• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.173-180
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• 2004

This study analyzed Korean adults' perceptions of family functions and qualities needed for strong families. The sample consisted of 806 adults living in Seoul. Among different family functions, love and emotional support were considered the most important for family strength, while religion and consumption as family functions were not perceived as important. The surveyed adults thought that the function of socialization was the most essential among the family functions according to Murdock's(1949) theory, which were, sexual, reproductive, socialization, and economic functions. They responded that the most needed qualities for strong families were commitment, followed by appreciation and affection, positive communication, ability to cope with stress and crisis, enjoyable time together, and spiritual wellbeing. Adults' perceptions of family functions needed for strong families explained 27% of the variance in perceptions of qualities needed for family strengths. Finally, this study provides recommendations for future research.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.832-838
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• 2024

Objective: The use of molecular genetic methods in pig breeding can significantly increase the efficiency of breeding and breeding work. We applied the F_st (fixsacion index) method, the main focus of the work was on the search for common options related to the number of born piglets and the weight of born piglets, since today the urgent task is to prevent a decrease in the weight of piglets at birth while maintaining high fertility of sows. Methods: One approach is to scan the genome, followed by an assessment of Fst and identification of selectively selected regions. We chose Large White sows (n = 237) with the same conditions of keeping and feeding. The data were collected from the sows across three farrowing. For genotyping, we used GeneSeek GGP Porcine HD Genomic Profiler v1, which included 68,516 single nucleotide polymorphisms evenly distributed with an average spacing of 25 kb (Illumina Inc, San Diego, CA, USA). Results: Based on the results of the Fst analysis, 724 variants representing selection signals for the signs BALWT, BALWT1, NBA, and TNB (weight of piglets born alive, average weight of the 1st piglets born alive, total number born alive, total number born). At the same time, 18 common variants have been identified that are potential markers for both the number of piglets at birth and the weight of piglets at birth, which is extremely important for breeding work to improve reproductive characteristics in sows. Conclusion: Our work resulted in identification of variants associated with the reproductive characteristics of pigs. Moreover, we identified, variants which are potential markers for both the number of piglets at birth and the weight of piglets at birth, which is extremely important for breeding work to improve reproductive performance in sows.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.309-313
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• 2000

Since specific types and physical characteristics of anuran calls can represent reproductive qualities of a calling male, anuran calls have been studied in context of mate choice. We in here report call types of Rana dybowskii and their variations from two different recording sites. Calls of R. dybowskii are classified to three types based on their physical characteristics and behavioral observations; 'A-call'functions to advertise locations of a calling male and to attract potential mates. A territorial male emits 'B-call'only during male-male interaction. 'C -call'is released when a male frog was clasped by another male. The A-call from two recording sites, Miwon and Wonju, shows high variations in their call characteristics.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2010

The binding affinity constants ($p(Od)_{50}$) and molecular docking scores (OS) between porcine odorant binding proteins pOBP (1HQP) and pPBP (1GM6) as receptor and a series of tetrahydrofuran-2-yl (A & B) analogues as substrate, and their interactions were discussed quantitatively using three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (30-QSAR) models. The statistical qualities of the optimized CoMF A models for pOBP were better than those of the CoMSIA models. The binding affinity constants and OS between substrate and receptor molecules were dependent upon steric and hydrophobic interaction. The DS constants of the substrates into the binding site of OBP (1HQP) were bigger than those of PBP (1GM6). The resulting contour maps produced by the optimized CoMFA model were used to identify the structural features relevant to the binding affinity in binding site of pOBP.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.287-298
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• 2008

