• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.57-63
• /
• 2022

On April. 2016, the anadromous icy goby caught at Shinbong-cheon, Tongyeong shi, Gyeongsangnam-do transported to the laboratory of Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) and observed spawning behavior and egg development and larvae. In aquarium, males make the nest under stone and waiting female entering. Fertilized eggs attached under the stone in the nest. Male protected the fertilized eggs until hatching. The size of the club-shaped eggs were 3.2~3.4 mm in the major axis and 0.6~0.8 mm in minor axis (n=10). The eyed eggs were hatched after 168 hrs in a range of water temperatures (18.0~20.0℃). The total lengths of newly hatched larvae were 4.1~4.4 mm (n=5) and these larvae had 32~33 (12~13+20) myotomes and transparent oval yolk. Three days after hatching, the pre-larva (4.9 mm in total length) has opening mouth and rectum. Post-larva with 5.2 mm total length have melanophore on air bladder, rectum, base of membranous caudal fin and 9~10 melanophores ventral row on the tail.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.763-777
• /
• 2022

Objective: Excessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes results in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Curcumin (CUR), a naturally phenolic active ingredient, has been shown to have lipid-lowering effects. However, its underlying mechanisms have remained largely unknown. Therefore, the study aims to determine the effect of CUR on cellular lipid accumulation in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes (PSPA) and to clarify novel mechanisms. Methods: The PSPA were cultured and treated with or without CUR. Both cell counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were used to examine cytotoxicity. Intracellular lipid contents were measured by oil-red-o staining extraction and triglyceride quantification. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labelling assay. Adipogenic and apoptosis genes were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Results: The CUR dose-dependently reduced the proliferation and lipid accumulation of PSPA. Noncytotoxic doses of CUR (10 to 20 μM) significantly inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and expression of adipogenic genes peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, adipocyte protein-2, glucose transporter-4 as well as key lipogenic enzymes fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, while ERK1/2 activation significantly reversed CUR-reduced lipid accumulation by increasing PPAR-γ. Furthermore, compared with differentiation induced media treated cells, higher dose of CUR (30 μM) significantly decreased the expression of AKT and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), while increased the expression of BCL-2-associated X (BAX) and the BAX/BCL-2 expression ratio, suggesting triggered apoptosis by inactivating AKT and increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3 expression. Moreover, AKT activation significantly rescued CUR inhibiting lipid accumulation via repressing apoptosis. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that CUR is capable of suppressing differentiation by inhibiting ERK1/2-PPAR-γ signaling pathway and triggering apoptosis via decreasing AKT and subsequently increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3, suggesting that CUR provides an important method for the reduction of porcine body fat, as well as the prevention and treatment of human obesity.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.648-658
• /
• 2022

Objective: The identification of nonlinear mixed models that describe the growth trajectory of New Zealand rabbits was performed based on weight records and carcass measures obtained using ultrasonography. Methods: Phenotypic records of body weight (BW) and loin eye area (LEA) were collected from 66 animals raised in a didactic-productive module of cuniculture located in the southern Piaui state, Brazil. The following nonlinear models were tested considering fixed parameters: Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, Richards, Meloun 1, modified Michaelis-Menten, Santana, and von Bertalanffy. The coefficient of determination (R²), mean squared error, percentage of convergence of each model (%C), mean absolute deviation of residuals, Akaike information criterion (AIC), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used to determine the best model. The model that best described the growth trajectory for each trait was also used under the context of mixed models, considering two parameters that admit biological interpretation (A and k) with random effects. Results: The von Bertalanffy model was the best fitting model for BW according to the highest value of R² (0.98) and lowest values of AIC (6,675.30) and BIC (6,691.90). For LEA, the Logistic model was the most appropriate due to the results of R² (0.52), AIC (783.90), and BIC (798.40) obtained using this model. The absolute growth rates estimated using the von Bertalanffy and Logistic models for BW and LEA were 21.51g/d and 3.16 cm², respectively. The relative growth rates at the inflection point were 0.028 for BW (von Bertalanffy) and 0.014 for LEA (Logistic). Conclusion: The von Bertalanffy and Logistic models with random effect at the asymptotic weight are recommended for analysis of ponderal and carcass growth trajectories in New Zealand rabbits. The inclusion of random effects in the asymptotic weight and maturity rate improves the quality of fit in comparison to fixed models.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.96-109
• /
• 2023

