• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.291-295
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• 2012

The use of methylacetamide (MA) as a cryoprotective agent for freezing Korean Native Black rooster Ogye semen was examined with artificial insemination. The diluted Ogye semen with HS-1 was subjected for 2 step dilution method of cryopreservation in which the final concentration of MA was adjusted to 7.5%. The sperm viability after thawing was reduced from $95.17{\pm}0.93%$ to $55.93{\pm}1.38%$ which was confirmed by live-death analysis based on Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). The rates of fertilized eggs with fresh or frozen-thawed semen were reduced from $94.98{\pm}3.93%$ to $66.36{\pm}8.43%$ at day 7 with significant difference. However, the hatching rates of experiments at day 21 did not shown difference between $92.64{\pm}2.33%$ and $90.45{\pm}8.05%$ (P<0.05). With these results, the utilization of MA for freezing of Ogye spermatozoa could affect on viability of frozen-thawed semen but not on the fertility of lain eggs and hatchability of fertilized eggs and also provide possible tools of freezing for poultry genetic resource conservation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2002

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging modality that consists of systemic administration to a subject of a radiopharmaceutical labeled with a positron-emitting radionuclide. Following administration, its distribution in the organ or structure under study can be assessed as a function of time and space by (1) defecting the annihilation radiation resulting from the interaction of the positrons with matter, and (2) reconstructing the distribution of the radioactivity from a series of that used in computed tomography (CT). The nuclides most generally exhibit chemical properties that render them particularly desirable in physiological studies. The radionuclides most widely used in PET are F-18, C-11, O-15 and N-13. Regarding to the number of the current PET Centers worldwide (based on ICP data), more than 300 PET Centers were in operation in 2000. The use of PET technology grew rapidly compared to that in 1992 and 1996, particularly in the USA, which demonstrates a three-fold rise in PET installations. In 2001, 194 PET Centers were operating in the USA. In 1994, two clinical and research-oriented PET Centers at Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Medical Center, was established as the first dedicated PET and Cyclotron machines in Korea, followed by two more PET facilities at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Ajou Medical Center, Yonsei University Medical Center, National Cancer Center and established their PET Center. Catholic Medical School and Pusan National University Hospital have finalized a plan to install PET machine in 2002, which results in total of nine PET Centers in Korea. Considering annual trends of PET application in four major PET centers in Korea in Asan Medical Center recent six years (from 1995 to 2000), a total of 11,564 patients have been studied every year and the number of PET studies has shown steep growth year upon year. We had 1,020 PET patients in 1995. This number increased to 1,196, 1,756, 2,379, 3,015 and 4,414 in 1996,1997,1998,1999 and 2000, respectively. The application in cardiac disorders is minimal, and among various neuropsychiatric diseases, patients with epilepsy or dementia can benefit from PET studios. Recently, we investigated brain mapping and neuroreceptor works. PET is not a key application for evaluation of the cardiac patients in Korea because of the relatively low incidence of cardiac disease and less costly procedures such as SPECT can now be performed. The changes in the application of PET studios indicate that, initially, brain PET occupied almost 60% in 1995, followed by a gradual decrease in brain application. However, overall PET use in the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer was up to 63% in 2000. The current medicare coverage policy in the USA is very important because reimbursement policy is critical for the promotion of PET. In May 1995, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) began covering the PET perfusion study using Rubidium-82, evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule and pathologically proven non-small cell lung cancer. As of July 1999, Medicare's coverage policy expanded to include additional indications: evaluation of recurrent colorectal cancer with a rising CEA level, staging of lymphoma and detection of recurrent or metastatic melanoma. In December of 2001, National Coverage decided to expand Medicare reimbursement for broad use in 6 cancers: lung, colorecctal, lymphoma, melanoma, head and neck, and esophageal cancers; for determining revascularization in heart diseases; and for identifying epilepsy patients. In addition, PET coverage is expected to further expand to diseases affecting women, such as breast, ovarian, uterine and vaginal cancers as well as diseases like prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.247-257
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• 2014

The construction of eight large weirs in the Nakdong River, Korea, caused a decrease in the water flow velocity and several physical changes to the water environment. Here, changes in phyto- and zooplankton communities and water quality in the areas near the eight weirs were investigated from 2011 to 2013, and relationships between phytoplankton abundances and environmental factors were analyzed. Special emphasis was given to the succession patterns in algal abundance based on temperature fluctuations. At the eight weirs, 24 dominant species were found. The most abundant phytoplankton species was Stephanodiscus sp. (39.4% of dominant frequency). Cyanobacteria of the genus Microcystis dominated during the summer, with an dominant frequency of 8.5% and cell abundance ratio of 36.6%. Significant correlations were observed between temperature and abundance of eight of the main dominant species; seven species showed positive correlations with temperature. Stephanodiscus sp., however, showed a negative correlation with temperature (r=-0.26, p<0.01). In addition, this species showed a significant negative correlation with the dominant algal species-Aulacoseira granulata and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, with the zooplankton Copepoda and with Cladocera. On the contrary, seven other dominant species of algae showed significant positive correlations with zooplankton. Thus, we showed that the seasonal succession of plankton communities in the Nakdong River was related to the water temperature changes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2004

