• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.1168-1176
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• 2024

Objective: As a charismatic species, cashmere goats have rich genetic resources. In the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, there are three cashmere goat varieties named and approved by the state. These goats are renowned for their high cashmere production and superior cashmere quality. Therefore, it is vitally important to protect their genetic resources as they will serve as breeding material for developing new varieties in the future. Methods: Three breeds including Inner Mongolia cashmere goats (IMCG), Hanshan White cashmere goats (HS), and Ujimqin white cashmere goats (WZMQ) were studied. IMCG were of three types: Aerbas (AEBS), Erlangshan (ELS), and Alashan (ALS). Nine DNA samples were collected for each population, and they were genomically re-sequenced to obtain high-depth data. The genetic diversity parameters of each population were estimated to determine selection intensity. Principal component analysis, phylogenetic tree construction and genetic differentiation parameter estimation were performed to determine genetic relationships among populations. Results: Samples from the 45 individuals from the five goat populations were sequenced, and 30,601,671 raw single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained. Then, variant calling was conducted using the reference genome, and 17,214,526 SNPs were retained after quality control. Individual sequencing depth of individuals ranged from 21.13× to 46.18×, with an average of 28.5×. In the AEBS, locus polymorphism (79.28) and expected heterozygosity (0.2554) proportions were the lowest, and the homologous consistency ratio (0.1021) and average inbreeding coefficient (0.1348) were the highest, indicating that this population had strong selection intensity. Conversely, ALS and WZMQ selection intensity was relatively low. Genetic distance between HS and the other four populations was relatively high, and genetic exchange existed among the other four populations. Conclusion: The Inner Mongolia cashmere goat (AEBS type) population has a relatively high selection intensity and a low genetic diversity. The IMCG (ALS type) and WZMQ populations had relatively low selection intensity and high genetic diversity. The genetic distance between HS and the other four populations was relatively high, with a moderate degree of differentiation. Overall, these genetic variations provide a solid foundation for resource identification of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region cashmere goats in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.335-344
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• 2023

Community composition and abundance of aquatic invertebrates are important for ecological functions. Community characteristics of insects and gastropods were compared in five regions to investigate the effect of geological factors in surveys conducted between June and August to analyze seasonal changes in invertebrate communities. Underwater traps were used to obtain a constant collection effect. Insect communities were dominated by Hydrochara affinis, Rhantus suturalis and Sigara nigroventralis, and nMDS analysis demonstrated the separation of their communities by region. H. affinis and Sternolophus rufipes were not found in Haenam and Cheolwon, respectively. The results showed the effects of regional temperature on the distribution of aquatic insects. Pomacea canaliculata, Hippeutis cantori and Austropeplea ollula were dominant in the gastropod community. The seasonal variation in the abundance of P. canaliculata was the most pronounced, and its abundance in August was 38.2 times higher than in June. The abundances of several species including Hippeutis cantori were negatively correlated with that of P. canaliculata. These results suggest that P. canaliculata is a pivotal factor that drives seasonal changes in gastropod community.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.530-538
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• 2023

This study conducted an investigation into the effects of fruit type and cultivation practices (organic and conventional) on soil characteristics and soil arthropod communities within apple, blueberry, grape, peach, and pear orchards. The collection of soil arthropod communities was achieved through the utilization of pitfall traps, with concurrent measurements taken for soil moisture content, electrical conductivity, and temperature. The findings of this study unveiled substantial impacts attributed to fruit type and cultivation practices on soil characteristics. Specifically, within organic apple orchards, discernibly higher levels of soil moisture content, electrical conductivity, and temperature were observed when compared to their conventional counterparts. The investigation into soil arthropod communities yielded a total of 1,527 individuals, classified in to five phyla and 15 orders. The range of abundance, species richness, and diversity indices varied across conventional and organic orchards. Cultivation practices were found not to exert a significant influence on soil arthropod community characteristics. However, Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) analysis indicated a significant differentiation in soil arthropod community structure based on cultivation practices. This study underscores the importance of considering vegetation structure and environmental characteristics that may influence soil arthropod communities comprehensively when assessing the impact of cultivation practices on soil arthropods. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need to account for both the characteristics and structure of soil arthropod communities in understanding the implications of cultivation practices on these organisms.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.240-255
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• 2024

