• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.241-255
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• 2023

The robust development of frog farming offered high economic benefits but created a large waste residue of frog bones and skin that received little attention. Over the years, inedible by-products have often been processed into biomolecules of potential value and environmental benefits, such as collagen, gelatin, and bioactive peptides. An overview of bioactive compounds on frog skins from various countries indicated that brevinin was the most abundant biological peptide found in frog skin. Other remaining compounds also possessed their highlighted activities, including antibacterial, stimulating insulin release and gastric hormone release, anti-cancer, and neuroregulatory. Notably, various components have been analyzed in the structure and sequence to give meaningful insight into clustering components related to their biological activity. This review may create a source of raw materials for the developmental research of by-products from frog skin and concomitantly reduce environmental pollution.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 2024

Objective: Seasonal variations in semen quality are known to occur in temperate regions, but results regarding tropical areas remain inconclusive. The aim of this study was to determine whether monthly variations in semen parameters are present among men in a tropical region. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from semen analyses of 3,000 men over a 10-year period, from 2012 to 2022. Analysis of variance and the independent-samples t-test were employed to observe variations in semen parameters throughout the entire period and between months, respectively. Results: The mean±standard deviation sperm concentration was significantly lower in June, at 42.5±31.4 million/mL, compared to other months. The highest sperm concentration was found in March, at 57.8±42.6 million/mL, constituting a mean difference of 15.3 million/mL between the lowest and highest concentrations. The total sperm count displayed a similar pattern of monthly variation, with a difference of 47.2 million between the highest and lowest months. No significant monthly differences were observed in other parameters, such as sperm motility, morphology, and semen volume. Conclusion: Significant monthly variations in sperm concentration and total sperm count were evident in this Sri Lankan population. March, which displayed the highest sperm counts, is in the spring in temperate regions, while the month with the lowest counts, July, is part of the summer. Fluctuations in photoperiod appear to most strongly influence these variations.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.89-100
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• 2024

Integrating advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data is transforming elderly care services, particularly in nursing homes. This study explores the impact of these technologies on the quality of care in nursing homes in Tongling City, China. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 298 elderly residents across 12 nursing homes through detailed surveys and interviews. The findings indicate that smart platforms and intelligent terminals significantly enhance service quality, with institutional conditions and social participation emerging as the most influential factors. Although the study's regional focus may limit the generalizability of the findings, it introduces novel applications of AI in dietary management and IoT in personalized environmental monitoring, which contribute original insights to the broader field of smart elderly care. These results underscore the transformative potential of advanced technologies in improving elderly care and offer a model that can be adapted to similar contexts globally. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impact of these technologies and explore their applicability in diverse cultural and regional settings.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 1999

Korean R. plancyi occupies a restricted area in western South Korea and shows a relatively low level of genic variability (%P＝15.2, Ho=0.052, He＝0.048). In contrast, R. nigromaculata is broadly distributed in South Korea. The observed low level of variability of R. nigromaculata (%P＝14.3, Ho＝0.042, He＝0.043) is probably due to its recent colonization. Populations of R. nigromaculata exhibited considerable genetic differentiation (F$_{sT}$=0.149) and low level of gene flow (Nm＝1.427) among populations, compared to those of R. Plancyi (F$_{sTF$_{sT}$}$=0.096, Nm＝2.354), which occupies a restricted area. The observed levels of gene flow among populations of R. nigromaculata (Nm＝1.427) over a broad geographic range is relatively higher than other amphibian species. The high level of gene flow is probably the result of the high dispersal abilities of R. nigromaculata. A survey of temporal genic variation of R. nigromaculata showed that there was no significant change on the overall average genetic diversity from 1978 (average He＝0.044) to 1997 (average He＝0.040). Wright's F-statistics also indicated no significant genetic differentiation from 1978 (F$_{sT}$＝0.118) to 1997 (F$_{sT}$＝0.108). This suggests that the environmental change appears to have had little influence on the genetic composition of R. nigromaculata in the study areas during the past 20 years. The low level of temporal variation might be due to the result of high dispersal abilities and wide migration range of this species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.95-107
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• 2016

