• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.228-232
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of pretreatment with transdermal estradiol ($E_2$) compared to oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) response in normal responders undergoing fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) cycles. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of normal responders undergoing fresh IVF-ET cycles who received pretreatment with transdermal $E_2$ versus OCPs prior to fresh IVF-ET. The total days of ovarian stimulation, total dosage of gonadotropins, total number of oocytes, and mature oocytes retrieved were noted. Pregnancy outcomes after ET were also recorded. Results: A total of 2,092 patients met the inclusion criteria: 1,057 and 1,035 patients in the transdermal $E_2$ and OCP groups, respectively. Patients in the OCP group had a longer duration of COS ($10.7{\pm}1.63days$, p< 0.01) than the $E_2$ group ($9.92{\pm}1.94days$). Patients in the OCP group also required higher cumulative doses of gonadotropins ($2,657.3{\pm}1,187.9IU$) than those in the $E_2$ group ($2,550.1{\pm}1,270.2IU$, p= 0.002). No statistically significant differences were found in the total and mature oocytes retrieved or in the rates of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, spontaneous miscarriage, and live birth between the groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that compared to OCPs, pretreatment with transdermal $E_2$ is associated with a shorter duration of ovarian stimulation and lower gonadotropin utilization, without compromising the oocyte yield or pregnancy outcomes in normal-responder patients undergoing fresh IVF.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2005

A retrospective study was performed with 9 cases of spontaneous canine hypoadrenocorticism presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University. The disease occurred mostly in young to middle­aged dogs. Most dogs had chronic nonspecific signs such as episodic anorexia, lethargy and vomiting, but 3 dogs were brought to the hospital with an acute adrenal crisis. Serum biochemical analysis revealed azotemia, abnormal concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride in almost all the patients. Diagnoses were made based on lack of adrenocortical response to exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH). Most dogs have been responded well with mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid replacement except for a dog which died during treatment for adrenal crisis. Three dogs treated with fludrocortisone acetate(final median dosage, $31.0{\mu}g/kg/day$) for mineralocorticoid supplementation showed some adverse effects, such as excessive appetite and polyuria/polydipsia. In this study, it was suggested that clinicians should also consider hypoadrenocorticism when they diagnose a patient showing nonspecific gastrointestinal signs with unknown cause or laboratory findings which mimic primary renal diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.328-333
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• 2005

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are widely distributed, and their function and diversity of structure have been much studied in the field of molecular chaperones. In plants, which frequently have to cope with hostile environments, sHSPs are much more abundant and diverse than in other forms of life. In response to high temperature stress, sHSPs of more than twenty kinds can make up more than 1% of soluble plant proteins. We isolated a genomic clone, NtHSP18.3, from Nicotiana tabacum that encodes the complete open reading frame of a cytosolic class I small heat shock protein. To investigate the function of NtHSP18.3 in vitro, it was overproduced in Escherichia coli and purified. The purified NtHSP18.3 had typical molecular chaperone activity as it protected citrate synthase and luciferase from high temperature-induced aggregation. When E. coli celluar proteins were incubated with NtHSP18.3, a large proportion of the proteins remained soluble at temperatures as high as $70^{\circ}C$. Native gel analysis suggested that NtHSP18.3 is a dodecameric oligomer as the form present and showing molecular chaperone activity at the condition tested. Binding of bis-ANS to the oligomers of NtHSP18.3 indicated that exposure of their hydrophobic surfaces increased as the temperature was raised. Taken together, our data suggested that NtHSP18.3 is a molecular chaperone that functions as a dodecameric complex and possibly in a temperature-induced manner.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.364-374
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• 2013

Monacolin K and yellow pigment, produced by Monascus sp., have each been proven to be beneficial compounds as antihypercholesterolemic and anti-inflammation agents, respectively. However, citrinin, a human toxic substance, was also synthesized in this fungus. In this research, solidstate fermentation of M. purpureus TISTR 3541 was optimized by statistical methodology to obtain a high production of monacolin K and yellow pigment along with a low level of citrinin. Fractional factorial design was applied in this study to identify the significant factors. Among the 13 variables, five parameters (i.e., glycerol, methionine, sodium nitrate, cultivation time, and temperature) influencing monacolin K, yellow pigment, and citrinin production were identified. A central composite design was further employed to investigate the optimum level of these five factors. The maximum production of monacolin K and yellow pigment of 5,900 mg/kg and 1,700 units/g, respectively, and the minimum citrinin concentration of 0.26 mg/kg were achieved in the medium containing 2% glycerol, 0.14% methionine, and 0.01% sodium nitrate at $25^{\circ}C$ for 16 days of cultivation. The yields of monacolin K and yellow pigment were about 3 and 1.5 times higher than the basal medium, respectively, whereas citrinin was dramatically reduced by 36 times.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.152-152
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• 2003

