• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.38-45
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• 2005

The egg bags of Korean salamander(Hynobius leechii) were collected from farmlands in Gyeongsangnam-do area. The assumed breeding time, numerical variation of embryos in each egg bag, mortality and the rates of abnormalities were investigated. The toxicity of benomyl, the metabolite carbendazim and BIC which were frequently spread in agricultural area and caused spontaneous embryonic malformation was investigated. The assumed breeding time between the end of February and the end of March has the difference about a month because of a habitat and it takes about 2 or 3 weeks from laying eggs to hatching. The length of each egg bag and the number of embryos were very varied in each area. It is due to geographical variation. Among egg bags in total study area, only 406 of egg bags(17.70% of total egg bags) developed all of embryos to normal larvae, and 78.49% of total embryos were normally developed. The patterns of spontaneous embryonic malformation were 26 species from A to Z and the abnormal patterns in individual were 8 species and above. the geographical differences about the abnormal pattern were identified and 11 habitats categorized 4 groups. The most frequent abnormality in Gyeongsangnam-do area is the dysplasia of external gill. The caudal dysplasia, abdominal blister and dysplasia of fin were also frequently observed. Individuals showing severe external defect were histologically studied and they showed retinal hypo-pigmentation, thyroid carcinoma, somatic muscular dysplasia, degeneration of cephalic neuron and various organ dysplasia. Benomyl and carbendazim were treated by 10pM$^{\sim}$10uM and BIC was treated by 1$^{\sim}$40ppm to know the effect of toxicity about toxic substance of salamander. After benomyl was treated, a survival rate was sharply dropped from 2 to 8 days. $LC_{100}$ identified in $1{\mu}M$, $LC_{50}$ identified between 100nM and $1{\mu}M$. $EC_{50}$ was assumed between 10nM and 100nM. The prevalent external malformation was abdomen swelled abnormally and histo-pathological effects were abdomen, neural tube and lens hernia. This suggests that benomyl is the toxicitic substance which inhibits the development of digestive system and nervous system. The result of treated carbendazim was similar to that of the treated benomyl. The survival rate is sharply dropped between 2 and 6 days. $LC_{100}$ was identified $1{\mu}M$ and $LC_{50}$ was identified between 10nM and 100nM. This shows that cabendazim has stronger lethal toxicity than benomyl. Ventral blister, eye dysplasia and cephalic dysplasia in the individual of external malformation mean that cabendazim affected nervous system much more than benomyl. Because the toxicity of BIC affected less in the beginning but affected more in the near hatching period, the period causing toxicity is somewhat different. $LC_{100}$ identified near 40ppm and $LC_{50}$ identified near 25ppm. The external defect shows mainly ventral blister and histo-pathological results show intestinal deformities. This result suggests the BIC inhibited strongly the development of digestive system. These abnormal developments may be caused by antimitotic action, inhibition of tubulin complex, destruction of microtubule, inhibitions of neurulation and closing of neural fold, and by the inhibition of movement of neural crest cells of benomyl. These abnormal developments may be caused by the rupture of epithelium, the loss of microtubule, the reduction of spindle size, the inhibition of spindle assembly formation, the destruction of spindle poles of carbendazim. These abnormal developments may be caused cytotoxicity by inhibition of the synthesis of a number of macromolecules and similar reaction the inhibition of benomyl.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2006

