Background : Recently, some of the previous stuies reported that was useful technique on growth and yield of organically grown ginseng transplantation in a rain shelter greenhouse. This study was conducted to investigate the optimum method of greenhouse shading for ginseng(Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) cultivaton in the northern area of Ganwon, Korea. Methods and Results : We carried out to select optimal shade materials and light-penetrated ratio among polyethylene film with two-layered polyethylene net(PEF+PEN) and blue-white duplicated PE film(BWD-PEF) in the condition of greenhouse for ginseng cultivation. The order of light-penentrated ratio by shade meterials was PEN(75%)+PEF 〉 PEN(85%)+PEF 〉BWD-PEF(85%) 〉BWD-PEF(90%) and the order of air temperature was BWD-PEF(85%) 〉BWD-PEF(90%) 〉PEN+PEF(85%) 〉PEN+PEF(75%). The net photosynthetic rate was higher in PEN(75%)+PEF than other shading material treatments during growth season including summer high-temperature period. The root weight and yield were increased by 31.2~55.0% and 25.6~52.2%, respectively under PEN+PEF(75%) compared to other shading materials. Conclusion : We concluded that the PEN+PEF(75%) could be a good shading meterails of the greenhouse for organic 4-year-old ginseng cultivation in northern area of Gangwon, Korea.

Background : The purpose of this study was to evaluate methods to high quality medicinal vegetables, thereby increasing farm income. This study investigated the effects of different covering material and weed eliminating on stable foliage production in Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg. Methods and Results : method of weed elimination with covering material were conducted under four condition compose to Non covering(4～6 times by manual weed control), Barley straw cutting covered with 700㎏․10 a−1, Rice straw cutting covered with 500㎏․10 a−1, Rice husks covered with 1,000㎏․10 a−1. Fermented mixed oil cake compost applied at 380㎏․10 a−1, 60% of basal fertilizer in March 14, 40% of top dressing were four times application in April 14 ～July 15. Sowing dates were March 25, 2015. Plants were spaced 15 ㎝ apart in rows 15 ㎝ apart with open cultivation. Conclusions : Rice husks covering < Barley straw covering < Barley straw covering cultivation this order, aerial part as a result were plenty amount of growth. Weed the rates was 12 to 29% lower incidence. Green leaf yields is uncovering control plot (915 kg․10 a−1) compared to 2% from covering rice husks, barley straw and rice straw covering increased to 18%, 20%, respectively.

Background : The purpose of this study was to evaluate methods to high quality medicinal vegetables, thereby increasing farm income. This study investigated the effects of different organic fertilizer and applicated cultivation on stable foliage production in Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg. Methods and Results : method of application with organic fertilizer were conducted under nine condition compose to control(non application), N-P2O5-K2O (20-12-10)㎏․10 a−1, Hyphal incubation compost(HIC) applied at 851㎏․10 a−1, Hangawi organic compost(HOC) applied at 547㎏․10 a−1, Fermented mixed oil cake compost(FMOC) applied at 380㎏․10 a−1, 60% and 40% of basal fertilizer in March 12, top dressing were four application in April 12, May 12, June 13 and July 12, respectively. Sowing dates were March 23, 2015. Plants were spaced 15 ㎝ apart in rows 15 ㎝ apart with open cultivation. Conclusions : chemical fertilizers < hyphal incubation compost < hangawi organic compost < fermented mixed oil cake compost application, top dressing than 60% in order of 40% additional fertilizer, aerial part as a result were so many such amount of growth as number of leaf per plant, etc., Green leaf yields is untreated control plot (875 kg․10 a−1) compared to 12% from using chemical fertilizers, HIC application 18% higher, HOC application 20% higher, and FMOC application increased to 28% of the most.

