• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.789-800
• /
• 2021

Objective: Conservation and genetic improvement of cattle breeds require information about genetic diversity and population structure of the cattle. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of the three cattle breeds in the Korean peninsula. Methods: Jeju Black, Hanwoo, Holstein cattle in Korea, together with six foreign breeds were examined. Genetic diversity within the cattle breeds was analyzed with minor allele frequency (MAF), observed and expected heterozygosity (HO and HE), inbreeding coefficient (FIS) and past effective population size. Molecular variance and population structure between the nine breeds were analyzed using a model-based clustering method. Genetic distances between breeds were evaluated with Nei's genetic distance and Weir and Cockerham's FST. Results: Our results revealed that Jeju Black cattle had lowest level of heterozygosity (HE = 0.21) among the studied taurine breeds, and an average MAF of 0.16. The level of inbreeding was -0.076 for Jeju Black, while -0.018 to -0.118 for the other breeds. Principle component analysis and neighbor-joining tree showed a clear separation of Jeju Black cattle from other local (Hanwoo and Japanese cattle) and taurine/indicine cattle breeds in evolutionary process, and a distinct pattern of admixture of Jeju Black cattle having no clustering with other studied populations. The FST value between Jeju Black cattle and Hanwoo was 0.106, which was lowest across the pair of breeds ranging from 0.161 to 0.274, indicating some degree of genetic closeness of Jeju Black cattle with Hanwoo. The past effective population size of Jeju Black cattle was very small, i.e. 38 in 13 generation ago, whereas 209 for Hanwoo. Conclusion: This study indicates genetic uniqueness of Jeju Black cattle. However, a small effective population size of Jeju Black cattle indicates the requirement for an implementation of a sustainable breeding policy to increase the population for genetic improvement and future conservation.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2022

In response to luteinizing hormone (LH), a higher concentration of progesterone (P4) is produced in luteal cells of corpus luteum (CL). Mitochondria are an essential cellular organelle in steroidogenesis. The specific engagement of the concept regarding mitochondrial shaping with early stages of steroidogenesis was suggested in reproductive endocrine cells. Although the specific involvement of GTPase dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) with steroidogenesis has been demonstrated in luteal cells of bovine CL in vitro, its actual relationship with ovarian steroidogenesis during the estrous cycle remains unknown. In this study, while Fis1 and Opa1 protein levels did not show significant changes during the estrous cycle, Drp1, Mfn1, and Mfn2 proteins exhibited relatively lower levels at proestrus than at estrus or diestrus. 3β-HSD showed higher levels at proestrus than at estrus or diestrus. In addition, Drp1 phosphorylation (s637) was higher in proestrus than in estrus or diestrus. Immune-positive cells for Drp1, pDrp1 (s637), and 3β-HSD were all localized in the cytoplasm of luteal cells in the CL. The immune-positive cells for 3β-HSD were more frequently seen in the CL at proestrus than at estrus or diestrus. Immunoreactivity for Drp1 in luteal cells at proestrus was weaker than that at estrus or diestrus. However, pDrp1 (s637) immune-positive cells were mostly detected in luteal cells at proestrus. These results imply that steroidogenesis (P4 production) in the CL is closely related to phosphorylation of Drp1 at serine 637. Taken together, this study presents evidence that Drp1 phosphorylation at serine 637 is an important step in steroidogenesis in the CL.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.49.1-49.1
• /
• 2021