The objective of this study was carried out to examine the polar body extrusion of in vitro matured porcine follicular oocytes as a non-invasive marker of oocyte quality to know the developmental competence in advance. The porcine oocytes matured for 48 hours were examined the polar body extrusion and some parts were stained. The examined oocytes were matured for additional $16{\sim}18$ hours and activated with 7% ethanol and cultured in $5{\mu}g/ml$ cytochalasin B for 5 hours for diploid formation. The treated oocytes were washed and cultured for 7 days. The polar body extrusion and degeneration rates were varied with $9.9{\sim}52.4%$ and $21.4{\sim}61.8%$ by repetition. The polar body extruded oocytes were shown the polar body chromosome and metaphase II plate by staining. However the non-extruded oocytes were shown expanded nucleus with 39.1%, premature chromosome condensation with 19.6%, metaphase I plate with 10.9 %, metaphase II with 13%, condensed chromatin with 6.5%, and absent nuclear material with 8.7%. The oocytes that were not examined for the polar body extrusion were cleaved 45.0%, and developed to blastocyst stage with 11.3%. In examined oocytes for polar body extrusion,. the polar body extruded oocytes were cleaved 94.2% and developed with 42.5%. This result suggests that discarding of the degenerating oocytes and oocytes that not extruded polar body will be effective for experiments of culturing effect in porcine embryos and embryo biotechnology.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.263-271
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was undertaken to compare ability of frozen-thawed sperm characteristics between two strains (miniature pig and Duroc). The semen was collected by gloved-hand method into a pre-warmed ($37^{\circ}C$) thermos bottle. The semen was diluted with same volume extender and added to LEY solution for freezing. The diluted semen was placed in 0.5 ml straws, and freezing was initiated by exposing the straws to liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) vapours for 10 min before placing them into $LN_2$ for cryopreservation. The frozen-semen straw were thawed at 20, 37 and $50^{\circ}C$ for 1 min, 45 sec and 10 sec within water-bath. The semen sample were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h after incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ for analysis of sperm ability. Abnormality of spermatozoa in miniature pig was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in Duroc at 0, 9 and 12 h of post-thawing incubation after frozen-thawing. The percentage of F-patterned spermatozoa in miniature pig was significantly (p<0.05) lower, while the percentage of AR (acrosome reacted spermatozoa) pattern was higher in the miniature than in the Duroc. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the viability of spermatozoa thawed at different temperature ($20^{\circ}C\;and\;37^{\circ}C$) between two species, but the viability in miniature pig was higher (p<0.05) than in Duroc when sperm was thawed at $50^{\circ}C$. In conclusion, this study suggest that suitable freezing method for miniature pig semen is required for increasing post-thawing viability and fertilization capacity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.605-614
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• 2018

Bee pollen has an outer wall which is resistant to both acidic and basic solutions and even the digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the oral bioavailability of bee pollen is only 10-15%. A previous study reported on wet-grinding technology which increased the extraction of active ingredients from bee pollen by 11 times. This study was designed to investigate the safety of wet-ground bee pollen. First, a single dose of wet-ground bee pollen was tested in both rats and beagle dogs at dosages of 5, 10, and 20 g/kg and 1.5, 3, and 6 g/kg, respectively. In rats, compound-colored stools were found in those administered 10 g/kg or more of wet-ground bee pollen. In beagle dogs, 6 g/kg of wet-ground bee pollen induced diarrhea in one male for four hours. However, no obvious clinical signs were found through the end of the experiment in rats and beagle dogs. In addition, no histological abnormality was found in all animals. The data indicates that a single dose of up to 20 g/kg of wet-ground bee pollen is safe. Next, the genetic toxicity of nano-sized bee pollen was tested. This study employed a bacterial reverse mutation test, a micronucleus assay, and a chromosomal aberration assay. In the micronucleus assay, there was no genetic toxicity up to the dosage of 2 g/kg. There was also no genetic toxicity in the bacterial reverse mutation test and chromosomal aberration assay. This data provides important information in developing nano-sized bee pollen into more advanced functional foods and herbal medicines.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.564-573
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• 1999

Background: With variable symptoms and nonspecific radiographic appearances, pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent and often undiagnosed cause of mortality and morbidity. The Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) study suggested that the majority of patients undergoing ventilation-perfusion (V-Q) scan would require additional studies to establish or to exclude the diagnosis of PE. Pulmonary angiography has been regarded as gold standard for diagnosis of PE. However, it is an invasive procedure that may be associated with significant notable morbidity and mortality. Thus, availability of an accurate, noninvasive screening examination is highly desirable. Method: From October 1994 to February 1997, twenty patients (male 13, female 7, range 23-91 years, median 58 years) who were suspected as pulmonary embolism on the basis of clinical evidence and underwent the spiral volumetric computed tomography (spiral CT), were studied retrospectively to evaluate the effectiveness of spiral CT as a diagnostic tool in PE. Results: PE could be excluded with spiral CT in 4 patients ; diagnoses of these patients were lung cancer, pneumonia with lung abscess, bilateral pleural effusion due to congestive heart failure, nonspecific pulmonary abnormality retrospectively. One patient who disclosed high probability in V/Q scan, could be diagnosed as pneumonia with lung abscess and underlying emphysema with spiral CT. Among 4 patients who showed intermediate and low probability in V/Q scan, 3 patients could be confirmed as PE with spiral CT. Spiral CT was helpful in 3 patients, in whom V/Q scan could not be performed due to other reasons (e.g. night time, mechanical ventilation) to confirm the diagnosis of PE. Spiral CT could demonstrate embolus above lobar artery level in 11 patients, and up to segmental artery level in 5 patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that spiral CT could allow accurate demonstration of thrombotic clots in centrally localized embolism. Spiral CT could be effective, specific, noninvasive and useful diagnostic screening modality for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.693-700
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• 1996

