Artificial Shrinkage Improves Survival and Embryonic Quality of Vitrified Bovine Blastocysts Derived from IVF and SCNT

Sung-Hun Min,Joo-Hee Hong,Humdai Park,Deog-Bon Koo 한국동물생명공학회(구 한국동물번식학회) 2011 발생공학 국제심포지엄 및 학술대회 Vol.2011 No.1

Freezing of bovine blastocysts has been proposed as a tool to improve the feasibility of cattle production by using embryo transfer technique. However, the low efficiency of frozen-thawed embryos survival and further development is a crucial problem. Thus, we examined the effect of artificial shrinkage before vitrification of bovine expanded, hatched and SCNT embryos on the survival rate, apoptosis index and further development after thawing. Expanded, hatched and SCNT embryos were vitrified after artificial shrinkage, which was performed by puncturing the blastocoele with a pulled pasteur pipet. Artificial shrinkage of the blastocyst was achieved after pushing a pulled pasteur pipet into the blastocoele cavity until it contracted. The shrunken and not shrunken embryos were exposed to cryoprotectant solution in 7.5% ethylene glycol-7.5% DMSOPBS with 20% FBS for 5 min. They were placed in a small volume of vitrification solution (15% ethylene glycol+15% DMSO+PBS+20% FBS+0.5 M sucrose) and plunged into liquid nitrogen on a cryotop. Then, after thawing, cryoprotectant was diluted in 1.0 M, 0.5 M, 0.25 M, and 0 M sucrose for 1, 3, 5, and 5 min. Under the optimal conditions, overall efficiency of the survival rate of bovine expanded, hatched, SCNT embryos in artificial shrinkage groups was higher compared with non-artificial shrinkage groups (p< 0.05). Especially, the numbers of TUNEL-positive nuclei in artificial shrinkage groups were significantly reduced than those of non-artificial shrinkage groups among frozen-thawed expanded, hatched, and SCNT blastocysts (p< 0.05). Our results showed that survival rates in cryopreserved expanded, hatched, SCNT embryos could be improved by reducing the fluid content. Therefore, we suggest that artificial shrinkage method is a effective pretreatment technique for the cryotop vitrification of expanded, hatched, SCNT bovine blastocysts.

Effect of Al and Mg Contents on Wettability and Reactivity of Molten Zn–Al–Mg Alloys on Steel Sheets Covered with MnO and SiO2 Layers

Joo‑Youl Huh,Min‑Je Hwang,Seung‑Woo Shim,Tae‑Chul Kim,Jong‑Sang Kim 대한금속·재료학회 2018 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.24 No.6

The reactive wetting behaviors of molten Zn–Al–Mg alloys on MnO- and amorphous (a-) SiO2-covered steel sheets wereinvestigated by the sessile drop method, as a function of the Al and Mg contents in the alloys. The sessile drop tests werecarried out at 460 °C and the variation in the contact angles (θc) of alloys containing 0.2–2.5 wt% Al and 0–3.0 wt% Mg wasmonitored for 20 s. For all the alloys, the MnO-covered steel substrate exhibited reactive wetting whereas the a-SiO2-coveredsteel exhibited nonreactive, nonwetting (θc > 90°) behavior. The MnO layer was rapidly removed by Al and Mg contained inthe alloys. The wetting of the MnO-covered steel sheet significantly improved upon increasing the Mg content but decreasedupon increasing the Al content, indicating that the surface tension of the alloy droplet is the main factor controlling its wettability. Although the reactions of Al and Mg in molten alloys with the a-SiO2 layer were found to be sluggish, the wettabilityof Zn–Al–Mg alloys on the a-SiO2 layer improved upon increasing the Al and Mg contents. These results suggest that thewetting of advanced high-strength steel sheets, the surface oxide layer of which consists of a mixture of MnO and SiO2,withZn–Al–Mg alloys could be most effectively improved by increasing the Mg content of the alloys.

