• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2016

Caffeine has been proposed to have several beneficial effects on obesity and its related metabolic diseases; however, how caffeine affects adipocyte differentiation has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that caffeine suppressed 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and inhibited the expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, two main adipogenic transcription factors. Anti-adipogenic markers, such as preadipocyte secreted factor (Pref)-1 and Krüppel-like factor 2, remained to be expressed in the presence of caffeine. Furthermore, 3T3-L1 cells failed to undergo typical mitotic clonal expansion in the presence of caffeine. Investigation of hormonal signaling revealed that caffeine inhibited the activation of AKT and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3 in a dose-dependent manner, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Our data show that caffeine is an anti-adipogenic bioactive compound involved in the modulation of mitotic clonal expansion during adipocyte differentiation through the AKT/GSK3 pathway.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.105-108
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• 1997

Previous studies in stock market predictions using artificial intelligence techniques such as artificial neural networks and case-based reasoning, have focused mainly on spot market prediction. Korea launched trading in index futures market (KOSPI 200) on May 3, 1996, then more people became attracted to this market. Thus, this research intends to predict the daily up/down fluctuant direction of the price for KOSPI 200 index futures to meet this recent surge of interest. The forecasting methodologies employed in this research are the integration of genetic algorithm and artificial neural network (GAANN) and the integration of genetic algorithm and case-based reasoning (GACBR). Genetic algorithm was mainly used to select relevant input variables. This study adopts the categorical data preprocessing based on expert's knowledge as well as traditional data preprocessing. The experimental results of each forecasting method with each data preprocessing method are compared and statistically tested. Artificial neural network and case-based reasoning methods with best performance are integrated. Out-of-the Model Integration and In-Model Integration are presented as the integration methodology. The research outcomes are as follows; First, genetic algorithms are useful and effective method to select input variables for Al techniques. Second, the results of the experiment with categorical data preprocessing significantly outperform that with traditional data preprocessing in forecasting up/down fluctuant direction of index futures price. Third, the integration of genetic algorithm and case-based reasoning (GACBR) outperforms the integration of genetic algorithm and artificial neural network (GAANN). Forth, the integration of genetic algorithm, case-based reasoning and artificial neural network (GAANN-GACBR, GACBRNN and GANNCBR) provide worse results than GACBR.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1451-1459
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• 2021

Objective: The objectives of the study were to evaluate reproductive performance and selection response through genetic trend of community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) of Bonga sheep. Methods: Reproduction traits data were collected between 2012 and 2018 from Bonga sheep CBBPs. Phenotypic performance was analyzed using the general linear model procedures of Statistical Analysis System. Genetic parameters were estimated by univariate animal model for age at first lambing (AFL) and repeatability models for lambing interval (LI), litter size (LS), and annual reproductive rate (ARR) traits using restricted maximum likelihood method of WOMBAT. For correlations bivariate animal model was used. Best model was chosen based on likelihood ratio test. The genetic trends were estimated by the weighted regression of the average breeding value of the animals on the year of birth/lambing. Results: The overall least squares mean±standard error of AFL, LI, LS, and ARR were 375±12.5, 284±9.9, 1.45±0.010, and 2.31±0.050, respectively. Direct heritability estimates for AFL, LI, LS, and ARR were 0.07±0.190, 0.06±0.120, 0.18±0.070, and 0.25±0.203, respectively. The low heritability for both AFL and LI showed that these traits respond little to selection programs but rather highly depend on animal management options. The annual genetic gains were -0.0281 days, -0.016 days, -0.0002 lambs and 0.0003 lambs for AFL, LI, LS, and ARR, respectively. Conclusion: Implications of the result to future improvement programs were improving management of animals, conservation of prolific flocks and out scaling the CBBP to get better results.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.111.2-111.2
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• 2007

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• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.112.1-112.1
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• 2007

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• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2007

