• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.217-229
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• 2010

Objective: Apoptosis plays an important role for the maintenance of the normal pregnancy. Expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is able to effectively prevent apoptosis and controls trophoblast cells death throughout placental development, but it is still unknown in the function of XIAP in trophoblast cells exposed to hypoxic condition, which is one of the factors causing preeclampsia. Therefore, we conducted to compare XIAP expression in normal and pre-eclamptic placenta tissues and analyzed the function of XIAP in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cell line exposed to hypoxic condition. Methods: The expression of XIAP was analyzed in placental tissues from the following groups of patients (none underwent labor): 1) term normal placenta (n=15); 2) term with pre-eclamptic placeneta (n=15); and 3) pre-term with pre-eclamptic placenta (n=11) using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. In order to evaluate the function of XIAP in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells under hypoxic condition, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ plasmids, and hypoxic condtion were transfected and treated into HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells for 24 hours, respectively. Results: We observed that XIAP are expressed in the syncytiotrophoblasts and syncytial knot of placental villi. The expression of XIAP was significantly decreased in preeclamptic placenta tissues than in normal placenta tissues without labor (p<0.05). Furthermore, we confirmed the XIAP expression in HTR-8/SVneo trophbolast cells exposed to hypoxia was translocated from cytoplasm into nucleus and decreased XIAP by hypoxic condition induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells through up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins. Conclusion: These results suggest that the expression of XIAP is involved in placental development as well as decreased expression of XIAP by hypoxia is associated with pre-eclampsia through inducing trophoblast cells apoptosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.239-252
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• 2007

Objectives: In the present study, we examined the differentiation potential of human adipose-(HAD) and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal like stem cells (HUC) into cardiomyocytes. Methods: Cells were initially exposed to 5-azacytidine for 24h cells and then were cultivated in the presence or absence of activin A, TGF-$\beta$1, or Wnt inhibitor with various combinations of BMP and FGF. Assessment of cardiomyogenic differentiation was made upon the expression of cardiomyocyte-specific genes using RT-PCR. Results: HAD that cultivated in control medium for 4 weeks after 5-azacytidine expose showed new expression of TnT gene and increased expression of Cmlc1 and kv4.3 genes. However, HAD cultivated in the presence of combinations of BMP-4/FGF-4 (B4/F4) and BMP-4/FGF-8 (B4/F8) showed new expression of $\beta$-MHC gene and more increased expression of Cmlc1, TnT, TnI, Kv4.3 genes. Significantly enhanced expression of Cmlc1, TnT, and Kv4.3 genes were also observed compared to that cultivated in the control medium. Treatment of HUC with either 5-azacytidine or combinations of BMP and FGF did not affect the expression profile of these genes. However, when activin A or TGF-$\beta$1 was present in addition to the BMP-2/FGF-8 (B2/F8) after 5-azacytidine exposure, HUC exhibited new expression of $\beta$-MHC gene and increased expression of $\alpha$-CA, TnT and Kv4.3 genes. When Wnt inhibitor was present in addition to BMP and FGF, HUC showed new expression of Cmlc1 gene and increased expression of $\alpha$-CA, TnT, TnI and Kv4.3 genes. Conclusions: Based on these observations, it is suggested that HAD and HUC could differentiate into cardiomyocytes which might be used as therapeutic cells for the heart diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2007

