• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2005

Objectives: Previously, we sought to compile a list of genes expressed during early folliculogenesis by using cDNA microarray to investigate follicular gene expression and changes during primordialprimary follicle transition and development of secondary follicles (Yoon et al., 2005). Among those genes, a group of genes related to the cell size growth was characterized during the ovarian development in the present study. Methods: We determined ovarian expression pattern of six genes related to the cell size growth (cyr61, emp1, fhl1, socs2, wig1 and wisp1) and extended into CCN family (${\underline{c}}onnective$ tissue growth factor/${\underline{c}}ysteine$-rich 61/${\underline{n}}ephroblastoma$-overexpressed), ctgf, nov, wisp2, wisp3, including cyr61 and wisp1 genes. Expression of mRNA and protein according to the ovarian developmental stage was evaluated by in situ hybridization, and/or semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: Among 6 genes related to the cell size growth, cyr61 and wisp1 mRNA was detected only in oocytes in the postnatal day5 mouse ovaries. cyr61 mRNA expression was limited to the nucleolus of oocytes, while wisp1 was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleolus of oocytes, except nucleus. cyr61 mRNA expression, however, was found in granulosa cells from secondary follicles. The rest 4 genes in the cell size growth group were detected in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells. Cyr61 and Wisp1 proteins were expressed in the oocyte cytoplasm from primordial follicle stage. Especially, Cyr61 protein was detected in pre-granulosa cells, Wisp1 protein was not. By using RT-PCR, we evaluated and decided that Cyr61 protein is produced by their own mRNA in pre-granulosa cells that was not detected by in situ hybridization. cyr61 and wisp1 genes are happen to be the CCN family members. The other members of CCN family were also studied, but their expression was detected in oocytes, granulose and theca cells. Conclusions: We firstly characterized the ovarian expression of genes related to the cell size growth and CCN family according to the early folliculogenesis. Cyr61 protein expression in the pre-granulosa cells is profound in meaning. Further functional analysis for cyr61 in early folliculogenesis is under investigation.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.43-60
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• 2019

Background: Tropical montane forests played an important role in the provision of ecosystem services. The intense degradation and deforestation for the need of agricultural land expansion result in a significant decline of forest cover. However, the expansion of agricultural land did not completely destruct natural forests. There remain forests inaccessible for agricultural and grazing purpose. Studies on these forests remained scant, motivating to investigate biomass and soil carbon stocks. Data of biomass and soils were collected in 80 quadrats ($400m^2$) systematically in 5 forests. Biomass and disturbance gradients were determined using allometric equation and disturbance index, respectively. The regression modeling is employed to explore the spatial distribution of carbon stock along disturbance and environmental gradients. Correlation analysis is also employed to identify the relation between site factors and carbon stocks. Results: The result revealed that a total of 1655 individuals with a diameter of ${\geq}5cm$, representing 38 species, were measured in 5 forests. The mean aboveground biomass carbon stocks (AGB CS) and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks at 5 forests were $191.6{\pm}19.7$ and $149.32{\pm}6.8Mg\;C\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. The AGB CS exhibited significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation with SOC and total nitrogen (TN) stocks, reflecting that biomass seems to be a general predictor of SOCs. AGB CS between highly and least-disturbed forests was significantly different (P < 0.05). This disturbance level equates to a decrease in AGB CS of 36.8% in the highly disturbed compared with the least-disturbed forest. In all forests, dominant species sequestrated more than 58% of carbon. The AGB CS in response to elevation and disturbance index and SOC stocks in response to soil pH attained unimodal pattern. The stand structures, such as canopy cover and basal area, had significant positive relation with AGB CS. Conclusions: Study results confirmed that carbon stocks of studied forests were comparable to carbon stocks of protected forests. The biotic, edaphic, topographic, and disturbance factors played a significant variation in carbon stocks of forests. Further study should be conducted to quantify carbon stocks of herbaceous, litter, and soil microbes to account the role of the whole forest ecosystem.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.28-40
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• 2019

