• Journal of Information Processing Systems
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.1225-1236
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• 2018

Nowadays, the number of pets in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is continuously growing, and people's perception of animals is changing. Accordingly, new systems and services for them are emerging. Despite such changes, there are still many serious problems such as animal cruelty, abandonment, and factory-type breeding places. In this study, we have conducted a research on the design of a humane animal care system and its implementation with Java. The methodology involved in the design will enable managing animals' safety and health by systematically categorizing and studying each health-related issue for protection. Moreover, with this methodology, animals can avert risks through periodic examinations, and the analyzed data will be useful in managing animals efficiently. Thus, this paper proposes a system that monitors whether the owners actually carry out such obligation. Authors expect this convenient, easily accessible system to lead to a more humane approach to the animals they own. The authors plan to establish an animal care network together with local animal associations for the active promotion of the system implemented in this study, in the hope that the network will be extended nationwide.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.830-841
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• 2022

Genetic analysis has great potential as a tool to differentiate between different species and breeds of livestock. In this study, the optimal combinations of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for discriminating the Yeonsan Ogye chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) breed were identified using high-density 600K SNP array data. In 3,904 individuals from 198 chicken breeds, SNP markers specific to the target population were discovered through a case-control genome-wide association study (GWAS) and filtered out based on the linkage disequilibrium blocks. Significant SNP markers were selected by feature selection applying two machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF) and AdaBoost (AB). Using a machine learning approach, the 38 (RF) and 43 (AB) optimal SNP marker combinations for the Yeonsan Ogye chicken population demonstrated 100% accuracy. Hence, the GWAS and machine learning models used in this study can be efficiently utilized to identify the optimal combination of markers for discriminating target populations using multiple SNP markers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2023

Iron (Fe) is a vital element for plants and other organisms, involving in several physiological processes including respiration, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and photosynthesis. Unfortunately, how Fe accumulation regulates in response to light quality has not been well established in plants. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the mechanism of Fe homeostasis by light quality. In this study, we found morpho-physiological attributes were significantly improved in response to blue (λmax: 450) compared to white (λmax: 500) and red (λmax: 660) light. The root-shoot length, plant biomass, photosynthesis efficiency (Fv/Fm) and leafgreen (SPAD) significantly declined in response to white and red light. However, these parameters were improved and iron deficiency was substantially alleviated by blue light exposure in alfalfa seedlings. This study might be useful to the forage breeders and farmers for improving alfalfa yield and nutritional benefits.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.22 no.2 s.37
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• pp.427-447
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• 1992

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the lateral displacement on the mandibular condylar growth in the rabbit. The experimental animals were twenty White NewZealand rabbits of 4-week old. Ten of them was used as control group, and experimental animal was composed of remaining ten. Laterodeviation appliance was made of cast base metal and appliance was cemented with resin in permanent fashion. Experimental group were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks form beginning of the experiment. Both of temporomandibular joint were prepared for histologic study. The conclusions are: 1. In control group, there was slight increase of proliferative zone and hypertrophic zone at 2-week control animal and slight reduction at 4-week. 6-week and 8-week control animal were similiar to 1-week control animal. 2. In right mandibular condyle of experimental group, 2-week experimental animal showed marked increase of proliferative zone and hypertrophic zone at posterior surface of condylar head. In 8-week experimental animal marked increase at anterior surface of anticular surface is observed. 3. In left mandibular condyle of experimental group, proliferative zone and hypertrophic zone were reduced at 1-week experimental animal and slight increase at 2-week. Proliferative zone and hypertrophic zone were reduced at 4-week experimental animal and were slightly increased at 6 week. 4. After 8 weeks, right and left condyle were not different in experimental group. The condylar cartilage was stabilized 8 weeks after the experiment. No marked traumatic change was seen, but minute focal bleeding was seen at articular cavity in 1-week, 2-week and 4-week experimental animal. 6-week and 8-week experimental animal did not show bleeding tendency in articular cavity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2012

The expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines viz. interleukins (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-12, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, interferon-${\gamma}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in response to subclinical mastitis in indigenous cattle breed Kankrej (n = 6), Gir (Bos indicus) (n = 12) and crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) (n = 7) were investigated using quantitative real time PCR. Significant correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between total bacterial load and somatic cell count (SCC) in all three breeds of cattle. All the cytokines were observed to be up-regulated compared to cows with healthy quarters, however, level of their expression varied among three breeds of cattle. In Kankrej most cytokines were found to be transcribed to higher levels than in other two breeds; the milk had higher load of bacteria but not so high SCC, implying that Kankrej has a higher inherent resistance against mastitis. The results of present study indicated that mammary glands of crossbred cattle are more sensitive to bacterial infection than indigenous breed of cattle as they elicit immune response at lower bacterial load and result into higher SCC. Research on identification of factors responsible for differentially expressed cytokines profiles and use of cytokines as immunomodulatory tools can pave way for formulating control strategies against bovine mastitis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2012

This paper describes the epidemiological characteristics of bovine brucellosis in Korea during January 2000~September 2004, which encompasses the period when the incidence of bovine brucellosis increased abruptly. Data from the National Animal Infectious Disease Data Management System were used for this study. A range of epidemiological measures was calculated including annual herd and animal incidence. During the study period, there were 1,183 outbreaks on 638 farms. In beef cattle, annual herd incidence increased from 0.2 (2000) to 11.5 (2004, to September) outbreaks per 10,000 and annual animal incidence varied between 3.4 (2000) and 105.8 (2004, to September) per 100,000, respectively. On 401 (62.9%) infected farms during this period, infection was eradicated without recurrence. Recurrence of infection was significantly higher on farms where abortion was reported (53.3%), compared to farms where it was not (30.0%). On beef cattle farms, infection was introduced most frequently through purchased cattle (46.2%). Based on the results of this study, the establishment and spread of brucellosis in the Korean beef cattle population were mainly due to incomplete or inappropriate treatment of aborted materials and the movement of infected cattle.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.525-532
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• 2011

