• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of cutting frequency and level of fertilizer application on the botanical composition and forage yield of alpine pasture. Field experiment was established at 600 m (a.s.1) altitude with two cutting frequency schedules (two and three times annually) and two levels of fertilizer application (lower level of fertilizer, 200-200-200 kg / ha and standard level of fertilizer, 280-200-240 kg / ha; N, $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$, respectively). Higher grass to clover ratio was observed in two cutting frequencies. The clover ratio was highest as $16\%$ in thee cutting frequencies with lower level of fertilizer application End the ratio of weed was low in all treatments ($3.7 {\~} 6.7\%$). No significant difference was observed in forage dry matter (DM) yield among treatments, however forage DM yield in three cutting frequencies tended to be greater in standard level of fertilizer application compared to lower level of fertilizer application. The forage quality was greater in three cutting frequencies, but not changed with different levels of fertilizer application. This result indicates that three cutting frequency and standard level of fertilizer application system are considered to be proper management methods at alpine grassland of 600 m altitude considering the botanical composition, forage DM yield md forage quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1075-1083
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• 2015

Adipose tissue deposited within muscle fibers, known as intramuscular fat (IMF or marbling), is a major determinant of meat quality and thereby affects its economic value. The biological mechanisms that determine IMF content are therefore of interest. In this study, 48 genes involved in the bovine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, which is involved in lipid metabolism, were investigated to identify candidate genes associated with IMF in the longissimus dorsi of Hanwoo (Korean cattle). Ten genes, retinoid X receptor alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), phospholipid transfer protein, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group H member 3, fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3), carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, acyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase long chain (ACADL), acyl-Coenzyme A oxidase 2 branched chain, and fatty acid binding protein 4, showed significant effects with regard to IMF and were differentially expressed between the low- and high-marbled groups (p<0.05). Analysis of the gene co-expression network based on Pearson's correlation coefficients identified 10 up-regulated genes in the high-marbled group that formed a major cluster. Among these genes, the PPARG-FABP4 gene pair exhibited the strongest correlation in the network. Glycerol kinase was found to play a role in mediating activation of the differentially expressed genes. We categorized the 10 significantly differentially expressed genes into the corresponding downstream pathways and investigated the direct interactive relationships among these genes. We suggest that fatty acid oxidation is the major downstream pathway affecting IMF content. The PPARG/RXRA complex triggers activation of target genes involved in fatty acid oxidation resulting in increased triglyceride formation by ATP production. Our findings highlight candidate genes associated with the IMF content of the loin muscle of Korean cattle and provide insight into the biological mechanisms that determine adipose deposition within muscle.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.521-534
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• 2017

In 2013 the Netflix, an OTT in USA, launched all at once 13 episodes of the House of Cards season. Binge-watching is the word which means watching continuously 2~6 episodes of a TV program with one sitting, the new normal of TV watching behavior, cultural and social currents all over the world. This study has analyzed the factors and motivations which affect to the persistent intention to use binge-watching. It conducted an online survey from 333 Quota sample from Korean age groups between 20th~60th with 81 questionnaires. The 5 groups were induced as motivation factors to binge-watching. The 3 groups which consisted of , , are affecting as positive to intention to use binge-watching. But the other 2 groups which are and doing as negative. The survey has shown that the persistent intention to binge-watching is affected by ages more younger, whom doing binge watching more frequently, whom estimating more higher to the conceived usefulness to use. As a theoretical model, expanded technology acceptance model was adopted and US drama House of Cards. This study could promote the next generation contents planning and S-VOD service industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2004

Deep Ocean Water (DOW) is formed within restricted area including polar sea (high latitude) by cooling of surface seawater and globally circulating in the state of isolation from surface seawater. Although it is not as obvious as estuaries mixing, brine ground water is mixture of recirculated seawater and ground water. Seawater having high osmotic pressure infiltrates into an aquifer which is connected to the sea. In order to clarify the characteristics of deep ocean water and brine ground water, we investigated their origins, chemical compositions, water qualities and resources stabilities. While concentrations of stable isotopes (/sup 18/O and ²H) in seawater is 0‰, those in brine ground water is on meteoric water line or shifted toward oxygen line. It means that origin of brine ground water is different than that of deep ocean water. The ions dissolved in seawater (Na, Ca, Mg, K) are present in constant proportions to each other and to the total salt content of seawater. However deviations in ion proportions have been observed in some brine ground water. Some causes of these exception to the rule of constant proportions are due to many chemical reactions between periphery soil and ground water. While DOW has a large quantity of functional trace metals and biological affinity relative to brine ground water, DOW has relatively small amount of harmful bacteria and artificial pollutants.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.52-57
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• 2012