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different feed conditions on growth, cast production and conversion efficiency of organic matter to the earthworm. The experiment was tested on cow manure(CM) mixed with rice hulls (RH) or rice straw(RS). The mixture ratios were designed as one time, two times and three times of cow manure volume, respectively. The CM and RH mixtures resulted better on growth rate, reproductive efficiency and wormcast production than those for CM and RS mixtures. Especially on three times of RH mixture showed the highest growth characteristics compared to the other mixtures. Although both were between 20 and 34 on carbon and nitrogen ratio, the result inferred that the difference on the growth might have been caused by feeding conditions. On the mixtures of cow manure with rice hulls(CM+RH) was significantly higher on values on the conversion rate and conversion efficiency of organic matter to earthworm tissues than the mixtures of cow manure with rice straw(CM+RS). The most concerned point of the mixture of earthworm feed is that high contents of volatile solid and total carbon that increases in conversion efficiency of organic matter to earthworm tissues, and also causes the increase in growth rate and reproductive efficiency. The wormcast could be used as a valuable plant growth medium or soil conditioner for sustainable agriculture and it may be due to their high qualities of physico-chemical properties.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2011

Autophagy is a process of intracellular bulk protein degradation, in which the accumulated proteins and cytoplasmic organelles are degraded. It plays important roles in cellular homeostasis, apoptosis, and development, but its role during early embryo development remains contentious. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on early embryonic development in pigs, we also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including mitochondrial distribution, genes expressions (autophagy-, apoptosis- related genes), apoptosis and ER-stress, which are affected by 3-MA. After in vitro maturation and fertilization, presumptive pig embryos were cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with 3-MA for 2 days at $39^{\circ}C$ 5% $CO_2$ in air. Developmental competence to the blastocyst stage in the presence of 3-MA was gradually decreased according to increasing concentration. Thus, all further experiments were performed using 2 mM 3-MA. Blastocysts that developed in the 3-MA treated group decreased LC3-II intensity and expressions of autophagy related genes than those of the untreated control, resulting in down-regulates the autophagy. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the 3-MA treated group compared with control ($6.0{\pm}1.0$ vs $3.3{\pm}0.6$, p<0.05). Also, the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased in 3-MA treated group, whereas expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-XL decreased. Mito Tracker Green FM staining showed that blastocysts derived from the 3-MA treated group had lower mitochondrial integrity than that of the untreated control, resulting in decrease the embryonic qualities of preimplantation porcine blastocysts. Then, the expression of the spliced form of pXBP-1 product (pXBP-1s) increased in 3-MA treated group, resulting increase of ER-stress. Taken together, these results indicate that inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA is closely associated with apoptosis and ER-stress during preimplantation periods of porcine embryos.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.419-432
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• 1999

Objective: To establish the evaluation system of the quality of oocytes on the basis of the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis, to investigate the relationships beween the incidence of cumulus cells and the outcomes of IVF-ET. Method: Thirth-four cycles undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET with tubal infertility (23 cycles) or unexplained infertility (11 cycles) were included in this study. Cumulus cell masses surrounding mature oocyte and co-culture of embryos with autologous cumulus cells during IVF-ET process. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells was assessed by apoptosis detection kit fluorescein. The effect of co-culture using cumulus cells and the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis. Results: The results were as follows: 1. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells markedly increased in patients aged 40 or over, while the fertilization rate was greatly decreased in those age group. 2. Apoptosis in cumulus cells was found in both the fertilized oocytes and unfertilized oocytes, but the incidence of apoptosis was higher in unfertilized oocytes. 3. There is no clear correlation between apoptosis in cumulus cells and the number of oocytes retrieved. However, the incidence of apoptosis was increased when the number of oocytes retrieved was 5 and fewer in comparison with $6{\sim}10$. 4. Embryo grade was significantly affected by the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells. 5. Pregnancy rate of IVF-ET per cycle was 29.4%, and the pregnant group had the higher fertilization rate and a significantly lower incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells compared with the nonpregnant group. 6. When cumulus cells were used as helper cells in the co-culture of the embryo, in vitro activity of cumulus cells based on morphological change and proliferation did not influence the quality of embryo, but was closely associated with the implantation rate and pregnancy rate, which was enhanced when morphological changes and proliferation of cumulus cells was more active. 7. This difference in the outcome of IVF-ET according to in vitro activity of cumulus cells used for co-cultue was not associated with the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells; but rather had likely relations with the different secretion pattern of protein, which may be an embryo trophic factor by cumulus cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells can be used in predicting oocyte qualities and the outcomes of IVF-ET. And the effect of co-culture largely depends on the in vitro activity of cumulus cells as well.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.22 no.3 s.93
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• pp.299-306
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• 2006

