• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.194-206
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate microRNAs (miRNAs) related to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) responsiveness using miRNA microarrays and to identify their target genes to determine the molecular regulatory pathways involved in FSH signaling in KGN cells. Methods: To change the cellular responsiveness to FSH, KGN cells were treated with FSH receptor (FSHR)-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) followed by FSH. miRNA expression profiles were determined through miRNA microarray analysis. Potential target genes of selected miRNAs were predicted using bioinformatics tools, and their regulatory function was confirmed in KGN cells. Results: We found that six miRNAs (miR-1261, miR-130a-3p, miR-329-3p, miR-185-5p, miR-144-5p and miR-4463) were differentially expressed after FSHR siRNA treatment in KGN cells. Through a bioinformatics analysis, we showed that these miRNAs were predicted to regulate a large number of genes, which we narrowed down to cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (CYP19A1) and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) as the main targets for miR-4463. Functional analysis revealed that miR-4463 is a regulatory factor for aromatase expression and function in KGN cells. Conclusion: In this study, we identified differentially expressed miRNAs related to FSH responsiveness. In particular, upregulation of miR-4463 expression by FSHR deficiency in human granulosa cells impaired 17β-estradiol synthesis by targeting CYP19A1 and ESR1. Therefore, our data might provide novel candidates for molecular biomarkers for use in research into poor responders.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.783-792
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the vegetation structure and the location environment of Albizzia kalkora (AK) growing in Mt. Yudal located in Mokpo city and in the nearby islands. The AK community in Mt. Yudal in Mokpo city (Community I) is located in a region which is relatively high above the sea level. The average age of the major kinds of trees found in the region is about 30 years. The vegetation structure in the community shows an early stage of vegetation development due to continued disturbance. In Community IV, on the sandy soil in the flatland near the seashores, the average age of the major kinds of trees is about 9 years. In this community, a pure forest is presumed to have been formed in a poor environment which is artificially disturbed in relatively recent times even as AK with its strong adoptability was introduced into the region. In other communities (II, III), the vegetation state shows a competition between AK and deciduous oak trees, and the average age of the major kinds of trees is about 13 to 30 years. AK communities with a better developed vegetation structure are located on the higher steep slopes near the seashore. In the early stage of vegetation development, the forest floor received more effective light for photosynthesis, and thus more seedlings of AK emerged and grew. The probability of AK appearing in the damaged or sterile soil near the seashore was high because of its strong adaptability. However, as the vegetation structure developed further and the soil fertility increased, the domination of AK in the vegetation structure decreased as deciduous oak trees won the competition with AK.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2017

4-Nonylphenol (NP) is a surfactant that is a well-known and widespread estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Although it has been known that the affinity of NP to ERs is low, it has been suggested that low-dose NP has toxicity. In the present study, the endocrine disrupting effects on reproduction, and the weight of gonads, epididymis, and uterus were evaluated with the chronic lower-dose NP exposing. This study was designed by following the OECD test guideline 443 and subjected to a complete necropsy. In male, NP had an effect on the weight of the testis and epididymis in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. In females, NP decreased the weight of ovary and uterus in $F_0$ but not in pre-pubertal $F_1$ pubs. Fertility of male and female in $F_0$ or $F_1$ was no related with NP administration. The number of caudal-epididymal sperm by body weight (BW) was not different between groups in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. Besides, the difference of the sperm number between generations was not detected. The number of ovulated oocytes was similar between groups in $F_0$, but significantly decreased in NP 50 group of $F_1$. The litter size and sex ratios of offspring in $F_1$ and $F_2$ were not different. The accumulated mating rate and gestation period were not affected by the NP administration. Those results shows that chronic lower-dose NP administration has an effect of endocrine disruptor on the weight of gonads and epididymis of $F_0$ and $F_1$ but not in reproduction. Based on the results, it is suggested that chronic lower-dose NP exposing causes endocrine disruption in the weight of gonad and epididymis but not in the reproductive ability of next generations.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 1998

