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Introduction Blastocyst (BLA) quality has been considered an important predictor of successful pregnancy. Furthermore, Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) has been used for several years with the goal of either improving pregnancy by selecting euploid embryo. As we know, the transmission of unbalanced translocations can cause infertility and miscarriage. So the aim of this study is to assess the correlation with BLA quality and PGS euploidy rate in translocation patients. We also compared the clinical outcomes between female carriers and male carriers. Materials and Methods From May 2014 to December 2017, we performed 61 PGS-IVF cycles in 34 translocation patients. BLA underwent trophectoderm (TE) biopsy on 5 day and 6 day were analyzed using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) (BAC 1440 chip protocol, Macrogen). BLA morphology was evaluated using Gardner classification (inner cell mass and trophectoderm grades of BB or better: good quality (GQ), BC or worse: poor quality (PQ)). In all cases, BLA were vitrified and thawed for embryo transfer and the only single euploid BLA was transferred. Results Mean maternal age (35.6±3.5, female carrier group vs. 35.1±3.3, male carrier group) and paternal age (37.8±4.7, female carrier group vs. 37.4±4.0 male carrier group) showed no significant differences.61 translocation cycles were classified into 41 male carrier group and 20 female carrier group. We identified male carrier group was a high proportion of BLA (61.3%, 171/279) than female carrier group (32.8%, 58/177). In female carrier groups, from 34 BLA, 18.2% (4/22) were euploid in GQ BLA and 8.3% (1/12) were euploid in PQ BLA. In male carrier groups, from 96 BLA, 32.9% (24/73) were euploid in GQ BLA and 8.7% (2/23) were euploid in PQ BLA.After thawing, transferred single euploid BLA were presented high pregnancy (57.1%, 12/21) and live birth rates (42.9%, 9/21).Within the group of female carrier, 1 patient had a 20% (1/5) pregnancy. In male carrier groups, 11 patients had 68.8% (11/16) pregnancy. Until now, 1 baby was delivered in female carrier group (1 female baby, 3.06kg), and 8 babies were delivered in male carrier group (6 female babies and 2 male babies, 3.31±0.38kg). One case is ongoing after 12 weeks of pregnancy in male carrier group. Conclusion Euploidy and live birth rates were significantly higher for the GQ BLA as compared to PQ BLA in chromosomal translocations.Furthermore, this study shows that BLA and GQ euploidy rates were higher in the male carrier group. We also observed that pregnancy rates and live birth rates were higher in the male carrier group. Additionally, only GQ BLA were born.However, there is a limited number of live birth case in a female carrier group. Therefore, we need more studies to optimize this results.

This paper describes radiological dose assessment systems which have been developed to support a decision making process against a nuclear emergency. Local scale system FADAS has been used in a national radiological emergency preparedness system. For a validation of FADAS, field tracer experiments were conducted over nuclear sites. Long range model named LADAS has been developed to estimate the effects of radiological emergencies in neighboring countries. METRO-K has been developed for a simulation of the radiological effects due to radioactive materials which have been deposited on various surfaces of an urban area. These systems are useful to provide the radiological information which is essential to choose the suitable countermeasures in case of a nuclear emergency.

In the present study, the finite element method (FEM) and an experimental investigation were performed during the accumulative back extrusion (ABE) processing of an AZ91 magnesium alloy in order to investigate the effects of the deformation ratio (= inner punch diameter/outer punch diameter) and die stroke (DS) on the plastic deformation behavior. The results showed that increasing the deformation ratio and DS led to better deformation homogeneity and more plastic strains. There are two distinct regions in the ABE processed samples containing low and high plastic strain areas and the metallurgical investigations showed that more grain refinement with a mean grain size of 1.5 μm takes place in high strain regions while the grain sizes are larger in other regions. A comparison between the FEM and experimental results of the required loads and developed microstructures showed good agreement.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance and various metabolic diseases; and recently, elevated oxidative stress has been detected in PCOS. Mitochondria are highly susceptible to oxidative damage; and disordered mitochondrial function at the cellular level can impact whole-body metabolic homeostasis, leading to the hypothesis that abnormalities in markers of mitochondrial metabolism are related to PCOS. We compared mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in women with and without PCOS and investigated the independent relationship between mtDNA copy number and PCOS after adjustment for metabolic parameters. Fifty women with PCOS and 60 age- and body mass index-matched healthy women were studied. Mitochondrial DNA copy numbers as well as metabolic parameters and indices of insulin resistance were assessed. Mitochondrial DNA copy numbers were significantly lower in women with PCOS (P < .01). In the PCOS group, mtDNA copy number was negatively correlated with indices of insulin resistance, waist circumference, and triglyceride levels and positively correlated with sex hormone-binding globulin levels. In multiple logistic regression, the corresponding odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for PCOS by log-transformed mtDNA copy number and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were 0.15 (0.04-0.56) and 4.26 (1.43-12.68), respectively, after adjustment for age, body mass index, and other metabolic factors. We report decreased mtDNA copy numbers in PCOS patients in relation to controls independently of insulin resistance or other metabolic factors. The pathophysiological and clinical significance of this finding requires further investigation.

