• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.524-529
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• 2019

Medicinal plants resources are becoming important assets since their usages have been expanded to the development of functional foods for human health, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. However, their phylogenetic origins and names are different from each country and quite often they are mixed each other resulting in the confusion for consumers. Particularly when they are very similar based on their morphological characteristics and distributed, it is extremely difficult to differentiate their origins even by specialists. Therefore, identification of each plant species is important for standardizing herbal medicine. Thistle is a medicinal and perennial plant. Obtaining information about the genetic diversity of plant populations is highly important for conservation and germplasm utilization. Although thistle is an important medicinal plant species registered in South Korea, no molecular markers are currently available to distinguish from other similar species from different countries. In this study, we developed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers derived from chloroplast genomic sequences to identify distinct Korean-specific thistle species via high resolution melting (HRM) curve analyses. We performed molecular authentication of four different kinds of thistle species from different regions using DNA sequences in the trnL-F and matK chloroplast intergenic region. The SNP markers developed in this study are useful for rapidly identifying specific thistle species from different country.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 2021

Angelica is a perennial plant used widely for medicinal purposes. Information on the genetic diversity of Angelica populations is important for their conservation and germplasm utilization. Although Angelica is an important medicinal plant genus registered in South Korea, no molecular markers are currently available to distinguish individual species from other similar species in different countries, in particular, China and Japan. In this study, we developed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers derived from internal transcribed spacer regions of the nuclear ribosomal DNA to identify a distinct domestic species, Angelica gigas Nakai, via a high-resolution melting (HRM) curve analyses. We also performed HRM curve analysis of intentionally mixed genomic DNA samples from five Angelica species. Finally, we investigated A. gigas Nakai and A. sinensis using varying ratios of mixed genomic DNA templates. The SNP markers developed in this study are useful for rapidly identifying A. gigas species from different countries.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.111-123
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• 2021

Objective: Using domestic cats as a biomedical research model for fertility preservation, the present study aimed to characterize the influences of ovarian tissue encapsulation in biodegradable hydrogel matrix (fibrinogen/thrombin) on resilience to cryopreservation, and static versus non-static culture systems following ovarian tissue encapsulation and cryopreservation on follicle quality. Methods: In experiment I, ovarian tissues (n=21 animals; 567 ovarian fragments) were assigned to controls or hydrogel encapsulation with 5 or 10 mg/mL fibrinogen (5 or 10 FG). Following cryopreservation (slow freezing or vitrification), follicle viability, morphology, density, and key protein phosphorylation were assessed. In experiment II (based on the findings from experiment I), ovarian tissues (n=10 animals; 270 ovarian fragments) were encapsulated with 10 FG, cryopreserved, and in vitro cultured under static or non-static systems for 7 days followed by similar follicle quality assessments. Results: In experiment I, the combination of 10 FG encapsulation/slow freezing led to greater post-thawed follicle quality than in the control group, as shown by follicle viability (66.9%±2.2% vs. 61.5%±3.1%), normal follicle morphology (62.2% ±2.1% vs. 55.2%±3.5%), and the relative band intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor protein phosphorylation (0.58±0.06 vs. 0.42±0.09). Experiment II demonstrated that hydrogel encapsulation promoted follicle survival and maintenance of follicle development regardless of the culture system when compared to fresh controls. Conclusion: These results provide a better understanding of the role of hydrogel encapsulation and culture systems in ovarian tissue cryopreservation and follicle quality outcomes using an animal model, paving the way for optimized approaches to human fertility preservation.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.347-376
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• 2021

