Neurokinin B (NKB) and neurokinin B related peptide (NKBRP) belong to tachykinin peptide family. They act as a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator. Mutation of NKB and/or its cognate receptor, NK3R resulted in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in mammals, implying a strong involvement of NKB/NK3R system in controlling mammalian reproduction. Teleosts possess NKBRP as well as NKB, but their roles in fish reproduction need to be clarified. In this study, NKB and NKBRP coding gene (tac3) was cloned from Nile tilapia and sequenced. Based on the sequence, Nile tilapia NKB and NKBRP peptide were synthesized and their biological potencies were tested in vitro pituitary culture. The synthetic NKBRP showed direct inhibitory effect on the expression of GTH subunits at the pituitary level. This inhibitory effect was confirmed in vivo by means of intraperitoneal (ip) injection of synthetic NKB and NKBRP to mature female tilapia (20 pmol/g body weight [BW]). Both NKB and NKBRP had no effect on the plasma level of sex steroids, E2 and 11-KT. However, NKBRP caused declines of expression level of GnRH I, Kiss2 and tac3 mRNAs in the brain while NKB seemed to have no distinct effect. These results indicate some inhibitory roles of NKBRP in reproduction of mature female Nile tilapia, although their exact functions are not clear at the moment.

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum amount of Artemisia annua L. powder for adding rice flour. The A. annua powder was added to the rice flour at ratios of 1% (30 g/3 kg), 2% (60 g/3 kg), 3% (90 g/3 kg, w/w). As the amount of A. annua powder in rice cake dough increased, carbohydrate, ash content, total amino acid, and dietary fiber contents increased whereas the moisture content decreased. Hunter’s L value decreased as A. annua powder content increased. On the contrary, the a- and b values increased. The sensory score of the rice cakes containing 30 g of A. annua powder was the highest of all the rice cakes tested. Based on these results, adding A. annua powder could improve the quality and sensory characteristics of rice cake.

Background : Correct identification of Panax species is important to ensure food quality, safety, authenticity and health for consumers. This paper describes a high resolution melting (HRM) analysis based method using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 5.8S ribosomal DNA barcoding regions as target (Bar-HRM) to obtain barcoding information for the major Panax species and to identify the origin of ginseng plant. Methods and Results : A PCR-based approach, Bar-HRM was developed to discriminate among Panax species. In this study, the ITS1, ITS2, and 5.8S rDNA genes were targeted for testing, since these have been identified as suitable genes for use in the identification of Panax species. The HRM analysis generated cluster patterns that were specific and sensitive enough to detect small sequence differences among the tested Panax species. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the HRM curve analysis of the ITS regions and 5.8S rDNA sequences is a simple, quick, and reproducible method. It can simultaneously identify three Panax species and screen for variants. Thus, ITS1HRM and 5.8SHRM primer sets can be used to distinguish among Panax species.

Wheat-rye translocation lines are widely used in wheat breeding programmes by reason of biotic stress tolerances. Though there have been a number of researches regarding abiotic stress tolerance, the tolerance of the lines depends on wheat genetic background, not on rye chromosome. Here, we investigated wheat-rye translocation specific transcripts derived from cDNA-AFLP under drought stress, which may help to elucidate the reaction under the stress. ‘OK91G117’ (1BL.1RS translocation) and ‘OK91G144’ (non-translocation) were used as materials, which are near-isolines for 1RS. 25% PEG 6000 was added in culture solution to simulate drought condition and root tissues were sampled at each 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h after PEG treatment for RNA extraction. As a result of cDNA-AFLP, TDFs (transcript derived fragments) that were specific to OK91G117 were sequenced. GO functions of each sequenced TDF were annotated by Blast2GO using standard parameter with cut-off level 3 and mapped to the GO term (i.e. biological process; BP, molecular function; MF, cellular component; CC). The term with “organic substance metabolic process”, “primary metabolic process”, and “cellular metabolic process” account for almost 50 % of BP. The most represented terms among probes classified to MF were “transferase activity” and most of TDF were annotated in “cell part” of CC. In addition, rye-chromatin specific markers were developed by BLAST comparing sequence of TDF with wheat and rye genome data. RT-PCR was conducted to validate expression patterns of selected TDF. Further studies will be needed to elucidate functions of the highly expressed genes under drought stress.

