The current study was conducted to evaluate the biocompatibility of α-1,3 galactosyltransferase knockout pig bone graft in a rat calvarial defect model. Porcine cancellous bones were harvested from general and alpha-gal KO pigs and washed with 70% ethanol solution and normal saline. Bone pieces of the alpha-gal KO pig underwent a chemical treatment process to delipidize and deproteinize the bone. Bone graft particles were freeze-dried and stored at −70°C until use. Each bone graft was implanted into the rat calvarial defect in a fresh general pig, fresh transgenic pig, and chemical-treated pig bone group. There was no systemic adverse effect on hematology or necropsy findings in all groups at 1 week and 4 weeks. In the microcomputed tomography analysis, bone volume increased significantly in the chemical-treated transgenic pig bone group, whereas bone mineral density decreased significantly in the fresh general pig bone group compared with other groups. Histological evaluation showed cellular infiltration located at the margin of the bone graft particles, especially in the fresh general pig bone group. These results indicate that fresh general pig bone can elicit a greater local inflammatory response than fresh transgenic pig bone. Further, chemical-treated transgenic pig bone graft was less immunogenic than fresh bone graft. In conclusion, transgenic pig bone is a more biocompatible graft material. In addition, chemical treatment can reduce bone graft immunogenicity by delipidizing and deproteinizing bone.

Lung cancer caused by diverse changes in cells resulted by exposure to carcinogens found in tobacco smoke, the environment, or sequential accumulation of genetic changes to the normal epithelial cells of the lung. An assessment was made of the anti-proliferative activity of constituents from silkworm feces against 11 human cancer cell lines, including A549 and H727 lung cancer cell lines, using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The ethanol extract of silkworm feces was proved to have anti-proliferative activity against all 11 species of human cancer cell lines. The biologically active constituent was characterized as vomifoliol (blumenol A) (1) and stigmasterol (2) by spectroscopic analysis ,including MS and NMR. In conclusion, global efforts to reduce the level of antitcancer agents justify further studies on the silkworm feces-derived materials containing vomifoliol and stigmasterol as potential anticancer products or lead compounds for the prevention or eradication from human lung cancer.

In the livestock feed industry, antibiotics are used to prevent disease, promote growth rate, and improve feed efficiency. However, antibiotic supplementation to animal feed results in increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics as well as antibiotic residues in animal products, which can negatively affect human health. Therefore, alternative sources of antibiotics are need- ed. Probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics in animal feed have been shown to increase feed efficiency and growth rate by improving microbial balance. Further, Bacillus sp. produces a wide spectrum of antibacte- rial peptides. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with CS-32 on safety, growth rate, and feed efficiency. Antibacterial substance (5697.9 molecular weights) produced by CS-32 was isolated and purified from culture broth. Moreover, the results of minimal inhibi- tory concentration (MIC) test confirmed the excellent antibacterial effect of CS-32. In vivo, 0.1% and 1% CS-32 were fed to broiler chickens for 28 days. Feed efficiency was slightly higher in groups of chickens supplemented with 0.1% and 1% CS-32 than those of the control group. CS-32 had no significant effect on necropsy findings, hematology, or serum biochemistry, and there was no mortality. These results suggest that CS-32 among various biologically active substances may be safe and effective as a feed additive to improve growth rate and feed efficiency.

The mannanase, cellulase and xylanase-producing thermophilic bacteria, designated EJ3, was isolated from fresh spent mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) substrates taken from the DOJUN farm located in Keyongnam, Korea. The isolate EJ3 was facultatively anaerobic and grew at temperature ranging from 20℃ to 60℃ with an optimal temperature of 37℃. The DNA G+C content of the isolate EJ3 was 45 mlo%. The major fatty acids were anteiso-15:0 (38.9%), 17:0 (7.4%), and iso-15:0 (38.2%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the isolate EJ3 and other Bacillus strains varied from 97% to 99%. In the phylogenetic analysis based on these sequences, the isolate EJ3 and Bacillus subtilis clustered within a group and separated from other species of Bacillus. Based on the physiological and molecular properties, the isolate EJ3 was classified within the genus Bacillus as Bacillus subtilis EJ3. The optimal growth condition of B. subtilis EJ3 were pH 6.0 and 55℃, respectively.

This study was conducted to develop superior hybrids of Pleurotus ostreatus with di-mono and mono-monoka-ryon crosses. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD-PCR) was used to compare its mitochondrial DNA profiles of hybrids using specific primers designed from microsatellite markers of Pleurotus salmoneo-stramineus. A total of fifty-six dikaryon-monokaryon hybrids were sampled for RAPD-PCR experiments and the results show that twenty-four hybrids were dikaryon and thirty-one hybrids were monokaryon. Interestingly, one hybrid was an intermediate form with the DNA profiles that are different from those of its parents. The DNA profiles from eighty-eight monokaryon-monokaryon hybrids were also analyzed by RAPD-PCR. The results of mitochondria DNA profiles show that seventy-one hybrids are the same to one of their parents, but seventeen hybrids show DNA profiles of both parents.

