• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.309-314
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• 2023

Shark populations are constantly decreasing owing to environmental destruction and overfishing; thus, sharks are now at risk of extinction, with 30.5% of species classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. Sharks are apex predators and keystone species in balancing the marine food chain; their extinction would create an imbalance in the entire marine ecosystem. Assisted reproductive technology is a last resort for protecting animals facing extinction. Here, as a proactive effort toward building a hormone-induced artificial insemination protocol for endangered wild sharks, we identified the possibility of germ cell maturation by administration of GnRH, a commercially produced synthetic salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and calculated its optimum dosage and injection timing. The experiment was conducted on one shark species, Chiloscyllium plagiosum. Injections were administered in 24 h intervals to C. plagiosum females, and 0.2 mL/kg+0.2 mL/kg were the optimal doses. These doses effectively induced maturation and, and ovulation, and oocyte release. Our results confirm that GnRH is a suitable tool for shark hormone-induced artificial insemination and indicate that this method may facilitate the conservation of endangered shark species.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4409-4412
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• 2012

Present study was undertaken to estimate and compare erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (E-SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in oral submucous fibrosis, oral leukoplakia and oral cancer patients and age/sex matched healthy subjects, 25 in each group. Statistically significant (P<0.001) decrease in E-SOD and GPx levels were observed in OSF, oral leukoplakia and oral cancer groups as compared to the control group. Oral leukoplakia group showed lower levels in comparison with OSF (P>0.05). Oral cancer group had the lowest levels amongst the study groups. Imbalance in antioxidant enzyme status may be considered as one of the factors responsible for the pathogenesis of cancer and may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target to reduce the malignant transformation in oral premalignant lesions/conditions.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.123-123
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• 2018

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder affecting the emotional and physical health of women during certain periods of the menstrual cycle. Many researchers who have previously studied PMS have believed that PMS is associated with changes in sex hormones and serotonin levels at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. However, recent studies suggest that progesterone/estrogen imbalance and elevation of prolactin-induced by dopamine low-secretion play a crucial role in increasing PMS symptoms. Because of this, we have focused on mitigating PMS symptoms through the mechanism of prolactin secretion inhibition by dopamine receptor activation. The inhibition of prolactin secretion by 61-kinds of medicinal herb extracts was investigated in GH3 pituitary cells. Among them, Inula heleniun L. root extract (IHE) showed excellent prolactin secretion inhibitory effect. IHEs were prepared using 30, 50, and 70% ethanol. And the yield, cytotoxicity, dopamine receptor activity and inhibition of prolactin secretion of each extract were measured. Through a series of experiments, we found that prolactin secretion was significantly reduced (P<0.01) by the components present in IHE and that dopamine receptor regulation was possible (P<0.05). Considering yield and safety, we suggest the use of 30% ethanol IHE in the development of PMS symptom relief products.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.266-271
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• 2010

Obesity occurred by energy imbalance, is increasing regardless of race, sex, age, and related to the metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Since adipose tissue plays a critical role in regulating energy homeostasis, understanding of adipogenesis pathway and finding of regulatory mechanism for adipogenesis can be helpful to manage obesity as well as obesity-related diseases. In this study, to investigate the effects of Chestnut Inner Shell(CIS) extract on the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated with adipogenic reagents for 9 days in the absence or presence of CIS extract ranging from 10 - 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The effect of CIS extract on 3T3-L1 differentiation was examined by measuring intracelluar lipid droplet and triglyceride contents. CIS extract remarkably inhibited lipid accumulation(about 45% inhibition at 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of CIS extract) and slightly decreased triglyceride contents(about 15% decrease at 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of CIS extract) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes at the concentration showing no cytotoxicity. These results demonstrated that CIS extract significantly inhibit adipogenesis and can be used for the regulation of obesity.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.266-273
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• 2019

Heavy metal contamination in freshwater ecosystem has been receiving increased worldwide attention due to their direct or indirect effect on human health and aquatic organisms. In this study, we investigated biological effects such as survival rate, growth rate, emergence rate, sex ratio and mouthpart deformity of Chironomus plumosus. The survival rate of C. plumosus decreased with the increase in heavy metal concentration as well as exposure time after cadmium (Cd) or zinc (Zn) exposure. The growth rate decreased at days 4 and 7 after Cd exposure and significantly reduced at the relatively high concentration of $50mg\;L^{-1}$ Cd. The emergence rate was decreased at $50mg\;L^{-1}$ Cd and $100mg\;L^{-1}$ Zn. The sex ratio showed imbalance pattern at relatively low concentrations (0.5 and $2mg\;L^{-1}$ Cd) with high proportion of male and relatively high concentration ($100mg\;L^{-1}$ Zn) with high proportion of female (60%). In addition, mentum deformities were observed at high concentration of Cd and Zn. These results suggest that heavy metal exposure in aquatic ecosystem may affect biological and morphological responses, and aquatic midge C. plumosus is a potential indicator for assessment of environmental pollutant such as heavy metals.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2019

Heavy metals resulted from the increase of human industrial activity are introduced into the environment through rainfall and wastewater, and have harmful effects on inhabitants. In this study, we investigated biological responses such as survival rate, growth rate, emergence rate and sex ratio, and morphological effects of mentum deformity in Chironomus plumosus, an indicator organism to evaluate pollutions on aquatic ecosystem. The survival rate of C. plumosus showed time- and dose-dependent decrease after chromium and copper exposures. Growth rate decreased at $4^{th}$ day after chromium exposure and significantly reduced at exposure to relatively high concentration (copper $1000mg\;L^{-1}$) for all exposure times. In addition, we observed that the emergence rate by exposure to copper $1000mg\;L^{-1}$ was significantly lower than that of the control group. The imbalance of sex ratios showed at relatively low concentrations (chromium 10 and $50mg\;L^{-1}$) with the high proportion of female and at the relative high concentration (copper $1000mg\;L^{-1}$) with the high proportion of male. Furthermore, the morphological mentum deformities of C. plumosus observed in the exposed group according to chromium and copper exposure. These results suggest that the heavy metal exposure in environment may influence biosynthetic and morphological stresses of benthic invertebrate C. plumosus, and aquatic midge C. plumosus are potential indicators for toxicity assessment of heavy metals such as chromium and copper.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7129-7138
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• 2015

