Despite its historical association with oppression, fear, and marginalized femininity, modern reinterpretations of the figure of the witch position it as a symbolic entity combining historical context and literary imagination. This study analyzes contemporary fashion designs that incorporate witch imagery, focusing on the designs' representational methods and aesthetic characteristics. It includes a literature review examining evolving perceptions of witches across different eras as well as visual and formal analyses of post-2010 fashion collections, using image and text materials from Showstudio.com and other online sources. In various realms of visual culture–including art, film and drama, advertising, product design, and halloween costumes–the image of the witch is no longer confined to traditional iconography. Instead, it is continuously reimagined, taking on expanded and multifaceted meanings that attest to its unique and evolving nature. This study identifies two primary expressive types: direct iconographic appropriation, employing traditional motifs such as pointed hats, black cloaks, and pentacles; and metaphorical suggestion, using dark tones, deconstructed silhouettes, and layered styling to imply the witch's essence. The analyses also highlight three aesthetic characteristics: empowered sensuality, expressed through sheer fabrics and dramatic makeup; supernatural mysticism, combining natural and occult symbols; and uncanny playfulness, which subverts traditional motifs through fantasy and humor. Ultimately, the witch in contemporary fashion serves as both a stylistic code and a visual signifier of cultural narrative and identity. This reimagining has contributed to the development of new aesthetic systems in fashion and broadened the visual culture and design innovation discourse.

Baicalin is known to exhibit neuroprotective effects during brain injury through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. Moreover, γ-enolase is specifically expressed in nerve cells and exhibits neuroprotective properties. In this study, we investigated whether baicalin regulates γ-enolase expression in an moddle cerebral artery occulsion (MCAO)-induced brain injury model. Adult male rats were intraperitoneally injected with baicalin (100 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) immediately after right MCAO surgery. Neurological behavior tests were performed 24 hours after surgery and brain water content was evaluated. Right cortical tissue was collected. Western blot analysis were conducted to elucidate γ-enolase expression in MCAO animals treated with baicalin. In addition, γ-enolase expression was analyzed using immunofluorescence staining. MCAO animals administered PBS displayed severe behavioral impairments and edema, whereas baicalin administration alleviated these disorders, demonstrating the protective effects of baicalin against ischemic damage. Western blot analysis results showed that MCAO-induced damage decreased γ-enolase expression, and baicalin treatment mitigated this reduction. These findings were confirmed through immunofluorescence staining. Since γ-enolase is known to contribute to neuroprotective effects, these results suggest that baicalin alleviates neurobehavioral impairments in stroke animals and exerts neuroprotective effects by attenuating the decline in γ-enolase expression caused by brain injury. In conclusion, we demonstrated that baicalin regulates γ-enolase expression during cerebral ischemic damage.

본 연구는 무용을 기반으로 한 연극과 사진을 활용한 문화예술교육 프 로그램 참여가 성인 발달장애인의 자율성, 자기표현, 사회적 행동에 미치 는 효과를 분석하였다. 이를 위해 G시 인재평생교육진흥원과 A대학교가 협업하여 진행한 장애인 문화예술교육 특화 프로그램에 참여한 성인 발달 장애인 10명을 대상으로 연구를 진행하였다. 연구방법은 양적연구와 수업 관찰 및 면담조사 등의 질적 연구를 병행한 혼합분석방법을 활용하였다. 연구결과, 무용 기반 연극과 사진을 활용한 문화예술 프로그램이 성인 발달장애인의 자율성, 자기표현, 사회적 행동에 긍정적인 효과가 있음을 확인하였다. 구체적인 내용을 살펴보면 첫째, ‘참여 정도’, ‘적극적인 표 현과 반응’, ‘창작 활동의 적극성’이 긍정적으로 변화하며 스스로 결정하 고 행동하는 자율성이 향상되는 모습을 확인하였다. 둘째, ‘표현 거부’와 ‘소극적인 표현’에서 점차 ‘적극적인 표현’, ‘망설임 없는 표현’, ‘자유로운 표 현’ 으로 변화되는 모습을 통해 자기표현이 향상됨을 확인하였다. 셋째, 상대방 행동에 ‘적극적인 반응’과 ‘경청’하는 태도를 보였고, ‘적극적인 팀 활동’, ‘협동 심’, ‘양보’, ‘배려’, ‘자신의 감정 통제’ 등이 긍정적으로 변화하는 모습을 확인하였다. 본 연구의 결과를 기반으로 장애인의 자율성, 자기표현, 사 회적 행동 촉진을 위한 문화예술교육의 방향을 시사점으로 제안하였다.