Objective: During IVF, non-transferred embryos are usually selected for cryopreservation on the basis of morphological criteria. This investigation evaluated an application for array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in assessment of surplus embryos prior to cryopreservation. Methods: First-time IVF patients undergoing elective single embryo transfer and having at least one extra non-transferred embryo suitable for cryopreservation were offered enrollment in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups: Patients in group A (n=55) had embryos assessed first by morphology and then by aCGH, performed on cells obtained from trophectoderm biopsy on post-fertilization d5. Only euploid embryos were designated for cryopreservation. Patients in group B (n=48) had embryos assessed by morphology alone, with only good morphology embryos considered suitable for cryopreservation. Results: Among biopsied embryos in group A (n=425), euploidy was confirmed in 226 (53.1%). After fresh single embryo transfer, 64 (28.3%) surplus euploid embryos were cryopreserved for 51 patients (92.7%). In group B, 389 good morphology blastocysts were identified and a single top quality blastocyst was selected for fresh transfer. All group B patients (48/48) had at least one blastocyst remaining for cryopreservation. A total of 157 (40.4%) blastocysts were frozen in this group, a significantly larger proportion than was cryopreserved in group A (p=0.017, by chi-squared analysis). Conclusion: While aCGH and subsequent frozen embryo transfer are currently used to screen embryos, this is the first investigation to quantify the impact of aCGH specifically on embryo cryopreservation. Incorporation of aCGH screening significantly reduced the total number of cryopreserved blastocysts compared to when suitability for freezing was determined by morphology only. IVF patients should be counseled that the benefits of aCGH screening will likely come at the cost of sharply limiting the number of surplus embryos available for cryopreservation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.337-349
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• 1997

This study was undertaken to examine the intensity of involvement of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclic GMP signal transduction pathway as one of the mechanisms of vaso-relaxative action of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the canine femoral artery strips. Canine femoral arteries were isolated and spiral strips of 10 mm long and 2 mm wide were made in the Tyrode solution of $0-4^{\circ}C$. The strips were prepared for isometric myography in Biancani's isolated muscle chamber containing 1 ml of Tyrode solution, which was maintained with pH 7.4 by aeration with 95% $O_2$/5% $CO_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$ and nitric oxide (NO) production was measured simulltaneously with isolated nitric oxide meter. LPS induced NO production, suppressed the phenylephrine (PE) induced contraction and enhanced the acetylcholine (ACh) induced relaxation. $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an NOS inhibitor, methylene blue, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, potentiated PE induced contraction and suppressed ACh induced relaxation on the LPS treated strips. The inhibitory potency of methylene blue for LPS induced vascular hyporesponsiveness was stronger than that of L-NAME. These results suggest that in canine femoral artery, both iNOS and cyclic GMP signal trnasduction pathway are related with LPS induced vascular hyporeponsiveness, but in minor with iNOS and in major with cyclic GMP signal trnasduction pathway.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.693-700
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• 2007

The present study was conducted to examine the effect of different levels of essential and nonessential amino acid in NCSU-23 medium on the in vitro-produced porcine embryo as it develops from the zygote to the blastocyst stage. Four experiments were performed, each with a completely randomized design involving 5 to 8 replications of treatments. In order to know the effect of nonessential amino acids in NCSU-23 medium, 0, 5, 10 and $20{\mu}/ml$ MEM were supplemented there to, (Exp. 1) and the medium was supplemented with same level of essential amino acids (Exp. 2). The combined effect of nonessential (0, 5, 10 and $20{\mu}/ml$ MEM) and essential amino acids (0, 5, 10 and $10{\mu}/ml$ MEM) in NCSU-23 medium (Exp. 3), first 72 h with non-essential amino acids (at 0, 5, 10 and $20{\mu}/ml$ MEM), and last 4 d with essential amino acids with the same level as NEAA (Exp. 4) were examined. The embryo development was monitored and the quality of blastocysts was evaluated by counting the number of total cells and determining the ratio of inner cell mass (ICM) to trophoectoderm (TE) cells. When Eagle's nonessential amino acids (MEM) added to NCSU-23 medium, it significantly increased the likelihood of development to the 2- to 4-cell stage and subsequent blastocyst development. Supplementation of different levels of essential amino acids in the NCSU-23 medium decreased cleavage rate, rate of morula and blastocyst development and the number of ICMs. In the case of the combined effect of essential and nonessential amino acids, better and significant results were found for blastocysts, hatching blastocysts and for ICM numbers which were also dose dependent. With respect to the biphasic effect of nonessential and essential amino acids, nonessential amino acids increased cleavage whereas essential amino acids increased the total cell number. Neither the nonessential nor the essential group of amino acids, on their own, affected blastocyst cell number or the differentiation of cells in the blastocyst. In conclusion, this study determined the role of nonessential and essential amino acids in the culture of the porcine embryo and showed that the embryo requires different levels of amino acids as it develops from the zygote to the blastocyst stage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2018

