• 가정과삶의질연구
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.129-150
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• 2012

This study examined difference in the responses of children and therapists depending on children's problem type(internalization or externalization) and the therapists' levels of psychological burnout. Play therapy' cases (March 2010 ~ September 2011) were successfully concluded in more than 36 sessions, which targeting 14 children aged 4~9 who had emotional and behavioral problems and two therapists who consulted with the children. To examine the change in the play therapy stepwise process in this case, the responses in the children and the therapists were examined by dividing the stages of therapy into the early stage, the middle stage, and the late stage. The Results showed that (1) the children's response during the play therapy process were not significant different for both types of children's problems. Moreover, there were no differences with different levels psychological burnout by the therapist. (2) A change in the children's response during the play therapy process was noted in both children who had internalization problem and in those who had externalization problems. Moreover, according to the therapist's levels of psychological burnout, a change in the children's responses was indicated in the play therapy process. (3) The therapist's responses in the play therapy process did not show significant difference according to children's problem type or therapists' levels of psychological burnout. (4) A significant difference was noted in the responses between the therapists experiencing psychological burnout depending on their level.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.149-155
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• 2013

Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) is a member of the TGF-${\beta}$ (transforming growth factor-${\beta}$) family whose members play key roles in development, suppression of tumour growth, and feedback control of the pituitary-gonadal hormone axis. MIS is expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner in which it is restricted to male Sertoli cells and female granulose cells. The serum levels of MIS in prenatal and postnatal ICR mice were measured using the enzyme-linked immuno-solvent assay (ELISA) using the MIS/AMH antibody. Mice were grouped by age: the significant periods were at the onset of development. During sex organ differentiation, no remarkable difference between female and male foetus MIS serum levels (both<0.1 ng/ml) was observed. However, MIS serum levels in pregnant mice markedly changed (4.5~12.2 ng/ml). After birth, postnatal female and male mice serum MIS levels changed considerably (male: <0.1~138.5 ng/ml, female: 5.3~103.4 ng/ml), and the changing phase were diametrically opposed (male: decreasing, female: fluctuating). These findings suggest that MIS may have strong associations with not only develop-ment but also puberty. For further studies, establishing the standard MIS serum levels is of importance. Our study provides the basic information for the study of MIS interactions with reproductive organ disability, cancer, and the effect of other hormone or menopause. We hypothesise that if MIS is regularly injected into middle-age women, meno-pause will be delayed. We detected that serum MIS concentration curves change with age. The changing phase is different between males and females, and this difference is significant after birth. Moreover, MIS mRNA is expressed during the developmental period (prenatal) and also in the postnatal period. This finding indicates that MIS may play a significant role in the developmental stage and in growth after birth.

• 아동학회지
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.139-158
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• 2013

Karmiloff-Smith was first to propose the 'Representational Redescription model'. It describes a process through which children elaborate their knowledge from the unconscious and implicit levels to the conscious and explicit levels. The model also assumes that children in perfectly explicit levels are able to express their own representation of knowledge verbally. This study was conducted to investigate Karmiloff-Smith's Representational Redescription(RR) model(1990, 1992, 1999) within the drawing domain. Additionally, how verbalization training influences children's development of representational redescription in drawing were also examined. First, 331 children (4- to 6-year-olds and an older comparison group of 7- to 9-year-olds) were asked to create six drawings of both familiar and novel topics. From these drawings, children were measured for procedural rigidity and developmental differences. Thereafter 80 5-year-olds children who were not able to manipulate their drawings with flexibility were selected. They were divided into an experimental group and two control groups. A group of verbalization training was given a session using 5 tasks. Compared to the control groups, children who practiced verbalization in the training group showed more advanced levels of representation than their previous levels in the pretest. The results were interpreted as meaning that verbalization is likely to facilitate children's reorganization of implicit knowledge within the drawing domain and to transfer this toward explicit forms. Further research needs to pay more attention to the educational applications of learning processes based on representational redescription.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.172-178
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• 2005