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) is an annual forage crop widely cultivated across the globe for its excellent nutritional value and high productivity. Despite its importance, studies on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in its morphogenesis remain limited. In this study, we employed a high-yielding mutant line developed through radiation mutagenesis to identify candidate genes associated with morphogenesis, focusing on Expansins (EXPs), GRFs (Growth regulating factors), GIFs (GRF-interacting factors), and growth hormone-related genes. RT-qPCR primers were designed, and differential gene expression analysis was performed. Gene expression was assessed in the leaves of seedlings at one to three weeks of age, comparing the control cultivar 'Kowinearly' with the mutant line. Expression patterns fell into four distinct categories: (1) genes consistently exhibiting lower expression in the mutant line across all developmental stages; (2) genes showing persistently low expression in the mutant, while the control displayed a sharp increase at early stages followed by a decline; (3) genes with low expression in the control but a marked early-stage increase in the mutant; and (4) genes with decreasing expression over time in the mutant, contrasting with gradually increasing expression in the control. These expression profiles highlight Actin and GRF6 as Group 1 genes, AXR1 (Auxin-resistant protein 1) and EXPB6 (c) as Group 2 genes, PEVMPP1 (Pyrophosphate-energized vacuolar membrane proton pump 1) as a Group 3 gene, and EF1A (Elongation factor 1-alpha) as a Group 4 gene, all of which are key candidate genes for the development of high-yielding Italian ryegrass cultivars.

Growth is a fundamental and vital characteristic of abalone, regulated by both cell number and size, and modulated by growth-related genes. The mollusk-like growth factor (MLGF) is a secreted protein that plays a key role in the growth and development of Pacific abalone. In this study, the growth-specific expression of Hdh-MLGF were analyzed under different conditions commonly encountered by Pacific abalone in aquaculture systems. The expression of Hdh-MLGF varied significantly with growth patterns, showed higher expression in rapid-growing individuals and lower expression in slow-growing abalone. Under starvation conditions, Hdh-MLGF expression was downregulated as the duration of starvation progressed. Under thermal stress, Hdh-MLGF expression increased during the first 12 hours at 25 °C stress. However, at 30 °C, the highest expression was recorded after 6 hours of thermal stress. These results provide valuable insights for future research on this growth factor in abalone and its aquaculture management.

Maca has been reported to alleviate male menopause symptoms in humans and experimental animals; however, its mechanism of action in improving male menopause has not been clearly identified. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of gelatinized maca in improving male menopause by analyzing serum testosterone, testicular androgen receptor (AR) expression, and testicular oxidation-antioxidation balance. Gelatinized maca was administered orally to aged male C57BL/6 mice at three doses (500, 1,000, and 1,500 mg/kg/day) for 28 consecutive days. Serum biochemical analysis showed an increase in serum hydroxysteroid 17-beta-dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17β13) concentration at 1,500 mg/kg/day and a decrease in serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentration at ≥ 1,000 mg/kg/day. Gelatinized maca administration also resulted in the increased expression levels of testicular AR and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) at 1,500 mg/kg/day. Oxidative stress analysis showed an increase in testicular superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities and a decrease in testicular malondialdehyde at 1,500 mg/kg/day. In conclusion, gelatinized maca administration to aged male mice increased HSD17β13, AR and CREB expression, and antioxidant capacity and decreased serum SHBG. The results of the present study suggest that gelatinized maca may be a useful substance that can help alleviate male menopause symptoms.

