To investigate the impact of nitrogen (N) mineral on reproductive potential of Brassica napus L, plants were treated with different levels of N treatment (N0; N100; N500). The half of N content for each treatment were applied at the beginning of the early vegetative stage and the rest was applied at the late vegetative stage. Nitrogen content in plant tissues such as root, stem and branch, leaf, pod and seed was analyzed and harvest index (HI) was calculated as percentage of seed yield to total plant weight. Biomass and nitrogen content were significantly affected by different levels of N supply. Biomass was significantly decreased by 59.2% in nitrogen deficiency (N0) but significantly increased by 50.3% in N excess (N500), compared to control (N100). Nitrogen content in all organs was remarkably increased with nitrogen levels. N distribution to stem and branches, and dead leaves was higher in N-deficient (N0) and N excessive plants (N500) than in control (N100). However, nitrogen allocated to seed was higher in control (N100) than in other treatments (N0 or N500), accompanied by higher HI. These results indicate that the optimum level of N supply (N100) improve HI and N distribution to seed and excessive N input is unnecessary.

Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot is an edible green seaweed that belong to the Codiaceae family and has been used in Oriental medicine for the treatment of enterobiasis, dropsy, and dysuria. Methanol extract of codium fragile has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, although the anti-cancer effect on oral cancer has not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity and the mechanism of cell death by methanol extracts of Codium fragile (MeCF) on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Our data showed that MeCF inhibits cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and markedly induced apoptosis, as determined by the MTT assay, Live/Dead assay, and DAPI stain. In addition, MeCF induced the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase -3, -7, -9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP), and upregulated or downregulated the expression of mitochondrial-apoptosis factor, Bax(pro-apoptotic factor), and Bcl-2(anti-apoptotic factor), . Futhermore, MeCF induced a cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase through suppressing the expression of the cell cycle cascade proteins, p21, CDK4, CyclinD1, and phospho-Rb. Taken together, these results indicated that MeCF inhibits cell growth, and this inhibition is mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways through cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, methanol extracts of Codium fragile can be provided as a novel chemotherapeutic drug due to its growth inhibition effects and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.

Ficus carica L. (common fig), one of the first plants cultivated by humans, originated in the Mediterranean basin and currently grows worldwide, including southwest Asia and South Korea. It has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases as well as hemorrhoids and skin infections. Its pharmacological properties have recently been studied in detail, but research on the anti-cancer effect of its latex has been only been studied on a limited basis on several cell lines, such prostate cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of the latex of Ficus carica L.and its underlying mechanism in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. (See Ed. note above) We confirmed through SDS-PAGE analysis and gelatinolytic activity analysis that the latex of Ficus carica contains cysteine protease ficin. Our data showed that the latex inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the latex treatment markedly induced apoptosis in FaDu cells as determined by FACS analysis, elevated expression level of cleaved caspase-9, -3 and PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), and. increased the expression of Bax (pro-apoptotic factor) while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic factor). Taken together, these results suggested that latex containing the ficin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis by caspase and the Bcl-2 family signaling pathway in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. These findings point to the potential of latex of Ficus carica to provide a novel chemotherapeutic drug due to its growth inhibition effects and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.

Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm. is a perennial herb found widely distributed in various regions of Korea, Europe, and New Zealand. The root of A. sylvestris have been extensively used in the treatment for antitussive, antipyretic, cough remedy in Oriental medicine, but the physiologically active function of the leaf of A. sylvestris is as yet unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity and the mechanism of cell death of water extracts of leaf of Anthriscus sylvestris (WELAS), on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Our data showed that WELAS treatment inhibited cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the treatment of WELAS markedly induced apoptosis in FaDu cells, as determined by the viability assay, DAPI stain and FACS analysis. WELAS also increased the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -9 and PARP (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase). In addition, exposure to WELAS decreased the expression of Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptotic factor), but increased the expression of Bax (a pro-apoptotic factor), suggesting that mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways are mediated in WELAS-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that water extracts of leaf of A. sylvestris inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway in FaDu human hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, we propose that the water extracts of leaf of A. sylvestris is a novel chemotherapeutic drug, having growth inhibitory properties and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.

Fast, cheap and sufficient serodiagnostic tools needs to be developed for the early detectionof brucellosis. Currently the tools cannot differentiate an active infection from vaccinated, norcan it differentiate other bacterial infections with lipopolysaccharides, especially Yersiniainfections. In this study, we purified recombinant outer membrane protein 10 and 28(rOmp10,rOmp28), and a dipstick assay(indirect or sandwich) was constructed with single(rOmp10 orrOmp28) and combined rOmps(rOmp10 and rOmp28) from Brucella(B.) abortus 544 to evaluatebovine Brucella positive serum collected during the beginning of the Korean outbreak from2006 to 2015. In application with single rOmp, rOmp10(70%; indirect, 92.11%; sandwichdipstick) and rOmp28(72.5%; indirect, 86.84%; sandwich dipstick) had comparable results. Inaddition, results indicated that dipstick with combined rOmps(rOmps10 and rOmp28) weresuperior in detecting positive serum samples, at 85% indirect and 100% sandwich dipstick. Surprisingly, the results were the same in detecting negative results at 97.78% for both singleand combined indirect dipsticks. The dipstick tools with rOmp10 and rOmp28 would be usefulfor a rapid screen method for bovine brucellosis.