Background : Antituberculous therapy is set a short-term therpy used isoniazid(INH), rifampin(RFP), ethambutol(EMB), pyrazinamide(PZA) from 1970s' and treatment rate has been very improved. But drug interruption or irregular medication due to side effects and resistance of drug are serious problem to retreatment cases, specially. Ofloxasine(OFX), developed from Quinolone at 1980's is effective not only other respiratory infectious disease but also pulmonary tube rculosis. And this is useful drug instead of injection agents for retreatment patients who have side effects to other drugs, lived far distance from medical clinics. So, we will evaluate theffectiveness as four oral drugs involving OFX. Method : A retrospective study was made through the regular follow up of smear positive cases,who treated by four drug, namely, prothionamide (PTA) cycloserine(CS), OFX, paraminosalicylic acid(pAS). Results: 1) Out of 66case with positive sputum AFB smear, 42(64%)cases achieved the negative conversion. 2) Considering the negative conversion in all group, 34 case (52%) of sputum conversion occured within first 6 months, on the extent of diease was minimal, moderate, far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum AFB smear negative response to treatment was 100%, 78%, 46% respectively. 3) The roentgenological improvement occured in 38(58%), extent of diease was minimal, moderately, far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, Roentgenological improvement to retreatment was 75%, 64%, 46%. 4) When the drnation of patients illness was less than 1 year, 1 to 3 years, 3 10 5 years and more than 5 years, sputum AFB smear negative response to retreatment was 100%, 88%, 80%, 52 %. 5) On side effects, major problems are gastrointestinal troubles, mild liver function abnormality, psychotic problemes, and skin problem(urticaria, itching sensation). Conclusion : The duration & extents of patients illness was shorter & minimal, sputum AFB smear negative response rate was better. Radiologic response is better as shorter duration and minimal extent of diease. But, as diease is longer duration & far advanced, sputum negative conversion & Roentgenological improvement is poor and limited. The adverse reaction was mainly observed gastrointestinal troubles(indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and are well controled by symptomatic management in most patients, as regard to tolerance to the secondary drugs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.368-373
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• 2005

Background : Bronchial anthracofibrosis usually manifest as a form of obstructive airway disease, and can be accompanied by parenchymal diseases such as pneumonia, and pulmonary tuberculosis. This study investigated the ventilatory dynamics according to the severity of bronchial stenosis in patients with bronchial anthracofibrosis. Method : One hundred and thirteen patients with bronchial anthracofibrosis that was confirmed by bronchoscopy and who had undergone a pulmonary function test were enrolled in this study group. The correlation coefficients between the pulmonary functional parameters and the number of lobes with bronchial stenosis were investigated. Results : The incidence of ventilatory dysfunction was 56(49.6%) for obstructive, 8(7.1%) for restrictive, 2(1.8%) for mixed, and 47(41.6%) for a normal pattern. The $FEV_1/FVC$, $FEF_{25{\sim}75%}$, $FEF_{25%}$, $FEF_{50%}$, $FEF_{75%}$, and PEF showed a significant negative correlation (p<0.05) and the Raw had a significant positive correlation with the number of lobes with bronchial stenosis(p<0.001). Conclusion : These findings suggest that the most common abnormality of the ventilatory function in bronchial anthracofibrosis is an obstructive pattern with a small airway dysfunction according to the severity of bronchial stenosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2003