As utilization of radiation in medicine, industry and biochemical research increases, the protection against radiation damage has become an important issue. Natural products such as herbal medicines are beginning to receive attention as modifiers on the radiation response. In the present study, the protective effect of a herb, Menthae Herba, against radiation-induced DNA damage was evaluated using alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE; comet assay) in the mouse peripheral blood Iymphocytes and the micronucleus formation test in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The tail moment, which was a marker of DNA damage in the SCGE, and the frequency of micronuclei was decreased in groups treated with Mentae Herba extract before exposure to 200 cGy of gamma-ray. We also confirmed its activities to scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. These experiments demonstrated that Menthae Herba was effective at reducing the radiation-induced damage of DNA and scavenging free radicals. It is plausible that scavenging of free radicals by Menthae Herba may have played an important role in providing the protection against the radiation-induced damage to the DNA. These results indicated that Menthae Herba might be a useful radioprotector and that radical scavenging appears to be one of the mechanisms of radiation protection.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.287-299
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• 1997

Procurement, cutting, cleansing, freezing, freeze-drying, and demineralization of the allogeneic bone must be made under the germ-free stable condition without bacterial and/or viral contamination. Even thought the bone is procured under the germ free condition, we must have confidence on disinfection of all the solutions that come in contact with tissue during the whole procedure. Lots of antibacterial agents have been introduced for chemical sterilization. Recently ethylene oxide gas sterilization or radiation sterilization is frequently selected as a secendary sterilization procedure. The biological and biochemical response of the graft material differs with the type and concentration of the sterilizing agents, and various toxic reactions have been reported due to the graft material itself and the substance released by the chemicals. The authors conducted the Millipore filter test to observe the toxic effect on L929 fibroblasts according to the effect on activity of succinate dehydrogenase, during the secondary sterilization of the demineralized allogeneic bone powder with irradiation or ethylene oxide gas. The result were as follows : 1. Around the copper disk, positive control group, 10mm diameter discoloration was observed. 2. As same as the negative control group, the disk showed no discoloration. 3. The demineralized allogeneic bone which was sterilized with ethylene oxide gas or irradiation showed no cytotoxicity. 4. From this results, it is suggested that treatment with ethylene oxide gas or irradiation should be effective to sterilize the deminineralized allogeneic bone.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.813-816
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• 2010

최근 지속가능한 개발의 개념은 국제적으로 경제 개발과 환경 보전 사이에서 논쟁이 중심이 되고 있으며, 수자원 개발과 관리는 이들 논쟁에서 중요한 부분을 차지하고 있다. 이와 더불어 유역을 관리함에 있어 수자원을 이수, 치수 및 수질의 단일 문제로 인식하는 것이 아니라 통합적으로 인식하는 유역통합관리(Integrated Watershed Management, IWM)의 필요성이 대두되고 있다. 이에 본 연구는 유역통합관리에 앞서 유역의 상태 및 문제점을 파악하기 위한 방법으로 EEA (European Environment Agency)에서 개발한 추진력(Driving force)-압력(Pressure)-상태(State)-영향(Impact)-반응(Response) (DPSIR) 개념 이용하여 3개의 세부 지표인 이수지표, 치수지표, 수질지표로 구성된 하나의 통합 지수인 유역수자원평가지수를 개발하였다. 세부지표인 이수지표는 연속무강우일수, 인구밀도, 용수수요, 물재이용률 등 16개의 구성요소, 치수지표는 홍수범람위험 지역 내 거주 인구수, 홍수방어시설용량, 개수율, 100 mm 이상 강수일수 등 15개의 구성요소, 수질지표는 BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demend) 부하량, 수질 등급, 연중 목표 수질 달성일수 등 13개의 구성요소로 이루어져있다. 이를 북한강 유역 중 북한 지역을 제외한 유역 즉, 수자원단위지도 상의 춘천댐권역(1010) ~ 청평댐권역(1015)의 6개 중권역에 적용하여 비교하였다. 세부지표의 주된 요소인 유출량의 모의를 위해 장기유출모형인 HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program - Fortran)를 사용하였다. 모형에 입력된 유역평균강수량 자료는 1973년 ~ 2008년까지의 37년의 자료기간을 갖는 북한강유역의 5개 기상관측소 자료를 Thiessen network를 이용하여 산정하였다. 본 연구를 통해서 북한강 유역의 현재 수자원의 상태를 지수화하여 나타내고 그 결과를 비교해보았다. 이 결과는 유역 수자원의 파악하여 유역통합관리시 유역의 문제점을 파악하고 이를 수정하기 위한 의사결정 우선순위를 정하는데 사용될 수 있다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.251-260
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• 2006

