• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.289-296
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• 2008

BPES (Blepharophimosis/Ptosis/Epicanthus inversus Syndrome) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in FOXL2. Affected individuals have premature ovarian failure (POF) in addition to small palpebral fissures, drooping eyelids, and broad nasal bridge. FOXL2 is a member of the forkhead family transcription factors. In FOXL2-deficient ovaries, granulosa cell differentiation dose not progress, leading to arrest of folliculogenesis and oocytes atresia. Using yeast two-hybrid screening of rat ovarian cDNA library with FOXL2 as bait, we found that small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-conjugating E2 enzyme UBE2I protein interacted with FOXL2 protein. UBE2I also known as UBC9 is an essential protein for processing SUMO modification. Sumoylation is a form of post-translational modification involved in diverse signaling pathways including the regulation of transcriptional activities of many transcriptional factors. In the present study, we confirmed the protein-protein interaction between FOXL2 and UBE2I in human cells, 293T, by in vivo immunoprecipitation. In addition, we generated truncated FOXL2 mutants and identified the region of FOXL2 required for its association with UBE2I using yeast-two hybrid system. Therefore, the identification of UBE2I as an interacting protein of FOXL2 further suggests a presence of novel regulatory mechanism of FOXL2 by sumoylation.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.103-113
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• 2023

The river confluence is a section in which two rivers with different topographical and hyrodynamic characteristics are combined into one, and it is a section in which rapid flow, inflow of sediments, and hydrological topographic changes occur. In the confluence section, the flow of fluid occurs due to the difference in density due to the type of material or temperature difference, which is called a density flow. It is necessary to accurately measure and observe the confluence section including a certain section of the main stream and tributaries in order to understand the mixing behavior of the water body caused by the density difference. A comprehensive analysis of this water mixture can be obtained by obtaining flow field and flow rate information, but there is a limit to understanding the mixing of water bodies with different physical properties and water quality characteristics of rivers flowing with stratigraphic flow. Therefore, this study attempts to grasp the density flow through the water temperature distribution in the confluence section. Among the extensive data of the river, vertical data and water surface data were acquired, and through this, the stratification phenomenon of the confluence was to be confirmed. It was intended to analyze the mixed pattern of the confluence by analyzing the water mixing pattern according to the water temperature difference using the vertical data obtained by measuring the repair volume by installing the ADCP on the side of the boat and measuring the real-time concentration using YSI. This study can supplement the analysis results of the existing water quality measurement in two dimensions. Based on the comparative analysis, it will be used to investigate the current status of stratified sections in the water layer and identify the mixing characteristics of the downstream section of the river.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of adding the microbial inoculants to silage for reducing mycotoxins in rice straw silage. When a single agent of L. plantarum and a mixed agent of L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae were added in rice straw silage contaminated mycotoxins, it had an effect on silage fermentation and fiber degradation as well as mycotoxin reduction. Among the mycotoxins, only ochratoxin A and zearalenone were found in the test sample. Ochratoxin A and zearalenone showed a decreasing trend with the addition of silage inoculants compared to the control groups (38.11±2.22 and 633.67±50.30 ㎍/kg), and there was a significant difference at the mixed agents; 27.78±2.28 and 392.72±25.04 ㎍/kg, respectively (p<0.05). The pH was lower in the single agent and the mixed agent compared to the control (p<0.05). The concentration of lactic acid was higher in the single agent (11.73±0.31 mM) than in the control group (8.18±0.93 mM), and the highest concentration was 16.01±0.88 mM in the mixed agent (p<0.05). Acetic acid and propionic acid were found to be significantly lowered with the addition of silage inoculants (p<0.05). Total VFA was also lower at the addition of silage inoculants than the control group (p<0.05). The rumen in situ dry matter degradation of NDF and ADF was maintained at the highest levels of the mixed agent during the culture period, followed by the single agent and the control group at the lowest level. NDF and ADF degradation showed a significant difference at all time points after 12 and 24 hours of culture, respectively (p<0.05). The study results showed that the silage inoculants had the positive effects on quality increasing of rice straw silage; fermentative charateristics, fiber degradation and mycotoxins reduction. Ochratoxin A and zearalenone were greater reduction by adding bacterial inoculants of silage. Therefore it is considered that L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae will improve the quality and stability with remediation of mycotoxin in silage.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.54-69
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• 2023

