• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.521-530
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• 2011

Since aircraft fuel tanks have many interfaces connected to the airframe as well as the fuel system, they have been considered as one of the system-dependent critical components. Crashworthy fuel tanks have been widely implemented to rotorcraft and rendered a great contribution for improving the survivability of crews and passengers. Since the embryonic stage of military rotorcraft history began, the US army has developed and practised a detailed military specification documenting the unique crashworthiness requirements for rotorcraft fuel tanks to prevent most, hopefully all, fatality due to post-crash fire. The mandatory crash impact test required by the relevant specification, MIL-DTL-27422D, has been recognized as a non-trivial mission and caused inevitable delay of a number of noticeable rotorcraft development programs such as that of V-22. The crash impact test itself takes a long-term preparation efforts together with costly fuel tank specimens. Thus a series of numerical simulations of the crash impact test with digital mock-ups is necessary even at the early design stage to minimize the possibility of trial-and-error with full-scale fuel tanks. In the present study the crash impact simulation of a few fuel tank configurations is conducted with the commercial package, Autodyn, and the resulting equivalent stresses and internal pressures are evaluated in detail to suggest a design improvement for the fuel tank configuration.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2012

Crashworthy fuel cells have been widely implemented to rotorcraft and rendered a great contribution for improving the survivability of crews and passengers. Since the embryonic stage of military rotorcraft history began, the US army has developed and practised a detailed military specification documenting the unique crashworthiness requirements for rotorcraft fuel cells to prevent most fatality due to post-crash fire. Foreign manufacturers have followed their long term experience to develop their fuel cells, and have reflected the results of crash impact tests on the trial-and-error based design and manufacturing procedures. Since the crash impact test itself takes a long-term preparation efforts together with costly fuel cell specimens, a series of numerical simulations of the crash impact test with digital mock-ups is necessary even at the early design stage to minimize the possibility of trial-and-error with full-scale fuel cells. In the present study a number of numerical simulations on fuel cell crash impact tests are performed with a crash simulation software, Autodyn. The resulting equivalent stresses are further analysed to evaluate a number of appropriate design parameters and the artificial neural network and simulated annealing method are simultaneously implemented to optimize the crashworthy performance of fuel cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1347-1354
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• 2006

The aims of this study were to establish a simple and effective method for isolating male germline stem cells (GSCs), and to test the possibility of using these cells as a new approach for male infertility treatment. Testes obtained from neonatal and adult mice were manually decapsulated. GSCs were collected from seminiferous tubules by a two-step enzyme digestion method and plated on gelatin-coated dishes. Over 5-7 days of culture, GSCs obtained from neonates and adults gave rise to large multicellular colonies that were subsequently grown for 10 passages. During in vitro proliferation, oct-4 and two immunological markers (Integrin ${\beta}1,\;{\alpha}6$) for GSCs were highly expressed in the cell colonies. During another culture period of 6 weeks to differentiate to later stage germ cells, the expression of oct-4 mRNA decreased in GSCs and Sertoli cells encapsulated with calcium alginate, but the expression of c-kit and testis-specific histone protein 2B(TH2B) mRNA as well as the localization of c-kit protein was increased. Expression of transition protein (TP-l) and localization of peanut agglutinin were not seen until 3 weeks after culturing, and appeared by 6 weeks of culture. The putative spermatids derived from GSCs supported embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage with normal chromosomal ploidy after chemical activation. Thus, GSCs isolated from neonatal and adult mouse testes were able to be maintained and proliferated in our simple culture conditions. These GSCs have the potential to differentiate into haploid germ cells during another long-term culture.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2014

Programmed cell death or apoptosis is associated with changes in $K^+$ concentration in many cell types. Recent studies have demonstrated that two-pore domain $K^+$ ($K_{2P}$) channels are involved in mouse embryonic development and apoptotic volume decrease of mammalian cells. In cerebellar granule neurons that normally undergo apoptosis during the early developmental stage, TASK-1 and TASK-3, members of $K_{2P}$ channels, were found to be critical for cell death. This study was performed to identify the role of $K^+$ channels in the $H_2O_2$-induced or cryo-induced cell death of mouse and bovine embryos. Mouse and bovine two-cell stage embryos (2-cells) exposed to $H_2O_2$ for 4 h suffered from apoptosis. The 2-cells showed positive TUNEL staining. Treatment with high concentration of KCl (25mM) inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis of 2-cells by 19%. Cryo-induced death in bovine blastocysts showed positive TUNEL staining only in the cells near the plasma membrane. Cryoprotectant supplemented with 25 mM KCl reduced apoptosis slightly compared to cryoprotectant supplemented with 5 mM KCl. However, the combination of antioxidants (${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol) with 25 mM KCl significantly decreased the rate of $H_2O_2$-induced and cryo-induced apoptosis compared to treatments with only antioxidants or 25 mM KCl. These results show that blockage of $K^+$ channel efflux for a short-time reduces $H_2O_2$- and cryo-induced apoptosis in mouse and bovine embryos. Our findings suggest that apoptosis in mouse and bovine embryos might be controlled by modulation of $K^+$ channels which are highly expressed in a given cell type.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.68-68
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• 2001

