Background : Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is a perennial crop grown for more than 4 years in the same place. Therefore, it is highly affected by soil environment, especially nutrients on soil. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of application levels of nitrogen, phosphate, potassium on growth and soil chemical properties of ginseng. Methods and Results : 0, 1, 4, 8, 16, 32 ㎏/10 a of Urea, fused superphosphate, potassium chloride were each treated at 3.3 ㎡ of the field and ginseng cultivar 'Geumpoong' was transplanted. Growth characteristics were investigated by growth period and soil chemical properties were investigated every 3 months. As the levels of treated nitrogen increased, root weight increased from 0 ㎏/10 a to 4 ㎏/10 a and then decreased. Electrical conductivity (EC) and the NO3 content tended to increase as time goes by. As the levels of treated phosphate increased, the SPAD content increased. Soil analysis of October showed that the NO3 content of phosphate 32 ㎏/10 a treatment increased to 80.25 ㎎/㎏. In the case of potassium 32 ㎏/10 a treatment, the emergence rate was 74% and root weight was 2.06 g, which were the worst in all treatments. When the levels of treated potassium increased, the EC tended to increase gradually and the pH was decreased. Conclusion : These results indicate that the application levels of Nitrogen, phosphate, potassium influence growth of ginseng and soil chemical properties. Further research will be needed to establish appropriate standards of soil chemical properties for ginseng cultivation.

Background : The objective of this study was to investigate antioxidant activities, inhibitory activities against heme induced colonic epithelial cell proliferations, anti-inflammatory activities and anthocyanin profiles in the anthocyanin rich fraction (ARFAM) from fruits of Aronia melanocarpa, where these are considered functional substances and available food coloring agents in Korea. Methods and Results : Anthocyanins were identified by reversed-phase C18 column chromatography and HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis. To compare the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory capacity of Aronia melanocarpa berries, recognized for their high content of anthocyanins, isolation method was developed to obtain high-purity anthocyanins in the extract. Anthocyanin-rich fractions (ARFAM) enriched in anthocyanins were found to be potent strong inhibitory activity towards heme induced colonic epithelial cell proliferations are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer than acidic ethanol extract (AME). The immunomodulation properties were assessed in growth of both human B and T cells, its cytokines secretion such as IL-6 (interleukin-6) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha). AME enhanced interleukin-6 and reduced tumor necrosis factor-a production, whereas ARFAM only had a effect in increasing of IL-6 expression. Conclusion : These results demonstrated that there was no major relationship between the antioxidative and immunomodulation capacities of AME and ARFAM.

Background : Astragalus membranaceus is one of the most widely used traditional medicinal herbs in Korea. Studies on the genomic of A. membranaceus resources have not been carried out so far. The present study was carried out to discriminate A. membranaceus based on genetic diversity using genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Methods and Results : We collected 5 A. membranaceus lines: Asung, Poongsung, Am-Jecheon, Am-Sancheong, and Am-China. One hundred mg of fresh leaves were used for genomic DNA extraction using the DNeasy plant DNA isolation kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany). 450,449 contigs were searched for 147,766 SSR candidate loci in this study using the MicroSAtellite identification tool (MISA). We selected 949 A. membranaceus genomic SSR markers that were showed variation for the five collections in silico screening with CLC genomics workbench program. The genetic diversity of all A. membranaceus resources was analyzed using 17 SSR markers employing the DNA fragment analysis method. Based on the genetic diversity analysis, these lines were classified into four distinct groups. Conclusion : These findings could be used for further research on cultivar development using molecular breeding techniques and for conservation of the genetic diversity of A. membranaceus. Furthermore, the markers could be used for marker-assisted selection for crop breeding.

Freesia is one of the most popular flowers over the world including Korea, due to the fragrance and beauty of the plant flower. The first domestic freesia cultivar ‘Shiny Gold’ was developed by NIHHS, RDA, in 2003, which has yellow double and large petals and strong fragrance. Ten years have passed since ‘Shiny Gold’ was cultivated at floral farms, and the deterioration of cut flower quality and yield are reported from the farms. Virus infection causes a reduction in the quantity and quality of the cut freesia flowers and is one of the most serious problems in Korea. Virus detection was carried by reverse transcription polymer chain reaction (RT-PCR) for FreMV, FreSV, BYMV, CMV, and TRV, as known to infect freesia. FreMV, FreSV, BYMV, and TRV were detected single or multiply, and CMV was not found in the freesia leaves collected from the farms. To produce virus-free freesia, meristem culture of ‘Shiny Gold’ was conducted in MS medium added ribavirin at different concentration. As the increased of ribavirin concentration, the growth of ‘Shiny Gold’ plantlets was inhibited in freesia’Shiny Gold’. The plantlets produced by meristem culture in ‘Shiny Gold’ were virus free at the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) level.

