• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2011

Change in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) is an essential event for egg activation and further development. $Ca^{2+}$ ion is originated from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-store via inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor and/or $Ca^{2+}$ influx via $Ca^{2+}$ channel. This study was performed to investigate whether changes in $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaM KII) activity affect $Ca^{2+}$ influx during artificial egg activation with ethanol using $Ca^{2+}$ monitoring system and whole-cell patch clamp technique. Under $Ca^{2+}$ ion-omitted condition, $Ca^{2+}$-oscillation was stopped within 30 min post microinjection of porcine sperm factor, and ethanol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase was reduced. To investigate the role of CaM KII known as an integrator of $Ca^{2+}$- oscillation during mammalian egg fertilization, CaM KII activity was tested with a specific inhibitor KN-93. In the eggs treated with KN-93, ethanol failed to induce egg activation. In addition, KN-93 inhibited inward $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca}$) in a time-dependent manner in whole-cell configuration. Immunostaining data showed that the voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels were distributed along the plasma membrane of mouse egg and 2-cell embryo. From these results, we suggest that $Ca^{2+}$ influx during fertilization might be controlled by CaM KII activity.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.73-80
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of kinesio taping on upper extremity pain and muscle activation of lateral epicondyle DOMS. This research is randomized controlled designd study and conducted as a single-blind. Twenty four subjects were participated in this study, All the patients were divided two group, were kinesio taping applied group, placebo kinesio taping applied group. The participants were tested pressure upper extremity pain threshold and muscle activation, pre-post intervention. After raining, the change values of the pain and muscle activation in KT group were significantly greater than PKT group(p<0.05). This findings show that kinesio taping training convergence interventions for lateral epicondyle DOMS pain and upper extremity. Continued development on convergence interventions for lateral epicondyle DOMS with pain and upper extremity in the practice are suggested.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.219-229
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze EMG according to surface type and elastic band usage during the pilates Superman movement. Method : The subjects were 10 female university students with a mean age of 27. The independent variables were surface type (yoga mat, air filled equipment, elastic mat) and elastic band usage. In order to measure muscle activity, the Noraxon(USA) was used. Eight muscles (upper trapezius, lower trapezius, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus) activation were analyzed. For the statistical analysis, MANOVA, independent t-test and Scheffe test for the post-hoc via SPSS 20.0 was used. Results : The left and right upper trapezius muscle activities were significantly reduced when using the elastic bands. In addition gluteus medius muscle activities significantly increased with the elastic band as well. Conclusion : According to the usage of the elastic band and the different types of surfaces, different muscle groups were recruited. Elastic bands were found to have more activation on the gluteus medius muscle meanwhile there was less activation on the upper trapezius during the pilates Superman movement.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2014

Embryonic genome activation (EGA) is a highly complex phenomenon that is controlled at various levels. New studies have ascertained some molecular mechanisms that control EGA in several species; it is apparent that these same mechanisms regulate EGA in all species. Protein phosphorylation, DNA methylation and histone modification regulate transcriptional activities, and mechanisms such as ubiquitination, SUMOylation and microRNAs post-transcriptionally regulate development. Each of these regulations is highly dynamic in the early embryo. A better understanding of these regulatory strategies can provide the possibility to improve the reproductive properties in mammals such as pigs, to develop methods of generating high-quality embryos in vitro, and to find markers for selecting developmentally competent embryos.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2013

Background : The purpose of this study is to find out the impact of kinesio-taping method for female university students, who are vulnerable to constipation, on the activation of intestine. Methods : This study has been conducted for a total of three weeks including the pre-inspection, and it explained the purpose of the study upon selecting the adequate subjects who met the criteria for constipation among the female students. And It chose the nine students, who agreed to the experiment, as the subjects. It verified the frequency and time of excretion before experiment and the constipation ejaculation measure, and compared pre-arbitration with post-arbitration as for the time and frequency of excrement, the point of constipation ejaculation measure, etc. after two weeks since the application of tape. Result : The frequency of excrement after arbitration increased compared with pre-arbitration as result of the application of kinesio-taping method, and the time, which was taken for excrement, decreased. It was also shown that the point decreased in the point comparison for constipation ejaculation measure; thus, it obtained the result that showed the improvement of the level of constipation and all were statistically significant(p<.05). Conclusion : It is believed that kinesio-taping method has a positive impact on the activation of intestine of female university students.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.75-79
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• 2020

Purpose: This study analyzed the immediate effects of intra-abdominal pressure with visual feedback on the muscle activation of the upper trapezius and sternomastoid during natural inspiration and forced inspiration in individuals with costal respiration. Methods: The eighteen individuals with upper costal breathing pattern participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to analyze the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and sternomastoid during natural inspiration and forced inspiration before and after intra-abdominal pressure. Results: A significant difference in muscle activation was observed with the muscle type, inspiration type, and test session (p<0.05). The muscle activities of the sternomastoid and upper trapezius decreased significantly during forced inspiration after intra-abdominal pressure training (p<0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference during natural inspiration in both muscles (p>0.05). A comparison of the difference between the pre-test and post-test during forced inspiration revealed the upper trapezius to be significantly larger than the sternomastoid (p<0.05). No significant difference was noted during natural inspiration (p>0.05). Conclusion: The intra-abdominal pressure has positive effects on correcting the breathing patterns in individuals with costal respiration.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1257-1262
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• 2005