Mannitol is commonly used to reduce intracranial and intraocular pressures and to prevent dialysis-disequilibrium syndrome. However, intravenous mannitol infusion in various cases has the potential to result in acute kidney injury (AKI). We present a case of mannitol-induced AKI that developed after low dose mannitol infusion and resulted in recovery after hemodialysis. A 66-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of left middle cerebral artery infarction. On hospital day 5, cerebral edema was observed on a follow-up MRI. D-mannitol 35 g was given intravenously every 8 hours. Four days later, serum creatinine levels were elevated from 1.2 mg/dL to 3.5 mg/dL. The serum osmolal gap was found to be 52.4 mosm/kg H2O and urine output was reduced from 2.78 mL/kg/h to 0.69 mL/kg/h over three days. Hemodialysis over 2 hours was performed and renal function subsequently improved to baseline function. A potential risk of AKI exists even with low dose mannitol infusion in patients with advanced age, underlying renal impairment, and concomitant use of nephrotoxic agents. Mannitol-induced AKI may be rapidly reversed by short-term hemodialysis.

Mungbean (Vigna radiata) is a fast-growing, warm-season legume crop that is primarily cultivated in developing countries of Asia. We constructed a draft genome sequence of mungbean to facilitate genome research into the subgenus Ceratotropis and to enable a better understanding of the evolution of leguminous species. The draft genome sequence covers 80% of the estimated genome, of which 50.1% consists of repetitive sequences. In total, 22,427 high confidence protein-coding genes were predicted. Based on the de novo assembly of additional wild mungbean species, the divergence of what was eventually domesticated and the sampled wild mungbean species appears to have predated domestication. Moreover, the de novo assembly of a tetraploid Vigna species (Vigna reflexo-pilosa var. glabra) provided genomic evidence of a recent allopolyploid event. To further study speciation, we compared de novo RNA-seq assemblies of 22 accessions of 18 Vigna species and protein sets of Glycine max and Cajanus cajan. The species tree was constructed by a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method using highly confident orthologs shared by all 24 accessions. The present assembly of V. radiata var. radiata will facilitate genome research and accelerate molecular breeding of the subgenus Ceratotropis.

Although flood and drought have ceaselessly taken place, recently the scale of disasters by them has become incomparably bigger than that of the past, and frequency of flood has rapidly on the increase (Harim et al, 2013). According to National Emergency Management, the frequency of torrential downpours over 30mm per hour was average 3.8 times for last 30 years and average 5.2 times for recent 5 years. Number of days with localized torrential downpour over 80mm per day has increased by 1.5 times for the same period. In addition, recently with the change of climate in Korea, the severity of drought has intensified in 6- to 7-year cycle and, with such reasons as excessive intake of stream water, streams are drying up, especially during spell of dry weather (Maeng, Seung Jin et al, 2013). Even though the government, as countermeasures for these problems, has made efforts to prevent disasters by establishing Water Resources Integrated Development 10-year Plan and Water Resources Long-term Integrated Development Plan, implementing Stream & River Improvement Projects and constructing multi-purpose dams, there are difficulties to promptly cope with rapidly changing weather conditions, requiring urgently measures to minimize damages from droughts and floods. This study developed Portable Multi-purpose Water Barrier (Pocket Dam) which can promptly cope with floods and localized torrential downpour, secure agricultural water by temporarily blocking irrigational channel and drainage during drought and has wide applicability to various areas. To develop Portable Multi-purpose Water Barrier, this study i) selected ultra-light materials for easy mobility ii) chose optimum standards applying MIDAS program iii) verified safety features through field applications. For the maximization of blocking effect as well as the lightening of product, Sol Tarpaulin (PVC-coated polyester) was selected that has endurance against water pressure and excellent gripping force on irregular ground bottom. In addition, by using 3-dimensional structural program MIDAS, the barrier was designed in such a structure that it will not be destroyed or pushed behind by water pressure. As the result of the application of developed barrier on Dorim stream in Gwanak-gu and underground parking lot in Kwangjin-gu, Seoul, the barrier was not destroyed or pushed behind, and, instead, it maintained constant standing position and blocked water, proving that it has diverse applicability in addition to safety features in structure and material.

Transforming growth factor (TGF) family is well known to induce the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). However, the precise signal transduction pathways and underlying factors are not well known. Thus the present study aims to evaluate the possible role of C2 domain in the chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. To this end, 145 C2 domains in the adenovirus were individually transfected to hMSC, and morphological changes were examined. Among 145 C2 domains, C2 domain of protein kinase C eta (PKCη) was selected as a possible chondrogenic differentiation factor for hMSC. To confirm this possibility, we treated TGFβ3, a well known chondrogenic differentiation factor of hMSC, and examined the increased-expression of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), collagen type II (COL II) as well as PKCη using PT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. To further evaluation of C2 domain of PKCη, we examined morphological changes, expressions of GAG and COL II after transfection of PKCη -C2 domain in hMSC. Overexpression of PKCη-C2 domain induced morphological change and increased GAG and COL II expressions. The present results demonstrate that PKCη involves in the TGF-β3-induced chondrogenic differentiation of hMSC, and C2 domain of PKCη has important role in this process.

