UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (UGE; EC 5.1.3.2) is an enzyme that plays an essential role in the interconverts UDP-D-glucose (UDP-Glc) and UDP-Dgalactose (UDP-Gal). Five members of the Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) UDP-glucose 4-epimerase gene family, designated BrUGE1 to BrUGE5, have been cloned and characterized. Quantitative PCR shows that the BrUGE1and BrUGE4 mRNA are most abundant among other BrUGE genes, accounting for more than 55% of total BrUGE transcripts in most of the tissues examined. All genes showed organ specific expression pattern, two of which (BrUGE1 and 4) actively responded after Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum infection, while four genes (BrUGE-1, -3, -4 and -5)were shown to respond considerably against salt, drought and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments. To better understand the function of the UGE gene, we constructed a recombinant pART vector carrying the BrUGE1 gene under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter and nos terminator and transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. We then investigated BrUGE1 overexpressing rice lines at the physiological and molecular levels under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Bioassay of T3 progeny lines of the transgenic plants in Yoshida solution containing 120 mM Nacl for 2 weeks, confirmed that the BrUGE1 enhances salt tolerance to transgenic rice plants. Also T3 progeny lines of the transgenic plants, when exposed to infection caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae, showed tolerance to bacterial blight. These results showed that BrUGE1 can be used as potential genetic resource for engineering Brassica with multiple stress resistance.

Abeliophyllum distichum is a monotypic taxon of Oleaceae and endemic to Korea. A comprehensive study on embryogeny and fruit and seed coat ontogeny in Abeliophyllum was carried out via microtome and light microscopy. The fertilization occurs during mid– to late April and embryo matures by early July. The embryo development follows the general fashion from globular embryo – transition embryo – heart shaped embryo – torpedo embryo – walking-stick embryo to mature embryo. The pericarp clearly differentiates into three histological zones: exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. The young seed comprises 10-12 cells thick seed coat and the mature seed coat comprises an exotesta, 6-8 mesotesta and an endotesta. Any crystals, phenolic-like compounds, idioblasts, and the sclereids are not found in pericarp as well as seed coat. An overall development confirms Solanade type of embryogenesis in Abeliophyllum. The endocarp becomes more prominent in mature fruit

Magnoliae Flos (Sini in Korean) is one of the most important oriental medicinal plants. In the Korean Herbal Pharmacopeia, the bud of the all species in Manolia denudate and Manolia genus were regarded as the botanical sources for ‘Sini’. Most the dried bud of Manolia denudata, Manolia biondii and Manolia sprengeri were used as ‘Xin-yi’ in China. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine and compare the ‘Magnolia’ species, four species including Manolia denudata, M. biondii, M. liliiflora and M. Kobus were analysis of sequencing data revealed DNA polymorphisms. The based on tRNA coding leucine/phenylalanine (trnL-F) and NADH-plastoquinone oxidoreductase subunit 5 (ndhF) sequences in chloroplast DNA. For the identification of ‘Magnolia’ species, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of chloroplast DNA regions such as ndhF have proven an appropriate method. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been identified between genuine “Sini” and their fraudulent and misuse. Specific PCR primers were designed from this polymorphic site within the sequence data, and were used to detect true plants via multiplex PCR.

The flower buds of Sophora japonica L (SF), as a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, have been used to treat bleeding-related disorders such as hematochezia, hemorrhoidal bleeding, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and diarrhea. However, no specific anti-cancer effect and its molecular mechanism of SF have been described. Thus, we performed in vitro study to investigate if treatment of SF affects activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) expression and ATF3-mediated apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. The effects of SF on cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and Western blot analysis against cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). ATF3 activation induced by SF was evaluated using Western blot analysis, RT-PCR and ATF3 promoter assay. SF treatment caused decrease of cell viability and increase of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Exposure of SF activated the levels of ATF3 protein and mRNA via transcriptional regulation in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 by PD98059 and p38 by SB203580 attenuated SF-induced ATF3 expression and transcriptional activation. Ectopic ATF3 overexpression accelerated SF-induced cleavage of PARP. These findings suggest that SF-mediated apoptosis may be the result of ATF3 expression through ERK1/2 and p38-mediated transcriptional activation.

In this study, enhancement of phosphorus and nitrogen recovery efficiency from livestock manure through Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) crystallization method has been suggested as an alternative to solve the problems of the existing phosphorus resource recovery method. It can become a useful fertilizer. This study focused on improvement of phosphorus resource recovery by changing energy density of ultrasonic dose for MAP crystallization. Solubilization rate (as phosphate/phosphorus) of phosphorus in livestock manure was measured by ultrasonic treatment. The energy density range of 100-50,000 of ultrasonic dose was determined. Optimal ultrasonic energy density was 1,000 dose as 64.5% of phosphate ratio. However, when the higher than 1,000 dose of ultrasonic energy density did not more improve phosphate solubilization ratio. Consequently, when use ultrasonic treatment at 1,000 dose of energy density, the phosphorus could recover approximately 65% from livestock manure by MAP crystallization. Moreover, this MAP becomes more valuable due to its nature as a slow-release fertilizer.