Objectives: Despite severe oligospermia, males with Y chromosome microdeletion can achieve conception through ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). However, ICSI may not only result in the transmission of microdeletions but also the expansion of deletion to the offspring. The purpose of this study was to screen vertical transmission, expansion of microdeletions and de novo deletion in male fetuses conceived by ICSI. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 ICSI treated patients with their 33 (a case of twin) male fetuses conceived by ICSI were used to make this study group. Sequence-tagged sites (STSs)-based PCR analyses were performed on genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood of fathers and from the amniocytes of male fetuses. Ten primer pairs namely, sY134, sY138, MK5, sY152, sY147, sY254, sY255, SPGY1, sY269 and sY158 were used. The samples with deletions were verified at least three times. Results: We detected a frequency of 12.5% (4 of the 32 patients) of microdeletions in ICSI patients. In 4 patients with detected deletions, two patients have proven deletions on single STS marker and their male fetuses have the identical deletion in this region. Another two patients have two and three deletions, but their male fetuses have more than 3 deletions which include deletions to their father's. Meanwhile, seven male fetuses, whose fathers were analyzed to have all 10 STS markers present, have deletions present in at least one or more of the markers. Conclusions: Although the majority of deletions on the Y chromosome are believed to arise de novo, in some cases a deletion has been transmitted from the fertile father to the infertile patient. In other cases the deletion was transmitted through ICSI treatment, it is likely that one sperm cell is injected through the oocyte's cytoplasm and fertilization can be obtained from spermatozoa. Our tests for deletion were determined by PCR and our results show that the ICSI treatment may lead to vertical transmission, expansion and de novo Y chromosome microdeletions in male fetuses. Because the sample group was relatively small, one should be cautious in analyzing these data. However, it is important to counsel infertile couples contemplating ICSI if the male carries Y chromosomal microdeletions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4517-4525
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• 2016

Background: Sperm DNA damage is underlying aetiology of poor implantation and pregnancy rates but also affects health of offspring and may also result in denovo mutations in germ line and post fertilization. This may result in complex diseases, polygenic disorders and childhood cancers. Childhood cancer like retinoblastoma (RB) is more prevalent in developing countries and the incidence of RB has increased more than three fold in India in the last decade. Recent studies have documented increased incidence of cancers in children born to fathers who consume alcohol in excess and tobacco or who were conceived by assisted conception. The aetiology of childhood cancer and increased disease burden in these children is lin ked to oxidative stress (OS) and oxidative DNA damage( ODD) in sperm of their fathers. Though several antioxidants are in use to combat oxidative stress, the effect of majority of these formulations on DNA is not known. Yoga and meditation cause significant decline in OS and ODD and aid in regulating OS levels such that reactive oxygen speues meditated signal transduction, gene expression and several other physiological functions are not disrupted. Thus, this study aimed to analyze sperm ODD as a possible etiological factor in childhood cancer and role of simple life style interventions like yoga and meditation in significantly decreasing seminal oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage and thereby decreasing incidence of childhood cancers. Materials and Methods: A total of 131 fathers of children with RB (non-familial sporadic heritable) and 50 controls (fathers of healthy children) were recruited at a tertiary center in India. Sperm parameters as per WHO 2010 guidelines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation index (DFI), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and telomere length were estimated at day 0, and after 3 and 6 months of intervention. We also examined the compliance with yoga and meditation practice and smoking status at each follow-up. Results: The seminal mean ROS levels (p<0.05), sperm DFI (p<0.001), 8-OHdG (p<0.01) levels were significantly higher in fathers of children with RB, as compared to controls and the relative mean telomere length in the sperm was shorter. Levels of ROS were significantly reduced in tobacco users (p<0.05) as well as in alcoholics (p<0.05) after intervention. DFI reduced significantly (p<0.05) after 6 months of yoga and meditation practice in all groups. The levels of oxidative DNA damage marker 8-OHdG were reduced significantly after 3 months (p<0.05) and 6 months (p<0.05) of practice. Conclusions: Our results suggest that OS and ODD DNA may contribute to the development of childhood cancer. This may be due to accumulation of oxidized mutagenic base 8OHdG, and elevated MDA levels which results in MDA dimers which are also mutagenic, aberrant methylation pattern, altered gene expression which affect cell proliferation and survival through activation of transcription factors. Increased mt DNA mutations and aberrant repair of mt and nuclear DNA due to highly truncatred DNA repair mechanisms all contribute to sperm genome hypermutability and persistant oxidative DNA damage. Oxidative stress is also associated with genome wide hypomethylation, telomere shortening and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to genome hypermutability and instability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report decline in OS and ODD and improvement in sperm DNA integrity following adoption of meditation and yoga based life style modification.This may reduce disease burden in next generation and reduce incidence of childhood cancers.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2009

