• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the interrelationship and clinical usefulness of sperm morphology by strict criteria (SM), acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge test (ARIC) and sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova as prognostic factors in in vitro fertilization. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were provided by 83 patients undergoing IVF. We first evaluated the differences between normal fertilization group and poor fertilization group on three andrologic tests. Secondly, we analyzed the relationship between the three andrologic tests and in vitro fertilization on IVF settings. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of the three andrologic tests as the prognostic indicators for fertilizing ability. Results: The fertilization rate of all men in the poor fertilization group was less than 30%; but there was no evidence that this poor fertilization was due to oocyte defects. The results of three andrologic tests were significatly higher in normal fertilization group. Fertilization rate (%) in vitro was highly correlated (p<0.001) with % normal sperm by SM, ARIC value (%), and SPA result. By using Receiver-Operator-Characteristic curve (ROC), we evaluated the effectiveness of these three tests. The sensitivity and specificity of SM, ARIC test and SPA in predicting fertilization potential in IVF setting were 76% and 75%, 84% and 90%, and 76% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the three andrologic tests can be reliable tools as prognostic factors of sperm fertilizing ability. Among these test, ARIC test and SPA gave more accurate information on fertilizing capacity. ARIC test was shown to have a predictive value for fertilizing ability comparable to that of SPA that appears to be a simple and cost-effective addition to current andrology laboratory. Combined application of these three tests may give more information on predicting sperm fertilizing capacity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 1995

This study was designed to determine the relationship between sperm acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge(ARIC) and hamster ovum sperm penetration assay(SPA) as assessment of fertilizing capacity of male. ARIC test and SPA were performed in 23 fertile and 19 subfertile men. The results were as follows; Sperm concentration was significantly higher in fertile group compared with subfertile group: $114.6{\pm}64.40$ vs $61.3{\pm}46.50{\times}10^6/ml$. However, there were no significantly differences in seminal volume, motility and motility index, respectively. There was a significantly correlation between spontaneous and induced AR in fertile and subfertile group, respectively. ARIC value was significantly higher in fertile group, compared with subfertile group: $12.0{\pm}5.57%$ vs $2.6{\pm}4.96%$. Both Penetration rate(PR) and Penetration index(PI) were significantly higher in fertile group, compared with subfertile group: $97.4{\pm}7.40%$ vs $64.9{\pm}36$. 20% and $5.4{\pm}2.88$ vs $1.5{\pm}1.47$, respectively. The Positive predictive value(PPV), Negative predictive value(NPV), sensitivity and specificity of ARIC test (cut-off: 8.5) and SPA(PI cut-off : 3.0) in predicting fertility were 95.0%, 81.8%, 82.6%, 94.7% and 95.2%, 85.7%, 87.0% and 94.7%, respectively. There was no significantly difference in predicting fertility between ARIC test and SPA. In conclusion, ARIC test was shown to have a predictive value for fertilizing capacity comparable to that of the hamster ovum sperm penetration assay. Therefore, ARIC test may be a simple and cost-effective addition to existing semenology instead of SPA.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 1990

The immune responses of commercial layer chickens against Newcastle disease (ND) were compared among different administration methods and times of vaccination during 4 weeks of age. A total of 372 day-old chickens were devided into 4 groups of 93 birds each. Each of 3 groups was received a commercially available B$_1$ live vaccine via drinking water, eye instillation or spray method at one, 14 and 28 days of age. One group was used as an unvaccinated control. At two and 4 weeks after each time of vaccination, 15 birds from each group were challenged with virulent ND virus at the dose of 10$^{5}$ EID$_{50}$ per bird to examine the pretection rate. Ten to 15 birds from each group were bled at two weeks intervals from day old to 8 weeks of age to determine hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer. The protection rate was generally low regardless of the times of vaccination although two or more times vaccination gave higher protection than once vaccination. The low protection was considered due to low titer of the vaccine used since the vaccine titer was less than 10$^{2.5}$ EID$_{50}$ per bird. Spray method gave better protection compared to eye instillation of drinking water method which resulted in lowest response. When birds were challenged majority showed clinical signs on ND between 3 and 6 days after challenge. Death occured one or two days after onset of symptoms. Major clinical signs observed were depression (96%), drowsy(90%), anorexia (84%), diarrhoea (29%), difficult breath (15%) and torticollis (10%). Hemorrhagic lesions on post mortem were seen in duodenum (51%), trachea(36%), illeum (13%), ceacal tonsil (11%), proventriculus (10%) and some other organs. When birds were challenged majority showed clinical signs on ND between 3 and 6 days after challenge. Death occured one or two days after onset of symptoms. Major clinical signs observed were depression (96%), drowsy(90%), anorexia (84%), diarrhoea (29%), difficult breath (15%) and torticollis (10%). Hemorrhagic lesions on post mortem were seen in duodenum (51%), trachea(35%), illeum (13%), ceacal tonsil (11%), proventriculus (10%) and some other organs.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.337-344
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• 2005

