• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.61-71
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• 2009

Most deciduous trees in temperate zone are dormant during the winter to overcome cold and dry environment. Dormancy of deciduous fruit trees is usually separated into a period of rest by physiological conditions and a period of quiescence by unfavorable environmental conditions. Inconsistent and fewer budburst in pear orchards has been reported recently in South Korea and Japan and the insufficient chilling due to warmer winters is suspected to play a role. An accurate prediction of the flowering time under the climate change scenarios may be critical to the planning of adaptation strategy for the pear industry in the future. However, existing methods for the prediction of budburst depend on the spring temperature, neglecting potential effects of warmer winters on the rest release and subsequent budburst. We adapted a dormancy clock model which uses daily temperature data to calculate the thermal time for simulating winter phenology of deciduous trees and tested the feasibility of this model in predicting budburst and flowering of Niitaka pear, one of the favorite cultivars in Korea. In order to derive the model parameter values suitable for Niitaka, the mean time for the rest release was estimated by observing budburst of field collected twigs in a controlled environment. The thermal time (in chill-days) was calculated and accumulated by a predefined temperature range from fall harvest until the chilling requirement (maximum accumulated chill-days in a negative number) is met. The chilling requirement is then offset by anti-chill days (in positive numbers) until the accumulated chill-days become null, which is assumed to be the budburst date. Calculations were repeated with arbitrary threshold temperatures from $4^{\circ}C$ to $10^{\circ}C$ (at an interval of 0.1), and a set of threshold temperature and chilling requirement was selected when the estimated budburst date coincides with the field observation. A heating requirement (in accumulation of anti-chill days since budburst) for flowering was also determined from an experiment based on historical observations. The dormancy clock model optimized with the selected parameter values was used to predict flowering of Niitaka pear grown in Suwon for the recent 9 years. The predicted dates for full bloom were within the range of the observed dates with 1.9 days of root mean square error.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2007

In this study, we constructed and tested retrovirus vectors designed to express the human thrombopoietin gene under the control of the tetracycline-inducible promoters. To increase the hTPO gene expression at him-on state, WPRE sequence was also introduced into retrovirus vector at downstream region of either the hTPO gene or the sequence encoding reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator (rtTA). Primary culture cells (PFF, porcine fetal fibroblast; CEF, chicken embryonic fibroblast) infected with the recombinant retrovirus were cultured in the medium supplemented with or without doxycycline for 48hr, and induction efficiency was measured by comparing the hTPO gene expression level using RT-PCR, western blot and ELISA. Higher hPTO expression and tighter expression control were observed from the vector in which the WPRE sequence was placed at downstream of the hTPO (in CEF) or rtTA(in PFF) gene. This resulting tetracycline inducible vector system may be helpful in solving serious physiological disturbance problems which have been a major obstacle in successful production of transgenic animals.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.585-592
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• 2004