Unprecedented amount of genetic information being generated from the result of Human Genome Project (HGP) and advances in genetic research is already forcing changes in the paradigm of health and disease. The ultimate goal of genetic medicine is to use genetic information and technology to develop new ways of treatment or even prevention of the disease on an individual level for 'personalized medicine'. Genetics is play ing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, monitoring and management of common multifactorial diseases in addition to rare single-gene disorders. While wide range of genetic testing have provided benefits to patients and family, uncertainties surrounding test interpretation, the current lack of available medical options for the diseases, and risks for discrimination and social stigmatization may remain to be resolved. However an increasing number of genetic tests are becoming commercially available, including direct to consumer genetic testing, yet public is often unaw are of their clinical and social implications. The personal nature of information generated by a genetic test, its power to affect major life decisions and family members, and its potential misuse raise important ethical considerations. Therefore appropriate genetic counseling is needed for patient to be informed with the benefits, limitations and risks of genetic tests, prior to informed consent for the tests. Physician also should be familiar with the legal and ethical issues involved in genetic testing to tell patients how w ell a particular genetic risk factor relates with likelihood of disease, and be able to provide appropriate genetic counseling. Genetic counseling become a mandatory requirement as global standard for many genetic testing such as prenatal diagnosis, presymtomatic DNA diagnostic tests and cancer susceptibility gene test for familial cancer syndrome. In oder to meet the challenge of genetic medicine of 21 century in korean health care system, professional education program and certification board for medical genetics specialist including non-MD genetic counselors should be addressed by medical society and regulatory policy of national health insurance reimbursement for genetic counseling to be in place to promote the implementation of clinical genetic service including genetic counseling for proper genetic testing.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.693-702
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity and distance of the Korean native black goat line. Thus far, this Korean native black goat line has not been studied intensively, especially in genetic diversity and relationship studies in comparison with other breeds. In total, eleven microsatellite (MS) markers were used to evaluate alleles from 391 Korean native black goats and foreign hybrid animals. The genetic diversity index was evaluated based on the allele distributions. Four Korean native black goat lines showed expected ranges of observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, and polymorphism information content (PIC) values for use in genetic diversity research (0.509 - 0.643, 0.434 - 0.623 and 0.356 - 0.567). Lines from the Korean native black goat and foreign hybrid were clearly separated according to principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), phylogenetic tree and tended to be clustered in each Korean native black goat line. Thus, this study can be used for analyzing the genetic relationships between Korean native black goats and foreign breeds for line preservation and for fundamental information to determine breed improvement strategies.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2024

Infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) refers to congenital forms of nystagmus that are present at birth or during infancy. This syndrome may be caused by afferent visual system disorders or abnormal development of the ocular motor system. INS is a genetically heterogeneous disorder for which there are more than 100 causative genes. Since applying clinical tests for the differential diagnosis of INS can be challenging in early infancy and children, genetic testings such as next-generation sequencing are becoming more important for achieving accurate diagnoses. An improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms of INS may also lead to the development of gene-based therapies for INS. These advantages of genetic testing have the potential to change the diagnostic paradigm of patients with INS. However, the diagnostic pathway based on genetic testing still has several limitations in terms of the therapeutic effect and methodology. This review summarizes genetic and clinical features of INS, and discusses the promise and pitfalls of genetic testing in INS.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2010

Black sea bream, Acanthopagrus schlegelii, is a commercially important fish in Korea. As a preliminary investigation into the effect of hatchery rearing for stock enhancement, we examined genetic diversity between wild and farmed black sea bream populations from Jeju using six microsatellite markers. High levels of polymorphism were observed between the two populations. A total of 87 different alleles were found at the loci, with some alleles being unique. Allelic variability ranged from 8 to 22 in the wild population and from 7 to 17 in the farmed one. Average observed and expected heterozygosities were estimated at 0.87 and 0.88 in the wild sample. The corresponding estimates were 0.83 and 0.86 in the farmed sample. Although a considerable loss of rare alleles was observed in the farmed sample, no statistically significant reductions were found in heterozygosity or allelic diversity in the farmed sample, compared with the wild one. Significant genetic heterogeneity was found between the wild and farmed populations. These results suggest that more intensive breeding practices for stock enhancement may have resulted in a further decrease of genetic diversity. Thus, it is necessary to monitor genetic variation in bloodstock, progeny, and target populations and control inbreeding in a commercial breeding program for conservation. This information may be useful for fisheries management and the aquaculture industry.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 1998

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) can now be applied to detect the origin of extra or missing chromosomal material in cases with common unbalanced aberrations and in prenatal investigations. This method has been used in 13 cases of fetal samples for this study; 3 for amniocytes, 2 for cord blood and 8 for abortus tissues. These samples were previously subjected to GTG-banding. Our study showed aneuploidy in 8 cases, and partial monosomy, partial trisomy or marker chromosome in the remaining 5. The CGH disclosed further small genetic imbalances in 4 of all 13 cases: a prenatal sample showing del(20)(q13) by GTG confirmed a loss of the segment 20p13-pter by CGH; a marker chromosome manifested normal CGH profile; chromosome der(?)(?;15) found in an abortus sample by GTG turned out to be a loss of 15pter-q14 (partial monosomy) and a gain of 10pter-q22 (partial trisomy); the der(15) shown by GTG represented partial trisomy of 3q24-qter. These findings show that CGH is very useful and efficient for cytogenetic investigations of clinical cases.