• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.465-474
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• 2008

The amount of telomeric DNA was quantified across different breeds(Landrace, Duroc, Yorkshire and Berksire), at different ages(90 days old and 180 days old) and among sexes(male and female) in pigs raised at the Performance Testing Station of Korea Swine Association, Jinkyo, Korea. The telomeric DNA amount was quantified by Quantitative Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization(Q-FISH) using a porcine telomeric DNA probe on interphase nuclei of lymphocytes. Analysis revealed that the amount of telomeric DNA on the pig lymphocytes was found to decrease with age. The quantity of telomeres significantly differed among breeds at 90 days of age. The colored breeds such as Berkshire and Duroc had higher amount of telomeric DNA than the Yorkshire and Landrace breed. In addition, the amount of telomeric DNA in male lymphocytes was significantly higher than that of females. In the correlation coefficients between the telomere quantity and their productive traits; average daily gain, loin percent and index value were positively correlated, whereas body length, feed efficiency and back fat thickness correlated negatively. However, the correlation coefficients were very low and not significant. Therefore, this study suggests that the amount of telomeres on lymphocytes can be considered as a physiological marker but not as a productive marker in pig.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.861-868
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• 2023

Objective: Loin muscle area (LMA) is an important target trait of pig breeding. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with LMA in the Duroc×(Landrace×Yorkshire) crossbred pigs (DLY). Methods: A genome-wide association study was performed using the Illumina 50K chip to map the genetic marker and genes associated with LMA in 511 DLY pigs (255 boars and 256 sows). Results: After quality control, we detected 35,426 SNPs, including six SNPs significantly associated with LMA in pigs, with MARC0094338 and ASGA0072817 being the two key SNPs responsible for 1.77% and 2.48% of the phenotypic variance of LMA, respectively. Based on previous research, we determined two candidate genes (growth hormone receptor [GHR] and 3-oxoacid Co A-transferase 1 [OXCT1]) that are associated with fat deposition and muscle growth and found further additional genes (MYOCD, ARHGAP44, ELAC2, MAP2K4, FBXO4, FBLL1, RARS1, SLIT3, and RANK3) that are presumed to have an effect on LMA. Conclusion: This study contributes to the identification of the mutation that underlies quantitative trait loci associated with LMA and to future pig breeding programs based on marker-assisted selection. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of the identified candidate genes in the physiological processes involved in LMA regulation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.51-65
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• 1990

The purpose of the present study was to examine the hemodynamic responses, especially in arterial and skin blood flows, in conjunction with the changes of plasma catecholamine levels as an indirect marker of adrenergic tone during the early stage of head-down tilt (HDT), and to evaluate the early physiological regulatory mechanism in simulated weightlessness. Ten mongrel dogs, weighing8\;{\sim}\;14\;kg, were intravenously anesthetized with nembutal, and postural changes were performed by using the tilting table. The postural changes were performed in the following order: supine, prone, HDT $(-6^{\circ}C)$ and lastly recovery prone position. The duration of each position was 30 minutes. The measurements were made before, during and after each postural change. The arterial blood flow $({\.{Q}})$ at the left common carotid and right brachial arteries was measured by the electromagnetic flowmeter. Blood pressure (BP) was directly measured by pressure transducer in the left brachial artery. To evaluate the peripheral blood flow, skin blood flow $({\.{Q}})$ was calculated by the percent changes of photoelectric pulse amplitude on the forepaw, and skin temperature was recorded. The peripheral vascular resistance (PR) was calculated by dividing respective mean BP values by ${\.{Q}}$ of both sides of common carotid and brachial arteries. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f) and PH, $Po_{2},\;Pco_{2}$ and hematocrit of arterial and venous blood were also measured. The concentration of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine was measured by radioenzymatic method. The results are summarized as follows: Tilting to head-down position from prone position, HR was initially increased (p<0.05) and BP was not significantly changed. While ${\.{Q}}$ of the common carotid artery was decreased (p<0.05) and PR through the head was increased, ${\.{Q}}$ of the brachial artery was increased (p<0.05) and PR through forelimbs was decreased. ${\.{Q}}$ of the forepaw was initially increased (p<0.05) and then slightly decreased, on the whole revealing an increasing trend. Plasma norepinephrine was slightly decreased and the epinephrine was slightly increased. f was increased and arterial pH was increased (p<0.05). In conclusion, the central blood pooling during HDT shows an increased HR via Bainbridge reflex and an increased ${\.{Q}}$ of the forepaw and brachial ${\.{Q}}$, due to decreased PR which may be originated from the depressor reflex of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors. It is suggested that the blood flow to the brain was adequately regulated throughout HDT $(-6^{\circ}C)$ in spite of central blood pooling. And it is apparent that the changes of plasma norepinephrine level are inversely proportional to those of ${\.{Q}}$ of the forepaw, and the changes of epinephrine level are paralleled with those of the brachial ${\.{Q}}$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2020

