Metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride), derived from French lilac (Galega officinalis), is a first-line anti-diabetic drug prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the role of metformin in odontoblastic cell differentiation is still unclear. This study therefore undertook to examine the effect of metformin on regulating odontoblast differentiation in MDPC-23 mouse odontoblastic cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells. As compared to controls, metformin significantly accelerated the mineralization, significantly increased and accelerated the expressions of ALP and Col I mRNAs, and significantly increased the accelerated expressions of DSPP and DMP-1 mRNAs, during differentiation of MDPC-23 cells. There was no alteration in cell proliferation of MDPC-23 cells, on exposure to metformin. These results suggest that the effect of metformin on MDPC-23 mouse odontoblastic cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells, facilitates the odontoblast differentiation and mineralization, without altering the cell proliferation.

Due to their environmental and economical consequences, invasive species have become a major concern worldwide. Among them, the yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, is a keen hunter of domestic honeybees. They use olfactory cues from the prey to assess food information. In this study, we investigated the attraction behavior of V. velutina to honeybee pheromone under outdoor conditions. Nine honeybee pheromones were tested and compared in order to find the best attractant. When testing specific compounds, the honeybee queen pheromone, homovanillyl alcohol, proved highly attractive.

Pseudococcus orchidicola and Pseudococcus longispinus, a notorious cosmopolitan pest species of mealybugs, known to be distributed indoors in Korea. The effect of temperature on the development of P. orchidicola and P. longispinus was studied. The duration of nymphal period of the two mealybugs at 24 and 28℃ have been recorded. Developmental duration of P. longispinus was longer than P. orchidicola in both females and males. The adult longevity was estimated to 74.9 and 91.1 days at 24℃ for P. orchidicola and P. longispinus, respectively. The average fecundity per female was greater at 28℃. The survival of P. orchidicola and P. longispinus during winter at outdoor was failed.

Ethyl formate (EF) and phosphine (PH3) is an alternative fumigant to methyl bromide (MB). For applying import sweet pumpkins in Korea, the efficacy of EF and PH3 was evaluated on Tetranychus urticae adult and egg stage which is pest in sweet pumpkins. The eggs of T. urticae were more tolerance than adults in both EF and PH3. When T. urticae eggs were treated with EF for 4 hrs, LCT99=107.63 mg/L and LCT99=45.37 mg/L at 5°C and 20°C, respectively. PH3 treatment at 5°C and 20°C for 24 hrs, eggs were controlled LCT99=49.44 mg/L and LCT99=17.23 mg/L, respectively. The mixed treatment of EF and PH3 showed no significant synergistic effect on T. urticae. However, EF (80 mg/L) and PH3 (4 mg/L) treatment did not cause any external phytotoxicity damages in sweet pumpkin even when treated with the maximum amount of fumigant at 5℃ and 20℃ for 24hrs.

Ethyl formate (EF) and phosphine (PH3) is an alternative fumigant to methyl bromide (MB). The egg, nymph, and adult stages of Frankliniella occidentalis in asparagus were examined for the fumigation activity of EF and PH3. The eggs of F. occidentalis were more tolerance than other stages (adults and nymphs) in both EF and PH3. When the EF was treated for 4 hrs at 5℃ and 20℃, the eggs of F. occidentalis were LCT99=98.70 mg/L and LCT99=61.13 mg/L, and adults were LCT99=11.50 mg/L and LCT99=3.18 mg/L, respectively. However, at 5℃ and 20℃, the eggs were LCT99=83.76 mg/L and LCT99=53.6 mg/L, and adults were LCT99=4.58 mg/L and LCT99=3.44 mg/L, respectively for 4 hrs treatment of PH3. The PH3 was not any external phytotoxic damages at the maximum dose (4 mg/L), but the EF caused significant phytotoxicity in asparagus.

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, is a globally distributed and important economic pest. Chemical control is the primary approach to regulate populations of this pest. Chlorantraniliprole is the first commercial insecticide that belongs to the new chemical class of diamide insecticides. In this study, the resistant strain was observed 1578-fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole. Point mutation (G4946E) in ryanodine receptor (RyR) showed a high frequency. Enzyme assays indicated that glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the resistant strain was 2.4 times higher compared with the susceptible strain, whereas no difference was seen for P450 and esterase. In addition, the expression of two GSTs genes was up-regulated. These findings pave the way for the complete understanding of the mechanisms of diamide insecticides resistance in insects.

Dermanyssus gallinae is parasitic to chicken, and they cause many damages such as disturbing sleep reducing for body weight and egg production by blood-sucking. To develop acaricide against D. gallinae, The acaricidal activity of 40 species plant extract were examined. Cnidium officinale extracted by Me-OH showed 82.0% acaricidal activity after treated 48 hrs at 4,000 ppm. The hexane fraction showed 92.4% mortality against D. gallinae at 48 hrs at 2,000 ppm. Purification of the biologically active constituents from the hexane extraction with acaricidal activity was done using silica gel open column chromatography and HPLC. H1122 fraction gave 80.9% mortality to D. gallinae at 400 ppm after treated 48 hrs. H1122 fraction was analyzed by GC-MS and NMR.