Our previous studies demonstrated that relaxin in concert with estrogen promotes development of the mammary parenchyma during the last third of gestation in gilts, and the specific relaxin-binding sites were present in the mammary gland. This study was conducted to determine if relaxin-binding sites in the mammary gland were functional relaxin receptors. Three cycling cross-bred gilts were bilaterally ovariectomized on day 0 of the experiment. Beginning on day 15 and continuing through day 29 post-surgery, the gilt received an im. injection of estradiol benzoate at 12-hr intervals. Beginning on day 22 post-surgery, highly purified porcine relaxin was administered(lug/hr) into the left fourth mammary gland from the anterior end via miniature osmotic pump. Physiological saline was administered to the right fourth mammary gland. The gilt was sacrificed on day 29 post-surgery and histological characteristics of the mammary parenchyma were examined. The mammary glands treated locally with saline showed little, if any, lobulo-alveolar development, whereas the mammary glands treated with relaxin showed not only marked lobulo-alveolar development but also prominent secretions in the alveoli. The saline-treated glands were characterized by relatively dense and highly organized collagen fiber bundles. Whereas, in the relaxin-treated mammary glands, collagen fiber bundles were dispersed and loosely organized. In conclusion, relaxin-binding sites in the mammary gland are functional relaxin receptors and relaxin acts directly on the pig mammary gland to promote development of the alveoli and remodeling of the extracellular matrix.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of the natural deep sea water, which contained approximately 2.3% salt, and various minerals of K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu etc, on the immune response and antioxidant activity in rats. 24 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allotted to a control group and 3 treatment groups. Control rats were supplied with filtered tap water, and each treatment group rats were supplied with 0.5% deep sea water, 1% deep sea water and Jijangsoo, respectively, which is upper clear water separated from sediment by the clay. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experiment that lasted for 4 weeks. The results showed that 1% deep sea water group showed the highest values in weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency than those of other groups. The levels of water intake of 1%- and 0.5%-deep sea water, and Jijangsoo group were 49.1%, 22.8%, and 40.5% higher than that of control group, respectively. The Jijangsoo group rats showed that perirenal and epididymal adipose tissue weights were decreased by 32% and 25%(p<0.05), respectively, when compared to control group rats. There were no remarkable differences of serum glucose concentration among all experimental groups. However, insulin concentration of experimental groups were remarkably increased in order of Jijangsoo (4.54), 1% deep sea water (3.70), 0.5% deep sea water (3.25)(p<0.05). B cell and T cell stimulation were increased about 44.7% and 207%, respectively, by 0.5% deep sea water in comparison with control (p<0.05). TBARS values of 0.5 % deep sea water group were significantly lower than that of control(p<0.05). Catalase and SOD activities of 0.5 % deep sea water group were 200% and 47% higher than that of control, respectively. From the results, it can be concluded that the supply of natural deep sea water can slightly improve the physiological activity which modulates immune response and antioxidant activity in rats.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2003

The present study was undertaken to find relationships of plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II concentrations to litter size and lactation performance. Sixty pure-bred Landrace and Yorkshire pigs having similar farrowing weeks which had been selected from a large number of pregnant gilts and sows were divided into low- (<${\mu}$－0.5SD) and high-litter size (>${\mu}$+0.5 SD) lines under a 2 (breed)${\times}$2 (line) factorial arrange of treatments. After adjusting the litter size to nine piglets per sow at farrowing, total litter weight was measured at three weeks postpartum at weaning as an index of milk yield. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein at day (d)-90 pregnancy (Px) and at d-15 postpartum. The litter size or the number of piglets born during the present experiment and the average litter size during the entire parities up to the present one were greater in the high-line than in the low-line by 3.7 and 2.4 piglets, respectively (P<0.01); effect of the breed on litter size was not significant. Plasma IGF-II concentration at d-90 Px was greater in the high-line than in the low-line. Litter size and d-90 Px IGF-I concentration were negatively correlated in Landrace (r=－0.46; P<0.05) and tended to be negatively correlated in Yorkshire (r=－0.31; P=0.09), which resulted in a significant negative correlation between these two variables in total animals (r=－0.35; P<0.01). Litter weight at weaning was not different between the two breeds or lines. Relationships between the litter weight and IGF concentration were not consistent across the breed ${\times}$ physiological stage combinations. Results suggest that d-90 Px IGF concentrations may be indicative of the litter size at impending farrowing.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 1984

