Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) is an important medicinal tree found in northeast Asia. In this study, we analyzed the genome-wide distribution of microsatellites in E. senticosus. By sequencing 711 clones from an SSR-enriched genomic DNA library, we obtained 12 polymorphic SSR markers, which also revealed successful amplicons in E. senticosus accessions. Using the developed SSR markers, we estimated genetic diversity and population structure among 131 E. senticosus accessions in Korea and China. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 11, with an average of 7.4 alleles. The mean values of observed heterozygosity (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) were 0.59 and 0.56, respectively. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.51 in all 131 E. senticosus accessions. E. senticosus accessions in Korea and China showed a close genetic similarity. Significantly low pairwise genetic divergence was observed between the two regions, suggesting a relatively narrow level of genetic basis among E. senticosus accessions. Our results not only provide molecular tools for genetic studies in E. senticosus but are also helpful for conservation and E. senticosus breeding programs.

Little millet (Panicum sumatrense) is well known for its salt and drought stress tolerance and high nutritional value, but very limited knowledge of genetic variation and genomic information is available. In this study, a total of 779 primer pairs were designed from the 22,961 EST sequences of switchgrass (Pancium virgatum), of which 48 EST-SSR markers were developed based on the trials of transferability of these primers in little millet. The EST-SSR amplicons showed reproducible single band polymorphism and produced a total of 160 alleles with an average of 3.3 alleles per locus in 37 accessions of little millet. The average values of expected and observed heterozygosities were 0.266 and 0.123, respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values were observed in range of 0.026 to 0.549 with an average of 0.240. The genetic relatedness among the little millet accessions was evaluated by neighbor-joining dendrogram, which grouped all accessions into two distinct groups. The validation thus demonstrated the utility of the switchgrass EST-SSR markers in assessing genomic relationships in little millet. The findings from this study could be useful for designing strategies for the identification of diverse germplasm for conservation and future molecular breeding programs for little millet.

Barbaloin is a major component of Aloe vera, which has been used for a laxative. Also, barbaloin is C-glucoside of aloe emodin anthrone which is founded in Aloe vera. Barbaloin has varieties of pharmacological activity such as inhibitory effects on inflammation, histamine release, cancer and microbial infection. But the effect of barbaloin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages has not been understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of barbaloin against LPS-stimulated production of nitric oxide (NO), inflammatory cytokines and MAPKs activation in macrophage. We treated barbaloin (0.1 , 1 , 10 , 100 μM) in LPS-stimulated mice peritoneal macrophage. Our results showed that barbaloin significantly inhibited production of NO and cytokines of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-1β in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophage. Moreover, barbaloin inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in a dose dependent manner. These results indicated that barbaloin could be useful for inflammatory diseases.

This study investigated the effect of different photoperiods (14L: 10D, 12L:12D and 10L:14D) on the gonadal development and GtH mRNA expression in the pituitary of damselfish. The results showed that gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly lower in shot photoperiod (10L:14D), in comparison with other photoperiodic group during the spawning season. After 60 days treatment, histological analysis of gonad tissue showed that the gonad of 10L:14D and 12L: 12D treatment groups were resting phase with spermatogonia and perinucleolus stage oocytes but the gonad of 14L:10D treatment group was still ripe phase with spermatozoa and mature stage oocyte. The FSHβ and LHβ mRNA expression in pituitary drastically decreased shot photoperiod treatment from July (spawning period). These results suggest that photoperiod is considered to be the most effective environmental factor in controlling the reproductive cycle of damselfish.

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia, MC) has been used in traditional Korean medicine in treating diabetes. In addition, some reports were emerged, showing the antifertility activities of MC in mammals. We investigated the effects of ethanolic MC extract on the reproductive activity of golden hamsters whose spermatogenetic capacity is controlled by their photoperiods. The animals were divided into 4 groups: long photoperiod (LP) control, short photoperiod (SP) control, and LP animals treated with MC. The animals were orally ingested with low (0.03 g/kg) or high (0.15 g/kg) concentrations of the ethanolic extracts for 8 weeks on the daily basis. The control animals received the vehicle. The animals were then mated with age-matched females, experienced pregnancy. As results, the LP control animals showed active large testes but SP control animals displayed remarkably reduced testes. The animals treated with both concentrations of MC extracts demonstrated large testes, indicating fertile activity as animals in LP. LP control animals had litters as expected, but SP controls had no litters at all. MC extract showed the same results as LP animals in generating offsprings. These results suggest that the MC extract does not change the photoperiodic influence on reproductive activity of male golden hamsters.

