OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether embryonic stem (ES) cells can be established from isolated blastomeres of mouse embryos. METHODS: Blastomeres were separated from mouse (C57Bl/6J) 2- or 4-cell embryos. Isolated blastomeres or whole 4-cell embryos were co-cultured with mitosis-arrested STO feeder cells in DMEM supplemented with recombinant murine leukemia inhibitory factor and ES-qualified fetal bovine serum. After the tentative ES cell lines were maintained from isolated blastomeres or whole embryos, some of them were frozen and the others were sub-cultured continually. Characteristics of tentative ES cell lines as were evaluated for specific gene expressions with immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: One ES cell line (3.0%) was established from isolated blastomere of 2-cell embryo and one cell line (4.0%) from isolated two blastomeres of 4-cell embryo. And five cell lines (16.7%) were established from whole 4-cell embryos. Both cell lines from isolated blastomere and whole embryo expressed mouse ES cells specific markers such as SSEA-1, Oct-4 and alkaline phosphatase. Marker genes of three germ layers were expressed from embryoid bodies of both cell lines. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that mouse ES cells could be established from isolated blastomeres, although the efficiency is lower than whole embryos. This animal model could be applied to establishment of autologous human ES cells from biopsied blastomeres of preimplantation embryos in human IVF-ET program.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Antigens, CD15 ; Blastocyst* ; Blastomeres* ; Cell Line ; Embryoid Bodies ; Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Embryonic Structures ; Feeder Cells ; Gene Expression ; Germ Layers ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; Mice* ; Models, Animal

No abstract available.
Body Weight* ; Diet* ; Exercise Therapy* ; Humans

PURPOSE: This study identifies correlations among information needs and knowledge about prenatal genetic screening and diagnosis (I-PGSD & K-PGSD), and attitude toward terminating pregnancy (ATP) among pregnant women in South Korea. METHODS: A descriptive survey was conducted from January 2013 to April 2014 in South Korea. 222 pregnant women responded to three questionnaires developed by the authors. The questionnaire for I-PGSD consisted of 19 questions; 18 questions for K-PGSD; and 10 questions for ATP. RESULTS: Mean scores were 80.46±11.73 for I-PGSD; 14.86±3.74 for K-PGSD; and 33.71±6.13 for ATP. The ATP score was positively correlated with the I-PGSD and K-PGSD scores, but statistically significant with only I-PGSD (p=.006). I-PGSD scores were higher than average on three genetic syndromes (Down, Patau, and Edwards syndrome), on management after the diagnosis of positive fetal aneuploidy, and on test result interpretation after the amniocentesis and level II fetal ultrasonogram. CONCLUSION: In light of current legal and moral controversy regarding terminating pregnancy and rapidly advancing prenatal genetic testing technology, more prenatal genetic education for nurses and nursing students who teach pregnant women is needed. In addition, more professional counseling services provided by trained nurses are also required.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Amniocentesis ; Aneuploidy ; Counseling ; Diagnosis* ; Education ; Female ; Genetic Testing* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women* ; Students, Nursing ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: Embryonic stem (ES) cells could be differentiated into the specific cell types by alternation of culture condition and modification of gene expression. This study was performed to evaluate the differentiation protocol for mouse and human ES cells to insulin secreting cells. METHODS: Undifferentiated mouse (JH-1) and human (Miz-hES1) ES cells were cultured on STO feeder layer, and embryoid bodies (EBs) were formed by suspension culture. For the differentiation, EBs were cultured by sequential system with three stage protocol. The differentiating ES cells were collected and marker gene expressions were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in each stage. Amount of secreted insulin levels in culture media of human ES cells were measured by human insulin specific RIA kit. RESULTS: During the differentiation process of human ES cells, GATA-4, alpha-fetoprotein, glucose transporter-2 and Ngn-3 expression were increased whereas Oct-4 was decreased progressively. Insulin and albumin mRNAs were expressed from stage II in mouse ES cells and from stage III in human ES cells. We detected 3.0~7.9 microU/ml secretion of insulin from differentiated human ES cells by in vitro culture for 36 days. CONCLUSION: The sequential culture system could induce the differentiation of mouse and human ES cells into insulin secreting cells. This is the first report of differentiation of human ES cells into insulin secreting cells by in vitro culture with serum and insulin free medium.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Animals ; Culture Media ; Embryoid Bodies ; Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Feeder Cells ; Gene Expression ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin* ; Insulin-Secreting Cells* ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: An incompatibility between the initiator systems of self-curing composite resins and light-curing adhesives was supposed recently. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of activators for self/dual bonding on dentin shear bonding strengths. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty human molars were divided into 5 groups. A flat dentin surface was created for each tooth. A self-curing composite resin (Luxacore) was bonded with the following adhesives (n = 10): One-Step, Prime and Bond NT, AdheSE, Prime and Bond NT and AdheSe were also used in combination with activators. Shear bond strengths were measured after 24 hours of water storage. The specimens were loaded in shear in the Instron until failure at a 1 mm/min crosshead speed. Data were compared using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The dentin adhesive systems in order of decreasing median bond strength were One-Step > Prime & Bond NT with activator, AdheSe with activator > Prime and Bond NT, AdheSe. Among adhesives, One-Step had the highest bond strength. Prime & Bond NT with activator had higher bond strengths than Prime and Bond NT that was used alone, and so was AdheSe. CONCLUSION: Shear bond strengths were increased in Prime and Bond NT and AdheSe when these were used with activators comparing used without activators. But using activators was not effective clinically comparing One-Step.
Adhesives ; Composite Resins ; Dentin ; Humans ; Molar ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; Tooth ; Water