Background : Mycobacterium abscessus is the most common respiratory pathogen in rapidly growing mycobacteria and is resistant to all of the first-line antituberculosis drugs. This report describes the clinical and radiographic characteristics in patients with pulmonary disease caused by M. abscessus. Materials and Methods : Twelve patients with pulmonary disease caused by M. abscessus who fulfilled the 1997 American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for a nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infection were observed over a five-and-a-half year period. The clinical characteristics and chest radiographic findings were analyzed, retrospectively. Results : The patients were predominantly female(11/12, 92%) and nonsmokers(12/12, 100%). Coughing (10/12, 83%), sputum(10/12, 83%) and hemoptysis(10/12, 83%) were the common symptoms and they had prolonged periods from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis of their disease(median 6.5 years). Eleven (92%) patients had a previous history of being treated for pulmonary tuberculosis. The sputum specimens were acid-fast bacilli smear-positive in all patients. All patients were administered antituberculosis drugs. Six (50%) patients were treated with second-line antituberculosis drugs on account of persistent smear-positive sputum specimens. The chest radiographs showed that reticulonodular opacities(11/12, 92%) were the most common pattern of abnormality, followed by cavitary lesions(5/12, 42%). The computed tomography findings suggested bronchiolitis from the centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud appearances(9/10, 90%) and bronchiectasis (9/10, 90%) were the most common, followed by well-defined nodules smaller than 10-mm in diameter(7/10, 70%). Conclusions : M. abscessus pulmonary disease should be recognized as a cause of chronic mycobacterial lung disease, and respiratory isolates should be assessed carefully.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2005

Immature embryos of 3 cultivars (Du Me Chal, Mi Baek Chal, Heug Jeom Chal) and 5 genotypes (HW1, KL103, HW3, HW4, KW7) were cultured on medium containing MS salts, Eriksson's vitamins, 1 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 25 mM proline, 100 mg/L casamino acid, 3 mM MES, 1.7 mg/L $AgNO_3$ and 20 g/L sucrose (SIM). Frequency of somatic embryo formation on explant of immature embryos showed in HW1 (45.20%), KL103 (5.75%), HW3 (37.20%), HW4 (30.10%), KW70 (55.20%), Mi Baek Chal (18.74%), Heug Jeom Chal (22.41%), Du Me Chal (36.72%) and Hi II type (<10%), respectively. Yellowish friable embryogenic callus (YFEC) such as type II callus of Hi II genotype only produced from the HW3 and Heug Jeom Chal, whereas other cultivars and genotypes were directly formed somatic embryos with late-embryonic stages or expanded yellowish compact somatic embryo with morphological abnormality. The yellowish friable embryogenic callus (YFEC) could be proliferated on the same medium, which were maintained embryogenic capacity for 6 months over. Upon transfer to first regeneration and second regeneration medium, somatic embryos converted to plantlets at a frequency of approximately 100%. However, the expanded somatic embryos with abnormal morphology were slowly proliferated when subcultured on the same medium, and some of them were degenerated or converted to plantlets at a frequency of approximately 25%. Accordingly, The Heug Jeom Chal and HW3 genotype will be further used for development of high frequency transformation system in domestic maize germplasm.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2002

To investigate differences between the metabolic ratios of normal controls and brain tumors such as astrocytomas and glioblastoma multiforme (GM) by proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) at 37 high field system. Using 3T MRI/MRS system, localized water-suppressed single-voxel technique in patients with brain tumors was employed to evaluate spectra with peaks of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr) and lactate. On the basis of Cr, these peak areas were quantificated as a relative ratio. The variation of metabolites measurements of the designated region in 10 normal volunteers was less than 10%. Normal ranges of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were 1.67$\pm$018 and 1.16$\pm$0.15, respectively. NAA/Cr ratio of all tumor tissues was significantly lower than that of the normal tissues (P=0.005). Cho/Cr ratio of glioblastoma multiforme was significantly higher than that of astrocytomas (P=0.001). Lactate was observed in all tumor cases. The present study demonstrated that the neuronal degradation or loss was observed in all tumor tissues. Higher grade of brain tumors was correlated with higher Cho/Cr ratio, indicating a significant dependence of Cho levels on malignancy of gliomas. This results suggest that clinical proton MR spectroscopy could be useful to predict tumor malignancy.