• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2010

Purpose: To find the most effective method for extraction of cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) from maternal plasma, we compared a blood DNA extraction system (blood kit) and a viral DNA extraction system (viral kit) for non-invasive first-trimester fetal gender determination. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with maternal plasma collected from 44 women in the first-trimester of pregnancy. The cf-DNA was extracted from maternal plasma using a blood kit and a viral kit. Quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) was used to detect the SRY gene and AMEL gene. The diagnostic accuracy of the QF-PCR results was determined based on comparison with the final delivery records. Results: A total of 44 women were tested, but the final delivery record was only obtained in 36 cases which included 16 male-bearing and 20 female-bearing pregnancies. For the blood kit and viral kit, the diagnostic accuracies for fetal gender determination were 63.9% (23/36) and 97.2% (35/36), respectively. Conclusion: In non-invasive first-trimester fetal gender determination by QF-PCR, using a viral kit for extraction of cf-DNA may result in a higher diagnostic accuracy.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the optimal physiologic mating time in Hanwoo for protection to decrease of reproductivity and improvement of production of offspring. We observed 32 cows that were devide into 4 parts of treatment : T1(12 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain), T2(12 months of age and 0.8kg daily gain), T3(15 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain) and T4(18 months and 0.5kg daily gain). The first heat of treated cows was 263.3$\pm$6.4 days and average weight was 181.1$\pm$11.3kg. It was revealed the conception rates of first insemination were 25%(T1), 75%(T4) and number of insemination of T3 and T4(both 1.5) was lower than T1 and T2(2.3 and 2.4). In return of estrus after heifer's first parturition, they(T1, T2, T3 and T4) showed 66.2 days, 76.7 days, 62.4 days and 68.5 days respectively and the average was 65.7 days. Plasma progesterone(P4) concentration was nearly the same during the observation periods of treated cows and P4 was released just after 12 months. Only 5 cows (15.6%) in 32 were showed normal estrus cycle and ovulation before 12 months. Before and after parturition, P4 concentration was decreased fastly and then there was no detection of P4 from after parturition to 40 days after milking. P4 would be released again on 45 day after parturition. The results were summarized as that the optimal mating time of Hanwoo heifers was decided by the 14 months of age, 110 cm height and 265kg weight.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2008

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulator of renal blood flow, glomerular hemodynamics, and tubule transport processes in the kidney. There is also evidence that NO is involved in cell cycle regulation and mitotic division. During development the nNOS expression pattern differs from that observed in adult animals. However, little is known about temporal and spatial patterns of nNOS expression in the developing kidney. The purpose of this study was to establish the time of expression and the distribution of nNOS in the developing rat kidney. Kidneys from 14-, 16-, 17-, 18-, and 20-day-old fetuses, 1-, 4-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day-old pups, and adult animals were preserved and processed for immunohistochemistry. In the adult kidney, nNOS was detected in the parietal epithelium of Bowman s capsule, macula densa, descending thin limb and inner medullary collecting duct. nNOS immunoreactivity appeared first in the distal tubule anlage at 15 days of gestation, and in all epithelial cells of developing thick ascending limbs (TAL) as well as macula densa of 17- and 18-day-old fetuses. From 20 days of gestation to 14 days after birth, nNOS was expressed in the newly formed cortical TAL, which are located in the medullary ray, whereas in mature TAL of juxtamedullary nephrons, nNOS immunolabeling gradually decreased in intensity and became restricted to the macula densa. In inner medullary collecting ducts, nNOS immunoreactivity appeared first at 7 days after birth in the papillary tip and gradually ascended to the border between outer and inner medulla. In the descending thin limb and parietal epithelium of Bowman's capsule, weak nNOS immunoreactivity was observed at 14 days after birth and labeling gradually increased to adult levels at 21 days after birth. These results suggest that differential expression of nNOS in the developing kidney is an important physiological regulator of renal function during kidney maturation.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinds of native and prohibitive foods in Hansan-Do area. The kinds of the prohibitive foods and the reason prohibiting those from pregnant or lactating woman, fisherman and sick people were surveyed by using a guestionnaire from 1994 to 1998. The results showed that Chungmu Gimbab was perceived highly as a native foods and the reason for prohibiting specific foods was not based on scientific evidences.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.857-863
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• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine among very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) who were vaccinated at 0, 1, 6 months of chronological age and to determine the factors associated with antibody formations. Methods : A total of 243 VLBWI admitted to Seoul and Gangneung Asan Medical Center neonatal intensive care units from 1997 to 2004 were included. Of 243, 13 infants were born to HBs Ag positive mother. All infants were given DNA recombinant vaccine at 0, 1, and 6 months of chronological age. Infants born to HBs Ag positive mothers received hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth and a total of 4 doses of vaccinations. An antibody level over 10 mIU/mL, tested at 3-4 months after last vaccination, was regarded as a positive seroconversion. Results : The seroconversion rates were 84.4 percent and 84.5 percent for VLBWI and extremely low birth weight infants(ELBWI), respectively. Of 28 seronegative infants who were given revaccinations, 60.7 percent seroconverted, resulting in 95.3 percent, 97.5 percent seroconversion rates for VLBWI and ELBWI, respectively. 76.9 percent of infants born to HBsAg positive mothers seroconverted and none became hepatitis B carriers. Factors such as gestational age, sex, various neonatal illness, and kinds of vaccinations did not influence the formation of the hepatits B antibody, however, the higher the weight at time of first vacciation yielded better seroconversion rate. Conclusion : Revaccination of seronegative VLBWI after 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccinaton is very effective. Therefore, testing the immune status after the hepatitis B vaccination, a practice not routinely done, is highly recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.138-147
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• 1998