Purpose: Proteins are major components of the body and essential nutrients for proper growth and development. However, studies on protein intake in children and adolescents are insufficient. A few previous studies have reported the relationship with growth indicators, but results vary depending on the source of protein. Therefore, the current study investigates the relationship between protein intake and overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Korea. Methods: Based on the 2014-2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 5,567 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years, who participated in a 24-hour dietary recall with information on height and weight, were included in this study. Protein intake was estimated as percentage of total energy (% of energy) and was classified into animal and plant protein according to the food source. Overweight and obesity were defined using the 2017 pediatric and adolescent growth chart. Results: Total protein intake of the subjects was estimated as 14.5% of total energy (animal protein 8.3% and plant protein 6.3%). The group with the highest total protein intake had a higher odds ratio (OR) of overweight/obesity than those with the least protein intake (OR, 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-1.67, p for trend = 0.003). When classified by food source, the group with the highest animal protein intake had a significantly higher OR of overweight/obesity than subjects with the lowest intake (OR, 1.30, 95% CI, 1.05-1.61, p for trend = 0.016). However, plant protein was not significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a high intake of animal protein in children and adolescents increases the risk of being overweight and obese. In order to develop normal growth and prevent obesity in the future, it is necessary to determine an appropriate protein intake level through nutrition education programs and prospective studies on balanced protein intake.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.642-655
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• 2022

Purpose: We examined the effects of the 8-week moderate-intensity Pilates exercise program on body composition, balance ability, metabolic parameters, arterial condition, and eating habits among overweight and obese women. Methods: From the general sample of overweight or obese Korean women (body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m² ), those who had not been diagnosed with any chronic degenerative diseases were enrolled in the study (n = 39). After 8 weeks of the Pilates exercise program, the participants were subdivided into adherence and non-adherence groups. Among the study participants, 24 women were matched for age and menopausal status to reduce the bias, and then finally included for the comparison (Pilates-adherence, n = 12; Pilates-non-adherence, n = 12). Results: The body balance measured by the Y-balance test, body mass index, and subcutaneous fat areas were significantly improved in both groups. However, the Pilate-sadherence group showed more positive changes in body balance and had significant improvement in body composition parameters such as waist size, visceral fat area, systolic blood pressure, arterial aging index, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin than the Pilates-non-adherence group. In addition, the nutrition quotient for Korean adults (balance, moderation, and behavior except diversity) were significantly improved in both groups after dietary education. However, the participants did not show dramatic improvement in the metabolic parameters, because all the study subjects were in relatively good health and did not have any diagnosed diseases. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that higher adherence to the Pilates exercise program together with a modification of eating habits may effectively improve body balance, body composition, and obesity-related parameters among overweight and obese women.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2023

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an essential role in a variety of cellular physiological phenomena. The present study assessed the signaling axis that mediates the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced migration of SKOV-3 cells. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulated SKOV-3 cell migration in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Similarly, LPA stimulated SKOV-3 cell migration and the phosphorylation of Akt in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The pharmacological inhibition of LPA receptors (LPA₁/LPA₃) significantly suppressed LPA-induced SKOV-3 cell migration. However, IGF-1-induced SKOV-3 cell migration was not affected by the inhibition of LPA1 and LPA3. Pharmacological inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) significantly suppressed LPA-induced migration, whereas the inhibition of MAPK kinase (MEK) had no effect. Inhibition of PI3K or ROCK completely suppressed LPA-induced ROS generation, and suppression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) or chelation of ROS by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) blocked LPA-induced SKOV-3 cell migration. LPA-induced ROS generation was suppressed by silencing Rictor or Akt1 but not Raptor or Akt2. Silencing Rictor or Akt1 significantly suppressed LPA-induced SKOV-3 cell migration, whereas silencing Raptor or Akt2 had no effect. Finally, the overexpression of the constitutively active form Akt1 (CA-Akt1) significantly enhanced the LPA-induced migration of SKOV-3 cells. Given these results, we suggest that LPA stimulates SKOV-3 cell migration by ROS generation, which is mediated by the mTORC2/Akt1/NOX signaling axis.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2023

This study is an experimental study on the single group pre-post test design for the effects of the aroma inhalation method with roll-on on stress, pain, depression and blood pressure of the elderly. 33 elderly people who met the selection criteria participated among the elderly using the senior citizen clubs located in S city, Gyeonggi-do. The data collection period was from November 14, 2022 to December 19, 2022. A questionnaire consisting of stress, pain, depression, and blood pressure was measured before and after the aroma roll-on inhalation intervention. The components of aroma essential oil included Marjoram, Geranium, Peppermint and Orange sweet that were diluted in Jojoba oil which was the carrier oil. The aroma inhalation method with roll-on was carried out 3 times day for 4 weeks. In the result of this study, the aroma inhalation method with roll-on were statistically significant differences in stress(t=2.63, p=.013), pain(t=2.46, p=.019), and systolic blood pressure(t=3.01, p=.005) of the participants. Therefore, aroma roll-on therapy is expected to be available as a useful nursing intervention method for reducing stress, relieving pain, and managing blood pressure in the elderly using the senior citizen clubs.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