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.

FT is one of the major floral activator in photoperiod-dependent flowering pathway. To understand the role of FT homologs in flowering time control of short-day plant soybean, we identified ten soybean FT genes and named GmFTs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that ten GmFT genes were further categorized into three subclades. Gene expression analysis showed that the most GmFT genes are mainly expressed in leaves. The expression of GmFT2a, GmFT2b, GmFT5a, and GmFT6 was strongly induced under the floral inductive short-day condition, but GmFT4 exhibited opposite expression pattern compared to those of GmFT2a, GmFT2b, GmFT5a, and GmFT6. To understand roles of GmFT genes in flowering, we generated Arabidopsis transgenic plant overexpressing GmFT genes. Both 35S:GmFT2a and 35S:GmFT5a transgenic plants showed extremely early flowering. In contrast, overexpression of GmFT4 delayed flowering of transgenic plants compared to wild type Arabidopsis. The results indicated that GmFT2a and GmFT5a might function as floral activators, while GmFT4 has an opposite function in soybean flowering. Moreover, domain swapping approaches between GmFT2a and GmFT4 revealed that the substitution of the segment B region alone, which is located in 4th exon, was sufficient to change the function of GmFT2a to floral repressor and GmFT4 to floral activator. The results suggested that soybean FT homologs have been functionally diversified during evolution and might play different roles in photoperiod-dependent flowering of soybean.

The roots of Platycodon grandiflorum are known as traditional medicine, has been extensively used since ancient times as a therapeutic to treat cold, cough and asthma in Korean traditional medications. This study was conducted in order to profile proteins from the hormone induced diploid and tetraploid roots using high throughput proteome approach. Two dimensional gels stained with CBB, a total of 64 differential expressed proteins were identified from the diploid root using image analysis by Progenesis SameSpot software. Out of total differential expressed spots, 20 differential expressed protein spots (≥ 2-fold) were analyzed using MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry whereas a total of 13 protein spots were up regulated and 7 protein spots were down-regulated. However, in the case of tetraploid root, a total of 78 differential expressed proteins were identified from tetraploid root of which a total of 28 differential expressed protein spots (≥ 2-fold) were analyzed by mass spectrometry whereas a total of 16 protein spots were up regulated and a total of 12 protein spots were down-regulated. However, proteins identified using iProClass databases revealed that the identified proteins from the explants were mainly associated with the nucleic acid binding, oxidoreductase activity, transporter activity and isomers activity. The exclusive protein profile may provide insight clues for better understanding the characteristics of proteins and metabolic activity in various explants of the economically important medicinal plant Platycodon grandiflorum.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is thought to be one of the leading threat to the environment due to its high toxicity. However, the molecular responses induced by Cd have so far been grossly overlooked. This study examines the morpho-physiological alterations combined with proteome changes in leaves of Sorghum bicolor when exposed to Cd. Ten days old sorghum seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0, 100, and 150 μM) of CdCl2 and a significant accumulation of Cd in the leaves was recorded by ICP analysis. Furthermore, the effects of Cd exposure on protein expression patterns in S. Bicolor was investigated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and the 2-DE profile of leaf proteins from both control and Cd-treated seedlings were compared quantitatively using Progenesis SameSpot software. Results lined to morphological changes that plants treated with Cd suffered reduction of growth. The concentration of Cd was markedly reversed by the Cd treatments, whereas the absorption degree of Cd was increased by the higher concentration of Cd by confocal microscopy. Using 2-DE method, a total of 33 differentially expressed protein spots were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. Of those, 13 protein spots were significantly enhanced/reduced while 20 reduced under Cd treatment. The most of the up-regulated proteins are involved in oxidative response, glutathione and sulfur metabolism as well as the secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Collectively, our study provides insights into the integrated molecular mechanisms of early responses to Cd and growth and physiological characteristics of sorghum seedlings hoping to provide references on the mechanism of heavy metal damaging plants.