This study was carried out for the burden of disease of major cancers assessment using years of lives with disability in Korea. With the years of lives with disability, this indicator was applied in order to estimate burden of major cancer disease. For this work, We also estimated incidence rate, remission rate, case fatality rate, average age of onset, expected duration with disability in each cancer disease. As sources of information, national health insurance data and national mortality registration data were analyzed. The results of the study are as follows; The top five causes of the burden of major cancer disease are evaluated as stomach cancer, liver cancer, colon and rectum cancer , esophageal cancer, lung cancer in male. The top five causes of the burden of major cancer disease are evaluated as stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, uterine cervix cancer ovarian cancer in female. The process of evaluating the burden disease of major cancers in Korea has not finished with this paper. This study should be seen as the first in a series in Korea. It is necessary to analyse with more accuracy the assumptions behind the methodology.
Age of Onset ; Cervix Uteri ; Colon ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Liver Neoplasms ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Mortality ; National Health Programs ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Stomach Neoplasms

We report an autopsy case of a male fetus with Adams-Oliver syndrome. His mother was a healthy, 31-year-old woman and her family and past histories were unremarkable. Therapeutic termination was done at 28() weeks gestational age due to oligohydramnios detected by antenatal ultrasonography. Chromosomal study revealed normal karyotype. On autopsy, characteristic transverse terminal defect of four extremities was found. Both feet were short and broad. All toes were rudimentary with no nails and fingers were irregularly short. On infantogram, all toe-bones were stubby and rudimentary. The middle and terminal phalanges of 2nd, 3rd +ACY- 5th fingers and the terminal phalange of 4th finger on the right hand were absent. The middle and terminal phalanges of 2nd +ACY- 5th fingers and terminal phalange of 3rd finger were defected on the left hand. His abnormalities were consistent with features of Adams-Oliver syndrome, which has not been reported in Korea.
Abnormalities, Multiple/pathology+ACo- ; Abnormalities, Multiple/embryology ; Abortion, Habitual ; Abortion, Therapeutic ; Adult ; Autopsy ; Case Report ; Female ; Fetal Diseases/pathology+ACo- ; Foot Deformities, Congenital/radiography ; Foot Deformities, Congenital/pathology+ACo- ; Foot Deformities, Congenital/embryology ; Genes, Dominant ; Hand Deformities, Congenital/radiography ; Hand Deformities, Congenital/pathology+ACo- ; Hand Deformities, Congenital/embryology ; Human ; Male ; Oligohydramnios ; Pregnancy ; Scalp/embryology ; Scalp/abnormalities+ACo- ; Skin Abnormalities/pathology+ACo- ; Skin Abnormalities/embryology ; Syndrome

