We analyzed how foraging area use changed in female Pipistrellus abramus during the breeding season. Radio tracking was used to follow 12 female P. abramus in Gyeongju City, from 2013 to 2015. We followed three bats in each of four stages of reproduction: early pregnancy, late pregnancy, lactation, and post-lactation. Our data showed that the usable area of a foraging site and the area that was actually used by bats in that site were different, and foraging site use also differed according to stage of reproduction. The bats used arable land the most, with use rates of 57%, 40.4%, and 73.2% during early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and lactation, respectively. Bats in a post-lactation state did not use arable areas at all and instead foraged over bodies of water 90% of the time. There was no difference in the use of each foraging environment between bats in early pregnancy and late pregnancy. However, bats in late pregnancy and those that were lactating did use arable land to different extents, and bats that were lactating and those that were post-lactation also used arable land and bodies of water to different extents.

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.

Lectins belong to the pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) class and play important roles in the recognition and elimination of pathogens via the innate immune system. Recently, it was reported that lily-type lectin-1 is involved when a pathogen attacks in the early immune response of fish. However, this study is limited to information that the lectin is involved in the innate immune response against viral infection. In the present study, the lily-type lectin-2 and -3 of Oplegnathus fasciatus (OfLTL-2 and 3) have been presented to be included B-lectin domain and two D-mannose binding sites in the amino acid sequence that an important feature for the fundamental structure. To investigate the functional properties of OfLTLs, the tissue distribution in the healthy rock bream and temporal expression during early developmental stage analysis are performed using quantitative real-time PCR. OfLTL-2 and 3 are predominantly expressed in the liver and skin, but rarely expressed in other organ. Also, the transcripts of OfLTLs are not expressed during the early developmental stage but its transcripts are increased after immune-related organs which are fully formed. In the challenge experiment with RBIV (rock bream iridovirus), the expression of OfLTLs was increased much more strongly in the late response than the early, unlike previously known. These results suggest that OfLTLs are specifically expressed in the immune-related tissues when those organs are fully formed and it can be inferred that the more intensively involved in the second half to the virus infection.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease characterized by the presence of retroperitoneal tissue marked by chronic inflammation and prominent fibrosis. A 67-year-old man presented with general weakness and oliguria. Laboratory findings showed blood urea nitrogen 77.7 mg/dL, serum creatinine 9.24 mg/dL, and an IgG4 level within the normal range. Computed tomography (CT) findings showed bilateral hydronephrosis and distal ureteral obstruction due to fibrotic adhesion to a presacral mass. Laparoscopic biopsy was performed. The authors report a case of acute kidney injury caused by non-IgG4 related focal retroperitoneal fibrosis in the pelvis that was successfully treated using prednisolone and tamoxifen… non-IgG4 related focal retroperitoneal fibrosis caused byacute kidney injury.

In this study, we investigated the growth of striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) and kelp (Saccharina japonica) farmed under the IMTA (integrated multi-trophic aquaculture) system developed by national institute of fisheries science (NIFS). The farmed striped mullets grew from an initial length and weight of 152.5±12.1 and 41.6±7.8 g in October 2013 to 154.2±5.6 and 47.5±8.6 g in November, 160.2±8.7 and 55.9±9.1 g in December and 168.4±9.6 and 58.4±8.7 g in January. The fish continued to grow and reached 190.2±9.4 in length and 87.5±8.9 g in weight in April and 256.4±9.7 and 156.7±6.7 g in October 2014. The daily growth rate (DGR) for total fish length was 0.015 0.1 /day during the periods of fast growth and attained 0.038 0.1 /day during February March. The kelp grew from an initial blade length and wet weight of 1.19±0.2 and 0.0028±0.0012 g in January 2014 to 3.3±0.8 and 2.5±0.9 g in February and 126.5±11.6 and 107.4±22.6 g in March, after which, erosion occurred and slowed the growth. The DGRs for kelp length ranged 0.03 1.9 /day in January 2014 and increased to 0.88 1.9 /day during March April. Increasing water temperatures beginning in April lowered the DGR to 0.03 /day. Yesso scallops grew from an initial shell length, shell height and wet weight of 11.83±0.6 , 12.68±0.7 and in September 2013 to 19.9±2.5 , 20.8±2.6 and 0.9±0.04 g in November 2013. They continued to grow to 45.91±0.71 in shell length, 42.55±0.8 in shell height and 12.7±1.3 g in wet weight by May 2014 and 60.2±2.51 , 554.6±2.61 and 24±2.70 g by October 2014. The DGRs for shell length of Yesso scallop ranged from 0.02 to 0.256 /day with higher values of 0.256 0.27 /day during November December 2013 and March April 2014.

