• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.249-254
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• 2016

All living things share some common life processes, such as growth and reproduction, and have the ability to respond to their environment. However, each type of organism has its own specialized way of managing biological events. Genetic sequences determine phenotypic and physiological traits. Based on genetic information, comparative genomics has been used to delineate the differences and similarities between various genomes, and significant progress has been made in understanding regenerative biology by comparing the genomes of a variety of lower animal models of regeneration, such as planaria, zebra fish, and newts. However, the genome of lizards has been relatively ignored until recently, even though lizards have been studied as an excellent amniote model of tissue regeneration. Very recently, whole genome sequences of lizards have been uncovered, and several attempts have been made to find regeneration factors based on genetic information. In this article, recent advances in comparative analysis of the lizard genome are introduced, and their biological implications and putative applications for regenerative medicine and stem cell biology are discussed.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.227-238
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• 2019

GROWTH-REGULATING FACTORs (GRFs) are sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors that regulate various aspects of plant growth and development. GRF proteins interact with a transcription cofactor, GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR (GIF), to form a functional transcriptional complex. For its activities, the GRF-GIF duo requires the SWITCH2/SUCROSE NONFERMENTING2 chromatin remodeling complex. One of the most conspicuous roles of the duo is conferring the meristematic potential on the proliferative and formative cells during organogenesis. GRF expression is post-transcriptionally down-regulated by microRNA396 (miR396), thus constructing the GRF-GIF-miR396 module and fine-tuning the duo's action. Since the last comprehensive review articles were published over three years ago, many studies have added further insight into its action and elucidated new biological roles. The current review highlights recent advances in our understanding of how the GRF-GIF-miR396 module regulates plant growth and development. In addition, I revise the previous view on the evolutionary origin of the GRF gene family.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.88-99
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• 2021

In this study, a land-based marine closed mesocosm (LMCM) experiment was performed to objectively assess the initial stability of an artificial ecosystem experiment against biological and non-biological factors when evaluating ecosystem risk assessment. Changes in the CV (coefficient of value) amplitude were used as data to analyze the stability of the experimental system. The CV of the experimental variables in the LMCM groups (200, 400, 600, and 1,000 L) was maintained within the range of 20-30% for the abiotic variables in this study. However, the difference in CV amplitude in biological factors such as chlorophyll-a, phytoplankton, and zooplankton was high in the 600 L and 1,000 L LMCM groups. This result was interpreted as occurring due to the lack of control over biological variables at the beginning of the experiment. In addition, according to the ANOVA results, significant differences were found in biological contents such as COD (chemical oxygen demand), chlorophyll-a, phosphate, and zooplankton in the CV values between the LMCM groups(p<0.05). In this study, the stabilization of biological variables was necessary to to control and maintain the rate of changes in initial biological variables except for controllable water quality and nutrients. However, given the complexity of the eco-physiological activities of large-scale LMCMs and organisms in the experimental group, it was difficult to do. In conclusion, artificial ecosystem experiments as a scientific tool can distinguish biological and non-biological factors and compare and analyze clear endpoints. Therefore, it is deemed necessary to establish research objectives, select content that can maintain stability, and introduce standardized analysis techniques that can objectively interpret the experimental results.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 1998

