• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1075-1083
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• 2015

Adipose tissue deposited within muscle fibers, known as intramuscular fat (IMF or marbling), is a major determinant of meat quality and thereby affects its economic value. The biological mechanisms that determine IMF content are therefore of interest. In this study, 48 genes involved in the bovine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, which is involved in lipid metabolism, were investigated to identify candidate genes associated with IMF in the longissimus dorsi of Hanwoo (Korean cattle). Ten genes, retinoid X receptor alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), phospholipid transfer protein, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group H member 3, fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3), carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, acyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase long chain (ACADL), acyl-Coenzyme A oxidase 2 branched chain, and fatty acid binding protein 4, showed significant effects with regard to IMF and were differentially expressed between the low- and high-marbled groups (p<0.05). Analysis of the gene co-expression network based on Pearson's correlation coefficients identified 10 up-regulated genes in the high-marbled group that formed a major cluster. Among these genes, the PPARG-FABP4 gene pair exhibited the strongest correlation in the network. Glycerol kinase was found to play a role in mediating activation of the differentially expressed genes. We categorized the 10 significantly differentially expressed genes into the corresponding downstream pathways and investigated the direct interactive relationships among these genes. We suggest that fatty acid oxidation is the major downstream pathway affecting IMF content. The PPARG/RXRA complex triggers activation of target genes involved in fatty acid oxidation resulting in increased triglyceride formation by ATP production. Our findings highlight candidate genes associated with the IMF content of the loin muscle of Korean cattle and provide insight into the biological mechanisms that determine adipose deposition within muscle.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.275-282
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There is intense interest in soy isoflavone as a hormone replacement therapy for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. A new kind of isoflavone-enriched whole soy milk powder (I-WSM) containing more isoflavones than conventional whole soy milk powder was recently developed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of I-WSM on bone metabolism in ovariectomized mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Sixty female ICR mice individually underwent ovariectomy (OVX) or a sham operation, and were randomized into six groups of 10 animals each as follows: Sham, OVX, OVX with 2% I-WSM diet, OVX with 10% I-WSM diet, OVX with 20% I-WSM diet, and OVX with 20% WSM diet. After an 8-week treatment period, bone mineral density (BMD), calcium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) 5b, osteocalcin (OC), procollagen 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and osteoprotegenin (OPG) were analyzed. RESULTS: BMD was significantly lower in the OVX group compared to the Sham group but was significantly higher in OVX + 10% I-WSM and OVX + 20% I-WSM groups compared to the OVX group (P < 0.05). Serum calcium concentration significantly increased in the OVX + 10% and 20% I-WSM groups. Serum ALP levels were significantly lower in the OVX + 10% and 20% I-WSM groups compared to the other experimental groups (P < 0.05). OC was significantly reduced in the OVX group compared to the Sham group (P < 0.05), but a dose-dependent increase was observed in the OVX groups supplemented with I-WSM. P1NP and OPG levels were significantly reduced, while TRAP 5b level was significantly elevated in the OVX group compared with the Sham group, which was not affected by I-WSM (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that I-WSM supplementation in OVX mice has the effect of preventing BMD reduction and promoting bone formation. Therefore, I-WSM can be used as an effective alternative to postmenopausal osteoporosis prevention.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.659-672
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• 2008

There is a need to develop diverse cultivation species with reference to the favorites and farming experiences of allotment garden participants, in addition to the crops being cultivated in the gardens. In this study, therefore, a survey on the status of cultivation and the demand for herb crops for the garden participants was conducted. Current trend of the programmes related to allotment garden for city dwellers, executed by various relevant organizations was analyzed. A questionnaire was accomplished by adult participants experiencing farming in allotments. Likewise, interview with farm proprietors was conducted. The results showed that the number of crop species cultivated in allotments was about ten species. The purchase of seeds and nursery plants was mainly dependent on the farmland proprietors. The selection of the crops was made by both wife and husband. The status of herb utilization indicated that 5.7% of participants were cultivating or had cultivated herb plants. Sixty-two percent of participants were not cultivating herb plants because they did not know how. The purposes of using herbs were for medicine and beauty (22.0%), for spices (22.0%) and for enjoyment (29.0%). Thirty-four percent (34.0%) of participants were interested or would like to use the herbs in the future for medicine and beauty, 39.0% for spices and 31.7% for enjoyment. It is expected that the demand for herbs would increase. Also, 78.3% of participants had the intension or had taken into consideration to cultivate the herb plants, if the farmland proprietors would provide the plants. And, they had interest in planting, management and post harvest utilization and if a reference material would be provided as well. An approach to plant new crops might be possible to those who have more than four years of farming experience and possess relatively high level of cultivation techniques. In conclusion, the favorable crop cultivation strategy corresponding to the participants' abilities; and rental process were essential for the sustainable operation of allotment gardens and expanded number of participants. Moreover, there is a need to pay attention to the city dwellers who have a lot of farming experiences in allotment gardens to maintain agriculture and rural community. This is so, because they are interested in agriculture and rural community and most of them replied that they had intentions to move to rural areas in the future.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.18-32
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• 2001