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is widely used as sweetener, and its overconsumption is become a major health problem. In the present study, we used adult female rats and applied a 28 days HFCS feeding model to monitor the estrous cycle and changes in tissue weights and histology. Adult female rats were divided into three groups. Animals were fed with ad libitum normal chow and (1) 24 hours tap water (Control group), (2) 12 hours HFCS access during dark period and 12 hours tap water (12H group), and (3) 24 hours HFCS only access (24H group). Total exposure period was 28 days. There is no significant change in body weight between control and HFCS-fed animals. Both absolute and relative weights of ovary in 24H animals were significantly heavier than those in control or 12H animals. The absolute and relative weights of the kidney and liver in 24H groups were significantly heavier than those in control or 12H animals. The estrous cycles of the 24H animals were significantly longer. Histological analyses revealed that 24H ovaries were relatively bigger and possessed more corpus lutea than control ovaries. Uterine sections of 12H and 24H animals showed a well-developed stratum vasculare between inner and outer myometrial layers. The number of endometrial glands were decreased in 12H uteri, and recovered in 24H uteri compared to control. Numbers of convoluted tubule in distal region increased in 12H and 24H kidney samples. Liver specimens of 12H and 24H showed the increased number of fat containing vacuoles. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that HFCS treatment for 28 days could induce (1) changes in length of estrous cycle with extended estrous and diestrous stages, (2) altered ovarian and uterine histology, and (3) liver and renal lipid accumulation. These findings reveal the adverse effects of HFCS drinking on the reproductive function and lipid metabolism of female rats.

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drug with relatively minor side effect. Substantial evidence has suggested that metformin is associated with decreased cancer risk and anticancer activity against diverse cancer cells. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib has shown powerful activity for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and also induces growth arrest and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. In this study, we tested the combination of imatinib and metformin against HCT15 colorectal cancer cells for effects on cell viability, cell cycle and autophagy. Our data show that metformin synergistically enhances the imatinib cytotoxicity in HCT15 cells as indicated by combination and drug reduction indices. We also demonstrate that the combination causes synergistic down-regulation of pERK, cell cycle arrest in S and G2/M phases via reduction of cyclin B1 level. Moreover, the combination resulted in autophagy induction as revealed by increased acidic vesicular organelles and cleaved form of LC3-II. Inhibition of autophagic process by chloroquine led to decreased cell viability, suggesting that induction of autophagy seems to play a cell protective role that may act against anticancer effects. In conclusion, our present data suggest that metformin in combination with imatinib might be a promising therapeutic option in colorectal cancer.

Compton suppression apparatus using the Compton scattering response, by inhibiting part of the spectrum Compton continuum Compton continuum in the area of the peak analysis of the gamma rays that enables a clearer device. In order to find out the geometry structure of high-purity germanium detector(HPGe) -NaI(TI) and to optimize the effect of movement, Monte Carlo simulation was used to grasp the behavioral characteristics of Compton suppression and compare several layout structures. And applied to the cylinder beaker used for the environmental measurement by using the efficiency according to the distance. For the low-energy source such as 81 keV, the Compton continuum is scarcely developed and the suppression effect is also insignificant because the scattering cross-section of the Compton effect is relatively low. In the spectrum for the remaining energy, it can be seen that the Compton continuum part is suppressed in a certain energy range. Compton suppression effect was not significantly different from positional shift. average reduction factor(ARF) value was about 1.08 for 81 keV and about 1.23 for 1332.4keV energy at the highest value .It can be seen that suppression over the Compton continuum region of the energy spectrum is a more appropriate arrangement. Therefore, it can be applied to various environmental sample measurement through optimized structure.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 128 MDCT (multi-detector computed tomography) for reducing the CareDose 4D dose and comparing the image quality with the fixed tube current technique. For this purpose, we conducted the phantom and clinical studies to evaluate the exposure dose and image of the subject before and after applying the CareDose 4D system in abdominal examination using 128 MDCT. In the phantom study, ROI (Region of interest) was located at the center, 3, 6, 9, 12 o'clock, into two groups: group A without CareDose 4D and Group B applied were measured. In the clinical study, ROI was located at the liver 8 segments, divided into two groups too. The measured items were CT number, noise, and dose length product (DLP) dose. The result of CTDIvol (CT Dose Index volume) measurements in phantom and clinical studies were lower than those before CareDose 4D application, and dose and effective dose were also measured lower (p<.05). There was no difference in CT number before and after application (p>.05). In conclusion, using CareDose 4D, we can obtain optimal image information without deteriorating image quality while reducing patient dose.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to analyze the Chinese government’s announcement of the RMB’s appreciation on July 1, 2010, and its aim was to ascertain whether the appreciation has affected Chinese export prices by empirically measuring the degree of the exchange rate pass-tough on those prices. Research design, data, and methodology - Using 73 HS trade categories with cross-industry and time-series data, the panel estimation of a fixed-effects model has been applied to measure the degree and stability of any exchange rate pass-through effects. The estimation results show that the export prices of most trade categories were affected by the exchange rate changes. The pass-through effect was generally small, at about –0.485, and statistically significant in most export prices. Results - The empirical results indicate that China would lose its advantage and competitiveness in export if the RMB were appreciated continuously and rapidly because its export goods would no longer operate under strong monopolistic competition. Conclusions – The implications for China’s exchange rate policy suggest that it would be better for the RMB to appreciate slowly and gradually rather than radically. It is clear that it would be allow the capital free flow in Chinese overall economic interest to reduce the continuous appreciation pressure on the currency and pave the way for improvements in export distribution competitiveness.