Authors surveyed intrafamilial child sexual abuse in the children under 15years old in clinical. We sent the semi-structured child sexual abuse questionnaires to 7055 board certified pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine and emergency medicine. Total respondents were 1205. The results from these respondents were as follows. 1) The numbers of respondents who have had the experience of treating victims of intrafamilial child sexual abuses were 157(13.0% of total respondents). 2) Among the perpetrators, 58(36.9%) were siblings and 32(20.4%) 26(16.6%) were step-fathers, and respectively. The most common age bracket was 10s(39.5%), and the next was 40s and 50s (33.7%) Almost all(98.7%) of the perpetrators were male. 3) The mean age of victims was $12.1{\pm}3.3$ years old, and all of the victims were female, and the number of victims who had previous mental or physical handicaps and behavior problems were 5(3.2%) and 8(5.1%) respectively. 4) The ways by which intrafamilial child sexual abuses were found were abnormal behaviors 45(28.7%), victim's own report 40(25.5%), pregnancy 18(11.5%), pain complaint 13(8.3%), other person's report 13(8.3%), and detection during examination 12(7.6%). 5) Time lags between intrafamilial child sexual abuses and hospital visits were after 1 month 97(61.8%), from 1 day to 1 week 29(18.5%), within 1 day 21(13.4%), and from 1 week to 1 month 10(6.4%). 6) Physical complications were perineal wound 93(59.2%), hymen rupture 90(57.3%), pregnancy 68(43.3%), wound of other part of body 11(7.0%), and sexually transmitted disease 4(4.5%). 7) Treatment for victims were discharge 92(58.6%), admission, operation or transfer to a bigger hospital 25(15.9%), psychiatry consult 19(12.1%), report to police(10.9%) and social work consult 3(1.9%). These results suggest that considerable numbers of physicians have had the experience of treating victims of intrafamilial child sexual abuses, and intrafamilial child sexual abuses are the major medical as well as social issue in children in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 1999

Blood chemical values and sex steroid hormone concentration of repeat breeder and reproductive disorder in Hanwoo, which were bred in Chunchon areas, were examine to establish the basic physiological maker. The concentrations of albumin, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), calcium(Ca), cholesterol, creatinine, glucose, phosphorous, total protein and triglycerides in repeat breeder and reproductive disorder were 3.28$\pm$0.05 and 3.27$\pm$0.04 g/㎗, 11.07$\pm$0.61 and 12.69$\pm$0.88 mg/㎗, 9.98$\pm$0.10 and 9.56$\pm$0.11mg/㎗, 105.75$\pm$3.57 and 126.78$\pm$5.66mg/㎗, 1.62$\pm$0.05 and 1.65$\pm$0.09 mg/㎗, 67.46$\pm$9.07 and 76.97$\pm$3.76mg/㎗, 6.13$\pm$0.36 and 6.11$\pm$0.26mg/㎗, 5.82$\pm$0.08 and 6.18$\pm$0.08 g/㎗ , 12.82$\pm$1.46 and 15.19$\pm$1.61mg/㎗, respectively. Among the blood chemical values, Ca, cholesterol and inorganic phosphorous levels in repeat breeder and reproductive disorder were slightly higher than those in normal cows. The progesterone levels of pregnancy(0.18~6.56 ng/$m\ell$) and non-pregnancy(0.15~5.46ng/$m\ell$) cows at estrus cycle were showed similar trends from 0 day to 18 days. Those of pregnancy cows were increased gradually from 18 days to 180 days(5.90~7.51 ng/$m\ell$), while those of non-pregnancy cows were dramatically drop at 21 days (0.18$\pm$0.03mg/㎗). The concentrations of estrogen and progesterone in repeat breeder and reproductive disorder were 57.42$\pm$5.03, 56.76$\pm$8.73 pg/$m\ell$ and 6.26$\pm$0.83, 9.41$\pm$1.85 ng/$m\ell$ . respectively. These results indicate that blood chemical values in repeat breeder and reproductive disorder were not greatly difference in normal cows except for Ca, cholesterol, BUN and inorganic phosphorous. Since the progesterone levels in repeat breeder and reproductive disorder was maintained to the luteal phase levels of normal cows, it may cause of failing of conception and next estrus cycle.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.677-685
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• 2006