To verify hybridity of Asplenium castaneo-viride, external morphology, spore morphology, anatomy and chromosomes of the species and of the two presumed parental species, A. incisum and A. ruprechtii, were examined. A. castaneo-viride usually had 1-pinnately divided frond. However, some individuals had almost simple fronds with pinnatisect basal parts similar to A. ruprechtii, while others had fronds similar to A. incisum in having oblanceolate blades and basal pinnae with triangular, 2-3 lobed apices. On the surface of the spores, sculpturing consisted of folds that were usually prominent; forming long wings, and irregular or incomplete reticulation. However, reticulation patterns varied among species. A. castaneo-viride showed a wide range of variation from sparse to dense patterns, whereas A. incisum showed only from sparse to intermediate patterns. A. ruprechtii showed from intermediate to dense patterns. The spore size of A. castaneo-viride was $54.63{\mu}m$, larger than other two species ($47.81{\mu}m$ in A. incisum and $44.22{\mu}m$ in A. ruprechtii). The level of undulation of epidermal cell wall was also different. A. incisum had the most shallowly undulated wall, and A. castaneo-viride had a pattern intermediate between the two presumed parental species. This same patterns was recognized in the density of stomata. The density of $45.91/mm^2$ in A. castaneo-viride was intermediate between the two presumed parental species ($67.00/mm^2$ in A. incisum, and $37.86/mm^2$ in A. ruprechtii). Chromosome number was constant (2x =2n = 72) as in A. incisum and A. ruprechtii. However, A. castaneo-viride showed a different ploidy level. The populations of Mt. Mai (Jeonbuk province) and Mt. Duryun (Jeonnam province) were diploid (2n = 72) which is a new record for this taxon, whereas the population of Mt. Buram (Seoul) was tetraploid (2n = 144). Conclusively, A. castaneo-viride was revealed to be a hybrid of A. ruprechtii and A. incisum based on evidence involving leaves, spores, epidermal cells, stomata and chromosome number.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.843-859
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• 2017

The JK-1 isolate which was the best producer of indole-3-acetic acid and carotenoid among the 388 strains isolated from 28 wetlands in Jeju, was identified to be Rhodopseudomonas palustirs belongs to a typical group of non sulfur purple bacteria based on 16S sRNA sequencing. This study investigated the effect of different cultural conditions of pH, temperature, agitation, light and aeration on growth, IAA and carotenoid production of photosynthetic bacterium JK-1 for optimization of IAA and carotenoid production. It was found that growth, IAA, carotenoid, and bacteriochlorophyll production with light (3,000~3,500 Lux) and agitation (100 rpm) showed better results than those with dark/static or dark/agitation (100 rpm) in anaerobic conditions. The optimal pH, temperature and agitation speed for cell growth were 7, $30^{\circ}C$, 150 rpm, for IAA production were 9, $30^{\circ}C$, 150rpm and for carotenoid production were 6, $25^{\circ}C$, 50 rpm, cultured for 72 h under anaerobic light, respectively. The growth and IAA production were high in aerobic culture compared with anaerocic culture, whereas carotenoid and bacteriochlorophyll content were decreased extremely in aerobic condition (0.5~1 vvm). Subsequently, the optimal culture conditions for JK-1 were selected with pH 7, $30^{\circ}C$ and 100 rpm under anaerobic light and the effect on plant growth was tested by pot assay. Inoculation of JK-1 with 3% (v/v) level caused increase in shoot and root dry weigh that varied from 20%~58% to 40%~28% in young radish in camparison to uninoculated treatment at 50 days of growth. The study suggests that the JK-1 isolate may serve as efficient biofertilizer inoculants to promote plant growth.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.196-205
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• 2011

