A pregnancy diagnosis is an important standard for control of livestock’s reproduction in paricular dairy cattle. High reproductive performance in dairy animals is a essential condition to realize of high life-time production. Pregnancy diagnosis is crucial to shortening the calving interval by enabling the farmer to identify open animals so as to treat or re-breed them at the earliest opportunity. MicroRNAs are short RNA molecules which are critically involved in regulating gene expression during both health and disease. This study is sought to establish the feasible of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of early pregnancy in cattle. We applied Illumina small-RNA sequencing to profile miRNAs in plasma samples collected from 12 non-pregnant cows (“open” cows: samples were collected before insemination (non-pregnant state) and after pregnancy check at the indicated time points) on weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16. Using small RNA sequencing we identified a total of 115 miRNAs that were differentially expressed weeks 16 relative to non-pregnancy (“open” cows). Weeks 8, 12 and 16 of pregnancy commonly showed a distinct increase in circulating levels of miR-221 and miR-320a. Through genome-wide analyses we have successfully profiled plasma miRNA populations associated with pregnancy in cattle. Their application in the field of reproductive biology has opened up opportunities for research communities to look for pregnancy biomarker molecules in dairy cattle.

Interferon-tau (IFNT) is known as a major conceptus protein that signals the process of maternal recognition of pregnancy in ruminants. Also, multiple interferon genes exist in cattle, However, molecular mechanisms of these bovine IFNT (bIFNT) genes whose expressions are limited have not been characterized. We and others have observed that expression levels of bovine subtype IFNT genes in the tissues of ruminants; thus, bIFNT1 and other new type I (bIFNTc1/c2/c3) gene co-exist during the early stages of conceptus development and non-trophoblast cells. Its genes transcription could be regulated through CDX2 and ETS2 and JUN and/or cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CREBBP) expression, a transcription factor implicated in the control of cell differentiation in the trophectoderm. Bovine ear-derived fibroblast cells, were co-transfected with luciferase reporter constructs carrying upstream (positions -1000 to +51) regions of bIFNT1 and other new type I gene and various transcription factor expression plasmids. Compared to each - 1kb-bIFNT1/ c1/c2/c3-Luc increased when this constructs were co-transfected with CDX2, ETS2, JUN and/or CREBBP. Also, Its genes was had very effect on activity by CDX2, either alone or with the other transcription factors, markedly increased luciferase activity. However, the degree of transcriptional activation of the bIFNTc1 gene was not similar to that bIFNT1/c2/c3 gene by expression plasmid. Furthermore, Sequence analyses also revealed that the expression levels of bIFNT1/c2/c3 gene mRNAs expression were highest on day 17, 20 and 22 trophoblast and, Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK), Bovine ear-derived fibroblast (EF), and endometrium (Endo) non-trophoblast cells. But, bIFNTc1 mRNA had not same expression level, bIFNTc1 lowest levels than those of IFNT1/c2/c3 gene in both trophoblast and non-trophoblast cells. These results demonstrate that bovine subtype bIFNT genes display differential, in the trophoblast and non-trophoblast cells.