Development of a Chest‑Belt‑Type Biosignal‑Monitoring Wearable Platform System

Joo‑Hyeon Lee,Hyun‑Seung Cho,Jin‑Hee Yang,Sang‑Min Kim,Jeong‑Whan Lee,Hwi‑Kuen Kwak,Je‑Wook Chae 대한전기학회 2020 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.15 No.4

The purpose of this study was to develop a wearable platform system that can detect and acquire a soldier’s biosignals (i.e., heart activity signal, respiration rate, etc.) in a nonrestrained, unconscious manner. These detected biosignals are transmitted to a processing device to analyze and monitor the soldier’s physical status. To achieve this, textile-based heart activity electrodes and a strain gauge sensor for the respiration signal measurement were developed, and their performances in detecting each signal were verifed. These sensors were embedded in a chest belt to design a wearable platform that can simultaneously measure heart activity and respiration signals. The sensor part of the chest belt has a dual layer structure to detect high-quality signals. Stretch fabric was used on the outer layer and a respiration sensor was attached to the belt. On the inside layer, a non-stretch fabric was used as the base fabric and a heart activity-sensing electrode, that is capable of taking measurements using a modifed lead-II heart activity signal induction method, was embroidered onto the fabric. Subjects were asked to wear the chest belt, and a biosignal processor module was attached to verify the system’s performance while simultaneously acquiring the heart activity and respiration signals. More specifcally, it was confrmed that the two signals were detected in a stable. It is expected that the biosignal-monitoring wearable platform system developed in this study will be able to efectively analyze and monitor soldiers’ biosignals.

소래습지생태공원(인천시 남동구)의 거미상

김주필(Joo Pil Kim),최한석(Han Seak Choi),예용택(Yong Taek Ye),예성훈(Seong Hun Ye),김태우(Tae Woo Kim),김대희(Dae Hee Kim),지승환(Seung Hwan Ji),지성현(Sung Hyun Ji),이형민(Hyung Min Lee),변진관(Jin Kwan Byun),조주완(Joo Whan Jo),박솔 한국거미연구소 2017 한국거미 Vol.33 No.2

한국거미연구회 회원들은 2017 년 8월 2일부터 3일까지 인천광역시 남동구 소재 소래습지생태공원을 김주필, 최한석, 예용택, 예성훈, 김태우, 김대희, 지승환, 지성현, 변진관, 이형민, 조주완, 박솔민, 이형진, 이태후, 이승후, 조윤규, 조원규, 이준이, 신정애, 이영경, 최라미, 이윤정, 이용화, 한주연, 윤혜원, 김형주 등 26명이 주야로 채집한 결과 14과 38속 50종을 발표 보고하는 바이다. From August 2 to 3 in 2017. Koran Arachnological Study members investigated the Spiders in the whole area Incheon Namdong-gu, and reported 14 Families, 38 Genus 50 Species of spiders. The collected spiders are placed (stored) in the Joo-Pil Spider museum.

Evaluation of 99mTc-MAG3-2-nitroimidazole for hypoxic tumor imaging

Yun Sang Lee,Young Joo Kim,Jae Min Jeong 대한방사성의약품학회 2019 Journal of radiopharmaceuticals and molecular prob Vol.5 No.1

2-Nitroimidazole derivatives have been reported to accumulate in hypoxic tissue. We prepared a novel 99mTc-MAG3-2-nitroimidazole and evaluated the feasibility for hypoxia imaging agent. Bz-MAG3-2-nitroimidazole wassynthesized by direct coupling of Bz-MAG3 and 2-nitroimidazole using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. Bz-MAG3-2-nitroimidazole was labeled with 99mTc in the presence of tartaric acid and SnCl2-2H2O at 100°C for 30 min. And the reaction mixture was purified by C18 Sep-pak cartridge. The labeling efficiency and the radiochemicalpurity were checked by ITLC-SG/acetonitrile. The tumor was grown in balb/c mice for 8~13 days after thesubcutaneous injection of tumor cells, CT-26 (murine colon adenocarcinoma cell). Biodistribution study andtumor autoradiography were performed in the xenografted mice after i.v injection of 74 kBq/0.1 mL and 19MBq/0.1 mL of 99mTc-MAG3-2-nitroimidazole, respectively. In vivo images of 99mTc-MAG3-2-nitroimidazolein tumor bearing mice were obtained 1.5 hr post injection. The labeling efficiency was 45±20% and theradiochemical purity after purification was over 95%. Paper electrophoresis confirmed negative charge of99mTc-MAG3-2-nitroimidazole. 99mTc-MAG3-2-nitroimidazole was very stable at room temperature and its proteinbinding was 53%. The 99mTc-MAG3-2-nitroimidazole exhibited high uptake in the liver, stomach and intestine. In biodistribution study using tumor bearing mice, the uptakes (% ID/g) of the tumor were 0.5±0.1, 0.4±0.0,0.2±0.1 and 0.1±0.1 at 5, 15, 30 min and 4 hrs. Tumor/muscle ratio were 1.4±0.1, 2.2±0.83, 3.0±0.9, and 3.7(n=2) for 5, 15, 30 min and 4 hrs. The uptake in hypoxic area was found higher than in non-hypoxic area oftumor tissue by autoradiography. In vivo images showed the relatively faint uptake to the hypoxic tumor region. 99mTc-MAG3-2-nitroimidazole was successfully synthesized and found feasible for imaging hypoxia