Korean society has frequently seen the conflicts between environmentally oriented ideology and development ideology which generally take shape as regional problems. An interesting example is the case of Paldang water resource protection area in Yangpyung-kun, Kyunggi Province. At the area, the rural residents are trying to take regional development by utilizing as much as natural resource in the region, and the central government is trying to make clean water sustained for the public interest of the whole people living within the supplying area of the water resource. Accordingly, the conflict is inevitable. It is the role of environmental movement group that makes us pay attention to this region. Under the present situation regarding environmental protection as a core keyword, the environmental protection groups tend to stand on the side of the central government. That is, those groups let the government consolidate its dominance discourse, which help the resistance discourse of the residents weakened. This basic structure of relationship sometimes touches off the situations of antagonistic confrontation. It is the group for organic fanning movement on the region that is playing a significant mediating role between the two. It has eased severe confrontation, and has persuaded the residents, expecially the farmers, to accept so-called win-win strategies which are related with various kind of organic fanning. The agriculture can be regarded as a win-win action because it is a way of fanning adapted to the protected natural environment. It is taking firm hold in this region as an alternative which can satisfy the ideology of 'sustainable development' or 'sustainability'. It could give us a kind of paradoxical confusion that the strategies of regional development of pro-environment are being carried out in the region where the residents are fighting against the government's strict control of natural environment. The example of this region, however, could show a significant direction for solving the continuous problem of conflict between environmental protection and regional development.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2016

Advances in DNA sequencing technologies have contributed to revolutionary understanding of many fundamental biological processes. With unprecedented cost-effective and high-throughput sequencing, a single laboratory can afford to de novo sequence the whole genome for species of interest. In addition, population genetic studies have been remarkably accelerated by numerous molecular markers identified from unbiased genome-wide sequences of population samples. As sequencing technologies have evolved very rapidly, acquiring appropriate individual plants or populations is a major bottleneck in plant research considering the complex nature of plant genome, such as heterozygosity, repetitiveness, and polyploidy. This challenge could be overcome by the old but effective method known as haploid induction. Haploid plants containing half of their sporophytic chromosomes can be rapidly generated mainly by culturing gametophytic cells such as ovules or pollens. Subsequent chromosome doubling in haploid plants can generate stable doubled haploid (DH) with perfect homozygosity. Here, classical methodology to generate and identify haploid plants or DH are summarized. In addition, haploid induction by epigenetic regulation of centromeric histone is explained. Furthermore, the utilization of haploid plant in the genomics era is discussed in the aspect of genome sequencing project and population genetic studies.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.25-56
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• 2013

As science and technology are emphasized as national competitiveness, major nations designate new growth engine industry and establish the effective investment and the development strategy to enhance industrial development and competitiveness through science and technology. New industrial sectors such as Biotechnology and renewable energy have been spot lighted as major new growth engines and this competitive situation is getting fiercer. Universities and research institutions in each country selected and announced the future promising technological field which will produce ripple effect in the future on a regular basis. In Korea, various research institutions continue to select and announce the promising technological fields. In this study, we would like to study the method to derive the promising technological field in the field of biotechnology spotlighted as a new growth engine by utilizing patent information. We would like to derive the major technological field by collecting domestic and international patents in the field of biotechnology using IPC code based technological classification and identifying bio technological trends utilizing text mining method for analysis of technological development trends with patents. Patent contour of US and Korea is compared and analyzed through analysis of text mining to derive the general technological development field in the field of biotechnology. After that, we would like to investigate research theme of promising biotechnology focused technological development through details on technological trends through in-depth analysis about technological field which draws interest more and more in Korea and other countries.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.315-346
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• 2016

With the development of big data processing technology, the potential value of healthcare big data has attracted much attention. In order to realize these potential values, various research using the healthcare big data are essential. However, the big data regulatory system centered on the Personal Information Protection Act does not take into account the aspect of big data as an economic material and causes many obstacles to utilize it as a research purpose. The regulatory system of healthcare information, centered on the primary purpose of patient treatment, should be improved in a way that is compatible with the development of technology and easy to use for public interest. To this end, it is necessary to examine the trends of overseas legal system reflecting the concerns about the balance of protection and utilization of personal information. Based on the implications of the overseas legal system, we can derive improvement points in the following directions from our legal system. First, a legal system that specializes in healthcare information and encompasses protection and utilization is needed. De-identification, which is an exception to the Privacy Act, should also clearly define its level. It is necessary to establish a legal basis for linking healthcare big data to create synergy effects in research. It is also necessary to examine the introduction of the opt-out system on the basis of the discussion on the foreign debate and social consensus. But most importantly, it is the people's trust in these systems.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.357-367
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• 2012