We analyzed the distribution area of debris slopes in Mudeungsan (Mt. Mudeung) National Park by comparing aerial photos of the past (1966) and the present (2017) and identified the vegetation characteristics that affect the change in the area of the debris slopes by investigating the vegetation status of the debris slopes and the surrounding areas. The area of debris slopes in Mt. Mudeung appears to have been reduced to a quarter of what it used to be. Debris slopes here have decreased at an average rate of 2.3 ha/yr over 51 years by vegetation covers. Notably, most of the small-area debris slopes in the low-inclination slopes disappeared due to active vegetation coverage. However, there are still west-facing, south-west-facing, south-facing, and large-area debris slopes remaining because the sun's radiant heat rapidly raises the surface temperature of rock blocks and dries moisture, making tree growth unfavorable. Because of these locational characteristics, the small-scale vegetation in the middle of Deoksan Stony Slope, which is the broadest area, showed distinct characteristics from the adjacent forest areas. Sunny places and tree species with excellent drying resistance were observed frequently in Deoksan Stony Slope. However, tree species with high hygropreference that grow well in valleys with good soil conditions also prevailed. In some of these places, the soil layer has been well developed due to the accumulation of fine materials and organic matter between the crevices of the rock blocks, which is likely to have provided favorable conditions for such tree species to settle and grow. At the top of Mt. Mudeung, on the other hand, the forest covered the debris slopes, where Mongolian oaks (Quercus mongolica) and royal azaleas (Rhododendron schlippenbachii), which typically grow in the highlands, prevailed. This area was considered favorable for the development of vegetation for the highlands because the density of rock blocks was lower than in Deoksan Stony Slope, and the soil was exposed. Moreover, ash trees (Fraxinus rhynchophylla) and Korean maple trees (Acer pseudosieboldianum) that commonly appear in the valley areas were dominant here. It is probably due to the increased moisture content in the soil, which resulted from creating a depressive landform with a concave shape that is easy to collect rainwater as rock blocks in some areas fell and piled up in the lower region. In conclusion, the area, density of the rock blocks, and distribution pattern of rock block slopes would have affected the vegetation development and species composition in the debris slope landform.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.15-25
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• 2023

In this study, silicon sludge from semiconductor dicing process is recycled to fabricate silica nanoparticles, which are applied as dispersing materials for electro-responsive (ER) smart fluid. In specific, metal impurities are removed from silicon sludge by acid washing to obtain the high-purity silicon powder. And then, silica nanoparticles are synthesized by facile hydrothermal method employing the silicon powder as reactant material. To control the size of silica nanoparticles, the reaction time of hydrothermal method is varied as 8, 15, 20, and 30 hours are applied to control the size of silica nanoparticles. Sizes of silica nanoparticles are increased proportionally to the reaction time owing to the increased numbers of hydrolysis and condensation reactions. As-synthesized silica nanoparticles are prepared as electro-responsive smart fluids by dispersing into silicon oil. Silica nanoparticles synthesized by 30 hours of hydrothermal reaction (SiO₂-H30) exhibit the highest shear stress of 21.4 Pa under an applied electric field strength of 3.0kV mm^-1. Such enhancement in ER performance of SiO₂-H30 among various silica nanoparticles are attribute to the reinforcing effect originated from the mixed particle size, which allowing the formation of rigid chain-like structures. Accordingly, this study successfully propose a recycling method of silicon sludge to synthesize silica nanoparticles and their derived ER fluids, which may suggest new possibility to ESG management emphasizing the eco-friendliness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.417-426
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• 2023

Rapid climate change has resulted in glacial retreat and increased meltwater inputs in the Antarctic Peninsula, including King George Island where Marian Cove is located. Consequently, these phenomena are expected to induce changes in the water column light properties, which in turn will affect phytoplankton communities. To comprehend the effects of glacial retreat on the marine ecosystem in Marian Cove, we investigated on phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a, chl-a) and various environment parameters in this area in December 2021 and January 2022. The average temperature at the euphotic depth in January 2022 (1.41 ± 0.13 ℃) was higher than that in December 2021 (0.87 ± 0.17 ℃). Contrastingly, the average salinity was lower in January 2022 (33.9 ± 0.10 psu) than in December 2021 (34.1 ± 0.12 psu). Major nutrients, including dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphate, and silicate, were sufficiently high, and thus, did not act as limiting factors for phytoplankton biomass. In December 2021 and January 2022, the mean chl-a concentrations were 1.03 ± 0.64 and 0.66 ± 0.15㎍ L^-1, respectively. The mean concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) was 24.9 ± 3.54 mgL^-1 during the study period, with elevated values observed in the vicinity of the inner glacier. However, relative lower chl-a concentrations were observed near the inner glacier, possibly due to high SPM load from the glacier, resulting in reduced light attenuation by SPM shading. Furthermore, the proportion of nanophytoplankton exceeded 70% in the inner cove, contributing to elevated mean fractions of nanophytoplankton in the glacier retreat marine ecosystem. Overall, our study indicated that freshwater and SPM inputs from glacial meltwater may possibly act as main factors controlling the dynamics of phytoplankton communities in glacier retreat areas. The findings may also serve as fundamental data for better understanding the carbon cycle in Marian Cove.