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of seasonal changes on some of the morphological and physiological characteristics, including the photosynthetic abilities and dark respiration, of young ginseng plants due to planting location under shading. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Seedlings and 2-year old plants planted in the back rows appeared to have broader leaf area, and their leaf weight greatly increased in September. Chlorophyll content was significantly reduced in September rather than in June and the plants in the back rows had more chlorophyll content than those in the front rows. 2. There was no difference in the light compensation point between the front and back rows in June, while in September the light compensation point of 2-year old ginseng leaves was much lower for plants in the back rows compared with those in the front rows. A difference in the light saturation point was not noticeable between plants in the front and back rows in June and September. But the light saturation point of 2-year old ginseng leaves at $15^{\circ}C$ was high in June, while it was high at $20^{\circ}C$ high in September. 3. Maximum photosynthetic ability was attained at $15^{\circ}C$ in June and at $20^{\circ}C$ in September. During June no significant difference in photosynthetic ability was found between plants in the front and back rows, but in September the amount of photosynthesis was significantly increased at the leaves of seedlings as well as 2-year old plants planted in the back rows. 4. The optimum temperature for maximum photosynthesis in 2-year old plants ranged from $14.0^{\circ}C$ to $14.5^{\circ}C$ in June and from $19.5^{\circ}C$ to $20.5^{\circ}C$ in September. However, the optimum temperature for maximum photosynthesis in the seedlings was from $21.2^{\circ}C$ to $21.6^{\circ}C$ in September, but a significant difference in the optimum temperature for the maximum photosynthesis in seedlings and 2-year old plants was not noticeable between the front and back rows. 5. The respiration rate was rather high in seedlings compared with 2-year old plants. During September the respiration rate in seedlings was much lower in the back rows than in the front rows. The rate of increase in the respiration of 2-year old plants was higher at September than June. The increase in respiration rate due to temperature was more significant in seedlings than 2-year old plants. 6. In September, the level of $Q_{10}$ in 2-year old plants was much lower than that found in seedlings. During June, 2-year old plants showed lower $Q_{10}$ levels at a temperature difference between $15^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$; but in September this occurred at a temperature difference between $20^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.285-296
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• 1995

Anatomical studies of sink tissues are required for better understanding the biological plant growth system and energy metabolism. Kinematics of root growth zones of two genotypes of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) receiving 50 or 200 ppm N were determined. Longitudinal anatomy and cell dynamics of root growth zones were studied and calculated. The root growth zone is organized similarly to the leaf growth zone which has cell division, elongation, and maturation zones, but the root growth zone is only about 3.0 mm long compared to 25 to 30 mm for the leaf growth zone. The root cap extends about 0.4 to 0.5 mm from the apical initial, while the cell elongation zone for both cortical and metaxylem cells extends about 3.3 mm from the apical initial for both genotypes and N levels. Root cap cells elongate from an initial length of about 5$\mu{m}$ long to a final length of about 40$\mu{m}$ before being sloughed. Initial lengths of cortical and metaxylem cells were about 8.5 $\mu{m}$ and 13.0 $\mu{m}$, respectively. Elongation of cortex and metaxylem cell showed sigmoidal curves with final lengths of about 120 $\mu{m}$ for cortex cells and 650 $\mu{m}$ for metaxylem cells. Initial size and final size for both types were not affected by N level, but cell fluxes and cell elongation rates of cortical and metaxylem cells were about double in low N. Cell production rates were about 5 to 6 times higher in cortical cells than in metaxylem cells. Differences in N caused a larger change in cell production rate, duration of cell elongation, and relative cell elongation rate than did the genotypes. These data indicate that N application affects root growth longitudinally by changing cell production rate and elongation rate.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2011

Panax ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine for several centuries in Korea. A laboratory experiment using methanol extracts of freeze-dried leaves and roots in the different ages of P. ginseng was conducted to determine the content of phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity. The results indicate that the total phenolics level [mg ferulic acid equivalents (FAE) $kg^{-1}$ DW] was higher in leaves (22.0 to 76.3 mg $kg^{-1}$) than roots (19.0 to 28.3 mg $kg^{-1}$) of P. ginseng. The total content of phenolics in roots increased with increase in age of P. ginseng from one to six years. However, the content of phenolics in P. ginseng leaf decreased with the increase in age. Total flavonoid [mg naringin equivalents $kg^{-1}$ DW] was more detected in the leaves (30.3 to 138.6 mg $kg^{-1}$) than in the roots (0.0 to 10.6 mg $kg^{-1}$) of P. ginseng. The total flavonoid level in leaves decreased with increase in age of P. ginseng. The antioxidant potential of the methanol extracts from the plants dose-dependently increased. DPPH free radical scavenging activity was higher in leaves (36.9 to 82.8%) than in roots (14.8 to 39.4%), and in young plants than in old ones. According to 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the methanol extracts from 5 year-root part showed the highest cytotoxicity against Calu-6, followed by 2 year- and 3 year-roots. However, the methanol extracts from 6 year- and 4 year-roots had lower cytotoxicity. Total phenolics content in both leaves and roots was highly correlated with the DPPH radical scavenging ($r^2=0.7366$ to 0.7870) and nitrite scavenging ($r^2=0.5604$ to 0.8794) activities, suggesting that they contribute to the antioxidant properties of the P. ginseng plants.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.264-272
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• 2011