The numerous varieties of coffee beans contain a wide range prices and qualities. While the varieties of green coffee beans can generally be distinguished by their appearance, this visual criterion is impossible after the roasting process. Therefore, we need to develop a classification method or device. In this study, the potential of a new type of electronic nose, fast gas chromatography based on a surface acoustic wave sensor(SAW), was evaluated for the classification of origins and blended commercial brands in roasted coffee beans. Eight blended commercial brands and the origins of four similarly roasted ground coffee beans(with no significant difference of color) were rapidly(90 sec/sample) classified. The reproductive results were easily understandable over the aroma image pattern by $VaporPrint^{TM}$. In conclusion, GC-SAW electronic nose can be applied to the classification of origins and commercial brands in roasted ground coffee beans and to e evaluation of the similarities and differences of volatile pattern between samples.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2010

Objective: To compare the respective pregnancy outcomes of cycles undergoing elective two cleavage-stage embryos transfer (2ET) and three cleavage-stage embryos transfer (3ET) in fresh in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program. Methods: We conducted a retrospective matched case control study that included 100 women with 2ET and 100 women with 3ET from January 2007 to June 2009. Subjects were matched for reproductive profiles and cycle characteristics. All of transferred embryos in both groups had good qualities. Pregnancy rates (PR), implantation rate, and multiple PR were compared. Results: Demographics, stimulation parameters and embryological data were comparable in both groups. Main pregnancy outcomes with 2ET and 3ET groups were not statistically different; implantation rate (41.0% vs. 35.3%), positive pregnancy rate (58.0% vs. 60.0%), clinical PR (55.0% vs. 59.0%), ongoing PR (51.0% vs. 55.0%), respectively. However, the 3ET group showed significantly higher multiple pregnancy and triplet pregnancy rates (30.9% vs. 50.8%, p=0.031; 1.8% vs. 11.9%, p=0.036, respectively). Conclusion: In women with favorable conditions and good quality embryos undergoing IVF, 2ET can get pregnancy outcomes comparable to those of 3ET and reduce multiple pregnancy (especially, triplet pregnancy).

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.307-311
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• 2011

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is ATPase-directed molecular chaperon and affects survival of several cells. In our previous study, inhibitory effect of Hsp90 by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the pig embryonic and primary cells was reported. However, its role during early bovine embryonic development is not sufficient. In this study, we traced the effects of Hsp90 inhibitor, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), on early bovine embryonic development. We also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including structural integrity, gene expression (apoptosis-related genes), and apoptosis, which are affected by 17-AAG. Bovine embryos were cultured in the CR1-aa medium with or without 17-AAG for 7 days. In result, significant differences in developmental potential were detected between the embryos that were cultured with or without 17-AAG ($33.1{\pm}9.6$ vs $21.7{\pm}8.3%$). The structural integrity of the blastocysts was examined by differential staining. Blastocysts from the dbcAMP-treated group had higher numbers of ICM, TE, and total cells than those from the untreated group. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the 17-AAG treated group compared with control (11.2 vs 3.9, respectively). Blastocysts that developed in the 17-AAG treated group had low structural integrity and high apoptotic nuclei than those of the untreated control, resulting in decrease the embryonic qualities of preimplantation bovine blastocysts. The mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic gene (Bax) increased in 17-AAG treated group, whereas expression of the antiapoptotic gene (Bcl-XL) decreased. In conclusion, Hsp90 also appears to play a direct role in bovine early embryo developmental competence including structural integrity of blastocysts. Also, these results indicate that Hsp90 is closely associated with apoptosis-related genes expression in developing bovine embryos.