Synthesis and biodistribution of 18F-labeled α-, β- and ω-fluorohexadecanoic acid

Yun-Sang Lee,Young Joo Kim,Gi Jeong Cheon,Jae Min Jeong 대한방사성의약품학회 2018 Journal of radiopharmaceuticals and molecular prob Vol.4 No.2

ω-[18F]-Fluorohexadecanoic acid (FHA) has been used for imaging of fatty acid metabolism of myocardium. To increase retention of radiolabeled fatty acid by blocking β-oxidation, methyl branched analogues have been used. In this experiment, we tried to synthesize 18F-labeled α-, β- and ω-FHA for imaging of the myocardial fatty acid metabolism. We synthesized α-, β- and ω-mesylated methyl hexadecanoates and labeled with 18F by reacting with [18F]TBAF in acetonitrile at 80ºC for 10 min. Methyl ester group was removed by 1 M NaOH at 80ºC for 5 min. The yields of α-[18F] and ω-[18F]FHA were 25.5 and 45.5%, respectively [EOS]. However, β-[18F] FHA was not labeled at all due to a fast elimination reaction. The biodistribution study in ICR-mice showed that ω-[18F]FHA has higher myocardial uptake and lower liver uptake than α-[18F]FHA. The electron-withdrawing effect of fluorine at α- position is believed to be the major factor affecting the biodistribution

Improving Upper Limb Spasticity in Patients with Stroke by Electroacupuncture Therapy: a Pre- and Post-Treatment Study

Lim Sung Min,Go Eunji,Lee Jungsup,Lee Go Eun,Kim Eun Joo,Son Chihyoung 사단법인약침학회 2023 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.16 No.6

Background: Post-stroke upper limb spasticity (PS-ULS) causes a decline in the quality of life of patients by reducing their ability to perform normal daily activities. Objectives: We performed pre- and post-treatment analyses of the changes in stroke patients with ULS following constant electroacupuncture therapy (EAT). Methods: Thirty patients with PS-ULS underwent 12 sessions of EAT over 4 weeks. After performing acupuncture therapy at four acupoints on the affected arm (LI11, LI10, LI4, and TE5), electrostimulation (60 Hz) was performed for 20 min. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and the Fugl–Meyer assessment of the upper extremity (FMA-UE) were measured as the outcome variables. Results: Following EAT, there was a significant decrease in the elbow MAS score (p < 0.001), a significant decrease in the wrist MAS score (p < 0.01), and a significant increase in the FMA-UE score (p < 0.001). Adverse events related to EAT were not reported. Conclusion: EAT decreased upper limb spasticity and improved functional recovery at the elbow and wrist. Large-scale and rigorous clinical trials are needed to verify the efficacy of EAT.

Impact of Irradiation Time on the Hydrolysis of Waste Activated Sludge by the Dielectric Heating of Microwave

Tae Joo Park,Im Gyu Byun,Jae Ho Lee,Ji Sung Lim,Jeong Min Lee 대한환경공학회 2014 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.19 No.1

The effects of initial solid concentration and microwave irradiation (MWI) time on the hydrolysis of waste activated sludge (WAS)were investigated. MWI time strongly influenced WAS hydrolysis for all initial solid concentrations of 8.20, 31.51, and 52.88 g VSS/L. For all WAS, the volatile suspended solids (VSS) solubilization degree ranged from 35.6% to 38.4% during a total MWI time of 10 min. Solublechemical oxygen demand (SCOD) concentration increased at a rate proportional to the decrease of VSS during the MWI. However, the clearly different VSS solubilization patterns that were observed during the MWI were explained by the 2-step hydrolysis of WAS, consisting of the initial disintegration of the easily degradable part of the sludge, followed by the subsequent disintegration of the hardlydegradable part of the sludge. WAS hydrolysis rates for 3 to 6 min of MWI were significantly lower than those for less than 3 min, or more than 6 min. From these results, 3 min MWI time and WAS of 31.51 g VSS/L (centrifugal thickener WAS) showed the most efficienthydrolysis of WAS at 36.0%. The profiles of total nitrogen (T-N) concentrations corresponded well to the SCOD increases in terms of the empirical formula of bacterial cell mass (C5H7O₂N). The negligible T-N increase and pH decrease during WAS hydrolysis by MWI will allowthe application of this process to subsequent biological processes, such as anaerobic digestion.

