Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) involving two simultaneous vascular territories of acute transmural ischemia is known as a double or combined myocardial infarction. This well described but extremely rare phenomenon may be related to the fact that AMI with multiple vessel obstruction often causes extensive myocardial injury and death before hospitalization. We reported the first case of 45-year-old man with AMI occluded left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery simultaneously in Korea.

The aim of this study was to enhance the proliferation efficiency of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). In order to improve the proliferation efficiency, we investigated new factors that promote the proliferation of SSCs using in vitro culture method with natural plant extracts. Germ cell populations containing SSCs were collected 6- to 8-days-old from C57BL/6-TG-EGFP (C57GFP) mice and SSCs were isolated from the collected cells via magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). Since then, SSCs were cultured for a week with culture medium containing natural plant extracts at concentration of 0.1, 1, and 10 μg/mL. After a week of culture, we looked for an increase, especially a dose-dependent increase, in the number of cells compared to that of the control group. A dose-dependent increase, in the number of cells was observed in the Petasides japonicus-treated groups. Furthermore, we carried out repeated experiment that is process consisting of selection and additional segmentation to explore new factors for activating SSCs at the molecular level. As a results, Petasides japonicus butanol fraction significantly increased the proliferation rate of SSCs in a dose-dependent manner among Petasides japonicus fraction samples. We identified normal expression level of PLZF in SSCs cultured with plant extracts using immunocytochemistry method. Furthermore, we also carried out qRT-PCR and identified normal expression level of Lhx1 and GFRα1. The finding of this study could contribute to improvement of proliferation and activation for SSCs, using culture method with natural plant extracts.

Endocrine disruptors are exogenous chemicals that their endocrine disrupting effects mediated by androgenic signaling plays crucial roles in the control of development and several androgen-related diseases. However, there are no authorized in vitro screening and testing methods to evaluation of (anti-)androgenic activity. To find out a better in vitro cell line model, we have previously reported that 22Rv1 cells, a human prostate cancer cells contained functional Androgen Receptor (AR), might be an appropriate model for the evaluation of (anti-)androgenic endocrine disruptors. Based on this result, we developed a stable 22Rv1/mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) cell line to test AR-mediated transcriptional activation (TA). Using 22Rv1/MMTV cells, we established the test protocol and optimized the testing condition for AR-TA assay. In this study, we performed the inter-validation assay by four different laboratories to evaluate the 20 coded chemicals which were selected from the ICCVAM list (ICCVAM, 2003) or academic articles that exhibited exact (anti-) androgenic activity. The statistical analysis of the results of the inter-laboratory validation study revealed that there was reproducibility between the four participating laboratories. In conclusion, 22Rv1/MMTV AR-TA assay might be a quick and relatively inexpensive method, which can be used to screen large numbers of chemicals for their potential to activate or inhibit AR-mediated gene transcription. Furthermore, it will provide mechanistic data relevant to understanding adverse reactions observed in intact organisms.

Harmonized actions of ovarian estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) regulate cell proliferation and differentiation in the uterus with a spatiotemporal manner. Imbalance between the actions and levels of two major regulators often lead to infertility and gynecological diseases, such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer. While numerous works have shown that reduced expression and/or deletion of uterine factors associated with P4 signaling could disturb uterine physiology, local factor(s) to mediate E2 actions has not been extensively studied yet. Here we demonstrate that early growth response 1 (Egr1), a transcription factor which is rapidly induced in the uterus by E2, is required to maintain coordinated actions of E2 and P4 for uterine receptivity for embryo implantation. Given exogenous gonadotrophins to overcome LHβ deficiency in the pituitary of Egr1(－/－) mice, ovulation, fertilization and embryo development normally occurred in these mice. However, they showed complete failure of embryo implantation with reduced uterine responses to artificial decidualization stimuli. While serum levels of E2 and P4 in Egr1(－/－) mice were comparable, genes regulated by E2 and/or P4 in uterine epithelial cells (ECs) were aberrantly expressed on day 4 of pregnancy. Impaired P4 signaling along with absence of PR in ECs caused hypersensitive E2 responses shown as enhanced expression of E2-responsive genes such Muc1 and Ltf as well as reduced levels of P4-dependent genes, such as Ihh and Areg, in ECs of Egr1(－/－) mice. This is consistent with persistent proliferation in ECs and severely impaired proliferation in stromal cells (SCs) in Egr1(－/－) mice treated with E2+P4. Furthermore, primary co-culture of Egr1(－/－) ECs with Egr1(+/+) SCs and vice versa supported a notion that Egr1 itself is required for proper responses to two major regulators, E2 and P4, in both uterine cell compartments. Collectively, our results show that E2-induced Egr1 participates in P4-dependent modulation on E2 activities in the uterus by regulating a spectrum of genes essential for uterine receptivity and embryo implantation.

