Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a calcium permeable channel expressed in primary sensory neurons, induces the release of glutamate from their central and peripheral afferents during normal acute and pathological pain. However, little information is available regarding the glutamate release mechanism associated with TRPV1 activation in primary sensory neurons. To address this issue, we investigated the expression of vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) in TRPV1-immunopositive (+) neurons in the rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) under normal and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain conditions using behavioral testing as well as double immunofluorescence staining with antisera against TRPV1 and VGLUT1 or VGLUT2. TRPV1 was primarily expressed in small and medium-sized TG neurons. TRPV1+ neurons constituted approximately 27% of all TG neurons. Among all TRPV1+ neurons, the proportion of TRPV1+ neurons coexpressing VGLUT1 (VGLUT1+/ TRPV1+ neurons) and VGLUT2 (VGLUT2+/TRPV1+ neurons) was 0.4% ± 0.2% and 22.4% ± 2.8%, respectively. The proportion of TRPV1+ and VGLUT2+ neurons was higher in the CFA group than in the control group (TRPV1+ neurons: 31.5% ± 2.5% vs. 26.5% ± 1.2%, VGLUT2+ neurons: 31.8% ± 1.1% vs. 24.6% ± 1.5%, p < 0.05), whereas the proportion of VGLUT1+, VGLUT1+/TRPV1+, and VGLUT2+/TRPV1+ neurons did not differ significantly between the CFA and control groups. These findings together suggest that VGLUT2, a major isoform of VGLUTs, is involved in TRPV1 activation-associated glutamate release during normal acute and inflammatory pain.

There exists very little information on the ultrastructure of substance P immunopositive (+) fibers in the human dental pulp, which may help in understanding the mechanism for substance P associated pulpal inflammatory pain. To address this issue, we investigated the presence of substance P+ fibers in the human dental pulp by light- and electron-microscopic immunohistochemistry. Light microscopy revealed that substance P+ fibers ran within neurovascular bundles in the radicular pulp and in the core of coronal pulp. They were also frequently present in the peripheral pulp. Substance P+ fibers showed beads like swellings interconnected by thin axonal strand, in a manner similar to bouton en passants and interconnecting axonal strand in the spinal cord. Electron microscopy revealed that almost all the substance P+ axons were unmyelinated. The axonal swellings of the substance P+ contained numerous clear round vesicles (40-50 nm in diameter) and many large dense-cored vesicles (80-110 nm in diameter) as well as many mitochondria. The vesicles and mitochondria were rarely observed in the thin axonal strand interconnecting the swellings. Intimate interrelationship or synaptic structure between the swellings of substance P+ axon and nearby pulpal cells or axons was not found. These findings suggest co-release of substance P and glutamate from the substance P+ pulpal axons and its action on nearby structures in a paracrine manner.

Human mouth environment is known to include a variety bacteria, including Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Actinomyces spp., Lactobacillus spp., Candida spp., Enterobacteriaceae, et al. Human oral microorganisms can cause dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, respiratory tract infection, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, right denture cleaning is essential to oral and general human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effect of a sodium dichloroisocyanurate-based effervescent tablet (Aos Denti Germ, Aos Company, Chungbuk, Korea) against oral microorganisms. A total of 5 species Streptococcus spp. (Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, and Streptococcus sobrinus), Actinomyces oris, Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli were used in this study. All strains were exposed to the distilled water prepared with effervescent tablet. After the exposure, the mixture of strains and effervescent tablet was inoculated onto blood agar or MacConkey agar plate and cultured at 36℃. All strains were killed immediately on exposure to effervescent tablet. The results suggested that effervescent tablet could be used as an effective denture cleanser for dental hygiene.

