This study was conducted to establish the optimal chemical post-activation conditions in porcine embryonic development after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) using 4 different chemical compositions (cytochalasin B (CB), cyclohexamide (CHX), demecolcine (DC), 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP). Porcine embryos were produced by PA and SCNT and then, cultured for post-activation with CB (7.5 μg/mL), CB (7.5 μg/mL) + CHX (10 μg/mL), CB (7.5 μg/mL) +DC (0.4 μg/mL), and CB (7.5 μg/mL) + DMAP (2 mM). In PA embryonic development, cleavage rates have been significantly higher in CB group (94.7%) and CB+DMAP group (94.1%) than that of CB+CHX and CB+DC group (88.1 and 84.3%, respectively). There have been no significant differences in blastocyst formation rates among the four groups. In cell number of blastocyst was shown in CB group (42.3%) significantly higher than CB+CHX and CB+DC group (40.6 and 40.6%, respectively). In SCNT embryonic development, CB+DMAP group (89.7%) significant differences were found on embryo cleavage rates when compared with other three groups. Blastocyst formation rates in CB+DMAP group (26.9%) were significantly higher when compared with CB, CB+CHX, and CB+DC groups (25.5, 20.2, and 22.1%, respectively). In blastocyst cell number, CB+DMAP group (41.4%) was found higher significant difference compared with other three groups. Additionally, we have investigated survivin expression in early development stages of porcine SCNT embryos for more confirmation. Our results establish that CB group and CB+DMAP group for 4 h during post-activation improves pre-implantation improvement of PA and SCNT embryos.

The objective of this study was to establish the effect of post-activation treatment with cytoskeletal regulators of CB, CB+CHX, CB+DC, CB+6’DMAP on embryonic development of pig oocytes after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). PA and SCNT embryos were produced by using in vitro matured pig oocytes and treated for 4 h after electric activation with cytochalasins B (7.5 μg/ml), CB+cycloheximide (10 μg/ml), CB+demecolcine (0.4 μg/ml), and CB+2mM 6-Dimethylaminopurine. Post-activation treatment of PA oocytes with CB, CB+CHX, CB+DC and CB+6’DMAP no significant differences were found in embryo cleavage (83.2～91.5%), mean cell number of blastocysts (40.6～ 42.3% cells/blastocyst) but significantly (P<0.05) differences blastocyst formation (28.6～36.4%). When PA oocytes were treated with CB, CB+CHX, CB+DC, CB+6’DMAP, blastocyst formation was significantly (P<0.05) improved by CB (36.6%) compared to CB+CHX (30.9%), CB+DC (28.6%) and CB+6’DMAP (35.2%). In SCNT, was not significantly (P<0.05) increased by post-activation treatment with CB+CHX (81.3%), CB+DC (83.9%) and CB+6’DMAP (90.0%) compared to CB (84.5%) on embryo cleavage, blastocyst formation (19.1%~23.6%) and blastocyst cell number (39.6～41.4% cells/blastocyst) also were not influenced. But increased tendency in CB+6’DMAP. In addition, we investigated survivin expression in porcine SCNT embryos during the early developmental stages. The levels of survivin mRNA in 2-4 cell stage SCNT embryos were significantly higher 6’DMAP treated group than other treatment groups of SCNT embryos. These observations suggested that 2-4 cell cleaving embryos at have high developmental competence, and which may be influenced by survivin expression in porcine SCNT embryos. Our results demonstrate that post-activation treatment with CB, CB+CHX, CB+DC, CB+6’DMAP improves pre-implantation development of SCNT embryos and the stimulating effect of cytoskeletal modifiers on embryonic development is differentially shown depending on the origin (PA or SCNT) of embryos in pigs.