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient required for growth and development of plants. But, at a high concentration in soil, copper acts as a major toxic element to plant cells due to its potential inhibitory effects against many physiological and biochemical processes. In this study, the morphological and physiological changes were observed in the leaf of sorghum plants treated with different concentrations (0, 100, and 150 μM) of Copper (Cu). The results linked to morphological changes that plants treated with Cu suffered reduction in growth and morphological changes. In the ion concentration investigation, the concentrations of Cu2+ increased, the concentration of others interacting ions (Zn2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Fe2+) were changed dramatically. For proteome analysis, 2-D combined with MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry was performed. Two dimensional gels stained with silver staining, a total of 422 differential expressed proteins (≥ 2-fold) were identified using Progenesis SameSpot software. A total of 24 spots from Cu-induced sorghum leaf and 21 spots from Cu-induced sorghum root were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Out of 24 protein spots from Cu-stressed leaf, of which 16 protein spots were up-regulated and 8 protein spots were down-regulated whereas out of 21 protein spots, a total of 9 protein spots were up-regulated and 12 spots were down-regulated from Cu-stressed root. Taken together, these studies revealed the effects of heavy metal, Cu on the growth and physiological characteristics in sorghum seedlings and proteome investigation, hoping to provide references on the mechanism of heavy metal damaging plants.

In this study we evaluate the informative and efficiency of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) and Sequence Specific Amplified Polymorphism (SSAP) markers for genetic diversity, genetic relationship and population structure among 87 super sweet corn inbred lines generated by different origins. The SSR showed relatively higher level of the average gene diversity and shannon’s information index value than that of the SSAP. To assess genetic relationship and to characterize among 87 super sweet corn inbred lines using the SSR and SSAP markers. The dendrogram using SSR marker divided into nine groups of clusters were observed at the genetic similarity value 53.0%. For SSAP marker, Total three main clusters were confirmed in genetic similarity value at 50.8%. Result of combine data for SSR and SSAP markers showed six subgroup were detected in genetic similarity at 53.5%. To confirm population structure, the total 87 super sweet corn inbred lines were divided into groups I, II and admixed group based on membership probability 0.8 for SSR and SSAP markers. However population structure using combine data was K=3 and divided into group I, II, III and admixed group. This study has demonstrated the comparative analysis of SSR and SSAP for the study of genetic diversity and the genetic relationship for super sweet corn inbred lines. Thus, the results of this study will be useful to maize breeding programs in Korea.

Measurements of closely related sets of classical and truss dimensions were analyzed to discriminate species of scorpaenidae including the dark banded rockfish, Sebastes inermis, the black rockfish, S. schlegeli, and gobioninae including the striped shiner, Pungtungia herzi, and the slender shiner, Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa. The measurements of the dimensions were arc sin square root transformed, and compared as a function of the standard length of each species for statistical analysis. For values of the classical dimensions of the rockfish, 6 were greater for the dark banded rockfish than for the black rockfish, 1 value was smaller for the former, and for 2 values there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). For values of the classical dimensions of the shiners, 9 values were greater for the striped shiner than for the slender shiner, 2 values were smaller for the former, and for 1 value there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.01). For values of the truss dimensions of the rockfish, 6 were greater for the dark banded rockfish than for the black rockfish, 1 was smaller for the former, and for 4 values there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). For values of the truss dimensions of the shiners, 13 values were greater for the striped shiner than for the slender shiner, 3 values were smaller for the former, and for 6 values there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.01). The dimension sets used in this study may be useful as taxonomic indicators for discriminating among fish species in Korea.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common, benign, and transient type of supraventricular arrhythmia encountered during the early postoperative period after a pulmonary resection. However, it sometimes might result in hemodynamic deterioration. We report on a case of new-onset atrial fibrillation in a 74-year-old male patient after right lower lobectomy, which was not controlled with intermittent bolus injection of esmolol and diltiazem. Successful pharmacological cardioversion was achieved with intravenous (6 mg/hr for 2 hours) followed by oral (90 mg q day) diltiazem 20 hours after this treatment. The literature on the risk factors and management of atrial fibrillation after pulmonary resection is reviewed.

Cholesterol embolization syndrome (CES) is a multiple systemic disease caused by the embolization of cholesterol crystals from an atherosclerotic plaque of a proximal large-caliber artery, which results in the occlusion of distal small to mediumsized arteries. CES is characterized by development of a multitude of small emboli over time, and should be distinguished from arterial thromboembolism, which occurs through the obstruction of medium-sized to large arteries by one or a few large emboli. We report on a case of CES initially presenting as acute limb ischemia following an intervention for iliac artery occlusion.

