• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.166-172
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• 2019

Objective: In vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes can be useful for some infertile patients. In IVM programs, the rates of embryo formation and pregnancy are low. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the main factors involved in regulating oocyte maturation in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and cumulus cell (CC) supplementation in IVM medium on the rates of embryo formation and viability of human blastocysts. Methods: A total of 80 germinal vesicle oocytes from stimulated cycles underwent an IVM program. The oocytes were divided into four groups, where group I consisted of IVM media only and served as the control, group II consisted of IVM+CCs, group III consisted of IVM+GDF9 (200 ng/mL), and group IV consisted of IVM+CCs+GDF9 (200 ng/mL). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed on the IVM oocytes, and the cleavage embryos that were generated were vitrified. Following thawing, the embryos were cultured for 3 additional days, and the viability rates of the developed blastocysts were determined. Results: The maturation rate of the oocytes did not differ significantly across the four groups. The fertilization rate in group II was significantly higher than that in the control group (76.5% vs. 46.2%). Embryo formation was significantly more frequent in all experimental groups than in the control group, while blastocyst formation did not show significant differences in the three experimental groups compared to the control. The mean viability rates in groups II, III, and IV were 58.16%, 55.91%, and 55.95%, respectively, versus 37.78% in the control group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation of IVM culture media with GDF9 and CCs enhanced the fertilization, embryo formation, and viability rates of blastocysts generated from vitrified cleavage embryos.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.245-254
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• 2021

Objective: In humans, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an androgen-dependent ovarian disorder. Aberrant gene expression in folliculogenesis can arrest the transition of preantral to antral follicles, leading to PCOS. We explored the possible role of altered gene expression in preantral follicles of estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovaries (PCO) in a mouse model. Methods: Twenty female balb/c mice (8 weeks, 20.0±1.5 g) were grouped into control and PCO groups. PCO was induced by intramuscular EV injection. After 8 weeks, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum (for hormonal assessments using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique) was aspirated, and ovaries (the right ovary for histological examinations and the left for quantitative real-time polymerase) were dissected. Results: Compared to the control group, the PCO group showed significantly lower values for the mean body weight, number of preantral and antral follicles, serum levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, and gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9 and BMPR2 (p<0.05). Serum progesterone levels were significantly higher in the PCO animals than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant between-group differences (p>0.05) were found in BMP6 or BMP15 expression. Conclusion: In animals with EV-induced PCO, the preantral follicles did not develop into antral follicles. In this mouse model, the gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9, and BMPR2 was lower in preantral follicles, which is probably related to the pathologic conditions of PCO. Hypoandrogenism was also detected in this EV-induced murine PCO model.

• 한국구조물진단유지관리공학회 논문집
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.151-160
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• 2005

현재의 교량설계기준에서는 연속거더교량에 대한 활하중 분배계수 규정에 대해 명확한 언급이 되어있지 않다. 따라서 이 논문의 목적은 단순교에 사용되는 시방서 규정 활하중 분배계수가 연속거더교에도 적용이 가능한지를 유한요소해석에 의해 검증하는 것이다. 연속거더교에 대한 활하중 분배의 영향을 검증하기 위해 5개의 공용중인 연속교에 대한 유한요소해석을 실행하였으며 그 결과 연속교에서 정모멘트 구역과 부모멘트 구역에서 활하중의 분배 형태는 매우 비슷하다는 결론을 내릴 수 있었다. 또한 처짐값의 비교에서 얻어진 활하중의 분배와 변형율에 기본한 활하중의 분배 양상의 차이가 거의 없는 것으로 나타났다. 해석 결과 현재 사용되고 있는 설계기준의 활하중 분배에 대한 규정은 연속거더교에 대해 매우 보수적이라고 판단된다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.361-371
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• 2013

The present study assessed the effect of FSH and LH on oocyte meiotic, cytoplasmic maturation and on the expression level and polyadenylation status of several maternal genes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in the presence of FSH, LH, or the combination of FSH and LH. Significant cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation was observed upon exposure to FSH alone and to the combination of FSH and LH. The combination of FSH and LH during entire IVM increased the mRNA level of four maternal genes, C-mos, Cyclin B1, Gdf9 and Bmp15, at 28 h. Supplemented with FSH or LH significantly enhanced the polyadenylation of Gdf9 and Bmp15; and altered the expression level of Gdf9 and Bmp15. Following parthenogenesis, the exposure of oocytes to combination of FSH and LH during IVM significantly increased cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate and total cell number, and decreased apoptosis. In addition, FSH and LH down-regulated the autophagy gene Atg6 and upregulated the apoptosis gene Bcl-xL at the mRNA level in blastocysts. These data suggest that the FSH and LH enhance meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation, possibly through the regulation of maternal gene expression and polyadenylation. Overall, we show here that FSH and LH inhibit apoptosis and autophagy and improve parthenogenetic embryo competence and development.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.207-216
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• 2005