Objectives : The objective of this study is to predict how future infectious diseases will affect healthcare utilization patterns within korean medicine hospitals and, specifically, departments of ophthalmology, otolaryngology and dermatology of Korean medicine. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients who visited Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital during Pre COVID-19(from March 1st, 2018 to Feb 29th, 2019) and Post COVID-19(from March 1st, 2019 to Feb 28th, 2022). The data was analyzed by visit type and diagnosed disease code. Results : 1. After the COVID-19 break-out, the number of first visit patients increased but those of revisit patients, total patients, and revisit/first visit ratio decreased in all departments. 2. In Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, the decrease rate of the number of total patients diagnosed with diseases of respiratory system(J00-J99) was the highest, while that for diseases of circulatory system(I00-I99) was the lowest. 3. In the department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, the decrease rate of the number of total patients with nose disease was the highest, followed by eye disease and ear disease. 4. In the department of Dermatology of Korean Medicine, the number of total patients with dermatitis remained consistent, while the number of total patients with skin appendage disease showed relatively high decrease rate. Conclusions : Severe or chronic diseases showed relatively low decrease rate of the number of total patients. While mild diseases or diseases with high probability of exposure to COVID-19 infection during treatment showed high decrease rate of the number of total patients.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.316-323
• /
• 2022

Background: We developed a habitat suitability index (HSI) model for Pedicularis hallaisanensis, a Grade II Endangered Species in South Korea. To determine the habitat variables, we conducted a literature review on P. hallaisanensis with a specific focus on the associated spatial factors, climate, topography, threats, and soil factors to derive five environmental factors that influence P. hallaisanensis habitats. The specific variables were defined based on the collected data and consultations with experts in the field, with the validity of each variable tested through field studies. Results: Mt. Seorak had a suitable habitat area of 2.48 km² for sites with a score of 1 (0.62% of total area) and 0.01 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Mt. Bangtae had a suitable habitat area of 0.03 km² for sites with a score of 1 (0.02% of total area) and 0 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Mt. Gaya showed 0.13 km² of suitable habitat for sites with a score of 1 (0.17% of total area) and 0 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Lastly, Mt. Halla showed 3.12 km² of suitable habitat related to sites with a score of 1 (2.04% of total area) and 4.08 km² of sites with a score of 0.9 (2.66% of total area). Mt. Halla accounts for 73.1% of the total core habitat area. Considering the climatic, soil, and forest conditions together with standardized collection sites, our results indicate that Mt. Halla should be viewed as a core habitat of P. hallaisanensis. Conclusions: The findings in this study provide useful data for the identification of core habitat areas and potential alternative habitats to prevent the extinction of the endangered species, P. hallaisanensis. Furthermore, the developed HSI model allows for the prediction of suitable habitats based on the ecological niche of a given species to identify its unique distribution and causal factors.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.90.01-90.13
• /
• 2022

Background: Insulin regulates glucose homeostasis and has important effects on metabolism, cell growth, and differentiation. Depending on the cell type and physiological context, insulin signal has specific pathways and biological outcomes in different tissues and cells. For studying the signal pathway of insulin on glycolipid metabolism in porcine embryonic fibroblast (PEF), we used high-throughput sequencing to monitor gene expression patterns regulated by insulin. Objectives: The goal of our research was to see how insulin affected glucose and lipid metabolism in PEFs. Methods: We cultured the PEFs with the addition of insulin and sampled them at 0, 48, and 72 h for RNA-Seq analysis in triplicate for each time point. Results: At 48 and 72 h, 801 and 1,176 genes were differentially expressed, respectively. Of these, 272 up-regulated genes and 264 down-regulated genes were common to both time points. Gene Ontology analysis was used to annotate the functions of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), the biological processes related to lipid metabolism and cell cycle were dominant. And the DEGs were significantly enriched in interleukin-17 signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway, pyruvate metabolism, and others pathways related to lipid metabolism by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. Conclusions: These results elucidate the transcriptomic response to insulin in PEF. The genes and pathways involved in the transcriptome mechanisms provide useful information for further research into the complicated molecular processes of insulin in PEF.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.73-84
• /
• 2022