Micrococcus lutus is common gram-positive aerobic cocci present in soil, water, dust, and the skin of humans and animals. A 72-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with a complaint of abdominal pain and a turbid peritoneal dialysate. He was empirically treated with intraperitoneal (IP) cefazolin and ceftazidime. Seven day after admission, Gaffkya species was identified from the peritoneal effluent. He was treated with same organism one month ago and discharged with the dialysis catheter intact. So, we suspected that organism is true pathogen, and identified M. luteus by culture. We changed the antibiotics to cefoxitin, which were given for the total of 14 days. This is the first report of relapsing peritonitis by M. luteus and successful treatment without catheter removal.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds have long been clinically used in Korea to promote bone formation and prevent osteoporosis. In addition, the safflower buds (SB) were found to have more useful functional ingredients than safflower seed. Thus, we investigated the preventive effects of SB diet in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The rats were divided into five groups; sham operated group, OVX alone group, OVX plus 17β-estradiol (E2 10 ㎍/㎏, i.p.) and OVX plus SB diet feeding group (0.3% or 1%). Feeding of SB diet (0.3% or 3%) to OVX rats markedly increased trabecular formation in femur compared to OVX rats. Feeding of SB diet (0.3% or 3%) to OVX rats also decreased TRAP activity compared to OVX rats. These results suggest that SB diets have bone sparing effects by the decrease of osteoclast activity. We also observed that OVX rats fed with SB diet (0.3% or 3%) exhibited the decrease of calcium and phosphorus in serum compared to OVX-induced rats. Therefore, SB may be beneficial for the patients of osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women.

Small RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), play crucial roles in post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in eukaryotes. Small RNAs function cell-autonomously as well as non-cell-autonomously. It has been well characterized that pathogenic fungi secrete some effector molecules facilitating their infection into plants. However, it is unclear whether molecules produced in plant cells are able to move into fungal cells during infection. To test if small RNAs generated from plant cells can move to fungal cells during infection, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis and rice plants expressing siRNAs targeting GFP gene generated from double-stranded RNA interference (dsRNAi) constructs for GFP gene. And then these transgenic plants were inoculated with transgenic rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, expressing GFP transgene. Here, we showed that ectopic expression of siRNAs targeting GFP gene in transgenic plants significantly suppressed GFP expression in rice blast fungi inoculated, indicating that small RNA molecules generated in plant cells can move into infected fungal cells and efficiently degrade fungal GFP transcripts. Our results would provide a new small RNA-based strategy for the development of resistant crops against fungal pathogens.

Major loci controlling flowering time and maturity of short-day plant soybean, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7 and E8, have been identified in soybean. The gene corresponding to E2 locus is a homolog of Arabidopsis GIGANTEA (AtGI). We identified three GI homologs in soybean and are verifying their roles in day-length dependent flowering. Expression anlysis indicated that GmGIs are ubiquitously expressed at all developmental stages of soybean plants. Diurnal expression of GmGIs fluctuates within light/dark cycles of long-day (LD) and short-day (SD). GmGI2 and GmGI3 have identical expression patterns under both day length conditions with the highest peak at zeitgeber time 8 h (ZT8) under LD and at ZT4 under SD. GmGI1 shows the peak at ZT12 under LD and at ZT8 under SD. All of GmGIs exhibit the earlier peak and the shorter phase under SD than LD. The results indicated that day length affects expressions of GmGIs. Subcellular localization analysis showed that GmGIs are mainly targeted to nucleus, similar to the localization of AtGI. Overexpression of GmGIs in Arabidopsis transgenic plants showed no significant effect on flowering time nor rescue of gi-2 mutant phenotype. The results suggested that GmGIs have different molecular functions in flowering time regulation of short-day plant soybean compared to long-day plant Arabidopsis. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of GmGIs’ functions in soybean flowering time control, we intend to identify target gene of GmGIs and interacting proteins by using yeast two-hybrid assay.