During mitosis, genomic integrity is maintained by the proper coordination of anaphase entry and mitotic exit via mitotic checkpoints. In budding yeast, mitotic exit is controlled by a regulatory cascade called the mitotic exit network (MEN). The MEN is regulated by a small GTPase, Tem1p, which in turn is controlled by a two-component GAP, Bfa1p-Bub2p. Recent results suggested that phosphorylation of Bfa1p by the polorelated kinase Cdc5p is also required for triggering mitotic exit, since it decreases the GAP activity of Bfa1p-Bub2p. However, the dispensability of GEF Lte1p for mitotic exit has raised questions about regulation of the MEN by the GTPase activity of Tem1p. We isolated a Bfa1p mutant, $Bfa1p^{E438K}$, whose overexpression only partially induced anaphase arrest. The molecular and biochemical functions of $Bfa1p^{E438K}$ are similar to those of wild type Bfa1p, except for decreased GAP activity. Interestingly, in $BFA1^{E438K}$ cells, the MEN could be regulated with nearly wild type kinetics at physiological temperature, as well as in response to various checkpoint-activating signals, but the cells were more sensitive to spindle damage than wild type. These results suggest that the GAP activity of Bfa1p-Bub2p is responsible for the mitotic arrest caused by spindle damage and Bfa1p overproduction. In addition, the viability of cdc5-2 ${\Delta}bfa1 $ cells was not reduced by $BFA1^{E438K}$, suggesting that Cdc5p also regulates Bfa1p to activate mitotic exit by other mechanism(s), besides phosphorylation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2009

In both gram-positive and several gram-negative bacteria, the transcription of dnaK and groE operons is negatively regulated by HrcA; however, the mechanism modulating HrcA protein activity upon thermal stress remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that HrcA is modulated via reduction and oligomerization in vitro. Native-PAGE analysis was used to reveal the oligomeric structure of HrcA. The oligomeric HrcA structure became monomeric following treatment with the reducing agent dithothreitol, and this process was reversed by treatment with hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, the mutant HrcA C118S exhibited reduced binding to CIRCE elements and became less oligomerized, suggesting that cysteine residue 118 is important for CIRCE element binding as well as oligomerization. Conversely, HrcA mutant C280S exhibited increased oligomerization. An HrcA double mutant (C118S, C280S) was monomeric and exhibited a level of oligomerization and CIRCE binding similar to wild type HrcA, suggesting that cysteine residues 118 and 280 may function as checks to one another during oligomer formation. Biochemical fractionation of E. coli cells overexpressing HrcA revealed the presence of HrcA in the membrane fraction. Together, these results suggest that the two HrcA cysteine residues at positions 118 and 280 function as reduction sensors in the membrane and mediate oligomerization upon stress.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.307-319
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• 2014

Four chickpea cultivars viz. kabuli (Pusa 1088 and Pusa 1053) and desi (Pusa 1103 and Pusa 547) differing in sensitivity to high temperature conditions were analyzed in earthern pot (30 cm) at different stages of growth and development in the year of 2010 and 2011. Pusa-1053 (kabuli type) showed maximum photosynthetic rate and least by Pusa-547 (desi type), whereas maximum cell membrane thermostability were recorded in Pusa-1103 and minimum in Pusa-1088. Among the treatments, the plants grown under elevated temperature conditions had produced 13.01% more significant data in comparison to plants grown under continuous natural conditions. Stomatal conductance were reduced 44.25% under elevated temperature conditions than natural conditions, whereas 35.56%, when plants grown under initially natural conditions upto 30DAS, then 30-60DAS elevated temperature and finally shifted to natural conditions till harvest. In case of Pusa-1103, stomatal conductance was maximum as compared to rest of 2.7% from Pusa-1053, 8.9% from Pusa-1088, and 10.3% in Pusa-547 throughout the study. Plants grown under continuous elevated temperature conditions had produced 15.30% and 15.32% more significant membrane thermostability index in comparison to continuous natural conditions at vegetative stage and 19.40% and 18.44% at flowering stage, while the better response was recorded at pod formation stage. Pusa-1053 had given 2.8% more membrane thermostability index than Pusa-1088 and Pusa-1103 had given 1.6% more membrane thermostability index than Pusa-547 in the present study. The membrane disruption caused by high temperature may alter water ion and inorganic solutes movement, photosynthesis and respiration. Thus, thermostability of the cell membrane depends on the degree of the electrolyte leakage.