Background : The use of the rain shelter facility gets more prevalent in the Ginseng cultivation area these days. This study is designed to establish a technique for the stable cultivation of Ginseng in the rain shelter facilities in high temperature (above 30 ℃) without the damage from high temperature Methods and Results : This study was carried out on 3-year Ginseng roots in 2016 in order to find out how to stably cultivate Ginseng in high temperature without suffering the high temperature damage during the cultivation of Ginseng under rain shelter facilities. The rain shading materials were coated with scattering film (scattering film + black shading net 90%), bluish white double-sided film (shading 85%) and PE film (PE film + black shading net 90%). The damage reduction by high temperature was made to the scattering film and bluish-white double-ended film only. An aluminum screen (shading rate: 40%) was installed when the high temperature (above 30℃) was reached while the isoprene (solution of 2000 times) was sprayed 4 times every 7 days from the full development stage. The light transmittance was 12.6 - 13.4% for the scattering film, 10.5 - 10.8% for the bluish-white double sided film and 7.1% for the PE film in the first coating while it was 7.3% for the scattering film and 7.1% for the bluish-white double-sided film when the aluminum screen was installed in high temperature. The high, average and low values in the relative humidity were higher inside the facility than in the outside during the survey period. The area of leaf was the largest under the scattering film. The area of leaf was the largest for the scattered film under the aluminum shade of 40% shading followed by that of spraying of isoprene 4 times, and that of the no-treatment. As for the growth under ground, the growth of underground shoots increased by 40% in aluminum screen, 53.7% in shading and 26.1% in the spraying of isoprene 4 times than non-shading while there was no difference among other rain shelter materials. Conclusion : The result of the research showed that when the scattering film is selected as the rain shelter material film for the cultivation of Ginseng, it is necessary to shade the sunlight as much as 40% by using the aluminum screen or the shading net to reduce the high temperature damage.

As a result of inquiring into the analysis consequent on a symptom by research subject, it was found that there were 1 paper (1.5%) which did research for the purpose of rehabilitation of the general public, 26 papers (38.8%) targeting diagnosis-related groups (DRG), and 40 papers (59.7%) targeting social consideration subject. Also, as a result of the inquiry about the frequency & number of times of horticultural therapy program implementation, it was found that 49 papers (73.1%) implemented one time a week, and 45 papers (67.2%) were surveyed as the highest by conducting a total of 11~20 sessions of horticultural therapy programs, In the analysis of horticultural therapy activities by type, plant cultivation activity was found to be the most 506 times, accounting for 41.5%, followed by 297 time crafts activity (24.4%), 213 time floral decoration activity (17.5%), and 203time others activities (16.7%). In cultivation activity, soil-using cultivation activity (25.1%) was found to be lower than the proportion (74.9%) of soiless cultivation (16.4%), crafts activity (24.4%), floral decoration activity (17.5%) and other activities (16.7%). The most used plants in a restricted place like a hospital were found to be in the order of Hedera helix, Chamaedorea elegans, Succulent plant, Syngonium podophyllum, Neofinetia falcata HU, Hoya carnosa (L.f.) R.Br.), Rosmarinus officinalis, and Spathiphyllum spp.

Early life stage mortality in fish is one of the problems faced by loach aquaculture. However, our understanding of immune system in early life stage fish is still incomplete, and the information available is restricted to a few fish species. In the present work, we investigated the expression of immune-related transcripts in loach during early development. In fishes, recombination-activating gene 1 (RAG-1) and sacsin (SACS) have been considered as immunological function. In this study, the expression of the both genes was assessed throughout the early developmental stages of loach using real-time PCR method. maRAG-1 mRNA was first detected in 0 dph, observed the increased mostly until 40 dph. Significant expression of maRAG-1 was detected in 0 to 40 dph. These patterns of expression may suggest that the loach start to develop its function after hatching. On the other hand, maSACS was detected in unfertilized oocyte to molura stages and 0 to 40 dph. maSACS mRNA transcripts were detected in unfertilized oocytes, suggesting that they are maternally transferred.

Primary oocytes that are arrested in first meiotic prophase for years enter maturation process to meet a critical precondition for successful fertilization. During maturation, oocyte finishes meiosis I and progresses to the metaphase II stage, achieving meiotic maturity. Although importance of oocyte maturation for oocyte quality has been recognized, it is not fully understood for molecular mechanisms underlying oocyte maturation. Here, we found that dexamethasone-induced Ras-related protein 1 (RASD1), a member of RAS superfamily of small GTPases, was expressed in the mouse ovary. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Rasd1 expression was dominant in oocyte cytoplasm. Real-time PCR and RT-PCR analyses showed that Rasd1 mRNA was steadily expressed in germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle break down (GVBD), metaphase I (MI) oocytes, but decreased in metaphase II(MII) oocytes during oocyte maturation. Konckdown of Rasd1 using RNAi system in the GV oocytes suppressed oocyte maturation through disruption of meiotic spindle and formation of misarranged chromosomes. Taken together, Rasd1 is a critical factor for MI-MII transition of oocyte and is involved in the regulation of spindle formation during oocyte maturation. Further study is needed to examine relationship between Rasd1 and spindle formation in MI-MII transition.