Blastocyst formation, consisting of the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE), is the first differentiation process during embryonic development in mammals. It has been hypothesized that the proportion of ICM to TE in the blastocyst may be crucial for subsequent developmental competence of early embryos, which it may be expressed as a sensitive indicator for evaluating in vitro systems. In this study ICM/total cell ratio of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos was compared with IVF-derived and in vivo embryos. Somatic cell nuclei obtained from a fetus at Day 40 of gestation were transferred into the enucleated oocyte and then cultured in NCSU 23 medium for 6 days as previously described (Koo et al., Biol. Reprod. 2000; 63:986-992). ICM and TE cells of blastocysts were determined by using a differential staining method (Han et al., Biol. Reprod. 1999; 60:1110-1113). Development rate (9.8$\pm$2.5%, 23/225) to the blastocyst stage of NT embryos was lower than IVF embryos (23.8$\pm$2.7%, 53/223). Thus, a difference was detected in the in vitro developmental rate to blastocyst stage between NT and IVF-derived embryos (P<0.05). In the next experiment, we investigated ICM and TE nuclei to assess the quality of blastocysts that produced by NT, IVF and in vivo, respectively. NT blastocysts (27.6$\pm$8.3) showed a smaller total cell number than IVF-derived (42.6$\pm$17.4) and in vivo embryos (283.9$\pm$103.5) (P<0.05). Ratios of ICM/total cells in NT, IVF and in vivo blastocysts were 15.1$\pm$ 18.6% (n=56), 12.3$\pm$9.2% (n=57) and 30.4$\pm$6.8% (n=40), respectively. Individual blastocysts for the ratio of ICM/total cells were assigned to 3 groups (I; <20%, II; 20 to 40% and III;>40%). As the results, most in vivo blastocysts (97.5%, 39/40) were distributed into group II while most NT (78.6%, 44/56) and IVF-derived blastocysts (82.5%, 47/57) were allocated to group I. Thus, our data show that NT or IVF-derived embryos have aberrant morphology during early development in vitro systems, suggesting that these anomalies may result in developmental failures of the NT embryos to term.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 1994

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the timing and dose of human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) on oocyte recovery, in vitro fertilization, and preimplantation development in superovulation of mouse. F1 hybrid($C57BL{\times}CBA$) mice were obtained and superovulation was induced in female mice by sequential intraperitoneal injection of PMSG and hCG. In the first series of experiments, mice received 5 IU of PMSG given intraperitoneally, and 48 hours later were injected 1 IU, 5 IU, or 10 IU of hCG respectively. In the second series of experiments, mice received 5 IU of PMSG given intraperitoneally and were injected 5IU of hCG 36, 48, or 60 hours later respectively. 1. When the mice received 5 IU of PMSG given intraperitoneally and 48 hours later were injected 1 ItT, 5 IU, or 10 IU of hCG respectively, there were no differences in the total number of the oocytes obtained from the three experimental groups. When the cultures were examined 48 hrs after the termination of insemination the proportion of unfragmented oocytes which had developed over two-cell stage was observer to be lowest in 10 IU hCG group. When the cultrues were examined 120 hour after termination of insemination the proportion of embryos which had developed to the blastocyst stage was observed to be significantly higher in 10IU hCG group than 5IU hCG group(p<0.05), but there was no difference between 10 IU hCG group and 1IU hCG group. 2. When the mice received 5 IU of PMSG and were injected 5 IU of hCG 36, 48, or 60 hours later respectively, there were no differences in the total number of oocytes obtained from the three experimental groups. When cultures were examined 48 hour after the termination of insemination the proportion of unfragmented oocytes which had developed over two-cell stage was observed to be significantly lower in 36 hour interval group than 48 hour interval and 60 hour interval group(p<0.05). When the cultures were examined 120 hour after termination of insemination the proportion of embryos which had developed to the blastocyst stage was found to be higher in 60 hour interval group than 36 interval or 48 hour interval group (P<0.05), and the proportion of hatching blastocyst was found to be higher in 60 hour interval group as well. In this study, it was concluded that the administration of adequate dose of hCG, and long (60 hour) PMSG-hCG interval were necessary in superovulation of mice($C57BL{\times}CBA$) in order to get a large number of oocytes which had an early oocytes which had an early embryonic developmental capability when fertilized in vitro, and especially it had better have been avoided to administer a large dose of hCG.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.71-96
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• 1977