This paper describes the meteorological characteristics of Korean nuclear power sites by using the integral parameters developed by Allwine and Whiteman. Meteorological data of the four nuclear power sites measured for two years, 2004 and 2005, were analyzed. The integral quantities related to the occurrence of stagnations, recirculations and ventilations in the air were estimated. The obtained results show that the four nuclear sites in Korea are suitable for a nuclear site from the meteorological aspects.

To improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying early embryo development, further characterization of gene activity in oocytes and embryos is urgently required. The transition from the two-cell to four-cell stage is particularly important in pre-implantation embryonic development, as it involves transcriptional reprogramming and cellular differentiation. In this study, we used a 7.4 K cDNA microarray to screen mRNA transcript levels in the pre-implantation mouse embryo. Real-time PCR was used to confirm microarray data. We profiled 7,410 genes and identified 4,562 genes that were differentially expressed in the pre-implantation embryo. We selected a total of 248 genes with significant expression changes that are functionally involved in the two-cell and two-cell block embryo. Of these genes, 114 were down-regulated and the remainder (n=134) were up-regulated in the two-cell embryo. This study provides a developmental map of a large number of genes in the pre-implantation mouse embryo with particular emphasis on gene expression in the two-cell embryo and two-cell block embryo. Further investigations based on this data will provide a better understanding of the effects of various external conditions and may facilitate comparative analysis of pre-implantation development in other mammalian species, including human.

Objective To investigate the genetic background of nonobstructive male factor infertility. Design Clinical and controlled study. Patient(s) Ninety-five nonobstructive male infertile patients (75 with azoospermia, 18 with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and two with oligozoospermia) and 200 healthy fertile control men. Intervention(s) Patients were investigated for genetic background including karyotype, Yq chromosome deletion, and three polymorphisms of the LH β-subunit gene (Trp8Arg, Ile15Thr, and Gly102Ser). Main outcome measure(s) To determine three polymorphisms of the LH β-subunit gene. Result(s) An abnormal karyotype was found in 11 of the 75 patients with azoospermia and one of the 18 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Eleven (12%) had one or more deleted sites at 13 loci on Yq. The Gly102Ser variant of the LH β-subunit gene was not detected at all. The frequency of double Trp8Arg and Ile15Thr heterozygotes was similar between the fertile (14.5%, n=200) and infertile (12.6%, n=95) groups, with the exception of one homozygous mutation (Arg8 and Thr15) from patient with azoospermia. Conclusion(s) Three variants of the LH β-subunit gene (Trp8Arg, Ile15Thr, and Gly102Ser) may not be associated with male factor infertility. We found one homozygous Arg8 and Thr15 mutation in a patient with azoospermia with normal hormone levels (FSH, LH, PRL, T), a normal karyotype, and no Yq microdeletions.

We investigated the effects of the water soluble fraction of Terminalia chebula (Combretaceae) (WFTC) on systemic and local anaphylaxis. WFTC administered 1h before compound 48/80 injection inhibited compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock 100% with doses of 0.01-1.0 g/kg. When WFTC was administered 5 or 10 min after compound 48/80 injection, the mortality also decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was inhibited by 63.5+/-7.8% by oral administration of WFTC (1.0 g/kg). When WFTC was pretreated at concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 1.0 g/kg, the serum histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. WFTC (0.01-1.0 mg/ml) also significantly inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) by compound 48/80. However, WFTC (1.0 mg/ml) had a significant increasing effect on anti-dinitrophenyl IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from RPMC. These results indicate that WFTC may possess a strong antianaphylactic action.

The owners of the fishing, working boats and similar kinds of vessels have been in difficult situations due to the rapid oil prices increase since the 1st and 2nd oil crises. As the price of the international crude oil holds 60-70 US dollars per barrel recently, the fishing and working boats have seen a big problem of no more sailings caused by the oil price increase. In view of this matter, You-Nam Marine Engineering Co. and KIMFT in Busan, Republic of Korea, jointly researched and developed the mixing clean heater as fuel oil pretreatment system that Bunker A or MF 30 grade oil could be used instead of marine diesel or gas oil. These days, marine gas oil is at least twice as expensive than Bunker-A oil. This system consists of an electric driven motor, shaft, propeller, friction plate and heating coil, also auxiliary parts such as 1st filter and 2nd magnetic filters etc. The advantages of this mixing clean heater are reducing the fuel oil sludge generation, increasing engine output power, reducing the trouble in moving parts for exhaust and intake valves, and also if we change the fuel oil converting marine gas oil or marine diesel oil to Bunker-A oil or MF 30 grade oil, direct or indirect fuel oil cost can be saved up to 35% ~ 50% for fishing boats or any kind of working boats. In this research, we developed the mixing clean heater as fuel oil pretreatment system that Bunker-A or MF 30 grade oil could be used instead of expensive marine diesel oil or marine gas oil used in low speed engines or medium speed engines. The mixing clean heater has functions such as fuel oil heating for appropriate viscosity, reducing the sludge, no carbon deposit on the heating coil and removing steel rust etc.

