The organic light-emitting diodes are fabricated with six anthracene derivatives containing simple substituents such as phenyl or naphthyl group. The device structure is as in the following: Indium tin oxide (ITO) (180 nm)/4,4-4,4`,4``-tris[N-(1-naphthyl)-Nphenylamino] triphenylamine (2-TNATA) (30 nm)/4,4`-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-1-amino] biphenyl (NPB) (20 nm)/Emitting compound (30 nm)/2,2′,2"- (1,3,5-Benzinetriyl)-tris (1-phenyl-1-H–benz-imidazole) TPBi (40 nm)/lithium quinolate (Liq) (2 nm)/Al (100 nm). In the emitting layer the anthracene derivatives are used without any dopant. All the six devices show blue emissions. Among the tested diodes, the one with 9-(2-naphthyl)-10-(p-tolyl) anthracene (2-NTA) exhibited luminous efficiency, power and external quantum efficiencies of 3.26 cd/A, 0.98 lm/A, 2.8 % at 20 mA/cm .

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of core muscle training on balance ability. Forty subjects in their 20s participated in a 6 week core muscle training program. Balance ability before and after the intervention were assessed and analyzed using the Romberg test, which was conducted on the floor, pedalo, and balancefit. The differences between the measurement methods of balance ability using varied platforms was also compared and analyzed. After the 6-week core exercise training program, the training group represented statistically significant increases in all 3 methods for static balance ability. In the control group, all 3 methods represented no statistically significant increases. Upon comparing the different methods of the Romberg test, there were no notable differences between conducting the test on varying platforms for both groups. This study suggests that the core muscle exercise training program increased the balance ability.

The aim of this study was to observe the effects of kinesiotaping and joint mobilization on the metatarsophalangeal joint angle and pain in hallux valgus patients Twenty-one female hallux valgus patients in their 20s were divided into two groups, a Kinesiotaping group (KT, n=10) and another group with the addition of joint mobilization (KTJM, n=11). After undergoing 6 weeks of intervention, the change in the metatarsophalangeal joint and pain were measured. Metatarsophalangeal joint angle was significantly increased both the KT and the KTMJ group after intervention. In the change of pain, both the KT and KTJM groups on an individual basis also experienced a significant decrease in pain, though comparison between the two groups failed to represent a significant difference. These findings suggest that Kinesiotatping and joint mobilization increased the joint angle and reduced pain.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered an alternative source of neuronal lineage cells, which are difficult to isolate from brain and expand in vitro. Previous studies have reported that MSCs expressing Nestin (Nestin+ MSCs), a neuronal stem/progenitor cell marker, exhibit increased transcriptional levels of neural development-related genes, indicating that Nestin+ MSCs may exert potential with neurogenic differentiation. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of the presence of Nestin+ MSCs in bone-marrow-derived primary cells (BMPCs) on enhanced neurogenic differentiation of BMPCs by identifying the presence of Nestin+ MSCs in uncultured and cultured BMPCs. The percentage of Nestin+ MSCs in BMPCs was measured per passage by double staining with Nestin and CD90, an MSC marker. The efficiency of neurogenic differentiation was compared among passages, revealing the highest and lowest yields of Nestin+ MSCs. The presence of Nestin+ MSCs was identified in BMPCs before in vitro culture, and the highest and lowest percentages of Nestin+ MSCs in BMPCs was observed at the third (P3) and fifth passages (P5). Moreover, significantly the higher efficiency of differentiation into neurons, oligodendrocyte precursor cells and astrocytes was detected in BMPCs at P3, compared with P5. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that neurogenic differentiation can be enhanced by increasing the proportion of Nestin+ MSCs in cultured BMPCs.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an important signaling molecule which mediates many different cellular responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of in vitro culture (IVC) medium supplemented with LPA on the preimplantation embryonic development of porcine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF). Embryos derived from IVF were cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with 30 μM LPA on Day 1 to Day 7, Day 1 to Day 3 (early stage), or Day 4 to Day 7 (late stage), or without LPA. Moreover, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of obtaining blastocysts from each group were analyzed. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Duncan using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) mean ± SEM. There was a significantly higher cleavage rate in Day 1 to Day 7 than control (71.25% and 57.46%, respectively) and significantly higher total cell number of blastocysts in Day 1 to Day 3 and Day 4 to Day 7 than control (56.07,56.53 and 45.19, respectively). The results also showed that the mRNA expression level of PCNA, Bcl-2 and Bax in Day 1 to Day 7 group blastocysts were significantly higher than control and the expression level of Bax in Day 1 to Day 3 was also significantly higher than control. Moreover, it also showed that Bcl-2/Bax mRNA ratio in D1-3 group was significantly lower than control but D4-7 and D1-7 groups were comparable to control group. In conclusion, our results suggest that treatment with 30 μM LPA during IVC improves the porcine early embryo cleavage and the blastocyst total cell number after IVF and regulating the mRNA expression of blastocysts during blastocyst formation.

Severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) pig is very important research model for biomedical research, such as the development of humanized tissues and organs for transplantation and long-term evaluation of transplanted cancer or stem cell of human origin. FOXN1 gene encodes a transcription factor essential for the development and function of thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the primary lymphoid organ that supports T-cell development and selection. In this study, we are going to produce the FOXN1 KO SCID pigs using the Crispr/Cpf1 method. Porcine genomic DNA sequences were analyzed and the target sequences were selected using a web tool, Benchling (https://benchling.com/). The designed crDNA oligos was synthesized by the Oligonucleotide Synthesis Service (Macrogen Inc., Seoul, Korea). To generate the AsCpf1-mCherry-Puro construct, pTE4396 (#74041; Addgene, Cambridge, MA, USA) was modified by removing the NeoR/KanR sequence using BstBI and SmaI. Then, the mCherry-Puro sequence from pSicoR-Ef1a-mCh-Puro (#31845; Addgene, Cambridge, MA, USA) digested with the same restriction enzymes was inserted into the aforementioned NeoR/KanR-deleted vector. The crDNA #1 or crDNA #2 was inserted into the pTE4396 and AsCpf1-mCherry-Puro vectors in the U6 promoter region using BsmBI enzyme, respectively. The two vectors were transfected with lipofectamine 3000 (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY, USA) and selected with puromycin and G-418 antibiotics. As a result, we established a cell line into which two vectors (pTE4396+crFOXN1#2 and AsCpf1- mCherry-Puro+ crFOXN1#1) and were inserted. Further studies are needed to characterize FOXN1 KO cell lines.

Growth differentiation factor8 (GDF8) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β that has been identified as a strong physiological regulator. Overall of the current studies, the GDF8 is detected in oviduct fluid and uterus which led us to suggest that the GDF8 may effect on preimplantation embryonic development and act paracrine role to correlate with successful late-blastocyst implantation in in vivo. The purpose of this study is the effects of GDF8 on porcine parthenogenesis (PA) embryo development during in vitro culture (IVC). We were investigated the effect of GDF8 supplement during PA embryo IVC by cleavage and blastocyst formation rate and patterning analysis. Data were analyzed by on way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s range test. Respectively 0.2, 2 and 20 ng/mL of GDF8 were added during IVC followed experiment design as control, 0.2, 2, and 20 GDF8 supplement groups. After 48h of embryo culture time, no significant difference was observed on cleavage rate from the different concentration (0, 0.2, 2, and 20 ng/ml) of GDF8 supplement groups (65.7%, 66.0%, 66.3%, and 65.8%, respectively). After 120h of embryo culture time, the 0.2 and 2 group showed significantly (p<0.05) higher blastocyst formation rate than control (40.4% and 36.4% VS 40.4%, respectively). In embryo developmental pattern analysis, the 0.2 ng/ml GDF8 supplement groups showed significantly higher (p<0.05) 2-3 cell cleavage- and early blastocyst pattern compared with control (12.0% and 10.4% VS 6.6% and 6.2%, respectively). However there are no significantly different pattern was observed in other groups. In conclusion, the 0.2 ng/ml of GDF8 supplementation during porcine PA embryo IVC significantly changed embryonic developmental patterns. However there are further studies are required such as analysis of blastocyst total number, specific gene transcription pattern, and ICM/TE rate to make clarify and support the conclusion.

The use of pigs in neuroscience has increased over the past years because the pigs are closely related to humans in terms of anatomy and physiology. Especially, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintains the homeostatic microenvironment in the central nervous system (CNS) and they can provide a valuable tool for studying the neurobiology. However, only a few putative blood-brain barrier (BBB) models have been generated by co-culture of porcine primary cells. The fundamental problem is that they lose some of their phenotypes when maintained in vitro for long-term culture. To establish improved in vitro porcine BBB models, we differentiated novel brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) from porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using a modified human-based protocol. Briefly, the dissociated single cells from iPSCs were seeded in Geltrex. For differentiation, cells were maintained for 3 days of expansion and then switched to unconditioned medium (UM) lacking bFGF for 6-7 days. Then, we subcultured cells onto collagen/fibronectin coated plates and changed BMEC medium for 2-3 weeks. About two weeks later, we observed a cluster of round cells surrounded by spindle shaped adherent cells termed as colony-forming units (CFU) of putative BMECs. Over time, the cluster of cells disappears and remained adherent spindle-shaped cells showed properties of endothelial cells. Although further studies will be needed, this study would be a great comparative analysis of the porcine and human in vitro BBB model.

Growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β that has been identified as a strong physiological regulator. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of GDF8 on porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM). We investigated a specific gene transcription levels in oocytes and cumulus cells (CC) after IVM by realtime PCR arry, and specific protein expression and activation levels in matured CCs by western blotting. Each concentration (0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml) of GDF8 was added in maturation medium (TCM199) during process of IVM. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Duncan using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science). Data are presented as the mean and Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. After 44 h of IVM, oocytes are mechanically denuded from CCs with 0.1% of hyaluronidase, and then the separated oocytes and CCs were sampled following each group. To assess the effect of GDF8 on specific gene transcription level changes as a dose response during IVM, the realtime PCR array was performed. In CCs the 1- and 10 ng/ml of GDF8 supplement group showed the transcription co-factors CBP and SP1, cell metabolic regulator MAPK1, and cumulus expansion related genes Has2, Cox-2, Ptx3 and Areg transcription levels were significantly distinguished with control when hierarchically clustered by Euclidean distance with average linkage method after IVM. In matured oocytes the 10- and 100 ng/ml of GDF8 supplement group showed the maternal factors JMJD3 and Zar1, transcriptional regulator FOXO1, Sirt1 and Sirt2, mitochondrial activity factor Sirt3, ACSL3 and ACADL, anti-apoptosis gene BCL-2, and oocyte secrete factor BMP15 mRNA transcription levels were significantly distinguished compared with control. To determine effect of GDF8 supplement during IVM, the GDF8 down steam canonical regulator SMAD2/3 protein phosphorylation levels analyzed in CCs by western blotting. The 10- and 100 ng/ml supplement groups showed significantly increase phosphorylated (P)-SMAD3 (1.56 and 1.34 times higher than control) protein levels (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplement of GDF8 during IVM activates FOXO homolog transcription and induced cumulus cells expansion via activation of SMAD3 signaling in CCs. While process of IVM, the transcriptional landscape changes in CCs may consequently result maternal factors accumulation and mitochondrial activation in oocytes.

Little is known to date about neural development of pig and directed differentiation of porcine pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to neuronal cells remains elusive. To determine whether soluble factors from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) promoted the neural differentiation from porcine induced PSCs (iPSCs), cells were treated cultured media of GBM cells. First of all, we isolated and established primary GBM cell line (WHO grade IV). The cellular morphology of GBM cancer cell line are dendritic-like with positive expression in NESTIN, SOX2, VIMENTIN and GFAP using immunofluorescence analysis. G-banded karyotype from primary GBM cell line revealed severe numerical chromosomal aberrations. GBM-cultured medium (CM) treated iPSC-NPCs survive well in vitro when supplemented with a combination of growth factors, including EGF and bFGF. The GBM-CM treated differentiated cells showed an increased mRNA expression level of astrocyte marker, GFAP and the dopaminergic neuron marker, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). However, there was no significant difference in mRNA expression level of oligodendrocyte marker, MBP. The protocol developed in the present study for large animal models might provide an exciting tool to bridge the present gaps in neuroscience studies between rodents and humans.

The tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura(Fabricius), is a major pest of tomato and frequently demands control measures. The timing of insecticide application is a key factor in determining its efficiency, so an experiment was designed to investigate this. Application of insecticide was based on three criteria: (i) the number of trap-caught moths in a Delta-type trap with a commercial sex pheromone lure placed in the center of the target area, soon after plant emergence; (ii) the percentage of plants exhibiting pinhole-type damage (10% or 20%) and (iii) the percentage of plants exhibiting shot hole-type damage (10% or 20%) compared to a check plot without any control measures. We found that the number of trap-caught moths was, compared to the other methods, the best means of deciding on insecticide application in tomato plant to control the tobacco cutworm. Using pheromone traps, we obtained the best performance of the insecticide Shinnago, causing > 90% larval mortality. Without insecticide application, tomato yield reduction due to the tobacco cutworm larva damage was 27%.