Left ventricular (LV) thrombi may be caused by various conditions, particularly myocardial infarction. In most cases, LV thrombus occurs in patients with a significantly reduced ejection fraction. A LV thrombus is extremely rare in patients with normal LV function. We report a case of LV thrombus initially detected on transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with normal LV wall motion. We highlight the rarity of this condition and the usefulness of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of LV thrombus.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation contributes to the formation of systemic thromboembolism. In particular, the increase in the occurrence of thromboembolic events is associated with postcardioversion atrial and atrial appendage "stunning". Most thromboembolic events after cardioversion were found in the cerebral artery. In this case, the patient had a thromboembolism in the brachial artery region, which has not been reported in literature reviews. We describe the first case of brachial arterial thromboembolism which occurred 3 days after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation, and was completely resolved by thrombolytic therapy.

Telomeres at the end of the eukaryotic chromosomes consist of tandem repeats of (TTAGGG)n DNA sequence and shelter in protein complex. Telomeres have the essential functions in chromosome stability and genome integrity and are hence related to cell senescence and cancer. Stripped, Black and White Cattle (Endangered Korean Native Cattle) characterized by their coat color, live in the Korean peninsula. However, they are endangered, with very small populations remaining. To investigate the karyotypic pattern of chromosome and also to quantify the amount of telomeric DNA was carried out from the traditional Korean beef cattle species, HanWoo and endangered cattle bull. We quantified the amount of telomeric DNA by the Quantitative-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (Q-FISH) technique using the telomeric DNA probe and chromosome analysis of lymphocytes was carried out using GTG-banding in 9 bull at age of 18 months. In results, we found that the normal (60, XY) male karyotype were detected in metaphase chromosomes from korean native cattle including Hanwoo, Stripped, Black and White cattle, respectively. In addition, there were no significant differences in the relative amount of telomeric DNA among the korean cattle bull. However, the relative amount of telomeric DNA of Hanwoo was slightly higher than that of White cattle. In conclusion, this study reported karytype and the amount of telomeric DNA which could serve as baseline information for comparison in conditions of physiological and health status of endangered Korean native cattle. Although we have no definitive explanations as to why this occurs, further investigations are needed to continue investigation of these animals throughout their life spans.

During implantation period uterus undergoes functional and histological changes including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis. This delicate condition is regulated by various factors such as steroid hormones, cytokines, and growth factors. From previous our studies, we showed the spatio-temporal expression of Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS) and MIS receptor Ⅱ (MISR II) in mouse uteri during pregnancy. In present study investigated the role of MISRⅡ in proliferation and differentiation in the uterus. The decidualization markers were dramatically decreased during treated rhMIS and MISRⅡ viral particles in in vitro decidualization model. The intensity of PAS staining and Oil-Red-O staining were dramatically decreased by treatment of rhMIS and overexpression of MISRⅡ. MIS/MISRⅡ also suppressed stromal proliferation regulate the differentiation of stroma cell during decidualization. MIS suppress the stromal proliferation and decidual differentiation along with its receptor. Put together it is suggested that MIS works as paracrine and autocrine factors for cell proliferation regulator and differentiation regulator during implantation.

