• Title/Summary/Keyword: Interest of Biology

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Artificial Insemination with Low-Dose Semen does not affect Swine Reproductive Performances

  • Chung, Ki-Hwa;Lee, Il-Joo;Sa, Soo-Jin;Kim, In-Cheul;Jung, Byeong-Yeal;Son, Jung-Ho
    • Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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    • v.37 no.4
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    • pp.263-267
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    • 2013
  • Pig producers have been shown keen interest of the number of spermatozoa in a semen dose since pig artificial insemination introduce. However, determining the minimal number of spermatozoa need per AI without detrimental effect on overall reproductive performances is not an easy question to answer. To increase the efficiency of semen utilization in pig AI, optimum number of spermatozoa per dose needed to determine. The objective of this study was to determine the reproductive performance and factors that affect on-farm application of low-dose semen insemination in sows. Data were collected from Darby Genetics AI studs from 4th of June to 7th of July, 2012 (n=401). The numbers of parturition were 84, 234 and 83 in sows inseminated with doses of $1.5{\times}10^9$, $2.0{\times}10^9$ and $2.5{\times}10^9$ spermatozoa in 100ml extender, respectively. There were no significant differences on reproductive performances such as gestation period, total born, total born alive, stillbirth and mummy in sows inseminated with different semen doses. The average number of born alive was 10.5, 11.0 and 10.4 from sows inseminated with $1.5{\times}10^9$, $2.0{\times}10^9$ and $2.5{\times}10^9$ sperms, respectively. Also, number of spermatozoa per dose did not affect litter size (p>0.10). There were no significant differences of maternal genetic line difference on gestation period, total number born, number born alive, born dead and mummy. The estimated correlation coefficients of the different semen doses with total number born, number born alive, born dead and mummy were r=-0.00, -0.01, 0.02 and 0.02, respectively. Taken together, the result of this study suggested that when semen was appropriately inseminated after induced ovulation, insemination with low-dose ($1.5{\sim}2.0{\times}10^9$) semen dose not adversely affect sow's fertility.

J. J. Schwab's life and His Ideas of Science Education (슈왑의 생애와 과학교육 사상)

  • Song, Jin-Woong
    • Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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    • v.26 no.7
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    • pp.856-869
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    • 2006
  • J. J. Schwab is usually considered as the founder of the concept of scientific enquiry, perhaps the most important key word of science education of the 20th century. Mainly through the method of literature review, this study reappraises Schwab's life as a science educator as well as a curriculum scholar, and his ideas concerning several important issues about science and science education. Like other eminent science educators, before the 1950s, who were originally talented scientists but later became engaged in educational activities, Schwab were trained and known as a genetic scientist, but later he concentrated on university reform, curriculum studies and science education. His academic interest was very diverse across different disciplines, from biology and science in general to history, philosophy and education. The essence of his theory of scientific enquiry was 'to teach science as science', and the best way to do it was 'to teach science as enquiry'. With enquiry, however, he tried to deliver some important but differentiated meanings, for example by distinguishing 'science as enquiry' and 'teaching as enquiry', and 'static enquiry' and 'fluid enquiry'. Scientific enquiry was the core concept upon which many of his ideas concerning science education and education in general were based, such as the diversity of science, textbooks, curriculum and roles of teachers. In summary, Schwab can be characterized as a rational reformist of science education, who tried to identify the very nature and goals of the discipline and to bring its substantial changes with concrete and practical guidelines. Nevertheless, some of his ideas, like the diversity of science and conceptual invention, have been handed down by his followers frequently with considerable distortion.

The Activity of an interpreter on science education during the enlightenment period in Korea: Focus on Hyun Chae (개화기 역관(譯官)의 과학교육 활동: 현채(玄采)를 중심으로)

  • Park, Jong-Seok
    • Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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    • v.29 no.6
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    • pp.741-750
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    • 2009
  • Modem science education was introduced to Korea in the enlightenment period. The science textbooks which were published at that time were important to modem science education in Korea. Therefore, the translators and publishers of science textbooks were the leader of the science education in the enlightenment period. Hyun Chae and his son as a translator were one of the leaders in science education at that time. Hyun Chae was born to a Middle class (中人)family and succeeded to pass the national examination for translators (譯科). He worked as a translator and author at the Ministry of Education (學部). Also, he was the associate teacher in a foreign school and the Hansung normal school (漢城師範學校). He published 26 books. One of them, Rikwa (理科) as the science textbook covering all the areas of science, physics, chemistry, biology and earth science. That presented the knowledge, which students should know by proper method, induced students' interest and included various experiments. Hyun Chae's activity in science education as the author and translator of science textbooks was an important role on the forming science education in the enlightenment period because it was caught short of science textbooks. The author, translator, and publisher of science textbooks was of great significance to make science popular, which was the new culture. Therefore, the role and activities in science education of Hyun Chae was a part of the history of science education, he knew a foreign language and was the leader in facilitating exchange with foreign countries.