The pheromone biosynthesis in Plutella xylostella is more active in the scotophase than in the photophase, indicating that there may be changes of gene expression in the pheromone glands. To identify genes contributing to change in pheromone production, we analyzed transcriptomes of pheromone glands from both decapitated females (PG-minus) in the photophase and normal ones (PG-plus) in the scotophase. Deep sequencing for mRNAs in the pheromone gland yielded approximately 7.5Gb and 6,671 transcripts showing positive FPKM value were analyzed. Differentially expressed gene analysis revealed that up- and down-regulated transcripts were 310 and 326 in the PG-plus transcriptome, respectively. Genes putatively involved in the pheromone biosynthesis pathway were identified such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase, acetyl-CoA dehydrogenase, fatty acid synthase (FAS), desaturases (Δ9 and Δ 11) and fatty acid reductases of pheromone gland (pgFAR), alcohol oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and aldehyde reductase, etc. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that expressions of FAS, Δ11 desaturase and pgFAR were significantly higher in PG-plus, suggesting that they may have crucial roles in sex pheromone biosynthesis of P. xylostella

Thrips worms and root-knot nematodes occur in a variety of crops, and have shown a great deal of damage to farm income every year, and the damage is increasing every year. In order to solve these problems, a variety of biological materials are used in Korea to develop a control agent. However, there are very few products available that can satisfy the consumer's satisfactory control effect, efficacy, formulation stability and pesticide compatibility. In order to propose a biological control solution to these problems, this study was conducted to develop the optimal bioprocess technology and formulations suitable for the material by transferring the Aspergillus nigerF22 strain, which is effective for root-knot nematodes, at Chonnam National University. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of Aspergillus niger F22 20% suspension concentrate (Productname:NEMAFREE), which has excellent efficacy on root nematodes. The packing test result showed about 70-90% control effect. Soil fumigation and disinfection treatments after 4 days of planting were effective. In addition, we have developed a product to control the under powder pupa using Beauveria bassiana ERL836, an insect pathogenic microorganism, which has excellent control effect against resistant insect pupa. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of insect pests on the under poor control of the pupa in the soil. In the pavement test, more than 70%(GR) formulation, which can be treated withch emical pesticides, and it is confirmed that synergy effect is in the control of Thrips worm.

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, is a globally distributed and important economic pest. Chemical control is the primary approach to regulate populations of this pest. Chlorantraniliprole is the first commercial insecticide that belongs to the new chemical class of diamide insecticides. In this study, the resistant strain was observed 1578-fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole. Point mutation (G4946E) in ryanodine receptor (RyR) showed a high frequency. Enzyme assays indicated that glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the resistant strain was 2.4 times higher compared with the susceptible strain, whereas no difference was seen for P450 and esterase. In addition, the expression of two GSTs genes was up-regulated. These findings pave the way for the complete understanding of the mechanisms of diamide insecticides resistance in insects.

Morphology of antennal sensilla and their distribution were investigated in male and female adults of Ooencyrtus nezarae, an egg parasitoid of Riptortus pedestris, using scanning electron microscopy. Antennae of O. nezarae was composed of scape, pedicel and seven flagella in both sexes. Six types of sensilla (s. trichodea, s. basiconica, s. chaetica, s. campaniformia, s. sickle-shaped and unknown s.) were identified from both sexes. Among them, s. trichodea and s. sickle-shaped were multiporous, others are not. They distributed in varying numbers. Sexual dimorphism was clearly observed in the distribution of s. trichodea (only on male antennae) and unknown sensilla (only on female antennae). These findings would be helpful for further studies on detailed sex specific-receptive functions of each antennal sensilla.

This study used both kinesiotaping and extracorporeal shock wave therapy on patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder - a common musculoskeletal disorder in adults - in order to observe the effects on the joint range of motion. 21 adult(male 12, female 9) were selected and distributed into randomized groups. One group received kinesiotaping (n=10) and the other group received kinesiotaping together with extracorporeal shockwave therapy (n=11). After a 6 week duration of receiving kinesiotaping and extracorporeal shockwave therapy, changes in the joint range of motion in the patients were observed. Post-treatment of frozen shoulder, the changes in abduction within the shoulder joint were as follows: in both groups there was a noticeable increase in the joint range of motion (p<.05). Post-treatment of frozen shoulder, the changes in external rotation within the shoulder joint were as follows: both groups showed a significant increase in the joint range of motion (p<.05). The result of suggest that, it can be inferred that both the extracorporeal shockwave therapy and kinesiotaping are effective in increasing the joint range of motion in patients with frozen shoulder.