Accurate chromosome segregation is critical to ensure genomic integrity during cell division. This process is facilitated by the kinetochore, a multiprotein structure that is assembled on centromeric regions of chromosomes. The kinetochore establishes a mechanical link between the chromosomes and spindle microtubules and modulates cell cycle progression by regulating spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Defects in this process result in an aneuploidy, leading to miscarriages, infertility and various genetic disorder such as Down’s syndrome. Although the numerous kinetochore proteins have been identified and studied, the mechanisms that engaged in kinetochore assembly and chromosome segregation are poorly understood. Here we investigated the function of kinetochore protein Zwint-1 on homologous chromosome segregation during oocyte meiotic maturation. We found that Zwint-1 was localized at the kinetochore during meiotic maturation. Knockdown of Zwint-1 caused premature polar body extrusion, indicating acceleration of meiosis I. Interestingly, Zwint-1 knockdown impaired the recruitment of Mad2 at the kinetochores. However, BubR1 localization at the kinetochores was not affected by Zwint-1 knockdown, suggesting that Zwint-1 selectively regulates the recruitment of SAC components into the kinetochores. We also found that Zwint-1 knockdown abrogated chromosome alignment and segregation, thereby resulting in a high incidence of aneuploidy. These chromosomal defects were mostly due to the abnormal kinetochore-microtubule (kMT) attachments. Intriguingly, chromosome misalignment mediated by SAC inactivation was repaired, when anaphase onset was delayed by treating oocytes with proteasome inhibitor MG132. However, surprisingly, chromosomal defects following Zwint-1 knockdown were not restored by delaying anaphase onset. This result suggests that chromosomal defects induced by Zwint-1 knockdown are less likely associated with the failure of SAC activation. In addition, we observed that Aurora B/C kinase activity was not affected by Zwint-1 knockdown. Nevertheless, the meiotic defects induced by Zwint-1 knockdown were similar to those observed in Aurora B/C inhibition, suggesting that Zwint-1 is a downstream effector of Aurora B/C kinase during meiosis. Consistent with this, in Zwint-1 knockdown oocytes chromosomal defects following Aurora B/C inhibition were not restored when Aurora B/C inhibitor was removed, whereas the defects were well rescued in control oocytes after removing Aurora B/C inhibitor. This result suggests that the role of Aurora B/C kinases that correct erroneous kMT attachment is primarily regulated by Zwint-1. Collectively, our results demonstrated for the first time that Zwint-1 is an essential downstream effector of Aurora B/C kinase that corrects erroneous kMT attachment and regulates SAC activity, which ensures accurate homologous chromosome segregation during oocyte meiosis.

DGCR8 is a RNA-binding protein working with DROSHA to produce pre-microRNA in the nucleus, while DICER does not only mature microRNA but also endogenous siRNAs in the cytoplasm. Here, we have produced Dgcr8 conditional knock-out mice using progesterone receptor (PR)-Cre (Dgcr8flox/flox; PRcre/+ mice, Dgcr8d/d) and demonstrated that canonical microRNAs dependent of DROSHA-DGCR8 complex are required for uterine development as well as female fertility in mice. Adult Dgcr8d/d females did not undergo regular reproductive cycle and produce any pups when housed with fertile males, whereas administration of exogenous gonadotropins induced normal ovulation with corpus luteal formation in these mice. Ovulated oocytes from Dgcr8d/d mice had comparable fertilization potentials and were normally developed to the blastocyst after fertilization as compared to those in control Dgcr8f/f mice. Interestingly, PR-Cre-dependent Dgcr8 deletion showed aberrant infiltration of acute inflammatory immune cells to female reproductive organs only when Dgcr8d/d mice were mated with male mice. With respect to uterine development, gross morphology, histology, and weight of Dgcr8d/d uterus were similar to those of control at 3-week-old age. However, multiple uterine abnormalities were noticeable at 4-week-old age when PR expression is significantly increased, and these deformities became severe onwards. Gland formation and myometrial layers were significantly reduced, and stromal cell compartment did not expand and became atrophic during uterine development in these mice. These results were consistent with aberrantly reduced cell proliferation in stromal cell compartments of Dgcr8d/d mice. Collectively, our results suggest that DGCR8 dependent-canonical microRNAs are essential for development and physiology of the uterus with respect to morphogenesis, proper immune modulation, reproductive cycle, and steroid hormone responsiveness in mice.

Purpose - This article’s aim is to examine how the utilization of existing and future decision-support systems will lead to a change in the auditing process. Research design, data, and methodology - An information system is a special decision-support system that combines information obtained from various sources and communicates among them to help in assessing appropriate complex financial decisions. This paper analyzes techniques such as data and text mining as components of decision-support systems to be used in the auditing process. Results - We present views about how existing decision-support systems will lead to a change in audits. Auditors, who currently collect significant data manually, will in the future move towards management through complex decision-support systems. Conclusions - Although some internal audit functions are integrated into systems of continuous monitoring, the use of such systems remains limited. Thus, instead of multiple decision-support systems, a unified decision-support system can be deployed for this that includes sensors integrated within a company in different contexts (e.g., production, sales, and accounting) that continually monitors violations of controls, unusual patterns, and unusual transactions.