Since the first success of animal cloning, somatic cell nuclear transfer presented various ideas in many research areas such as regenerative medicine. However, SCNT embryos has poor survival rate. Therefore, numerous researches carried out to enhance the developmental capability of porcine nuclear transfer embryos. Cytochalasin B, demecolcine, latrunculin A, cycloheximide and 6-dimethylaminopurine are efficient chemicals treated in post-activation procedure to increase the efficiency of SCNT. This review study is aim to investigate the effects of these chemicals applied to post-activation in porcine SCNT. Cytochalasin B, demecolcine, latrunculin A are cytoskeletal manuplators inhibit extrusion of pseudo-polar body. Cytochalasin B and demecolcine showed considerably higher blastocyst formation proportion (26-28%) compared to when they are not treated (16%). And when latrunculin A was treated for postactivation, blastocyst formation proportion was increased in SCNT embryos exposed to LA (38%) than those in control (14%). On the other hand, cycloheximide and 6-dimethylaminopurine are protein synthesis and kinase inhibitors. And they help to maintain Ca2+ fluctuation in oocytes. Cleavage and blastocyst rates of NT embryos were increased when they were exposed to CHX (16.9% and 5.4% with no CHX).And 6-DMAP also showed higher blastocyst formation (21.5% compared to 15.7%, control). Although all these chemicals have different mechanisms, they showed developmental competence enhancement in NT embryos. However, there are only few studies comparing each chemical’s post-activation effect. Therefore, further research and study should be conducted to find optimal chemical for improving the efficiency of SCNT.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of post-activation treatment with cytoskeletal regulators in combination with or without 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP) on embryonic development of pig oocytes after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). PA and SCNT oocytes were produced by using in vitromatured pig oocytes and treated for 4 h after electric activation with 0.5 μM latrunculin A (LA), 10.4 μM cytochalasins B (CB), and 4.9 μM cytochalasins D (CD) together with none or 2 mM DMAP. Post-activation treatment of PA oocytes with LA, CB, and CD did not alter embryo cleavage (85.8～88.6%), blastocyst formation (30.7～ 32.4%), and mean cell number of blastocysts (33.5～33.8 cells/blastocyst). When PA oocytes were treated with LA, CB, and CD in combination with DMAP, blastocyst formation was significantly (P<0.05) improved by CB+DMAP (42.5%) compared to LA+DMAP (28.0%) and CD+DMAP (25.1%), but no significant differences were found in embryo cleavage (77.5～78.0%) and mean blastocyst cell number (33.6～35.0 cells) among the three groups. In SCNT, blastocyst formation was significantly (P<0.05) increased by post-activation treatment with LA+DMAP (32.9%) and CD+DMAP (35.0%) compared to CB+DMAP (22.0%) while embryo cleavage (85.5～85.7%) and blastocyst cell number (41.1～43.8 cells) were not influenced. All three treatments (LA, CB, and CD with DMAP) effectively inhibited pseudo-polar body extrusion in SCNT oocytes. The proportions of oocytes showing single pronucleus formation were 89.6%, 83.9%, and 93.3%, respectively with the increased tendency (P<0.1) by LA+DMAP and CD+ DMAP compared to CB+DMAP. Our results demonstrate that post-activation treatment with LA or CD in combination with DMAP improves pre-implantation development of SCNT embryos and the stimulating effect of cytoskeletal modifiers on embryonic development is differentially shown depending on the origin (PA or SCNT) of embryos in pigs.

This study aimed to identify the asymmetry observed in the electromyography (EMG) activity patterns of selected trunk and thigh muscles between the affected and unaffected sides during the sit-to-stand movement in ambulatory patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. This study included 20 patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The differences between stroke fast walkers (, 11 subjects) and stroke slow walkers (<8 m/s, 9 subjects) were compared. The activation magnitude and onset time of the multifidus, lumbar erector spinae, hamstrings, and quadriceps during the sit-to-stand movement were recorded through surface EMG. Moreover, the EMG activation magnitude and onset time ratios of each bilateral corresponding muscle from the trunk and leg were measured by dividing the relevant values of the unaffected side by those of the affected side. In all the subjects, the activation magnitudes of the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps on the affected side significantly decreased compared to those on the unaffected side (p<.05). The onset time of muscle activity in the affected side was markedly delayed for the multifidus and quadriceps during the task (p<.05). The activation magnitude ratios of the quadriceps were markedly decreased in the stroke slow walkers as compared to those in the stroke fast walkers. These findings indicate that the asymmetry in the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps muscle activation patterns in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis may be due to the excessive muscle activation in the unaffected side to compensate for the weakened muscle activity in the affected side. Our findings may provide researchers and clinicians with information that can be useful in rehabilitation therapy.

