• Carbon letters
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.33-38
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• 2016

In the present study, exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP) with different particle sizes were coated onto polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers by a direct coating method. The flexural properties, interlaminar shear strength, and the morphology of the xGnP-coated carbon fiber/phenolic matrix composites were investigated in terms of their longitudinal flexural strength and modulus, interlaminar shear strength, and by optical and scanning electron microscopic observations. The results were compared with a phenolic matrix composite counterpart prepared without xGnP. The flexural properties and interlaminar shear strength of the xGnP-coated carbon fiber/phenolic matrix composites were found to be higher than those of the uncoated composite. The flexural and interlaminar shear strengths were affected by the particle size of the xGnP, while the particle size had no significant effect on the flexural modulus. It seems that the interfacial contacts between the xGnP-coated carbon fibers and the phenolic matrix play a role in enhancing the flexural strength as well as the interlaminar shear strength of the composites.

• Carbon letters
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• 제24권
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• pp.41-46
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• 2017

The microstructure, flexural properties, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of epoxy composites filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnPs) and CNT-xGnP hybrid filler were investigated. The EMI SE of the CNT-xGnP hybrid composite was higher than 25 dB at 100 MHz while that of the xGnP based composite was almost zero. The flexural modulus of the CNT-xGnP based epoxy composite continuously increased to 3.32 GPa with combined filler content up to 10 wt% while that of the CNT based epoxy composites slightly decreased to 1.96 GPa at 4 wt% CNT, and dropped to 1.57 GPa at 5 wt% loading, which is lower than that of epoxy. The CNT and CNT-xGnP samples had the same EMI SE at the same surface resistivity, because samples with the same surface conductivity have the same amount of the charge carriers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제13권8호
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• pp.1059-1062
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• 2000

The objective of the investigation was to study the effect of intramuscular $PGF_2\;{\alpha}$ and GnRH on estrus behavior and ovarian response in Murrah buffalo heifers. Twelve Murrah buffalo heifers at 32 months of age that had not exhibited behavioral estrus symptom were included in the experiment. Out of 12,4 heifers were in follicular phase (plasma estradiol $57.05{\pm}12.52pg/ml$), another 4 heifers were in luteal phase (Plasma progesterone $2.24{\pm}0.25ng/ml$) while the ovaries of remaining four heifers were inactive (estradiol $23.70{\pm}1.66pg/ml$and progesterone $0.32{\pm}0.06ng/ml$). $PGF_2\;{\alpha}$ (25 mg, Lutalyse, im) and GnRH (200 ug, Fertagyl, iv) was administered to each heifer at interval of 10 days. The plasma progesterone concentration decreased within 48 hrs after $PGF_2\;{\alpha}$ injection and followed thereafter with follicular growth, estrus and ovulation. GnRH administration induced follicular growth, elevation of plasma estradiol concentration with subsequent exhibition of behavioral estrus in 2 out of 4 heifers having inactive ovary. The observation reveals that Murrah buffalo heifers at 32 months of age have developed receptors for $PGF_2\;{\alpha}$ and GnRH on ovarian and pituitary tissue respectively and response the single injection of $PGF_2\;{\alpha}$ and GnRH similar to the mature cycling animals.

• 한국연소학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate the fire retardant performance of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP) applied for particleboard. This work measured heat release rate(HRR), total heat release(THR) and smoke production rate(SPR) of xGnP added particleboard, using cone calorimeter to assess its fire characteristics according to the KS F ISO 5660-1 standard code. Heat release rates of all specimens treated by xGnP were less than the $200kW/m^2$ for a total experiment period of five minutes. Heat release rates of the specimens coated with xGnP were lower than those of the specimens made by mixing wood particles with xGnP directly. Meanwhile, the total heat release rates of xGnP coated specimen maintained quite lower level than the uncoated so the xGnP coating were effective in improving the fire retardant performance of particleboard. However, the smoke emission peaking problem at the initial combustion period, which was caused by adding base coating materials, should be resolved for further satisfaction as a fire retardant materials.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.315-324
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• 2005

