• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2023

Flavor is an important sensory trait of chicken meat. The free amino acid (FAA) and nucleotide (NT) components of meat are major factors affecting meat flavor during the cooking process. As a genetic approach to improve meat flavor, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify the potential candidate genes related to the FAA and NT components of chicken breast meat. Measurements of FAA and NT components were recorded at the age of 10 weeks from 764 and 767 birds, respectively, using a White leghorn and Yeonsan ogye crossbred F2 chicken population. For genotyping, we used 60K Illumina single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips. We found a total of nine significant SNPs for five FAA traits (arginine, glycine, lysine, threonine content, and the essential FAAs and one NT trait (inosine content), and six significant genomic regions were identified, including three regions shared among the essential FAAs, arginine, and inosine content traits. A list of potential candidate genes in significant genomic regions was detected, including the KCNRG, KCNIP4, HOXA3, THSD7B, and MMUT genes. The essential FAAs had significant gene regions the same as arginine. The genes related to arginine content were involved in nitric oxide metabolism, while the inosine content was possibly affected by insulin activity. Moreover, the threonine content could be related to methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. The genes and SNPs identified in this study might be useful markers in chicken selection and breeding for chicken meat flavor.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.912-921
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• 2023

Genetic diversity analysis is crucial for maintaining and managing genetic resources. Several studies have examined the genetic diversity of Korean domestic chicken (KDC) populations using microsatellite markers, but it is difficult to capture the characteristics of the whole genome in this manner. Hence, this study analyzed the genetic diversity of several KDC populations using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype data. We examined 935 birds from 21 KDC populations, including indigenous and adapted Korean native chicken (KNC), Hyunin and Jeju KDC, and Hanhyup commercial KDC populations. A total of 212,420 SNPs of 21 KDC populations were used for calculating genetic distances and fixation index, and for ADMIXTURE analysis. As a result of the analysis, the indigenous KNC groups were genetically closer and more fixed than the other groups. Furthermore, Hyunin and Jeju KDC were similar to the indigenous KNC. In comparison, adapted KNC and Hanhyup KDC populations derived from the same original species were genetically close to each other, but had different genetic structures from the others. In conclusion, this study suggests that continuous evaluation and management are required to prevent a loss of genetic diversity in each group. Basic genetic information is provided that can be used to improve breeds quickly by utilizing the various characteristics of native chickens.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.199-208
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• 2023

Background: Canine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an attractive source for veterinary regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug development. Here we used vitamin C (Vc) to improve the reprogramming efficiency of canine iPSCs, and its functions in the reprogramming process were elucidated. Methods: Retroviral transduction of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc (OSKM), and GFP was employed to induce reprogramming in canine fetal fibroblasts. Following transduction, the culture medium was subsequently replaced with ESC medium containing Vc to determine the effect on reprogramming activity. Results: The number of AP-positive iPSC colonies dramatically increased in culture conditions supplemented with Vc. Vc enhanced the efficacy of retrovirus transduction, which appears to be correlated with enhanced cell proliferation capacity. To confirm the characteristics of the Vc-treated iPSCs, the cells were cultured to passage 5, and pluripotency markers including Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and Tra-1-60 were observed by immunocytochemistry. The expression of endogenous pluripotent genes (Oct4, Nanog, Rex1, and telomerase) were also verified by PCR. The complete silencing of exogenously transduced human OSKM factors was observed exclusively in canine iPSCs treated with Vc. Canine iPSCs treated with Vc are capable of forming embryoid bodies in vitro and have spontaneously differentiated into three germ layers. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize a straightforward method for enhancing the efficiency of canine iPSC generation and provide insight into the Vc effect on the reprogramming process.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2005

Isozyme and AFLP analyses were examined to estimate the utilities of them as a genetic marker. The utilities were evaluated by genetic divergence and relationships among the four distinct abalone species; Haliotis discus hannai collected from northeast coast of Japan and Yellow-Sea coast of China, H. rufescens collected from west coast of USA, H rubra collected from southeast coast of Australia and H midae collected from Cape Town of South Africa. Isozyme and AFLP analyses showed a clear genetic divergence between every pair of species. Genetic relationships among the low species estimated by isozyme and AFLP analyses reflected to geographical distribution and morphological characteristics. In conclusion, Isozyme and AFLP analyses are suitable genetic markers far estimates of genetic divergence and relationship among abalone species.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.691-695
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• 2015

We report that phytosphingosine, a sphingolipid found in many organisms and implicated in cellular signaling, promotes megakaryocytic differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells. Specifically, phytosphingosine induced several hallmark changes associated with megakaryopoiesis from K562 and HEL cells including cell cycle arrest, cell size increase and polyploidization. We also confirmed that cell type specific markers of megakaryocytes, CD41a and CD42b are induced by phytosphingosine. Phospholipids with highly similar structures were unable to induce similar changes, indicating that the activity of phytosphingosine is highly specific. Although phytosphingosine is known to activate p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated apoptosis, the signaling mechanisms involved in megakaryopoiesis appear to be distinct. In sum, we present another model for dissecting molecular details of megakaryocytic differentiation which in large part remains obscure.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.66-70
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• 2005