We carried out simultaneous monitoring observations of five maser lines, H₂O (22 GHz), SiO 𝝊 =1, 2, J =1-0 (43.1, 42.8 GHz), and SiO 𝝊 =1, J=2-1, J =3-2 (86.2, 129.3 GHz), toward the Mira variable star WX Serpentis with the 21-m antennas of the Korean VLBI Network (KVN) in 2009-2021 (~12 years). Most spectra of the H₂O maser are well separated into two parts of two blue- and one redshifted features within ± 10 km s-1 of the stellar velocity. All detected SiO masers are generally concentrated within ± 5 km s-1 of the stellar velocity, and sometimes appear split into two components. Overall, the profiles of SiO and H₂O masers detected in WX Serpentis illustrate typical characteristics of the Mira variable. In addition, flux variations of both SiO and H₂O masers are well correlated with the optical light curve of the central star, showing a phase lag of ~ 0.1 for SiO masers and ~ 0.2 for H₂O maser. This phenomenon is considered to be the direct effect of propagating shock waves generated by the stellar pulsation, because SiO and H₂O masers are sequentially distributed at different positions with respect to the central star. In addition, we analyzed long-term trends and characteristics of maser velocities, maser ratio, and the velocity extents (the full width at zero power; FWZP). We also investigated a spectral energy distribution (SED) ranging from 1.2 to 240 ㎛ obtained using several infrared data: 2MASS, WISE, IRAS, ISO, COBE DIBRE, RAFGL, and AKARI (IRC and FIS). From the IRAS LRS and ISO SWS spectra of this star, we identified 9.7 and 12 ㎛ silicate emission features consistent with the SE6 spectrum model, corresponding to the typical AGB phase.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.12
• /
• pp.752-761
• /
• 2023

Genetic diversity serves as the basis for selecting and genetically enhancing any culturable species in aquaculture. Here, two different strains of wild (River Ravi and River Kabul) and six captive-bred strains of Labeo rohita from various provinces were se- lected, and genetic diversity among them was evaluated using three different microsatellite markers, i.e., Lr-28, Lr-29, and Lr-37, and one mitochondrial CO1 (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) gene. Different strains of L. rohita were collected, and part of their caudal fin was cut and preserved in ethanol for DNA extraction and determination of genetic diversity among them. Results in- dicated that selected markers were polymorphic with polymorphic information content (PIC) content values above 0.5 with the highest in Lr-28 followed by Lr-29 and then Lr-37. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) of all strains was higher (Avg: 0.731) but less than the expected heterozygosity (He). Moreover, TMs and WRs showed the highest He, while TKs showed the lowest, He. Over- all, inbreeding coefficient (FIS) values observed for all strains with selected markers were positive. The DNA barcoding with the CO1 gene revealed genetic variation among various strains, as demonstrated by the clades in the phylogenetic tree separating the strains into two distinct clusters that then divided into sub-clusters. In conclusion, TMs showed the highest heterozygosity as compared to other strains. Overall results provide the baseline data for the initiation of the genetic improvement program.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.602-614
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The balance between synthesis and degradation of proteins plays a critical role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been closely associated with skeletal muscle atrophy caused by aging, cancer, and chemotherapy. Polygalacin D is a saponin derivative isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. This study aimed to investigate the effects of polygalacin D on myoblast differentiation and muscle atrophy in association with mitochondrial function in in vitro and in zebrafish models in vivo. Methods: C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in differentiation media containing different concentrations of polygalacin D, followed by the immunostaining of the myotubes with myosin heavy chain (MHC). The mRNA expression of markers related to myogenesis, muscle atrophy, and mitochondrial function was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Wild type AB^* zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were treated with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) with or without polygalacin D, and immunostained to detect slow and fast types of muscle fibers. The Tg(Xla.Eef1a1:mitoEGFP) zebrafish expressing mitochondria-targeted green fluorescent protein was used to monitor mitochondrial morphology. Results: The exposure of C2C12 myotubes to 0.1 ng/mL of polygalacin D increased the formation of MHC-positive multinucleated myotubes (≥ 8 nuclei) compared with the control. Polygalacin D significantly increased the expression of MHC isoforms (Myh1, Myh2, Myh4, and Myh7) involved in myoblast differentiation while it decreased the expression of atrophic markers including muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)2, and Smad3. In addition, polygalacin D promoted peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (Pgc1α) expression and reduced the level of mitochondrial fission regulators such as dynamin-1-like protein (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission 1 (Fis1). In a zebrafish model of FOLFIRI-induced muscle atrophy, polygalacin D improved not only mitochondrial dysfunction but also slow and fast muscle fiber atrophy. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that polygalacin D promotes myogenesis and alleviates chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy by improving mitochondrial function. Thus, polygalacin D could be useful as nutrition support to prevent and ameliorate muscle wasting and weakness.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.297-298
• /
• 2012