To determine the prevalence and genotypes of $\beta$-lactamases among clones of a metagenomic library from the cold-seep sediments of Edison seamount (10,000 years old), we performed pulse-field gel electrophoresis, antibiotic susceptibility testing, pI determination, and DNA sequencing analysis. Among the 8,823 clones of the library, thirty clones produced $\beta$-lactamases and had high levels of genetic diversity. Consistent with minimum inhibitory concentration patterns, we found that five ($167\%$) of thirty clones produced an extended-spectrum $\beta$-lactamase. 837- and 259-bp fragments specific to bla$_{TEM}$ genes were amplified, as determined by banding patterns of PCR amplification with designed primers. TEM­1 was the most prevalent $\beta$-lactamase and conferred resistance to ampicillin, piperacillin, and cephalothin. TEM-116 had a spectrum that was extended to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and aztreonam. The resistance levels conferred by the pre-antibiotic era alleles of TEM-type $\beta$-lactamases were essentially the same as the resistance levels conferred by the TEM-type alleles which had been isolated from clinically resistant strains of bacteria of the antibiotic era. Our first report on TEM-type $\beta$-lactamases of the pre-antibiotic era indicates that TEM-type $\beta$-lactamases paint a picture in which most of the diversity of the enzymes may not be the result of recent evolution, but that of ancient evolution.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권8호
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• pp.588-602
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• 2022

Various RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key components in RNA metabolism and contribute to several neurodevelopmental disorders. To date, only a few of such RBPs have been characterized for their roles in neocortex development. Here, we show that the RBP, Rbms1, is required for radial migration, polarization and differentiation of neuronal progenitors to neurons in the neocortex development. Rbms1 expression is highest in the early development in the developing cortex, with its expression gradually diminishing from embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) to postnatal day 0 (P0). From in utero electroporation (IUE) experiments when Rbms1 levels are knocked down in neuronal progenitors, their transition from multipolar to bipolar state is delayed and this is accompanied by a delay in radial migration of these cells. Reduced Rbms1 levels in vivo also reduces differentiation as evidenced by a decrease in levels of several differentiation markers, meanwhile having no significant effects on proliferation and cell cycle rates of these cells. As an RNA binding protein, we profiled the RNA binders of Rbms1 by a cross-linked-RIP sequencing assay, followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction verification and showed that Rbms1 binds and stabilizes the mRNA for Efr3a, a signaling adapter protein. We also demonstrate that ectopic Efr3a can recover the cells from the migration defects due to loss of Rbms1, both in vivo and in vitro migration assays with cultured cells. These imply that one of the functions of Rbms1 involves the stabilization of Efr3a RNA message, required for migration and maturation of neuronal progenitors in radial migration in the developing neocortex.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.90-94
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• 2013

Background: This study was conducted to examine if basal luteinizing hormone (LH) levels could be useful for screening central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls. Methods: A total of 90 girls under the age of 8 years were included in this study. They underwent the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test at Good Gang-An Hospital from March 2008 to December 2012 for evaluation of premature sexual development. Patients were classified into two groups: the pubertal response group of patients who had 5 IU/L peak LH levels in the GnRH stimulation test, and the prepubertal response group of patients who had LH levels <5 IU/L. Chronological and bone ages, height, weight, body mass index, gonadotropin response to GnRH stimulation, and basal levels of LH, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol were studied in both groups. The relationship between basal LH and peak-stimulated LH was evaluated using Spearman's correlation. To determine the optimal cut-off values of basal LH levels for differentiating between two groups, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed. Results: When the correlation between basal LH levels and peak LH after GnRH stimulation was analyzed in all subjects (N=90), basal LH levels had a statistically significant positive correlation with peak stimulated LH levels (rs=0.493, p<0.001). The cut-off level of optimal basal LH was 0.1 IU/L, according to the ROC curves. Its sensitivity was 73.3%, and its specificity was 77.8%. Conclusion: The study results showed that serum basal LH levels are useful for screening CPP in girls.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권21호
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• pp.9511-9515
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• 2014

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a cancer of the bile duct epithelial cells. The highest incidence rate of CCA with a poor prognosis and poor response to chemotherapy is found in Southeast Asian countries, especially in northeastern Thailand and Lao PDR. Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease which is regulated by cysteine proteinase inhibitors such as cystatin C. Elevation of cathepsin B levels in biological fluid has been observed in patients with inflammatory diseases and many cancers. We aimed to investigate the serum cathepsin B and cystatin C levels of CCA patients to evaluate the feasibility of using cathepsin B and cystatin C as markers for the diagnosis of CCA. Fifty-six sera from CCA patients, 17 with benign biliary diseases (BBD) and 13 from controls were collected and the cathepsin B and cystatin C levels were determined. In addition, cathepsin B expression was investigated immunohistochemically for 9 matched-pairs of cancerous and adjacent tissues of CCA patients. Serum cathepsin B, but not cystatin C, was significantly higher in CCA and BBD patient groups compared to that in the control group. Consistently, all cancerous tissues strongly expressed cathepsin B while adjacent tissues were negative in 7 out of 9 cases. In contrast, serum cystatin C levels were comparable between CCA and control groups, although serum cystatin C levels in the BBD group was higher than that in the control or CCA groups. When the serum cathepsin B to cystatin C ratio was calculated, that of the CCA group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and, although statistically not significant, the ratio of CCA group showed a trend to be higher than that of the BBD group. Thus, the cathepsin B to cystatin C ratio might be used as an alternative marker for aiding diagnosis of CCA.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.461-467
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• 2013

Nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is associated with the control of appetite and energy metabolism, was reported for the first time to be expressed in the hypothalamus. However, recent studies have shown that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed not only in the hypothalamus, but also in various tissues including digestive and reproductive organs. We also demonstrated that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed in the reproductive organs, pituitary gland, heart, lung, and gastrointestinal tract of the adult mouse. However, little is known about nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression in fetal and neonatal mice. Therefore, we examined here the distribution of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in various organs of fetal and neonatal mice and compared them with the distribution in adult mice. As a result of immunohistochemical staining, nesfatin-1/NUCB2 protein was expressed relatively higher in the lung, kidney, heart, and liver compared to other organs in the fetus. Western blot results also showed that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 protein was detected in the lung, kidney, heart, and stomach. Next, we compared the expression levels of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA in the fetus and neonate with the expression levels in both male and female adult mice. The expression levels in heart, lung, stomach, and kidney were higher compared with other organs in fetal and neonatal mice and in both male and female adult mice. Interestingly, the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA in the kidney was dramatically increased in male and female adult mice compared to fetal and neonatal mice. These results indicate that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 may regulate the development and physiological function of mouse organs. In the future, we need more study on the function of nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is highly expressed in the heart, lung, and kidney during mouse development.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.105-112
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• 2011

We evaluated whether liver markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), and bilirubin have a relationship with other physiological factors in the normal (n=115) and fatty liver subjects (n=122) and there are differences between the two populations. Body indices were higher in the fatty liver group than in the normal group. Liver markers and blood pressure (BP) were greater in the fatty liver group than in the normal group. AST and ALT levels were positively correlated with body indices in the fatty liver group, but not in the normal group. AST, ALT and GGT levels in the fatty liver group had positive relationship with cardiovascular indices (CI). ALP and bilirubin levels were negatively associated with some of CI. Liver markers were negatively or positively correlated with inflammatory markers, thyroid hormones, or several biochemical markers levels. These findings suggest that abnormal changes in liver markers may be useful tool for diagnosis or prognosis of development of cardiovascular and/or inflammatory diseases as well as metabolic syndrome.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.105-110
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• 2011

This study determined the effects of the dietary moisture level and feeding rate on the growth and gastric evacuation of young olive flounder. Four experimental diets with different moisture levels (9%, 21%, 30%, and 40%) were prepared through the addition of water to the commercial extruded pellet. Three replicate groups of fish (initial weight: $106{\pm}1.4\;g$) were fed diets containing 9%, 21%, 30%, and 40% moisture to satiation or a moisture level of 9% and 30% at a restricted feeding rate (95% of satiation) for 15 weeks. The mean water temperature was $22{\pm}1.6^{\circ}C$ during the feeding trial. Gastric evacuation rates were determined post-feeding. The dietary moisture levels did not significantly affect weight gain, but the weight of the fish receiving 9% and 30% moisture diets to 95% satiation were significantly lower than those of the fish fed 9-40% moisture diets to 100% satiation (P<0.05). The feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, viscerosomatic index, and survival were not significantly affected by the dietary moisture levels and feeding rates. The daily feed intake of the fish fed to 100% satiation did not significantly differ among the treatment groups. The stomach contents that peaked within 3 h of feeding gradually decreased, and the stomachs of fish were completely evacuated within 18 h. The contents of the intestine peaked at 3-12 h post-feeding, and then declined with the intestine being mostly evacuated at 30 h. The moisture of the stomach contents reached approximately 70% within 3 h post-feeding and gradually increased to approximately 75% within 12 h. No considerable differences were observed in the gastric evacuation and moisture levels of the stomach contents in the fish fed the different diets. The results of this study suggest that the gastric evacuation of olive flounder was not affected by the dietary moisture level and that the addition of water into the diet displayed no beneficial effects on the growth of young olive flounder.