• Title/Summary/Keyword: reproductive function

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Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes between Neonatal and Peripubertal Rat Thymi Using $GeneFishing^{TM}$ Polymerase Chain Reaction

  • Kang, Da-Won;Kim, Gyu-Tae;Han, Jae-Hee
    • Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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    • v.31 no.1
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    • pp.55-60
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    • 2007
  • Aging causes thymus involution, and genes in thymus play an important role in the development of the immune system. In this study, we compared genes expressed in thymus of neonatal and peripubertal rats using annealing control primers (ACPs)-based GeneFishing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and semiquantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. We identified 10 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with 20 ACPs. Of 10 DEGs, bystin-like, collagen type V alpha 1 (COL5A1), and T-cell receptor beta-chain segment 2 (TCRB2) that are related to immune-function were detected in rat thymus. Bystin-like and TCRB2 were up-regulated, while COL5A1 was down-regulated in peripubertal thymus. Semiquantitative RT-PCR confirmed postnatal changes in expression of bystin-like, COL5A1, and TCRB2. These results suggest that bystin-like, COL5A1, and TCRB2 could regulate immune function controlled in thymus as age increases.

A Study on the Fine Structure of Clonorchis sinensis, a Liver Fluke IV. Probable Function of the Laurer's Canal (간흡충의 미세횡조에 관한 연구 IV. Laurer's canal의 기능)

  • 정계헌
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.209-218
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    • 1983
  • A study on the function of the Laurer's canal of Clonorchis sinensis was conducted with help of the light microscope, the transmission electron microscope, and the scanning elctron microscope. Some selected sexual organs concerning with the passages of the spermatozoa and the eggs were observed in detail. The conclusion of this study is that the Laurer's canal may be the copulatory organ of the female reproductive system as Miyazaki et al. suggested in case of lung flukes.

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A Study on the Generation and Hierachy of Mental Functions in the ≪Lingshu·Benshen≫ (≪영추(靈樞)·본신(本神)≫편을 통해 본 정신 기능의 발생과 층차에 대한 고찰)

  • Jeong, Chang-hyun;Wie, Bo-young;Zou, Mian
    • Journal of Korean Medical classics
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.197-205
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    • 2020
  • Objectives : We analyzed the descriptions of Doek(德)·Qi(氣)·Saeng(生)·Jeong(精)·Sin(神)·Hon(魂)·Baek(魄)·Sim(心)·Ui(意)·Ji(志)·Sa(思)·Ji(智)·Ryeo(慮)·Ji(智) which are the concepts mentioned in the beginning of the ≪Lingshu·Benshen≫. Methods : We reinterpreted this verse in ≪Lingshu·Benshen≫ from the viewpoint of evolution and development of mental function and considered it in relation to the knowledge of modern psychology and brain science. Results & Conclusions : The reproductive essence of the parents are combined, primitive essence (元精) is created and simultaneously primitive spirit is born. Primitive spirit first differentiates into Hon and Baek. Hon and Baek are instinctive mental functions. Up to this point, because the process is completed before birth, primitive spirit, Hon, and Baek are innate spirit. Ui, Ji, Sa, Ryeo and Ji are the rational thinking abilities as mental functions that develop actively after birth. This is called conscious spirit and acquired spirit. Analyzing the contents of , it can be said that the mental function is divided into four layers of primitive spirit-Baek-Hon-conscious spirit.

The Spermatogenic Effect of 50% Ethanol Extracts of Yacon in Healthy Male Volunteers (야콘 50% 에탄올 추출물의 성인 남성의 정자 수 증가효과)

  • Park, Jeong-Sook;Hwang, Seock-Yeon;Han, Kun
    • YAKHAK HOEJI
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    • v.53 no.5
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    • pp.250-258
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    • 2009
  • Male reproductive function seems to have deteriorated considerably in the past 4 to 5 decades. It was observed a significant decline in mean sperm counts from $113{\times}10^6/ml$ in 1940 to $66{\times}10^6/ml$ in 1990; a fall of $0.94{\times}10^6/ml/year$. We reported that Yacon tuber extracts have spermatogenic effects in rat. In the present study, we tested the spermatogenic effect of Yacon tuber extracts in healthy male volunteers. Subjects were assigned randomly to the control group and the Yacon ethanol extracts administered group (each 12 subjects). And, placebo or Yacon tuber extracts (100 ml) were administered two times daily, by oral for 3 months. Sperm numbers, biochemical parameters and hormone levels were recorded before starting administration, then every month. The Yacon tuber extracts administered group showed significant time dependant increases in according to administration period. Especially, the numbers of sperm increased by 54% after 3 months of administration. And, in Yacon tuber extracts administered group, testosterone and estradiol level were significantly higher than placebo group. On the other hands, Yacon tuber extracts didn't show any toxicity in glucose and lipid metabolism and liver and kidney function. The results of the present study suggest that Yacon tuber extract is a possible therapeutic for the treatment of sperm deficiency.