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in women over 40 years of age. Methods: A total of 170 patients (271 cycles) over 40 years of age who underwent IVF-ET at Seoul Women's Hospital (Incheon, Korea) were analyzed in this study retrospectively. The patients were grouped into the women <44 years old group and the women $\geq$44 years old group. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: An overall clinical pregnancy rate per retrieval was 11% (30/271). Of these, clinical miscarriage rate were 33% (10/30) and the overall delivery rate was 7.4% (20/271) per retrieval, respectively. The women $\geq$44 years old group had significantly higher cancellation rate (13% vs. 25%), lower number of retrieved oocytes (6.17$\times$4.62 vs. 4.13$\times$4.07), decreased number of 2PN (4.83$\times$3.61 vs. 3.46$\times$3.12), and reduced embryos for transfer (3.52$\times$1.72 vs. 2.81$\times$1.83) than the women <44 years old group. We found significantly lower clinical pregnancy rate (13.0% vs. 2.1%) and live birth rate (9.0% vs. 0.0%) in the women $\geq$44 years old group than the women <44 years old group. Conclusion: The present study has shown that IVF outcome is seriously impaired in the women $\geq$44 years old.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.293-303
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• 2007

Objective: Previously, we identified differentially expressed genes between GV and MII stage mouse oocytes using ACP technology. When we study one of GV selective genes, Obox family, we found Obox4 mRNA expression in ovaries that has been reported as expressed exclusively in testis. Therefore, this study was conducted for characterization and functional analysis for Obox4. Methods: Expression of Obox4 mRNA was examined in gonads and oocytes by RT-PCR. To determine the role of Obox4 in oocyte maturation, Obox4 dsRNA was microinjected into the cytoplasm of GV oocytes followed by 16 h of incubation in the plain medium or by 24 h of incubation in the medium containing IBMX. After RNAi, phenotypes and maturation rates were observed, change in mRNA expression was evaluated, and chromosomal status was confirmed by orcein staining. Results: Obox4 has minimal expression in the ovary compared to that of the other family members. When oocytes were cultured for 16 h in M16 medium after RNAi, maturation rate was not changed significantly, compared with that of non-injected or buffer-injected control oocytes. Surprisingly, however, when oocytes were cultured for 24 h in M16 containing IBMX, in which oocytes were supposed to arrest at GV stage, Obox4 RNAi oocytes were advanced to MI and MII. Spindle structure was disappeared and the chromosomes were condensed in the oocytes after Obox4 RNAi. Conclusions: This is the first report on the expression of Obox4 in the ovary and oocytes. Results of the study suggest that Obox4 plays a crucial role in spindle formation and chromosome segregation during meiosis in oocytes. In addition, Obox4 may play an important role in cAMP-dependent signal cascades of GV-arrest in mouse oocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the artificial cultivation of Pleurotus eryngii on the optimal medium vessel, periods of cultivation and the optimal method of pinheading for both yield and quality of fruiting body were also performed. The optimal composition of sawdust medium in polypropylene(PP) bottle was combination of sawdust(70%) and corncob(30%) but increased amount of corncob delayed the period of mycelial growth. The mycelial growth and the yield of fruiting body in the medium with beat pulp were worse than that without beat pulp. The optimal composition of nutrients for both yield and quality of fruit body tuned out to be a combination of rice bran(12%), wheat bran(12%) and cottonseed cake(6%). Additions of zeolite, shell lime and bean curd dregs were not effective in mycelial growth and yield of fruit body. When testing size of PP bottle for cultivation, the larger of bottle mouth is, the more pinheading number found, but the number of available fruit body is not significantly different. The culture in $1100\;ml-{\phi}75\;mm$ bottle is the best in the yield and quality of fruit body than those in $555\;ml-{\phi}50\;mm,\;850\;ml-{\phi}58\;mm,\;850\;ml-{\phi}65\;mm\;and\;1100\;ml-{\phi}65\;mm$ bottle. Using the PP bag for cultivation, a square shaped bag was better than a round shaped and black square shaped in mycelial growth and yield of fruit body. The most suitable period of incubation was 35 days after inoculation at $22{\pm}2^{\circ}C$. When the incubation periods was decreased less than 35 days, the pileus formation and yields were very bad but a pinheading condition looked similar, For an optimal pinheading, turning upside down was better than standing and covering.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.15-23
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• 1973