Heavy Metal Ion Detection in Living Cell Using Fluorescent Chemosensor (형광화학센서를 이용한 살아있는 세포 내에서의 중금속이온검출)

  • Kwon, Pil-Seung;Kim, Jin-Kyung;Kim, Jong-Wan
    • Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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    • v.54 no.4
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    • pp.451-459
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    • 2010
  • The fluorescence detection of intracellular metal ions are high interest in the fields of organic molecular chemistry and cellular biology. This study was purposed to detection for mercury and zinc in the cell using fluorescent chemosensor (FS). FS exhibits a weak fluorescence, but emits strong fluorescence upon Zn$^{2+}$ complexation. The increased fluorescence of the 2FS/Zn$^{2+}$ can be quenched completely by addition of only 1 equiv of Hg$^{2+}$ with the formation of complex FS-Hg$^{2+}$. Four cell lines (LLC-MK2, Hela, HT29 and AMC-HN3) were used for fluorescence imaging by confocal microscope. The cell viability MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was evaluated after cell treatment of FS, Zn$^{2+}$, FS-Zn$^{2+}$, Hg$^{2+}$ on LLC-MK2 cell line. The cytotoxicity of FS was showed to viability over 80%. This study has shown that FS can be detected for selective imaging of Zn$^{2+}$ and Hg$^{2+}$ in living cells.

Oral Toxicity Study and Skin Sensitization Test of a Cricket

  • Ryu, Hyeon Yeol;Lee, Somin;Ahn, Kyu Sup;Kim, Hye Jin;Lee, Sang Sik;Ko, Hyuk Ju;Lee, Jin Kyu;Cho, Myung-Haing;Ahn, Mi Young;Kim, Eun Mi;Lim, Jeong Ho;Song, Kyung Seuk
    • Toxicological Research
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    • v.32 no.2
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    • pp.159-173
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    • 2016
  • Crickets have been attracting considerable interest in the field of nutrition and toxicology due to the global exhaustion of food resulting from a growing population. The cricket is normally eaten in several countries after roasting, similar to the grasshopper; however, safety evaluation data on cricket powder is limited. Here, we performed general toxicity studies of cricket powder including a single, 2-week repeated dose range evaluation test, a 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity test in Sprague-Dawley rats, a single oral dose toxicity test in Beagle dogs, and a skin sensitization test in guinea pigs following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development test guidelines 406 and 408 in addition to Good Laboratory Practice. To investigate the NOAEL and target organs of cricket powder, Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to 4 groups: vehicle control, 1,250 mg/kg, 2,500 mg/kg, 5,000 mg/kg dose test groups and cricket powder was administered over 13 weeks after single dose and dose range finding studies in rats based on the results of the single oral administration toxicity study in rats and Beagle dogs. The results of the study showed that the NOAEL of cricket powder was over 5,000 mg/kg for both sexes of rats without adverse effects in a 13-week repeated oral toxicity study and there was no skin hypersensitivity reaction. Therefore, our results reveal that crickets can be widely used as a new substitute food or nutrient resource.

Antioxidant and ACE Inhibiting Activities of Sugared-Buchu (Allium ampeloprasum L. var. porum J. Gay) Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacteria (부추 당침액의 유산균 발효에 따른 항산화 및 ACE저해활성)

  • Lee, Jung-Bok;Bae, Jung-Shik;Son, Il-Kwon;Jeon, Chun-Pyou;Lee, Eun-Ho;Joo, Woo-Hong;Kwon, Gi-Seok
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.24 no.6
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    • pp.671-676
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    • 2014
  • In recent years, the growing interest in the health care benefits of sugared-plant fermented enzymes has led to increased consumption. This study investigated the fermentation of sugared-buchu (Leek:sugar, 1:3) by lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus AML 0422, Lactobacillus brevis HLJ 59, Lactobacillus helveticus AML0410, Lactobacillus plantarium KCTC 13093) and the antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity, and functionality (e.g., anti-hypertensive activity) of the fermented product. The fermented sugared-buchu showed high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus KCTC 1916, at 31.43 mm, and its total polyphenols, total flavonoid content, and DPPH scavenging activity were 160.8-178 mg/ml, 100-108 mg/ml, and 51.4-58.1%, respectively. DPPH scavenging activity was to that of vitamin C (50 ppm). ACE inhibitory activity was 50.4-67%, depending on the strain of lactic acid bacteria, and the control of sugared-buchu activity was higher than 32.6%. These results suggest that sugared-buchu fermented with lactic acid bacteria has strong antibacterial, antioxidant, and ACE inhibitory activities.