Investigating and evaluating regionally distributed plant resources provide fundamental information (inventory) to conserve plant diversity in target areas. Nevertheless, the examination of inventory to collect information in areas with little interest has been insufficient. In this study, the vicinity of Mt. Baegamsan(1,004m) was investigated for plant resources in the central and southern part of the Korean peninsula, which has received low interest. Nine surveys identified a total of 638 taxa consisting of 108 families, 339 genera, 572 species, 12 subspecies, 49 varieties, and 5 forms. One taxon was designated to be the endangered wild plant by the Ministry of Environment, and a total of 29 taxa were designated to be endemic species in Korea. Floristic target species identified by the surveys included 1 taxon for grade V, 13 taxa for grade IV, 36 taxa for grade III, 29s taxa for grade II, and 34 taxa for grade I. A total of 38 taxa were identified to be naturalized plants, and 3 of them were designated as invasive alien plants by the Ministry of Environment. There was a difference in plant distribution between western and eastern areas of Mt. Baegamsan. The endangered and valuable plants for conservation were mainly identified from Mt. Baegamsan peak area, the ridge, and the western area. Considering the plant distribution, the Mt. Baegamsan region, located on Nakdong-jungmaek, was estimated to be dispersal routes for plant expansion and retreat.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2022

Ticks are the arthropod vector capable of transmitting diverse pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoan and fungi. Ticks are able to survive under stressful environmental conditions. One of evolutionary outcomes of these obligatory hematophagous arthropods is the survival for extended periods of time without a blood meal during off-host periods. Water conservation biology and heat tolerance have allowed ticks to thrive even under high temperatures and low relative humidity, thus they have become highly successful arthropods as they are distributed globally. Tick osmoregulatory physiology is a complex mechanism, which involves multiple osmoregulatory organs (salivary glands, Malpighian tubules, hindgut and synganglion) for the acquisition and excretion of water and ions. Blood feeding and water vapor uptake have been early reported as the primary passages for ixodid tick to acquire water. Recently, we have learned that ticks can actively drink environmental water allowing hydration. The acquired water can be traced to the salivary glands (type I acini) and the midgut diverticula. This opens new avenues for tick management through the delivery of toxic agents into their drinking water, in addition to an alternative strategy for the study of tick physiology. Here we address the osmoregulatory physiology in the ixodid ticks as a potential target physiological mechanism for tick control. We discuss the implications of water drinking behavior for tick control through the delivery of toxic agents and discuss the dermal excretion physiology as an additional pathway to induce tick dehydration and tick death.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2023

This study is the first to report the biometric information between the length and weight relationships (LWR) and seasonal body condition factors (K) of Sebastes zonatus Chen & Barsukov, 1976 and Thamnaconus modestus (Günther, 1877) inhabiting the waters off Ulleung-do and Dokdo. The LWRs in spring and summer, and all seasons combined were highly correlated (r²>0.959), and the regression slopes of LWRs were significantly different between the spring and summer in both species. The body conditions of the two fish were significantly higher during the spring than during the summer, reflecting their fatness in relation to spawning. The results from this study contribute to the understanding of the biology of S. zonatus and T. modestus and provide useful data for the development of conservation and management plans for these species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.259-268
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• 2023

Rhodococcus sp. 3-2 strain has been reported to degrade benzimidazole-based pesticides, such as benomyl and carbendazim. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize culture medium composition and culture conditions to achieve cost-effective and efficient large-scale production of the Rhodococcus sp. 3-2 strain. The study identified that the optimal media composition for mass culture comprised 0.5% glucose, 0.5% yeast extract, 0.15% NaCl, 0.5% K₂HPO₄, 0.5% sodium succinate, and 0.1% MgSO₄. Additionally, a microbial agent was developed using a 1.5-ton fermenter, with skim milk (20%), monosodium glutamate (15%), and vitamin C (2%) as key components. The storage stability of the microbial agent has been confirmed, with advantages of low temperature conservation, which helps to sustain efficacy for at least six months. We also assessed the benomyl degradation activity of the microbial agent within field soil. The results revealed an over 90% degradation rate when the concentration of viable cells exceeded 2.65 × 10⁶ CFU/g after a minimum of five weeks had elapsed. Based on these findings, Rhodococcus sp. 3-2 strain can be considered a cost-effective microbial agent with diverse agricultural applications.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.324-337
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• 2024