The aim of this work to investigate the distribution of mercury in the gas phase, bottom ash and fly ash during the combustion of coal and solid waste such as dried sludge and solid refuse fuel (SRF) because the solid waste can be used as alternative fuel. In our study, we used two types of continuous combustors including vertical and horizontal combustor at the same conditions. In vertical combustor, we can get only the bottom ash while in horizontal combustor we get both fly ash and bottom ash. For both combustors, the gaseous mercury was measured by using the Ontario Hydro Method. The results showed that a significant amount of emission of gas phase mercury occurs during the combustion of coal, dried sludge, and SRF. Among the fuels, SRF showed high mercury oxidation while dried sludge showed a high level of gaseous mercury emission in the flue gas.

경피적 추체 성형술은 최소 침습적 척추 수술로 골다공증성 압박골절, 골수종 그리고 암에 의한 척추 전 이 등에 치료방법으로 많이 사용되어 왔다. 이러한 최소침습적 시술은 환자에게 작은 수술 흉터, 통증, 출혈, 짧은 회복시간등 여러가지 장점이 많으나, 환자와 시술자가 방사선의 위험으로부터 벗어날 수 없다. 이에 본 연구의 목적은 경피적 추체 성형술을 하는 동안 방사선 조사시간의 측정과 함께 시술자와 환자의 방사선 피폭선량을 측정해 보았다. 본원에 내원한 경피적 추체 성형술 시행 대상인 환자를 3명의 마취통증의 학과 전문의가 동일한 방법으로 총 20명의 환자에게 경피적 추체 성형술을 실시하였다. 방사선 조사시간을 측정하고 전자선량측정계를 이용하여 총 6군데의 방사선 피폭량을 측정해 보았다. 환자는 직접 엑스선을 측정하였으며, 전 후면과 옆면 부위에 전자선량측정계를 위치하였고, 시술자는 환자로부터 산란되는 산란선을 측정하였으며, 납가운 바깥쪽에 위치한 갑상선, 왼쪽 가슴, 왼쪽 허벅지 그리고 납가운 안쪽에 위치한 왼쪽 가슴부위에 전자선량측정계를 위치하였다. 총 시술 시간은 19.3±3.88 min이며, 방사선에 의한 노출 시 간은 3.6±0.71 min 이었다. 환자의 피폭선량은 전후면 일 때 121.4±48.15 μSv 였으며, 측면일 때 피폭선량 은 614.7±177.14 μSv 이다. 시술자가 받은 피폭선량은 납가운 바깥쪽의 갑상선 부분이 33.7±7.30 μSv 이고, 왼쪽 가슴 부위가 49.2±15.09 μSv 이고, 왼쪽 허벅지 부위가 12.8±3.80 μSv 이며, 납가운의 안쪽 가슴에 위치한 부위의 선량계는 4.2±1.44 Sv 이였다. 경피적 추체 성형술 시행 시 방사선의 위험으로부터 벗어나기 위해 C-arm 튜브에서 환자에게 엑스선이 도달하여 산란되는 거리를 최대한 멀게 유지하여야 하며, 방사선이 조사되는 시간을 줄이고, 납가운등 보호장구를 적절히 착용하여 방사선 피폭을 줄임으로써 시술자와 환자 모두 안전한 시술이 되도록 노력하여야 할 것이다.