Entomopathogenic fungi are natural enemies of insects and contribute to the regulation of their host populations. Numerous fungal species have been isolated from their respective hosts or environmental conditions such as soil and used as pest control agents for a long time in many countries. Recently, the isolation and characterization of native entomopathogenic fungi are essential for gaining insight into the naturally occurring fungal biodiversity of a specific region and to providing a pool of potential biological control agents for pest control purposes. Moreover, exotic strains of entomopathogenic fungi that have been developed for use as pest control agents in a different country could be ineffective due to strain and environmental differences. Therefore, investigating the occurrence and distribution of native entomopathogenic fungi is critical for their use as pest control agents in a given location. Here, we report the isolation, distribution and characterization of entomopathogenic fungi from soils in Korea to establish a pool. During infection against insects, entomopathogenic fungi produce various enzymes, protein toxins and secondary metabolites to overcome host defenses and ultimately kill the host, and to defend host resources against competing pathogens and saprophytes. These metabolites exhibit a wide variety of insecticidal, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and antiviral activities, and they have been suggested as potential candidates for the development of new bioactive agents. Entomopathogenic fungi isolated from Korean soils were also evaluated for these additional roles besides pathogenicity.

Aquaporin (AQP) 3, a facilitated transporter of water and glycerol, expresses in placenta and fetal membranes, but the detailed localization and function of AQP3 in placenta remain unclear. To elucidate a role of AQP3 in placenta, we defined the expression and cellular localization of AQP3 in placenta and fetal membranes, and investigated the structural and functional differences between wild-type and AQP3 null mice. Gestational sacs were removed during mid-gestational period and amniotic fluid was aspirated for measurements of volume and composition. Fetuses with attached placenta and fetal membranes were weighed and processed for histological assessment. AQP3 strongly expressed in basolateral membrane of visceral yolk sac cells of fetal membrane, the syncytiotrophoblasts of the labyrinthine placenta and fetal nucleated red blood cell membrane. Mice lacking AQP3 did not exhibit a significant defect in differentiation of trophoblast stem cells and normal placentation. However, AQP3 null fetuses were smaller than their control litter mates in spite of a decrease in litter size. The total amniotic fluid volume per gestational sac was reduced, but the amniotic fluid-to-fetal weight ratio was increased in AQP3 null mice compared with wild-type mice. Glycerol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels in amniotic fluid of AQP3 null mice were significantly reduced, whereas lactate level increased when compared to those of wild-type mice. These results suggest a role for AQP3 in supplying nutrients from yolk sac and maternal blood to developing fetus by facilitating transport of glycerol in addition to water, and its implication for the fetal growth in utero.

근접방사선치료는 일반적으로 외부방사선치료와 병행하여 수행되고 치료단계가 매우 복잡하며 이로 인 해 방사선 사고가 발생될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 이를 해결하기 위해 근접방사선치료에 사고유형과 영향 분석(Failure mode and effects analysis, FMEA) 방법을 적용하여 프로세스 맵을 구성하고 이를 기반으로 각 치료단계에 대한 위해도를 산출하였다. 프로세스 맵은 “외래 및 진료”와 “근접방사선 모의치료”, “CT 모의 치료”, “근접방사선치료계획”, “방사선치료”로 총 5단계로 구성하였으며, 각 치료단계를 세분화하여 세부단 계를 작성하였다. 위해도를 산출하기 위해 의사와 의학물리사, 선량설계사, 방사선사, 간호사가 참여하여 세부단계마다 발생빈도와 심각도, 불검출도를 평가하였다. 전반적으로 프로세스 맵은 각 치료단계마다 환 자 신원 확인 절차가 우선적으로 수행되며, 이는 다른 환자로 오인하여 서로 다른 치료계획이 수립되어 방 사선사고가 발생될 우려가 있다. 프로세스 맵을 기반으로 작성한 세부단계에 대해 위해도를 평가한 결과, 전반적으로 “외래 및 진료”와 “근접방사선치료계획” 과정이 높은 위해도로 평가되었다. 직종마다 평가한 위해도는 서로 다른 경향을 보였으며, 간호사는 방사선치료를 제외한 모든 과정이 55점 이상의 위해도를 보였으며, “근접방사선 모의치료” 과정이 88.8점으로 가장 높았다. 방사선치료를 수행하는 의료기관마다 치 료단계가 다소 차이가 있으므로 해당 기관에 대한 프로세스 맵을 작성하고 위해도를 산출하여 중점관리 항목을 집중적으로 리스크 관리가 수행되어야 할 것으로 생각된다.

