• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.197-208
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• 2004

Five commercially valuable Korean Veneroid, Protothaca jedoensis, Ruditapes philippinarum, Saxidomus purpuratus, Cyclina sinensis and Meretrix lusoria were recognized by comparing internal and external morphological characters. As length of the primary tooth was directly grown proportional to shell size but all other characters were not measured according to size of shell. Hence, the morphological characters of these Veneroids may be estimated from the size of the unique primary tooth and it might be enough to be a good criterion for identification of species among Veneriods. Numerical index of hinge plate length of these species was assessed systematically, irrespective of measuring the length, height and width of the shell. The highest internal and external morphological similarity was observed between P. jedoensis and R. philippinarum and the lowest similarity was observed between P. jedoensis and M. lusoria. These similarities may be affected by multiple environmental factors as well as genetic characters. For artificial seed production of P. jedoensis, R. philppinarum, a closest relative among the five species, must be focussed.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2011

Objectives The aim of this study is to explore the association among DRD4 polymorphism, temperament and alcohol drinking behavior of Koreans in their early adulthood. Method Participants were 172 healthy Korean adults (mean age $28.1{\pm}0.8$). Their temperament was assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and their alcohol drinking behavior were evaluated with a self-reported questionnaire including the CAGE and the Korean version of Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-K). DRD4 exon III 48 base pair variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) was genotyped by PCR. Results No significant association was found between DRD4 polymorphism and TCI temperament dimension (novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, and persistence) as well as alcohol drinking behavior scales. However, novelty seeking was significantly associated with alcohol drinking behavior. The higher level of novelty seeking was associated with the higher severity index of drinking (B = -0.225, p < 0.001) and problematic alcohol use on the CAGE and AUDIT-K [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.111, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.021-1.209, p = 0.015, OR = 1.087, 95% CI 1.009-1.170, p = 0.028]. Conclusion In our study, while there is no significant association of DRD4 polymorphism with temperament and alcohol drinking behavior, novelty seeking affects problematic alcohol use. Results suggest that novelty seeking may play an important role in problematic alcohol use in young Korean adults.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.314-356
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• 1982

In order to improve the efficiency of the main economic traits in layers the present selection index is based on body weight, age at first egg, egg production and egg weight. But as the edible parts of the egg, the yolk and the albumin, are very important economic traits, this study was conducted to estimate the selection indices combining the latter traits with the former traits, and to examine the accuracy of the indices. The experiment were 351 Single Comb White Leghorns(S. C. W. Leghorn) and 326 Rhode Island Reds (R. I. Red), improved by the closed flock breeding system at the Daejeon Branch Station of the National Livestock Breeding Station. The egg compositions were checked a total of 6097 eggs. The data for each traits were collected and analysed until 500 days of age from March 1, 1979.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-54
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• 2014

Node layout optimization of structural wireless systems is investigated as a means to prolong the network lifetime without, if possible, compromising information quality of the measurement data. The trade-off between these antagonistic objectives is studied within a multi-objective layout optimization framework. A Genetic Algorithm is adopted to obtain a set of Pareto-optimal solutions from which the end user can select the final layout. The information quality of the measurement data collected from a heterogeneous WSN is quantified from the placement quality indicators of strain and acceleration sensors. The network lifetime or equivalently the network energy consumption is estimated through WSN simulation that provides realistic results by capturing the dynamics of the wireless communication protocols. A layout optimization study of a monitoring system on the Great Belt Bridge is conducted to evaluate the proposed approach. The placement quality of strain gauges and accelerometers is obtained as a ratio of the Modal Clarity Index and Mode Shape Expansion values that are computed from a Finite Element model of the monitored bridge. To estimate the energy consumption of the WSN platform in a realistic scenario, we use a discrete-event simulator with stochastic communication models. Finally, we compare the optimization results with those obtained in a previous work where the network energy consumption is obtained via deterministic communication models.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5421-5425
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• 2015

To evaluate the relationship between the growth hormone 1 (GH1) T1663A polymorphism, recreational physical activity and body mass index (BMI) with reference to breast cancer, we conducted a case-control study with 669 cases of breast cancer and 682 population-based controls in Jiangsu Province, China. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit detailed information. All subjects completed an in-person interview. GH1 genotypes were identified using PCR-RFLP methods. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with an unconditional logistic model. The distribution of GH1 genotypes was not significantly different between controls and cases ($x^2$=2.576, P=0.276). Results of stratified analysis by the participation status of the recreational physical activity showed that the persons with GH1 A allele were at a decreased risk of breast cancer (adjusted-OR=0.66; 95% CI, 0.50-0.87) only among inactive individuals. Stratified analysis by BMI showed that the genotype A/A was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer only among individuals of the BMI <25 (adjusted-OR=0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.98). The findings of this study suggest that recreational physical activity and BMI may modify any association between the GH1 T1663A polymorphism and breast cancer risk.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.534-540
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• 2006

