• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.175-183
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• 2012

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading causes of cancer deaths and can be caused by environmental factors as well as genetic factors. Therefore, we developed a prediction model of CRC using genetic risk scores (GRS) and evaluated the effects of conventional risk factors, including family history of CRC, in combination with GRS on the risk of CRC in Koreans. This study included 187 cases (men, 133; women, 54) and 976 controls (men, 554; women, 422). GRS were calculated with most significantly associated single-nucleotide polymorphism with CRC through a genomewide association study. The area under the curve (AUC) increased by 0.5% to 5.2% when either counted or weighted GRS was added to a prediction model consisting of age alone (AUC 0.687 for men, 0.598 for women) or age and family history of CRC (AUC 0.692 for men, 0.603 for women) for both men and women. Furthermore, the risk of CRC significantly increased for individuals with a family history of CRC in the highest quartile of GRS when compared to subjects without a family history of CRC in the lowest quartile of GRS (counted GRS odds ratio [OR], 47.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9 to 471.8 for men; OR, 22.3; 95% CI, 1.4 to 344.2 for women) (weighted GRS OR, 35.9; 95% CI, 5.9 to 218.2 for men; OR, 18.1, 95% CI, 3.7 to 88.1 for women). Our findings suggest that in Koreans, especially in Korean men, GRS improve the prediction of CRC when considered in conjunction with age and family history of CRC.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.166-171
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• 2005

Background: Smoking effects are relatively well-documented, especially on cancers and cardiovascular diseases. However, the direction and magnitude of association between smoking and obesity remain unclear. Conflicting results so far are thought to stem from the multiple confounding structure of smoking and other obesogenic life style characteristics. Methods: Cotwin control study is a genomic epidemiology design, in which the other twin (=cotwin) serves as a control of the twin. Cotwin control study, discordant for smoking habits can provide powerful evidence of association between smoking and obesity by completely matching genomic information, intrauterine environment, and almost all environmental factors. We selected 3,697 like-sex twin pairs (2,762 male and 935 female pairs) out of 63,666 pairs of adult twins in the existing Korea Twin and Family Register, whose smoking habits are discordant. We used the information of obesity as body mass index (BMI, $kg/m^2$) blood pressure, and blood cholesterol level at the time or later than the smoking information. Paired t-test was done to compare the smoking effects. Results: Lifetime smoking rate was 80.1 % (47.9 current smoker) for men and 10% (1.7% current smoker) for women. Among 2,762 and 935 male and female like-sex twin pairs, 363 male pairs and 20 female pairs correspond to the definition of smoker-nonsmoker pair. The male smokers demonstrated increase in BMI by 0.47, while female smokers show slight decrease (by 0.13), which were not statistically significant. Diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and cholesterol level were slightly increased among smokers by 1.85 mmHg, 0.62 mmHg, and 1.28 mg/dl for men. For women, the results show increase in diastolic blood pressure (3.42mmHg) and cholesterol level (1.25 mg/dl), and systolic pressure (8.17 mmHg). Conclusion: The results refute the possibility that smoking can reduce BMI. Considering the direct adverse effect of smoking, it should be emphasized that smoking do not decrease obesity and thus increase overall metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.3-20
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• 2014

Due to habitat damage associated with climate change and human activities, biodiversity has decreased all over the world. In order to prevent further reduction in biodiversity, the international community has endeavored to establish a cooperative system, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Until now, most biodiversity strategic planning has been led by the national government. However, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is conservative and its strategic plan is vague. Therefore, we propose a method for managing local biological resources called the Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. In order to provide the strategic plans and detailed plans for the Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the report has examined several cases including Convention on Biological Diversity, Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, and the biodiversity strategies and action plans of the Republic of Korea and several other countries. As a result, the report demonstrates the survey and protection of bio-species, the designation and monitoring of conservation region, the management of the integrated eco-network, the establishment of biodiversity organizations and capacity building, the methods to promote networking and traditional knowledge, and the strategy for development in bioindustry. Consequently, the implementation of biodiversity management strategies by local governments will play a significant role in preserving and increasing biodiversity by realizing the goals of Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.108-115
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• 2010

Hypertension is the most prevalent disease worldwide and is itself a risk factor for cerebral, cardiac, and renal diseases. The inconsistency of candidate genes suggested by previous genomewide association studies (GWASs) may be due to not only differences in study design and genetic or environmental background but also the difference in the power of analysis between continuous traits and discrete traits. We analyzed 352,228 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8842 unrelated Koreans obtained from Ansan and Ansung cohorts. We performed a series of GWA analyses using three different phenotype models; young hypertensive cases (278 subjects) versus elderly normotensive controls (680 subjects); the upper 25% (2211 hypertensive cases) versus the lower 25% of the SBP distribution (2211 hypotensive controls); and finally SBP and DBP as continuous traits (8842 subjects). The numbers of young hypertensive cases and elderly normotensive controls were not large enough to achieve genomewide significance. The model comparing the upper 25% subjects to the lower 25% of subjects showed a power that was approximate to that of QTL analysis. Two neighboring SNPs of the ATP2B1 gene, rs17249754 (SBP, p=$2.53^{-10}$; DBP, p=$1.28{\times}10^{-8}$) and rs7136259 (SBP, p=$1.30{\times}10^{-9}$; DBP, p=$6.41{\times}10^{-8}$), were associated with both SBP and DBP. Interestingly, a SNP of the RPL6 gene, rs11066280, revealed a significant genomewide association with SBP in men only (p=$3.85{\times}10^{-8}$), and four SNPs located near the MAN2A1 gene showed a strong association with DBP only in elderly men aged 60-70 years (e.g., rs6421827, p=$4.86{\times}10^{-8}$). However, we did not observe any gene variant attaining genomewide significance consistently in the three phenotype models except for the ATP2B1 gene variants. In general, the association signal with blood pressure was stronger in women than in men. Genes identified in GWASs are expected to open the way for prevention, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment of hypertension.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.248-254
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• 2022