Weed Management Technology with Host Specific of Biological Control Agents (기주특이성 잡초 활성 미생물을 이용한 잡초방제 기술)

  • Hong, Yeon-Kyu;Lee, Bong-Choon;Song, Seok-Bo;Park, Sung-Tae;Kim, Jeong-Nam;Geon, Min-Goo;Kim, In-Seob
    • Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.175-190
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    • 2006
  • The term mycoherbicide started in 1970, but its interest heightened due to increase costs of chemical herbicides. A classical biocontrol agent is expected to become a permanent part of its new environment and do no harm to it. Contemporary biological control agent(BCA) must be produced by artificial culture and could be applied like chemical herbicides over weeds. BCA is different from the classical approach in that it released through natural spread. To date 26 species of fungi are used as classical BCA against 26 species of weeds in seven countries. There are a number of examples of pathogens attacking non-target plants. But through risk assessments which include understanding the taxonomy, biology and ecology, the target and non-target species, it will be safe to introduce of exotic pathogens to control weeds. But pathogens have not been successfully used in practice. Many mycoherbicides show potential in laboratories, but are ineffective in the field and not consistent from year to year or field to field. There is also a lack of understanding humidity, dew formation and temperature and their effects on suppression of weeds by plant pathogens. Potential pathogen must be selected as a BCA. Previous studies suggest that these pathogens must (1) produce abundant and durable inoculum in artifical culture, (2) be genetically stable and weed specific and (3) kill weeds in control. A granular preparation of mycoherbicide into sodium alginate is lighter than liquids and less bulky than organic matter. Gel forms have also been used.

One Hundred Representative Fungi in Korea and Their Korean Names (한국의 대표 곰팡이 100종과 한국명)

  • Choi, Hyo-Won;Lim, Young Woon;Kim, Myoung-Dong;Kim, Jayoung;KIM, Changmu;Kim, Chang Sun;Do, Yun-Su;Back, Chang-Gi;Sang, Hyunkyu;Shin, Woo Chang;Lee, Seung-Yeol;Chung, Dawoon;Jung, Hee-Young;Choi, Young-Joon;Choi, In-Young;Han, Jae-Gu;Hong, Seung-Beom
    • The Korean Journal of Mycology
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    • v.48 no.3
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    • pp.355-367
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    • 2020
  • One hundred representative species of fungi in Korea were selected and their Korean names were proposed to increase interest in fungi among Korean people. This task was performed under the supervision of the Committee of Mycological Terms, under the Korean Society of Mycology. First, the committee established the criteria for selecting 100 representative species of fungi in Korea and then selected the candidate fungal species accordingly. To ensure the uniformity and stability of Korean fungal names, the principle of naming fungi in Korean was established, and the candidate Korean fungal names were presented accordingly. Finally, the candidate Korean fungal names were posted online to collect opinions of the members of the Korean Society of Mycology. The candidate Korean names of the plant pathogenic fungi and mushrooms were reviewed by the Korean Society of Plant Pathology and the Korean Society of Mushroom Science, respectively. After their opinions were considered, the Korean names for 100 representative fungi in Korea were finally determined. The 100 fungi comprised 41 common molds and yeasts, 28 plant pathogenic fungi, and 31 mushrooms.

Recent Advancement in the Stem Cell Biology (Stem Cell Biology, 최근의 진보)