A 63-year-old woman with a history of nephrolithiasis and long-term hemodialysis (HD) presented with abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed urinoma induced by renal forniceal rupture, and three causative calculi. No active stone growth or new stones were observed when compared with previous CT, however, fragmentation and migration of an existing stone was observed. After ureteroscopic lithotripsy and stenting with a double-J catheter, the patient made a full recovery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of spontaneous renal forniceal rupture in an anuric HD patient caused by calculi. Renal forniceal rupture can occur, even in anuric HD patients.

Expression of claudin-11 (CLDN11), a tight junction (TJ) protein, was examined in the Korean soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus maackii) testes. Spermatogenesis began during the breeding season and peaked at the end of the breeding season. Spermiation started in summer and peaked in autumn. The deduced amino acid sequence of P. maackii CLDN11 was similar to those of avian and mammalian species. During the non-breeding season when spermatogenesis and testosterone production were active, testicular Cldn11 levels were high. In the seminiferous epithelium, strong wavy CLDN11 strands parallel to the basement membrane delaminate the spermatogonia, and early spermatocytes are in the open compartment. Otherwise, CLDN11 was found beneath the early spermatocytes and in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. Punctate zonular occludens-1 (ZO-1) immunoreactivity was found within the CLDN11 strands parallel to the basement membrane or at the outermost periphery of the seminiferous epithelium close to the basal lamina. During the breeding season, when circulating testosterone levels and spermatogenic activity was low, testicular CLDN11 level was lower than those of non-breeding season. CLDN11 was found at apicolateral contact sites between adjacent Sertoli cells devoid of the postmeiotic germ cells. At this time, lanthanum tracer diffused to the adluminal compartment of seminiferous epithelium. In cultured testis tissues, testosterone propionate significantly increased the level of Cldn11 mRNA. In P. maackii testis, CLDN11 participates in the development of the BTB where the CLDN11 expression was coupled with spermatogenic activity and circulating androgen levels, indicating the conserved nature of TJ’s expressing CLDN11 at the BTB in amniotes.

본 연구는 장애전담 어린이집에 재원 중인 발달지체유아를 대상으로 요일별 신체리듬을 고려한 원예활동 프로그램이 유아의 적응행동에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 원예활동 대상자는 S장애전담 어린이집에서 4세~6세 발달지체유아 대조군 8명, 실험군 8명이었다. 원예활동 프로그램은 2012년 10월 15일부터 2012년 11월 22일까지 주 3회 30분씩 총 18회 실시하였다. 전체 적응행동 평가 결과 대조군의 경우 실험 전 65.00점에서 실험 후 66.00점으로 1.00점이 향상되었고 실험군은 전체 적응행동 평가 결과 실험 전 66.00점에서 실험 후 85.50점으로 19.50점이 향상되었다. 실험군의 하위항목별 변화를 살펴보면 개념적 적응행동은 원예활동 실시 전 64.00점에서 실시 후 80.75점으로, 사회적 적응행동은 65.50점에서 80.63점으로, 실제적 적응행동은 74.38점에서 95.38점으로 모든 항목이 원예활동 실시 후 유의하게 향상되는 것을 볼 수 있었다. 이상의 연구결과로부터 요일별 신체리듬의 변화와 유아의 흥미와 참여도를 고려하여 설계한 원예활동프로그램이 장애전담 어린이집 내에 재원하고 있는 발달지체유아들의 적응행동 향상에 효과적인 것으로 나타났다.

Neutropenic enterocolitis (NE), the most serious gastrointestinal complication, has been reported as a clinical syndrome that occurs in the setting of disease- or chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Complications of NE include bowel necrosis with perforation, fistula, stenosis, massive bleeding, abscess formation, and pneumatosis intestinalis (PI). Most physicians recommend initial conservative management with bowel rest, intravenous fluids, total parenteral nutrition, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and normalization of neutrophil counts. Surgical intervention is recommended in the event of obstruction, perforation, persistent gastrointestinal bleeding despite correction of thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy, or clinical deterioration. We experienced a patient whose abdominal computed tomography scan showed pneumoretroperitoneum, intramural gas in the colon, and inferior vena caval gas. Her condition improved after treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and broad-spectrum antibiotics. We report on this case along with a review of the literature.

