• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1021-1030
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• 2024

Objective: R-loops are DNA:RNA triplex hybrids, and their metabolism is tightly regulated by transcriptional regulation, DNA damage response, and chromatin structure dynamics. R-loop homeostasis is dynamically regulated and closely associated with gene transcription in mouse zygotes. However, the factors responsible for regulating these dynamic changes in the R-loops of fertilized mouse eggs have not yet been investigated. This study examined the functions of candidate factors that interact with R-loops during zygotic gene activation. Methods: In this study, we used publicly available next-generation sequencing datasets, including low-input ribosome profiling analysis and polymerase II chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq), to identify potential regulators of R-loop dynamics in zygotes. These datasets were downloaded, reanalyzed, and compared with mass spectrometry data to identify candidate factors involved in regulating R-loop dynamics. To validate the functions of these candidate factors, we treated mouse zygotes with chemical inhibitors using in vitro fertilization. Immunofluorescence with an anti-R-loop antibody was then performed to quantify changes in R-loop metabolism. Results: We identified DEAD-box-5 (DDX5) and histone deacetylase-2 (HDAC2) as candidates that potentially regulate R-loop metabolism in oocytes, zygotes and two-cell embryos based on change of their gene translation. Our analysis revealed that the DDX5 inhibition of activity led to decreased R-loop accumulation in pronuclei, indicating its involvement in regulating R-loop dynamics. However, the inhibition of histone deacetylase-2 activity did not significantly affect R-loop levels in pronuclei. Conclusion: These findings suggest that dynamic changes in R-loops during mouse zygote development are likely regulated by RNA helicases, particularly DDX5, in conjunction with transcriptional processes. Our study provides compelling evidence for the involvement of these factors in regulating R-loop dynamics during early embryonic development.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2024

This study aimed to figure out diel activity patterns of water deer and wild boar, whose habitat is disturbed by human activity in a suburban area. Photographic data of water deer and wild boar collected by 18 camera traps from January 2021 to November 2022 was categorized into four diel periods (dawn, day, dusk, and night), and converted into frequencies per 100 CTD (Camera Trap-Days) for seasonal and spatial diel activity pattern analysis. Water deer exhibited intense nocturnality in fall, and wild boar did in fall and winter. During the fall, water deer's night-time capture rate was the highest (61.9%), and day-time photographic rate was the lowest (13.9%) among other seasons. During the fall and winter, wild boar's night-time photographic rate was relatively high (77.6%, 78.0%, respectively), and day-time photographic rate was relatively low (0.7%, 1.8%) in comparison with other seasons. In spatial diel activity analysis, both water deer and wild boar showed a tendency to avoid humans, especially near trails during day-time hours. The day-time photographic rate of water deer in trail-near group was 12.1% and trail-far group was 24.6%. The day-time photographic rate of wild boar was 3.4%, 5.7%, respectively. Because the diel activity patterns of wildlife reflect human disturbance, this study provides useful ecological information for developing appropriate management plans for the coexistence of water deer and wild boar in suburban areas.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.215-226
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• 2024

Aralia continentalis is widely distributed in Far East Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Japan. A. continentalis has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy for various conditions, including analgesia, headache, inflammation, lameness, lumbago, rheumatism, and dental diseases in Korea. Previously, epi-continentalic acid, continentalic acid, and kaurenoic acid as major active biological compounds belonging to the diterpenoid class were identified. To synthesize diterpenoid derivatives with enhanced bioavailability, Fusarium fujikuroi was employed to biotransform diterpenoids due to its known antibacterial activity. This yielded two derivatives of kaurenoic acid, namely 16α-hydroxyent-kauran-2-on-19-oic acid and 2β, 16α-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid, with their chemical structures elucidated via NMR analysis. These derivatives exhibited increased polarity compared to kaur- enoic acid, as evidenced by their retention time on preparative HPLC using the ODS-A column and structural modifications. Evaluation of their antidiabetic activity targeting PTP1B, a negative regulator of the insulin signaling pathway, revealed inhibitory activities of 30.8% and 27.6%, respectively, at a concentration of 4 ㎍/ml. Additionally, both derivatives demonstrated low cytotoxicity, with an IC50 value 18 times higher than kaurenoic acid. Therefore, the augmented water solubility and reduced toxicity of 16α-hydroxy-ent-kauran-2-on-19-oic acid and 2β, 16α-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid, resulting from biotransformation by F. fujikuroi, render them promising candidates for industrial applications.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1452-1462
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Agaricus blazei polysaccharide (ABP) at varying concentrations on the performance, egg quality, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, and microflora of quail. Methods: The study involved a total of 2,700 Korean quails, which were randomly divided into three groups. The measured variables encompassed productive performance, egg parameters, carcass parameters, serum metabolites, immune response parameters, antioxidative properties, and gut microbiome. Results: The addition of ABP did not have a significant effect on average daily feed intake. However, it was found to increase the average daily egg weight and egg production rate, reduce the feed-egg ratio. There were no significant impacts on egg quality measures such as egg shape index, egg yolk index and color, egg yolk and protein content. However, ABP supplementation significantly increased the Hough unit (p<0.01) and decreased the rate of unqualified eggs (p<0.01). Regarding serum parameters, the inclusion led to an increase in total protein concentration (p<0.05) and a reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.05). There were no significant effects observed on immune indicators such as immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgM. ABP supplementation increased the levels of serum antioxidant indicators, including glutathione peroxidase, total superoxide dismutase (p<0.05), and total antioxidant capacity colorimeter (p<0.05). Furthermore, ABP supplementation significantly elevated the intramuscular fatty acid content in quail meat. Additionally, ABP supplementation demonstrated a significant improvement in the diversity of gut microbiota and induced alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that dietary supplementation of ABP enhanced production performance and antioxidant capacity while increasing the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in quail muscle.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.509-518
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• 2016