It needs to develop high phosphate-available rice that is able to minimize environmental pollution caused by phosphate fertilizer. Then we have transformed 4 rice transporter genes, OsPT(Oryza sativa Phosphate Transporter)1, OsPT4, OsPT7 or OsPT8, to rice (Oryza sativa cv. Dongjin) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. We tested adaptation in the P-deficient condition of Dongjin (parental) and each transgenic line in the pot and the field conditions. Definite physiological changes have been observed in OsPTs transgenic lines including culm length, root formation and heading date. Phosphate uptake at harvesting stage was about three times higher in OsPT1-OX (overexpression) and OsPT4-OX than in Dongjin (wt) without P application. There are no variations in total phosphate-content of brown rice of OsPT1-OX in spite of high phosphate uptake. Practically the expression of OsPT1 has contributed to stabilize grain production without P fertilization in rice cultivation than Dongjin.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2010

Crop characteristics of 179 sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) resources collected in Korea were investigated in order to establish basic data for the improvement of crop breeding. Spike types of 179 sorghum resources were classified as 5 types of open-loose type, broom-tillering type, half broom-tillering type, extreme-compact type and compact type, of which broom-tillering type was the highest ratio of 38.0% (68 plant resources) of 179 germplasm. In the existence and nonexistence of spike awn in 179 sorghum resources, 28.5% (51 plant resources) showed existence of spike awn, whereas the rest of 71.5% (128 plant resources) had no spike awn. Seed type was classified as 5 types, of which circle-shape showed the highest ratio of 43.0% (77 plant resources) and the lowest was inclined-circle shape by 7.3% (13 plant resources). Seed color was classified as 4 colors of brown, white, whitish brown, and yellowish brown, of which yellowish brown was the highest ratio of 84.4% (151 plant resources) among them. Days from seeding to heading date showed the range from 67 to 88 days with the average of 77.4 days and the highest frequency proportion of it was the group from 76 to 80 days, which occupied 37.4% (67 plant resources) of 179 germplasm. 179 sorghum resources showed high variation in the range of culm length with the average of 253.8 cm and group from 92 cm to 360 cm of culm length showed the highest frequency proportion of 20.6% (37 plant resources). Spike length showed the range from 15 to 49 cm with the average of 28.8 cm and the highest frequency distribution of it was the group from 31 to 35 cm with the proportion of 26.3% (47 plant resources), whereas the lowest was below 15 cm with the proportion of 0.6%. Days from seeding to physiological maturity showed the range from 110 to 146 days with the average of 125.5 days and the highest frequency proportion (39.7%) of it was the group from 111 to 115 days, while there were also occupied with 2 plant resources below 110 days and 23 plant resources over 141 days among 179 germplasm. Number of grains per spike showed the range from 163 to 4,532 grains with the average of 2,068.6 grains and group from 1,601 to 2,000 grains per spike was the highest frequency distribution with the proportion of 25.7% (46 plant resources). 1000 grains weight showed the range from 10.6 to 38.1g with the average of 25.6g and group from 26.0 to 30.0g was the highest frequency distribution with the proportion of 44.1% (79 plant resources).