Recent studies have shown that environmental, biochemical, nutritional or genetic factors affect bone mineral density (BMD). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gentotype and nutritional status on BMD of elderly women living in a rural area. Three hundred thirty five elderly women over 65 years in Asan participated the study. Data for demographic and nutrient intakes were obtained by survey with a two day 24 hr recall method. BMD was measured by broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) using quantitative ultrasound (QUS). VDR genotypes of the subjects analyzed with Bsm I restriction enzyme were bb (92%), Bb (7%) and BB (1%). No differences were found between genotypes bb and Bb/BB in age, menopausal age, body mass index and body fat. BUA of bb genotype was higher (62.5 $\pm$ 15.6 dB/MHz) than Bb/BB genotype (56.1 $\pm$ 17.6 dB/MHz) by Student's t-tests. Correlation analyses showed strong negative correlation of BMD and age, but positive correlation with BMI, energy and calcium intake. When subgroup analyses were conducted after stratification by the median calcium intake level (412.9 mg/d), the above median calcium intake group showed significant difference in BUA by VDR genotype while the lower median calcium intake group did not show significant difference. The current study confirmed interaction of calcium intake and VDR genotype in association with BMD. Further nutritional intervention will be needed to improve calcium status of the elderly women living in rural areas.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.125-129
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) are associated with obesity. MMP2 is an enzyme with proteolytic activity against matrix and nonmatrix proteins, particularly basement membrane constituents. To identify the relationship between polymorphisms of MMP2 and overweight/obese, we genotyped 5 SNPs (rs17242319, rs1053605, rs243849, rs2287074, and rs10775332) of the coding region of MMP2 using the Golden Gate assay on an Illumina BeadStation 500 GX. One hundred and forty two overweight/obese ($BMI\;{\ge}\;23$) and 145 normal (BMI 18 to < 23) subjects were analyzed. SNPStats, Haploview, HapAnalyzer, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were used for the analysis of genetic data. A linkage disequilibrium (LD) block was discovered among the 5 SNPs selected, including rs17242319, rs1053605, rs243849, and rs2287074. Of the 5 polymorphisms, 2 synonymous SNPs [rs17242319 (Gly226Gly) and rs10775332 (Phe602Phe)] were found significant associations with overweight/obese. Recently, rs1132896 replaced rs17242319 as a new number (SNP database, BUILD 129). In haplotype analysis using Haploview, a haplotype (haplotype: CCCA) containing a meaningful polymorphism (rs17242319) was found to be significantly different. The results suggest that MMP2 may be associated with overweight/obese in Korean population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.63-81
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• 2013

The vascular plants in the Ohseosan and the Bongsusan, Chungnam were listed 439 taxa (9.0% of all 4,881 taxa of vascular plants); 95 families, 268 genera, 339 species, 5 subspecies, 75 varieties and 20 forms. Furthermore, the Ohseosan were listed 339 taxa and the Bongsusan were listed 306 taxa. So, Hemicryptophytes (H) were 107 taxa (24.4%), Therophytes (Th), Geophytes (G) same as were 82 taxa (18.7%) showed high proportional ratio in life form. Based on the list of rare plants, 4 taxa; Aristolochia contorta, Viola albida, Scutellaria insignis (LC) and Scrophularia koraiensis (DD) and endemic plants, 8 taxa; Aconitum pseudolaeve, Ajuga spectabilis, etc. Based on the list of specific plants, 35 taxa; Wisteria floribunda for. floribunda in class IV, 5 taxa (Scutellaria insignis, Scrophularia koraiensis, etc.) in class III, 5 taxa (Acer triflorum, Cymopterus melanotilingia, etc.) in class II, 24 taxa (Pyrus ussuriensis var. ussuriensis, Campanula punctata, etc.) in class I. Based on the list of naturalized plants, 9 families, 20 genera, 24 taxa (Persicaria orientalis, Carduus crispus, etc.) and ecosystem disturbing plants were Rumex acetocella, Ambrosia artemisiifolia. Naturalization rate was 5.5% of all 439 taxa of vascular plants and urbanization index was 7.5% of all 321 taxa of naturalized plants. In particular, for rare plants, in and ex-situ conservation of genetic resources must surely be done, by preserving present natural habitats, discovering additional natural habitats and securing seeds. Moreover, ecosystem disturbing plants require long-term monitoring and consistent management, since not only do they disturb the ecosystem in competition with Korean native species, but damage humans, too.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.752-757
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• 2005

Changes in milk quality during storage of extended shelf life milk (ESL milk) and non-ESL milk were evaluated. No significant differences were observed between ESL and typical ultra high temperature-treated (UHT) milk in physicochemical properties including non-casein nitrogen (NCN) content, whey protein nitrogen index (WPNI), and L-ascorbic acid content. Low temperature and long time-treated milk (LTLT milk) had significantly higher NCN content and WPNI than those of UHT milk. In terms of microbial quality, yeast, molds, coliforms, and other bacteria were not detected in ESL milk during entire storage (21 days after expiration date) period at 4 and $25^{\circ}C$, while LTLT milk was more susceptible to microbial infection. Rats fed ESL milk resulted in significantly higher body weight, average daily gain, and feed efficiency than those given UHT milk. These results suggest ESL milk maintains better microbial quality than typical UHT milk, particularly during storage under extended refrigeration and at high temperature.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.467-472
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• 2014

Obesity is known to be strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer, the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and develops owing to interactions between genes and the environment. DNA methylation can act as a downstream effector of environmental signals, and analysis of this process therefore holds substantial promise for identifying mechanisms through which genetic and environmental factors jointly contribute to disease risk. Global DNA methylation of peripheral blood cells has recently been proposed as a potential biomarker for disease risk. Repetitive element DNA methylation has been shown to be associated with prominent obesity-related chronic diseases, but little is known about its relationship with weight status. In this study, we quantified the methylation of Alu elements in the peripheral blood DNA of 244 healthy women with a range of body mass indexes (BMIs) using pyrosequencing technology. Among the study participants, certain clinical laboratory parameters, including hemoglobin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic- pyruvic transaminase, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were found to be strongly associated with BMI. Moreover, a U-shaped association between BMI and Alu methylation was observed, with the lowest methylation levels occurring at BMIs of between 23 and $30kg/m^2$. However, there was no significant association between Alu methylation and age, smoking status, or alcohol consumption. Overall, we identified a differential influence of BMI on global DNA methylation in healthy Korean women, indicating that BMI-related changes in Alu methylation might play a complex role in the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relationship.