안산시화호 갈대습지공원(경기도 안산시)의 거미상

김주필(Joo Pil Kim),최한석(Han Seak Choi),예용택(Yong Taek Ye),예성훈(Seong Hun Ye),김태우(Tae Woo Kim),김대희(Dae Hee Kim),지승환(Seung Hwan Ji),지성현(Sung Hyun Ji),이형민(Hyung Min Lee),변진관(Jin Kwan Byun),조주완(Joo Whan Jo),박솔 한국거미연구소 2017 한국거미 Vol.33 No.2

한국거미연구회 회원들은 2017년 8월 3일부터 4일까지 경기도 안산시 소재 시화호 갈대습지공원을 김주필, 최한석, 예용택, 예성훈, 김태우, 김대희, 지승환, 지성현, 변진관, 이형민, 조주완, 박솔민, 이형진, 이태후, 이승후, 조윤규, 조원규, 이준이, 신정애, 이영경, 최라미, 이윤정, 이용호, 한주연, 윤혜원, 김형주 등 26명이 주야로 채집한 결과 18과 49속 71종을 발표 보고하는 바이다. From August 3 to 4 in 2017. Koran Arachnological Study members investigated the Spiders in the whole area Gyeonggi-do Ansan-si, and reported 18 Families, 49 Genus 71 Species of spiders. The collected spiders are placed (stored) in the Joo-Pil Spider museum.

Evaluation of ^99mTc-MAG₃-2-nitroimidazole for hypoxic tumor imaging

Lee, Yun-Sang,Kim, Young Joo,Jeong, Jae Min Korean Society of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecul 2019 Journal of radiopharmaceuticals and molecular prob Vol.5 No.1

2-Nitroimidazole derivatives have been reported to accumulate in hypoxic tissue. We prepared a novel $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole and evaluated the feasibility for hypoxia imaging agent. $Bz-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was synthesized by direct coupling of $Bz-MAG_3$ and 2-nitroimidazole using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. $Bz-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was labeled with $^{99m}Tc$ in the presence of tartaric acid and $SnCl_2-2H_2O$ at $100^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. And the reaction mixture was purified by $C_{18}$ Sep-pak cartridge. The labeling efficiency and the radiochemical purity were checked by ITLC-SG/acetonitrile. The tumor was grown in balb/c mice for 8~13 days after the subcutaneous injection of tumor cells, CT-26 (murine colon adenocarcinoma cell). Biodistribution study and tumor autoradiography were performed in the xenografted mice after i.v injection of 74 kBq/0.1 mL and 19 MBq/0.1 mL of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole, respectively. In vivo images of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole in tumor bearing mice were obtained 1.5 hr post injection. The labeling efficiency was $45{\pm}20%$ and the radiochemical purity after purification was over 95%. Paper electrophoresis confirmed negative charge of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole. $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was very stable at room temperature and its protein binding was 53%. The $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole exhibited high uptake in the liver, stomach and intestine. In biodistribution study using tumor bearing mice, the uptakes (% ID/g) of the tumor were $0.5{\pm}0.1$, $0.4{\pm}0.0$, $0.2{\pm}0.1$ and $0.1{\pm}0.1$ at 5, 15, 30 min and 4 hrs. Tumor/muscle ratio were $1.4{\pm}0.1$, $2.2{\pm}0.83$, $3.0{\pm}0.9$, and 3.7 (n=2) for 5, 15, 30 min and 4 hrs. The uptake in hypoxic area was found higher than in non-hypoxic area of tumor tissue by autoradiography. In vivo images showed the relatively faint uptake to the hypoxic tumor region. $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was successfully synthesized and found feasible for imaging hypoxia.