The efficient business scheme were suggested with the consideration of the local development condition at Ulaanbaatar. Major findings of the study were presented as follows. First, high level of education and the underground resources are presented as the merits of Mongolia. On the other side, the defects are limited domestic demands of 2.6 millions of population and the insufficiency of the infrastructure. The improvement of the infrastructures like roads, water & sewage, electric power, and heating is urgent while the development pressure of Ulaanbaatar is expected to be high due to the continuous inflow of population. Secondly, the Mongolian land system consists of the right of ownership, lease and use, therefore there are some differences among the right of land. Thirdly, definite business scheme to sell land in lots and to sell buildings in lots are suggested which are actual methods to participate in the development project in Ulaanbaatar. Moreover, enhancing the possibility to sell the lands, fixing the proper sale price to secure the profit, finding the proper buyer for the profitable lands, investing of quota and guaranteeing of granting the principal and interest by the Mongolian government, etc. are presented as consideration when participate in projects.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.363-384
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• 2009

This study aimed at finding directions for Korean agriculture to establish a new paradigm of sustainable development. Various problematic issues and concerns in the environment necessitate the transformation of Korea's development paradigm from unconditional growth to "Green Growth" through new policies on green value and review of various advanced researches. In this research, the environment-friendly agriculture's problems, particularly in agribusiness were analyzed. Drawing from Michael Porter's Value Chain Analysis, this research developed a value chain model in agriculture that reflects the environment and the present situations. Future directions in the agriculture sector were also discussed. Korea realized food self-sufficiency through the green revolution in the early 1970s. However, a lot of problems have also occurred, including ground and water pollution and the destruction of ecosystems as a result of the overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. In the late 1970s, the growing interest on environment-friendly agriculture led to the introduction of sustainable methods and techniques. Unfortunately however, these were not innovative enough to foster environment-friendly agriculture. Thereafter, the consumers' distrust on agricultural products has worsened and concerns about health have increased. In view of this, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries introduced in December 1993 a system of Quality-Certified Products for organic and pesticide-free agri-foods. Although a fundamental step toward the sustainability of the global environment, this system was not enough to promote environment-friendly agriculture. In 2008, Korea's vision is for "Low Carbon Green Growth" to move forward while also coping with climate change. But primary sectors in a typical value chain do not consider the green value of their operations nor look at production from an environmental perspective. In order to attain sustainable development, there is a need to use less resources and energy than what is presently used in Korean agricultural and value production. The typical value chain should be transformed into a "closed-loop" such that the beginning and the end of the chain are linked together. Such structure allows the flow of materials, products and even wastes among participants in the chain in a sustained cycle. This may result in a zero-waste sustainable production without destroying the ecosystem.

• Korean Business Review
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.69-94
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• 2006

Landfill gas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by the bacterial decomposition of organic wastes, and it is considered to produce bad smells and pollute the environment. Economic trials and the developments of landfill gas, as an alternative energy resource, become known at the recent years. Resource development of landfill gas, which is managed by Korea up to now, is for the most part generation using gas engine. Medium BTU and High BTU are considered for the power generation as well. I\10st income of generation using gas engine is selling charge through a power plant. Expecting to manage the power plant for up to 10 years, the analysis based on revenue and expenditure shows when the unit price is 65.2 Won and the operating rate reaches 90%, it is possible to be into the black in 2012 without considering additional financial expense. It was also analyzed that the profit at a unit price of 85 Won under the anticipated rising unit price by the operating rate of 71% is larger than at the operating rate of 90% under limited unit price of 65.2 Won. It means to manage the power plant at a unit price of 65.2 Won and the operating rate must be higher than 90% for economic logicality. If we assume that the operating rate is 90% and it increases the unit price, the unit price must be higher than 85 Won for the management of a power plant. Analysis of changing a unit price, however, might be expected to have a gradual rise of prices. If there is no price rising and additional income related to CDM(Clean Development Mechanism) and emission trading upon Kyoto protocol, the management of a power plant using gas engine will get financial difficulties because of many operating expenses. However, since landfill gas is considered as a worthy energy resource for the guarantee of sustainable development and for the equity between recent generation and future generation, the development of it must be accomplished by the government's additional supporting and efforts under the interest of all stakeholder who are involved.