The gold-spotted pond frog(Pelophylax chosenicus) classified as an Anura in Amphibia is sharply decreasing due to various changes of habitats environment, and designated as IUCN Red List Threatened species(VU; Vulnerable) internationally and domestic endangered species Class-II; therefore, it's in urgent need of the research on habitats restoration of the gold-spotted pond frog in order to prevent its extinction. This study was carried out to verify the effect after restoration by introducing the inhabitation elements deducted by the literature research and a field survey on the habitats for the gold-spotted pond frog in danger of regional extinction in the urban area of Ansan city, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Accordingly, the capacity for bio-species was increased by expanding the area of habitats into $11,845m^2$, and securing the place for hibernation and corridors and discharge within the habitats, etc. As a result of the monitoring the number of individuals increased by 9.5 times as the reproductive success rate of the gold-spotted pond frog got higher, and by virtue of improvement in the habitats, biodiversity increased to 183 species(4 species of amphibians and reptiles, 4 species of mammals, 17 species of birds, 53 species of insects(terrestrial/Benthic), 4 species of fish, and 102 species of plants). It might be possible to verify the restoration effect of the habitats through continuous monitoring, and suggest the restoration model on the habitats for continuously survivable the gold-spotted pond frog in the urban area by deducting the matters to be improved.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4429-4434
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• 2015

Background: Public awareness/knowledge on oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC), potentially malignant disorders (PMODs) and their risk factors is crucial for prevention and early detection of OPC and PMODs. Yet, there are no published data available on the awareness and knowledge of OPC and PMODs among people living in Far North Queensland, Australia. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a cross sectional survey. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and consisted of relevant questions to ascertain socio-demographic information, awareness and knowledge of OPC, PMODs and risk factors and questions on participant's exposure to risk factors and dietary history were also included. Survey was carried out at the Dental Clinic of the James Cook University School of Dentistry (JCU Dental), Cairns, Australia. Subjects above the age of 20 years (n=366) were randomly selected during the period from 31st July to 6th September 2013 and questionnaire was distributed to complete while they are waiting for treatment. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21 and the chi -squared test was employed to compare groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study revealed that 52.3% of the respondents were aware of the existence of OPC but only 19.0% were aware of PMODs. Of those who were aware of oral cancer, 92% agreed or strongly agreed that smoking is a strong risk factor for OPC. Similarly a relatively high proportion of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that tobacco chewing (84%), tobacco chewing with areca nut (68%), chewing areca nut alone (51%) and exposure to actinic radiation (71%) as risk factors. However, the results for alcohol intake, age, and HPV infection were found to be relatively poor with proportions 33%, 34%, and 23% respectively. Conclusions: This study revealed an alarming lack of awareness and knowledge of OPC and PMODs.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 1988

A comparison between two species of Hyla japonica and H. suweonesis in Korea was carried out to clarify their morphological, genetic and ecological differences, to estimate presumed divergent time between them, and to elucidate their probable process and mechanism of speciation. The results are as follows; 1.The breeding season of H. japonica was earlier than that of H. suweonensis about one and half months. 2.H.japonica was distributed all over the country, while H. suweonensis was restricted in Kyonggi plains. 3.On the extemal morphometric characters, differences were hardiy seen between two species. But on the discriminant function analysis, there was apparent differences between them. 4.Genic variation based on 24 loci showed that H. japonica populations were about two fold more variable than that of H. suweonensis populations. 5.Genetic relatedness between two species was rather remote (S =0.520, D=0.634) 6.Their presumed divergent time was estimated to be about three and a quarter mfllon years. It is presumed that H. suweonensis was originated from H. japonica during the period of late pleocene and early pleistocene. 7.Premating isolating mechanisrns (breeding season, mating call, and microhabitat segregation) may be operating to prevent gene ifow between them.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.363-373
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• 2021

An ecological niche is defined as the specific role of a species influenced by time, space, and other resources. By investigating overlaps between ecological niches of different species, we could estimate the degrees of interspecific competition. Such studies often use geographic information systems (GIS) to discover niche overlaps between species. In this study, we used GIS to estimate the spatial niches of two Korean frog species(Pelophylax nigromaculatus and P. chosenicus). This enabled us to predict their geographic distributions in order to identify their coexistence regions and distribution patterns. The results confirmed that altitude was an important variable for predicting their distribution, with a correlation with their climatic range. Spatial distributions of the two frog species were highly overlapped, as the distribution range for P. nigromaculatus included most of the range of P. chosenicus, showing a sympatric distribution pattern. Within the coexisting regions, however, the presence sites for the two species did not overlap, implying weak competition. To confirm the principal factors influencing their competitive relationship and reasons for their sympatric distribution pattern, we need more detailed in-depth studies on the diverse environmental variables within the regions where the two species coexist. By doing so, we would be able to identify various mechanisms for avoiding competition in sympatric frog species.