Educational innovations are first created, improved or applied educational, didactic, educative, and managerial systems and their components that significantly improve the results of educational activities. The development of pedagogical technology in the global educational space is conventionally divided into three stages. The role of innovative technologies in Higher School practice is substantiated. Factors of effectiveness of the educational process are highlighted. Technology is defined as a phenomenon and its importance is emphasized, it is indicated that it is a component of human history, a form of expression of intelligence focused on solving important problems of being, a synthesis of the mind and human abilities. The most frequently used technologies in practice are classified. Among the priority educational innovations in higher education institutions, the following are highlighted. Introduction of modular training and a rating system for knowledge control (credit-modular system) into the educational process; distance learning system; computerization of libraries using electronic catalog programs and the creation of a fund of electronic educational and methodological materials; electronic system for managing the activities of an educational institution and the educational process. In the educational process, various innovative pedagogical methods are successfully used, the basis of which is interactivity and maximum proximity to the real professional activity of the future specialist. There are simulation technologies (game and discussion forms of organization); technology "case method" (maximum proximity to reality); video training methodology (maximum proximity to reality); computer modeling; interactive technologies; technologies of collective and group training; situational modeling technologies; technologies for working out discussion issues; project technology; Information Technologies; technologies of differentiated training; text-centric training technology and others.

• Archives of design research
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• v.20 no.3 s.71
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• pp.279-288
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• 2007

Today, design is not free from fashion, which emerges and vanishes temporarily, and aims at equalization. As a result, products quickly become obsolete because of fashion. This means that the span of products is determined by a social concept, which is not clarified, regardless of their functions. Usable products will gradually disappear from us and it will cause serious environmental problems, unless we can find out measures against fashion. As such, it is important to study the characteristics of the shaker's design in this circumstance. The Shaker's community has a distinguishable difference from other general societies. Temporary fashion and misled information cannot interfere with their consciousness. Religion, the life and the principle of design have developed on the same level in their community. Especially, any decoration or the difference of materials is not allowed in shaker's design. It reflects their thinking that all people are equal in the sight of God. Therefore, any decoration for social and economical superiority can not be used. Through this consciousness, they can be free from fashion or decoration. They, also, believe that they can reach perfection through practicality and simplicity. The reason why shaker's design is not disturbed by fashion is that their belief is involved in their design. Consequently, if religious or conscious contents are primarily set up, design can be free from fashion and products can be used for a long time.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.136-149
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• 2023

Basic bioactivities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral) were investigated from 370 strains of marine bacteria, fungi, and microalgae obtained from various marine environmental regions in Korea, and the activity results were obtained at the collection site, isolation source, and species level was compared. In the case of marine bacteria, strains belonging to the generally useful genera Streptomyces and Bacillus were observed to have particularly strong efficacy and useful resources were mainly isolated from marine sediments. In the case of marine fungi and microalgae, results showing strong species-specific activity were confirmed, and results showing efficacy-specific activity were also obtained. Based on these results, it is a research result that can facilitate priority access as a strategic material for industrial revitalization and the establishment of a strategy to secure resources based on usefulness when conducting research on chemicals that are selectively effective against specific diseases or when conducting resource-based research. In addition, we believe that by using these results as material for sale through the Marine BioBank (MBB), academia and industry can use them to help accelerate the revitalization of the marine bio industry.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.39.1-39.15
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• 2023

DNA barcoding without assessing reliability and validity causes taxonomic errors of species identification, which is responsible for disruptions of their conservation and aquaculture industry. Although DNA barcoding facilitates molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of species, its availability in clariid catfish lineage remains uncertain. In this study, DNA barcoding was developed and validated for clariid catfish. 2,970 barcode sequences from mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cytb) genes and D-loop sequences were analyzed for 37 clariid catfish species. The highest intraspecific nearest neighbor distances were 85.47%, 98.03%, and 89.10% for COI, Cytb, and D-loop sequences, respectively. This suggests that the Cytb gene is the most appropriate for identifying clariid catfish and can serve as a standard region for DNA barcoding. A positive barcoding gap between interspecific and intraspecific sequence divergence was observed in the Cytb dataset but not in the COI and D-loop datasets. Intraspecific variation was typically less than 4.4%, whereas interspecific variation was generally more than 66.9%. However, a species complex was detected in walking catfish and significant intraspecific sequence divergence was observed in North African catfish. These findings suggest the need to focus on developing a DNA barcoding system for classifying clariid catfish properly and to validate its efficacy for a wider range of clariid catfish. With an enriched database of multiple sequences from a target species and its genus, species identification can be more accurate and biodiversity assessment of the species can be facilitated.