• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.163-170
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• 2021

Bacterial infections in the female reproductive tract negatively affect ovarian function, follicular development, and embryo development, leading to the eventual failure of fertilization. Moreover, bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can interfere with the immune system and reproductive system of the host animal. Therefore, this study examined the effect of LPS on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of pig oocytes. Oocytes were matured in TCM199 medium in the presence of varying concentrations of LPS (0 - 50 ㎍·mL^-1). The maturation rate, cortical granules (CGs) migration, and chromosome alignment were subsequently evaluated during the meiotic development of the oocytes. We observed a dose-dependent and significant decrease in the metaphase II (MII) rate with increasing concentrations of LPS (97.6% control [0 ㎍·mL^-1 LPS] vs. 10.4-74.9% LPS [1 - 50 ㎍·mL^-1], p < 0.05). In addition, compared to the control oocytes without LPS, higher levels of abnormal CGs distribution (18.1 - 50.0% LPS vs. 0% control), chromosome/spindle alignment (20.3 - 56.7% LPS vs. 0% control), and intracellular ROS generation were observed in oocytes matured with LPS (p < 0.05). Nitrite levels were also increased in the maturation medium derived from the oocytes matured with LPS (p < 0.05). These results indicate that LPS induces oxidative stress during IVM and affects oocyte maturation, including CGs migration and chromosome alignment of pig oocytes.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

Leucosia anatum, also known as the pebble crab, is a species of crab that belongs to the family Leucosiidae. Crabs are the most conspicuous and abundant components of the epibenthic macrofauna of the mangrove ecosystems. The present investigation was carried out with the objective of enlightening the reproductive system of L.anatum through histological and histochemical studies. Histological analysis of the epithelial cells of vas deferens, the luminal size and shape of the vas deferens was carried out, since the spermatophore material is secreted and molded by the vas deferens. Histochemical analysis of the blood plasma, testis, proximal vas deferens, middle vas deferens, distal vas deferens, seminal plasma and spermatophore was done to reveal the possible transformation of their secretory materials into the spermatophoric components. Biochemical components present in the blood plasma, testis, proximal vas deferens (PVD), median vas deferens (MVD) and distal vas deferens (DVD) regions seminal plasma and spermatophore of pebble crab were analyzed to find out the quantity of free sugars, proteins, and fats. Thus the current study focuses on the histological and histochemical analysis of Testis and Vas Deferens and their secretions in L.anatum.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.356-369
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• 2024

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore healthcare providers' experiences in managing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on healthcare services. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with 34 healthcare professionals across 15 districts in Bangladesh. Among the participants, 24 were health managers or administrators stationed at the district or upazila (sub-district) level, and 10 were clinicians providing care to patients with COVID-19. The telephone interviews were conducted in Bangla, audio-recorded, transcribed, and then translated into English. Data were analyzed thematically. Results: Most interviewees identified a range of issues within the health system. These included unpreparedness, challenges in segregating COVID-19 patients, maintaining isolation and home quarantine, a scarcity of intensive care unit beds, and ensuring continuity of service for non-COVID-19 patients. The limited availability of personal protective equipment, a shortage of human resources, and logistical challenges, such as obtaining COVID-19 tests, were frequently cited as barriers to managing the pandemic. Additionally, changes in the behavior of health service seekers, particularly increased aggression, were reported. The primary motivating factor for healthcare providers was the willingness to continue providing health services, rather than financial incentives. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique set of challenges for health systems, while also providing valuable lessons in managing a public health crisis. To effectively address future health crises, it is crucial to resolve a myriad of issues within the health system, including the inequitable distribution of human resources and logistical challenges.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2015