We report an autopsy case of a male fetus with Adams-Oliver syndrome. His mother was a healthy, 31-year-old woman and her family and past histories were unremarkable. Therapeutic termination was done at 28() weeks gestational age due to oligohydramnios detected by antenatal ultrasonography. Chromosomal study revealed normal karyotype. On autopsy, characteristic transverse terminal defect of four extremities was found. Both feet were short and broad. All toes were rudimentary with no nails and fingers were irregularly short. On infantogram, all toe-bones were stubby and rudimentary. The middle and terminal phalanges of 2nd, 3rd +ACY- 5th fingers and the terminal phalange of 4th finger on the right hand were absent. The middle and terminal phalanges of 2nd +ACY- 5th fingers and terminal phalange of 3rd finger were defected on the left hand. His abnormalities were consistent with features of Adams-Oliver syndrome, which has not been reported in Korea.
Abnormalities, Multiple/pathology+ACo- ; Abnormalities, Multiple/embryology ; Abortion, Habitual ; Abortion, Therapeutic ; Adult ; Autopsy ; Case Report ; Female ; Fetal Diseases/pathology+ACo- ; Foot Deformities, Congenital/radiography ; Foot Deformities, Congenital/pathology+ACo- ; Foot Deformities, Congenital/embryology ; Genes, Dominant ; Hand Deformities, Congenital/radiography ; Hand Deformities, Congenital/pathology+ACo- ; Hand Deformities, Congenital/embryology ; Human ; Male ; Oligohydramnios ; Pregnancy ; Scalp/embryology ; Scalp/abnormalities+ACo- ; Skin Abnormalities/pathology+ACo- ; Skin Abnormalities/embryology ; Syndrome

Purpose: The demand for advanced practice nurses (APNs) has increased globally due to a shortage of physicians and an increased demand for high-quality healthcare. Research is needed on the enhancement of advanced practice nurses' organization commitment. Organization commitment (OC) directly impacts the retention of APNs. This study aims to identify the key factors affecting the OC of advanced practice nurses.MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted at the largest hospital in South Korea. A total of 189 APNs answered survey questions. A partial least squares-structural equation modeling method was employed to analyze the survey responses. Results: A pay scale of APNs is positively associated with person-organization fit (POF). However, the effect of job location and computer self-efficacy on POF is not significant. Job satisfaction plays a salient direct role in supervision and POF. Job satisfaction is also a significant moderator in the relationship between supervision and POF. POF is significantly associated with both OC and supervision. Supervision has a positive effect on organization commitment. Conclusions Pay scale, job satisfaction, supervision, and POF are significant factors affecting organization commitment. Establishing an intra-organization entity, such as APN steering committee, to ensure mutual consensus and transparent communication between administrators and APNs would enhance POF, the rating of supervision, and organization commitment.

Purpose: This study aims at determining the competencies of Korean nurses in prenatal genetic nursing. Methods: First, a 3-round Delphi survey was conducted to establish prenatal genetic nursing competencies. Second, a prenatal genetic nursing education program (PGNEP), incorporating the findings from the Delphi survey, was designed. Third, a single group pre- and post-quasi-experimental study at a PGNEP workshop was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the integration of the competencies into the PGNEP with the measurements of knowledge about prenatal genetic testing and nursing (K-PGTN) and information needs about prenatal genetic testing and nursing (I-PGTN). Finally, the identified competencies were reexamined for their clarity. Results: Based on the Delphi survey 78 competency components were identified. The components were then classified under 10 categories, which were organized under 4 domains. The domain of “experiential genetic nursing knowledge” and the domain of “ethics and law” were ranked as the first and the second in significance. The quasi-experimental study showed that the mean scores in K-PGTN were significantly increased from 8.19±2.67 to 11.25±2.51 (P<0.001). The mean scores of “ethics and law” in I-PGTN decreased significantly (P=0.023). The headings of 4 categories and 2 domains were revised. Conclusion This study identified competencies for prenatal genetic nursing and nursing education in Korea. There is a need for nursing instructors and researchers to improve the competencies of nurses in the identified areas. Particular emphasis should be placed on experiential nursing knowledge and on ethics and law related to prenatal genetic nursing.