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a globally important food crop susceptible to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) infection, which causes significant crop losses. Previous transcriptome and proteome analyses have identified several genes that show differential expression patterns in susceptible and resistant cultivars in response to root-knot nematode (RKN) infection. Among the genes responsive to this process, sporamin (SPO) genes were identified as the most abundant in the transcriptome analysis, and additional changes in the expression of SPO genes that showed specific responses to RKN infection were identified during nematode infection. In this study, we used SPO genes used in previous studies to identify expression patterns under various abiotic stress conditions. The expression of four SPO genes in sweetpotato leaves was investigated under conditions of drought, high salt, and stress-related chemicals treatment. The expression of G13675/TU22356, G34367/TU56356, and G34382/TU56395 increased similarly under dehydration and chemicals treatment conditions. On the other hand, G34367/TU56358 was constantly expressed during the stress treated conditions. This study is expected to be used as basic data on how the gene for the major protein SPO of sweetpotato responds to various abiotic stress conditions as well as nematode infection.

Background: South Korea has recently faced record-high temperatures, which have adversely affected dairy production. Holstein cows, the primary dairy breed globally, are particularly sensitive to heat stress. In contrast, Jersey cows have shown greater heat tolerance, as demonstrated by phenotypic studies. Methods: We investigated physiological and molecular responses to heat stress in Holstein and Jersey cows by measuring rectal temperature, milk yield, and average daily gain, confirming Holstein cows’ greater vulnerability. To explore molecular mechanisms, we analyzed circulating microRNA profiles from whole blood samples collected under heat stress and normal conditions using microRNA-sequencing. Differential expression patterns were compared between the two breeds to identify biological pathways associated with heat stress. Results: Four microRNAs (bta-miR-20b, bta-miR-1246, bta-miR-2284x, and bta-miR- 2284y) were significantly differentially expressed in both breeds under heat stress (|FC| ≥ 2, p < 0.05). Notably, bta-miR-20b and bta-miR-1246 were linked to corpus luteum function and progesterone biosynthesis, while bta-miR-2284x and bta-miR- 2284y were associated with immune responses. A comparison of 11 potential heat stress-related microRNAs identified in previous studies of Holstein cows revealed consistent expression trends in Jersey cows, albeit with lower fold changes, suggesting their superior heat resilience. Conclusions: Our study highlights the physiological and microRNA-based differences in heat stress responses between Holstein and Jersey cows. Jersey cows exhibited greater resilience, supported by more stable microRNA expression profiles and improved heat stress indicators, making them a promising breed for dairy production in increasingly hot climates.

이 연구는 여고생을 대상으로 외모관심도와 자기표현 욕구가 자아존중감 및 외모관리행동에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 자 기기입식 설문조사 방법을 통해 이루어졌다. 조사 기간은 2024년 8월 1일부터 2024년 9월 20일까지 설문조사를 실시하였으며, 유효표본 200부를 최종 분석자료로 활용하였고 리커트 5점 척도 를 사용하였다. 첫째, 여고생의 외모 관심도와 자기표현 욕구는 모두 자아존중 감에 유의미한 정(+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타나 외모관심도 와 자기표현 욕구가 높을수록 자아존중감도 높아지는 것으로 볼 수 있었다. 둘째, 여고생의 자기표현 욕구가 외모관리행동에 유의미한 정 (+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타나 자기표현 욕구가 높을수록 외모관리행동도 높아지는 것으로 볼 수 있었다. 셋째, 여고생의 자아존중감이 외모관리행동에 유의미한 정(+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타나 자아존중감이 높을수록 외모관리행 동도 높아지는 것으로 볼 수 있었다. 이상의 결과를 볼 때, 부모나 교육자는 여고생들이 외모관리행 동에 대한 올바른 판단하에 외모관심과 자기표현을 과하거나 지 나치지 않게 표출하여 자아존중감 및 외모관리를 할 수 있도록 지도하여야만 할 것이다. 결론적으로 여고생들은 질풍노도의 사춘기 단계에 있고 감정조 절이 미숙하기 때문에 자기표현 단계에서 부정적인 감정에 휘말 릴 수 있으며, 따라서 부모나 교육자는 솔직한 감정을 표출할 수 있는 열린 자세로 외모에 대한 건강한 인식과 올바른 개념을 정 립할 수 있도록 도와야 할 것이다.