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (MDP) with that of GnRH agonist long protocol (LP) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization in patients with high basal FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) level or old age, a retrospective analysis was done. Methods: Two hundred ninety four infertile women (328 cycles) who were older than 41 years of age or had elevated basal FSH level (> 8.5 mIU/mL) were enrolled in this study. The patients had undergone IVF-ET after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (n=108, 118 cycles) or GnRH agonist long protocol (n=186, 210 cycles). The main outcome measurements were cycle cancellation rate, consumption of gonadotropins, the number of follicles recruited and total oocytes retrieved. The number of fertilized oocytes and transferred embryos, the clinical pregnancy rates, and the implantation rates were also reviewed. And enrolled patients were divided into three groups according to their age and basal FSH levels; Group A - those who were older than 41 years of age, Group B - those with elevated basal FSH level (> 8.5 mIU/mL) and Group C - those who were older than 41 years of age and with elevated basal FSH level (> 8.5 mIU/mL). Poor responders were classified as patients who had less than 4 retrieved oocytes, or those with $E_2$ level <500 pg/mL on the day of hCG injection or those who required more than 45 ampules of exogenous gonadotropin for stimulation. Results: The cancellation rate was lower in the GnRH antagonist group than in GnRH agonist group, but not statistically significant (6.8% vs. 9.5%, p=NS). The amount of used gonadotropins was significantly lower in GnRH antagonist group than in agonist group ($34.8{\pm}11.3$ ampules vs. $44.1{\pm}13.4$ ampules, p<0.001). The number of follicles > 14 mm in diameter was significantly higher in agonist group than in antagonist group ($6.7{\pm}4.6$ vs. $5.0{\pm}3.4$, p<0.01). But, there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate (24.5% in antagonist group vs. 27.4% in agonist group, p=NS) and implantation rate (11.4% in antagonist group vs. 12.0% in agonist group, p=NS) between two groups. Mean number of retrieved oocytes was significantly higher in GnRH agonist LP group than in GnRH antagonist MDP group ($5.4{\pm}3.5$ vs. $6.6{\pm}5.0$, p<0.0001). But, the number of mature and fertilized oocytes, and the number of good quality (grade I and II) and transferred embryos were not different between two groups. In each group A, B, and C, the rate of poor response did not differ according to stimulation protocols. Conclusions: In conclusion, for infertile women expected poor ovarian response such as who are old age or has elevated basal FSH level, a protocol including a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using GnRH antagonist appears at least as effective as that using a GnRH agonist, and may offer the advantage of reducing gonadotropin consumption and treatment period. However, much work remains to be done in optimizing the GnRH antagonist protocols and individualizing these to different cycle characteristics.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.2087-2093
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• 2012

Previous evidence showed ${\beta}1$, 3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 8 (${\beta}3GnT8$), which can extend polylactosamine on N-glycans, to be highly expressed in some cancer cell lines and tissues, indicating roles in tumorigenesis. However, so far, the function of ${\beta}3GnT8$ in laryngeal carcinoma has not been characterized. To test any contribution, Hep-2 cells were stably transfected with sense or interference vectors to establish cell lines that overexpressed or were deficient in ${\beta}3GnT8$. Here we showed that cell proliferation was increased in ${\beta}3GnT8$ overexpressed cells but decreased in ${\beta}3GnT8$ knockdown cells using MTT. Furthermore, we demonstrated that change in ${\beta}3GnT8$ expression had significant effects on tumor growth in nude mice.We further provided data suggesting that overexpression of ${\beta}3GnT8$ enhanced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) at both the mRNA and protein levels, associated with shedding of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase TIMP-2. In addition, it caused increased production of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-${\beta}1$), whereas ${\beta}3GnT8$ gene knockdown caused the reverse effect. The results may indicate a novel mechanism by which effects of ${\beta}3GnT8$ in regulating cellular proliferation are mediated, at least in partvia targeting MMPs/TIMPs and TGF-${\beta}1$ in laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells. The finding may lay a foundation for further investigations into the ${\beta}3GnT8$ as a potential target for therapy of laryngeal carcinoma.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.658-664
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• 2019

Immunocontraception has been suggested as an optimal alternative to surgical contraception in animal species. Many immunocontraceptive vaccines have been designed to artificially produce antibodies against gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I) which remove GnRH-I from the vaccinated animals. A deficiency of GnRH-I thereafter leads to a lack of gonadotropins, resulting in immunocontraception. In this study, we initially developed three immunocontraceptive vaccines composed of GnRH-I, GnRH-II, and a GnRH-I and -II (GnRH-I+II) complex, conjugated to the external domain of Salmonella Typhimurium flagellin. As the GnRH-I+II vaccine induced significantly (p < 0.01) higher levels of anti-GnRH-I antibodies than the other two vaccines, we further evaluated its immunocontraceptive effects in male rats. Mean testis weight in rats (n = 6) inoculated twice with the GnRH-I+II vaccine at 2-week intervals was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than in negative control rats at 10 weeks of age. Among the six vaccinated rats, two were non-responders whose testes were not significantly reduced when compared to those of negative control rats. Significantly smaller testis weight (p < 0.001), higher anti-GnRH-I antibody levels (p < 0.001), and lower testosterone levels (p < 0.001) were seen in the remaining four responders compared to the negative control rats at the end of the experiments. Furthermore, seminiferous tubule atrophy and spermatogenesis arrest were found in the testis tissues of responders. Therefore, the newly developed GnRH-I+II vaccine efficiently induced immunocontraception in male rats. This vaccine can potentially also be applied for birth control in other animal species.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권11호
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• pp.1673-1685
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of treatments based on gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), GnRH-prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ ($PGF2{\alpha}$), and/or intense exposure to novel rams to induce fertile estrus without the use of steroid hormones in seasonally anestrous Suffolk ewes. Methods: In the first experiment, ewes were treated with one injection of GnRH, two injections of GnRH administered 7 days apart, or a sequence of GnRH-$PGF2{\alpha}$-GnRH (GPG). In the second experiment anestrous ewes were exposed, for 36 days starting on the day of weaning, to groups of four rams of three different breeds that were alternated every day. Besides exposure to the male effect (ME), the ewes were injected with saline solution (ME group, n = 20), with GnRH (ME-GnRH group, n = 20) or with a sequence of GnRH-$PGF2{\alpha}$-GnRH (ME-GPG group, n = 20). The rams used for male-effect were fitted with aprons to prevent mating, and ewes detected in estrus were bred to selected fertile rams. Ovarian activity was monitored by progesterone determinations in both experiments. Results: In the first experiment sustained induction of ovarian activity was not achieved and no ewe was detected in estrus. In the second experiment induction of sustained ovarian activity was achieved in all groups. Most of the ewes were detected in estrus, 76.7% of the ewes were mated during a 36-d breeding period and 71.7% of all the ewes became pregnant during that period. No significant differences between groups were found for any of these variables. However, estrus detection efficiency was higher in the ME-GnRH group than in the ME group (p<0.05). Conclusion: An intense male-effect, that included the continuous presence and frequent alternation of several rams of different breeds, was sufficient to induce ovarian activity and fertile estrus in Suffolk ewes during the period of deep anestrus without the use of hormones, although addition of GnRH improved the efficiency of estrus detection.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.231-236
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• 2000