Background: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), characterized by hyperandrogenism and chronic anovulation, is a common endocrine disorder in women. PCOS, which is associated with polycystic ovaries, hirsutism, obesity and insulin resistance, is a leading cause of female infertility. In this condition there is an imbalance in female sex hormones. All the sequelae symptoms of PCOS gradually lead to cancer in the course of time. It is heterogeneous disorder of unknown etiology so it is essential to find the exact cause. Materials and Methods: In this study both invasive and non-invasive techniques were employed to establish the etiology. Diagnosis was based on Rotterdam criteria (hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, PCOM) and multiparameters using buccal samples and dermatoglypic analysis and cytogenetic study for 10 cases and four age and sex matched controls. Results: In clinical analysis we have observed the mean value of total testosterone level was 23.6nmol/L, total hirsutism score was from 12-24, facial acne was found in in 70% patients with 7-12 subcapsular follicular cysts, each measuring 2-8 mm in diameter. In dermatoglypic analysis we observed increases in mean value ($45.9^{\circ}$) of ATD angle when compared with control group and also found increased frequency (38%) of Ulnar loops on both fingers (UU), (18%) whorls on the right finger and Ulnar loop on left finger (WU) and (16%) arches on right and left fingers (AA) were observed in PCOS patients when compared with control subjects. Features which could be applied as markers for PCOS patients are the presence of Ulnar loops in middle and little fingers of right and left hand. The buccal micronucleus cytome assay in exfoliated buccal cells, we found decrease in frequency of micronuclei and significant increases in frequency of karyolysed nuclei in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients. Chromosome aberration analysis revealed a significant increase in frequency of chromosome aberrations (CAs) in PCOS patients when compared with controls. Conclusions: From this present work it can be concluded that non-invasive technique like dermatoglypics analysis and buccal micronucleus cytome assays with exfoliated buccal cell can also be effective biomarkers for PCOS, along with increased CAs in lymphocytes as a sign of genetic instability. There is a hypothesis that micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations could have a predictive value for cancer. From this present work it can be concluded to some extent that non-invasive technique like dermatoglypics and buccal cell analysis can also be effective for diagnosis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.374-382
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• 2017

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unexplained and untreated despite the high attention of research in recent years. Aside from its various characteristics is the baffling male preponderance over the female population. Using a validated animal model of ASD which is the telomerase reverse transcriptase overexpressing mice (TERT-tg), we conducted ASD-related behavioral assessments and protein expression experiments to mark the difference between male and females of this animal model. After statistically analyzing the results, we found significant effects of TERT overexpression in sociability, social novelty preference, anxiety, nest building, and electroseizure threshold in the males but not their female littermates. Along these differences are the male-specific increased expressions of postsynaptic proteins which are the NMDA and AMPA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. The vGluT1 presynaptic proteins, but not GAD, were upregulated in both sexes of TERT-tg mice, although it is more significantly pronounced in the male group. Here, we confirmed that the behavioral effect of TERT overexpression in mice was male-specific, suggesting that the aberration of this gene and its downstream pathways preferentially affect the functional development of the male brain, consistent with the male preponderance in ASD.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.305-312
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• 2012

Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum (SL; $32.74{\pm}2.18mm$, TW; $8.29{\pm}1.41g$, N; 450) were exposed to various concentrations of naphthalene for 20 weeks. Exposure concentrations of naphthalene established control, solvent control (ethanol), 30, 60, 90 and $120{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ following results of 96h acute exposure. After exposure during 20 weeks, survival rate of the manila clam was lowed in 60, 90 and $120{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ exposure group compared control group. Also, sex ratio of male was higher in $60{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ exposure group (${\chi}^2=5.492$, P < 0.05) but lowed $90{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ exposure group (${\chi}^2=4.214$, P < 0.05) and $120{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ exposure group (${\chi}^2=30.118$, P < 0.05). Gonad development was delayed in female (> $60{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$) and male (> $30{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$). Intersex was 16.28% in female, 1.68% in male. In this result, naphthalene caused survival decrease, imbalance of sex ratio, delay of gonad development of the manila clam. Also, chronic exposure to naphthalene suggested abnormal effects in reproduction of the manila clam.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.79-115
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• 2001

This research explores determinants of induced abortion in Korea. Data from the 1997 Korea National Fertility Survey by Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs are used for this research. Another aim of this study is to verify a methodological appropriateness of survival analysis in the study of determinants of induced abortion. I compare the result of survival analysis with that of logit analysis for this purpose. In this study, it is revealed that age at conception, number of children, and number of son that have been considered as determinants of induced abortion are still significant in determining induced abortion. However, unlike results of prior research, the practice of contraception does not affect the choice of induced abortion when I control for that the conception was wanted or not. I also find that there is a significant interaction between number of son at the time of conception and intention of the conception. Induced abortion has a far reaching impact on a society as well as on the health and well-being of a woman. In Korean society, sex-selective induced abortion with son preference can cause a very high level of imbalance of sex ratio at birth. Hence, it is so important to be more cautious to the practice and prevalence of induced abortion in the age of lowe fertility.