The determination of appropriate parameters and parameter conditions is very important for the optimization of production of target materials. Taguchi's method has been used widely as the basis for development trials and optimization during industrial process design. Reaction variables which influence product yield are easily determined and their effects are revealed by just a few reactions, negating the need for extensive experimental investigation. There are usually some factors that are responsible for variations in process characteristics, so called noise factors. Controlling noise factors is very costly and difficult or impossible. Taguchi's experimental design method was examined to determine the control factor's level that is less sensitive to the changes in environmental conditions and other noise factors without control of noise factors. In this study, optimization of lipase-catalyzed production of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) which has various physiological functions was performed by Taguchi's method. We obtained LPA yields ($66.5\%$) with low variance (5.32) at 400 RPM, molar ratio of 40 : 3 (mol) (fatty acid: G-3-P), 48 h, and $50^{\circ}C$. Thus, bioactive LPA with a desired fatty acid moiety could be produced with high yields and low variance despite various environmental noise factors.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was undertaken to identify stroke risk with risk factors and knowledge of stork in women with prehypertension. Methods: A total of 46 pre-hypertensive women in urban area aged 44.8 (SD 11.4) yr old in average were selected by a convenient sampling. Demographic data, risk factors, and knowledge of stroke were assessed through face to face interview. Stroke risk scores were calculated based on points given to age, systolic blood pressure, smoking, DM, and heart disease in Framingham stroke risk score. Data were analyzed by SPSS WIN 12.0 using descriptive statistics, two sample t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure of participants was 133.11 mmHg, and HDL cholesterol was lower than the recommended level, although rest of physiologic risk factors were within normal. Of the participants, 82% did not do regular physical activity and 75% did not control fat intake persistently. Mean stroke risk points and knowledge scores were 4.48 and 29.15, respectively, which were significantly different between women with and without persistent controlling fat intake. Conclusion: Results indicate stroke prevention intervention for prehypertensive women should address comprehensively modifying lifestyle as well as physiologic factors, and information focusing on stroke risk factors and warning symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate influences of drinking, smoking, and obesity indices on cardio-cerebrovascular disease risk factors in Korean young men. Methods: The subjects were 234 young men, aged 20 to 39 years. Body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), body fat mass (kg), and waist hip ratio (WHR) were measured as obesity indices. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured as cardio-cerebrovascular disease risk factors. The data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis using SAS 9.4. Results: Statistically significant factors were BMI for SEP; age, degree of drinking, body fat mass for DBP; WHR for TC; WHR and age for TG; age, degree of smoking and PBF for HDL-C; WHR, age and degree of smoking for LDL-C. Conclusion: Factors identified in this study need to be considered in cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention programs for young men.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of questionable development according to developmental screening testing for children, and to explore biological and environmental risk factors of developmental delays. Method: The study participants were 153 children under two years of age. A questionnaire and Home Observation for measurement of the Environment (HOME) inventory were used to collect data, and Korean Denver II was administered. Results: The overall prevalence of questionable development was 11.1%. Significant differences in biological factors between the normal development group and questionable development group were the rate of prematurity, twins, the educational level of mother and father's and the presence of an illness in the mother (p<.10). Maternal acceptance in HOME was significantly different between the two groups. The factors related to questionable development that were significant in the logistic regression analysis were prematurity (OR=3.56, p=.026), and maternal acceptance in HOME score (OR=.629, p=.028). Conclusion: Early developmental screening tests seem necessary for all children, especially for prematurely born children. Also, child rearing environments were identified as significant factors in the development of all children. These findings suggest that the HOME scores might be useful in identifying children at risk for developmental delays, and that interventions for these children will probably be more effective if their mothers are helped to provide a more appropriate social environment.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.298-307
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)-related infections within the first post-procedural year after CIED insertion. Methods: This study included 509 adult patients undergoing CIED implantation procedures between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. The data were analyzed by t-test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 23.0. Results: Fifteen infections and 494 non-infections were examined. The CIED-related infection rate was 2.9%; patients with 14 pocket infections and one bacteremia were included in the CIED-related infection. The risk factors of CIED-related infections were the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≤ 45 mL/min/1.73 m² (Odds ratio [OR]= 4.03, 95% confidence interval [CI],1.15-14.10) and taking a new oral anticoagulant (NOAC) (OR = 4.50, 95% CI 1.09-18.55). Conclusion: These results identified the CIED infection rate and risk factors of CIED-related infection. It is necessary to consider these risk factors before the CIED implantation procedure and to establish the relevant nursing interventions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10475-10481
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• 2015

Forkhead-box (FOX) transcription factors comprise a large gene family that contains more than 50 members in man. Extensive studies have revealed that they not only have functions in control of growth and development, but also play important roles in different diseases, especially in cancer. However, biological functions for most of the members in the FOX family remain unknown. In the present study, the expression of 39 FOX genes in 48 kinds of cancer was mined from the Gene Expression Atlas database of European Bioinformatics Institute. The analysis results showed that some FOX genes demonstrate overlapping expression in various cancers, which suggests particular biological functions. The pleiotropic features of the FOX genes make them excellent candidates in efforts aimed to give medical treatment for cancers at the genetic level. The results also indicated that different FOX genes may have the synergy or antagonistics effects in the same cancers. The study provides clues for further functional analysis of FOX genes, especially for the pleiotropic biological functions and crosstalk of FOX genes in human cancers.

• Mycobiology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2018

Depending on the mode of nutrition exploitation, major fungal guilds are distinguished as ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi. It is generally known that diverse environmental factors influence fungal communities; however, it is unclear how fungal communities respond differently to environment factors depend on fungal guilds. In this study, we investigated basidiomycetes communities associated with Quercus mongolica using 454 pyrosequencing. We attempted to detect guild pattern (ectomycorrhizal or saprotrophic fungal communities) by comparing the influence of geography and source (root and surrounding soil). A total of 515 mOTUs were detected from root (321) and soil (394) of Q. mongolica at three sites of Mt. Jeombong in Inje County. We found that patterns of diversity and community structure were different depending on the guilds. In terms of alpha diversity, only ectomycorrhizal fungi showed significant differences between sources. In terms of community structure, however, geography significantly influenced the ectomycorrhizal community, while source appeared to have a greater influence on the saprotrophic community. Therefore, a guildbased view will help to elucidates novel features of the relationship between environmental factors and fungal communities.