• Mycobiology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.200-206
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• 2019

Allelic differences in A and B mating-type loci are a prerequisite for the progression of mating in the genus Pleurotus eryngii; thus, the crossing is hampered by this biological barrier in inbreeding. Molecular markers linked to mating types of P. eryngii KNR2312 were investigated with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA to enhance crossing efficiency. An A4-linked sequence was identified and used to find the adjacent genomic region with the entire motif of the A locus from a contig sequenced by PacBio. The sequence-characterized amplified region marker $7-2_{299}$ distinguished A4 mating-type monokaryons from KNR2312 and other strains. A BLAST search of flanked sequences revealed that the A4 locus had a general feature consisting of the putative HD1 and HD2 genes. Both putative HD transcription factors contain a homeodomain sequence and a nuclear localization sequence; however, valid dimerization motifs were found only in the HD1 protein. The ACAAT motif, which was reported to have relevance to sex determination, was found in the intergenic region. The SCAR marker could be applicable in the classification of mating types in the P. eryngii breeding program, and the A4 locus could be the basis for a multi-allele detection marker.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.320-329
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• 2021

Background: Smoking exposure may be objectively assessed through specific biomarkers. The most common biomarker for smoking is cotinine concentration in urine, and setting an optimal cut-off point can accurately classify smoking status. Such a cut-off point for Korean adolescents has never been studied. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine a cut-off point for urinary cotinine concentration for the discrimination of smoking in adolescents. Methods: Participants were adolescents aged 13~18 years who participated in the third cycle of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey. We used urine samples to confirm the level of cotinine concentrations. Smoking status was determined by self-reported questionnaire. We identified the optimal cotinine cut-off point for discriminating smoking status using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: Of the 904 participants, 28 (3.1%) were smokers, among whom 20 (71.4%) were male. The median urinary cotinine concentrations in smokers was 218 ㎍/L (male: 215 ㎍/L, female: 303 ㎍/L), and that in non-smokers was 1.31 ㎍/L (male: 1.46 ㎍/L, female: 1.18 ㎍/L). We found significant differences in urinary cotinine concentration according to smoking status and sex (p<0.001). Urinary cotinine concentrations performed well for identifying smoking adolescents [area under the curve: 0.954 (male: 0.963, female: 0.908)]. The cut-off that optimally distinguished smokers from non-smokers was 39.85 ㎍/L (sensitivity: 89.3%, specificity: 97.4%). Male [39.85 ㎍/L (sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity: 94.9%)] had a different optimal cut-off point than female [26.26 ㎍/L (sensitivity: 87.5%, specificity: 99.6%)]. Conclusions: This study determined a cut-off point for urinary cotinine of 39.85 ㎍/L (male: 39.85 ㎍/L, female: 26.26 ㎍/L) to distinguish smokers from non-smokers in adolescents.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2023

One of the ways to increase the production for aquaculture is through the cultivation of monosexuals by ensuring genital reversal from which energy for reproduction is diverted towards growth. Masculinization has been identified as one of the most prominent techniques, where sex development was directed from female to male. This approach only altered the phenotype and not the genotype. The red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) was a relatively new commercial commodity, and the males were known to grow faster than females. Hence, it was proposed to use monocultures comprising an all-male population to increase yield using steroid hormone, synthetic 17α-methyltestosterone. However, this technique generated residues that detrimentally affect human health, the environment, and cultivated organisms. Therefore, finding new safe natural steroid sources was essential, and one of which is exploring of natural hormones extracted from the viscera of sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra Jaeger). This study focused on the determination of male formation and testosterone levels among juvenile crayfish, after immersing in sea cucumber steroid extract (SCSE). A completely random design with factorial was used with two variables, encompassing the varied doses (0, 2, 4 mg/L, 2 mg/L 17α-methyl testosterone as control group) and immersion times of 18 and 30 h. The result showed the dose-dependent ability of SCSE increase the male genital formation and promote the testosterone level of juvenile crayfish. In addition, the testosterone was influenced by dose and immersion duration time, with the highest level of testosterone observed in treatments of 4 mg/L SCSE with 30 h immersion was 0.248 ng/mL, while the male percentage was 77%. In conclusion, the combination of dose and immersion time significantly affected growth and testosterone levels.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.28-41
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and risk factors associated with pressure injuries related to medical devices among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Method : A retrospective study analyzed data from 462 ICU patients. Statistical analyses, including independent t-tests, Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regression were performed to analyze the data. Results : Among the 154 subjects, there were a total of 198 medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPI). Stage 2 and deep tissue pressure injuries were the most frequent. MDRPI occurred most frequently on the face, with nasogastric tubes being its leading cause, followed by endotracheal tubes. The risk factors for MDRPI included male sex (odds ratio [OR]=1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.12-2.83), department at the time of ICU admission (OR=4.29, 95% CI=2.01-9.15), post-surgery ICU admission (OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.25-0.73), application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines (OR=2.72, 95% CI=1.06-6.95), number of medical devices (OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.05-1.30), inotropic drug administration (OR=2.33, 95% CI=1.19-4.60), and sedative use (OR=2.53, 95% CI=1.17-5.45). Conclusion : These results enable the determination of the characteristics and risk factors associated with MDRPI. It is crucial to acknowledge the risk factors for MDRPI in ICU patients and establish a prevention strategy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2024