Aquatic macrophytes are important factors in determining species diversity and abundance of cladocerans, but the effects of cladocerans on plant species composition or structure have not been fully considered. In South Korea, wetlands and reservoirs that are prone to covering aquatic macrophytes are scattered across the country, so it is necessary to consider on aquatic macrophytes study, when aquatic animals including cladoceran were studied. in this study, the species and abundance of cladocerans community in six microhabitat types are investigated, and based on these results, habitat conservation and efficient management are suggested. The high species numbers and abundance of cladocerans communities were found in mixed plant communities consisting of free-floating, floating-leaved, and submerged plants. The inclusion of submerged plants in plant communities contributes significantly to the complexity of habitat structures, and may increase species and abundance of cladocenran communities. This can be compared to a plant community consisting only of free-floating and floating-leaved plants in the absence of submerged plants, thereby identifying the efficiency of submerged plants. In the mixed plant communities, species diversity was the highest due to the emergence of cladoceran species (Graptoleveris testudinaria, Ilyocryptus spinifer, and Leydigia acanthococcides) absent from other plant communities. The gradual increase in the biomass (g) of submerged plants in the mixed plant communities significantly increased the species numbers and abundance of cladoceran communities (p<0.05). This is strong evidence that the increase of submerged plants in mixed plant communities has a positive effect on efficiency as a habitat for cladocerans. Although submeged plants do not contribute significantly to their landscape/aesthetic value because they are submerged in water, they have the effect of increasing species diversity in terms of biology, so they should be considered important when creating/restoring wetlands.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.320-324
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• 2015

This study was executed to know the effect of three differently controlled temperature conditions on Huanren brown frog (Rana huanrensis )'s growth in 2013. We've collected nine Huanren brown frog egg's sacs on Mt. Surak ($37^{\circ}40^{\prime}55.86^{{\prime}{\prime}}N$, $127^{\circ}05^{\prime}19.99^{{\prime}{\prime}}E$) in Seoul. We put those nine egg sacs in the controlled growth chambers under low temperature (LT, $5{\pm}2^{\circ}C$), medium temperature (MT, $10{\pm}2^{\circ}C$), and high temperature (HT, $13{\pm}2^{\circ}C$) conditions with three egg sacs, respectively. We measured the eggs' hatching rate, their hatching periods, and the size of the hatched individuals. The hatching rate was higher in MT (95.6%) and the rates of the other treatments were relatively lower but very similar such as LT (82.2%) and HT (82.6%). The three hatching periods were 10 days at HT, 14 days at MT and 23 days at LT. The body sizes of the hatched individuals were biggest at MT ($7.62{\pm}0.11mm$), smallest at LT ($6.82{\pm}0.10mm$) and medium at HT ($7.19{\pm}0.15mm$) (P-value ${\leq}0.0001$). From our results, we found that the various water temperatures could be very effective to Huanren brown frog eggs' hatch and growth including their body sizes. We suggest if we study more about the growth of Huanren brown adult frogs under similar temperature conditions for a long term period, it must be very helpful for conservation study about metamorphosis rate and size of adult frog as well as we could understand about the amphibians who are adapting to the climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.127-136
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the population characteristics of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the Daegu Metropolitan City thermal effluent stream (Dalseo Stream) from January to November 2019. The collected fish were identified as 4,247 individuals of 20 species from a total of eight families. The dominant species was O. niloticus with 1,306 individuals and a high relative abundance (30.75%). The water temperature of Dalseo Stream was maintained above 10℃ throughout the year, which means that O. niloticus could inhabit it even in winter. The length-weight analysis showed a regression coefficient b of 3.1496, and a condition factor (k) of 0.0025 with a positive slope. Comparing the water temperature of Dalseo Stream and the total length of O. niloticus per investigation period, the 0-age individuals appeared May 29 when the water temperature was maintained above 22℃. In conclusion, the thermal effluent of Dalseo Stream allowed O. niloticus to survive in winter and maintain stable growth conditions and life cycles. The results of this study will inform ecological information on O. niloticus, which suggests that river management efforts should consider the management of O. niloticus populations for the conservation of fish species diversity.