The most important factor in breeding program is to obtain the value-added genetic line. Generally, breeders develop genetic sources using several methods such as segregation-breeding, cross-breeding, backcross-breeding, mutation induction, tissue culture and so on. Here, we present one classical way but very valuable method called cell fusion or protoplast fusion to create genetic sources for the breeding practice. The method we developed was the asymmetric somatic-hybridization of protoplast isolated from carrots. This is rather to transfer the nucleus from the high quality F1 hybrid to other mediocre line to produce a new carrot line. Since the breeding a carrot line for higher quality and purity takes a long time, therefore this nuclear transfer technology is very beneficial to generate a new line that could be useful to breed elite varieties. We had obtained around 200 fused carrots (cybrids), 12 cybrids were self pollinated and produced seeds. Selected progenies (C3) have been evaluated for horticultural characteristics and we have found new genetic lines that show better phenotypes.

Platycodon grandiflorum is a perennial flowering plant, known as Chinese bell flower, widespread in northeast Asia. The roots of this species are used for centuries to treat diseases, and have extensive pharmacological effects such as reducing adiposity, hyperlipidemia as well as anti-atherosclerotic disorder. In this study, systematical and targeting proteome analysis were executed from the 3, 4 and 5 months aged diploid and tetraploid roots of Platycodon grandiflorum and the proteins were separated by 2-DE and stained by CBB. In diploid roots, a total of 30 protein spots (≥ 2-fold) were analyzed using MASCOT search engine according to the similarity of sequences with previously characterized proteins along with the UniProt database. Among the 30 differentially expressed proteins, 21 proteins sopts were identified as up-regulated and 9 proteins were identified as down-regulated. In contrary, a total of 40 differentially expressed proteins were confirmed from tetraploid roots whereas 28 protein spots were confirmed as up-regulated and 12 proteins were identified as down-regulated. However, the differentially expressed proteins from diploid and tetraploid roots were classified into 12 and 14 possible functional categories respectively using Protein Information Resources. The results revealed that the identified proteins from diploid and tetraploid roots were mainly involved in oxidoreductase activity, nucleotide binding, transferase activity and catalytic activity in bellflower roots. In conclusion, the exclusive proteins from diploid and tetraploid roots may provide insight clues for better understanding the characteristics and functions of proteins and metabolic activity of Platycodon grandiflorum.

Platycodon grandiflorum, known as Doraji in Korea, is used in various medications and traditional cuisine in Korea. This study was conducted to characterize the hormonal effects of diploid and tetraploid roots of P. grandiflorum using proteomics technique. Prior to proteome analysis, different kinds of growth hormones; IBA (1mg/L), NAA (1mg/L) and IAA (1mg/L) were applied in the adventitious (Diploid and tetraploid) roots for investigation. Solid (1/4MS) and liquid (1/2MS) medium were performed in the present study to investigate the hormonal effects. In diploid roots, two dimensional gels stained with CBB, a total of 1154 protein spots were identified using image analysis by Ludesi REDFIN 3 programme (Ludesi AB, Lund, Sweden: www.ludesi.com). Out of 1154 differential expressed protein spots, a total of 33 protein spots (≥ 2-fold) were selected for mass spectrometry. Among the 33 protein spots, 7 protein spots were up-regulated in IBA, 12 proteins in NAA and 14 proteins in IAA. In the case of tetraploid roots that performed under solid medium, a total of 842 differentially expressed protein spots were identified of which 34 proteins spots (≥ 1.5-fold) were selected for mass spectrometry. Out of 34 protein spots, 11 proteins were up-regulated in IBA, 10 proteins in NAA and 13proteins in IAA. However, a total of 659 differentially expressed proteins were confirmed from the liquid medium of tetraploid roots from which 32 proteins spots (≥ 1.5-fold) were sorted for MS analysis. Out of these 32 proteins, a total of 3 proteins were up-regulated in IBA, 7 proteins in NAA and 22 proteins in IAA. The identified proteins may provide insight clues for better understanding of the characteristics of proteins and biological activity from adventitious roots of Platycodon grandiflorum.