Vancomycin is a frequently used antibiotic in intensive care units, and the patient's renal clearance affects the pharmacokinetic characteristics of vancomycin. Several advantages have been reported for vancomycin continuous intravenous infusion, but studies on continuous dosing regimens based on patients' renal clearance are insufficient. The aim of this study was to develop a vancomycin serum concentration prediction model by factoring in a patient's renal clearance. Children admitted to our institution between July 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022 with records of continuous infusion of vancomycin were included in the study. Sex, age, height, weight, vancomycin dose by weight, interval from the start of vancomycin administration to the time of therapeutic drug monitoring sampling, and vancomycin serum concentrations were analyzed with the linear regression analysis of the mixed effect model. Univariable regression analysis was performed using the vancomycin serum concentration as a dependent variable. It showed that vancomycin dose (p < 0.001) and serum creatinine (p = 0.007) were factors that had the most impact on vancomycin serum concentration. Vancomycin serum concentration was affected by vancomycin dose (p < 0.001) and serum creatinine (p = 0.001) with statistical significance, and a multivariable regression model was obtained as follows: Vancomycin serum concentration (mg/l) = -1.296 + 0.281 × vancomycin dose (mg/kg) + 20.458 × serum creatinine (mg/dl) (adjusted coefficient of determination, R² = 0.66). This prediction model is expected to contribute to establishing an optimal continuous infusion regimen for vancomycin.

• The Journal of Special Children Education
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.107-141
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status and needs of sexuality education for students with developmental disabilities and to find a way to support sexuality education for students with developmental disabilities. Methods: This study was conducted with 123 parents of students with developmental disabilities, and the status and needs of sexuality education for students with developmental disabilities were examined in terms of home and institution. Results: The method to support sexuality education for students with developmental disabilities was examined according to status and needs. First, the support method according to status was as follows: (1) the active and proactive sex education, (2) the parental sexual knowledge and awareness check and retraining, and (3) the diversity of sexuality education content suitable for the developmental stage. The support method according to the needs was as follows: (1) providing parent education by classifying intellectual disabilities and autistic disorders, (2) adding educational content on improving interpersonal and sexual self-determination, (3) developing evidence-based sexuality education teaching materials, (4) sexuality education professional lecturers. Conclusion: The results of this study would be used as basic data to support the sexuality education of students with developmental disabilities and to develop related programs.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.189-198
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• 2007

The reproductive cycle, egg capsules in the egg-mass, first sexual maturity, and sex ratio of the bladder moon, Glossaulax didyma ($R\ddot{o}ding$) were investigated. The gastropods collected from the intertidal zone of Biin Bay, Seocheon, Korea were studied by using histological analysis and morphometric data. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of females and males began to increase in March and reached maximum in May. Then their values sharply decreased from late in May to August due to spawning. The condition index (CI) began to increase in February and reached maximum in May, then gradually declined in the spawning period. The CI calculated for determination of the spawning period was coincided with changes in the GSI and gonadal phases. Spawning occurred between late in May to August in females and early in May to August in males. Spawning peak was observed between July and August when the seawater temperature rose to 19 $^{\circ}C$. Reproductive cycle with the gonadal development phases of this species can be divided into five successive stages in females and four in males: in females, early active stage (December to February), late active stage (February to March), ripe stage (April recovery stage (August to November); in males, active stage (December to March), ripe stage (March to July), copulation stage (early May to August), and recovery stage (August to January). Fully matured oocytes were approximately 250-270 ${\mu}m$ in size. The egg-mass was a hat in shape, and a number of egg capsules were found in an egg-mass. An egg capsule was 0.53-0.57 mm in size. An embryo (veliger larva) hatched from an egg capsule. Percentage of first sexual maturity in females and males were over 50% for individuals that are 40.1-45.0 mm in shell radius, and 100% for those that are over 45.1 mm. The sex ratio of female to male was significantly different from 1:1 $(x^2\;=\;57.22,\;p\;<\;0.05)$.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.599-606
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• 2002

