In general, zona pellucida (ZP) of the blastocyst has to be removed first, then either isolated the inner cell mass (ICM) or ZP-removed whole blastocyst, which is then cultured on the feeder layer to induce ICM outgrowth for the generation of embryonic stem cells (ESC). However, it is unclear whether ICM isolation before seeding on feeder layer is beneficial or not because the interaction between ICM and trophoblasts may affect cellular growth and/or pluripotency during the culture on the feeder. In the present study, two ZP removal methods (mechanically by splitting with a 28-gauge needle versus chemically by the treatment of acid-Tyrode's solution) and two ICM isolation methods (ZP-free whole blastocyst seeding versus mechanical isolation of ICM) were evaluated for the efficient isolation and culture of putative parthenogenetic bovine ESC. The number of maintained outgrown colonies was counted in each experimental group. As the result, mechanical removal of ZP with a needle and followed by whole ZP-free blastocyst seeding on feeder cells tended to attach more on the feeder layer and resulted in more outgrown colonies with its simple and less time-costing benefits. Currently we are generating ESC lines in HanWoo cattle by using this method for initial outgrowth of the parthenogenetic bovine blastocysts.

Ovulation synchronization (ovsynch) has proved to increase the number of insemination in cattle by overcoming the problems of heat detection. The aim of this study was to do ovsynch in water buffaloes where heat detection is a major reproductive problem and to determine the conception rates after timed artificial insemination (TAI). Twenty cyclic buffaloes at 60 days postpartum were selected by examining 24 unobserved estrus buffaloes based on milk progesterone assay (progesterone concentration 1.0 ng/ml) from the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Ovsynch treatment regimen was started irrespective of the stage of estrous cycle. Gonadorelin (500 ) was injected intramuscularly at Day 0 followed by Alfaprostol (8 mg) at Day 7. A second injection of Gonadorelin was given at Day 9 and TAI was done with frozen semen from Mediterranean buffalo bulls at 16~20 hours of the second Gonadorelin injection. Milk progesterone ELISA at Day 10~12 post AI confirmed ovulation in 16 out of 20 (80%) buffaloes (progesterone concentration 1.0 ng/ml). High progesterone concentration ( 1.0 ng/ml) at Day 10~12 and Day 22~24 of AI showed pregnancy in six out of 20 (30%) buffaloes. Pregnancy was further confirmed by ultrasonography at Day 40 in these six buffaloes. In conclusion, ovsynch followed by TAI could be applied in cyclic buffaloes for overcoming the estrus detection problems; however, more studies are needed to increase the conception rate.

We present results of two-color VR photometry of the intermediate polar RXS J1803. The data were aquired using the Korean 1-m telescope located at Mt. Lemmon, USA. Different "high" and "low" luminosity states, similar to other intermediate polars, were discovered. No statistically significant variability of the color index with varying luminosity was detected. The orbital variability was found to be not statistically significant. Spin maxima timings were determined, as well as the photometric ephemeris for the time interval of our observations. The spin period variations, caused by interaction of the accretion structure with the rotating magnetic white dwarf, were also detected. These variations are of complicated character, and their study requires further observations. We determine the color transformation coefficients for our photometric systems, and improve on the secondary photometric standards.

Substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons receive synaptic inputs from primary afferent Aδ- and C-fibers, where nociceptive information is integrated and modulated by numerous neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. A number of studies were dedicated to the molecular mechanism underlying the modulation of excitability or synaptic plasticity in SG neurons and revealed that second messengers, such as cAMP and cGMP, play an important role. Recently, cAMP and cGMP were shown to downregulate each other in heart muscle cells. However, involvement of the crosstalk between cAMP and cGMP in neurons is yet to be addressed. Therefore, we investigated whether interaction between cAMP and cGMP modulates synaptic plasticity in SG neurons using slice patchclamp recording from rats. Synaptic activity was measured by excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs) elicited by stimulation onto dorsal root entry zone. Application of 1 mM of 8- bromoadenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) or 8-bromoguanosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) for 15 minutes increased EPSCs, which were maintained for 30 minutes. However, simultaneous application of 8-BrcAMP and 8-Br-cGMP failed to increase EPSCs, which suggested antagonistic cross-talk between two second messengers. Application of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) that prevents degradation of cAMP and cGMP by blocking phosphodiesterase (PDE) increased EPSCs. Co-application of cAMP/cGMP along with IBMX induced additional increase in EPSCs. These results suggest that second messengers, cAMP and cGMP, might contribute to development of chronic pain through the mutual regulation of the signal transduction.

We carry out 100-GHz band test observations with the newly-constructed KVN 21-m radio telescopes in order to evaluate their performance. The three telescopes have similar performance parameters. The pointing accuracies are about 4" rms for the entire sky. The main beam sizes are about 30" (FWHMs), which is nearly the diffraction limit of the telescopes at the observing frequency (97 GHz). The measured aperture and main-beam efficiencies are about 52% and 46%, respectively, for all three telescopes. The estimated moon efficiency is ~84% for the KVN Tamna telescope. The first sidelobes appear 50" (~1.6 xFWHM) from the main beam centers and the levels are on average -14 dB.

This study examines the effects of lightemitting diode (LED) light and temperature on lettuce growth. For plant growth, we used an LED bar composed of red, white and blue LEDs (4:1:2). Six types of cultivation equipment were used to measure the temperature. To compare their effects, the heights of the lettuces and the water temperatures were measured. The results demonstrated that the lettuce growth was optimal at 25ºC.