Testicular expression of CLDN11 (claudin-11), a tight junction protein was examined together with spermatogenesis and circulating testosterone levels in Korean soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus maackii). Spermatogenesis started during the breeding season in May and peaked in August when the breeding season ended. Spermiation started in July and peaked in October, showing the typical pattern of spermatogenesis in temperate zone reptiles. Deduced amino acid sequences of P. maackii CLDN11 was highly homologous to those of avian and mammals, suggesting the conserved nature of CLDN11 in amniotes. During the non-breeding season when the spermatogenesis was active and circulating testosterone levels elevated, testicular CLDN11 mRNA and protein (19kDa) levels were high. Strong, wavy CLDN11 immunoreactive strands run parallel to basement membrane in the basal part of the seminiferous epithelium, delaminating the spermatogonia and early spermatocytes in the open compartment. Otherwise, CLDN11 was found beneath the early spermatocytes and in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm perpendicular to basement membrane. In double labeling experiment, punctate ZO-1 immunoreactivity was found within the CLDN11 strands run parallel to the basement membrane as well as at the most periphery of seminiferous epithelium where ZO-1 and CLDN11 in Sertoli cells were mostly cytoplasmic and perpendicular to basement membrane. Together, recruit of CLDN11 and ZO-1 to the inter-Sertoli TJs was tightly coupled with spermatogenic stage. At the breeding season when the circulating testosterone levels and spermatogenic activity remained low, testicular CLDN11 mRNA and protein levels were low. CLDN11 was found at apicolateral contacts between adjacent Sertoli cells devoid of the postmeiotic germ cells, suggesting that CLDN11 between adjacent Sertoli cells also participates in the maintenance of seminiferous lumen. In P. maackii testis, CLDN11 as a structural element of the blood-testis barrier dynamically changed according to spermatogenic activity and circulating androgen levels. This is the first study on the CLDN TJs at the BTB in reptilian testis.

UGT72E3/2 gene encodes UDP-glycosyltransferase shown to glucosylate several phenylpropanoids such as syringin and coniferin. Syringin has effect of anti-stress and anti-fatigue. Korean soybean variety Kwangan was transformed with UGT72E3/2 gene. This gene was transformed into Kwangan using highly efficient soybean transformation system. This study used two promoters, beta-conglycinin promoter for seed-specific expression and 35s promoter for total expression. Transgenic plants were confirmed for gene introduction and their expression using PCR and RT-PCR. The analysis of syringin in transgenic plants was performed using HPLC. Currently, the confirmation of stable gene introduction with UGT72E3/2 gene is also performing by Southern blot analysis.

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV), a member of Potyviridae family, is one of the most typical viral diseases and results in yield and quality loss of cultivated soybean. Due to the depletion of genetic resources for resistance breeding, a trial of genetic transformation to improve disease resistance has been performed by introducing SMV-CP and HC-Pro gene by RNA interference (RNAi) method via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic plants were infected with SMV strain G5 and investigated the viral response. As a result, two lines (3 and 4) of SMV-CP(RNAi) transgenic plants and three lines (2, 5 and 6) of HC-Pro(RNAi) transgenic plants showed viral resistance. In genomic Southern blot analysis, most of lines contained at least one T-DNA insertion in both SMV-CP(RNAi) and HC-Pro(RNAi) transgenic plants. Subsequent investigation confirmed that no viral CP and HC-Pro gene expression was detected in two SMV-resistant lines of SMV-CP(RNAi) and three lines of HC-Pro(RNAi) transgenic plants, respectively. On the other hand, non-transgenic plants and other lines showed viral RNA expression. Viral symptoms affected seed morphology, and clean seeds were harvested from SMV-resistant line of SMV-CP(RNAi) and HC-Pro(RNAi) transgenic plants. In addition, strong viral gene expression was detected from seeds of SMV-susceptible non-transgenic plants and SMV-susceptible transgenic lines. When compared the viral resistance between SMV-CP(RNAi) and HC-Pro(RNAi) transgenic plants, soybean transgenic plants with the HC-Pro gene using RNAi strategy showed much stronger and higher frequency of viral resistance.

Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) crystal protein (Cry1Ac) genes encode insecticidal δ-endotoxins that are widely used for the development of insect-resistant crops. Common soybean is a crop of economic and nutritious importance in many parts of the world. Korea soybean variety Kwangan was transformed with Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) crystal protein genes. We transformed three difference Cry1Ac (Cry1Ac and two modified Cry1Ac) genes into Kwangan using highly efficient soybean transformation system. Transgenic plants with Bt crystal protein genes were confirmed for gene introduction and their expression using PCR, real-time PCR, and RT-PCR. We generated 30 independent lines of transgenic soybean plants. Analysis of the flanking sequences isolated by Inverse PCR revealed complex T-DNA insertion patterns and preferential integration of T-DNA into the intergenic spacer region of the soybean genome. We found 5 different intergenic transgenic soybean lines of soybean genome. Currently, the confirmation of stable gene introduction with Bt genes is also performing by southern blot analysis, physiology test, and agronomic characters are investigating.