ANIR (Atacama Near InfraRed camera) is a near infrared camera for the University of Tokyo Atacama 1m telescope, installed at the summit of Co. Chajnantor (5,640 m altitude) in northern Chile. The high altitude and extremely low water vapor (PWV = 0.5 mm) of the site enable us to perform observation of hydrogen $Pa{\alpha}$ emission line at $1.8751{\mu}m$. Since its first light observation in June 2009, we have been carrying out a $Pa{\alpha}$ narrow-band imaging survey of nearby luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs), and have obtained $Pa{\alpha}$ for 38 nearby LIRGs listed in AKARI/FIS-PSC at the velocity of recession between 2,800 km/s and 8,100 km/s. LIRGs are affected by a large amount of dust extinction ($A_V$~ 3 mag), produced by their active star formation activities. Because $Pa{\alpha}$ is the strongest hydrogen recombination line in the infrared wavelength ranges, it is a good and direct tracer of dust-enshrouded star forming regions, and enables us to probe the star formation activities in LIRGs. We find that LIRGs have two star-forming modes. The origin of the two modes probably come from differences between merging stage and/or star-forming process.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.261-288
• /
• 2016

We present the results of simultaneous monitoring observations of $H_2O$ $6_{1,6}-5_{2,3}$ (22GHz) and SiO J=1-0, 2-1, 3-2 maser lines (43, 86, 129GHz) toward five post-AGB (candidate) stars, using the 21-m single-dish telescopes of the Korean VLBI Network. Depending on the target objects, 7 - 11 epochs of data were obtained. We detected both $H_2O$ and SiO maser lines from four sources: OH16.1-0.3, OH38.10-0.13, OH65.5+1.3, and IRAS 19312+1950. We could not detect $H_2O$ maser emission toward OH13.1+5.1 between the late OH/IR and post-AGB stage. The detected $H_2O$ masers show typical double-peaked line profiles. The SiO masers from four sources, except IRAS 19312+1950, show the peaks around the stellar velocity as a single peak, whereas the SiO masers from IRAS 19312+1950 occur above the red peak of the $H_2O$ maser. We analyzed the properties of detected maser lines, and investigated their evolutionary state through comparison with the full widths at zero power. The distribution of observed target sources was also investigated in the IRAS two-color diagram in relation with the evolutionary stage of post-AGB stars. From our analyses, the evolutionary sequence of observed sources is suggested as OH65.5+1.3${\rightarrow}$OH13.1+5.1${\rightarrow}$OH16.1-0.3${\rightarrow}$OH38.10-0.13, except for IRAS 19312+1950. In addition, OH13.1+5.1 from which the $H_2O$ maser has not been detected is suggested to be on the gateway toward the post-AGB stage. With respect to the enigmatic object, IRAS 19312+1950, we could not clearly figure out its nature. To properly explain the unusual phenomena of SiO and $H_2O$ masers, it is essential to establish the relative locations and spatial distributions of two masers using VLBI technique. We also include the $1.2-160{\mu}m$ spectral energy distribution using photometric data from the following surveys: 2MASS, WISE, MSX, IRAS, and AKARI (IRC and FIS). In addition, from the IRAS LRS spectra, we found that the depth of silicate absorption features shows significant variations depending on the evolutionary sequence, associated with the termination of AGB phase mass-loss.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 2016