Anthricin (Deoxypodophyllotoxin), a naturally occurring flavolignan, has well known anti-cancer properties in several cancer cells, such as prostate cancer, cervical carcinoma and pancreatic cancer. However, the effects of Anthricin are currently unknown in oral cancer. We examined the anticancer effect and mechanism of action of Anthricin in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Our data showed that Anthricin inhibits cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner (IC50 50 nM) in the MTT assay and Live & Dead assay. In addition, Anthricin treated FaDu cells showed marked apoptosis by DAPI stain and FACS. Furthermore, Anthricin activates anti-apoptotic factors such as caspase-3, -9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), suggesting that caspase-mediated pathways are involved in Anthricin- induced apoptosis. Anthricin treatment also leads to accumulation of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax, followed by inhibition of cell growth. Taken together, these results indicate that Anthricn-induced cell death of human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells is mediated by mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. In summary, our findings provide a framework for further exploration on Anthricin as a novel chemotherapeutic drug for human oral cancer.

Tyrosol, a phenylethanoid and a derivative of phenethyl alcohol, possesses various biological properties, such as anti-oxidative and cardioprotective activity. Olive oil is the principal source of tyrosol in the human diet. However, so far the anti-cancer activity of tyrosol has not yet been well defined. This study therefore undertakes to examine the cytotoxic activity and the mechanism of cell death exhibited by tyrosol in KB human oral cancer cells. Treatment of KB cells with tyrosol induced the cell growth inhibition in a concentration- and a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the treatment of tyrosol induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation of KB cells. Tyrosol also promoted proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8 and –9, increasing the amounts of cleaved caspase-3, -7, -8 and –9. In addition, tyrosol increased the levels of cleaved PARP in KB cells. These results suggest that tyrosol induces the suppression of cell growth and cell apoptosis in KB human oral cancer cells, and is therefore a potential candidate for anti-cancer drug discovery.

This study investigated the antidiabetic effect of amaranth grain ethanol extract (AEE) in a diabetic animal model, db/db mouse. The mice were divided into 4 groups: normal control mice (C57BL/6J), diabetic mice (C57BL/6J db/db), diabetic mice fed a lower concentration of AEE (0.3 mg/kg), and diabetic mice fed a higher concentration of AEE (0.5 mg/kg). After 10 weeks of treatment, body weights, blood insulin levels and blood glucose levels of each group were compared. At the end of treatment, the results showed that both AEE supplemented groups had lower body weights than those in the diabetic groups although higher than those in the normal groups. Moreover, in both AEE supplemented groups, serum insulin levels were higher and blood glucose levels were lower than those in the diabetic groups although both values were higher than those in the normal groups. The results of this study suggest that AEE can alleviate many of the common symptoms of diabetes in diabetic mice and, therefore, has potential as a therapeutic supplement for normalization of blood glucose and insulin levels in humans.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Maitland mobilization and Kaltenborn-Evjenth mobilization on the SLR angle. Subjects randomly divided into Kaltenborn-Evjenth group(n=8) and Maitland group(n=7). The mean height, age, body weight was 176.00±5.10 cm, 22.75±1.83 years, 72.63±10.65 kg respectively in Kaltenborn-Evjenth group. The mean height, age, body weight was 175.00±5.60 cm, 22.29 ±3.68 years, 78.00±12.36 kg respectively in Maitland group. Hip joint accessary movements with Grade Ⅲ or IV were applied depend on the patient’s condition to the restricted direction for 1 minute each set, and performed 5 set in a Maitland group. Hip joint anteroposterior gliding with Grade Ⅲ were applied 60 for 1 minutes each set, and performed 5 set in a Kaltenborn-Evjenth group. The angle of first pain was referred to as P1 and subjects were pointed out that they could not bend the knee anymore, then examiner measure SLR angle. The SLR was significantly increased in the Maitland group compared to the Kaltenborn- Evjenth group after intervention(p<.05). In a within group difference, SLR significantly increased in the both groups(p<.05). These results indicated that Maitland mobilization could be recommended the excellent technique to increase the hip flexion in patient with hip hypo-mobility.

Zika virus, mosquito-borne disease, caused by mosquitoes has been increased the importance. From March to September, twice a month from 7 different points (3 residential areas, 3 migratory bird sanctuary and 1 cattle shed) were collected using BG trap and BL trap. After identifying the mosquitoes collected, we confirmed the virus infection. Total 26,531 mosquitoes (6 genus 9 species) were collected, virus has been detected from the 3 species (Aedes vexans, Cuilex tritaeniorhynchus, and Amigeres subalbatus) of mosquitoes of them. It showed the highest peak in August, and then gradually decreased. The most common mosquito species was collected Aedes vexan (16,637) in the cattle shed.