Telomerase, a specialized RNA-directed DNA polymerase that extends telomeres of eukaryotic chromosomes, has activity in most malignant tumors and provides a mechanism for the unlimited potential for division of neoplastic cells. Although telomerase is known to be a regulated enzyme, the factors and mechanisms involved in telomerase regulation are not well understood. In the present study, we compared the effect of 12-O­tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and non-phorbol ester tumor promoters such as okadaic acid, anthralin and benzoyl peroxide on the expression of telomerase in the mouse skin carcinogenesis system, a well characterized model for studying pre-malignant and malignant progression. We found that most early papillomas harvested after 10 weeks of TPA promotion showed telomerase activity. Other papillomas harvested after 10 weeks of okadaic acid, anthralin and benzoyl peroxide promotion and after single treatment of DMBA only also showed telomerase activity, respectively. On the other hand, normal and all skins surrounded by papillomas harvested after 10 weeks of these promoters has no telomerase activity. Taken together these results, there appears to be no clear association between the level of telomerase activity and protein phosphorylation in mouse skin papillomas and telomerase may be useful as bio-markers in early detection of tumors.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.129-135
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• 2013

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In advanced and metastatic gastric cancer, the conventional chemotherapy with limited efficacy shows an overall survival period of about 10 months. Patient specific and effective treatments known as personalized cancer therapy is of significant importance. Advances in high-throughput technologies such as microarray and next generation sequencing for genes, protein expression profiles and oncogenic signaling pathways have reinforced the discovery of treatment targets and personalized treatments. However, there are numerous challenges from cancer target discoveries to practical clinical benefits. Although there is a flood of biomarkers and target agents, only a minority of patients are tested and treated accordingly. Numerous molecular target agents have been under investigation for gastric cancer. Currently, targets for gastric cancer include the epidermal growth factor receptor family, mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor axis, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. Deeper insights of molecular characteristics for gastric cancer has enabled the molecular classification of gastric cancer, the diagnosis of gastric cancer, the prediction of prognosis, the recognition of gastric cancer driver genes, and the discovery of potential therapeutic targets. Not only have we deeper insights for the molecular diversity of gastric cancer, but we have also prospected both affirmative potentials and hurdles to molecular diagnostics. New paradigm of transdisciplinary team science, which is composed of innovative explorations and clinical investigations of oncologists, geneticists, pathologists, biologists, and bio-informaticians, is mandatory to recognize personalized target therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

Objectives: To report on the result of infertility treatment with Korean medicine in clinical settings. Methods: This study was single arm, retrospective observational study. Analysis of the medical records on thirty four infertile women who were treated by acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine(Jokyungjongoktang-gagambang, Sutaehwan-gagambang). Pregnancy rate(PR) and Live birth rate(LBR) were analyzed as the primary outcomes. Changes of AMH, FSH, LH, $E_2$, $P_4$, endometrial thickness, fat mass, and BMI were also analyzed as the secondary outcomes. Results: A total of 34 patients were treated in the traditional Korean medical clinic. Nine patients were dropped, and 25 subjects completed the final examination at the end of this treatment schedule. Five of 25 subjects conceived during treatment, reaching 20% PR and LBR was also 20%. Except for FSH level, the results of the remaining outcome measures, including LFT, showed no significant changes. No serious adverse event has been reported. Conclusion: Although no significant changes in bio-markers were observed, complex treatment using Korean medicine has shown effectiveness on women's infertility. In addition, the safety of the treatment has been verified.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2013

To profile the proteome in porcine plasma, blood samples were collected from adult male barrows and those plasma were retrieved. For the depletion or pre-fractionation of high-abundance proteins, plasma samples were treated with commercial kits. Then, protein profiling was initiated using one and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteins were spotted and then identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF and LC-MS-MS. In the results, more than forty six proteins were identified and the reference map was constructed. The pre-treatment for the removal of high-abundance proteins caused the changes in 2-DE images and some of the proteins were newly uncovered after the most of high abundant proteins were removed. However, it is expected for further steps necessary to identify more low-abundance proteins that may contain potential bio-markers.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.297-304
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• 2014

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a plant native to Europe and has been widely used as a carminative and gastric stimulant worldwide. This plant also has been used in cosmetic formulations as a fragrance component and skin conditioning agent. This study investigated the effect of peppermint oil on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. The animals were randomized into 4 groups based on different topical applications: saline (SA), jojoba oil (JO), 3% minoxidil (MXD), and 3% peppermint oil (PEO). The hair growth effects of the 4-week topical applications were evaluated in terms of hair growth, histological analysis, enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gene expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), known bio-markers for the enhanced hair growth. Of the 4 experimental groups, PEO group showed the most prominent hair growth effects; a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth. ALP activity and IGF-1 expression also significantly increased in PEO group. Body weight gain and food efficiency were not significantly different between groups. These results suggest that PEO induces a rapid anagen stage and could be used for a practical agent for hair growth without change of body weight gain and food efficiency.