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia is the primary characteristic of diabetes and is associated with many complications. The role of hyperglycemia in the dysfunction of human cardiac progenitor cells that can regenerate damaged cardiac tissue has been investigated, but the exact mechanism underlying this association is not clear. Thus, we examined whether hyperglycemia could regulate mitochondrial dynamics and lead to cardiac progenitor cell dysfunction, and whether blocking glucose uptake could rescue this dysfunction. High glucose in cardiac progenitor cells results in reduced cell viability and decreased expression of cell cycle-related molecules, including CDK2 and cyclin E. A tube formation assay revealed that hyperglycemia led to a significant decrease in the tube-forming ability of cardiac progenitor cells. Fluorescent labeling of cardiac progenitor cell mitochondria revealed that hyperglycemia alters mitochondrial dynamics and increases expression of fission-related proteins, including Fis1 and Drp1. Moreover, we showed that specific blockage of GLUT1 improved cell viability, tube formation, and regulation of mitochondrial dynamics in cardiac progenitor cells. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that high glucose leads to cardiac progenitor cell dysfunction through an increase in mitochondrial fission, and that a GLUT1 blocker can rescue cardiac progenitor cell dysfunction and downregulation of mitochondrial fission. Combined therapy with cardiac progenitor cells and a GLUT1 blocker may provide a novel strategy for cardiac progenitor cell therapy in cardiovascular disease patients with diabetes.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.34 no.3 s.95
• /
• pp.223-238
• /
• 2001

Longitudinal distribution of the fish fauna of the 20 main channel and tributary sites in the Nakdong River was investigated from July 1999 to December 2000. A total of 4,791 individuals of fisHes were collected from three to seven sampling programs of all study sites and 48 species of 17 families were collected. Dominant family was Cyprinidae (25 species, relative abundance (RA): 91.8%). Zacco platypus (RA: 18.0%) was found to be the most abundant inhabitant. Subdominant species were Opsariichthys bidens (17,1%), Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae (13.2%), Hemibarbus labeo (9.9%), and Z. temmincki (8.2%). Among the total species, 12 species were identified as endemic species (4 families, 24.5% of 1,172 individuals). Four exotic fishes were collected (Carassius cuvieri, 25 indv.; Micropterus salmoides, 214 indv.; Lipomis macrochirus, 14 indv.; Oreochromis niloticus, 6 indv.). M. salmoides was distributed in mid to lower part of the Nakdong River. As the result of cluster analysis, sampling sites were divided into three groups (upper, middle and lowerpart). Site below Gumi (St. 10) were considered as the lower part of the Nakdong River. Combined with previous surveys, about 80 species are present in the main channel and tributaries of the Nakdong River. Since the middle of 1990s, population density of the M. salmoides rapidly increased in the stagnant lower part of the river(RA 8.8% in lower 5 sites). The feeding strategy of M. salmoides was "generalized" on Daphnia sp. (<100 mm), and "specialization" about Cladocera (<150 mm) and Insecta(<200 mm).

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.31 no.5B
• /
• pp.439-447
• /
• 2011

It is a main concern for sustainable development in water resources management to evaluate adaptation capability of water resources structures under the future climate conditions. This study introduced the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) to represent the change of release and storage of reservoirs in the Han River basin corresponding to various inflows. Defining the adaptation capability of reservoirs as the change of maximum and/or minimum of storage corresponding to the change of inflow, the study showed that Gangdong Dam has the worst adaptation capability on the variation of inflow, while Soyanggang Dam has the best capability. This study also constructed an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for the more accurate and efficient simulation of the adaptation capability of the Soyanggang Dam. Nine Inflow scenarios were generated using historical data from frequency analysis and synthetic data from two general circulation models with different climate change scenarios. The ANFIS showed significantly different consequences of the release and reservoir storage upon inflow scenarios of Soyanggang Dam, whilst it provides stable reservoir operations despite the variability of rainfall pattern.