A strategy is needed for a regional survey of geosynchronous orbits (GSOs) to monitor known space objects and detect uncataloged space objects. On the basis of the Inter-Agency Debris Committee’s recommendation regarding the protected region of geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), target satellites with perigee and apogee of GEO ± 200 km and various inclinations are selected for analysis. The status of the GSO region was analyzed using the satellite distribution based on the orbital characteristics in publicly available two-line element data. Natural perturbation effects cause inactive satellites to drift to two stable longitudinal points. Active satellites usually maintain the designed positions as a result of regular or irregular maneuver operations against their natural drift. To analyze the detection rate of a single optical telescope, 152 out of 412 active satellites and 135 out of 288 inactive satellites in the GSO region were selected on the basis of their visibility at the observation site in Daejeon, Korea. By using various vertical view ranges and various numbers of observations of the GSO region, the detection efficiencies were analyzed for a single night, and the numbers of follow-up observations were determined. The orbital estimation accuracies were also checked using the arc length and number of observed data points to maintain the GSO satellite catalog.

We estimated the orbit of the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS), a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite, through data from actual optical observations using telescopes at the Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO) of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), Optical Wide field Patrol (OWL) at KASI, and the Chungbuk National University Observatory (CNUO) from August 1, 2014, to January 13, 2015. The astrometric data of the satellite were extracted from the World Coordinate System (WCS) in the obtained images, and geometrically distorted errors were corrected. To handle the optically observed data, corrections were made for the observation time, light-travel time delay, shutter speed delay, and aberration. For final product, the sequential filter within the Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK) was used for orbit estimation based on the results of optical observation. In addition, a comparative analysis was conducted between the precise orbit from the ephemeris of the COMS maintained by the satellite operator and the results of orbit estimation using optical observation. The orbits estimated in simulation agree with those estimated with actual optical observation data. The error in the results using optical observation data decreased with increasing number of observatories. Our results are useful for optimizing observation data for orbit estimation.

Storm sudden commencements (SSCs) occur due to a rapid compression of the Earth's magnetic field. This is generally believed to be caused by interplanetary (IP) shocks, but with exceptions. In this paper we explore possible causes of SSCs other than IP shocks through a statistical study of geomagnetic storms using SYM-H data provided by the World Data Center for Geomagnetism – Kyoto and by applying a superposed epoch analysis to simultaneous solar wind parameters obtained with the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite. We select a total of 274 geomagnetic storms with minimum SYM-H of less than –30nT during 1998-2008 and regard them as SSCs if SYM-H increases by more than 10 nT over 10 minutes. Under this criterion, we found 103 geomagnetic storms with both SSC and IP shocks and 28 storms with SSC not associated with IP shocks. Storms in the former group share the property that the strength of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), proton density and proton velocity increase together with SYM-H, implying the action of IP shocks. During the storms in the latter group, only the proton density rises with SYM-H. We find that the density increase is associated with either high speed streams (HSSs) or interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), and suggest that HSSs and ICMEs may be alternative contributors to SSCs.

This paper looks at pro-form and cohesion in English writing from the angle of Korean L2 writers' mental script and attempts to suggest an interpretation of their responses in pro-form substitution. In English writing, to boost cohesion repetitive key nouns are typically substituted by pro-forms only if clarity is salvaged. However, how can we explain contrastive cases where Korean L2 writers prefer repetitive nouns to remain as they are without weakening the cohesion of a text? The writers attempt to explain this unsolved question, based on the survey results from Korean L2 writers and by referring to related theories of Oshima and Hogue (2006), Hyland (2009) and Hyun (2015). So far our research indicates that such response is attributable to Korean L2 writers' own schema and then this schema issue subsequently translates into their genre difference.