Mold producing cellulase were isolated from rotten woods, and identified as the three species: Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, Aspergillus schiemanni Thom and Trichoderma viride Pers. In this paper, culture conditions in the media and characteristics of these strains were investigated. Using these strains, we have conducted a research concerning the utilization of farm product waste materia's. 1. Optimum conditions for the cellulase formation were as follows. KM 10-1; pH 5.2-5.5, $35^{\circ}C$, incubation time 6 days. OL 11-1; pH 5.5, $30-35^{\circ}C$, incubation time 6 days. SH 9-2; pH 5.5, $30^{\circ}C$, incubatoin time 6 days. 2. Their cellulase activities in their optimum condition were as follows: KM 10-1; CMC-LP 78.5% CMC-SP 4.0 glucose mg/gm of the cultures/min. OL 11-1; CMC-LP 89.9%, CMC-SP 4.9 glucose mg/gm of the cultures/min. SH 9-2; CMC-I.P 77.4%, CMC-SP 3.9 glucose mg/gm of the cultures/min. 3. Hydrolysis of animal feed containing a large quantity (23-30%) of cellulose by means of the crude enzyme in the selected strains resolved 30% of the cellulose contained in the animal feed.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.172-180
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• 2013

Grey mold infection rate in tomato was investigated with the inoculation of dead flowers on Botrytis selective media. The grey mold infection rate of flower after fruiting were higher in the order of after 45 days, after 25 days, and fruiting day with 100%, 87% and 65%, respectively. The number of infected flowers were increased with time increase after the flowering before fruiting. BSM (Botrytis selective medium) was used to check grey mold infection rate depending on the flowering stage and cultivar. Grey mold infection rate depending on the flowering stage was similar in all the beef-tomato cultivar as 1.5~5% at preflowering, 1.5~45% at flowering and 75~90% at fruiting. On the other hand, cherry tomato cultivar "KoKo" had lower infection rates of 0~3.5% at pre-flowering, 10~30% at flowering and 20~50% at fruiting. These resulted from the fact that beaf-tomato cultivar have much bigger flowers and larger amount of pollens compared to those of cherry tomato cultivar. The amounts of falling pollens of Botrytis spp. were checked for beaf-tomato cultivar and cherry tomato cultivar using BSTM. The amounts of falling pollens were increased as growth period was extended, and the amount of spores increased rapidly during the outbreak of grey mold. Twelve field trials in Buyeo and Iksan areas showed that Fluazinam, and Diethofencarb+Carbendazim were effective fungicides to control tomato grey mold, and these results were similar to those of field trials with BSTM. This is the first report of Fluazinam as a effective fungicide for the control of grey mold of tomato even though it has not been registered yet for the control of gray mold in tomato.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.99-134
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to examine major factors that affect patterns of living arrangements of older Korean noncitizens in the United States using the 1990 8% Public Use Microdata Sample(PUMS). In order to do so, I analyzed the effects of four factors including acculturation(English proficiency and Age at migration), economic circumstances(Personal Income and Supplemental Security Income: SSI receipt), health status(Mobility and Personal care limitation), and the ethnic community. The results show that acculturation and economic circumstances play an important role in determining the patterns of living arrangements among older Korean aliens, whereas the health status and the ethnic community do not show consistent effects. Regardless of marital status, the impact of age at migration is positively associated with solitary living of older Korean noncitizens, though, the effect of English proficiency show the opposite direction in accordance with marital status. That is, among nonmarried elders, those who cannot speak English are more likely to live alone. The case is reverse for married elders. The impact of economic feasibility is also positively associated with independent living arrangements. Those who receive SSI are much more likely to live apart from family, and elders whose annual personal income between $5, 001 and $10, 000 have the greatest propensity of solitary living-a large proportion of their income source is SSI. Individuals who receive SSI are also qualified to collect Medicaid, food stamps, rent subsidies, and other welfare benefits. In a sense, the economic feasibility provided by welfare benefits is the key determinant of independent living of older Korean noncitizens. Therefore, the recent welfare reform which denies legal aliens welfare benefits such as SSI and food stamps will severly affect the present living arrangements of older Korean aliens, and give economic burden to their family member The findings also show that there are significant differences within the elderly Korean Americans in terms of demographics, income, fertility, health status, and patterns of living arrangements by U.S. citizenship status. In particular, after controlling for age at migration as a proxy for acculturation, there is a statistically significant variation in living arrangements between elderly Korean noncitizens and naturalized citizens. For both theoretical and methodological reasons, future research on minority aging needs to investigate the concept of U.S. citizenship status for its impact on patterns of living arrangements among the minority elderly.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.33-62
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• 2005