Jeongshintang (JST) is a Korean herbal prescription, which has been successfully used for cerebral diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of JST on Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of JST in attenuating the inflammatory response induced by interleukin (IL)-1beta plus beta-amyloid [1-42] fragment (A beta) in the human astrocyte cell line, U373MG. The production of IL-6, IL-8, and prostaglandin (PG)E2 was significantly increased by IL-1beta plus A beta (1-42) in a time-dependent manner (P0.05). JST significantly inhibited the IL-1beta plus A beta (1-42)-induced IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 production at 24 h (P0.05). Maximal inhibition rate of IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 production by JST was about 54.40%, 56.01%, and 44.06% respectively. JST (0.01-1 mg/ml) also attenuated the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and activation of p38 MAPK induced by IL-1beta and A beta (1-42). These results demonstrated that JST has an anti-inflammatory effect, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) cotreatment for patients with severe poor ovarian response: matched comparison of previous (w/o) and current (w/) cycles in the same patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2012 to February 2014, Letrozole/GnRH-antagonist treated 77 patients were analyzed. Inclusion criteria: severe poor responder, at least two of the following three feature must be present were included; 1) R40 yrs, 2) no. of previous collected oocytes; %3, 3) level of AMH

WITHDRAWN E2 (pg/ml) on hCG day 3850 765 4272 1508 1.5 ng/ml) or low (P4 3000 pg/ml on the hCG day). Patients were stimulated with daily doses of 100-150 UI of recombinant FSH (Puregon , MSD) starting on day 2-3; GnRH antagonist was added when the leading follicle reached a diameter of 14 mm (Cetrotide, 0.25 mg/day, Merck-Serono) and a single bolus of 250 mg of rhCG (Ovitrelle, Merck-Serono) was administered to induce oocyte maturation. FERTILITY & STERILITY Chi-squared test and ANOVA were applied to detect statistical differences; p

OBJECTIVE: Most ART programs split the daily gonadotropin dose during ovarian stimulation when the dose exceeds 4 vials daily. There is a lack of studies in the literature addressing whether this practice alters ART outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective, Randomized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of 191 IVF/ICSI cycles were randomized to receive either once daily or twice daily injections of FSH and hMG SC. For those patients receiving twice daily injections, both hMG (Menopur ) and FSH (Bravelle ) were given in the am and pm. Patients recieving once daily injections, hMG and FSH were given in the pm. Included in the study were LL (n1⁄4152), MD flare (n1⁄48) and antagonist cycles (n1⁄431). P

Genkwa flos has been used for the treatment of edema in the face or body, ascites, retention of fluids in the chest, sudden cough, scabs, white ringworm and stubborn ringworm. Crude Genkwa flos should not be taken unless the toxicity is removed. To remove the toxicity of crude Genkwa flos, some processing method should be applied. However, potential toxicity of the processed Genkwa flos extract (PGFE) was not yet determined. Therefore, we performed 13-week repeated dose toxicity and genetic toxicity studies to evaluate the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and genotoxicity of PGFE. Based on 14-day dose-range-finding study, groups of 60 male and 60 female F344 rats were treated orally at different dosages (0, 25, 74, 222, 667, and 2000 mg/kg B.W.) of PGFE for 13 weeks. No PGFE-related effect were observed in various parameters included mortality; clinical signs; body weight changes; food and water consumption; hematology and serum biochemistry; male and female reproductive tissue evaluations; gross and histopathological findings. However, male and female liver weights were significantly increased at dose 667 and 2000 mg/kg. Therefore, NOAEL of PGFE might be thought under 667 mg/kg in male and female F344 rats. In reverse mutation assay, TA98, TA102 and TA1537 were 2-fold increased at 5000μg/plate without metabolic activation. TA1537 were significantly increased up to 5000μg/plate dose dependently. These results suggest that PGFE might have reverse mutagenicity under the condition of this study. In chromosome aberration test, there was no significant increase in the number of structural or numeric aberrant metaphases at any dose with or without metabolic activation. A micronucleus test of PGFE was performed using ICR mice. Frequency of MNPCEs and ratio PCE were not increased at any doses.