• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2004

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess toxicities of cryoprotectants. Methods: Toxicities of two cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 1, 2-propanediol (PROH), were investigated using a murine embryo model. Female F-1 mice were stimulated with gonadotropin, induced ovulation with hCG and mated. Two cell embryos were collected and cultured after exposure to either DMSO or PROH. Embryo development was evaluated up to the blastocyst stage. Blastocysts were stained with bis-benzimide to evaluate the cell count and with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick labeling (TUNEL) to assess apoptosis. Results: The total cell count of blastocysts that were treated with DMSO at the 2-cell stage was significantly lower than that were treated with PROH ($75.9{\pm}27.0$) or the control ($99.0{\pm}18.3$) (p<0.001). On comparison of two cryoprotectant treated groups, the DMSO treated group showed a decreased cell count compared with the PROH treated group (p<0.05). Both DMSO ($14.2{\pm}1.5$) and PROH ($11.2{\pm}1.4$) treated groups showed higher apoptosis rates of cells in the blastocyst compared with the control ($6.2{\pm}0.9$, p<0.0001). In addition, the DMSO treated group showed more apoptotic cells than the PROH treated group (p<0.001). Conclusions: The potential toxicity of cryoprotectants was uncovered by prolonged exposure of murine embryos to either DMSO or PROH at room temperature. When comparing two cryoprotective agents, PROH appeared to be less toxic than DMSO at least in a murine embryo model.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.206-212
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• 2008

The quorum sensing (QS) regulatory network has been the subject of extensive studies during recent years and has also attracted a lot of attention because it both positively and negatively regulates various putative virulence factors, although initially considered to be a specialized system of Vibrio fischeri and related species. In this study, to identify the novel materials which inhibit QS system of microorganisms, extracts of eighteen natural products were tested by bioassay using N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-$_L$-homoserine lactone and N-(3-oxooctanoyl)-$_L$-homoserine lactone synthesized in this experiment and an Agrobacterium tumefaciens NT1 biosensor strain containing a traI::lacZ fusion. The result indicated that the extracts of cabbage, leek, and onion exhibited the QS inhibition activity. Thus, materials contained in the extracts were isolated via recycling preparative HPLC and were purified via a JAIGEL-LS255 column. The common fraction corresponding to a peak of the 83 min point of them quenched the quorum sensing of A. tumefaciens NT1 biosensor strain in ABMM containing X-gal and was designated quorum sensing inhibitor-83 min (QSI-83). The QSI-83 exhibited the heat stability and did not inhibit the growth of A. tumefaciens NTl. Furthermore, thin layer chromatography (TLC) results suggested that these novel materials may be antagonists of N-acyl homoserine lactone or may inhibit the QS autoinducer synthesis by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci.

• The Journal of KAIRB
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.30-42
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• 2019

In pharmaceutical clinical trials as human material research, the collection, use, storage and provision of human materials must be in accordance with the criteria stipulated in 「Bioethics and Safety Act」, except in the case that some criteria about it is in the law related to clinical trials such as 「Pharmaceutical Affairs Act」 and 「Enforcement Rule on Safety of Drugs, etc.」 so these take precedence over. Under 「Bioethics and Safety Act」, the core aspect of the legal standard for obtaining informed consent is the use of statutory form . The use of statutory form ensure that both those who obtain informed consent and those who give it can know the contents contained this form as well as recognize its importance. Thus, the person who has the right to informed consent can sign the statutory form after correct understanding of the contents. In reality, however, some researchers and IRB members determine that only the main informed consent form is to be used because most of contents on statutory from are included in the main informed consent form. Some other researchers and IRB members judge that the use of statutory form is not needed if human materials may only be used for laboratory testing and the rest will not be stored and provided for future use. Most of these determination and judgement is based on the interpretation of the Korea National Institute for Bioethics Policy(hereafter, KoNIBP) on IRB Information Portal Site. But, it is questionable whether the KoNIBP's interpretation is legally valid and the KoNIBP is the legal entity having authority to interpret existing statute. In some cased not only using the main informed consent form including enough information about the collection, use, storage and provision of human materials but also collecting necessary minimum human materials, and discarding the rest, unusing the statutory form may not cause the problem to respect and protect the research participant's rights. Therefore, the provision stipulating the criteria about the use of statutory form as the legal standard of obtaining informed consent that applies all human material research without exception should review to revise. At least, straighten out the confusion surrounding whether or not the statutory form is to be used, before the revision of related provision, considering the logical opinions of some researchers and IRB Members, the Ministry of Health and Welfare as the legal entity having authority to interpret existing statute should represent its opinion about permission of the acceptable exceptions.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.312-327
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• 2017