This study aims to explain the current upheaval in marriage that many young Korean men and women postpone or deny their marriage. In order to explain the delayed marriage, we need to understand the taste by which men and women choose their partners, the opportunity by which they find their ideational half in reality, and the context in which these values and opportunities of marriages intersect. This study examines the way in which the value and opportunities of marriage among Korean men and women have intersected differently in the changing economic conditions. Using KLIPS(Korea Labor Income Panel Survey, 1998-2002), differential effects of education and occupational status on marital time according to marriage cohort and gender are analyzed. Results find that the opportunity of marriage among men turns out to have been stratified significantly according to their educational achievement and labor status since the 1990s. For women, education and economic activities are likely to influence marriage decision in a discordant way; during the period of 1990-997, highly educated women are more likely than their counterparts to be married earlier while there is no significant difference according to economic activities. This implies that status homogamy has been intensified since the 1990s and many women with high motivation for social status are able to achieve a vicarious social status through marriage in a prosperous economy. For women married after 1998, however, the educational effect is insignificant but economic activity contributes to delaying marriage. This suggests that under the economic restructuring since the late 1990s, the constraint of opportunities finding decent jobs particularly for men results in the contingent change in women's perception about family roles and economic activities by reducing their expectation to achieve a vicarious status through marriage, but increasing their motive for their own economic activities.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.137-151
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• 2013

This study is focused on element behaviors and mineral compositions of the fault rock developed in Yongdang-ri, Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju City, Korea, using XRF, ICP, XRD, and EPMA/BSE in order to better understand the chemical variations in fault rocks during the fault activity, with emphasis on dependence of chemical mobility on mineralogy across the fault zone. As one of the main components of the fault rocks, $SiO_2$ shows the highest content which ranges from 61.6 to 71.0%, and $Al_2O_3$ is also high as having the 10.8~15.8% range. Alkali elements such as $Na_2O$ and $K_2O$ are in the range of 0.22~4.63% and 2.02~4.89%, respectively, and $Fe_2O_3$ is 3.80~12.5%, indicating that there are significant variations within the fault rock. Based on the chemical characteristics in the fault rocks, it is evident that the fault gouge zone is depleted in $Na_2O$, $Al_2O_3$, $K_2O$, $SiO_2$, CaO, Ba and Sr, whereas enriched in $Fe_2O_3$, MgO, MnO, Zr, Hf and Rb relative to the fault breccia zone. Such chemical behaviors are closely related to the difference in the mineral compositions between breccia and gouge zones because the breccia zone consists of the rock-forming minerals including quartz and feldspar, whereas the gouge zone consists of abundant clay minerals such as illite and chlorite. The alteration of the primary minerals leading to the formation of the clay minerals in the fault zone was affected by the hydrothermal fluids involved in fault activity. Taking into account the fact that major, trace and rare earth elements were leached out from the precursor minerals, it is assumed that the element mobility was high during the first stage of the fault activity because the fracture zone is interpreted to have acted as a path of hydrothermal fluids. Moving toward the later stage of fault activity, the center of the fracture zone was transformed into the gouge zone during which the permeability in the fault zone gradually decreased with the formation of clay minerals. Consequently, elements were effectively constrained in the gouge zone mostly filled with authigenic minerals including clay minerals, characterized by the low element mobility.