The study aimed to evaluate the usability of sterile bag collection (SBC) urinalysis and urine culture for diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTI). Urine culture is key for diagnosing UTI, and transurethral catheterization (TUC) or suprapubic aspiration is recommended for non-toilet-trained children. Although urine testing using SBC is non-invasive and easy, UTI can be diagnosed only if other criteria including clinical symptoms and positive urinalysis results are met. This study included 228 infants who were hospitalized for unexplained fever from October 2015 to June 2016. TUC culture, SBC urinalysis, and urine culture were performed for all patients. UTI was diagnosed when the TUC culture results met the criterion of ≥104 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL. When UTI diagnosis was made based on SBC urine colony counts ≥105 CFU/mL, the false-positive and false-negative rates were 6.3% and 70.0%, respectively. When the criterion was set as ≥104 CFU/mL, they were 23.7% and 30.0%, respectively. When both the criteria of ≥105 CFU/mL and positive urinalysis results were met, the false-positive rate was 2.4%, and the false-negative rate was 80%. Our results suggest that diagnosing UTI using SBC urinalysis and urine culture is not useful in infants with unexplained fever.

Background : Despite the presence of various bioactive compounds in ginseng, there is lack of study on the variations of bioactive compounds in ginseng according to the cultivation of soil and the applied fertilizer types (or amount). Therefore, this study aims to examine the variations of 37 fatty acids (FA) and 8 vitamin E (Vit-E) vitamers in 6-year-old ginseng root cultivated in different soil types with different fertilizers regimes. Methods and Results : The profiling of 37 FAs and 8 Vit-E vitamers in 6-year-old ginseng roots was measured by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector, and then these results were statistically analyzed with chemometrics. The FA and Vit-E content in ginseng roots varied significantly with respect to soil cultivation conditions due to organic fertilizer types and amounts used. Unsaturated FA in ginseng is approximately 2.7 fold higher than the saturated FA. Linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids were the most abundant FAs found in the ginseng roots. Also, the major Vit-E vitamer found in ginseng root is α -tocopherol. In particular, the application of rice straw compost or food waste fertilizer was increased to create nutritionally-desirable FAs and bioactive Vit-E in ginseng root. In addition, phytonutrient profiling coupled with chemometrics can be used to discriminate the cultivation conditions of ginseng. Conclusion : This preliminary study extends our understanding about the variations of FA and Vit-E in ginseng root depending on cultivation conditions. Hence, these results can be useful as basic information for reliable ginseng production containing high amounts of phytonutrients in a paddy-converted field.

Reuse, recycling and recovery (3R) of industrial wastes are common and encouraging in Korea. Industrial symbiosis is one of typical methods for implementing 3R and has been defined as engaging “traditionally separate industries in a collective approach to competitive advantage involving physical exchange of materials, energy, water, and by-products”. The keys to industrial symbiosis are collaboration and the synergistic possibilities offered by geographic proximity. Recently, several countries in East Asia such as Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and China are promoting ‘designed’ symbiosis networks in various industrial complexes based on their national Eco-industrial Park (EIP) demonstration programs. Despite the recently promoted EIP initiatives worldwide, only very few studies furnish the operational and functional details of ‘designed’ industrial symbiosis networks, starting from the planning to implementation stage. The production of terephthalic acid (TPA) in Korea is 6.5 million ton based on 2011. The production of waste generated in the process of TPA is about 15,000 ton/yr and included useful materials like residue TPA as well as isophthalic acid (iPA), benzoic acid (BA) and p-toluic acid (p-TL). Until now, TPA waste was incinerated due to high caloric value. This study was conducted for recovery of valuable materials from industrial waste and utilization of recovered material as an example of Korean EIP. In this study, the experiment was performed to separate above four materials from the waste by solvent (methanol and water) extraction. The solubility of TPA (0.1g/100g) for methanol is relatively low compared to other materials. Also the solubility of BA (68g/L at 95℃) and p-TL (11.6g/L at 98℃) for water is relatively high in comparison with other materials. Finally, BA was separated from p-TL by molecular distillation system. The purity of recovered materials was analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (Waters Xevo TQ system). The recovery rate and purity of BA is 90% and 93%. The recovered BA could be recycled the companies which are produced plastic plasticizer and paints.