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding system on performance in Korean Native Commercial Chicken. A total 864 birds produced from (Cornish ♂ X (Korean Native Chicken ♂ XRhode Island Red♀)♀ ] crossbreeds in National Livestock Research Institute, for 16 weeks. Feeding system of T1 and T$_2$ were same types from hatch to 8 weeks, starter diets(O~4 weeks, mash, ME 3,100kcal, CP 22.94%), grower diets(4~8 weeks, crumble, ME 3,100kcal, CP 19.31%). Nutrient content of finisher diets of T$_1$(pellet, ME 3,200kcal, CP 20.44%) was higher than T$_2$(mash, ME 3,100kcal, CP 14.88%) in order to improve meat quality for 8~16 weeks. Fertility and hatchability of Korean Native Commercial Chicken was 83.9% and 69.7%, respectively. Viabilities of T$_1$ and T$_2$ at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks were 98.8%, 97.9%, 96.5% and 99.1%, 95. 8%, 92.8%, 90.3%, respectively. The viability of 0 to 8 weeks was not significantly in feed treatments, but 12 and 16 weeks was significantly T$_1$ higher than T$_2$(P<0.05). Body weights of T$_1$and T$_2$ at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks were 551g, 1,379g, 2,441g, 3,056g and 554g, 1,360g, 2,254g, 2,956g, respectively. The body weight of 0 to 8 weeks was not significantly feed treatments but 12 and 16 weeks was significantly T1 higher than T$_2$(P<0.05). Feed conversion of T$_1$ and T$_2$ to 4, 8,12 and 16 weeks were 1.91, 2.28, 3.34, 4.23 and 1.90, 2.28, 3.53, 4.46, respectively. The feed conversion of 0 to 8 weeks was not significantly feed treatments but 12 and 16 weeks was significantly T$_1$ lower than T$_2$(P<0.05). The ME intake 1 bird per 1 day of T$_1$ and T$_2$were 3S9kcal, 357kca1, respectively, not significantly feed treatments but CP intake were 24.8g, 20.3g, respectively. T$_2$ was lower than T$_1$(P$_1$ and T$_2$were 13,426kca1, 13,819Ykcal, respectively, not significantly feed treatments but CP requirement per kg body weight gain were 928g, 763g, respectively, T$_2$ was lower than T$_1$(P<0.05).

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.391-403
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• 2007

The study was conducted to assess the repeated dose and reproduction and developmental toxicities of acetanilide, an intermediate for drug production, as a part of OECD Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) program. The test agent was administered by gavage at dose levels of 0, 22, 67, 200 and 600 mg/kg to Sprague-Dawley rats (12/group/sex) during pre-mating and mating period for males(up to 30 days) and females and pregnancy and early lactation period for females (up to 39-50 days). At 22 mg/kg, decreases in HGB, HCT (males) and MCHC (females), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp, hyperplasia of femur bone marrow (both sexes) were observed. At 67 mg/kg, salivation (males), reduced food consumption (both sexes), decreases in RBC, HGB, HCT and MCHC (males), increases in MCV (males) and spleen weight (males), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp and femur bone marrow (both sexes) were observed. At 200 mg/kg, decreases in locomotor activity and salivation (both sexes), reduced food consumption (both sexes), decreases in RBC, HGB, HCT and increases in MCV, MCH, BUN, T-BIL (males), enlargement of spleen (both sexes), increased weight of spleen (males), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp and femur bone marrow and extramedullary hematopoiesis of liver (both sexes), atrophy of thymus and corpus luteum hyperplasia of ovary (females) were observed. At 600 mg/kg, decreases in locomotor activity, cyanosis (both sexes), reddish tear, and salivation (males), mortality (4 out of 12 females), decreased body weight (females), reduced food consumption (both sexes), decreases in RBC, HGB, HCT and MCHC and increases in WBC, MCV, MCH, reticulocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, AST, ALT, BUN, T-BIL, ALB, Ca and A/G ratio (males), enlargement of spleen, increased weights of spleen (both sexes), liver (males), kidney and ovary, decreased weights of thymus (females), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp, hyperplasia of femur bone marrow and extramedullary hematopoiesis of liver (both sexes), and atrophy of thymus and corpus luteum hyperplasia of ovary (females) were observed. Regarding the reproduction and development toxicities, there were no treatment-related changes in precoital time, mating index, fertility index and pregnancy index at all doses tested. At 22 and 67 mg/kg, there were no adverse effects on all the parameters observed. At 200 mg/ kg, decreased body weight of pups (day 4 p.p.) were observed. At 600 mg/kg, decreased body weight of pups (day 0 and 4 p.p.) and viability index (day 4 p.p.), increased incidence of newborns dead or with abnormal clinical signs were observed. The results suggest that the NOAELs for general toxicity are < 22 mg/kg, LOAELs are 22 mg/kg and the NOAELs for reproductive toxicity are 67 mg/kg.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.59-83
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• 2013

