• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.195-205
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• 2024

Amphipoda is a benthic fauna occupying aquatic environments that can be used as a live feed for mud crabs. The abundance of amphipods in the water is thought to impact the preying capacity of crablets, which in turn will affect their growth performance. This study aims to determine the preying capacity of the crablet stage of Scylla tranquebarica exposed at different densities (20, 30, and 40 amphipods / 0.5 L) of amphipod, Grandidierella megnae. The preying capacity was estimated by counting the number of amphipods ingested by an individual crablet during the 60-day rearing period. The main parameters measured were daily consumption rate (DCR), Cumulative molting (CM), Feed conversion ratio (FCR), and the specific growth rate of weight (SGR-W). The results showed that the DCR and FCR were not affected by amphipod densities but the higher the amphipod density the higher the SGR-W and CM. Based on this study, 30 amphipods / 0.5 L is recommended as the optimal density to optimize the DCR and improve the growth performance of crablets. It is also proposed that surplus live feed will potentially reduce the cannibalism rate of crablets during weaning. However, more research needs to be carried out to elucidate the benefits of crablet-feeding amphipods in communal systems.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.541-559
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Korean mothers in relation to parent education. Parent education was broadly defined in this study to encompass the various educational experiences that parents "try" and "undergo" both before and after becoming parents. Rather than being confined to a single program, we aimed to understand parent education as a cumulative process, comprising diverse experiences that shape parents' lives and roles. We conducted in-depth interviews with seven mothers of infants and toddlers, followed by a reflexive thematic analysis of the data. Four major themes emerged from the analysis. The first theme, "confusion about becoming a parent," describes the initial challenges of adjusting to the loss of freedom and the adaptation to new responsibilities. The second theme, "parent education through observation and experience," highlights how parents learned by observing and engaging with real-life situations before and after the birth of their children. The third theme, "active participation in purposeful parent education," focuses on structured educational programs in shaping parental roles. The final theme, "reflective thinking and personal growth through parent education," illustrates how reflective practices as a mother contributed to the parental development. This study underscores the importance of adopting a long-term perspective on parent education, recognizing the interconnected nature of parental and child development and appreciating the experiences of mothers who grow through reflective thinking.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 1996

Antisense oligonucleotides seem to provide a promising new tool for the therapy. Choi et al. (1995) reported antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (PS-ODN, 25 mer) complementary to TGF-.betha. mRNA designed for scar formation inhibitor to eliminate scars, which was caused by undesired collagen deposition due to overexpression of TGF-.betha., in wounded skin. PS-ODN were evaluated in vitro for skin penetration using normal and tape-stripped damaged rat skin. The in vitro skin transports were carried out with partially modified PS-ODN (6S) and fully modified PS-ODN (25S). The cumulative amount of PS-ODN (6S) penetrated through normal rat skin was $0.234{\pm}0.041{\mu}g/cm^2$ and that of tape-stripped damaged rat skin was $1.077{\pm}0.301{\mu}g/cm^2$ over 8 hrs. PS-ODN (25S) can not be found in receptor medium through normal skin due to high molecular weight (Mol.Wt.=8,000) and polyanionic charge. However, the cumulative amount of PS-ODN (25S) penetrated across damaged rat skin in PBS was $0.340{\pm}0.296{\mu}g/cm^2$ over 8 hrs. The absense of dermis raised the cumulative amount of PS-ODN (6S) penetrated through rat skin. And the fluxes of PS-ODN (6S) and PSODN (25S) at 8hrs across damaged rat skin were $134.63{\pm}37.67{\mu}g/cm^2$ h, and $42.50{\pm}36.95ng/cm^2$ h, respectively. While PS-ODN (25S) was stable in 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS) during 24 hrs, PS-ODN (6S) was less stable than PS-ODN (25S), but was markedly stable than unmodified phosphodiester. It is suggested that the cumulative amount of PS-ODN (6S) penetrated through damaged rat skin is larger than that of PS-ODN (25S) since the former is easier to degrade by nuclease than the latter and then is apt to penetrate into skin. Thus, PS-ODN represents a logical candidate for further evaluation due to the potential for delivery into the wounded skin.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2020