Early development Linuparus trigonus(von Siebold) has been studied based on the samples collected monthly in Je-ju Island, Korea from February, 1975 to January, 1977. Gametogenesis, reproductive cycle, embryonic development were investigated by histological mettled, and morphological description was made on the first phyllosoma larva which reared in the laboratory. Testis is composed of two tubular duct which are symmetrical with H-shaped appearance. Outer layer of testis is of fibrous connective tissue capsule. In the lumen there is a convoluted seminiferous tubule with interstitial tissue. Ovary is a pair of symmetrical blind tubular lobes, and the midportions are connected each other. The ovary consists of a couple of ovarian sacs partitioned by two-layered connective tissue fibers. Proliferation of spermatogonia are observed all the year around on the germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubule. Partial spermatogenesis is always in progress, and the spermatozoa appear all the year around in the tubules. Nutrition of early oogonia is supplied by fibrous mesenchyme which is abundantly distributed in ovarian sacs. Oocytes grow and couplete maturation divisions in the follicle layers. They finally develop into mature ova before spawning. Reproductive cycle is classified into four successive stages; multiplication stage from September to December, growing stage from January to March, maturation division stage from April to May and mature stage from June to August. Spawning takes place from May to August with peak spawning from Into July to early August. Cleavage type is superficial. Blastopore is formed in blasto-disc region which is proliferation of blastoderm cells. Germinal layers are also derived from tile region. Mesoderm formation is originated from endodermal cells which are formed front the blasto-disc region. The endodermal cells are separated by the process of delamination from yolk sac and take part in the formation of the mid-gut. Morphological characteristics of first phyllosoma larva are different from the larvae of other Palinurid and Scyllarid species.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2011

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is ATPase-directed molecular chaperon and affects survival of cancer cell. Inhibitory effect of Hsp90 by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the cancer cell was reported. However, its role during oocyte maturation and early embryo development is very insufficient. In this study, we traced the effects of Hsp90 inhibitor, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), on meiotic maturation and early embryonic development in pigs. We also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including structural integrity, gene expression (Hsp90-, cell cycle-, and apoptosis-related genes), and apoptosis, which are affected by 17-AAG. Then, we examined the roles of Hsp90 inhibitor on viability of primary cells in pigs. Porcine oocytes were cultured in the NCSU-23 medium with or without 17-AAG for 44 h. The proportion of GV arrested oocytes was significantly different between the 17-AAG treated and untreated group (78.2 vs 34.8%, p<0.05). After completion of meiotic maturation, the proportion of MII oocytes was lower in the 17-AAG treated group than in the control group (27.9 vs 71.0%, p<0.05). After IVF, the percentage of penetrated oocytes was significantly lower in the 17-AAG treated group (25.2%), resulting in lower normal pronucleus formation (2PN of 14.6%). Therefore, the inhibition of meiotic progression by Hsp90 inhibitor played a critical role in fertilization status. Porcine embryo were cultured in the PZM-3 medium with or without 17-AAG for 6 days. In result, significant differences in developmental potential were detected between the embryos that were cultured with or without 17-AAG. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the 17-AAG treated group compared with control (7.5 vs 4.4, respectively). Blastocysts that developed in the 17-AAG treated group had low structural integrity and high apoptotic nuclei than those of the untreated control, resulting in decrease the embryonic qualities of preimplantation porcine blastocysts. The mRNA expressions of cell cycle-related genes were down-regulated in the 17-AAG treated group compared with control. Also, the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased in 17-AAG treated group, whereas expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bel-XL decreased. However, the expression of ER stress-related genes did not changed by 17-AAG. Cultured pESF cells were treated with or without 17-AAG and used for MIT assay. The results showed that viability of pESF cells were decreased by treatment of 17-AAG ($2{\mu}M$) for 24 hr. These results indicated that 17-AAG decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death. Expression patterns Hsp90 complex genes (Hsp70 and p23), cell cycle-related genes (cdc2 and cdc25c) and apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-XL) were significantly changed by using RT-PCR analysis. The spliced form of pXbp-1 product (pXbp-1s) was detected in the tunicamycin (TM) treated cells, but it is not detected in 17-AAG treated cells. In conclusion, Hsp90 appears to play a direct role in porcine early embryo developmental competence including structural integrity of blastocysts. Also, these results indicate that Hsp90 is closely associated with cell cycle- and apoptosis-related genes expression in developing porcine embryos.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.171-180
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• 2003