Anthocyanins are the primary pigments in black, blue, and purple cereal grains. Recently, anthocyanins have been recognized as health-enhancing substances due to their antioxidant activity. Anthocyanin-pigmented barley grains can be a stable source of anthocyanins as well as β-glucan. Cloered barley as purple, blue and black barley consumptions are rapidlly growing presently due to their healthy functional food ingredients in Korea. Color barley cultivars accumulate purple pigments in the stem, awn, lemma, palea, and pericarp during seed maturation. The large consumption of barley in human foods is almost pearled products. Here we investigated composition of pearled barley and pearling by-products of korean colored barley varieties by degree of pearling. Barley grains from four hull-less colored barley varieties, Zasoojeongchal, Boseokchal Ganghochung and Huknarae were pearled to various degrees(5-50%). The composition (β -glucan, total phenol, proanthocyanidin and total anthocyanin) of pearled barley fractions flour and pearled barley grain was determined. β-glucan content was not changed seriously in pearled barley grain according to increasing pearling degree. Total phenol and proanthocyanidin content was decreased. β-glucan content was increased in pearling by-products according to increasing pearling degree and total phenol and proanthocyanidin content was decreased. Total anthocyanin content also was decreased in pearled barley fractions flour by the degree of pearling.

Current consumers have interest in nutrition and health. So, the interest in barley for other food and industrial applications is increasing. Noodles, which have been consumed largely in korea, are usually made from wheat flour, salt and appropriate amount of water. A New Six-rowed Naked Barley Cultivar “Dahan” was developed in 2012, have high winter hardness, lodging tolerance and good noodle property. It was crossed in 2001, and an elit line was selected in 2010 and designated as ‘Iksan 106’. It showed good agronomic performance in the regional yield trials (RYT) from 2010 to 2012. The average heading and maturing dates of “Dahan” were April 29 and June 3 in paddy field, which were two day earlier than those of the check cultivar ‘Saessalbori’ respectively. The new cultivar, “Dahan”, had 92cm of culm length and 3.9cm of spike length. It showed 625 spikes per m2, 54 grains per spike, 31.3 g of 1,000-grain weight, and 815 g of test weight. “Dahan” showed better resistance to BaYMV (Barley yellow mosaic virus) than those of the check cultivar. Its average yield of the pearled grain in the regional yield trial was 4.32 MT/ha in paddy field, which were 16% higher than those of the check cultivar. It showed higher breakdown and setback than those of the check cultivar. Texture properties of noodle was better in hardness, adhesiveness, chewiness. This cultivar would be suitable for the industrial application as noodle and bread.

UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGAN (UFO), a novel gene, is involved in controlling flowering initiation and development. In Arabidopsis, UFO is required for floral organ identity in the second and third whorls. However, the mode of expression and function of TaUFO have not been studied yet. The cDNA sequence of TaUFO is comprised of 1344 bp open reading frame which encodes 50.82 KDa polypeptide consisting amino acid residues. F-box protein, the components of TaUFO, plays an important regulatory role in a wide diversity of developmental and physiological responses. In almost all F box proteins, the N terminus of the protein contains the F-box motif, and the rest of the protein contains the protein-protein interaction domains required for target protein binding. In order to elucidate the function of the TaUFO, various phytohormones and abiotic stresses were applied on young seedlings (14 day after germination) and its transcripts were evaluated. TaUFO:GFP fusion construct was transformed into onion epidermal cells by particle bombardment to elucidate the subcellular localization of the TaUFO protein. The function of the F-box protein is to interact with target proteins. With the use of a yeast two-hybrid screen to isolate proteins interacting with the TaUFO (F box protein), we identified potential TaUFO interactive protein in wheat spikelet library.