Rice gene functional annotation is greatly hindered due to functional redundancy. Based on OGRO database information, function of only 1022 genes were characterized previously where estimated expressed genes is approximately 50000. TFs protein class consist of 80 families and function of only 211 were reported. To address this issue, we developed web resource using MySQL, PHP and related frame work. Database integrates expression pattern and diverse data in phylogenomic contest. Since TFs plays diverse role in plants, meta-expression analysis would provide putative function of remaining genes. Using this approach and in-house database, we have identified featured expression groups: 228 belongs to anatomy, 224 to abiotic stress, 202 to biotic stress and hormone responsive group includes 267 genes. Out of 315 known genes through loss of functional studies, 294 genes have no closely related family members. Among 12 pairs with probes in database, 6 genes have PCC value with more than 0.5 among closely related genes. These data suggest that TFs showing more than 0.5 PCC value among closely relating family members more likely have functional dominancy. This study will provide useful functional information for whole rice TFs and suggest promising functional genomic studies.

Water-deficiency is one of the most serious challenges which restrict crop production. Root is the primary tissues exposed to water limitation in soil. Although a number of transcriptome data under water limitation have been produced in rice, but most of them have analyzed the effect of leaf or shoot. Thus, understanding of relating molecular mechanism is still limited. To get global view of the effect on water deficiency in rice root, we carried out RNA-Seq experiment. To do this, we compared the RNA-Seq transcriptome data of 3 day samples under water deficiency with those of unstressed rice roots with unstressed control. As a result, we identified 1,098 genes upregulated in water stress condition for 3 days. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that 18 GO terms are overrepresented. Of them, valyl-tRNA aminoacylation, transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, glycine catabolic process, and L-phenylalanine catabolic process are more significant, indicating that transcription of new transcripts, control of translation fidelity, and reuse of primary and secondary metabolites can be activated during water stress.

이번 연구에서는 white LED(420-680nm), blue LED(460- 490nm), green LED(520-550nm), red LED(620-650nm)를 포 함하는 서로 다른 빛의 파장을 가지는 light emitting diodes(LED) 가 포르피린 생합성과 항산화 기작에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 다양한 파장의 LED 광을 3일간 식물체에 조사하였을 때, white LED와 비교하여 blue LED로 처리된 애기장대 식물은 Mgprotoporphyrin IX (Mg-Proto IX), Mg-Proto IX methyl ester (ME), and protochlorophyllide을 포함하는 Mg-porphyrins을 현 저하게 증가시킨 반면에 red LED는 Mg-Proto IX과 Mg-Proto IX ME의 감소를 보여 주었다. 다양한 LED 중에서 blue LED가 white LED와 비교하여 CatA의 유전자 발현의 증가에 의해 표시 되는 항산화 작용의 증가를 크게 유도하였다. 또한, blue LED는 다 른 LED 광의 파장과 비교하여 애기장대의 anthocyanin 수준을 크 게 축적하였다. 이번 연구는 서로 다른 빛의 파장이 항산화 작용뿐 만 아니라 포르피린 생합성 과정을 변화시킴에 의해 식물의 생리학 적 특성에 큰 영향을 미침을 보여 준다.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation causes follicle depletion. To overcome this problem, we investigate the effect of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a follicle recruitment control hormone, supplementation before and/or after mouse ovarian transplantation. A total of 120 5-week-aged BD F-1 female mice were used. The mice were randomly divided into four groups according to AMH doses (0, 5, 25, 125 μg/mL, respectively). AMH was injected intraperitoneally on every other day for a week before, after, or before and after transplantation of ovaries under kidney capsules was performed. One week after transplantation, follicular normality was evaluated by histological analysis and TUNEL assay. In Group A and C, morphologically intact follicle (G1) ratios of AMH treated groups showed no statistically significant difference. In Group B, G1 ratios of 25 and 125 μg/mL of AMH treated groups were higher than those of 5 μg/mL treated group, but there was no improvement in G1 ratio after AMH treatment. In every group, apoptotic follicle ratios did not show any trend according to AMH treatment. Proportions of primordial follicle were not significantly different according to AMH treatment in all groups. The result of the present study demonstrated that AMH treatment during on transplantation of cryopreserved ovaries has no significant effect on follicle survival and prevention of follicle depletion.