The influence of triploidization on histological characteristics of retina, trunk kidney, liver and midgut tissue, and comparative analysis of cell cycle and expression of cell cycle protein from tail fin and gill tissue in Far Eastern catfish, Silurus asotus were analyzed. In the infertile triploid fish, the nucleus and/or cell size of secondary proximal tubule cells of trunk kidney, hepatocyte and midgut epithelium are much larger than those of the corresponding cells in the diploid fish (P<0.05). However, triploid tissue showed fewer number of outer nuclear layer in retina and nuclei in secondary proximal tubule of trunk kidney than those for diploid tissue. The mean percentages of the G1-, the S- and the G2+M-phase fractions were 92.5%, 3.2% and 4.3% in tail fin tissue of diploid, and 93.4%, 2.6% and 4.0% in those of triploid, respectively. There were no significant differences in the percentages of each cell cycle fraction between diploid and triploid. The differences of cell cycle between tail fin tissue and gill tissue were statistically significant in diploid and triploid (P<0.05). Also, the differences between diploid and triploid were statistically significant in tail fin tissue and gill tissue (P<0.05). Results from this study suggest that some characteristics in the triploid exhibiting larger cell and nucleus size with fewer number of cell than diploid can be used as an indicator in the identification of triploidization and ploidy level in Far Eastern catfish.

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.

Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) implicated in the generation of saliva, tears, and pulmonary secretions functions as a water-specific channel. Epididymal epithelial cells actively reabsorb water, ions and proteins. Large quantity of testicular fluid movement across the epididymal tubules generates high osmotic milieu which is important for sperm maturation. In an effort to understand the fluid homeostasis and its regulation by sex steroids in male reproductive tract, the expression of AQP5 was examined in different regions of mouse epididymis during postnatal development. The effect of androgen on the expression of epididymal AQP5 was examined in ORX model. AQP5 mRNA levels were the highest in corpus region in which drastic increase was noted during sexual maturation. Epididymal AQP5 immunoreactivity was largely found in apical as well as basal region of luminal epithelia. Moderate immunoreactivity for AQP5 was found in in smooth muscle cells in both immature and mature mice. Epididymal lumen of ORX mice showed shrinkage together with decrease in AQP5 expression. Alteration of AQP5 expression in ORX epididymis was partially recovered by androgen injection. AQP5 mRNA was induced at 10uM 5α-DHT in organ cultured epididymis. Chromatin immunoprecipitatin (ChIP) showed that 5α-DHT induced recruitment of androgen receptor (AR) to the －4635 to －4453 bp region of the AQP5 gene promoter in adult epididymis. Taken together, axial regulatory mechanism may control transcription of AQP5 along the length of epididymal tubule. Water transport through AQP5 is important for late sperm maturation and storage in epididymis. Androgen may directly induce AQP5 gene transcription via activation of AR in epididymis.

R genes are a key component of genetic interactions between plants and biotrophic bacteria and are known to regulate resistance against bacterial invasion. The most common R proteins contain a nucleotide-binding site and a leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) domain. Some soybean NBS-LRR genes have also been reported to function in disease resistance. A total of 319 genes were determined to be putative NBS-LRR genes in the soybean genome. The number of NBS-LRR genes on each chromosome was highly correlated with the number of disease resistance QTL in the 2-Mb flanking regions of NBS-LRR genes. In addition, the recently duplicated regions contained duplicated NBS-LRR genes and duplicated disease resistance QTL, and possessed either an uneven or even number of NBS-LRR genes on each side. The significant difference in NBS-LRR gene expression between a resistant near-isogenic line (NIL) and a susceptible NIL after inoculation of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines supports the conjecture that NBS-LRR genes have disease resistance functions in the soybean genome. The number of NBS-LRR genes and disease resistance QTL in the 2-Mb flanking regions of each chromosome was significantly correlated, and several recently duplicated regions that contain NBS-LRR genes harbored disease resistance QTL for both sides. In addition, NBS-LRR gene expression was significantly different between the BLP-resistant NIL and the BLP-susceptible NIL in response to bacterial infection. From these observations, NBS-LRR genes are suggested to contribute to disease resistance in soybean. Moreover, we propose models for how NBS-LRR genes were duplicated, and apply Ks values for each NBS-LRR gene cluster.