Objectives: Some animal studies have reported that methyl mercury causes developmental toxicities such as placental and fetal weight loss, but the mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the developmental toxicities of methyl mercury, focusing on placental endocrine function and fetal growth retardation in rats. Methods: Positively same-time-mated female Sprague-Dawley rats were purchased on gestational day (GD) eight and treated with 0, 5, 10 and 20 ppm of methyl mercury (n=5) dissolved in tap water from GD eight through 19. During treatment, the drinking water (methyl mercury) intake and body weight of each pregnant rat was measured daily. On day 19, caesarean sections were performed and blood samples were collected. Developmental data such as placental and fetal weights, fetus numbers, and placental efficiency (fetal weight/placental weight) were also collected. Placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family, such as placental lactogen (PL) -Iv, II, and prolactin-like protein (PLP) -B, levels in serum were analyzed by ELISA. Also, placental tissues were assigned to histochemistry. Results: The mean cumulative methyl mercury exposure for the 5, 10, and 20 ppm groups were 2.37, 4.63, and 9.66 mg, respectively. The mean daily exposure of the 5, 10, and 20 ppm groups were 0.24, 0.47, and 0.97 mg, respectively. Maternal body weight increased in accordance with GD. There was no significant difference in weight gain among the experimental groups. Histopathologic changes were not observed in placental tissues among the experimental groups. However, mean placental and fetal weights were lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups compared to the control. Placental efficiency was also lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups compared to the control. Serum PL-Iv and II levels were lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups than the control, in accordance with the changing pattern of placental and fetal weights and placental efficiency. Conclusion: The inhibitory effects of methyl mercury on the serum levels of placental PRL-GH family such as PL-Iv and II may be secondary leads to the reduction of placental efficiency and fetal growth retardation in rats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1598-1608
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• 2013

An optimum dietary carbohydrate content is important for maximum fish growth. In this study, we fed Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) with either control diet (30.42%) or high carbohydrate diet (52.92%) for 90 d. Fish were fed to apparent satiation three times daily in an aquarium with automatic temperature control and circulated water. Growth performance, plasma biochemical parameters, hepatic morphology and enzyme activities were determined. It was shown that compared to fish fed control diet, fish fed high carbohydrate diet had higher plasma triglyceride and cortisol levels for d 90, and lower alkaline phosphatase level for d 45, lower hepatic superoxide dismutase and total antioxidative capacity for d 90, higher malondialdehyde for d 45 and glycogen content for d 45 and 90 (p<0.05). Histological and transmission electron microscopy studies showed that hepatocytes of fish fed high carbohydrate diet contained large lipid droplets, causing displacement of cellular organelles to periphery of hepatocytes. The relative level of hepatic heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA of Wuchang bream fed high carbohydrate diet was significantly higher than that of fish fed the control diet for 90 d (p<0.05). These changes led to decreased specific growth rate and increased feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). Upon hypoxia challenge, fish fed high carbohydrate diet had higher cumulative mortality than those fed the control diet (p<0.05). These results suggested that high dietary carbohydrate (52.92%) was detrimental to the growth performance and health of Wuchang bream.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.91-95
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• 2010

Density-dependant growth and mortality rate of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum reared in net cages was investigated in Gomso Bay, Korea where unusually high mortality of clams has been reported. For the experiment, four groups of clam cages were set up with a density of $2,000clams/m^2$ (group A), $1,000clams/m^2$ (group B), $500clams/m^2$ (group C) and $100clams/m^2$ (group D). Mortality and growth of clams in each experimental cage was monitored biweekly from May 2001 to September 2001. Highest mortality in group A was observed in late August, while highest mortality of rest groups was observed in early September. In September, the cumulative mortality in group A was 99%, while it was 93.2% in group B, 91.2% in group C and 88% in group D. Shell growth rate of clams in thecages was found to be density dependent; monthly shell length increase was 0.67 mm in group A, 1.33 mm in group B, 1.63 mm in group C and 1.71 mm in group D. Our study indicated that clam growth and mortality in the Bay is density dependent and the growth and survival rate is negatively correlated with the density.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1994