To understand molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation of plant cells to saline stress and stress memory, we developed Arabidopsis callus suspension-cultured cells adapted to high salt. Adapted cells to high salt exhibited enhanced tolerance compared to control cells. Moreover, the salt tolerance of adapted cells was stably maintained even after the stress is relieved, indicating that the salt tolerance of adapted cells was memorized. Salt-adapted and stress memorized cells were densely aggregated and formed multi-layered cell lump. Cell morphology analysis using transmission electron microscopy indicated that cell wall thickness of salt-adapted cells was significantly induced compared to control cells. In order to characterize metabolic responses of plant cells during adaptation to high salt stress as well as stress memory, we compared metabolic profiles of salt-adapted and stress-memorized cells with control cells by using NMR spectroscopy. A principle component analysis showed clear metabolic discrimination among control, salt-adapted and stress-memorized cells. Compared with control cells, metabolites related to shikimate metabolism such as tyrosine, and flavonol glycosides, which are related to protective mechanism of plant against stresses were largely up-regulated in adapted cell lines. Moreover, coniferin, a precursor of lignin, was more abundant in salt-adapted cells than control cells. The results provide new insight into metabolic level mechanisms of plant adaptation to saline stress as well as stress memory.

To identify novel signaling components involved in regulation of plant responses to phosphate (Pi) starvation, we screened an Arabidopsis T-DNA activation tagging library for mutants with altered Pi-starvation responses. Here, we report the identification and characterization of novel activation-tagged mutant involved in Pi starvation signaling in Arabidopsis. The hpd (hypersensitive to Pi deficiency) mutant exhibits enhanced phosphate uptake and altered root architectural change under Pi starvation compared to wild type. Expression analysis of auxin-responsive DR5::GUS reporter gene in hpd mutant indicated that both auxin biosynthesis and auxin translocation under Pi starvation are suppressed in hpd mutant plants. Impaired auxin translocation in roots of hpd mutant was attributable to abnormal root architecture changes in Pi starvation conditions. Mis-regulation of auxin translocation in hpd mutant was further confirmed by analysis of expression patterns of auxin efflux carrier proteins, PIN-FORMED (PIN) 1, 2, and 3 fused with GFP. Not only expression levels but also expression domains of PIN proteins were altered in hpd mutant in response to Pi starvation. Molecular genetic analysis of hpd mutant revealed that the mutant phenotype is caused by the lesion in ENHANCED SILENCING PHENOTYPE4 (ESP4) gene whose function is proposed in mRNA 3’-end processing. The results propose that mRNA processing plays crucial roles in Pi homeostasis as well as developmental reprograming in response to Pi deprivation in Arabidopsis.

Next generation sequencing technologies provide opportunities to reveal the genetic variants and differentially expressedgenes. The genetic variants are closely relevance to understanding of genes and phenotypic differences related to agronomic characteristics among cultivars. In this study, we conducted RNA-seq using two Korean soybean accessions, including Daewon and Hwangkeum, by using next generation sequencing against Williams 82 genome as reference. A number of variants such assingle nucleotide variants (SNV), multiple nucleotide variants (MNV), insertion/deletion (InDel) and replacement, was 34,411 and 55,544 in Daewon and Hwangkeum, respectively. Among these variants, 9,611 nonsynonymous variants were detected within 4,290 genes in Daewon and 13,225 non-synonymous variants were located on 5,672 genes in Hwangkeum. The distribution of nonsynonymous variants and expression values of genes can serve as invaluable resource for genotyping and study of traits within genes for soybean improvements.

A case of three primary malignancies in one patient is rare. We report on a case of three primary malignancies including myxofibrosarcoma, renal cell cancer, and prostate cancer in one 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) evaluation of a 75-year-old man. PET/CT showed different FDG meabolism in each tumor.

Rearing experiments were conducted using several regimes combined with different photoperiods and water temperatures to investigate the role of temperature and photoperiod as environmental cues regulating reproduction in red marbled rockfish, Sebastiscus tertius. The initial gonadosomatic index (GSI) was 1.62±0.32% and that in the 15˚C control was 7.01±0.46% at the end of the experiment. The highest GSI was 9.10±0.35% in the 12L:12D photoperiod-treated fish. The highest GSI at 19˚C was 15.03±0.86% in the 12L:12D photoperiod treatment. The initial hepatosomatic index (HSI) was 3.09±0.72% and that in the 15˚C control was 3.88±0.45%. The highest HSI was 4.00±0.56% in the 15L:9D treated fish. The highest HSI at 19˚C was 4.05±0.63% in the 12L:12D treated fish.