In order to resolve the imbalances in the supply of living SOCs according to socio-economic status, location, and population groups, the discussions on inclusive city policies are expanding. The purpose of this study is to propose an Index of Park Derivation (IPD) as an alternative indicator for the promotion of an inclusive urban park policy that can be applied in the 7 major metropolitan cities to select a region with a relatively high park needs. The main research results are as follows. First, the concept of an inclusive urban park policy is defined as "a policy to supply to manage high-quality park services with priority given to areas with low socio-economic and environmental status, such as a large amount of elderly, children, low-income families, areas vulnerable to disasters, such as heat and fine dust, and population groups." Second, we developed the index of park derivation (IPD), which is a combination of 17 variables including park service level, demographic characteristics, economic and educational level, health level, and environmental vulnerability. The variables that constitute the index of park deprivation (IPD) can be applied to SOC policies outside the parks, such as sports facilities, daycare centers, kindergartens, and public libraries. Third, applying index of park deprivation (IPD) to 1,148 Eup/Myeon/dong areas of the 7 metropolitan cities resulted in areas with relatively high park service needs. This study implies that the central and the local government suggest an alternative index to promote an inclusive urban park policy based on statistical and geographical information and data that can be easily accessed and utilized.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.159-168
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• 2022

Local governments should try to resolve the inequality of living SOC (Social Overhead Capital) and construct spatial information on the location of living SOCs and optimal locations. This study analyzed the accessibility, equity, and optimal location of the living SOC, considering the research needs related to the living SOC. The target facility is core living facilities(a public library, a park, a culture center, and a public daycare center). The analysis area is Suwon city in Gyeonggi province, and the base year of the analysis is 2020. The study calculated accessibility per population in a microscopic neighborhood living area(200m×200m). The Gini coefficient was used to identify the regional disparity in accessibility among Dong regions. The optimal location was explored with the Maximal Covering Location Problem theory. As a result, spatial accessibility of facilities except for public daycare centers revealed a large gap between regions. Areas with excellent accessibility also showed significant variations in the facilities. The regional disparity in living SOC was the largest in culture centers, followed by parks, public daycare centers, and public libraries. The optimal locations for public libraries, parks, and culture centers are concentrated in the old downtown, while those of public daycare centers are found throughout Suwon city. The results of this study are the crucial contents of spatial planning for SOC supply in local governments. Therefore, follow-up studies will be able to refer to the analysis structure and results of the study.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.397-405
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• 2023

Although glutathione (GSH) has been shown to play an important role in the prevention of oxidative damage as an antioxidant, studies on immune regulation by it have not been properly conducted. In this study, we investigated whether luthione^®, a reduced GSH, has an immune enhancing effect in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The results of flow cytometry and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that luthione increased phagocytic activity, a representative function of macrophages, compared to the control cells. According to the results of the cytokine array, the expression of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-1β, and IL-27 was significantly increased in the luthione-treated cells. Luthione also enhanced the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-1β through increased expression of their proteins, and increased release of the immune mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ was associated with increased expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, the expression of cluster of differentiation 86, an M1 macrophage marker, was dramatically enhanced in RAW 264.7 cells treated with luthione. Furthermore, as a result of heat map analysis, we found that cytokine signaling 1/3-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription/Janus tyrosine kinase signaling pathway was involved in the immunomodulatory effect by luthione. In conclusion, our data suggested that luthione could act as a molecular regulator in M1 macrophage polarization and enhance immune capacity by promoting macrophage phagocytic function.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.991-1002
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the underlying gene regions responsible for productive, phenotypic or adaptive traits in different ecological types of Tibetan sheep and the discovery of important genes encoding valuable traits. Methods: We used whole-genome resequencing to explore the genetic relationships, phylogenetic tree, and population genetic structure analysis. In addition, we identified 28 representative Tibetan sheep single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genomic selective sweep regions with different traits in Tibetan sheep by fixation index (Fst) and the nucleotide diversity (θπ) ratio. Results: The genetic relationships analysis showed that each breed partitioned into its own clades and had close genetic relationships. We also identified many potential breed-specific selective sweep regions, including genes associated with hypoxic adaptability (MTOR, TRHDE, PDK1, PTPN9, TMTC2, SOX9, EPAS1, PDGFD, SOCS3, TGFBR3), coat color (MITF, MC1R, ERCC2, TCF25, ITCH, TYR, RALY, KIT), wool traits (COL4A2, ERC2, NOTCH2, ROCK1, FGF5, SOX9), and horn phenotypes (RXFP2). In particular, a horn-related gene, RXFP2, showed the four most significantly associated SNP loci (g. 29481646 A>G, g. 29469024 T>C, g. 29462010 C>T, g. 29461968 C>T) and haplotypes. Conclusion: This finding demonstrates the potential for genetic markers in future molecular breeding programs to improve selection for horn phenotypes. The results will facilitate the understanding of the genetic basis of production and adaptive unique traits in Chinese indigenous Tibetan sheep taxa and offer a reference for the molecular breeding of Tibetan sheep.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1340-1350
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• 2022