Heavy metals are common pollutants in the freshwater environment and have toxicological effect in habitat organisms. The heavy metals highly accumulated in sediment and organism, and observed various physiological responses. In this study, we investigated the molecular response to heavy metal toxicity (Al, Aluminum; Cr, Chromium; Cu, copper; Mn, Manganese; Zn, Zinc) through expression of heat shock protein 40, 70, 90 (HSP40, 70, 90), cytochrome 450 (CYP450), Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and Serine-type endopeptidase (SP). HSPs showed up-regulation in Cu and Zn exposures. Furthermore, HSPs expression in treated groups tended to be higher than the control group. The tendency of CYP450 and GST mRNA expression was higher for Cr and Cu than for other exposure group. The expression of SP gene was low at Al exposure and other group were measured to be similar to control. These results suggest that heavy metal toxicity in freshwater ecosystem may affect physiological and molecular process. Also, the comprehensive gene expression in the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius give useful information to potential molecular biomarkers for assessing heavy metal toxicity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.480-488
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• 2018

Objective: Average daily gain (ADG) is an important target trait of pig breeding programs. We aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genomic regions that are associated with ADG in the Duroc pig population. Methods: We performed a genome-wide association study involving 390 Duroc boars and by using the PorcineSNP60K Beadchip and two linear models. Results: After quality control, we detected 3,5971 SNPs, which included seven SNPs that are significantly associated with the ADG of pigs. We identified six quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions for ADG. These QTLs included four previously reported QTLs on Sus scrofa chromosome (SSC) 1, SSC5, SSC9, and SSC13, as well as two novel QTLs on SSC6 and SSC16. In addition, we selected six candidate genes (general transcription factor 3C polypeptide 5, high mobility group AT-hook 2, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1, pleckstrin homology and RhoGEF domain containing G4B, and ENSSSCG00000031548) associated with ADG on the basis of their physiological roles and positional information. These candidate genes are involved in skeletal muscle cell differentiation, diet-induced obesity, and nervous system development. Conclusion: This study contributes to the identification of the casual mutation that underlies QTLs associated with ADG and to future pig breeding programs based on marker-assisted selection. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of the identified candidate genes in the physiological processes involved in ADG regulation.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2018

Stress involves changes in behavior, autonomic function and the secretion of hormones. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) contributes to physiological adaptive process in short durations. In particular, heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is commonly used as a quantitative marker depicting the ANS activity related to mental stress. The aim of this study is to investigate correlations between psychological responses to stress and HRV indices induced by the cognitive stressor. Thirty-three participants rated their mental and physical symptoms occurred during the past two weeks on Stress Response Inventory (SRI), which is composed of seven stress factors that may influence the status of mental stress levels. Then, they underwent the psychophysiological procedures, which are collected electrocardiogram (ECG) signals during a cognitive stress task. HRV indices, the standard deviation of R-R interval (SDNN), root mean square of successive R-R interval difference (RMSSD) and low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) ratio were extracted from ECG signals. Physiological responses were calculated stress responses by subtracting mean of the baseline from the mean of recovery. Stress factors such as tension, aggression, depression, fatigue, and frustration were positively correlated to HRV indices. In particular, aggression had significant positive correlations to SDNN, RMSSD and LF/HF ratio. Increased aggressive responses to stress correlated with the increases of all HRV indices. This means the increased autonomic coactivation. Additionally, tension, depression, fatigue, and frustration were positively associated with RMSSD reflecting increases in parasympathetic activation. The autonomic coactivation may represent an integrated response to specific cognitive reactions such as the orienting response.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.166-173
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• 2009

Cyclosporine(CsA) is an immunosupressant drug widely used in post-allogeneic organ transplant to reduce the activity of the patient's immune system and so the risk of organ rejection. It has been studied in transplants of skin, heart, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, bone marrow and small intestine. Initially isolated from a Norwegian soil sample, Both kidney and liver dysfunction are prominent side effects of CsA. The present study was designed to determine the possible protective effect of salidroside(Sal) isolated from the BuOH extract of Acer termentosum Max against oxidative damage in CsA-treated(50 mg/kg, ip) nephrotoxicity rats. Results showed oral administration of methanol and butanol extact of Acer termentosum Max(200 mg/kg, po) significantly reduced activities of marker enzymes(BUN, Creatinine) and LDH activity in serum to CsA induced experimental kidney injured rats. And significantly decrcease of protein amount level in urine and activities of free radical formation enzyme were significantly improved by the treatment of Sal. And significantly decrcease of MDA level in kidney and activities of calalase, glutathione peroxidation and SOD were significantly improved by the treatment of Sal(20 mg/kg, po). But glutathione concentration and glutathione S-transferase actitity was not affected. Results of this study revealed that Sal could afford a significant protection in the alleviation of CsA-induced nephrotoxicity injury.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.93-97
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• 2003