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate whether exogenous thyroxine($T_4$) treatment to alcohol-fed dams would ameliorate the detrimental effects of alcohol on the postnatal development of neuropeptide-Y(NPY)-containing neurons of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the offspring. Methods : Time-pregnant rats were divided into three groups. An alcohol-fed group A received 35 calories of liquid alcohol diet daily from gestation day 6; control group B was fed a liquid diet in which dextrin replaced alcohol isocalorically; and alcohol＋$T_4$ group C received 35 calories of liquid alcohol diet and exogenous thyroxine subcutaneously. The features of the growth and maturation of rat brain tissue were observed at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 postnatal days via immunohistochemistry. Results : Group C showed prominent NPY immunoreactivity in the cerebral cortex compared to group A and B at P7. In group C, NPY-containing neurons were widely distributed in the all layers of cerebral cortex after P14. Also, numerical decreases of NPY-containing neuron were not found according to increasing age in group C. A decrease of NPY-containing neurons, however, was clearly observed in group A compared to group C at P28. In the hippocampus, similar patterns appeared in groups B and C after P7. Especially, in groups B and C, NPY-containing fibers formed plexus in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus at P14. Conclusion : These results suggest that the increase of NPY synthesis caused by maternal administration of exogenous thyroxine may convalesce fetal alcohol effects, one of the effects of the dysthyroid state following maternal alcohol abuse.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2006

This study was carried out principally to obtain the basic data for the improvement of the reproductive performance and production using plasma progesterone assay and ultrasonography in dairy cow. The results obtained from this studies were as follows. The results of reproductive examination in 85,983 cows were ovarian diseases 40,399 (47.0%), uterine diseases 11,912 (13.9%), pregnancy or pregnant failures 26,587 (30.9%), adhesion of reproductive tracts 172 (0.2%), freemartin 8 (0.01%), and others 6,905 (8.3%), respectively. The treatment status of reproductive dysfunction in 30,241 cows were silent heat or error of estrus detection 14,909 (49.3%), follicular cysts 3,750 (12.4%), luteal cysts 907 (3.0%), inactive ovaries 665 (2.2%), granulosa cell tumor of ovary 3 (0.01%) and endometritis 6,986 (23.1%), respectively. The indices of reproductive efficiency after the periodical examination of reproductive status were as follows; the mean intercalving inteual was reduced from 475 days at the first examination to 381 days at the last examination of reproductive status, the mean interval calving to conception was reduced from 186 to 98 days, the mean interval calving to first service was reduced from 106 to 66 days, the cows showing heat by 60 days postpartum were increased from 32 to 90%, the mean conception rate to first service was increased from 42 to 64%, and the mean service per conception was reduced from 2.6 to 1.8 times, respectively.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess appropriate time to convert intramuscular progesterone support to oral administration for luteal phase support in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Seventy-six cycles of IVF in which fetal heart beat was identified after treatment were included. Patients underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with GnRH agonist long protocol (n=7) or GnRH antagonist protocol (n=66). Cryopreserved embryo transfer was performed in three cycles. Luteal support was initiated by daily intramuscular injection of progesterone, and after confirmation of fetal heart beat, converted to oral micronized progesterone (Utrogestan, Laboratoires Besins International, France) 300 mg daily before or after 8 gestational weeks. The oral progesterone was continued for 11 weeks. Results: Overall clinical abortion rate was 3.9% (3/76) and mean time to conversion was $8^{+4}$ gestational weeks ($46{\pm}5.8$ days after oocytes retrieval). The abortion rate was 5.6% (1/17) and 3.4% (2/59) in patients with conversion before 7 weeks and after 8 weeks, respectively, which were not statistically significant (p=0.678). The miscarriages were occurred at $9^{+4}$ weeks, $11^{+3}$ weeks and $11^{+4}$ weeks. Conclusion: Sequential luteal support using intramuscular and oral progesterone yields a relatively low clinical abortion rate. If fetal heart beat confirmed, sequential regimen appears to be safe and convenient method to reduce patients' discomfort induced by multiple injections.