• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2011

Slime flounder, Microstomus achne is distributed in the coastal waters of Korea, west sea of Japan, BoHai, Yellow sea and East china sea. They are mainly caught by bottom trawl net during winter, from December to March. Sexual maturation of slime flounder were investigated using samples collected from commercial catch in the southern coast of Korea from November, 2006 to March, 2007. The ovary of the slime flounder is a conical bag in shape and is bilateral structure develops lengthily from the posterior of the abdomen to the end of the anal fin. The testis also is bilateral in structure, usually located in small size in the abdomen. In females, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) were peaked in January (12.46), then decreased rapidly thereafter. Female GSI values plummeted to 2.72 in March just after spawning. Male GSI values were peaked in December (2.46) before in the spawning season, then decreased slowly thereafter. The reproductive cycle would be classified into three successive developmental stages : maturation stage (November to January), ripe and spawning stage (December to February), degenerative and resting stage (February to March). Relationships between the fish sizes in total length (TL) and the number of ovarian eggs (F), the body weights (BW) and the number of ovarian eggs were indicated by the exponential equation respectively: F=29.027TL-767.8 (r$^2$=0.7686), F=0.3998BW+24.288 (r$^2$=0.8919).

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.145-152
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the effect of of transdermal testosterone gel (TTG) on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and IVF outcomes and ovarian morphology according to pretreatment duration in poor responders. A total of 120 women were recruited for this pilot study. They were randomized into control, 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 weeks TTG treatment groups. For three TTG treatment groups, 12.5 mg TTG was applied daily for 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 weeks in preceding period of study stimulation cycle. After 3 weeks of TTG pretreatment, significant increase of antral follicle count (AFC) and significant decreases of mean follicular diameter (MFD) and resistance index (RI) value of ovarian stromal artery were observed (p=0.026, p<0.001, p<0.01, respectively). The total dose of rhFSH administered for COS significantly decreased after 3 and 4 weeks TTG treatment both compared with control group (p<0.001, p<0.001). The numbers of oocytes retrieved and mature oocytes were significanty higher in 3 and 4 weeks TTG treatment groups than control group (p<0.001, p<0.001 in the number of oocytes retrieved; p<0.001, p<0.001 in the number of mature oocytes). The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were increased only in 4 weeks TTG treatment group compared with control group (p=0.030 and p=0.042, respectively). These data demonstrated that TTG pretreatment for 3 to 4 weeks increases AFC and ovarian stromal blood flow, thereby potentially improving the ovarian response to COS and IVF outcome in poor responders undergoing IVF/ICSI.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.251-256
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• 2013

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of Hh-Ag1.5, a small-molecule chemical agonist of SMOothened receptor, on the in vitro maturation and development of in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos in pigs. Oocytes or fertilized embryos were cultured in a maturation or embryo culture medium supplemented with 0 (control), 25, 50 or 100 nM of Hh-Ag1.5, respectively. Although the maturation rate were not different among treatment groups, the blastocyst formation rate in the group treated with 25 nM Hh-Ag1.5 was significantly increased compared to other groups (P<0.05). While the highest dose of Hh-Ag1.5 (100 nM) did negatively affect to the embryo development and cell number in blastocysts compared to other groups (P<0.05), the apoptotic cell index in blastocysts was significantly lower in 25 and 50 nM groups than in control and 100 nM groups (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of the proapoptotic gene Bax and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-XL decreased in among treatment groups compared to control (P<0.05). The embryo quality related genes, Tert and Zfp42, were significantly decreased in 50 and 100 nM groups compared with control and 25 nM groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 25 nM Hh-Ag1.5 to in vitro maturation and culture medium can enhance the developmental potential as well as quality of IVF embryos in pig.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.241-255
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• 2020

This study examined the eating habits and preferences of foods according to the age of children with autism spectrum disorders and identified the nutritional needs of parents to support their healthy eating habits and provide basic data for the development of educational programs. A survey of 100 parents of children with autism spectrum disorders was conducted on their children's snack intake, food preferences, and parents' nutrition education needs. As a result, there were four times more boys than girls, and the body mass index differed according to age (p<0.001). Most children ate snacks more than once a day, and parents found that they wanted to develop nutritious snacks that could replace high-protein, low-calorie meals with the minimal use of additives. For the food preference, there was a significant difference in grains and starches, vegetables/seafood and fruits, milk and dairy products (p<0.05), fats and sugars, and Korean fermented pastes (p<0.01) between the two age groups. Regarding whether nutrition education was required, many parents had a high demand for nutrition education (4.24±0.70), and the intention to participate was 3.62±1.09. The most important content to be dealt with in parent education was 'Inducing a change in bad eating habits and behaviors', which was the highest (63%), and mostly face-to-face education was preferred. In conclusion, young children require diet education, and older children need to focus on weight control and obesity.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 1998