The Egr family of zinc finger transcription factors is rapidly induced by various mitogens and regulates cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. While it is clear that loss of Egr1 leads to anovulatory infertility due to LHβ deficiency in female mice, molecular function of Egr1 in male reproduction has not been clearly investigated. Here, we demonstrate that Egr1 acts as an intrinsic transcription factor in Leydig cells to regulate their proliferation and steroidogenesis in the testis as well as an extrinsic factor for male reproduction via LHβ transcription in the pituitary. Egr1 is predominantly expressed in spermatogonia and Leydig cells in immature testes and later detected in some of these cell types in mature testes. The fertility potential of Egr1(-/-) male mice is relatively deteriorated even at 2 month-old age and aggravated with aging. The incidence of abnormalities of seminiferous tubules such as Sertoli cell only was dramatically increased with aging. The number and mean size of Leydig cells were significantly reduced in Egr1(-/-) testes. The impairment of Leydig cells is consistent with significant reduction in levels of testosterone and expression of factors critical for steroidogenesis such as StAR in Egr1(-/-) testes. Exogenous administration of hCG rapidly and transiently induced Egr1 expression in Leydig cells culture in vitro. hCG could reinstate reduced mean size of Leydig cells but not reduced number of Leydig cells and aberrantly low StAR expression, suggesting that Egr1 has critical functions for Leydig cell proliferation and their steroidgenesis. In addition, daily sperm production and in vitro fertilization (IVF) competence were significantly reduced, and apoptosis was facilitated in these mice. Furthermore, hCG administration to compensate for relatively low LH levels in Egr1(-/-) males could not restore the compromised reproductive phenotypes such as IVF competence and apoptosis in these mice. Interestingly, expression of Egr2, a member of Egr family, is significantly elevated in Egr1(-/-) Leydig cells suggesting that genetic compensation of Egr2 may alleviate phenotypic aberration of Egr1(-/-) male testes. Collectively, these results suggest that Egr1 act as an intrinsic transcription factor required for proliferation and steroidogenesis of Leydig cells to govern spermatogenesis in the testis.

"Chugang" as a new double cropping potato variety for table use was bred in 2003 from a cross between H83005-2 with short dormancy and "Superior" with common scab resistance. It had been evaluated for short dormancy, growth adaptability and tuber characteristics every twice a year from 1990 to 1999. Regional yield trials had been performed from 2000 to 2002 at three locations, Jeju, Namhae and Gangneung of Korea, respectively. It has round oblong tuber shape with yellow skin and white flesh color. Its tuber dormant periods is approximately 50~60 days. It showed less physiological disorders such as cracking or knobs, and more tolerant to environmental stresses such as plant death by flooding and damages by frost or severe wind compared to "Dejima". Average yields of "Chugang" are 34.6 and 31.1 ton/ha at 90 days after planting in spring and autumn cropping, respectively. It is more resistant to common scab and less susceptible to late blight (phythophthora infestans) compared to "Dejima". However, it is susceptible to potato virus Y (PVY) and andean mosaic virus (AMV).

Lately, the autumn cropping areas of potato have been steadily increased to supply fresh potatoes all year round in Korea. Although "Dejima" is a main cultivar for autumn cropping, it is very susceptible to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) and show high frequency of physiological disorders such as knobs and cracking on tubers. "Chudong" was bred in 2002 for fresh table use from a cross between H83520-3 with short tuber dormancy and "Superior" with common scab resistance. It has attractive, round tuber shape with white skin and flesh colors. Its tuber dormant periods is 5 days longer than 65 days of "Dejima". Its average yields were 32.4 and 21.8 ton/ha at 90 days after planting in spring and autumn cropping of regional yield trials, respectively. It is more resistant to common scab and potato leaf roll virus and less susceptible to late blight (Phythophthora infestans) compared to "Dejima". However, it is susceptible to potato virus Y.

‘Seohong’ was bred within the potato breeding program of National Institute of Highland Agriculture (NIHA). It was originated from a cross made in 1997 between ‘Jashim’ as a female and 93K65-1 as a male parent. Seohong was evaluated as a seedling number 97S05-1 for tuber characteristics, growth and yielding ability from 2001 to 2002, and than this clone was renamed as Daegwan 1-82. This clone was evaluated in the regional yield trial and the disease resistance in the five locations for three years. Finally, this clone was named as ‘Seohong’ and registered a new recommended potato cultivar in 2006. This cultivar has a round, shallow eye depth, light red-skinned tuber characteristics and low to medium dry matter content. It showed high resistance to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) and potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), however it was susceptible to potato virus Y (PVY) and late blight (Phytophthora infestans). Its mean tuber yields from the regional yield trial and winter cropping trial were 12 and 49 percent higher than that of ‘Superior’, respectively.