Among the abiotic stresses, heavy metal (HM) toxicity is thought to be one of the major abiotic stresses leading to hazardous effects in plants. In spite of its potential physiological and economical significance, morphological alterations induced by heavy metals in plants have so far been grossly overlooked. In the present study, the morphological and physiological changes were observed in the leaf of sorghum plants treated with different concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 150 μM) of CdCl2. Results revealed that plants endured reduction in growth and morphological changes amazingly altered by cadmium. The growth of sorghum seedlings treated with 150 μM cadmium was more inhibited than that of sorghum seedlings treated with 100 μM Cd, 50μM and non-treated plants. The morphological characteristics revealed that the cadmium stress inhibited the root and shoot elongation after growing the rise seedling in the presence of cadmium. In the case of ion concentration, the concentrations of Zn2+, Ca2+ were decreased whereas Fe2+ concentration was increased except 100 μM under cadmium stress. In confocal microscopy, results showed that the absorption degree of cadmium was increased by the higher concentration of cadmium. The fluorescence intensity of cadmium was also increased. Thus, it seemed that cadmium has an influence on sorghum in the case of early stages of sorghum. This study reported the effects of heavy metal, cadmium on the growth and physiological characteristics of sorghum seedlings, hoping to provide references on the mechanism of heavy metal damaging plants, and phyto-remediation for heavy metal polluted soil.

In this study, we measured the morphometric and histological changes in the cyprinid loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, during the early period of growth. Eyes, yolk length, yolk height, and yolk volume of the larva decreased for 16 days post hatching (DPH) (P<0.05). During 60 DPH (P>0.05), the most anterior extension of the head × the posterior end of the supraoccipital, the most anterior extension of the head × the origin of the dorsal fin, the most anterior extension of the head × the origin of the pectoral fin, the posterior end of the supraoccipital × the origin of the pelvic fin, and the origin of the dorsal fin × the ventral origin of the caudal fin gradually decreased, whereas the most anterior extension of the head × the dorsal origin of the caudal fin, the origin of the dorsal fin × the origin of the anal fin, the origin of the dorsal fin × the origin of the pectoral fin, and the insertion of the dorsal fin × the origin of the pelvic fin gradually increased (P<0.05). In the cyprinid loach, the retina is composed of six layers: the epithelial layer, ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform layer, outer limiting membrane, and rod and cone layer (RCL). After hatching, part of the RCL gradually increased in density. The kidney and midgut epithelium were already formed in the cyprinid loach just after hatching and grew gradually in subsequent days.

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) has been found to inhibit the synthesis and release of gonadotropin (GTH) in avian and mammalian species. It was originally identified in the brain of a quail as a novel hypothalamic neuropeptide with a C-terminal Arg-Phe-NH2 motif (RFamide peptide). Homologs of this peptide have been identified in a couple of model fish species such as goldfish (Carassius auratus) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). Understanding GnIH system could be particularly useful in some aquaculture species with problems of frequent reproduction and/or precautious sexual maturation. However, GnIH system in such species has not been studied yet. In this study, we have identified a pupative GnIH gene in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). We also investigated the role of GnIH in the reproduction of this species. The full length sequence of putative tilapia GnIH gene coded for a protein (197 amino acids) containing two modified RFamides (MPLRF and LSQRF) and a LPQRF cDNA sequence of 594 bp. This putative GnIH gene showed high homology with the GnIH genes of Takifugu rubripes (72%) and Tetraodon nigroviridis (74%). PCR analysis showed that expression of this gene was ubiquitously distributed in the whole brain, ovary and testis as well as in the peripheral tissues examined in this study (liver, kidney, intestine, spleen, muscle and gill) except heart and eye. Expression level of this gene in sexually inactive group was significantly higher than the expression level in first gonadal development and sexually active groups (P<0.05). On the contrary, the expression level of LH-β gene was low in sexually inactive group but significantly higher in first gonadal development and sexually active groups (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the level of FSH-β gene expression between different reproductive phases in this species. In vitro studies revealed an inhibitory effect of GnIH on LH-β mRNA and FSH-β mRNA levels. No significant difference between GnIH and GnIH with LHRH-a treatments on LH-β and FSH-β mRNA expression in female tilapia pituitary cells.