The ovary of the spotted flounder Verasper variegatus is a conical bag in shape and is bilateral structure develops lengthily from the posterior of the abdomen to the end of the anal fin. The testis also is bilateral in structure, usually located in small size in the abdomen. In females, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed very low from March to July, and then began to increase from August, thereafter reached the maximum in January through out the year. In males, the GSI reached the maximum (1.7) in January through out the year, as seen in females. Compared with the male GSI in other fishes, the maximum GSI of this species were very lower than those of other fishes. According to the distributions of egg diameter in the spawning season, it is assumed that the spotted flounder spawn four times or more in the spawning season. The total length of female and male reached 50% first sexual maturity were 42.0~44.0 and 28.0~30.0cm, respectively and total length of female and male reached 100% maturity were 44.0 and 32.0cm, respectively. The reproductive cycle could be classified into four successive developmental stages: growing stage (August~October), mature stage (November~December), ripe and spent stage (December~February), degenerative and resting stage (March~July).

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.220-227
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI-01) among children and adolescents aged between 3 and 18. Methods: The control group consisting of one hundred children and adolescents was recruited from schools and the patient group consisting of forty one children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder were recruited from a hospital. We compared the measurements of both groups. To assess the concurrent validity of the BPI-01, we compared the problem behavior index of the Korean Scale of Independent Behavior-Revised (K-SIB-R) and, to assess the discriminant validity, we compared the Korean version of the Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL). The Cronbach's alpha of the BPI-01 was measured to assess its reliability. Correlation analyses between the BPI-01 and the other scale were carried out to examine the former's concurrent and discriminant validity. Results: The patient group showed a significantly higher score for all three subscales of the BPI than the control group. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 for the total severity score of the BPI and ranged between 0.67-0.89 for each subscale in the patient group. All subscales of the BPI-01's, i.e., self injurious behavior, stereotyped behavior and aggressive/destructive behavior, were significantly correlated with the corresponding subscales of the K-SIB-R. The BPI-01 generally did not demonstrate any significant correlation with emotional items such as anxiety/depression in the K-CBCL. Especially, the BPI-01's stereotyped behavior subscale showed little correlation with externalizing behaviors such as social problems and aggressive behaviors. Conclusion: This study found that the Korean version of BPI-01 is a reliable and valid behavior rating instrument for problem behavior in developmental disabilities among children and adolescents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1420-1430
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• 2018

Objective: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major ingredient of catechin polyphenols and is considered one of the most promising bioactive compounds in green tea because of its strong antioxidant properties. However, the protective role of EGCG in bovine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study the effects of EGCG on IVM of bovine oocytes. Methods: Bovine oocytes were treated with different concentrations of EGCG (0, 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}M$), and the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, cumulus cell expansion, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, total antioxidant capacity, the early apoptosis and the developmental competence of in vitro fertilized embryos were measured. The mRNA abundances of antioxidant genes (nuclear factor erythriod-2 related factor 2 [NRF2], superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], catalase [CAT], and glutathione peroxidase 4 [GPX4]) in matured bovine oocytes were also quantified. Results: Nuclear maturation which is characterized by first polar body extrusion, and cytoplasmic maturation characterized by peripheral and cortical distribution of cortical granules and homogeneous mitochondrial distribution were significantly improved in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG-treated group compared with the control group. Adding $50{\mu}M$ EGCG to the maturation medium significantly increased the cumulus cell expansion index and upregulated the mRNA levels of cumulus cell expansion-related genes (hyaluronan synthase 2, tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 6, pentraxin 3, and prostaglandin 2). Both the intracellular ROS level and the early apoptotic rate of matured oocytes were significantly decreased in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG group, and the total antioxidant ability was markedly enhanced. Additionally, both the cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly higher in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG-treated oocytes after in vitro fertilization than in the control oocytes. The mRNA abundance of NRF2, SOD1, CAT, and GPX4 were significantly increased in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG-treated oocytes. Conclusion: In conclusion, $50{\mu}M$ EGCG can improve the bovine oocyte maturation, and the protective role of EGCG may be correlated with its antioxidative property.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.97 no.6
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• pp.597-604
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• 2008