Objective : To investigate the effects of Simvastatin and Methylprednisolone on ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation using mouse models. Methods : The mice were randomly distributed into 1 control and 3 experimental groups. The B6D2F1 mice were given oral Simvastatin (5 mg/kg), intravenous Methylprednisolone (15 mg/kg), or a combination of both at 2 hours before ovariectomy. Same volume of normal saline was given perorally in the control group at 2 hours before ovariectomy. The ovarian tissues were vitrified accrording to our protocols. The vitrified ovaries were warmed 1 week later and auto-transplanted under bilateral kidney capsules. The ovaries and blood sera were collected at 2, 7 or 21 days after transplantation. Histological analysis, TUNEL assay, immuno-histochemistry for CD31, serum AMH level and embryonic development after in vitro fertilization were assessed for evaluation. Results : With regard to the total grade 1 follicle rate, both Simvastatin or Methylprednisolone treated groups were significantly increased at 2, 7 or 21 days after transplantation (except Simvastatin treated group at 7 days). A combination of Simvastatin and Methylprednisolone group was significantly improved in terms of the total G1 follicle rate, apoptotic follicle rate, CD31 positive area and serum AMH after ovarian tissue transplantation. However, there were no statistically difference with respect to the oocyte maturation rate, blastulation rate, and the other embryonic development parameters after in vitro fertilization procedure among the four groups. Conclusion : Our results suggest that combined donor Simvastatin and Methylprednisolone have beneficial effects on the quality and function of transplanted ovarian tissues.

E3 ubiquitin ligase plays a central role in determining specificity of the ubiquitination system by selecting appropriate candidate proteins. Compared with other eukaryotic species there are significantly more U-box protein-encoding genes in plant genome. The rice genome contain 77 U-box-type E3 encoding genes. The 77 members of the rice plant U-box (PUB) E3 family can be placed into 8 major groups based on their domain organizations. In this study, we generate and analyze phylogenomic data integrating anatomical expression patterns consisting of anatomical and stress responsive expression patterns base on 1150 affymetrix arrays to the phylogenic tree of rice plant U-box E3 family. We further developed functional gene network meditated by E3 ligases and refined the components in network by integrating gene expression patterns in response to drought stresses. We expect that our analysis will be a useful platform to facilitate the functional identification for each of U-box E3 family.

This paper empirically examines the short-run and long-run causal relationship between stock market prices and exchange rates in Chinese stock markets using monthly data from January 2002 to December 2012 retrieved from the National Bureau of Statistics of the People’s Republic of China. Unit root, cointegration tests, vector error correction estimates, block exogeneity Wald tests, impulse responses, variance decomposition techniques and structural break tests are employed. This study found 1) long-run causality from exchange rates to stock prices in Chinese stock markets and 2) short-run causality from Japanese yen and Korean won exchange rates to stock prices in the Shanghai Stock Exchange strongly prevails while in the Shenzhen Stock Exchange weakly prevails . The impact of the global financial crisis from 2007 to 2009 on Chinese stock markets was insignificant.

FGF9/16/20 signaling pathway specify the developmental fates of notochord, mesenchyme, and neural cells in ascidian embryos. Although a conserved Ras/MEK/Erk/Ets pathway is known to be involved in this signaling, the detailed mechanisms of regulation of FGF signaling pathway have remained largely elusive. In this study, we have isolated Hr-Erf, an ascidian orthologue of vertebrate Erf, to elucidate interactions of transcription factors involved in FGF signaling of the ascidian embryo. The Hr-Erf cDNA encompassed 3110 nucleotides including sequence encoded a predicted polypeptide of 760 amino acids. The polypeptide had the Ets DNA-binding domain in its N-terminal region. In adult animals, Hr-Erf mRNA was predominantly detected in muscle, and at lower levels in ganglion, gills, gonad, hepatopancreas, and stomach by quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) method. During embryogenesis, Hr-Erf mRNA was detected from eggs to early developmental stage embryos, whereas the transcript levels were decreased after neurula stage. Similar to the QPCR results, maternal transcripts of Hr-Erf was detected in the fertilized eggs by whole-mount in situ hybridization. Maternal mRNA of Hr-Erf was gradually lost from the neurula stage. Zygotic expression of Hr-Erf started in most blastomeres at the 8-cell stage. At gastrula stage, Hr-Erf was specifically expressed in the precursor cells of brain and mesenchyme. When MEK inhibitor was treated, embryos resulted in loss of Hr-Erf expression in mesenchyme cells, and in excess of Hr-Erf in a-line neural cells. These results suggest that zygotic Hr-Erf products are involved in specification of mesenchyme and neural cells.