Purpose – This paper compares current requirements for depreciation accounting from the Financial Accounting Standards Board in America for equity securities and all debt securities with determinable fair value, and disclosure requirements related to the fair value of securities below registered cost with the requirements of the international Financial Reporting Standards Board and accounting standards committee. Research design, data, and methodology – Mini-review statements are examined relating to depreciation of investments in America and the Financial Accounting Standards depreciation of investments in Iran that meet the requirements of international reporting standards and the Iranian Accounting Standards Committee. Results – Accounting rules for depreciation of investments in securities requires a good deal of judgment. In particular, devaluation decisions during the recession and market crisis were controversial, although even with no clear guidelines on devaluation, sometimes such decisions were simple. Conclusions –Companies can choose from formal policies applied uniformly and documentations of interest to provide a summary of the principles and conclusions obtained through disclosure, enabling market participants to assess the entity's conclusions reasonably, thereby easing investor and market worries.

Radish is one of the most widely consumed vegetable crops in Korea. Root is the major part of radish supplied to the market, thus the size, shape, and quality of radish roots are main targets of breeding programs. Despite of the importance of this crop, the molecular breeding of radish is still in the rudimentary stage. In Golden Seed Project, we aim to establish the molecular breeding program of radish using genome-wide approaches. To this end, we selected inbred lines that have distinctive root traits such as yield, shape, disease resistance, and texture. Single nucleotide variation (SNV) among these lines will be identified based on the low coverage genome sequencing data. These SNVs can be used for finding genomic regions associated with root traits from segregating mapping populations which are also in the middle of development. Korean radish roots are harvested after being grown for only nine weeks. During that period, root biomass reaches to more than two kilograms. While investigating the root growth of radish inbred lines, we found that cytokinin contributes as a key growth regulator that promotes radial growth of radish roots. A difference in growth rates of two distinctive inbred lines was explained by the difference in response to cytokinin. Genes responsive to cytokinin are highly enriched in the cambium, the meristematic cell population that drives radial growth. For comprehensive understanding of genes that affect yields of radish roots, we turned to developing a tissue specific transcriptome data using laser capture microdissection. We expect that the compendium of genomics-based data will help establishing molecular breeding of radish at a fast track.

In recent years, the efficiency and accuracy of QTL analysis for identification of useful traits have been increased by high-throughput genotyping. In a previous study, the genome variation of significant DNA polymorphism was observed in early maturing type rice mutant (EMT) by comparing with that of wild type (WT). For detection of major QTL for flowering time, we constructed a linkage map of 36 InDel- and 6 SNP- markers. In the linkage analysis of F2 plants derived from the cross “WT x EMT”, we have detected one potential QTL region on chromosome 6 by M6-3 marker. Also, the Hd1, which contained the target fragment of M6-3 marker, exhibited the relatively high nonsynonymous substitutions in genes located on chromosomal region from M6-2 to M6-4. To evaluate the reliable allele segregation related to expected Mendelian ratio between M6-3 and its flanking markers, M6-3 marker developed in Hd1 gene exhibited the 1:2:1 ratio as clear monogenic segregation in heterozygous F3 plant. Additionally, we further analyzed the different transcript regulations of OsGI and Hd3a gene related to Hd1 involved in photoperiodic flowering pathway. Although the mRNA levels of Hd1 had no difference between WT and EMT, the Hd3a as downstream effector of Hd1 significantly upregulated in EMT, suggesting that Hd1 gene may become nonfunctional.

Arsenic (As) is accumulated in rice grain due to environmental reasons such as polluted ground water and soil, and As toxicity constitutes a serious threat to human health. However, the accurate information required for understanding As-responsive mechanisms remain mostly unknown in rice. Here, we performed the comparative genome-wide transcriptome analysis between As tolerance type (ATT) rice mutant induced by γ-irradiation and its wild type (WT). As compared to WT after As treatment of 150 ppm, ATT exhibited the phenotypic differences such as vigorous growth in shoots and root hairs, and low accumulation of H2O2 in rice roots. In transcriptome analysis, we found between WT and ATT that As toxicity commonly affected to inhibit gene regulations involved in photosynthesis, mitochondrial electron transport and lipid biosynthesis metabolism. While, many genes associated with cysteine synthesis metabolism considerably up regulated in both As-treated plants. Additionally, we found the potential As tolerance-related genes involved in abiotic stress-responsive mechanism and RNA-protein synthesis for protein degradation and modification. To further analyzes the genetic variations of As-responsive genes, the DNA polymorphic DEGs associated with oxidoreductase significantly distributed in ATT more than in WT.