■Objective The purpose of this case report is to report the effect of Korean medicine treatment on a patient with pontine infarction complaining of discomfort due to aggravated voiding dysfunction after the onset of the stroke. ■Methods The patient was hospitalized for 44 days and treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion, and interferential current therapy(ICT). We checked the amount of self-voided volume and postvoid residual urine volume(PVR), and asked the patient to subjectively evaluate the degree of discomfort due to voiding dysfunction. ■Results After 44 days of hospitalization, the patient responded that the subjective discomfort due to residual urine remained 30% and delayed urine remained 50% compared to the day of admission. The maximum amount of PVR was 234 ml on the 3^rd day, and the minimum amount of PVR was checked on 25^th and 35^th day as 0 ml. ■Conclusions This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in the treatment of voiding dysfunction after stroke.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.435-441
• /
• 2022

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the treatment modality on post-procedural acute kidney injury (AKI) and other clinical outcomes in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease who underwent surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: A total of 147 patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (stage 3 to 5) who underwent isolated surgical AVR (SAVR group; n=70) or transcatheter AVR (TAVR group; n=77) were retrospectively studied. Postprocedural AKI was defined according to the RIFLE definition (an acronym corresponding to the risk of renal dysfunction, injury to the kidney, failure of kidney function, loss of kidney function, and end-stage kidney disease). Factors associated with postoperative complications and mortality were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Postprocedural AKI occurred in 17 (24.3%) and 6 (7.8%) patients in the SAVR and TAVR groups, respectively (p=0.006). Multivariable analyses demonstrated that the SAVR group had higher risks of AKI (odds ratio [OR], 5.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.85-17.73; p=0.002) and atrial fibrillation (OR, 16.65; 95% CI, 4.44-62.50; p<0.001), whereas the TAVR group had a higher risk of permanent pacemaker insertion (OR, 5.67; 95% CI, 1.21-26.55; p=0.028). The Cox proportional hazard models showed that the occurrence of AKI, contrary to the treatment modality, was associated with overall survival. Conclusion: In patients with chronic kidney disease, the risk of postprocedural AKI might be higher after SAVR than after TAVR.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 2023

Microfluidic reactors have been made to achieve significant development for the generation of new functional materials to apply in a variety of fields. Over the last decade, microfluidic reactors have attracted attention as a user-friendly approach that is enabled to control physicochemical parameters such as size, shape, composition, and surface property. Here, we develop a centrifugal microfluidic reactor that can control the flow of fluid based on centrifugal force and generate multifunctional particles of various sizes and compositions. A centrifugal microfluidic reactor is fabricated by combining microneedles, micro- centrifuge tubes, and conical tubes, which are easily obtained in the laboratory. Depending on the experimental control param- eters, including centrifuge rotation speed, alginate concentration, calcium ion concentration, and distance from the needle to the calcium aqueous solution, this strategy not only enables the generation of size-controlled microparticles in a simple and reproducible manner but also achieves scalable production without the use of complicated skills or advanced equipment. Therefore, we believe that this simple strategy could serve as an on-demand platform for a wide range of industrial and academic applications, particularly for the development of advanced smart materials with new functionalities in biomedical engineering.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.30-35
• /
• 2023

The glass bead surface was coated using a TiO₂ sol, after which dry-treated (TB) and calcined (TBc) samples were prepared. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and toluene, as well as characterization of the TiO₂ thin films, were carried out. The TiO₂ thin film of the TB sample had the same shape as the sponge foam, according to FE-SEM, XPS, and FTIR analyses, and contained both amorphous and crystalline TiO₂. On the other hand, crystalline TiO₂ was mainly present in the TiO₂ thin film of the TBc sample, and needle-shaped particles and tiny ones were mixed. The adsorption capacity for methylene blue and the degradation rate of the TBc sample were less than 10 % compared with those of the TB sample, and the adsorption capacity and degradation rate of the TBc sample decreased similarly as the amount of TiO₂ coating increased. The amount of toluene adsorption for the TBc sample (46 mg/g) was smaller than that of the TB sample with the same coating amount, but the degradation rate was similar. In the case of the TB sample, the degradation rate for toluene decreased less than the adsorption capacity as the amount of TiO₂ coating increased. This result is considered to be because, in the non-calcined TB sample, the active site reduction of the crystalline particles occurred less and the specific surface area of the amorphous texture decreased as the amount of TiO₂ coating increased.