Purpose: This study assessed marginal bone remodeling and soft tissue esthetics after the loading of single bone-level implants in the anterior maxilla. Methods: An open, single-arm observational clinical trial with 3 years of follow-up was performed, including 22 implants. The patients presented with a single tooth gap in the anterior maxilla (tooth positions 14-24), with natural or restored adjacent teeth. An implant was placed at least 8 weeks post-extraction and healed submerged for 6 weeks. After the second-stage operation, a fixed provisional prosthesis was provided. The final restoration was placed 6 months after the provisional restoration. The time of the provisional crown connection was considered to be the baseline in this study. Esthetic parameters and the marginal bone level were assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Results: All implants were well integrated in the bone. A statistically significant increase was found in the mean implant stability quotient between the time of the provisional prosthesis and the time of the final prosthesis. Most implants (95.5%) revealed marginal bone resorption (<0.5 mm), and just 1 implant (4.5%) showed a change of 2.12 mm from baseline to 36 months (mean $0.07{\pm}0.48mm$), while the crestal bone level decreased significantly, from $2.34{\pm}0.93mm$ at baseline to $1.70{\pm}1.10mm$ at 36 months. The facial gingival margin and papilla were stable and the esthetic scores indicated high patient and dentist satisfaction. Conclusions: Platform-switching bone-level implants placed in maxillary single-tooth gaps resulted in successful osseointegration with minimal marginal bone resorption. The peri-implant soft tissue was also esthetically satisfying and stable.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.385-391
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• 2011

Human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program is a general procedure for infertile couples since first successful delivery on 1978 in UK and Korean first on 1985. Recently in Korea, more than 42,000 cases per year of IVF-ET were performed and showed good pregnancy rates compared worldwide data. The human IVF-ET procedure use many consumables, such as ovum pick-up (OPU) needles, centrifuge tubes, culture dish, ICSI pipette, culture media and ET catheters. Major of these materials are supported by the global companies. Thus, Korean IVF-ET program might be placed unstable situation by global economical risks. These uncertain problems could be overcome by the domestic production of IVF-ET materials and consumables. Two times questionnaires for Korean clinicians and researchers about the domestic production were performed and analyzed. Many of them requested domestic OPU needles, ET catheters, culture media and ICSI pipettes under good quality control and quality assurance system. This trial may be contributed to industrialization and to global competence of Korean IVF-ET program. The results of this survey can be provide a fundamental base for development and production of domestic materials and consumables for human IVF-ET program.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.181-185
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• 2014

We identified SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) genes in the Korean genome. eNOS is present in the vascular endothelium, platelets, and several other cell types that continuously produce modest amounts of NO. Endothelium-derived NO plays a key role in the regulation of vascular tone, and the impaired effects of NO on the cardiovascular system appear to be responsible for coronary atherosclerosis and thrombosis. In recent studies, a missense variant within exon 7 of the eNOS gene in patients with coronary spastic angina-GAG to GAT substitution, which results in the replacement of glutamic acid by aspartic acid (Glu298Asp [G894T])-has been identified and is known to be significantly associated with coronary spasm. We prepared PCR primers based on sequences in Genbank. Primers were prepared for normal and SNPs separately, as reported for other Asian countries, such as G894T. Their sequences were different only at the 3' ends so that primer extension could only by possible when base pairs between templates and primers matched. We also employed ARMS (Amplification Refractory Mutation System) technology to improve the specificity of the PCR reaction. In conclusion, we were able to demonstrate the eNOS G894A polymorphism in Korean gemone. This study should facilitate research on the cause of myocardial infarction and development on further therapy at the genetic level.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.359-363
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• 2016