Variance of conceptus interferon tau (IFNT), produced by the embryonic trophectoderm, is known as a major conceptus protein that signals the process of maternal recognition of pregnancy in ruminants, essential for the maintenance of early pregnancy. Similar to other IFN genes such as IFNA and IFNB, multiple IFNT genes are present. However, some kinds of IFNT genes actively transcribed and regulated in bovine conceptuses have not been well characterized. In this study, during the course of bovine IFNT gene transcription through the use of next generation sequencer SOLiD3, revealed that among 38 IFN genes registered, only two transcripts, IFNT1 and IFNTc1, were found in conceptuses during early pregnancy. Also, to identify a transcription factor(s) involved in the regulation of IFNT genes, mRNAs for various known transcription factors were investigated by real-time PCR in conceptus tissues, respectively. Furthermore, compared to the IFNT genes, IFNT1 and IFNTc1 had same active levels, which were previously shown to correlate with the appearance of effective antiviral activity. However, the expression levels of these Luc activities differed. Bovine ear fibroblast (EF) cells were cotransfected with luciferase reporter constructs carrying upstream (–631 to -51) promoter regions of IFNT1 or IFNTc1 and various transcription factor expression plasmids, CDX2, AP1(JUN), ETS2 and/or cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CREBBP). CDX2, either alone with the other 2 transcription factors, was found to increase luciferase activity approximately 14- and 11-folds, respectively. The degree of transcriptional activation of the IFNTc1 gene was not similar to that IFNT1 gene by AP1, ETS2 or/and CREBBP, expression plasmid. These results suggest that two isoforms of bovine conceptus IFNT genes are regulated differently in conceptuses during early pregnancy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of treating dairy cattle with exogenous human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), five (5) days post artificial insemination (AI) on serum progesterone (P4) concentration and pregnancy rate. In this experiment, five days after AI, cows were assigned randomly to two groups namely: a) treated group (67) which were administrered with 1500 IU hCG (Chorulon) and b) control group (61), which received no treatment. On day 5, 10, 15 and 20 after the artificial insemination, blood samples from a total of 8 cows (4 from each group) were collected and were analyzed for serum P4 concentration. Cows were detected for estrus according to standing heat by visual observation. Cows that were detected still in estrus after days 18-24 were re-inseminated and recorded as not pregnant (open). Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted by ultrasonographic examination and transrectal palpation of the uterus on approximately 60 days in cows that observed to be not in estrus. The conception rate in hCG treated and control groups were 52.5 and 36.1%, respectively. The results proved that there were no significant differences in conception rate between two groups (p=0.0568). However, pregnancy rates were reduced by hCG treatment. Average serum P4 concentrations did not differ between Hcg-treated and control groups on day 5 (0.377 versus 0.375 ng/ml). On day 20 serum P4 concentrations were greater in the treated group compared with the control group (3.085 versus 2.010 ng/ml). The treatment with hCG seemed to increase P4 level compared with the control. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that 1500 IU of hCG administered on 5 day post AI increased conception rate in dairy cows. This was supported by the results on serum P4 concentration which was greater in hCG treated group.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of respiratory exercise on cardiopulmonary function and muscle activity of rectus abdominis in smokers and non-smokers with elderly people. All the participants were older than 65 years, and twenty non-smokers, and twenty smokers participated. Non-smokers and smokers were randomly divined into 10 feedback breathing exercises (FBE) and a balloonblowing exercise (BBE) group. The FBE and the BBE were performed three times a week for four weeks. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and vital capacity (VC) were measured as pulmonary function. EMG was used to measure the activity of the rectus abdominis. In the FBE and BBE groups, FEV1 was significantly lower in non-smokers compared to smokers at two and four weeks (p<.05), FEV1/FVC, PEF and VC were significantly lower in non-smokers compared to smokers to pre-test, two weeks, four weeks and six weeks (p<.05). Muscle activity of rectus abdominis was significantly difference in the BBE group at pre-test, two weeks, four weeks, and six weeks (p<.05). These results suggest that respiratory exercise was effective in improving pulmonary function and rectus muscle activity.

The purpose of this study compared the ability of feedback breathing training (FBT) and balloon blowing training to enhance the breathing of elderly people. The subjects were randomly and evenly divided into a feedback breathing training group (FBTG) and a balloon blowing training group (BBTG). Each group trained 3 times a week for 4 weeks, with the training suspended during the last 2 weeks. Pulmonary function measurements were obtained before the test and 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the test: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and vital capacity (VC). A repeatedmeasures ANOVA was conducted for the significance test. The FBT resulted in a significant increase in the FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and VC of the elderly smokers after 4 weeks and a significant decrease in the FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEF after 6 weeks. The BBT resulted in a significant increase in the FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and VC of the elderly smokers after 4 weeks and a significant decrease in the FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEF after 6 weeks. In conclusion, An at home breathing rehabilitation program, in addition to balloon blowing, could increase the breathing performance of elderly people.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of E. coli on boar sperm quality and reproductive performance in sows after artificial insemination. Three different levels of E. coli were artificially inoculated to semen with following concentrations; Control, 500, 5,000 and 50,000 colony forming unit (cfu)/ml. Semen samples were preserved at 17℃ for 5 days. Sperm motility was significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 3 in the group inoculated with 5,000cfu/ml compared to control groups. In all treatment groups, sperm motility was gradually decreased as storage time increased, but the decline pattern was more drastic in the groups inoculated with 5,000 and 50,000 cfu/ml groups from day 3 (p<0.05) compared to control group. After 3 day of storage at 17℃, sperm viability in sample inoculated with the highest concentration (50,000 cfu/ml) of bacteria was less (p<0.05) than that of control group. The pH of semen sample pH was maintained 7.2～7.5 in all groups during the experimental period. No differences (p>0.05) were found for both storage time and bacterial concentration. The pregnancy rate and live born piglets tend to decrease by increasing the concentration of E. coli in semen. In particular, the rate of pregnancy was lower in the group inoculated with 50,000 cfu/ml (58.3%) compare to the other groups (81.8, 75.0, 76.5%). These results suggest that the contamination of E. coli in boar semen negatively affects fertilizing ability of boar sperm and the reproductive performance obtained from sows after artificial insemination.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of auditory biofeedback training and kicking training on walking times in patients with hemiplegia to determine if the effects of such training would be maintained even after stopping the intervention. Thirty hemiplegia patients were selected and randomly assigned to a control group of 10 patients to receive general exercise treatment; an auditory biofeedback training group of 10 patients to receive auditory biofeedback training, along with general exercise; and a kicking training group to receive kicking training, along with general exercise. All the patients received their respective training 12 times in total, three times per week for four weeks. In addition, all those in the control and experimental groups received the same general exercise treatment 12 times in total, three times per week for four weeks, and underwent follow-up tests thereafter. The patients’10m walking times were measured using a stopwatch. The significance was analyzed using repeated-ANOVAs. In cases where there were interactions between measuring times and groups, in each group were examined using repeated-ANOVAs. In cases where there were differences, post-hoc tests were conducted using repeated of contrast test. The 10m walking times of the control and experimental groups were significant differences in 10m walking times were shown between measurement times(p<.05), and significant differences in the interactions between measuring times and groups were shown between the groups(p <.05). However, no significant differences in 10m walking times were shown between the groups(p>.05). The auditory biofeedback training group showed significant decreases in walking times four weeks after the beginning of the intervention(p<.05) and significant increases eight weeks after the beginning of the intervention(p<.05). The kicking training group showed significant decreases in walking time four weeks after the beginning of the intervention(p<.05) and maintained the walking times without showing any significant differences eight weeks after the beginning of the intervention(p>.05). The walking speeds of only the kicking training group were maintained until eight weeks after the beginning of the intervention.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of auditory biofeedback training and kicking training on walking times in patients with hemiplegia to determine if the effects of such training would be maintained even after stopping the intervention. Thirty hemiplegia patients were selected and randomly assigned to a control group of 10 patients to receive general exercise treatment; an auditory biofeedback training group of 10 patients to receive auditory biofeedback training, along with general exercise; and a kicking training group to receive kicking training, along with general exercise. All the patients received their respective training 12 times in total, three times per week for four weeks. In addition, all those in the control and experimental groups received the same general exercise treatment 12 times in total, three times per week for four weeks, and underwent follow-up tests thereafter. The patients’10m walking times were measured using a stopwatch. The significance was analyzed using repeated-ANOVAs. In cases where there were interactions between measuring times and groups, in each group were examined using repeated-ANOVAs. In cases where there were differences, post-hoc tests were conducted using repeated of contrast test. The 10m walking times of the control and experimental groups were significant differences in 10m walking times were shown between measurement times(p<.05), and significant differences in the interactions between measuring times and groups were shown between the groups(p <.05). However, no significant differences in 10m walking times were shown between the groups(p>.05). The auditory biofeedback training group showed significant decreases in walking times four weeks after the beginning of the intervention(p<.05) and significant increases eight weeks after the beginning of the intervention(p<.05). The kicking training group showed significant decreases in walking time four weeks after the beginning of the intervention(p<.05) and maintained the walking times without showing any significant differences eight weeks after the beginning of the intervention(p>.05). The walking speeds of only the kicking training group were maintained until eight weeks after the beginning of the intervention.

