase the rate and degree of bone formation by virtue of growth factors in concentrated platelets. Although its great healing effect on bone defect or pre-implantation site preparation in conjunction with bone substitute has been reported, the effect associated with implant is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PRP on rapid osseointegration of endosseous dental implants in the rabbit tibiae. Twenty two adult female New Zealand white rabbits, weighing approximately 2.7-3.3kg, were used for this study. Twelve of the 22 animals were used for histomorphometric analysis and ten of the 22 were for removal torque test. Each animal received two implants in each tibia (two treated with PRP and two as control) and was given fluorochrome intramuscularly. For histomorphometric analysis, rabbits were divided into four groups according to the healing period. At 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively, each three animals were sacrificed serially and the amount and rate of bone formation around dental implant were examined on the undecalcified sections under fluorescent microscope, polarized microscope and light microscope connected to a personal computer equipped with image analysis system. For removal torque test, rabbits were divided into two groups and removal torque tests were performed at 4 weeks, 10 weeks after implant placement. In total, 88 screw shaped, commercially pure titanium implants (Neoplant, Neobiotech, Seoul, Korea) were used in this study. Labeling pattern reflected differences of two groups in bone formation rate at each period. Histomorphometrically, PRP group showed significantly higher bone volume within threads compared to control group at 2 weeks ($70.30{\pm}4.96%$ vs. $50.68{\pm}6.33%$; P < .01) and 4 weeks ($82.59{\pm}5.94%$ vs. $72.94{\pm}4.57%$; P < .05 ). PRP group at 1, 2 and 4 weeks revealed similar degree of bone volume formation comparable to control group at 2, 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. On the other hand, while PRP group showed higher bone-implant contact ($47.37{\pm}8.09%$) than control group ($33.16{\pm}13.47%$) at 2 weeks, there were no significant differences between PRP group and control group for any experimental period. Removal torque values also showed no significant differences between PRP group and control group at any experimental period (P > .05). These findings imply that PRP could induce rapid, more bone formation around implant during early healing period and get faster secondary stability for reducing healing period, though it has not induced bone maturation enough to resist functional loading.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.178-185
• /
• 2015

Purpose: To compare the frequency of posterior globe flattening between two-dimensional T2-weighted imaging (2D T2WI) and three-dimensional (3D T2WI). Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine patients (31 female; mean age, 44.4 years) who had undergone both 5-mm axial T2WI and sagittal 3D 1-mm isovoxel T2WI of the whole brain for evaluation of various diseases (headache [n = 30], large hemorrhage [n = 19], large tumor or leptomeningeal tumor spread [n = 15], large infarct [n = 3], and bacterial meningitis [n = 2]) were used in this study. Two radiologists independently reviewed both sets of images at separate sessions. Axial T2WI and multi-planar imaging of 3D T2WI were visually assessed for the presence of globe flattening. The optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) was measured at a location 4 mm posterior to each globe on oblique coronal imaging reformatted from 3D T2WI. Results: There were significantly more globes showing posterior flattening on 3D T2WI (105/138 [76.1%]) than on 2D T2WI (27/138 [19.6%], P = 0.001). Inter-observer agreement was excellent for both 2D T2WI and 3D T2WI (Cohen's kappa = 0.928 and 0.962, respectively). Intra-class correlation coefficient for the ONSD was almost perfect (Cohen's kappa = 0.839). The globes with posterior flattening had significantly larger ONSD than those without on both 2D and 3D T2WI (P < 0.001; $6.14mm{\pm}0.44$ vs. $5.74mm{\pm}0.44$ on 2D T2WI; $5.90mm{\pm}0.47$ vs. $5.56mm{\pm}0.34$ on 3D T2WI). Optic nerve protrusion was significantly more frequent on reformatted 1-mm 3D T2WI than on 5-mm 2D T2WI (8 out of 138 globes on 3D T2WI versus one on 2D T2WI; P = 0.018). Conclusion: Posterior globe flattening is more frequently observed on 3D T2WI than on 2D T2WI in patients suspected of having increased intracranial pressure. The globes with posterior flattening have significantly larger ONSD than those without.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.8 s.88
• /
• pp.1075-1081
• /
• 2007

We investigated whether 1) capsaicin ingestion (100 mg) enhances autonomic nervous system (ANS) activities associated with thermogenic sympathetic activity as energy metabolic modulator, 2) UCP1 and ${\beta}_{3}$-AR variants of each subjects influence with ANS activity. Eight healthy males (24.7 ${\pm}$ 1.8 yr) volunteered for this study. The cardiac autonomic nervous activities evaluated by means of heart rate variability of power spectral analysis and energy metabolism were continuously measured during 5-min rest for total 90-min resting condition with placebo or capsaicin oral administration chosen at random. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in heart rate during rest between both trials. Autonomic nervous activity increased in capsaicin tablet trial, but the difference did not reach the statistical significance. Capsaicin, however, induced significantly lower respiratory gas exchange ratio at Test3 (CAP: 0.80 ${\pm}$ 0.02 vs. 0.85 ${\pm}$ 0.02), means ${\pm}$ SE, p<0.05). In conclusion, it may be suggested the capsaicin consumption as a valuable supplement for the treatment of individual with hyperlipidemia and/or obesity by improving lipolysis. Further studies will also be considered genetic variants such as UCP1 and/or ${\beta}_{3}$-AR associated with obesity.