Widas Reservoir is situated in an area of 570 ha in the Pajaran Village, Madiun Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia, playing an essential role in fisheries, with the average fish catch per year of about 283 tons/year. This study explores the standing stock, growth parameters, mortality, and exploitation rates of several dominant fishes in Widas Reservoir. This study was carried out from February to November 2019. Fish stocks were estimated using acoustic tools, fish catch records, and sizes collected by local enumerators. Fish length frequency sampling was conducted on several dominant fish species, such as Oreochromis niloticus, Barbonymus gonionotus, and Osteochilus vittatus. Based on the length-frequency data, estimating fish population dynamics, the fish population dynamics (infinitive length (L_∞) and growth coefficient (K)) estimation was run in a time series using the Fish Sock Analysis Tool, II (FISAT II) program package. Moreover, the estimation of natural mortality parameters, the fishing mortality parameter, and the exploitation rate was also performed. The approximated overall fish stock in the Widas Reservoir was about 79,848 kg, which lowered with the increase in water depth. Of particular concern, in the surface layer at a depth between 1-5 m, the fish stock reached 58,813 kg, while in the deeper zone (> 15 m), the value significantly lowered by about 98%, reaching 1,219 kg. These results indicate an overfishing in the Widas Reservoir. The value of the exploitation rate (E) of B. gonionotus was 0.748, O. niloticus 0.8, and O. vittatus 0.7, respectively, proving the overfishing states occurred in the study area. Therefore, regulations governing the number of catches and the use of fishing gear are crucial in Widas Reservoir, particularly the use of lift and gill nets with a mesh size of less than 2 cm.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.963-971
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• 2022

Production of high-quality horses is important to make the horse industry grow. Grazing during the growing period can be an important factor affecting the production of high-quality horses. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of grazing on growing horses by analyzing their blood components and intestinal microbiota. Twelve growing horses for evaluating blood components and ten growing horses for evaluating intestinal microbiota were raised for about seven months and separated by two treatments: grazing vs. stable. Complete blood count, blood chemistry, and creatine kinase levels were analyzed as blood components and a 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis was performed to analyze intestinal microbiota. Calcium ions tended to be lower in the group with grazing treatment. Alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase tended to be higher in the group with grazing treatment. These results indicate that grazing can provide horses with more exercise than staying in stables. At the phylum level, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios in grazing and stable groups were 4.2 and 6.5, respectively. Because various studies have reported that a. high Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio indicates obesity, the method of raising horses might affect their physical ability. At the species level, rates of Clostridium butyricum in grazing and stable groups were 3.2% and 13.1%, respectively. Some strains of C. butyricum can cause several diseases such as botulism. These results indicate that grazing can positively affect growing horses in terms of blood components and intestinal microbiota. Moreover, grazing can be helpful to make growing horses healthy through proper exercise.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.57 no.8
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• pp.519-532
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• 2024

This study aims to investigate stream drying phenomena and determine ecological flow in upper Jungnangcheon basin(118.2 km²) of Han River basin. Satellite imagery was used to compare historical and current land cover, and field surveys, including fish surveys, were conducted to assess stream drying conditions. Satellite image analysis revealed a significant increase in impervious surface area due to the expansion of residential and commercial areas. Streamflow and water quality measurements at Hannae Bridge in study area during the dry season showed and average minimum flow of 1.39 m³/sec and elevated SS levels, indicating poor water quality for T-P and TOC. The representative fish species in the study area was P.herzi. Optimal habitat suitability index for depth, velocity, and substrate were 0.3~0.5 m, 0.1~0.3 m/sec, and sand, respectively. Using PHABSIM, the ecological flow for the study area was estimated as 1.00 m³/sec. The derived ecological flow can be used as a reference flow for stream drying mitigation strategies.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.443-453
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• 2008

The Bric-a-brac, Tramtrack, Broad-complex (BTB) domain is a protein-protein interaction domain that is found in many zinc finger transcription factors. BTB containing proteins play important roles in a variety of cellular functions including regulation of transcription, regulation of the cytoskeleton, protein ubiquitination, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of a novel human gene, KLHL31, from a human embryonic heart cDNA library. The cDNA of KLHL31 is 5743 bp long, encoding a protein product of 634 amino acids containing a BTB domain. The protein is highly conserved across different species. Western blot analysis indicates that the KLHL31 protein is abundantly expressed in both embryonic skeletal and heart tissue. In COS-7 cells, KLHL31 proteins are localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In primary cultures of nascent mouse cardiomyocytes, the majority of endogenous KLHL31 proteins are localized to the cytoplasm. KLHL31 acts as a transcription repressor when fused to GAL4 DNA-binding domain and deletion analysis indicates that the BTB domain is the main region responsible for this repression. Overexpression of KLHL31 in COS-7 cells inhibits the transcriptional activities of both the TPA-response element (TRE) and serum response element (SRE). KLHL31 also significantly reduces JNK activation leading to decreased phosphorylation and protein levels of the JNK target c-Jun in both COS-7 and Hela cells. These results suggest that KLHL31 protein may act as a new transcriptional repressor in MAPK/JNK signaling pathway to regulate cellular functions.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2012