Objective: To understand the crucial requirement for the normal early folliculogenesis, we evaluated molecular as well as physiological differences during in vitro ovarian culture. Among the important regulators for follicle development, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and FSH Receptor (FSHR) have been known to be expressed in the cuboidal granulosa cells. Meanwhile, it is known that c-kit is germ cell-specific and GDF-9 is also oocyte-specific regulator. To evaluate the functional requirement for the competence of normal follicular development, we investigated the differential mRNA expression of several factors secreted from granulosa cells and oocytes between in vivo and in vitro developed ovaries. Materials and Methods: Ovaries from ICR neonates (the day of birth) were cultured for 4 days (for primordial to primary transition) or 8 days (for secondary follicle formation) in ${\alpha}$-MEM glutamax supplemented with 3 mg/ml BSA without serum or growth factors. The mRNA levels of the several factors were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Freshly isolated 0-, 4-, and 8-day-old ovaries were used as control. Results: The mRNA of AMH and FSHR as granulosa cell factors was highly increased according to the ovarian development in both of 4- and 8-day-old control. However, the mRNA expression was not induced in both of 4- and 8-day in vitro cultured ovaries. The mRNA expression of GDF-9 known to regulate follicle growth as an oocyte factor was different between in vivo and in vitro developed ovaries. In addition, the transcript of GDF-9 was expressed in the primordial follicles of mouse ovaries. The mRNA expression of c-kit was not significantly different during the early folliculogenesis in vitro. Conclusion: This is the first report regarding endogenous AMH and FSHR expression during the early folliculogenesis in vitro. In conclusion, it will be very valuable to evaluate cuboidal granulosa cell factors as functional marker(s) for normal early folliculogenesis in vitro.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.175-184
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and conditioned medium (CM) derived from endometrial stromal cells on mouse preantral follicle culture in a two-dimensional system to produce competent mature oocytes for fertilization. Methods: In total, 240 preantral follicles were isolated from female mouse ovarian tissue and divided into four groups. The preantral follicles were isolated three times for each group and then cultured, respectively, in the presence of alpha minimum essential medium (control), PRP, CM, and PRP+CM. The in vitro growth, in vitro maturation, and cleavage percentage of the preantral follicles were investigated. Immunocytochemistry (IHC) was also conducted to monitor the meiotic progression of the oocytes. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of the two folliculogenesis-related genes (Gdf9 and Bmp15) and two apoptosis-related genes (Bcl2 and Bax) were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: In the PRP, CM, and PRP+CM groups, the preantral follicle maturation (evaluated by identifying polar bodies) were greater than the control group. The cleavage rate in the CM, and PRP+CM groups were also greater than the control group. IHC analysis demonstrated that in each treatment group, meiotic spindle was normal. In the PRP+CM group, the gene expression levels of Bmp15, Gdf9, and Bcl2 were greater than in the other groups. The Bax gene was more strongly expressed in the PRP and control groups than in the other groups. Conclusion: Overall, the present study suggests that the combination of CM and PRP can effectively increase the growth and cleavage rate of mouse preantral follicles in vitro.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제20권9호
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• pp.333-340
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• 2019

본 연구는 염소 난자의 체외배양 시 혈청과 호르몬 첨가의 효과를 알아보기 위하여 체외성숙 효율, 유전자발현 및 체외수정 후 배발달율을 조사하였다. 본 실험에서는 기본 체외성숙 배양액에 10% gBS, 10% gFF를 첨가하여 혈청유무에 따른 효과와 FSH를 조합하여 체외성숙 효율을 조사한 결과, 처리구 모두 대조구보다 유의적으로 높은 성숙률을 보였다. 특히 gBS와 FSH를 조합하였을 때 처리구 중에서도 77.8%로 유의적으로 가장 높은 체외성숙 결과를 보였다. 또한, 각 처리구로부터 얻은 성숙 난자를 이용하여 체외수정 배발달 효율을 조사한 결과 모두 유의적으로 향상되었으며 특히 gBS와 gFF에 FSH를 혼합 처리한 두 그룹이 우수한 결과를 보였다. 난자의 성숙과 관련된 BMP15와 GDF9의 mRNA 발현량을 비교한 결과, 처리구간 특이점이나 유의적 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 본 연구의 결과 염소 난자의 체외성숙에 관한 추가적인 실험이 필요할 것으로 생각되나, gBS, gFF 및 FSH 첨가가 성숙 효율 향상에 도움이 됨을 알 수 있었다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