Insufficient pre-slaughter fasting leaves serious amount of feed-like contents (designated here as un-fasted stomach spent feed, USSF) in the eviscerated pig stomach. This study was intended to evoke economical and environmental seriousness of USSF discharge by estimating its value as pig feed. For finishing pigs feeding trial, three levels (0, 5, and 10%) of USSF were blended with pig feed to prepare control and two treatment diets, respectively. A total of 42 (21 males, 21 females) crossbred (Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire ${\times}$ Duroc) finishing pigs weighing $81.5{\pm}8.0$ kg were employed to 28d feeding trial and in vivo digestibility trial by $Cr_2O_3$ indicator method with 7 males and 7 female pigs per treatment. In vitro total tract digestion of USSF showed 70.5% and 57.6% of DM and OM digestibilities, respectively which were poorer (p<0.05) than those of pig diet. There were no differences in body weight gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio among treatments although 10% USSF substitution exerted relatively poor performance. In vivo apparent digestibilities of diets containing USSF 5% and 10% were lower (p<0.05) than that of 100% pig feed. There were no differences (p>0.05) in dressing percentage and carcass grade among treatments. Results of this study showed that 5% USSF substitution in finishing pigs diet did not exert any disadvantage in terms of production performance and carcass grade. This study implied that un-fasted slaughter causing excessive excretion of USSF should be avoided. If not avoidable, the USSF should not be wasted in abattoir but could be recycled as pig feed.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.967-974
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• 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic correlation (rpc) of growth performance between purebred (Duroc and Korean native) and synthetic (WooriHeukDon) pigs using a single-step method. Methods: Phenotypes of 15,902 pigs with genotyped data from 1,792 pigs from a nucleus farm were used for this study. We estimated the rpc of several performance traits between WooriHeukDon and purebred pigs: day of target weight (DAY), backfat thickness (BF), feed conversion rate (FCR), and residual feed intake (RFI). The variances and covariances of the studied traits were estimated by an animal multi-trait model that applied the Bayesian inference. Results: rpc within traits was lower than 0.1 for DAY and BF, but high for FCR and RFI; in particular, rpc for RFI between Duroc and WooriHeukDon pigs was nearly 1. Comparison between different traits revealed that RFI in Duroc pigs was associated with different traits in WooriHeukDon pigs. However, the most of rpc between different traits were estimated with low or with high standard deviation. Conclusion: The results indicated that there were substantial differences in rpc of traits in the synthetic WooriHeukDon pigs, which could be caused by these pigs having a more complex origin than other crossbred pigs. RFI was strongly correlated between Duroc and WooriHeukDon pigs, and these breeds might have similar single nucleotide polymorphism effects that control RFI. RFI is more essential for metabolism than other growth traits and these metabolic characteristics in purebred pigs, such as nutrient utilization, could significantly affect those in synthetic pigs. The findings of this study can be used to elucidate the genetic architecture of crossbred pigs and help develop new breeds with target traits.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2020

Spermatogonial stem cells are self-renewal and differentiate into sperm in post-pubertal mammals. There exists a balance between the self-renewal and differentiation in the testes. Spermatogonial stem cells make up only 0.03% of testicular cells in adult mice. These cells maintain sperm production by differentiating after puberty. Therefore, analyzing the expression of genes associated with spermatogenesis is critical for understanding differentiation. The present study aimed to establish the postnatal period of cells in relation to spermatogenesis. To study the expression of differentiated and undifferentiated marker genes in enriched spermatogonial stem cells, in vitro culture was performed and cells from pup (6-8-day-old) and adult (4-months-old) testicular tissues were isolated. As a result, undifferentiated genes, Pax7, Plzf, GFRa1, Etv5 and Bcl6b, were highly increased in cultured spermaotogonial stem cells compared with pup and adult testicular cells. On the other hands, differentiated gene, c-kit was highly increased in adult testicular cells, Also Stra8 gene was highly increased in pup and adult testicular cells. This study provides a better understanding of spermatogenesis-associated gene expression during postnatal periods.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.57.1-57.11
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• 2020

Background: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) acts as an etiological agent for lameness, neurological signs, and high mortality in pigs. Despite its importance in pig industries and zoonotic potential, little is known about the effects of this pathogen. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of SDSE strains isolated from diseased pigs. Methods: A total 11 SDSE isolates were obtained from diseased pigs. Bacterial identification, PCR for virulence genes, emm typing, and antimicrobial resistance genes, multilocus sequence typing, and antimicrobial susceptibility test were performed. Results: Nine isolates were from piglets, and 8 showed lameness, sudden death, or neurological signs. The isolates were PCR-positive for sla (100%), sagA (100%), and scpA (45.5%), and only 1 isolate amplified the emm gene (stL2764). Eight different sequence types were detected, categorized into 2 clonal complexes and 4 singletons. All the isolates in this study were included in a small cluster, which also contained other strains derived from humans and horses. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the tested beta-lactams were low, while those for macrolides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones were relatively high. PCR analysis of the macrolide and tetracycline resistance genes demonstrated that the isolates carried erm(B) (18.2%, n = 2), mef(A/E) (9.1%, n = 1), tet(M) (18.2%, n = 2), and tet(O) (90.2%, n = 10). Two isolates presented a mutation in parC, which is associated with fluoroquinolone resistance. Conclusion: This study provided insight into swine-derived SDSE, as it is related to veterinary medicine, and elucidated its zoonotic potential, in the context of molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance in public health.