MMP-9 is a metalloproteinase capable of basement membrane degradation in vivo. Expression of MMP-9 can be found in normal conditions such as trophoblasts, osteoclasts, and leukocytes and their precursors. They also occur as well as in pathological conditions, such as the invasive growth of primary tumors, metastasis, angiogenesis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal diseases. MMP-9 upregulation can be highly induced by a wide range of agents. These agents include growth factors, cytokines, cell-cell, and cell-ECM adhesion molecules, and agents altering cell shape. Here, we observed that TNF-$\alpha$ stimulated human monocytic cell line, HL-60 produced MMP-9 in a dose and time dependent manner. Real time PCR results indicated transcriptional upregulation of MMP-9 as early as 3 h post TNF-$\alpha$ stimulation. To investigate the signaling pathway underlined in TNF-$\alpha$ induced MMP-9 expression, three MAP kinase inhibitors were added to cells 1 h prior to TNF-$\alpha$ treatment. The ERK inhibitor completely abolished MMP-9 expression by TNF-$\alpha$. But neither p38 MAP kinase nor JNK inhibitor had an effect on TNF-$\alpha$ induced MMP-9 expression, suggesting that ERK activation is required for the MMP-9 induction by TNF-$\alpha$. Taken together, we found that TNF-$\alpha$ stimulation facilitates ERK activation, which results in the transcriptional upregulation of MMP-9 gene and subsequent MMP-9 production and secretion.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.301-305
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• 2000

Globozoospermia is a rare type of teratozoospermia. It occurs in 0.1% of all andrological patient's and used to be considered sterile. Globozoospermic patient has 100% round headed spermatozoa, but the spermiogram is normal. The spermatozoa show oval-shape head, the lack of a nuclear envelope, acrosome, and post acrosomal sheath. Objective: To report that a couple with infertility secondary to globozoospermia received ICSI treatment. Material and Method: Case report Results: In the first trial, fertilization was failed. In the second trial, 40% of oocytes were fertilized and all of these embryos were cleaved, but pregnancy did not achieved. In the third trial, sperm injected oocytes were exposed to 10 ${\mu}M$ calcium ionophore for 15 min. All of the injected oocytes were fertilized and proceeded to develop. Triplet pregnancy was achieved after the transfer of six embryos in their third cycle. One embryo vanished and the remaining twins (female) were delivered at 33 weeks of gestation by Caesarean section. Conclusion: This result shows that assisted activation following ICSI may overcome infertility associated with globozoospermia.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of microstructure control on hydrogen diffusivity, trap activation energy, and cracking behaviors of high-strength steel using a range of experimental techniques. Results of this study showed that susceptibility to hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) was significantly associated with hydrogen diffusivity and trap activation energy, which were primarily influenced by the microstructure. On the other hand, microstructural modifications had no significant impact on electrochemical polarization behavior on the surface at an early corrosion stage. To ensure high resistance to HIC of the steel, it is recommended to increase the cooling rate during normalizing to avoid formation of banded pearlite in the microstructure. However, it is also essential to establish optimal heat treatment conditions to ensure that proportions of bainite, retained austenite (RA), and martensite-austenite (MA) constituents are not too high. Additionally, post-heat treatment at below A₁ temperature is desired to decompose locally distributed RA and MA constituents.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.11
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• pp.584-593
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• 2023

Hypoxia, a widespread occurrence observed in various malignant tumors, results from rapid tumor growth that outpaces the oxygen supply. Tumor hypoxia precipitates several effects on tumor biology; these include activating angiogenesis, intensifying invasiveness, enhancing the survival of tumor cells, suppressing anti-tumor immunity, and fostering resistance to therapy. Aligned with the findings that correlate CMGC kinases with the regulation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF), a pivotal modulator, reports also indicate that hypoxia governs the activity of CMGC kinases, including DYRK1 kinases. Prolyl hydroxylation of DYRK1 kinases by PHD1 constitutes a novel mechanism of kinase maturation and activation. This modification "primes" DYRK1 kinases for subsequent tyrosine autophosphorylation, a vital step in their activation cascade. This mechanism adds a layer of intricacy to comprehending the regulation of CMGC kinases, and underscores the complex interplay between distinct post-translational modifications in harmonizing precise kinase activity. Overall, hypoxia assumes a substantial role in cancer progression, influencing diverse aspects of tumor biology that include angiogenesis, invasiveness, cell survival, and resistance to treatment. CMGC kinases are deeply entwined in its regulation. To fathom the molecular mechanisms underpinning hypoxia's impact on cancer cells, comprehending how hypoxia and prolyl hydroxylation govern the activity of CMGC kinases, including DYRK1 kinases, becomes imperative. This insight may pave the way for pioneering therapeutic approaches that target the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and its associated challenges.