Although pneumococcus is one of the most frequently encountered opportunistic pathogen in the world, the mechanisms responsible for its infectiveness have not yet been fully understood. In this paper, we have attempted to characterize the effects of pneumococcal transformation on the pathogenesis of the organism. We constructed three transformation-deficient pneumococcal strains, which were designated as Nos. 1d, 2d, and 22d. The construction of these altered strains was achieved via the insertion of the inactivated gene, comE, to strains 1, 2 and 22. We then conducted a comparison between the virulence of the transformation-deficient strains and that of the wild-type strains, via an evaluation of the ability of each strain to adhere to endothelial cells, and also assessed psaA mRNA expression, and the survival of hosts after bacterial challenge. Compared to what was observed with the wild-type strains, our results indicated that the ability of all of the transformation-deficient strains to adhere to the ECV304 cells had been significantly reduced (p < 0.05), the expression of psaA mRNA was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in strains 2d and 22d, and the median survival time of mice infected with strains Id and 2d was increased significantly after intraperitoneal bacterial challenge (p < 0.05). The results of our study also clearly indicated that transformation exerts significant effects on the virulence characteristics of S. pneumoniae, although the degree to which this effect is noted appears to depend primarily on the genetic background of the bacteria.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 1995

Two-day-old chickens{\;}and{\;}mallards were orally inoculated with one of % doses varying from $2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^2{\;}to{\;}2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^6$ of C. bailevi oocysts per individual. Generally, the more oocysts Inoculated were, the longer the patent periods were, and the more oocysts shedding were. Meanwhile increasing the inoculative dose, the prepatent periods were shortened except that mallards inoculated with $2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^2and{\;}2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^3$ oocysts foiled to produce the oocysts. The more parasites involving oocysts appeared from the chicken in comparison to the mallard. In the chickens challenged with a single dose of $2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^6$ oocysts, a small number of oocysts were detected from feces on days 4-14 after challenge infection (ACI) in all of carrageenan administered groups and in the control groups inoculated with $2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^2{\;}and{\;}2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^3$ oocysts. In the mallards, a few oocysts were also recognized on days 5-15 ACI in all of carrageenan treated groups and in the control groups inoculated with $2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^2,{\;}2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^3{\;}and{\;}2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^4$ oocysts. Just prior to challenge infection, phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages (Me) and the number of peripheral Mc in both birds were significantly decreased in the carrageenan treated groups as compared to the control groups. Mild challenge inection in both birds denoted that the immunogenicity of C. bailelli to the birds was very strong, despite MB blocker carrageenan administration.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 1996

The recombinant pseudorabies virus major capsid protein (rMCP) was produced by expression of the MCP gene in Sf-9 cell using baculovirus transfer vector system. Following evaluation of the immunochemical properties of the rMCP, the immunogenicity of the recombinant subunit protiens were investigated in guinea pig and swine to obtain the preliminary guide line for the subunit vaccine using rMCP and gP50. It was proved that ultrasonication and 30% ammonium sulfate was most efficient to concentrate and purify the protein. The rMCP was safe in mice, guinea pigs and piglets. In guinea pigs, rMCP mixed with various adjuvants induced substantial degree of serum neutralizing antibody titers, but revealed incomplete protectivity against challenge. In swine, the combination of rMCP and gP50 showed the higher serum neutralizing antibody titers and cellular immune responses than rMCP alone. However, the protectivity was lower in comparison with the commercial gI-deleted inactivated vaccine. We expect these results to contribute to characterization of MCP gene of Korean isolate of PRV and to ultilize as preliminary information for prodution and evaluation of PRV recombinant subunit vaccines.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2012

Objectives: To challenge the problem of slipperiness, various slipmeters have been developed to assess slip hazard. The performance of in-situ slipmeter is, however, still unclear under the various floor conditions. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of three kinds of slipmeters under real conditions, and to find their dynamic and kinematic characteristics, which were compared with gait test results. Methods: Four common restaurant floor materials were tested under five contaminants. Slipmeters and human gaits were measured by high speed camera and force plate to find and compare their dynamic and kinematic characteristics. Results: The contact pressures and built-up ratio were below those of subjects. The sliding velocity of British Pendulum Tester was above those of subjects, while those of BOT-3000 and English XL were below those of subjects. From the three meters, the English XL showed the highest overall correlation coefficient (r = 0.964) between slip index and $R_a$, while the rest did not show statistical significance with surface roughness parameters ($R_a$, $R_z$). The English XL only showed statistical significance (p < 0.01) between slip index and contaminants. The static coefficient of friction obtained with the BOT-3000 showed good consistency and repeatability (CV < 0.1) as compared to the results for the BPT (CV > 0.2) and English XL (CV < 0.2). Conclusion: It is unclear whether surface roughness can be a reliable and objective indicator of the friction coefficient under real floor conditions, and the viscosity of contaminants can affect the friction coefficient of the same floors. Therefore, to evaluate slipperiness, the performance of the slipmeters needed to improve.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2020