청둥오리의 압란유의 기능성 특성을 알아보기 위하여 흰쥐를 모델로 하여 streptozotocin(STZ)을 투여하여 당뇨병을 유발시킨 다음, 혈액 중의 당 농도, 지질의 변화 및 동맥경화 지표와의 상관관계를 검토하였고, 또한 Sarcoma-180을 쥐에 이식하여 이에 대한 항암 효과를 실험하였다. STZ로 당뇨병을 유발시킨 흰쥐를 청둥오리의 압란유를 15일간 투여하였던 바 혈중의 당 농도는 정상상태로 유지되었고 phospholipid 및 triglyceride의 함량은 STZ를 처리한 압란유의 경우에는 증가하였으나, STZ 처리군에 압란유를 투여하였을 때 감소되었다. 혈중 total cholesterol, LDL+VLDL의 cholesterol 및 동맥경화의 지표는 STZ 처리군에서는 증가하였으나, 시료를 150㎎/㎏ 투여시에는 감소하였다. 한편 Sarcoma-180에 대한 성장억제율은 압란유를 150㎎/㎏ 투여시 63.89%로 나타났고 수명연장 실험에서는 압란유의 경우 15.4%로 나타났다.

최근 기후변화와 도시화로 인한 수재해 문제가 증가하고 있으며, 이에 대응방안인 저영향개발(Low-Impact Development, LID) 기법에 관한 연구가 확대되고 있다. LID 기법은 도시 내의 우수유출수를 저감시켜 다양한 수재해 문제를 친환경적으로 제어하고, 도시 개발 이전의 물순환 체계로 회복시키는 기술이다. 하지만 LID 기법에 관한 정량적 데이터가 부족한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 저류형 LID 기술인 식생화분(Planter Box)의 Curve Number (CN)값을 산정하여, 물순환(침투, 유출, 월류수) 분석을 실시하였다. Planter Box의 물순환 분석에 관한 강우강도 시나리오(60.4 mm/hr, 83.1 mm/hr, 97.4 mm/hr, 108.2 mm/hr)는 부산시 확률강우강도표(2010)를 이용하여 선정하였다. 실험 결과는 건물화분3 (BPB-3)과 거리화분3(SPB-3)에서 우수저류율이 각각 43.5%∼52.9%, 33.4%∼39.0%로 나타났다. 또한 BPB-3에서 CN값은 평균 83이 산출되었고, Horton 침투능 곡선식 적용에 따른 우수유출효과는 17%∼96%로 나타났다.

Research Institute (HARI), NTCS, RDA, in 2004. This cultivar has a short grain shape and about 123 days growth duration from trans-planting to harvesting under the reclaimed saline area of the south-western and the mid-western coastal plain and Honam plai