Objective: Hemicastration is a unilateral orchiectomy to remove an injured testis, which can induce hormonal changes and compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining testis, and may influence spermatogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of hemicastration on remaining testicular function. Methods: Prepubertal mice (age 24 days) were hemicastrated, and their growth was monitored until they reached physical maturity (age 72 days). Subsequently, we determined testis DNA methylation patterns using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing of normal and hemicastrated mice. Moreover, we profiled the testicular gene expression patterns by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to examine whether methylation changes affected gene expression in hemicastrated mice. Results: Hemicastration did not significantly affect growth or testosterone (p>0.05) compared with control. The genome-wide DNA methylation pattern of remaining testis suggested that substantial genes harbored differentially methylated regions (1,139) in gene bodies, which were enriched in process of protein binding and cell adhesion. Moreover, RNA-seq results indicated that 46 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in meiotic cell cycle, synaptonemal complex assembly and spermatogenesis were upregulated in the hemicastration group, while 197 DEGs were downregulated, which were related to arachidonic acid metabolism. Integrative analysis revealed that proteasome 26S subunit ATPase 3 interacting protein gene, which encodes a protein crucial for homologous recombination in spermatocytes, exhibited promoter hypomethylation and higher expression level in hemicastrated mice. Conclusion: Global profiling of DNA methylation and gene expression demonstrated that hemicastration-induced compensatory response maintained normal growth and testicular morphological structure in mice.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2006

Purpose : The reliability of hair mineral analyses regarding nutritional status, environmental exposure or diseases is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the normal reference range of hair mineral concentration of Korean children. Methods : We examined hair mineral concentrations of 223 children(3-12 yrs old, 110 boys, 113 girls, mean age $8.8{\pm}2.2$ yrs old) living in the northern area of Seoul. The trace elements including six toxic elements(Al, As, Cd, Ba, Hg, Pb) and 11 nutritional elements(Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se) were analyzed by inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS). Results : The mean concentrations of Ca and Mg were higher in girls than in boys. The mean concentrations of Cd, Pb and Cr were higher in boys than girls. The Zn, Ca, Mg, Cu and Hg levels in hair samples were positively correlated with increasing age. The Zn levels of the Korean children's hair samples appear to be lower than that of other countries' reference values. Conclusion : There are considerable differences in hair mineral concentrations by age, sex and race. Additional research is needed to establish Korean reference values, and to evaluate the usefulness of hair mineral analyses as a screening tool for nutrition- and environment-related childhood diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2007

Purpose: Digital medical image commenced with an introduction of PACS has become more popular today in the radiation diagnosis and medical treatment and made great progress, in particular, for medical testing field, whereas it has made slow progress for radiation therapy area. In order to accommodate the current trend of digital from analog, a spherical type mechanical check device (SMCD) that is form of spherical differing from the existing form of flat or cube has been designed and tested its practicability to replace the part in mechanical check with digital image from QA operation. Materials and Methods: If the distance maintains constant between source(target) and image detector with constant distance to the center of spherical type mechanical check device(SMCD), the size will be shown as a constant image at all times regardless of its direction exposed. For the test, two accurate hemispheres are made and put together which results in a sphere of the equilateral circle. Results: It enables a variety of implementation of the existing mechanical check using digital image as follows: congruity level of radiation field and light field, size accuracy of radiation field and collimation field, gantry rotation isocenter check, collimation rotation isocenter check, room laser accuracy check, collimation rotation angle check, couch rotation angle check, and more. Conclusion: It has proved its practicability in checking isocenter congruity level as real time at the time of simultaneous rotation between gantry and couch that is applied to the non-coplanar field, which had been hard to apply as a device formed of existing flat or cube.