The development of calvarial bones is tighly co-ordinated with the growth of the brain and needs of harmonious interactions between different tissues within the calvarial sutures. Premature fusion of cranial sutures, known as craniosynostosis, presumably involves disturbance of these interactions. Mutations in the homeobox-containg gene Msx2 cause human craniosynostosis syndrome. Msx genes, which are consist of Msx1, Msx2 and Msx3, are homeobox-containg transcripton factors, and were originally identified as homologue of Drosophila msh(muscle segment homeobox) gene. Msx1 and Msx2 genes, expressed mostly in overlapping patterns at multiple site of tissue interactions during vertebrate development, are associated with epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during organogenesis, targets of BMP and FGF signaling. To elucidate the function of Msx genes in the early morphogenesis of mouse cranial suture, we analyzed the expression of them by in situ hybridization during embryonic(E15-E18) stage, and did vivo experiments in E15.5 mouse using rhBMP-2, rhFGF-2 protein soaked bead. In the sagittal suture, Msx1 was expressed in the mesenchyme of suture and the dura mater, Msx2 was intensely expressed in the sutural mesenchyme and the dura mater. In the coronal suture both of Msx genes were expressed intensely in the sutural mesenchyme and expressed in the periosteum also. Msx1 had a broader expression pattern than Msx2. BMP2 beads induced expression of both Msx1 and Msx2, FGF2 beads induced expression of Msx1, but not Msx2. Taken together, these data suggest that Msx1 and Msx2 genes have important role in regulating the morphogenesis and maintenance of embryonic cranial suture. Both of Msx genes are expressed similarly but because of their upstream signaling, they function dependently or cooperatively according to change of signaling molecule.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.245-255
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• 2004

In recent years, an increasing number of studies on pig in vitro maturation(IVM) and in vitro fertilization(IVF) have been separated. the wide range of new technologies, including that in applied molecular genetics, has increased this interest. the production of viable porcine embryos in vitro is a prerequisites for the successful production of transgenic pigs to date. The efficiency of IVM/IVF techniques in the porcine is lower than that obtained in other species such as cattle and mouse. The several problems are generally thought to be the cause of poor results: the low rate of MPN formation derived from inadequate IVM of oocytes, the high incidence of polyspermy after IVF and cell blocking at 4 cell during embryos culture. For there reasons overcoming, many studies have been conducted to improve in vitro embryo-genic competence of oocytes. In the last several years, many maturation culture media have been evaluated and various exogenous factors such as hormones and grows factors have been tested to improve the efficiency of porcine in vitro system. In the study several antioxidants have been examined to improve in vitro fertilization and development of porcine oocytes. In this study, several antioxidants were examined to determine the effects on the development of oocytes to the cleavage, morula and blastocyst stage when added at the maturation(IVM) or in vitro fertilization(IVF) or in vitro culture(IVC) of porcine embryos. Porcine oocytes were matured, fertilized and embryos were cultured in defind conditioned medium in vitro with or without supplementation with the antioxidents of cysteine, catalase and glutathione. 1. Significant improvement of blastocyst rate (27.2％ versus 15.4％, p<0.05) were achieved when catalase(500U/$m\ell$) were added to TCM-199 medium and morula rate(72.0％ versus 53.9％, p<0.05) were significantly higher when glutathione(1.0mM/$m\ell$) were added to TCM-199 medium than those of control. 2. In mTBM medium for oocytes fertilization, the addition of cysteine, catalase and glutathione had no positive effect on embryonic development. glutathione had no positive effect on embryonic development. In conclusion, this study shows that addition of catalase, gluththione during IVM improved the rate of porcine embryo development.