Genetically modified (GM) plant claims to be the solution to global poverty, and potentially solving environmental change and food requirement by increased human population. In this study, we were evaluating agronomic characteristics and chemical properties of two GM drought-tolerant rice (CaMsrB2-8 and CaMsrB2-23) compared with donor cultivars (Ilmi). Statistical analysis agronomic characteristics GM and donor rice showed no significant difference between both of them. Yield and appearance of rice grain, GM rice was a similar to the donor rice. Chemical composition analysis showed that GM drought-tolerant rice has no different with donor rice. This result indicated that GM drought tolerant rice has no big significant difference agronomic character and chemical properties; it can be solve food shortages in spite of drought condition.

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping is a highly effective approach for studying genetically complex forms of plant shattering. With QTLs mapping, the shattering loci can be described. SSR marker is based on the imformation of Simple Sequence Repeat and easy to analyze using PCR and has high reproducibility. For analyzing QTLs associated with shattering, we selected 219 SSR markers from 254 SSR markers and used them for implementing Mapmaker(Ver. 3.0) and Mapchart(Ver. 2.2). Mapmaker help to calculate distances between each markers and Mapchart is a program for drawing Genetic map. This Genetic map of rice (Oryza sativa L.) covering 2082.4 cM with 9.5 cM between makers in the Kosambi function has been constructed using 120 F1 DH plants from a single cross between the indica variety Chungchung and the japonica variety Nagdong.

Spontaneous perirenal hematoma is an unusual but serious complication of tumors, vascular disease, ruptured cyst, or infection. The authors report the case of a diabetic patient who presented with spontaneous perirenal hematoma and who was subsequently diagnosed to have emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Twenty two common millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) varieties collected from Korea, China and Russia were investigated for their phylogenetic relationship using 5S ribosomal DNA sequences with a hope to provide the basic information on their exact origin. Sequences of 5S rDNA were isolated by PCR. The primers, 5s-rRNA1 and 5s-rRNA2, were designed to isolate the complete NTS. Genomic DNA amplification produced two fragments with different length, 900 bp and 400 bp fragments, confirming the presence of two types of 5S rDNA repeats that differed from each other in the length of the NTS region. Amplified DNAs of 400 bp fragment were subcloned and used for further investigation. The obtained NTS sequences ranged from 200 to 300 bp and homology of sequences among plant materials was much higher than long repeat. CLUSTALW multiple aligment of 5S rDNA sequences from 22 different common millets revealed the clear difference by their origin. And critically different areas with insert or deletion were also confirmed. Those sequence difference seems to be used for discrimination of cultivars from different origin and use as molecular markers for origin identification. In phylogenic tree construction, the clear classification was shown where the genotypes from China and Russia is positioned together and stay away from domestic genotypes.

Understanding the host defense mechanisms in response to brown leaf spot disease caused by Cochliobolus miyabeanus is very important for production of resistant plant. In this study, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) in conjunction with mass spectrometry was utilized to unravel changes of stress inducible proteins in rice leaves infected with C. miyabeanus. For this purpose, we firstly observed disease developmental process of C. miyabeanus in rice using trypan blue, anilin blue, acid fuchsin staining, and DAB staining for ROS detection and expressional abundance of ROS related proteins in rice leaves inoculated was confirmed by Western blotting. Proteins were extracted by PEG fractionation and their expression patterns were analyzed by 2-DGE and subjected to image analysis using the ImageMaster 6.0 2D Platinum software, resulting in the identification of 86 differentially expressed protein spots with significantly changes (p<0.05) compared with control. MALDI-TOFTOF-MS analysis revealed that 69 proteins including 42 and 27 significantly up- and down-regulated proteins, respectively, were identified. Based on gene ontology analysis, identified proteins were classified according to their functional groups: metabolism (20%), oxygen-detoxifying (13%), protein stress/defense (24%). Thus, these results for the first time suggest that differentially induced proteins may play a key role for understanding host defense mechanisms during rice -C. miyabeanus interaction.

Rye has important genes for biotic and abiotic stress resistance. Introduction of these genes to wheat by breeding wheat-rye translocation have been intensively used in wheat breeding program. Rye chromatin 1RS and/or 2RL show superior performance in unfavorable environments. In order to develop high yielding wheat, we applied various molecular breeding strategies. To develop EST-derived 1RS specific markers, we used comparative genomics with public sequence databases of Poaceae family. Putative rye chromatin specific sequences were used to design 1RS specific markers. To identify genes related to water deficiency, cDNA AFLP analysis was used in PEG treated seedlings of 1RS RILs. For functional analysis of identified genes and markers, we used Brachypodium distachyon, as a new model plant of temperate grasses. B. distachyon were recently applied for transformation and we constructed Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system. Integration of those strategies and conventional breeding method would enhance the usefulness of rye chromatins for wheat improvement.