Objective: Luxi Black Head sheep (LBH) is the first crossbreed specialized for meat production and was developed by crossbreeding Black Head Dorper sheep (DP) and Small Tailed Han sheep (STH) in the farming areas of northern China. Research on the genomic variations and selection signatures of LBH caused by continuous artificial selection is of great significance for identifying the genetic mechanisms of important traits of sheep and for the continuous breeding of LBH. Methods: We explored the genetic relationships of LBH, DP, and several Mongolian sheep breeds by constructing phylogenetic tree, principal component analysis and linkage disequilibrium analysis. In addition, we analysed 29 whole genomes of sheep. The genome-wide selection signatures have been scanned with four methods: heterozygosity (H_P), fixation index (F_ST), cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH) and the nucleotide diversity (𝜃_π) ratio. Results: The genetic relationships analysis showed that LBH appeared to be an independent cluster closer to DP. The candidate signatures of positive selection in sheep genome revealed candidate genes for developmental process (HoxA gene cluster, BCL2L11, TSHR), immunity (CXCL6, CXCL1, SKAP2, PTK6, MST1R), growth (PDGFD, FGF18, SRF, SOCS2), and reproduction (BCAS3, TRIM24, ASTL, FNDC3A). Moreover, two signalling pathways closely related to reproduction, the thyroid hormone signalling pathway and the oxytocin signalling pathway, were detected. Conclusion: The selective sweep analysis of LBH genome revealed candidate genes and signalling pathways associated with developmental process, immunity, growth, and reproduction. Our findings provide a valuable resource for sheep breeding and insight into the mechanisms of artificial selection.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2013

About 1,800 villages have released from Greenbelt since Greenbelt-reform-policy for readjustment of the area was promoted after 1997. Even though the government intended to attract planned development & improvement of these lifted villages through District Unit Plan and designating the lifted area as low-rise and low-density zoning considering the characteristics of the Greenbelt region, there are still many problems to be solved: a lack of funds, insufficient capability for self-improvement and unexecuted SOCs in long-term etc. It seems that these problems are caused by focusing on the lifting areas itself instead of researching deeply the condition and characteristics of the villages and searching proper direction/plans of improvement before lifting Greenbelt In addition, the existing plan of village improvement and management was not considering physical and spacial characteristics of the areas, social and economic situation of residents and relationship between the villages and surrounding cities, though these conditions are different among each villages, and the related regulations are applied uniformly across all the villages and those have been causing many civil appeals and environmental problems. In these respects, this study aims to consider the problems of the lifted villages using the existing researches on them and to make typology by characteristics-data of the villages and to establish improvement strategies of each types. In this study, the villages were classified into 5 types as a result of cluster analysis on 424 villages among all 1,800 through variables of locational potentiality : location, accessibility, size and form of village, condition of regulations etc. According to function of the villages, they were divided into 4 types: urban-type, rural-type, industrial-type and neighborhood-centered-type. This study also drew 4 improvement-strategy-types by combination of locational potentiality and village-function : type of improving life-environment, type of improving production-infra, type of inducing-planned-improvement and type of constructing center-of living-circle. Finally, this study suggested the directions of the each 4 types to desirable improvement and management which could be used to make and complement plans for village improvement.