The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of exercise training on neurodegeneration and cognitive function in mice with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to the control (CO, n = 9) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT, n = 27) groups. The IGT group consumed 45% high fat diet for 4 weeks and received 40 mg/kg of streptozotocin twice in the lower abdomen to induce IGT. After the IGT induction period, the IGT group was subdivided into IGT + sedentary (IGT, n = 9), IGT + endurance exercise (IGTE, n = 9), and IGT + resistance exercise (IGTR, n = 9). The IGTE and IGTR groups performed treadmill and ladder climbing exercises 5 times per week for 8 weeks, respectively. Fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were significantly higher in IGT group than in CO, IGTE, and IGTR groups (p < 0.05). HOMA-IR was significantly higher in IGT group than CO group (p < 0.05). Hippocampal catalase (CAT) was significantly lower in IGT group than in CO group (p < 0.05), while beta-amyloid (Aβ) was significantly higher in IGT group than in CO group (p < 0.05). Hippocampal tau was significantly higher in IGT group than in CO, IGTE, and IGTR groups (p < 0.05). The Y-maze test performance for cognitive function was significantly lower in IGT group than in CO, IGTE, and IGTR groups (p <0.05). These results suggest that IGT induces neurodegeneration and negatively affects cognitive function, while regular exercise may be effective in alleviating neurodegeneration and cognitive decline regardless of exercise type.

Sepsis is one of the systemic inflammatory responses, and it can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Mechanical ventilation (MV) is one of the best treatments in patients with sepsis related to ARDS. However, mechanical ventilation itself can cause lung injury through various mechanisms. In this study, we applied mouse cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis with subsequent injurious ventilation to determine if sepsis could affect the development of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). To evaluate lung injury caused by sepsis, mild, moderate, and severe CLPs were induced. To evaluate lung injury caused by MV with or without sepsis, tidal volume (7 mL/kg, 10 mL/kg, or 24 mL/kg) was maintained for 3 h with or without septic insult (mild sepsis for 72 h). Lung compliance was then determined and biochemical evaluations were performed. Results showed that lung compliance was lower in the severe sepsis group compared to that in the mild or moderate sepsis group. MV alone decreased lung compliance in a tidal volume dependent manner. Both CLP and VILI groups showed significant decrease in lung compliance and increase in total cell count upon bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These results confirm that ventilation can affect lung injury in mouse sepsis model.

This study is exploratory research on a relationship between changes in cultivated area of major crops and farm income by regions. We investigated level of income, volatility of income, and migration of suitable region by climate changes as factors influencing changes in cultivated area. Research processes are as follows. First, we classify the regions where cultivated areas are expanded or reduced through the trends of cultivated area by region and crop during recent 10 years. Second, we compare the changes in income related factors between groups during the same periods. Finally, the results from portfolio analysis show changes in stable income-based optimal crops. From these procedures, we found that the changes in cultivated area are not simply explained by income-related factors. In cases of vegetables, however, we also found that high volatility of income could contribute to reduce cultivated area of the crops. The results from portfolio analysis are not always consistent in all of cases. This means that crop selection can be decided by other factors than stable income.

We studied the infection rate of and various metacercariocidal approaches to controlling Gymnophalloides seoi for prevention of human infection in cultured and natural oysters in Korea. The selected survey areas were Aphae-do (Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do), which is an endemic area for G. seoi, and Tongyeong (Geonsangnam-do), which is the main production area of oysters in Korea. In the Tongyeong area, the metacercariae of G. seoi were not detected in cultured oysters (0/201) or wild oysters (0/134). Seventy-two G. seoi metacercariae were observed in 33 of 265 natural oysters collected from Aphae-do; however, metacercariae were not detected in the cultured oysters (0/1101) purchased from the Daejeon Fish Market. To investigate the viability of G. seoi metacercariae, various metacercariocidal treatments were used with 3.5% saline and oyster juice used as positive controls. The metacercariae survived for 75.4 h in 3.5% saline and 112.6 h in oyster juice. After the metacercariocidal treatment, G. seoi metacercariae were survived for 13.29 min in tap water, < 20 sec in 4.3% vinegar, no effect in a rinse of the whole oyster body in 70°C water for 1 sec, but 1 sec in a rinse of the whole oyster body in 90°C water for 1 sec. The greatest metacercariocidal effect on G. seoi was from rinsing oysters in 90°C water followed by those from treatment with 20% ethyl alcohol, 4.3% vinegar, and tap water. However, we suggest that the most actual prevention to G. seoi human infection is rinsing the oysters with tap water for at least 30 min.