Zika virus has become a problem in the world recently. Zika virus is spread by several different species of Aedes mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus is one of them. The Asian tiger mosquito, Ae. albopictus, is already inhabit the Korea. Therefore, control of this mosquito is very important and urgently needed. Environmental friendly control methods to a change in the recognition of people have been desired. Essential oils and plant extracts may use an alternative method to control the mosquitoes. This study describes about the insecticidal and repellent against Ae. albopictus using plant materials.

β-carotene is present in carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. It suppresses many types of cancers by regulating cellular proliferation and apoptosis through a variety of mechanisms. However, the effects of β -carotene on oral cancer cells have not been clearly established. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effects of β-carotene on cell growth and apoptosis in oral cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that treatment with β-carotene induced inhibition of cell growth, and that the effect was dependent on β-carotene treatment time and concentration in KB cells. Furthermore, treatment with β-carotene induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in KB cells. β-carotene promoted proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8 and –9 with associated increases in the concentration of cleaved caspase-3, -7, -8 and –9. In addition, the level of cleaved PARP was increased by β-carotene treatment in KB cells. These results suggest that β-carotene can suppress cell growth and induce apoptosis in KB human oral cancer cells, and that it may have potential usefulness in anti-cancer drug discovery efforts.

Bacterial fruit blotch(BFB) of cucurbits caused by Acidovorax citrulli(Acc) continues to diminish fruit yields. The aim of this study was to address whether two genetically distinct populations of Acc are present in watermelon-growing fields in Korea. For this purpose, we used the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction(ERIC-PCR) profiling and substrate-utilization profiles. According to the results of ERIC-PCR, group I and II strains showed clearly differentiated PCR-based fingerprinting profiles. Differences between group I and II strains included amplification of unique, group-specific DNA fragments such as the 1.3-, 0.28-, and 0.25-kb fragments in ERIC-PCR. Acc stains belonging to group I did not use L-leucine, whereas group II strains did use the substrate. Our results support the genetic differentiation of Acc strains into two groups and demonstrate that Acc strains from both groups are previously existed in watermelon-growing fields in Korea. Information about the genetic diversity of Acc under the present study will help scientists and managers form strategies to control BFB.

The two spotted mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a global pest, and has developed severe resistance to several types of acaricides. This study compared the development in susceptible (S) and acequinocyl, bifenazate, pyridaben, abamectin and etoxazole-resistant (AcR, BR, PR, AbR and ER) strains of T. urticae by X-ray irradiation. When eggs were irradiated with 100 Gy, the egg hatching was completely inhibited in all strains. When nymphs were irradiated with 200 Gy, their hatching was completely inhibited in all strains. When adults were irradiated, the fecundity and egg hatching was decreased at 150 Gy and above, and hatchability of F1 generation was completely inhibited at 300 Gy in all strains. Adult longevity was slightly increase at 150 Gy and above. In addition, we performed quantitative real-time PCR on several genes. To examine the difference of all strains on radiation stress-induced gene expression, we performed quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) of several known stress-induced genes.

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are major pests of a wide range of crops and ornamental plants worldwide, and represented by 56 species in Korea. Occurrence of, or damage by, the longtailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus Targioni-Tozzetti has not been reported since 2002. However, for the first time in many years, P. longispinus was reported at Phalaenopsis orchids by Kim et al in 2015. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the distribution of P. longispinus which is usually found inside a greenhouse or a building where the host plants are. We have collected 129 mealybug samples at 254 sites from Korea. Among these, 27 of P. longispinus and 62 of an unidentified Pseudococcus species were found mainly in ornamental plants such as Heteropanax fragrans, commonly known as happy trees in Korea. Morphological characteristics of the unidentified mealybug were very similar to those of P. longispinus. However, the genetic variability in COI sequence comparison was significantly different between the two species. Further studies are needed to clarify the valid name for this unidentified species, and we are currently working on it.

Although expression of foreign genes in a crop species has been target techniques for powerful protection against insect pests, classical breeding programs using varietal resistance of a crop are still being processed. It is, however, frequently difficult to find key products expressed from resistance-related genes in the variety, and those action mechanism. Here, an unterminated story about seed of a mungbean (Vigna radiata) variety with high resistance against the adzuki bean weevil and the bean bug is introduced. The two insects cannot survive on seeds of the variety, although they well develop on susceptible ones. Molecular markers linked to the resistance were selected through BAC library screening and near isogenic lines, and finally a bruchid resistance gene was suggested after map-based cloning approaches. Starvation and chemicals were suggested for a resistant mechanism and a related factor through feeding and behavior experiments, respectively. The seed flour was extracted with organic solvents, and isolated into several fractions on chromatography. Several peaks on HPLC in a fraction were related with the high mortality of the bean bug. A partial structure in an isolated chemical was observed before full identification.