Foxi1, a forkhead family of transcription factor, in narrow and clear cells in epididymis is required for male fertility through regulating transcription of vacuolar H+-ATPase. To understand the regulation of Foxi1 gene activation in epididymis, the effects of steroids and their receptor antagonists and testicular factors on the expression of Foxi1 in epididymal segments were examined in mouse. Epididymis were sampled from adult mice following injections of ICI 182,780 (5mg/head, 2 times for 15 days), dexamethasone (DEX, 0.1,1,10ug/kg/day for 5 days) or oral administration of flutamide (FLM, 100mg/kg/day for 10 days). Otherwise, adult mice were orchidectomized (ORX), rested for 2 weeks, and received testosterone propionate(TP, 3mg/kg/day) for 7 days. In addition, adult male mice were subjected to efferent duct ligation (EDL) and epididymis was collected after 15 days. To study estrogen regulation of Foxi1 gene activation via estrogen receptor α (ESR1), Foxi1 expression was examined in ESR1 knock-out mice epididymis. Expression and subcellular localization of Foxi1 was analyzed by realtime RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. To search transcription factor binding in the mouse Foxi1 gene promoter, in silico analysis was performed using TESS, TFSEARCH, and Gene-Regulation. ICI 182,780 significantly decreased Foxi1 mRNA levels in caput and corpus but increased in cauda epididymis. Foxi1 mRNA levels in caput epididymis of ESR1 KO mice were significantly lower than those of WT mice, but no significantly changed in corpus and cauda epididymis. Taken together, estrogen differentially regulates Foxi1 gene expression in epididymis. In ORX mice, Foxi1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in epididymis, and which was abrogated by TP. Though FLM did not significantly alter the Foxi1 mRNA levels, androgen may affect Foxi1 gene expression in epididymis. DEX significantly decreased Foxi1 mRNA levels in caput and corpus epididymis at 0.1ug/kg/day and in cauda epididymis at 1ug/kg/day, suggesting that glucocorticoid may negatively regulate Foxi1 gene expression. No significant change in Foxi1 mRNA levels was found after EDL. Foxi1 immunoreactivity was found in the nuclei of narrow cells of caput epididymis including initial segment and clear cells of corpus and cauda epididymis. Of note, in ORX mice, Foxi1-positive narrow cells and clear cells were increased, and which was abrogated by TP. In silico analysis revealed the presence of putative binding sequences for ESR1, AR, and GR in the 5’ upstream region from the Foxi1 promoter. In conclusion, the expression of Foxi1 in narrow cells in caput epididymis might be positively regulated by estrogen via ESR1, which was different from estrogen–ESR signaling in clear cells in corpus and cauda epdididymis. Androgen and glucocorticoid may negatively regulate expression of Foxi1 in all epdididymial segments.

In order to breed the useful mutants in black raspberry, cultivated in Gochang-gun, leaf-petiol explants from shoot-proliferating culture was regenerated after irradiated with 30, 50 and 70 Gy gamma-ray. The LD50 dose of leaf-petiol explants was identified as 30Gy after two months. Morphological characteristics of the variants were observed such as stem variation, existence and nonexistence of spine, spine color, anthocyanin content, width of leaf, thick of leaf compared with donor cultivar. Of the 701 mutants, 14 lines with the useful mutant characters were selected and random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) was carried out to confirm mutation state at the molecular level with 20 primers. There are many bands be revealed only in mutants and disappear in mutants reversely. RAPD analysis revealed a high level of genetic diversity among Control and mutants. Compared to Control, No. 14 mutant showed the highest genetic diversity. Also, the co-dominant SSR markers have allowed the evaluation of heterozygosity. Valuable mutants obtained will be useful for developing new cultivars and studying gene function in molecular level.