We have screened four natural products against 640 single compounds, which shows more two folds gene expression for both endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) and FOXO-family transcription factor (FOXO1). The results were as follows. (±)-Car-3-ene-2,5-dione from Asarum sieboldii Miq. is C₁₀H₁₂O₂ molecular formula and the 164 kDa molecular weight. Cinobufagin from Bufonis Venennum is C₂₆H₃₄O₆ molecular formula and 442 kDa molecular weight. So far reported main biological function is Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibition. Corilagin from Euphorbia pekinensis is C₂₇H₂₂O₁₈ molecular formula and 634 kDa molecular weight. Carbonic anhydrase inhibition is well known its biological function. Corydaline from Corydalis turtschaninovii is C₂₂H₂₇NO₄ molecular formula and 369 kDa molecular weight. The main biological function is acetylcholinesterase inhibition. In the short future, four types of natural products will be used in longevity experiments with insects. The results may give one of the clues for studying new drug development candidates of the longevity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.584-591
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• 2016

Saururus chinensis is a perennial plants, its flavonoid compound is known to exhibit anti-oxidative activity. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of Water Extract and Solvent Fractions of Saururus chinensis on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-invasive of Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2) and MMP-9 activities. Plant samples were fractionated into hexane, CHCl₃, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water fractions, and each of these was assayed individually. The water fraction showed the highest extraction yield at 9.25%(w/w). Anti-oxidative activity was analyzed by DPPH assay. Cell viability was detected by the MTS assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was assayed by the nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells. The activity and mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human oral squamous carcinoma YD-10B cells were examined by zymography and RT-PCR. As results, MMP-2/-9 activation was increased in PMA induced YD-10B cells. In PMA-treated YD-10B cells, the increased mRNA expression and protein activation of MMP-2/-9 were significantly inhibited in the ethyl acetate fraction. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest anti-oxidative activity at 73.38%. The ethyl acetate fraction at non-cytotoxic concentrations significantly exhibited the anti-inflammatory activity of Raw 264.7 cells in dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from a chinensis water extract potentiates a promising therapeutic anti-invasive agent and, therefore, as an anti-cancer drug for cancer prevention and therapy in oral cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.346-352
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• 2016

Aroma inhalation therapy has traditionally been used not only in alternative medicinal treatment but also in psychotherapy. In the first stage of the study, the in silico molecular binding affinity of the major ingredients of Smart-Wave (SW) on the active site of the odorant-binding protein (OBP) was compared with that of citrate anions. The binding affinity of the chemical mixture formula of the major ingredients of SW on the OBP was relatively higher than that of citrate anions. In addition, nasal inhalation of SW had a positive effect upon changes in brain waves. Eighteen healthy volunteers participated in the experiment. The study consisted of measurements of the brain’s meditation level recordings in the pre- and post-SW inhalation periods as compared with negative (EV) and positive (HB) control groups. After SW inhalation, all the subjects stated that they felt “fresher” and that the SW trial group had significantly changed the brain’s meditation in a positive way. SW inhalation also converted EV-induced unstable brain meditation wave patterns into more stable patterns. Collectively, the results of this empirical study strongly suggest that the SW mixture activates the OBP and controls the mental state by regulating brain waves. The results provide scientific evidence that the SW formula has potential as an effective mental-stress controller.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1758-1763
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• 2010

Osteoporosis is a complex systemic skeletal disease and a major public health concern worldwide. It is a heritable disorder characterized mainly by low bone density and/or low trauma osteoporotic fractures, both of which have strong genetic determination. However, the specific genetic variants determining risk for low bone density are still largely unknown. Here, we performed association analysis to elucidate the possible relationship between genetic polymorphisms in the SQSTM1 gene and low bone density. By examining a total of 7225 (men: 3622, women: 3603) subjects from the Korean population in the Korean Association REsource (KARE) study, we discovered that SQSTM1 gene polymorphisms were associated with bone density. The results of the BD-RT (bone density estimated by T-score at distal radius) showed that three SNPs (rs513235, rs3734007, and rs11249661) within the SQSTM1 gene were significantly associated with bone density. The results of the BD-TT (bone density estimated by T-score at midshaft tibia) showed that four SNPs (rs513235, rs3734007, rs2241349, and rs11249661) were significantly associated with bone density. The three SNPs (rs513235, rs3734007, and rs11249661) had common significance in both BD-RT and BD-TT. In summary, we found statistically significant SNPs in the SQSTM1 gene that are associated with bone density traits. Therefore, our findings suggest SQSTM1 gene could be related to pathogenesis of osteoporosis.