On the 15 days after hatching, the larvae was 4.24-5.10 mm (mean 4.66±2.18 mm) in total length, and the fins of the membrane started to develop into a fan shape and the melanophore was deposited upper the alimentary canal of the abdomen and on the bladder. At 35 days after hatching, the post-larvae formed a branch-shaped melanophore on the head part with a total length of 6.98-12.5 (mean 9.35±1.71) mm, formed on the upper and lower parts of the caudal part, formed on the upper and lower parts of the caudal part, and deposited under the head part and abdomen. At 40 days after hatching, the juvenile was 11.3-18.1 (mean 14.9±1.53) mm in total length.

소사나무(Carpinus turczaninowii, C. turczaninowii) 잎 추출물의 멜라닌 생성 억제활성을 B16F10 melanoma 세포를 이용하여 측정하였다. 그 결과, 에탄올 추출물(100 μ g/mL)에서 72.2%의 생성 억제 효과를 확인하였으며, 동일 농도에서 MTT 세포독성은 거의 나타나지 않았다. 분획물(헥산, 에틸아세테이트, 부탄올 및 물)을 제조한 후 실험을 진행한 결과, 에틸아세테이트 분획에서 가장 우수한 활성이 관찰되었다. 에틸아세테이 트 분획에서 활성성분을 규명하기 위하여 크로마토그라피를 진행하였으며, 4개의 화합물을 분리 동정하였다; ethyl gallate (1), quercetin rhamnose (2), kaempferol rhamnose (3), quercetin galloylrhamnose (4). 화합물의 구조규명은 핵자기공명분광기 등을 이용하여 이루어졌으며, 4개의 화합물 모두 소사나무 잎에서는 처 음 분리된 물질이다. 분리된 화합물을 대상으로 멜라닌 생성 억제활성 실험을 진행한 결과, 화합물 4에서 세포독 성 없이 농도의존적인 억제활성을 확인하였다. 또한, 화합물 4는 세포 내에서 티로시나제 발현양을 감소시키고 있음을 ELISA를 통하여 확인하였다. 이상의 결과를 바탕으로, 소사나무 잎 추출물이 화장품에서 미백제로 활용 될 가능성이 있다고 판단된다.

Tomatoes are considered as one of the main components of daily meals in most households. Thus, it is important to invest in studies enhancing their yield and nutritional value. The study evaluated the effect of wood vinegar (WV) on tomato under greenhouse conditions. Data on fruit number, fruit weight, and plant height were recorded. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of tomato were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, respectively. FRR-CF+500x-WV significantly increased the fruit number (86.11%) and fruit weight (81.78%) over the control. Results were comparable to HRR-CF+250x-WV, indicating that conventional fertilizer and WV may have synergistic effect on each other. TPC and scavenging effect on DPPH radical was improved by 250x-WV application. The increase in the phenolic compounds can be attributed to WV as a direct source or as a factor triggering the plants to produce more secondary metabolites with the purpose of increasing natural defenses. The significant effect obtained by applying the full recommended rate of conventional fertilizer on the carotenoid content was due to the availability of the major nutrients needed by the plant. Correlation analysis showed that carotenoids have negative correlation with TPC and DPPH. However, TPC and DPPH showed that these are positively correlated with each other. Tomatoes are excellent source of antioxidants associated with the reduction of some human diseases and improved health. The results provided evidence that WV alone and/or its combination with conventional fertilizers has favorable effects on the quality of tomato.

Various bioactive substances are found in mistletoe, including viscumneoside III (1) and homoflavoyadorinin B (2), both which inhibit tyrosinase. These two compounds are mainly found in the EtOAc fraction of the mistletoe extract and demonstrate higher rates of tyrosinase inhibition than ascorbic acid, which was used as a control. Our results suggest that mistletoe extracts can be utilized in skin whitening cosmetics.