The Aesthetics on the Breast Design in Fashion (패션에 표현된 Breast 디자인의 미적 고찰)

  • Nam Hoo-Nam;Geum Key-Sook
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.55 no.1 s.91
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    • pp.101-112
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    • 2005
  • One of the curiosities harbored most by anthropologists may be why women are so different from men physically. One of such differences must be the breast. Female animals do not have such a swollen breast even when they nurse their young. We can find many Western garments highlighting the breast, but in Korea the tradition has been that the breast should not be highlighted. It was because the large breast was deemed useful that Western people appreciated it highly. In general, it is conceived that to ancient Westerners' eyes, the nursing function of the breast was very mysterious, because the food supplies were insufficient. Although the size of a breast does not affect its nursing function, Westerners may have thought that it did. To the contrary, in the societies with rich agricultural products, the breast was not much emphasized as the reproductive organs. Since people are more and more concerned about their body and the breast or one of the body parts characterizing the femininity is regarded as an important element of design, it may well be significant to research into the breast designs for development of the fashion design. With such basic conceptions in mind, this study was aimed at reviewing the artworks featuring women's breast and their historical background and thereupon, analyzing the aesthetic values of the breast-featuring designs by dividing them into four categories in large.

Functional Conservation and Divergence of FVE Genes that Control Flowering Time and Cold Response in Rice and Arabidopsis

  • Baek, Il-Sun;Park, Hyo-Young;You, Min Kyoung;Lee, Jeong Hwan;Kim, Jeong-Kook
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.26 no.4
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    • pp.368-372
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    • 2008
  • Recent molecular and genetic studies in rice, a short-day plant, have elucidated both conservation and divergence of photoperiod pathway genes and their regulators. However, the biological roles of rice genes that act within the autonomous pathway are still largely unknown. In order to better understand the function of the autonomous pathway genes in rice, we conducted molecular genetic analyses of OsFVE, a rice gene homologous to Arabidopsis FVE. OsFVE was found to be ubiquitously expressed in vegetative and reproductive organs. Overexpression of OsFVE could rescue the flowering time phenotype of the Arabidopsis fve mutants by up-regulating expression of the SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO1 (SOC1) and down-regulating FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) expression. These results suggest that there may be a conserved function between OsFVE and FVE in the control of flowering time. However, OsFVE overexpression in the fve mutants did not rescue the flowering time phenotype in in relation to the response to intermittent cold treatment.

An Analysis of Health Problems Experienced by the Clients Receiving Hemodialysis (혈액투석 환자들이 경험한 건강문제 분석)

  • 신미자
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.26 no.4
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    • pp.903-916
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    • 1996
  • The purpose of this study was to discover practical health problems which hemodialysis clients experienced so as to present basic data for development of a health assessment tool. The research subjects were 70 clients receiving hemodialysis in Seoul and Inchon from Mar. 1996 to Sep. 1996. Data were collected by researcher's informal indepth interview and nurses' open ended question. Content analysis was applied to collect similar contents and common experiences in order to derivate concepts and categories for better understanding of hemodialysis clients' experiences. As a result, 9 categories derivated to identify the health problems of clients receiving hemodialysis were as follows : 1) They experienced 'the decreased digestive function' which contained the changed appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. 2) They experienced 'the decreased respiratory and circulatory function' which contained dyspnea, changed blood pressure, tingling sensation and the fear of aggrevated vascular condition. 3) They experienced 'the aggrevated oral condition' which contained dry mouth and destruction of teeth and their soft tissue. 4) They experienced 'the decreased sensory function' which contained visual disturbances, sensation difficulty, and hearing loss. 5) They experienced 'the aggrevated skin condition' which contained dark brown skin color, dry skin (and hyperpigmentatic freckle, seborrheric keratosis, scale), itching sense, and alopethia. 6) They experienced 'the decreased urinary reproductive function' which contained anuria or oliguria, dysmenorrhea, sterility and decreased libido. 7) They experienced 'the restricted activity' which contained decreased activity, muscle cramp and stiffness of joint. 8) They experienced 'the changed mental status' which contained memory disturbance, decreased cognition, disorientation, neurosis and psychosis. 9) They experienced 'the aggrevated general condition' which contained kyphosis, weight loss, fatigue, sleep disturbance, bleeding tendency, inflammation, generalized edema and foul oder of uremia.