Recognizing the necessity of the development of ecologically sound silvicultural system for the mature Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), this study was carried out to examine the invasion and growth of understory vegetation after partial cutting. In 1997, the age class VII Korean pine forest in the Experimental Forest of Kangwon National University was opened up about 50% by modified shelterwood cutting with site preparation to induce succeeding regenerations. After 10 years, plenty of hardwood have come to the stand, forming understory vegetation. The abundance and composition of understory vegetation was periodically investigated in the ten $10m{\times}10m$ permanent sample plots, estimating importance values, species diversity index and the distribution of diameter and height of the understory vegetation. Encouraged by canopy opening, the coverage of understory reached perfect closure, composed of 22 tree species and 20 shrub species in 2007. Morus bombycis occupied 29.6% of the total importance value and Cornus controversa was 17.0%, followed by Styrax obassia, Quercus aliena, Quercus mongolica, Acer mono, and Pinus koraiensis. In the year of 2000 the species diversity was highest as 2.547 with 26 tree species and deceasing thereafter, showing 2.220 with 22 tree species in 2007. As understory layer was thickly covered and got grow bigger, some shade intolerant species were disappeared, lowering species diversity. In 2007 the biggest tree was a Quercus aliena with 11.3 cm of DBH and the tallest tree was a Cornus controversa with 9.8m of height. The frequency distribution of number of trees by diameter and height classes formed the inverted-J-shaped curve, supposed to be typical uneven-aged stand.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2009

The effects of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), ecdysone (20-hydroxyecdysone, 20-E) and HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) on the ovarian maturation of the fleshy shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis were investigated. Adult female fleshy shrimps were injected with 5-HT ($5{\mu}g$/g body weight (BW) or $20{\mu}g$/g BW), 20-E ($5{\mu}g$/g BW, $10{\mu}g$/g BW or $20{\mu}g$/g BW) or HCG (5 IU/g BW or 10 IU/g BW) three times at 5-day intervals and were sacrificed 10 days after the last injection. The effects were compared against an intact control group and sham control group which received the injection of sterile saline solution as a vehicle. 20-E and HCG showed no effectiveness on ovarian maturation in fleshy shrimps. However flesh shrimp given 5-HT of $20{\mu}g$/g BW showed significant increase in gonadosomatic index (GSI) in early spring. The results suggest that treatment of 5-HT of $20{\mu}g$/g BW or more is useful approach for the nursery production of the fleshy shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis aquaculture.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.257-262
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• 2009

This study was to investigate pregnancy rate of IVM/IVF/IVC Korean cattle (registered in government) embryos according to transport time course. For the production of embryos, oocytes recovered from slaughtered excellent grade cow and highly motile frozen-thawed bull semen (purchased from LIMC, KPN#497) was used. In vitro produced embryos were cultured in CR1aa medium for 8 days and some of them were frozen. The rate of average cleavage (>2-cell) was 83.0% (308/371) and blastocyst rate at day 8 was 34.7% (107/308). Among in vitro produced blastocyst embryos at day 8, most healthy embryos were freshly transferred on production day and some frozen embryos were direct transferred on appropriate day. These embryos were produced in a laboratory, embryo transfer (ET) was planned in 10 areas of the remote island (Jeju) from the laboratory by airplane. Thus, we examined the pregnancy rate in recipient cow according to embryo of transport time course before ET. From embryo transferred 44 recipient cows, overall pregnancy was 40.9% (18/44), these 18 cows were all calved [single, 94% (17/18); twin, 6% (1/18)] and total embryo implantation rate was 26% (19/66). Comparing transport time in the base of 6 hr, pregnancy rate in ET group required less 4 hr (60%, 9/15) was significantly higher than that required more 6 hr (26.3%, 5/19). In direct ET of freezing embryos, the pregnancy rate was 40% (4/10). However, it was difficult to find the meaning of temperature, pH and corpus luteum quality of recipients on comparison of pregnancy rate. When the cell death level of embryos according to storage time in thermos (straw container) before ET was measured by TUNEL staining, apoptotic index was increased with storage time-dependent. These results demonstrated that long distance transfer of IVM/IVF/IVC embryos is possible and the time of embryo transport is very important for the pregnancy rate on field trial.