TCR subunits are members of membrane-bound receptors which allow the fast and efficient elimination of the specific fish pathogens have regulated function in adaptive immunity. Sequence structure of TCR subunits have been reported for various teleosts, but the information of each TCR subunit functional characterization through expression analysis in fish was unknown. In this study, we examined the gene expression of TCR subunits in the early developmental stages and observed transcript levels in various tissues from healthy adult olive flounder by RT-PCR. The mRNA expression of alpha subunit was already detected in the previous hatching step. But the transcripts of another TCR subunit were not observed during embryo development and increased after hatching and maintained until metamorphosis at the same level. It was found that all TCR subunits mRNAs are commonly expressed in the immune-related organ such as spleen, kidney and gill, also weak expressed in fin and eye. TCR alpha and beta subunit were expressed in brain, whereas gamma and delta were not expressed same tissue. The sequence alignment analysis shows that there are more than 80% sequence homology between TCR subunits. Because it has a high similarity of amino acid sequence to expect similar in function, but expression analysis show that will have may functional diversity due to different time and place of expression.

The innate immune system is the only defense weapon that invertebrates have, and it is the fundamental defense mechanism for fish. The innate immune response is important in newly hatched flounders because it is closely involved in the initial feeding phase, which is why it is essential for survival during the juvenile period. The expression analysis of genes involved in the innate immune response in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in the days after hatching is incomplete. Therefore, we have begun to examine the expression patterns of genes specifically induced during the development of the innate immune system in newly hatched flounders. Microscopic observation showed that pronephron formation corresponded with the expression of perforin-encoding gene. These results suggest that perforin plays a vital role in the innate immunity of the kidney during developmental stages. Perforin expression was strong at the start of the development of the innate immune response, and continued throughout all the development stages. Our findings have important implications with respect to perforin’s biological role and the evolution of the first defense mechanisms in olive flounder. Further studies are required to elucidate the perforin-mediated innate immunity response and to decipher the functional role of perforin in developmental stages.

Fish larvae are immediately exposed to microbes from hatching to maturation of their lymphoid organs, therefore effective innate mechanisms is very important for survival in such an environment. The key component of innate immune system, C3 is central protein of all activation pathways of the complement system, leading to inflammatory reactions, such as opsonisation, chemotaxis, and cell lysis of pathogens. Although, innate mechanisms is essential for survival in the early stage of development, little is known about defence mechanisms. In this study, the alignment analysis showed that amino acid sequence of C3 from olive flounder liver EST homologous to other known C3 sequences with 73-99% identity. Also, we examined the tissue distribution of olive flounder C3 and analyzed expression pattern from the fertilized egg until 28 days post hatching. As a result, olive flounder C3 mRNA was expressed only in the liver and the mRNA level more increased as developmental proceed during the early stage. These results may suggest that olive flounder C3 plays an important function in the early immune response of olive flounder larvae.

Hydrolysis of triacylglycerol(TAG) from fats and oils to glycerol and free fatty acid (FFA), also referred to as fat splitting, is an important reaction for the olechemical industry. Typically, hydrolysis is carried out at 100-260℃ and 100-7000 kPa using 0.4-0.15(w/w) initial water to oil ratio with or without catalysts. It is an endothermic reaction occurs in a stepwise manner where TAG is initially hydrolyzed to diacyglycerol (DAG) then to monoacylglycerol(MAG) and finally to glycerol. Water, in its subcritical state, can be used as both a solvent and reactant for the hydrolysis of triglycerides. subcritical water (150℃<T<370℃,0.4<p<22Mpa) can act as an acid or base catalyst. To investigate milder reaction conditions, in this study, waste cooking oil and fresh soybean oils will be hydrolyzed to free fatty acids with deionized water under SC CO2 medium in a batch reactor. Effects of the reaction temperature, time and solvent to feed ratio on FFA in the hydroysis at equilibrium will also observed for optimum conversion of oil. The reaction products will be analyzed by acid-base titration, GC FID and HPLC.

Recently biodiesel has drawn much attraction as renewable enegy due to its environmental benefits and the fact that it is made from renewable resources. However, the production cost of biodiesel is one of the main hurdle to commercialize it. One of the way to reduce the biodiesel production cost is to use the waste cooking oil as feedstock. In the conventional transesterification process of waste cooking oils for biodiesel production, the presence of free fatty acids and water causes severe problems such as formation of soap and decreasing of catalyst yield. Much effort has been devoted to solve the above problems and one of the promising way is the supercritical methanol treatment which is performed at the methanol supercritical environment (>239.45℃, >8.10 Mpa)one of the serious problems of the application of SCM process for the biodiesel production is the tough operation condition(high pressure, high temperature. In this study, we have studied about the supercritical methanol treatment for the biodiesel production with the soybean waste cooking oil as a feedstock in the present of various heterogeneous solid catalysts such as mesoporous silica and acid-doped mesorpous silica. Biodiesel conversion was increased at more mild opreation condition to the previous studies by using the catalysts. The conversion was more enhanced by modifying the catalysts.