Asparagus cochinchinensis is a medical plant that has long been used to treat fever, cough, kidney disease, breast cancer, inflammatory disease and brain disease in northeast Asian countries. Although several studies have been conducted on the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of A. cochinchinensis, the correlation between these effects and nerve growth factor (NGF) has not yet been examined. In this study, we investigated the effects of an aqueous extract of A. cochinchinensis (AEAC) on the secretion and action mechanism of NGF in neuronal cells. The concentration of the NGF protein in the supernatant collected from cultured cells increased significantly in B35 cells treated with AEAC in comparison with the vehicle-treated group without any specific cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of NGF showed a very similar pattern to its protein concentration. To examine the bioactivity of NGF secreted from B35 cells, undifferentiated PC12 cells were cultured in an AEAC-conditioned medium and neuritic outgrowth was observed. The dendrite length of PC12 cells in the AEAC-treated group was significantly higher than that in the vehicle-treated group. Moreover, the level of the downstream effectors p-TrkA and p-ERK of the high-affinity NGF receptor was significantly higher in the AEAC-treated group, while the expression of the downstream effectors of the low-affinity NGF receptor was significantly lower in the same group. These results suggest that AEAC may contribute to the regulation of NGF expression and secretion in neuronal cells; it is therefore an excellent candidate for further investigation as a therapeutic drug for neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.267-275
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• 2000

In an effort to assess the reliability of satellite altimeter system, we conducted a comparative analysis of sea level data that were collected using the TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P) altimeter and the 10 tide gauge (TG) stations in the satellite passing track. The analysis was made using data sets collected from marginal sea regions surrounding the Korean Peninsula at T/P cycles of 2 to 230, which correspond to October 1992 to December 1998. Because of strong tidal activity in the study area, treatment of tidal errors is a very critical step in data processing. Hence in the computation of dynamic heights from the Tn data, we adapted the procedures of Park and Gamberoni (1995) to reduce errors associated with it. When these T/P data were treated, the alias periods of M$_2$, S$_2$, and K$_1$ constitutions were found at 62.1, 58.7, and 173 days. The compatibility of the T/P and TG data sets were examined at various filtering periods. The results indicate that the low-frequency signal of Tn data can be interpreted more safely with longer filtering periods (such as up to the maximum selected values of 200 days). When RMS errors for 200-day low-pass filter period was compared among the whole 10 tidal stations, the values spanned in the range of 2.8 to 6.7 cm. The results of correlation analysis at this filtering period also showed a strong agreement between the Tn and TG data sets over the whole stations investigated (e.g., P values consistently less than 0.0001). According to our analysis, we conclude that the analysis of surface sea level using satellite altimeter data can be made safely and reasonably long filtering periods such as 200 days.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.65-76
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• 2001

This study was designed to estimate on the interaction of the first productivity, light condition and to examine the ecophysiological characteristics of Zoysia japonica. rtificial community of Zoysia japonica was analyzed effect of matter production and growth construction under various shading condition. The results summarized this experiment were as follows; 1. The relative growth rate (RGR) in all experimental plots was high during the growth stage of 20 days after transplanting, and then decreased. The maxium RGR value appeared in the control plot (2.13g/g. 10days) during the growth stage from 10 to 20 days after transplating. RGR value in server shading of short day condition was remarkably decreased from the early growth stage. The main factor to lower RGR value considered as a short day condition than that of shading. 2. The net assimilation rate (NAR) in all experimental plots except 3hour photoperiod plot was high during the early growth stage after transplanting, and then decreased early growth stage after transplanting, and then decreased as the growth proceeded. The maxium value appeared in the control plot (35g/g. 10days). NAR value in the severe shading of short day condition plots was low. Especially, NAR value in the three hours photoperiod plot was remarkably low from the early growth, there was no great difference by growth stage. NAR had negative correlation with LAI and positive correlation with RGR. 3. The increasing rate of leaf area ratio(LAR) was high during the early growth stage after transplanting in the control plot and in the photoperiod plot, the shorter the exposure time to sunlight, the higher the LAR value from the early growth stage. Especially, its value in the 3 hour photoperiod plot was remarkably high but its increasing rate was lower as the growth proceeded. LAR hade negative correlation on RGR and NAR. 4. The crop growth rate(CGR) in each experimental plot was increased until 50 days after transplanting, and then decreased. After that time, the maxium CGR value appeared in the control plot (1.56g/$\textrm{cm}^2$. 10-days), 60 days after transplanting, CGR had positive correlation with LAI. The optimum LAI in the control, 9 hour, 7 hour, 5 hour, and 3 hour photoperiod plots appeared as 1.87, 1.12, 0.83, and 0.18.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2014