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is an enzyme that plays an essential role in the metabolism of nitrogen by catalyzing the condensation of glutamate and ammonia to form glutamine. Exposure of plants to cadmium (Cd) has been reported to decrease GS activity in maize, pea, bean, and rice. To better understand the function of the GS gene under Cd stress in rice, we constructed a recombinant pART vector carrying the GS gene under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter and OCS terminator and transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. We then investigated GS overexpressing rice lines at the physiological and molecular levels under Cd toxicity. The GS activity along with mRNA expression were found higher in transgenic than in wild type plants. And this is validated by the low malondialdehyde contents observed 10 days after treatment. GS overexpression in rice resulted in the modulation of expression of enzymes responsible for membrane peroxidation, which may result in the sudden death of plants. Our results thus describe the features of a transgenic rice plants with enhanced tolerance to Cd toxicity.

Acinetobacter baumannii is usually considered an opportunistic pathogen that it responsible for a variety of nosocomial infections, such as, pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, meningitis, endocarditis, peritonitis, skin and soft tissue infections, and urinary tract infections. However, over the years, the organism has developed substantial antimicrobial resistance, and thus, the management of infections has become more difficult. The less common infective endocarditis is one of the more serious consequences of nosocomial bacteremia. Here, we report the successful treatment of the first case of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii endocarditis in a 33-year-old patient.

Manganese () is a trace element that is essential for normal physiology, and is predominantly obtained from food. Several lines of evidence, however, demonstrated that overexposure to exerts serious neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity and developmental toxicity, particularly in male. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of 0, 1.0, 3.3, and 10 mg/kg/day doses of on the reproductive organs in the immature female rats. Rats (PND 22; S.D. strain) were exposed to () dissolved in drinking water for 2 weeks. The animals were sacrificed on PND 35, then the tissues were immediately removed and weighed. Histological studies were performed using the uteri tissue samples. Serum LH and FSH levels were measured with the specific ELISA kits. Body weights of the experimental group animals were not significantly different from those of control group animals. However, ovarian tissue weights in 1 mg and 3.3 mg dose groups were significantly lower than those of control animals (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Uterine tissue weights of 3.3 mg dose groups were significantly lower than those of control animals (p<0.01), while the 1 mg dose and 10 mg dose failed to induce any change in uterine weight. Similarly, only 3.3 mg dose could induce the significant decrease in the oviduct weight compared to the control group (p<0.05). Non-reproductive tissues such as adrenal and kidney failed to respond to all doses of exposure. The uterine histology revealed that the exposure could affect the myometrial cell proliferation particularly in 3.3 mg dose and 10mg dose group. Serum FSH levels were significantly decreased in 1mg dose and 10 mg groups (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). In contrast, treatment with 1 mg dose induced a significant increment of serum LH level (p<0.05). The present study demonstrated that exposure is capable of inducing abnormal development of reproductive tissues, at least to some extent, and altered gonadotropin secretions in immature female rats. Combined with the well-defined actions of this metal on GnRH and prolactin secretion, one can suggest the might be a potential environmental mediator which is involved in the female pubertal process.

ChiVMV is one of the most destructive pepper pathogens in the East Asia. The resistant cultivar against ChiVMV is necessary to control the ChiVMV infection to pepper farm. However, the genetic source resistant ChiVMV was not fully identified yet and until now, the only recessive resistance gene has been recognized. In order to study more on the inheritance of the resistance and to establish a breeding program pertinent to ChiVMV resistance, firstly, we screened about 30 lines from several foreign countries, and found a new resistant line from several inoculation tests. Here, we report a new dominantly resistant chili pepper. Secondly, we found two AFLP fragments linked to the dominant resistance, which was located on the pepper chromosome number 6. The newly discovered dominant markers will help develop a new resistant pepper cultivar to ChiVMV.

Cereal seeds, sorghum, foxtail millet, hog millet, adlay, and corn are traditionally used as health assistant as well as energy supplying food in Korea. While beneficial phytochemicals to human have revealed in cereals, the information on peptides from cereals is far less accumulated than major reserve protein. Here, we analyzed peptide profiles using surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) in cereal seeds for construction of peptide information and attempted to develop peptide biomarkers for cereal identification. To optimize the analysis condition of SELDI-TOF MS, the effect of dilution factor on binding affinity to protein chips was tested using CM10 and Q10 arrays. Peptide clusters were significantly different at the level of 0.01 p-value. Peak spectra were the most stable in 1:50 of dilution factor in both chip arrays. Numbers of detected peak of 5 cereal seeds were 131 in CM10 and 74 in Q10 array. Each cereal was grouped as a cluster and well discriminated into different cluster in the level of 0.01 p-value. Numbers of potentially identified peptide biomarkers are 11, 13, 9, 5 and 12 in sorghum, foxtail millet, hog millet, adlay and corn, respectively. This study demonstrates that each cereal seed have own distinguishable specific peptides although their function are not identified yet in this study. In addition, the proteomic profiling using SELDI-TOF MS techniques could be a useful and powerful tool to discover peptide biomarker for discrimination and assess crop species, especially under 20 kDa.