To preserve the superior genetic resources and restore the endangered species, Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been used widely. In Korea, the research of dog cloning has made outstanding achievements including the production of the world`s first cloned dog. Sapsaree (Sapsalgae), the representative dog of Gyeongsan-si was designated as a Korea natural monument (No. 368). This male dog used in this study has azoospermia due to unknown cause. In this study, the aim was to confirm the cause of infertility in the cell donor dog and to evaluate the reproduction potential of dog cloning using infertile male dog by SCNT. First, to confirm the infertility of the cell donor dog, the reproductive history and the testis were evaluated. The breeding histology was not recorded in individual document. In histopathology, the Sertoli cell tumor was confirmed in biopsy of the cell donor dog after death. But, these tumors are predominantly in older dogs. Second, we produced the cloned dogs with the somatic cells of the infertile dog and the appearance was similar with the cell donor dog. Also, microsatellite analysis confirmed the genetic relationship between the cell donor and clone dogs. Third, the potential breeding capacity of the cloned dog was confirmed. In T4 assay, the normal dog (same age with cloned dogs), cell donor dog, and cloned dogs was investigated. The cell donor dog with azoospermia had very low T4 level, and cloned dogs showed higher level of T4 than normal dogs. In CASA, There was no significant difference in sperm motor ability between normal dogs and cloned dogs. As a result, cloned dogs produced by SCNT had no problem regarding the reproductive function of the testis. In AI experiment, the semen of clone dogs was used to fertilize a natural female bitch and was diagnosed pregnancy by ultrasonography. In total, 7 puppies were born by normal delivery (male: 3, female: 4). In conclusion, this study confirmed that the reproduction problem of non-genetic infertility can generate a normal descendant by SCNT. Also, the first successful research to restore infertile dogs was completed. Furthermore, SCNT would be useful for the restoration of endangered species and application of superior traits.

Multi-walled carbon nanotube-poly methyl methacrylate (MWNT/PMMA) nanocomposite has been prepared by in situ polymerization of MMA dispersed with MWNTs. The MWNTs were functionalized by nitric acid and sulfuric acid treatment, and this was confirmed by FTIR spectrometer. The solution mixture of MWNTs and MMA was partially polymerized at 80℃, followed by the addition of AIBN and polymerization at 50℃. The MWNT-PMMA composite was prepared by casting the pre-polymer on the glass plate, and the optical properties have been studied using UV-vis spectrometer. The acid treated MWNTs were well dispersed in MMA with fairly good dispersion stability, while flocculation and sedimentation was observed from raw MWNTs in MMA.

Optical (R) and near-infrared (K') images of the IRAS 1-Jy sample of 118 ultraluminous infrared galaxies have been studied. All but one object in the 1-Jy sample show signs of strong tidal interaction/merger. Most of them harbor a single disturbed nucleus and are therefore in the later stages of a merger event. Single-nucleus ULIGs show a broad distribution in host magnitudes with significant overlap with those of quasars. The same statement applies to R - K' colors in ULIG and quasar hosts. An analysis of the surface brightness profiles of the host galaxies in single-nucleus sources reveals that about 35% of the Rand K' surface brightness profiles are well fit by an elliptical-like R1/4-law, while only 2% are well fit by an exponential disk. Another 38% of the single-nucleus systems are fit equally well with an exponential or de Vaucouleurs profile. Elliptical-like hosts are most common among merger remnants with Seyfert 1 nuclei (83%) and Seyfert 2 optical characteristics (69%). The mean effective radius of these ULIGs is 4.80 ± 1.37 kpc at R and 3.48 ± 1.39 kpc at K'. These values are in excellent agreement with recent quasar measurements obtained at H with HST. The hosts of elliptical-like 1-Jy systems follow with some scatter the same μe - re relation, giving credence to the idea that some of these objects may eventually become elliptical galaxies if they get rid of their excess gas or transform this gas into stars.