The effects of exogenous estrogen on growth, mammary development, and the age at which the first estrous symptoms are detected were investigated for the first time in Korean native heifers at 6 months of age. At 90 days after treatment, weight gains of heifers implanted with 10 mg of estradiol were not different from those of the control heifers. However, weight gams of heifers implanted with 20 mg of estradiol were significantly increased at 90 days by 18%, relative to control values. At 180 days, cumulative weight gains of heifers implanted with either 10 mg or 20 mg of estradiol averaged 6.7% or 17.8%, respectively, greater than controls. But these values were not statistically significant. Regardless of dosage, teat diameter gains in the treatment groups were significantly increased at 90 days about 159%, relative to controls. Cumulative teat diameter gains in the heifers implanted with either 10 mg or 20 mg of estradiol were also significantly increased at 180 days by 100% or 128%, respectively, compared to controls. Teat length gains in the heifers implanted with either 10 mg or 20 mg of estradiol were significantly increased at 90 days by 200% and 295%, respectively, compared to controls. Cumulative teat length gains in the heifers implanted with either 10 mg or 20 mg of estradiol were significantly 265% and 325%, respectively, higher than controls. The heifers implanted with either 10 mg or 20 mg of estradiol showed a significant increase in teat volume gains at 90 days of 282% or 246%, respectively, over those of the control heifers. Cumulative teat volume gains in the heifers implanted with either 10 mg or 20 mg of estradiol were significantly increased at 180 days by 251% and 244%, respectively, compared to control values. However, there were no significant differences m gams of teat diameter, length and volume between heifers implanted with 10 mg and 20 mg of estradiol regardless of 90 days or 180 days. Heifers implanted with 10 mg or 20 mg of estradiol showed the first estrus 20 or 124 days, respectively, faster than controls. Overall, These data strongly suggest that estradiol implantation into heifers stimulates growth and mammary development and hasten the age at which the first estrus in Korean native heifers is observed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Greenspace enlargement through proper landscape planting is essential to creating a low carbon society. This study analyzed changes in stem diameter growth rates(DGR), ratios of below ground/above ground biomass(B/A), and carbon sequestration by age of major landscape tree species. Landscape trees for study were 11 species and 112 individuals planted in middle region of Korea. The DGR and B/A were analyzed based on data measured through a direct harvesting method including root digging. The carbon sequestration by tree age was estimated applying the derived regression models. The annual DGR at breast height of trees over 30 years averaged 0.72 cm/yr for deciduous species and 0.83 cm/yr for evergreen species. The B/A of the trees over 30 years averaged 0.23 for evergreen species and 0.40 for deciduous species, about 1.7 times higher than evergreen species. The B/A by age in this study did not correspond to the existing result that it decreased as tree ages became older. Of the study tree species, cumulative carbon sequestration over 25 years was greatest with Zelkova serrata(198.3 kg), followed by Prunus yedoensis(121.7 kg), Pinus koraiensis(117.5 kg), and Pinus densiflora (77.4 kg) in that order. The cumulative carbon sequestration by Z. serrata offset about 5% of carbon emissions per capita from household electricity use for the same period. The growth rates and carbon sequestration for landscape trees were much greater than those for forest trees even for the same species. Based on these results, landscape planting and management strategies were explored to improve carbon sequestration, including tree species selection, planting density, and growth ground improvement. This study breaks new ground in discovering changes in growth and carbon sequestration by age of landscape trees and is expected to be useful in establishing urban greenspaces towards a low carbon society.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2014

Plastic film houses are directly associated with increases in plant growth and yield of vegetable crops through a year round cultivation, however, at the same time temperature stresses are one of fates which are difficult to avoid during crop growth. The objective of this study was to examine the translocation and distribution of minerals (N, P, K) and carbohydrates as well as seasonal fluctuation of mineral uptake and carbohydrate production in cucumber plant grown under moderately high temperature. The temperature treatments consisted of 2-layers film houses (optimal temp.) and 3-layers (high temp.). Shoot growth of cucumber plants were linearly increased until 14 weeks after transplanting (WAT) without any significant difference between both temperatures, and the slowdown was observed from 16 WAT. The level of soluble sugar and starch was slightly greater in optimal temperature compared to the high. Cumulative accumulation of soluble sugar was significantly different before and after 12 WAT in both treatments, whereas starch level represented a constant increase. Monthly production of soluble sugar reached the peak between 12 to 16 WAT, and starch peaked between 4 to 8 WAT and 12 to 16 WAT. Total uptake of N, P and K in optimal and high temperature conditions was $18.4g\;plant^{-1}$ and 17.6 for N, 4.7 and 5.1 for P, and 37.7 and 36.2 for K, respectively, and the pattern of monthly N uptake between optimal and high temperatures was greater in early growth stage, whereas was greater in mid growth stage in both P and K. Thus, this study suggests that moderately high temperature influences much greater to photosynthesis and carbohydrate production than plant biomass and mineral uptake. On the basis of the present result, it is required to indentify analysis of respiration rates from plant and soil by constantly increasing temperature conditions and field studies where elevated temperatures are monitored and manipulated.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.784-788
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• 2007

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), a hypothalamic neuropeptide can stimulate the growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary. In this study, a porcine GHRH expression plasmid pHC-GHRH was used to enhance growth performance through ectopic expressions in muscle tissues of rats. Rats injected with the plasmid of pHC-GHRH and pCMV-GHRH exhibited cumulative weight gains 6.4% and 1% greater than controls. During a 5-day period, significant weight gain differences were observed as follows compared with that of control: during 5-10 days post-injection (DPI) period, the group pHC-GHRH on average 14.5% heavier than controls, $40.73{\pm}0.88$ g vs. $35.57{\pm}1.23$ g (p = 0.0023); during 10-15 DPI period, the group pHC-GHRH on average 13.6% heavier than controls, $37.49{\pm}2.85$ g vs. $33.00{\pm}1.56$ g (p = 0.0146); during 15-20 DPI period, the group pHC-GHRH on average 17.8% heavier than controls, $25.64{\pm}1.39$ g vs. $21.77{\pm}1.27$ g (p<0.05). In addition, plasmids-treated rats maintained higher serum IGF-I than controls. Significant differences of IGF-I were observed on 13 DPI and on 40 DPI in pHC-GHRH group compared with that of controls. This was accomplished through the use of an improved expression cassette that included the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early enhancer/promoter in combination with a 1.5-kilobase portion of porcine ${\alpha}$-skeletal muscle actin promoter.