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)과 그 수용체가 흰쥐의 난소, 정소, 자궁, 태 반 그리고 유선 등의 생식기관에서 발현됨이 알려져 있다. 더욱이, 뇌하수체 전엽에 작용하는 GnRH의 표적 산물로 알려진 luteinizing hormone (LH)이 흰쥐 생식소에서도 발현됨이 알려졌는데, 이는 생식소 내에 GnRH-LH로 이루어진 국부 회로 (local circuit)가 존재함을 시사하는 것이다 본 연구는 LH와 그 수용체 유전자가 흰쥐 유선에서도 발현되는가를 규명한 것이다. 이를 위해 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)과 LH 방사면역측정법 (radioimmunoassay, RIA)을 사용하였다. RT-PCR을 시행한 결과 생식 주기중인 임신하지 않은 흰쥐 유선에서 뇌하수체 유형의 LH${\beta}$ 전사체 (exon 1-3)가 증폭되었으나 정소특이적 LH${\beta}$ exon 부분은 검출되지 않았다. 뇌하수체 glycoprotein hormone에서 공통적으로 존재하는 ${\alpha}$-subunit과 LH 수용체에 대한 전사체 역시 흰쥐 유선에 존재함이 확인되었다. 또한 기존의 보고에서 수유중인 흰쥐 유선에서만 발현된다고 알려진 GnRH가 임신하지 않은 흰쥐 유선에서도 발현됨을 확인하였다. LH 방사면역측정법을 시행한 결과 흰쥐 유선조직 추출물에서 immunoreactive LH분자들이 검출되었으며, LH standard curve와 parallelism을 보이므로 흰쥐 유선의 LH가 뇌하수체 형과 동일할 가능성을 확인하였다. 본 연구는 흰쥐 유선에서 LH subunit들과 수용체 유전자가 발현됨을 최초로 보고한 것으로서, 흰쥐 유선이 LH의 생성처이면서 동시에 작용처이며 유선에서 합성된 GnRH의 조절하에 국부적인 인자로 작용할 가능성을 시사한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.149-157
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• 2006

목 적: 본 연구는 인공 수정 시술에 있어서 정상 배란주기의 여성에서 clomiphene citrate와 GnRH antagonist를 병합하여 임선을 시도한 방법을 기존의 clomiphene citrate 단독으로 사용한 방법과 비교하여 그 임상적 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 116명의 환자들 중 43명에게는 자연 배란주기를 이용하여 인공 수정 시술을 시행하였고, 38명과 35명에게 각각 clomiphene citrate 단독 요법과 clomiphene citrate와 GnRH antagonist 병합 요법으로 인공 수정 시술을 시행하여 그 임상 결과를 비교 분석하였다. 결 과: 각각의 군에서 기저 LH, FSH, $E_2$와 배란 유도를 위해 hCG를 투여하는 날의 FSH, $E_2$는 차이를 보이지 않았으나 clomiphene citrate/GnRH antagonist 병합 요법군에서 hCG를 투여한 날의 LH와 자궁 내막 두께는 의미 있게 감소하였으며 유의한 임신율의 증가가 관찰되었다. 결 론: 자연 배란주기법군, clomiphene citrate 단독 요법 사용군에 비해 clomiphene citrate/GnRH antagonist 병합 요법 사용군에서 유의하게 임신율의 향상을 나타냈다.