The function of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) in cancer remains controversial, and its signaling pathways remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that MIC-1 induces the transactivation of EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB3 through the activation of c-Src in SK-BR-3 breast cells. MIC-1 induced significant phosphorylation of EGFR at Tyr845, ErbB2 at Tyr877, and ErbB3 at Tyr1289 as well as Akt and p38, Erk1/2, and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Treatment of SK-BR-3 cells with MIC-1 increased the phosphorylation level of Src at Tyr416, and induced invasiveness of those cells. Inhibition of c-Src activity resulted in the complete abolition of MIC-1-induced phosphorylation of the EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB3, as well as invasiveness and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in SK-BR-3 cells. Collectively, these results show that MIC-1 may participate in the malignant progression of certain cancer cells through the activation of c-Src, which in turn may transactivate ErbB-family receptors.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제13권8호
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• pp.3532-3536
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• 2012

난자 세포의 정상적인 성숙과정을 이해하려면 모계유래 유전자 발현 증가의 분자 생물학적 기전을 밝혀내야 한다. 이것은 모계 유전자의 염기서열의 변화와 밀접한 관계가 있다. 전 연구결과에 의하면 돼지 난자 체외 성숙과정에서의 모계 유전자 mRNA 발현은 통상적으로 poly(A) 꼬리 길이와 아데닐산 중합반응에 의하여 검증된다. 하지만 포유동물 체외성숙 과정에서는 아직까지 밝혀진 것이 없다. 따라서 본 연구목적은 성숙단계 난모세포에서의 분자생물학적 기전을 해명하고자, 4개의 중요한 모계유전자발현을 real-time PCR기법으로 확인하여 poly(A) 꼬리 길이와 아데닐산중합반응의 변화를 확인하였다. 본 연구에서 접합체 유전자 활성화 단계에서 모계 유전자의 비정상적인 발현과 이것에 상응하는 단백질 수준의 억제는 일부 혹은 대부분 유전자 손실에 의하여 초래된 것임을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 이상적인 모계 유전자 발현은 난자 세포의 성숙 및 더 나가서 초기 배아 발달에 중요한 역할을 하는 것임을 확인 하였다.

• 한국건설관리학회논문집
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.153-163
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• 2008

건설산업은 국내 총생산(GDF)기준의 약 15%를 차지하는 국가기간산업이며, 공공부분에 매년 약 50조원의 예산을 투입하여 경제, 사회발전의 기반이 되는 사회시설물의 건설과 정비사업을 수행 중에 있다. 공공 건설산업의 경우 사업이 대규모로 이루어지므로 효율적 관리를 통한 공사비 절감은 정부의 재정상태 및 사회발전에 크게 기여한다. 국내에서 공공공사의 지배적인 예산제도의 하나로서 활용되어온 장기계약제도는 공사연장 빈도도 높고, 그에 따른 손실비용 또한 막대하여 이에 대한 대책이 시급히 요구되어 왔다. 이를 개선하기 위하여 1999년 수립된 '공공건설효율화종합대책'에서는 계속비 사업의 확대를 추진하게 되었다. 본 연구에서는 국내 예산제도의 체계와 공공공사의 계약방식 비교/분석을 통하여 장기계속계약의 문제점들을 도출하였고, 계속비 사업이 공공공사에 미치는 영향을 정적으로 제시하여 향후 계속비 사업 확대가 건설사업에 미치는 파급효과를 분석하였다. 총 5개 기관, 72개의 개별사업의 데이터를 분석한 성과 측정결과, 계속비 사업이 장기계속공사 사업에 비하여 사업기간 단축에 따른 평균사업비의 0.13%, 절감효과뿐만 아니라, 연부액 증가로 인한 사업기간 단축, 공사효율화를 통하여 약 9.83%의 공사비 절감효과가 있는 것으로 추정되었다. 본 연구결과는 향후 공공공사 수행에 있어 예산상황에 알맞은 공사우선순위선정 및 계속비 사업 확대의 당위성을 입증하였다.