To investigate the contribution of macroalgae to biogeochemical nutrients and carbon cycles, we measured the uptake rates of nutrients and $CO_2$ and characteristics of fluorescence of Saccharina japonica (Laminaria japonica Areschoug) using an incubation method in an acrylic chamber. From January to May 2011, S.japonica was sampled at Ilkwang, one of well-known macroalgae culture sites around Korea and ranged 46~288 cm long and 4.8~22.0 cm wide of whole thallus. The production rate of dissolved oxygen by S. japonica (n=25) was about $6.9{\pm}5.8{\mu}mol\;g^{-1}$ fresh weight(FW) $h^{-1}$. The uptake rate of total dissolved inorganic carbon ($TCO_2$), calculated by total alkalinity and pH, was $8.9{\pm}7.9{\mu}mol\;g^{-1}\;FW\;h^{-1}$. Mean nutrients uptake were $175.6{\pm}161.1\;nmol\;N\;g^{-1}\;FW\;h^{-1}$ and $12.7{\pm}10.1\;nmol\;P\;g^{-1}\;FW\;h^{-1}$. There were logarithmic relationships between thallus length and uptake rates of nutrients and $CO_2$, which suggested that younger specimens (<100-150 cm) were much more efficient at nutrients and $CO_2$ uptake than old specimens > 150 cm. There was a positive linear correlation ($r^2$=9.4) existed between the dissolved oxygen production rate and the $TCO_2$ uptake rate, suggesting that these two factors may serve as good indicators of S. japonica photosynthesis. There was also positive linear relationship between maximal quantum yield ($F_v/F_m$) and production/uptake rates of dissolved oxygen, $TCO_2$ and phosphate, suggested that $F_v/F_m$ could be used as a good indicator of photosynthetic ability and $TCO_2$ consumption of macroalgae. Maximum relative electron transport rate ($rETR_{max}$) of S. japonica increased as thallus grew and was high in distal part of thallus which may be resulted from the increase of photosynthetic cell density per area. The annual $TCO_2$ uptake by S. japonica in Gijang area was estimated about $1.0\sim1.7{\times}10^3C$ ton, which was about 0.02-0.03% of carbon dioxide emission in Busan City. Thus, more research should be focused on macroalgae-based biogeochemical cycles to evaluate the roles and contributions of macroalgae to the global carbon cycle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.553-561
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• 2020

In this study aims to investigate the radiation protection effect of avocado peel extracts on the Sprague-Dawely rats. 52 male rats were randomly classified into 4 groups. NC Group was a normal control group, PA Group was a group injected avocado peel extracts, IR Group was irradiated group, and lastly PA+IR Group was set as an irradiated group after injected of avocado peel extracts. Avocado peel extract was administered orally at 200 mg/kg once a day for 14 days before irradiation, and the radiation dose was systemically irradiated with 6 MV X-ray of 7 Gy. On the 4 and 21 days after irradiation, the experimental animals were sacrificed to evaluate the change in blood cell composition, spleen index, and histopathological evaluation of the liver and small intestine. As a result, the PA+IR Group showed a significantly greater recovery of lymphocytes(p<0.01), red blood cells(p<0.01), and platelets(p<0.05) than the IR Group. It was also confirmed that the activation of Superoxide Dismutase(SOD) was further increased. Histopathologically, observed that nuclei aggregation and cytoplasmic expansion were slightly reduced in the PA+IR Group in the liver. and the damage was significantly reduce(p<0.01) in the change of villi length due to damage to the small intestine cells. Based on the above results, avocado peel extract can be expected to act as a radiation protection agent that can reduce damage to blood cells and major organs caused by irradiation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 1988

Thirty-five patients with locally advanced gastric carcinoma were treated with combined modalities of external radiation therapy (RT) and 5-FU based chemotherapy at the Division of Radiation Therapy, Department of Radiology, Kangnam 51. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College from May 1983 to May 1987. The purpose of this retrospective study is for the evaluation of the palliative response to RT. There were 25 men and 10 women. The age ranged from 38 to 80 years (median: 56 years). The pathologic classification showed $14(40\%)$ poorly differentiated, $12 (34\%)$ moderately differentiated, $3(9\%)$ well differentiated adenocarcinomas, 2 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, 1 signet ring cell and 3 not specified ones. The time intervals from the initial surgicopathologic diagnosis to the starting day of RT was within 1 year for $18 (51\%)$, 1 to 2 years for $8 (23\%)$ and 2 to 3 years for $5 (14\%)$, respectively. The major symptoms to be treated were pain in $30 (80\%)$, mass for $29 (83\%)$, obstruction for $11 (31\%)$ and jaundice for $9 (20\%)$ patients. The response rate (patient number of positive response/total patient number) according to treated radiation doses were observed as follows; $14/16(88\%)$ for $40\~50Gy,\;8/10(80\%)$ for over $50Gy,6/8 (75\%)\;for\;30\~40Gy\;and\;8/10(53\%)\;for\;20\~30 Gy$ in decreasing order. The over ail survival was 3.0 months and that of 5FU+RT, FAM+RT and RT alone groups were 4.6 months, 3.7 months and 2.5 months respectively. Complications induced by RT were nausea and vomiting in $16(46\%)$, diarrhea in $7(20\%)$, leukopenia in $6(17\%)$ and anemia and intercurrent pneumonia in each $3(9\%)$ patients in decreasing order.