In this study, a DNA-launched reverse genetics system was developed from a type 2 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strain, KNU-12. The complete genome of 15,412 nucleotides was assembled as a single cDNA clone and placed under the eukaryotic CMV promoter. Upon transfection of BHK-tailless pCD163 cells with a full-length cDNA clone, viable and infectious type 2 progeny PRRSV were rescued. The reconstituted virus was found to maintain growth properties similar to those of the parental virus in porcine alveolar macrophage (PAM) cells. With the availability of this type 2 PRRSV infectious clone, we first explored the biological relevance of ORF5a in the PRRSV replication cycle. Therefore, we used a PRRSV reverse genetics system to generate an ORF5a knockout mutant clone by changing the ORF5a translation start codon and introducing a stop codon at the 7^th codon of ORF5a. The ORF5a knockout mutant was found to exhibit a lack of infectivity in both BHK-tailless pCD163 and PAM-pCD163 cells, suggesting that inactivation of ORF5a expression is lethal for infectious virus production. In order to restore the ORF5a gene-deleted PRRSV, complementing cell lines were established to stably express the ORF5a protein of PRRSV. ORF5a-expressing cells were capable of supporting the production of the replicationdefective virus, indicating complementation of the impaired ORF5a gene function of PRRSV in trans.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.699-717
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• 2021

South Korea is pushing for the advancement of crop production technology to achieve food self-sufficiency and meet the demand for safe food. A medium-sized satellite for agriculture is being launched in 2023 with the aim of collecting and providing information on agriculture, not only in Korea but also in neighboring countries. The satellite is to be equipped with various sensors, though reference data for ground information are lacking. Hyperspectral remote sensing combined with 1st derivative is an efficient tool for the identification of agricultural crops. In our study, we develop a system for hyperspectral analysis of the ground-based reflectance spectrum, which is monitored seven times during the cultivation period of three soybean crops using a PSR-2500 hyperspectral sensor. In the reflection spectrum of soybean canopy, wavelength variations correspond with stages of soybean growths. The spectral reflection characteristics of soybeans can be divided according to growth into the vegetative (V)stage and the reproductive (R)stage. As a result of the first derivative analysis of the spectral reflection characteristics, it is possible to identify the characteristics of each wavelength band. Using our developed monitoring system, we observed that the near-infrared (NIR) variation was largest during the vegetative (V1-V3) stage, followed by a similar variation pattern in the order of red-edge and visible. In the reproductive stage (R1-R8), the effect of the shape and color of the soybean leaf was reflected, and the pattern is different from that in the vegetative (V) stage. At the R1 to R6 stages, the variation in NIR was the largest, and red-edge and green showed similar variation patterns, but red showed little change. In particular, the reflectance characteristics of the R1 stage provides information that could help us distinguish between the three varieties of soybean that were studied. In the R7-R8 stage, close to the harvest period, the red-edge and NIR variation patterns and the visible variation patterns changed. These results are interpreted as a result of the large effects of pigments such as chlorophyll for each of the three soybean varieties, as well as from the formation and color of the leaf and stem. The results obtained in this study provide useful information that helps us to determine the wavelength width and range of the optimal band for monitoring and acquiring vegetation information on crops using satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 1992

We examined effects of co-culture with human oviduct epithelial cells (HOEC) on the development of mouse and human embryos from early embryonic· stage to late morula or blastocyst stage (LM or B). In human, embryos were transferred and pregnancy rate was investigated. The HOEC, collected from surgically removed fallopian tube, were cultured in medium-199 supplemented with 20 % fetal cord serum (FCS). The HOEC were characterized by using immunocytochemical staining with anticytokeratin antibody and then used for cultures of mouse and human embryos. Results obtained from co-culture system were as follows. Development rate of mouse embryos was improved by co-culture system at late developmental stage (p<0.025). Human supernumerary embryos remained after transfer, unsuitable for freezing because of their poor quality, were co-cultured for 72hrs. Co-culture (78.79%) or conditioned medium (78.26%) system improved the developmemt rate, significantly, in comparision with control (11.11%)(p<0.00l). Co-cultured (85.71%) human zygotes for 24hrs showed the better development rate in comparision with control (50.00%) (p<0.01). When we transferred embryos cultured with the HOEC to patients, we obtained one pregnancy. Co-cultured human zygotes for 24hrs showed the better quality and viability for the replacement in comparision with control (p<0.01). In addition, improved pregnancy rate was obtained. Our results suggest that the co-culture system can rescue early degenerating embryos by improving early development and yield a resonable number of blastocyst for the appropriate replacement. The effect provided by cultured HOEC is not species specific for the development of embryos and it can be used to overcome in vitro blocks for the development. And also the co-culture system offers the possibility to freeze embryos at blastocyst stage which is more sucessful stage for the freezing. The HOEC monolayer may provide some stimulus via specific factor, which is unknown, to the development of embryos. Our results showed that the co-culture system with HOEC can be an alternative to conventional culture system.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-39
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• 1998