시간이 지남에 따라 놀이터의 변화는 계속해 진행되고 있으나 흙보다 는 인공포장재료, 동·식물의 조화 보다는 화려한 인공 구조물로 덮여 가고 있다. 그로 인해 이를 이용하는 아이들이 받는 효과가 미미할 뿐만 아니라 자연 생태계의 순환 기능 또한 저하되어가고 있다. 최근 생 태계 서비스와 생태복지에 대한 관심, 요구도가 증가함에 따라 환경부에서는 도심 내 건전성 향상을 위한 새 정부 국정 과제 ‘행복한 생활문 화 공간 조성’의 세부과제 ‘생태휴식 공간 확충’의 일환으로 생태놀이터 조성 사업을 추진 중에 있다. 생태놀이터 조성 사업은 2014년을 시 작으로 2017년까지 전국 100개 조성을 목표로 하고 있다. 그러나 현재, 초기단계 사업인 만큼 가이드라인의 세부적 검토와 이용자들의 요 구도 등에 관한 후속적 평가가 부족한 실정이다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 현재까지 조성된 생태놀이터 가운데 유형별 대상지를 선정, 생태현 황 분석을 실시, 이용객들의 선호도 및 만족도 조사를 통해 향후, 생태놀이터의 활성화를 위한 이용 후 평가를 통한 개선방안을 제시하고자 하였다. 본 연구대상지는 도심생활형, 산림인접형, 수변형으로 구분하여 양평어린이 생태놀이터, 우면산 생태놀이터, 굴포누리 생태놀이터를 조 사, 분석하였다. 생태놀이터 대상지의 유형별 현황 분석 결과, 자연 생태공간과 인접, 생태자원 활용 프로그램 계획에 양호한 환경조건을 갖추었으나, 연계된 프로그램이 부족했으며, 전체 종수 대비 자생종 식재율이 최대 45%를 넘지 못하였다. 또한 공간별 자연체험 및 놀이 시설대비 교육안내시설의 분포율이 최소 62.5%로 생태자원을 활용한 효과적인 체험·학습에 어려움이 있을 것으로 사료되었다. 휴게시설 및 휴식공간의 분포율이 가장 높은 대상지가 3.4%이하에 머물러 다양한 목적하에 방문하는 이용자들의 요구를 충족하기 어려울 것으로 판단되었다. 생태놀이터 대상지를 이용하는 이용자들의 설문 조사 결과, 항목은 연령, 학력, 직업, 결혼 유무, 미성년 자녀 유무로 하였다. 일반 현황으로 연령의 경우 전체적으로 40대(31.0%)가 가장 많은 비율을 차지하였다. 학력은 전체의 58.6%가 대졸로 나타났으며, 직업은 전체적으로 주 부(23.4%)가 가장 많은 비율을 차지하였다. 결혼 유무는 기혼이 71.0%로 가장 많은 비율을 차지하였으며, 대상지가 생태자원을 활용한 놀 이터이기 때문에 미성년 자녀를 가진 이용자가 전체의 71.3%를 차지하였다. 생태놀이터의 인지도에 있어서는 전체의 61.4%가 알고 있다 고 답하였으나 이용빈도에 있어 월 1∼2회(35.2%) 이용한다고 답한 응답자가 가장 많은 비율을 차지하였다. 활동내용에 있어서는 자녀와 놀이(40.7%)와 산책(34.5%)의 비율이 가장 많아 운동과 휴식에 관련된 공간, 시설에 대한 균형있는 계획 및 확충이 필요할 것으로 사료되 었다. 생태놀이터 대상지별 만족도 및 선호도 경향을 분석한 결과, 구성 만족도에서는 전반적으로 높은 평균치를 보였다. 하지만 파고라, 벤치를 포함한 휴게시설의 만족도가 가장 저조한 것으로 나타나 휴식·커뮤니티성의 보완이 필요하였다. 생태놀이터의 추가 프로그램에 대한 선 호도에서는 미각 유형 프로그램의 평균 선호도(0.6%)가 가장 낮았다. 이에 활발한 참여율과 높은 생태 체험·학습 효과를 위해 평균 선호도 가 가장 높은 시각 유 형 숲 속 관찰하기(17.2%), 후각 유형 꽃향기 맡기(14.5%), 청각 유형 숲소리 듣기(11.7%)와 같은 생태 체험·교육 프로그램의 계획, 운영이 필요하였다. 생태놀이터의 추가 시설물 선호도에서도 놀이기구, 파고라, 벤치의 보완·추가 요구도가 가장 높게 도출되었으며, 추가 공간 선호도에서는 운동공간과 체험학습장 확충에 대하여 대상지별 평균차이가 모두 유의하였다. 본 연구에서 수행한 생태놀이터의 유형별 현황 분석과 이용자의 만족도 및 선호도 조사 결과는 향후, 생태놀이터의 조성, 리노베이션 뿐만 아니라 나아가 정착 및 활성화를 위한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다. 또한 아이들의 자유놀이에 국한되지 않고, 지역사회와 환경을 고 려한 생태자원 활용 프로그램의 계획을 통해 더 큰 효과 창출에 기여 할 수 있을 것으로 사료되었다.