Background: Severe pain associated with proximal femur fractures makes the positioning for regional anesthesia a challenge. Systemic administration of analgesics can have adverse effects. Individually, both the fascia iliaca block (FIB) and femoral nerve blocks (FNB) have been studied. However, there is little evidence comparing the two. The aim of this study was to compare the overall efficacy of the two blocks in patients with proximal femur fracture before positioning for spinal anesthesia. Methods: ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) class I, II, and III patients scheduled for elective and emergency surgery with the diagnosis of proximal femur fracture between October 2018 and June 2019 were included in the study. The patients were assigned to two groups by convenience nonprobability sampling of 35 each. Results: Our study showed a reduction in visual analogue scale scores at 3, 4, and 5 minutes after administration of the FIB being 5.1 ± 1.1, 4.1 ± 1.3, and 2.8 ± 0.8, and those after the FNB as 4.4 ± 1.1, 3.3 ± 1.1, and 2.1 ± 1.4 with P < 0.05, which was statistically significant. The mean first rescue analgesia time for the FIB was 7.1 ± 2.1 hours, while for the FNB it was 5.2 ± 0.7 hours. The P value was less than 0.001, which was significant. Conclusions: Both ultrasound guided FNB and FIB techniques provide sufficient analgesia for patient's positioning before spinal anesthesia. However, the duration of postoperative analgesia provided by FIB was greater than that of the FNB.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.686-692
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• 2014

Background Restoring orbital volume in large blowout fractures is still a technically challenge to the orbital surgeon. In this study, we restored the orbital wall using the combination of transorbital and transnasal approach with additional supports from the paranasal sinuses, and we compared the surgical outcome to that of a conventional transorbital method. Methods A retrospective review of all patients with pure unilateral blowout fractures between March 2007 and March 2013 was conducted. 150 patients were classified into two groups according to the surgical method: conventional transorbital method (group A, 75 patients, control group), and the combination of transorbital and transnasal approach with additional supports from the paranasal sinuses (group B, 75 patients, experimental group). Each group was subdivided depending on fracture location: group I (inferior wall), group IM (inferomedial wall), and group M (medial wall). The surgical results were assessed by the Hertel scale and a comparison of preoperative and postoperative orbital volume ratio (OVR) values. Results In the volumetric analysis, the OVR decreased more by the experimental groups than each corresponding control groups (P<0.05). Upon ophthalmic examination, neither the differences among the groups in the perioperative Hertel scale nor the preoperative and postoperative Hertel scales were statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusions Our surgical results suggest that orbital volume was more effectively restored by the combination of transorbital and transnasal approach with additional supports from the paranasal sinuses than the conventional method, regardless of the type of fracture.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.127-166
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• 2014

Moniligastrids are an important yet often ignored earthworm group commonly found in cultivated soils, especially paddy, in the tropical East. Seven new taxa are: Drawida koreana austri, D. koreana nanjiro, D. koreana shindo, D. odaesan, D. jeombongsan, D. companio and D. csuzdii Blakemore spp. or sub-spp. nov. from Korea. Drawida csuzdii is the first new species from North Korea since Lumbricidae Eisenia koreana (Zicsi, 1972). Historical East Asian moniligastrids are reviewed chronologically and Drawida barwelli (Beddard, 1886), D. japonica (Michaelsen, 1892) and D. siemsseni Michaelsen, 1910 are compared on their museum types. These three taxa were thought similar and related to D. nepalensis Michaelsen, 1907 and its possible synonym D. burchardi Michaelsen, 1903 (priority!) and both of these to prior D. uniqua (Bourne, 1887). Indian Drawida calebi Gates, 1945 is compared to new material of D. japonica from Japan, and D. willsi Michaelsen, 1907 to the new sub-species of D. koreana Kobayashi, 1938 from Korea. Where available, mtDNA COI gene barcodes are provided to help objective determinations and a phylogram is provided with outgroup Ocnerodrilidae Eukerria saltensis (Beddard, 1895) itself found in rice paddy/irrigation. The challenge now is comparison of all early taxa in their various homelands in order to assess the genetic variability and taxonomic boundaries acceptable, especially for unpigmented D. barwelli and also for pink/grey D. japonica and blue/grey D. koreana. A checklist of moniligastrids is appended showing 22 species from China (including Hainan and Taiwan), 21 from Korea, nine from Japan and the Drawida ghilarovi Gates, 1969 species-complex from far eastern Russian (Siberia). Recent Drawida dandongensis Zhang & Sun, 2014 from Sino-Korean border is misdescribed and cannot be meaningfully compared to any other Drawidas.