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Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species on the Function of Porcine Spermatozoa (활성산소계가 돼지 정자의 기능에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Byung-Gak;Kim, Ki-Jung;Lee, Yong-An;Kim, Bang-Jin;Kim, Yong-Hee;Ryu, Buom-Yong
    • Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.49-54
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    • 2009
  • The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with a xanthine (X) and xanthine oxidase system (XO) on sperm function and DNA fragmentation in porcine spermatozoa. ROS were produced by a combination of $1,000{\mu}M$ X and 50 mU/ml XO. The ROS scavengers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) (200 U/ml) and catalase (CAT) (500 U/ml) were also tested. Spermatozoa were incubated for 2 hours in BWW medium with a combination of X-XO supplemented with or without antioxidants at $37^{\circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ incubator. Ca-ionophore-induced acrosome reaction, the proportion of swollen spermatozoa under hypo-osmotic condition, malondialdehyde formation for the analysis of lipid peroxidation, and the proportion of DNA fragmentation were determined after 2 hours incubation. The action of ROS on porcine spermatozoa resulted in decreased Ca-ionophore-induced acrosome reaction and membrane integrity, increased the formation of malondialdehyde, and the proportion of sperm with DNA fragmentation(p<0.05). The toxic effects caused by ROS were completely alleviated by CAT in terms of sperm function and characteristics, however SOD did not serve the same scavenger effect as CAT. To conclude, the ROS can cause significant damage to porcine sperm functions and characteristics, which can be minimized by the use of antioxidants.

Loss of Function in GIGANTEA Gene is Involved in Brassinosteroid Signaling

  • Hwang, Indeok;Park, Jaeyoung;Lee, Beomgi;Cheong, Hyeonsook
    • Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.113-120
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    • 2011
  • Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant steroid hormones that play essential roles in growth and development. Mutations in BR-signaling pathways cause defective in growth and development like dwarfism, male sterility, abnormal vascular development and photomorphogenesis. Transition from vegetative to reproductive growth is a critical phase change in the development of a flowering plant. In a screen of activation-tagged Arabidopsis, we identified a mutant named abz126 that displayed longer hypocotyls when grown in the dark on MS media containing brassinazole (Brz), an inhibitor of BRs biosynthesis. We have cloned the mutant locus using adapter ligation PCR walking and identified that a single T-DNA had been integrated into the ninth exon of the GIGANTEA (GI) gene, involved in controling flowering time. This insertion resulted in loss-of-function of the GI gene and caused the following phenotypes: long petioles, tall plant height, many rosette leaves and late flowering. RT-PCR assays on abz126 mutant showed that the T-DNA insertion in GIGANTEA led to the loss of mRNA expression of the GI gene. In the hormone dose response assay, abz126 mutant showed: 1) an insensitivity to paclobutrazole (PAC), 2) an altered response with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 3) insensitive to Brassinolide (BL). Based on these results, we propose that the late flowering and tall phenotypes displayed by the abz126 mutant are caused by a loss-of-function of the GI gene associated with brassinosteroid hormone signaling.

Impact of skeletal divergence on oral health-related quality of life and self-reported jaw function

  • Antoun, Joseph Safwat;Thomson, William Murray;Merriman, Tony Raymond;Rongo, Roberto;Farella, Mauro
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.186-194
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    • 2017
  • Objective: To investigate the differences in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-reported jaw function between patients with hyperdivergent and normodivergent facial types. Methods: Eighty patients with a distinctively hyperdivergent facial type (mandibular plane angle greater than 2 standard deviations, or $42^{\circ}$) and 80 controls were individually matched according to age, sex, ethnicity, and treatment stage. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires such as the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS-8). Results: The mean age of the patients was $17.2{\pm}4.6years$ (range, 12-49 years), with most (65.0%) being female and of New Zealand European origin (91.3%). Individuals with hyperdivergent facial types had higher overall and social domain scores on the OHIP-14 (p < 0.05) than did the ones with normodivergent facial types. However, the intergroup differences in JFLS-8 scores were not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Jaw function appears to be similar in individuals with hyperdivergent and normodivergent facial morphologies. However, those with hyperdivergent facial types are more likely to self-report poorer OHRQoL than are those with normal faces, especially in relation to social aspects.