Recently, the importance of the health care industry is increasing due to the rapid changes in the population structure caused by decreasing in fertility rate and aging population. Therefore expansion of government investment in R&D of the health care industry is needed as the demand of health care is increasing. This study attempts to examine the economic impacts of national research and development for the health care industry using an inter-industry analysis. Specifically, the study investigates production-inducing effect, value added inducing effect, and employment-inducing effect of the health care industry based on demand-driven model. These analyses pay particular and close attention to the health care industry by taking it as exogenous rather than endogenous. Here we present results. First, the production-inducing effect and value added inducing effect was high in common real estate and business services and finance and insurance sector. Second, employment-inducing effect of the health care industry showed the highest levels in wholesale and retail sector, followed by the real estate and business services, agriculture sector. Third, the actual 2009 health care industry-related national R&D investment embracing on the production-inducing effect and value added inducing effect. The health care industry R&D induces the production of 4,932 billion won and the value added of 2163 billion won.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.666-671
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• 2017

Objective: Aim of the current comparative study was to evaluate production outputs, reproduction efficiency and functional traits in dual-purpose Fleckvieh and Braunvieh cows, reared under temperate European conditions. Methods: A data-set from 414 Fleckvieh and 42 Braunvieh cows and 799 lactations was analysed. ID tag number, milk yield per milking session, number of steps/interval and milk conductivity were recorded and collected daily using AfiMilk 3.076 A-DU software (Afimilk Ltd., Kibbutz, Israel). Production and milk quality data were taken from the results of the official performance recordings and the reproductive outputs of cows were recorded by the research stations veterinarians. Comparisons between the two genotypes were carried out using the one way analysis of variance protocol, with categorical factor being considered the breed of cows. All the statistical inferences were carried out using Statistica software (StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, OK, USA). Results: Fleckvieh cows significantly outperformed ($p{\leq}0.05$) the Braunvieh herd, with average milk yields of $5,252.1{\pm}35.79kg$ and $4,897.6{\pm}128.94kg$, respectively. Age at first calving was significantly ($p{\leq}0.01$) influenced by the breed, with Fleckvieh heifers being more precocious ($32.8{\pm}0.29mo$) compared to those of Braunvieh breed ($35.7{\pm}0.84mo$). Reproduction efficiency as defined by the number of inseminations per gestation, calving interval, dystocia, days dry and days open, was not influenced by genotype (p>0.05). Incidences of sub-clinical mastitis, clinical mastitis, lameness and abortions were not influenced by the breed factor (p>0.05). Stay-ability of cows was significantly ($p{\leq}0.001$) influenced by genotype, with Braunvieh cows having an average age at culling of $117.88{\pm}11.78$ months compared to $90.88{\pm}2.89$ months in Fleckvieh. Conclusion: Overall, results have shown that genotype significantly influenced milk yield, age at first calving and longevity.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.77-89
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• 2005