Rice blast, caused by a fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases of rice worldwide. Analyzing the valuable genetic resources is important in making progress towards blast resistance. Molecular screening of major rice blast resistance (R) genes was determined in 2,509 accessions of rice germplasm from different geographic regions of Asia and Europe using PCR based markers which showed linkage to twelve major blast R genes, Pik-p, Pi39, Pit, Pik-m, Pi-d(t)2, Pii, Pib, Pik, Pita, Pita/Pita-2, Pi5, and Piz-t. Out of 2,509 accessions, only two accessions had maximum nine blast resistance genes followed by eighteen accessions each with eight R genes. The polygenic combination of three genes was possessed by maximum number of accessions (824), while among others 48 accessions possessed seven genes, 119 accessions had six genes, 267 accessions had five genes, 487 accessions had four genes, 646 accessions had two genes, and 98 accessions had single R gene. The Pik-p gene appeared to be omnipresent and was detected in all germplasm. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that Pita, Pita/Pita-2, Pi-d(t)2, Pib and Pit were the major genes responsible for resistance in the germplasm. The present investigation revealed that a set of 68 elite germplasm accessions would have a competitive edge over the current resistance donors being utilized in the breeding programs. Overall, these results might be useful to identify and incorporate the resistance genes from germplasm into elite cultivars through marker assisted selection in rice breeding.

본 연구는 통계적 속성에 기반한 질감특징값 분석을 바탕으로 뇌 전산화단층촬영 영상에서 정상과 뇌경색의 컴퓨터보조진단의 적용 가능성을 알아보고자 하였다. 실험은 질감특징값을 나타내는 6개의 파라미터를 이용한 질환인식률 평가와 ROC curve를 분석하였다. 그 결과 평균밝기 88%, 대조도 92%, 평탄도 94%, 균일도 88%, 엔트로피 84%의 높은 질환인식률을 나타내었다. 하지만 왜곡도의 경우 58%로 다소 낮은 질환 인식률을 나타내었다. ROC curve를 이용한 분석에서 각 파라미터의 곡선아래면적이 0.886(p=0.0001)이상을 나타내어 질환인식에 의미가 있는 결과로 나타났다. 또한 각 파라미터의 cut-off값 결정으로 컴퓨터보조진단을 통한 질환예측이 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

The present research was chiefly designed to determine the effect of the treatment of estrogenic agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or antiandrogenic compound, flutamide (Flu), at the weaning age on the expression of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the caudal epididymis of adult male rat. Animals were subcutaneously administrated with a single shot of either EB at a low-dose (0.015 mg of EB/kg body weight (BW)) or a high-dose (1.5 mg of EB/kg BW) or Flu at a low-dose (500 mg of EB/kg BW) or a high-dose (5 mg of EB/kg BW). Expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis were examined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The treatment of a low-dose EB caused significant increases of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx32, and Cx43 transcript levels but reduction of Cx31.1, Cx37, and Cx45 expression. Exposure to a high-dose EB resulted in very close responses observed in a low-dose EB treatment, except no significant expressional change of Cx37 and a significant induction of Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms, except Cx45, was significantly increased by a low-dose Flu treatment. Expressional increases of all Cx isoforms were detected by a high-dose Flu treatment. The current study demonstrates that a single exposure to estrogenic or antiandrogenic compound during the early postnatal developmental period is sufficient to disrupt normal expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the improvement of growth in Israeli carp (Cyprinus carpio), and the cross experiment was carried out with two strains of Israeli carp. Four combinations of Israeli carp from Jeonbuk fisheries farm and Songpu mirror carp from Heilong Jiang, China (KK; Jeonbuk ♀ × Jeonbuk ♂, KC; Jeonbuk ♀ × China ♂, CC; China ♀ × China ♂ and CK; China ♀ × Jeonbuk ♂) were developed and reared. Body length, body weight and condition factor were determined at 20, 40, 60 and 170 days post-hatch (DPH). The results showed that there were differences in growth rate of the four groups. Body length of four groups were CK > CC > KC > KK and body weight were CC > CK > KC > KK at 170 DPH. The growth perfomance of four groups were statistically significant difference (P<0.05). During the rearing, CC group had longer length and higher weight at 170 DPH compared to other three groups and also condition factor was highest in the CC group, but there was no significant difference in a survival rate. These results indicated that the growth performance mainly depended upon brooder combination but survival rate could not significantly affect brooder.