  • Harn, Chang-Yawl
    • Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.195-207
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    • 2006
  • Stem cells are the primordial, initial cells which usually divide asymmetrically giving rise to on the one hand self-renewals and on the other hand progenitor cells with potential for differentiation. Zygote (fertilized egg), with totipotency, deserves the top-ranking stem cell - he totipotent stem cell (TSC). Both the ICM (inner cell mass) taken from the 6 days-old human blastocyst and ESC (embryonic stem cell) derived from the in vitro cultured ICM have slightly less potency for differentiation than the zygote, and are termed pluripotent stem cells. Stem cells in the tissues and organs of fetus, infant, and adult have highly reduced potency and committed to produce only progenitor cells for particular tissues. These tissue-specific stem cells are called multipotent stem cells. These tissue-specific/committed multipotent stem cells, when placed in altered environment other than their original niche, can yield cells characteristic of the altered environment. These findings are certainly of potential interest from the clinical, therapeutic perspective. The controversial terminology 'somatic stem cell plasticity' coined by the stem cell community seems to have been proved true. Followings are some of the recent knowledges related to the stem cell. Just as the tissues of our body have their own multipotent stem cells, cancerous tumor has undifferentiated cells known as cancer stem cell (CSC). Each time CSC cleaves, it makes two daughter cells with different fate. One is endowed with immortality, the remarkable ability to divide indefinitely, while the other progeny cell divides occasionally but lives forever. In the cancer tumor, CSC is minority being as few as 3-5% of the tumor mass but it is the culprit behind the tumor-malignancy, metastasis, and recurrence of cancer. CSC is like a master print. As long as the original exists, copies can be made and the disease can persist. If the CSC is destroyed, cancer tumor can't grow. In the decades-long cancer therapy, efforts were focused on the reducing of the bulk of cancerous growth. How cancer therapy is changing to destroy the origin of tumor, the CSC. The next generation of treatments should be to recognize and target the root cause of cancerous growth, the CSC, rather than the reducing of the bulk of tumor, Now the strategy is to find a way to identify and isolate the stem cells. The surfaces of normal as well as the cancer stem cells are studded with proteins. In leukaemia stem cell, for example, protein CD 34 is identified. In the new treatment of cancer disease it is needed to look for protein unique to the CSC. Blocking the stem cell's source of nutrients might be another effective strategy. The mystery of sternness of stem cells has begun to be deciphered. ESC can replicate indefinitely and yet retains the potential to turn into any kind of differentiated cells. Polycomb group protein such as Suz 12 repress most of the regulatory genes which, activated, are turned to be developmental genes. These protein molecules keep the ESC in an undifferentiated state. Many of the regulator genes silenced by polycomb proteins are also occupied by such ESC transcription factors as Oct 4, Sox 2, and Nanog. Both polycomb and transcription factor proteins seem to cooperate to keep the ESC in an undifferentiated state, pluripotent, and self-renewable. A normal prion protein (PrP) is found throughout the body from blood to the brain. Prion diseases such as mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) are caused when a normal prion protein misfolds to give rise to PrP$^{SC}$ and assault brain tissue. Why has human body kept such a deadly and enigmatic protein? Although our body has preserved the prion protein, prion diseases are of rare occurrence. Deadly prion diseases have been intensively studied, but normal prion problems are not. Very few facts on the benefit of prion proteins have been known so far. It was found that PrP was hugely expressed on the stem cell surface of bone marrow and on the cells of neural progenitor, PrP seems to have some function in cell maturation and facilitate the division of stem cells and their self-renewal. PrP also might help guide the decision of neural progenitor cell to become a neuron.

Effect of Starvation on Some Parameters in Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (Sauvage and Dabry): A Review (버들치, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (Sauvage and Dabry) 기아시 일부형질에서의 효과: 개관)

  • Park In-Seok
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.22 no.3
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    • pp.351-368
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    • 2004
  • Following the previous experiments, a starvation experiment was conducted to determine the influence of feeding and starvation on the histological and biochemical changes, the morphormetric changes in the sectioned body and the morphometric changes in Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (Sauvage and Dabry). The influence of starvation on nutritional conditions of the histological changes of hepatocyte and intestinal epithelium as hepatosmatic index (HSI), protein, RNA and DNA concentrations of liver in R. oxycephalus was tested. Although the starved group showed higher concentrations of protein, DNA and RNA than the fed group, food deprivation resulted in a decrease in the HSI, hepatocyte nucleus size and nuclear height of the intestinal epithelium. The RNA - DNA ratio appears to be a useful index of nutritional status in R. oxycephalus and may be useful for determining if R. oxycephalus is in a period of rapid or slow growth at the time of sampling. Additionally, the data have been interpreted in detail and some biologically important relationships discussed. The effects of starvation on the morphometrical changes in sectioned body traits, condition factor, viscera index and dressing percentage were determined for evaluating nutritional conditions of R. oxycephalus. Starvation for nine weeks resulted in a decrease in most sectioned traits as well as in condition factor and viscera index (P<0.05). These findings suggest that nutritional parameters used in this study appear to be a useful index for nutritional status in this species. The data has been interpreted in detail and some important body sectioned values of interest to commercial growers discussed. A 75-day study was conducted to determine the effect of starvation on classical and truss parameters in R. oxycephalus. Truss dimensions of almost the entire head and trunk region as well as the abdomen were increased significantly through feeding or starvation (P<0.05). Truss dimensions of the caudal region generally decreased through feeding or starvation, particularly those dimensions at the hind part of the trunk. There were some significant decreases in classical dimensions of the head region during feeding, in relation to body depth characteristics in the trunk and caudal region during starvation, whereas there was only one decreasing classical dimension in the caudal region during feeding. The results of this study indicate that application of the truss network as a character set enforces classical coverage across the body form, discrimination among experimental groups thus being enhanced. Considering that the dimension of the lower part of the head and some truss and classical dimensions were least affected by feeding and starvation, these dimensions may then be useful as a taxonomical indicator to discriminate the species of Rhynchocypris sp. The value of trunk region dimensions with a large component of body depth in R. oxycephalus is most likely to be compromised by variability related to differences in feeding regimes of fish in different habitats.