This study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical components and to examine it the consumers can tell the difference in eating quality of loins of Hanwoo with grade and sex. Loins of 36 carcasses were selected and their intramuscular fat, color, pH, water holding capacity, shear force, the amount of myoglobin and moisture content were measured. The result was that only intramuscular fat was significantly different with grades. In Pearson correlation coefficients among quality factors, moisture content increased significantly with the amount of myoglobin(0.514) and shear force(0.503) and decreased as intramuscular fat(－0.957) and water holding capacity(－0.491) increased. Also, content of intramuscular fat decreased as shear force(－0.565) increased. According to descriptive analysis, aroma and acceptability in the 2nd grade steer showed the highest score. Aroma, juiciness and tenderness may affect acceptability of cooked meat. Also, juiciness, tenderness and acceptability had a negative correlation with moisture content and the intramuscular fat did not affect tenderness directly.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.155-165
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• 2007

Gonad index (GI), conditon index, the reproductive cycle with gonadal development of the Neptunea (Barbitonia) arthritica cumingii, were investigated histologically, based on the samples which have been collected from the subtidal zone of Oeyeondo, Boryeong, Korea from January to December, 2006. Neptunea (Barbitonia) arthritica cumingii is dioecious and oviparous. Monthly changes in the gonad index (GI), studied for determination of spawning period, were closely associated with gonad developmental phases. The GI reached a maximum in April, and gradually decreased from May to August due to spawning. The gonadsomatic index and condition index showed similar patterns to gonad developmental phases and the spawning period. The reproductive cycle according to gonad developmental phases of this species can be classified into five successive stages in females and males: in females, early active stage (September to October), late active stage (November to February), ripe stage (February to June), partially spawned stage (May to August) and recovery stage (June to August); in males, the early active stage (September to October), late active stage (November to February), ripe stage (February to June), copulation (April to July), and recovery stage (July to August). Spawning occurred between May to August in females and April to July in males, and spawning peak in females was observed between June and July when the seawater temperature rose to above $19^{\circ}C$. Percentages of first sexual maturity of female and male snails ranging from $50.1{\sim}60.0\;mm$ in shell height were over 50%, and 100% for snails over 60.1 mm in shell height. The sex ratios of females to males were not significantly different from a 1:1 sex ratio.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2001

Predetermination of sex in livestock of offpring is in great demand and is of critical importance to providing for the most efficient production of the animal ariculture. Such a sexing techlology would also enhance the economy of conventional artificial insemination(AI) and aid the porcine industry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of enriching X-bearing porcine sperm using discontinuous percoll gradients and PCR mefhod. Semen was collected from mature boars of proven fertility center (AI center KimHae). Sperm was leaded on the isotonic discontinuous percoll gradient and then it was centrifuged at 120 ${\times}$ g for 20 minutes. After centrifugation, sperm included in each fraction were recovered (7${\times}$10$^6$ sperms/ml) and then sperm genomic DNA was extractedfor the PCR. SRY gene was used to evaluate the ratio between X and Y sperm in the separated fractions. Ju viro ffrtilization wascarried out by adding the unseparated sperm (control) or separated (experimental poop) to the matured oocytes in TCM-199. Embryos for sex determination were obtained at 2 cell stage and then was used for SRY gene amplification. After centrifugation of discontinuous percoll gradient, the most motile sperm was obtained at 95% fiaction (94.4% ${\pm}$ 5.1%, p < 0.01). The PCR analysis evaluated that 30%, 50% and 65% fractions were Y sperm rich, whereas 80% and 95% fractions were X sperm rich. PCR analysis with each porcineembryo showed that 33.3% of control and 66.7% of experimental group were determined as female embryos. In conclusion, in vitro matured oocytes inseminated with sperms (95% fraction) prepared by percoll gradient centrifugation showed high fertilization rates and female embryos than control sperms.