Since 1990's, the Korean society, experiencing the low fertility and aging society, has been confronting with the threats in health care sector. The threats are the increases in the demand for health care, health care financial burden, and so on. In particular, the change of disease pattern and aging population result in the increases patients' demand for not only western medical services but also oriental medical services and complimentary medicine. Recently, the increases in availability of oriental medical services and the health care resources related to oriental medicine are raising some issues and conflicts in the Korean health sector. Theses circumstance required policy makers, central and local government, and public health sector to develop health policies related to oriental medicine and interface or integrate of traditional Korean medicine and Western medicine. For the near future, these issues will probably remain the focus of integration of traditional Korean medicine and Western medicine in public health sector. To cope with the threats in health care sector, one of the opportunities is to scale-up e public role of traditional Korean medical services. The main purpose of this study was to develop strategies to scale-up the Public role of traditional Korean medical services for the future society. The research questions are: what are the trends and problems in traditional Koran medical sector; what are the causes of or associated factors to the problems; how to cope with the problems and how to resolve the cause?; what are the health policy directions and its strategies that the government should take to cope with the future demand and the burden on health care sector? The results of this study are as follows. In order ta scale-up the public role of traditional medicine, this research offered health policy directions for traditional Korean medicine in response to a change environment of health care sector. There are four directions to be addressed: 1) the development of and investment in public oriental medicine infra-structure; 2) the development of public policy on oriental medicine; 3) modernization and globalisation of traditional Korean medicine; 4) the expansion of academic exchange between Western medicine and traditional Korean medicine. Finally, we discussed stakenholders' on traditional Korean medicine in the health care market. Then, public policy options for future society was suggested.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.65-78
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• 2017

This study aims to analyze whether both childcare subsidy and childcare leave policies have moderating effects on the relationship between Korean women's value of children and their intentions for subsequent childbirth. The data are used from the 2015 National Survey on Fertility and Family Health and Welfare. Both hierarchical multiple regression analysis and moderated regression analysis are used for statistical analysis. The findings from the study are as follow. First, the ideal number of children, instrumental values, and emotional values have positive effects on the intentions for subsequent childbirth after controlling for background variables(level of education, income, age, and number of children). Second, childcare leave policy has no significant effect on the intentions for subsequent childbirth while childcare subsidy policy has the negative effect. Third, only childcare subsidy policy has moderating effects on the relationship between instrumental, emotional values, and the intentions for subsequent childbirth. These results suggest that policies enhancing the value of children should be implemented in addition to traditional birth rate policies. Furthermore, new birth rate polices are needed for those married women who have a high possibility of subsequent childbirth.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-56
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• 2006

This study attempts to review the increasing trend in international marriage of Koreans since 1990 and explore the pattern of socio-demographic characteristics of the married couples. This paper develops a conceptual scheme for changing pattern of nuptiality including an increase in international marriage. As the key forces behind the recent increase in international marriage of Koreans, the effects of rapid decline in fertility, rise in sex ratio at birth, urbanward migration of young women, expansion of gender-equity norms, and globalization are stressed. Micro-data from the marriage registration for the period $1990{\sim}2004$ and the divorce registration for the period $2000{\sim}2004$ are utilized. This study focuses on analyzing age at marriage, previous marital experience, education, occupation, and residence of the married couples. Attention is also focused on demographic characteristics of the divorced couples. Results of analyses reveal that there exists a great deal of diversity in international marriage of Koreans. A notable aspect is the profound differences between Korean men and women in the characteristics of their foreign spouses and themselves as well. Another prominent factor emphasized in the analysis is the nationality of foreign spouse. It is indicated that the stereotype of international marriage facilitated by marriage squeeze can be mainly applied to marriages between Korean men and foreign wives from China, southeast Asian countries and the CIS of the old Soviet Union. On the other hand, direct effects of value transformation and globalization are emphasized in the explanation of marriages between Korean men and foreign wives from more developed countries as well as marriages between Korean women and foreign husbands.