The importance of rice paddy wetland has been raised since the 10th Ramsar Convention in 2010. However, there is shortage of study on the evaluation of rice paddy wetland and also of the study on the effect of organic agriculture on the vegetation characteristics. Accordingly, this study examined the vegetation characteristics of organic rice paddy for the basic resources of evaluating value of rice paddy wetland. 6 places of organic rice paddy and conventional rice paddy were chosen as research targets. It analyzed the function of 'Floral Diversity and Wildlife Habitat' among the revised RAM, an existing wetland evaluation system. As to the factor affecting the analysis result, simple land-use result was proved to determine the evaluation. As a result of vegetation investigation total 176 taxa, 53 families, 146 generics, 148 species, 26 varieties and 1 forma. When the difference of appearance of life form between organic area and conventional area was examined, organic paddy had higher appearance of life form in Therophyte and Megaphanerophyte. For the distribution of Naturalized plants, organic rice paddy had lower naturalized rate and urbanization index than conventional rice paddy. As to the Pearson correlation analysis between growing condition and vegetation characteristics, variety of rice paddy vegetation showed it was not heavily influenced by the land use. However, the organic rice paddy area had more variety in vegetation than conventional rice paddy. There was about 1% correlation with types of Cyperaceae, which means that the classification group of Cyperaceae can be utilized in evaluating rice paddy wetland later on. It is determined that the wetland evaluation has been widely influenced by soil environment, water environment and surrounding natural and artificial landscape as well as vegetation characteristics. Accordingly, further research seems to be required with minute investigation to an extensive area.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.350-358
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• 2013

Both 13-week and 1-year studies in dog were required for pesticide registration in domestic pesticide control authority. It is raising issue up whether to request 1-year dog study of pesticides using non-food crop. So at this investigation, relevant toxicity test to establish acceptable daily intake (ADI), target organs, difference of no-observed adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) in 13-week and 1-year of 166 active ingredients are analyzed. The data were evaluated to determine if the 13-week dog study and the long term studies in two rodent species (mice and rats) without 1-year dog study were sufficient for the identification of NOAELs and lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) for the derivation of ADI. Toxicity end points and dose response data from 13 week and 1-year studies were compared. The analysis showed that 68 ADIs of the 166 pesticides were established from dog studies. Major target organs of dog studies were liver in 49 cases, body weight change in 21 cases, cholinesterase inhibition in 16 cases, and alteration in hematology in 14 cases. Similarity of target organ in 13-week and 1-year was 73%. 22 of 40 pesticides had similar critical effects regardless of duration and had NOAELs within a difference of 1.5-fold of each other. For the remaining 18 pesticides, 14 items had lower NOAELs in the 1-year study than 13-week study primarily due to dose selection and spacing. In only 10% of the cases were additional toxic effects identified in the 1-year study that were not observed in the 13-week study.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.425-435
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• 2020

This study aims to investigate the impact of the physical structure, such as altitude, slope gradient, slope direction, and topographical structure, and the vegetation pattern, such as existing vegetation, diameter of breast height (DBH), and crown density, on climate. The analysis results showed the significant difference in relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation at varying altitudes, the significant difference in all climate factors except for the wind speed at varying slope gradient, and significant difference in temperature and relative humanity at varying slope direction. The topographic structures were divided into valleys, slopes, and ridges. They were found to differ in relative humidity. However, the differences between constant trends and types were found to be insignificant concerning temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation. Significant differences in temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed were recorded with changing existing vegetation. The DBH showed a significant difference in temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation. The crown density showed a significant difference in temperature and solar radiation. The result of the relationship analysis for the analysis of the effect of vegetation pattern and physical structure on the meteorological environment showed that temperature was affected by slope gradient, slope direction, DBH, and crown density. The relative humidity was correlated with the altitude, slope gradient, slope direction, and topological structure in physical structure and the existing vegetation and crow density in vegetation pattern. The wind speed was correlated with the altitude, existing vegetation, and DHB, and the solar radiation was correlated with the slope gradient, DHG, and crown density. The crown density was the most overall significant factor in temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation, followed by the slope gradient. DBH was also found to be highly correlated with temperature and solar radiation and significantly correlated with wind speed, but there was no statistically significant correlation with relative humidity.