Recently, Many people begin to be interested in aromatherapy and as the effects of aromatherapy(or essential oils) are being known widely. as aromatherapy is regarded as a new effective method of natural therapy in treatment of human Aromatherapy is defined, 'therapy that methods of inhalation, massage, drink is used, to medical effects, physical effects, psychologic effects.' In this paper, By investigating differences and commons between useful essential oils that are used frequently in children's aroma care and herb medicine, digesting several aromathrapy books and 'Boncho(Herbs)'books, I can obtain such conclusions. 1. Most essential oils mainly can cure skin trobles, psychological troubles. 2. Systemic curing ability of essential oils in human body are urination in reproductive system, sediation in psychological system, sweating in circulation system, anti-inflammation in respiratory system, tonic in digestive system, pain-killing in musclular system, stimulating-immunity in immune system, menstruation in OB & GY3. Herb medicine correspond to essential oils are Chamomile(母:菊: Moguk), Ginger(生畺: Saengang), Frankinsense(乳香: Yuhyang), Eucalyptus(按葉: Anyup), Rosemary(迷迭: Mizil), Rose(薔薇: Jangmi), Sandalwood(檀香: Danhyang), Thyme(麝香草: Sahyangcho) Ylang Ylang(依蘭: Eulan), Lemon(??皮: Ryungmongpi), Madarin(陣皮: Zinpi), Orange(枳殼: Zigak). 4. There are differences of curing ability in human between herb medicine and essential oils because of curing mechanism, but effect on human body are so simular.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study is to review the hazards of whole body vibration(WBV) and prevent human injuries due to WBV. Background: Vibrations that shake the whole body in vehicles and vessels is WBV. Vibration at a specific frequency, and intensity in the human body can act as a hazard. But, it has not yet done enough research about effects of WBV. Method: We analyzed and reviewed occupational or ergonomic papers published past 30 years. Results: Exposure to whole body vibration can cause permanent physical injury or damage of the nervous system. In addition, it may cause problem in the cardiovascular system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, reproductive system, and psychological system. The effect of vibration depends on its acceleration, duration, frequency, and direction. Conclusion: WBV-exposed human body experience a high risk of some illnesses such as lumbar spinal disorders. Some workers(bus drivers, truck drivers and heavy equipment operators) are the high risk population exposed to WBV. Application: The results of this study might help to judge and prevent occupational disease caused by WBV.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.76-89
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• 2018

Background: Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been considered one of the main causes of a range of endocrine diseases in modern society. An EDC priority list considering exposure, toxicity, and societal concern should be established for EDC management. Methods: The chemical ranking and scoring (CRS) system for EDCs was based on exposure, toxicity,and societal concern. The exposure score system was based on usage, circulation volume, bioaccumulation, and detection in consumer products. The toxicity score system was based on carcinogenicity and reproductive and developmental toxicity. The societal concern score system was based on domestic or international regulations and mass media reports. Results: A total of 165 EDCs were considered in the CRS system. The top-five priority EDCs were Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Benzene, Bisphenol A, Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Trichloroethylene. Phthalates, bisphenols and parabens were identified as priority chemical groups. Conclusion: We developed a CRS system for EDCs to identify priority EDCs for management. This will be a foundation to provide an EDC management plan based on scientific decision-making.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.109-115
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• 2013

Until recently the most popular tetracycline-inducible gene expression system has been the one developed by Gossen and Bujard. In this study, we tested the latest version of same system and the results are summarized as follows: Compared with previous one, the difference of new system are minor changes of nucleotide sequences in transactivator and tetracycline response element (TRE) regions. Sensitivity to the doxycycline (a tetracycline derivative) was improved. Leakiness of GFP marker gene expression in non-inducible condition was significantly decreased. Higher expression of the marker gene was observed when the cells were fed with doxycycline-containing medium. Optimal insertion site of woodchuck posttranscriptional regulatory element (WPRE) sequence which was known to increase gene expression was different depending on the origin of cells. In chicken embryonic fibroblast, location of WPRE sequence at 3' end of TRE resulted in the highest GFP expression. In bovine embryonic fibroblasts, 3' end of transactivator was the best site for the GFP expression.