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts ($PM_{2.5}$) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms), movie theater. For internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range: 6.8-185.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The high level of $PM_{2.5}$ seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of $10^{-6}-10^{-4}$. Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 $ng/m^3$. Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility $PM_{2.5}$. This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.223-228
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• 2011

This research was performed to investigate change of green speed according to growth of grass, for this, the method of effective green management for improvement of green speed was searched by investigating green density, soil moisture, surface hardness, and mowing height every day for 6 months. As the result of the study, reliability between, green density, soil moisture, surface hardness, mowing height and green speed were measured to be respectively 0.4742, 0.5690, 0.4632, 0.2806, i.e. soil moisture is considered as the factor which affects green speed the most. Therefore, it will be an advantageous environment to maintain soil moisture a little bit low to improve green speed within the range that does not disrupt the growth of green. In case of green density, it is considered to be effective to get a fast green speed when obtaining enough density during May~June, the most vigorous growth period and at the same time green up period. Surface hardness was confirmed that management work as rolling is a considerably effective method to increase hardness. However, rolling gives high stress to the green, combining another management work as regular hilling could be a good alternative. Reliability of green preview and green speed was 0.2806, lower than soil moisture or surface hardness. Through the results, it was confirmed that management of mowing height to be low less than 3.00 mm is helpful to improve green speed, timely, and it is advantageous to manage green speed when adjusting mowing height during the vigorous growth period of bent grass. However, considering the range of mowing height was not various, being 2.9~3.4 mm, henceforth research on investigation of green speed at more various mowing heights would be necessary. Consequently, except mowing height, other three factors, i.e. green density, soil moisture and surface hardness were investigated to have considerable level of reliability on green speed, and it is considered that each factor affects green speed respectively according to green condition and time. Accordingly, in order for the manager to maintain high speed all year round, intensive care for each factor per time unit considering green growth condition is considered to be necessary.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.657-663
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the difference in feeding habits of Red-Tongued Viper Snakes, according to available foods sources and areas. The effects of differences in food sources were found on Red-Tongued Viper Snake inhabited in the Jeju Island and its islet Gapado, from May 2006 to Nov. 2010. The food sources for the Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Jeju Island were found to be as follows: Chinese red-headed centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans), Jeju Salamanders (Hynobius quelpaertensis), Japanese tree Frogs (Hyla japonica), Narrow-mouthed Toad (Kaloula borealis), Dybowski's Brown Frogs (Rana dybowskii), Black-spotted Pond Frogs (Rana nigromaculata), Smooth Skinks (Scincella vandenburghi), Asian Keelback Snakes (Amphiesma vibakari), Lesser White-toothed Shrews (Crosidura shantungensis), Hallasan Shrews (Sorex caecutiens hallamontanus), and Jeju Striped Field Mice (Apodemus chejuensis). This implies that Red-Tongued Viper Snakes mainly feed on amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. Among these, amphibians occupied the highest portion at 55.2% followed by mammals at 20.7%, centipedes at 13.8%, and reptiles at 10.3%. On the contrary, Red-tongued viper snake population in Gapado only feed on Chinese red-headed centipedes and Smooth Skinks (S. vandenburghi). Since only a small amount of nutrient can be obtained from Chinese red-headed centipeds or Smooth Skinks, this feeding habit for Red-tongued viper snake would adversely effect on the growth or regeneration. The reason why Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Gapado mainly feed on Lizard and Centipedes in spite of relatively various available food sources, might be due to the low density of other food sources in the Gapado. Red-Tongued viper snake could be feeding on foods that are low in quality but are easily accessible, to minimize energy consumption on searching for other more nutritious foods. A snake tends to select the size of its food depending on the size of its own head. The positive correlation was found between the size of the heads of Red-Tongued viper snakes from the Jeju island and the diameter of their foods. The head size was larger in the males than females in viper snake population from the Jeju Island, which might effect on their selection of foods. However, no significant difference was found between the sizes of the head and the food in the Red-Tongued viper snake population from the Gapado. The findings of this study would provide meaningful data, which directly shows that even within the same viper species they choose different available food sources according to their inhabitance. This leads to their growth and adaptation to their environment which is beneficial for sustaining of its population.