Alternative or complementary medicine plays an important role in health care system. Ginseng, being one of the most popular oriental herbs, is believed to contain various steroid hormone activity. Ginseng has been demonstrated pharmacological effect in the cardiovascular, endocrine, central nervous, and immune system. Our objective was to study that total saponin might mediate some of their actions by binding to the steroid hormone receptor, as they share many of the actions of steroid hormone in various physiological system. Using total saponin from Panax Ginseng, we have studied the possibility of total saponin being a potential estrogen receptor, androgen receptor, and retinoic acid receptor ligand. Total saponin activated the transcription of both the estrogen and androgen responsive luciferase reporter plasmids at a concentration of 100$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in COS cells transiently transfected with the corresponding receptor and hormone responsive receptor plasmids. And total saponin caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of estrogen receptor. Total saponin increased the expression of estrogen responsive c-fos proto-oncogene at the protein level in MCF7 cells at 24 h treatment as examined by Western analysis. The c-fos induction was used as a specific marker of estrogen responsiveness. This activation was inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780. However, total saponin failed to activate the retinoic acid receptor in COS cells transiently transfected with the corresponding receptor and retinoic acid responsive reporter plasmids. These results show that total saponin is capable of activating estrogen and androgen receptors.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1995

This study was to investigate an effective biological control of forage diseases and provide a basic data and a model in improving variety of antagonistic bacteria, with growth promoting effect on forage, through cell fusion. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The antagonistic himbacterium against soil-borne phathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani was isolated from continuous cropping himsphere soil of forage, and its biological and physiological characteristics were investigated. This bacterium was identified as Bacillus subrilis and named BS 101. Another strain for cell fusion was Bacillus thur ingiensis ssp. kurstaki HD-I(BT 37669) with insecticidal crystal. 2. The auxotropic mutants of BS 101 and BT 37669 were derived after mutagenesis using N-methyl-N'nitro- Nitrosoguanidine(NTG) to give amino acid requirement marker. n e s e auxotropic mutants of BS 101 and BT 37669 were named BS 1013(his-) and BT 69(asp-), respectively. 3. The best protoplast requirement was obtained using DM 3 medium, containing 5% casamino acid, 1 M $MgCI_2$ and 2% bovine semm albumin, to give Fusant 3, 7 and 8. BT toxin gene was not identified with fusants by Southern blotting. However, SDS-PAGE analysis of strains showed various protein patterns among fusants. 4. From the dark culture experiment, growth of forage in inoculated soil with antagonistic bacteria was delayed than that of non-inoculated soil with antagonistic bacteria in each continuous cropping soil and in each sterilized soil. On the other hand, growth duration of forage was different between continuous cropping soil and sterilized soil. 5. Seed germination of Alfalfa, Italian ryegrass and Orchardgrass were significantly improved by inoculation of antagonistic bacteria(p< 0.05).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1199-1206
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• 2004

This study was examined the effects of Daesenggi-Tang on intestinal mucosa and gastrointestinal transit time and plasma lipids in rats. Adult male rats were fed four weeks on diets containing no addition(basal diet group), 5% cellulose(cellulose group) and Daesenggi-Tang group(Daesenggi-Tang group). The results were as follows; 1. The gastrointestinal transit times was significantly decreased in Daesenggi-Tang administered group compare to basal diet and cellulose groups. Carmine red mixed with Daesenggi-Tang, as a marker, was administered through a gastric tube for stomach or intracecally by a chronically implanted catheter for colon transit. Small intestinal transit and large intestinal transit time were significantly decreased in Daesenggi-Tang administered group compare to basal diet. 3. The height of jejunal villi was developed in Daesenggi-Tang administered group compare to basal diet. The thickness of mucosa and muscle layer of colonic mucosa were significantly developed in Daesenggi-Tang administered group compare to basal diet group. 4. The numerical change of goblet cell in colonic mucosa was increased acid mucin stained alcian blue in Daesenggi-Tang administered group compare to basal diet and cellulose group. 6. HDL-cholesterol of plasma lipid was increased in Daesenggi-Tang administered group compare to basal diet and cellulose groups. Theses results suggests that Daesenggi-Tang may be used in prevention and treatment of constipation resulting in increase of fecal weight, decrease of gastrointestinal transit time, development of intestinal villi, intensify of stainability of acid mucin in colon.