Chinese traditional residential buildings have the characteristics of diversification. Because of the vast land of China, different geographical environment, production and life and religion directly created a living culture of different ethnic and geographic, so that Chinese traditional dwellings have a variety of features. These diverse Traditional Dwellings architecture is an important historical and cultural heritage, but also has a high technical and artistic value. The Beijing traditional quadrangles and the Jilin Korean Nationality dwellings are representative buildings in North China and Northeast China, and they are subject to different geographical factors and the impact of climatic factors, and therefore have their own geographical features. In addition, they also have differences in cultural customs, traditions and folklore materials. These differences also reflect the different cultures living.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Maitland mobilization and Kaltenborn-Evjenth mobilization on the SLR angle. Subjects randomly divided into Kaltenborn-Evjenth group(n=8) and Maitland group(n=7). The mean height, age, body weight was 176.00±5.10 cm, 22.75±1.83 years, 72.63±10.65 kg respectively in Kaltenborn-Evjenth group. The mean height, age, body weight was 175.00±5.60 cm, 22.29 ±3.68 years, 78.00±12.36 kg respectively in Maitland group. Hip joint accessary movements with Grade Ⅲ or IV were applied depend on the patient’s condition to the restricted direction for 1 minute each set, and performed 5 set in a Maitland group. Hip joint anteroposterior gliding with Grade Ⅲ were applied 60 for 1 minutes each set, and performed 5 set in a Kaltenborn-Evjenth group. The angle of first pain was referred to as P1 and subjects were pointed out that they could not bend the knee anymore, then examiner measure SLR angle. The SLR was significantly increased in the Maitland group compared to the Kaltenborn- Evjenth group after intervention(p<.05). In a within group difference, SLR significantly increased in the both groups(p<.05). These results indicated that Maitland mobilization could be recommended the excellent technique to increase the hip flexion in patient with hip hypo-mobility.

Maturation-promoting factor (MPF) is well-known as cell cycle regulator during oocyte maturation and fertilization. MPF activity maintains high levels and arrest the cell cycle progression until fertilization. After fertilization, Anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) mediated degradation of cyclin B causes decrease of MPF activity. One of the cytostatic factor (CSF), Emi2 inhibits APC/C activity by binding to APC/C-cdc20, therefore blocks the proteolysis of cyclin B. Degradation of Emi2 requires phosphorylation by Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1). Thus recognition and phosphorylation of Emi2 by Plk1 are essential step for meiotic cell cycle resumption. In our previous research, we found that two phosphorylated threonine regions at amino acid position 152 and 176 in Emi2 are respectively contributed for recognition by polo-box domain of Plk1. Peptidomimetics 103-8 can block the interaction between Plk1-PBD and Emi2, and therefore meiotic maturation and meiosis resumption via parthenogenetic activation were impaired. However, major drawback of 103-8 was the limitation of penetration through the cell membrane. We synthesized the new peptidomimetics and checked bioavailability in mammalian oocyte by injection and media treatment. Medium treatment with peptidomimetics C-4, meiotic maturation has significantly decreased and meiotic resumption via parthenogenetic activation has perfectly impaired. For the next experiment, we are preparing X-ray crystallography to identify the binding modes between Plk1-PBD and peptidomimetics C-4.

[Fe II] emission lines are prominent in the infrared (IR) and important as diagnostic tools for radiative atomic shocks. We investigate the emission characteristics of [Fe II] lines using a shock code developed by Raymond (1979) with updated atomic parameters. We rst review general characteristics of the IR [Fe II] emission lines from shocked gas, and derive their uxes as a function of shock speed and ambient density. We have compiled available IR [Fe II] line observations of interstellar shocks and compare them to the ratios predicted from our model. The sample includes both young and old supernova remnants in the Galaxy and the Large Magellanic Cloud and several Herbig-Haro objects. We nd that the observed ratios of the IR [Fe II] lines generally fall on our grid of shock models, but the ratios of some mid- IR lines, e.g., [Fe II] 35.35 m=[Fe II] 25.99 m, [Fe II] 5.340 m=[Fe II] 25.99 m, and [Fe II] 5.340 m=[Fe II] 17.94 m, are signicantly oset from our model grid. We discuss possible explanations and conclude that while uncertainties in the shock modeling and the observations certainly exist, the uncertainty in atomic rates appears to be the major source of discrepancy.

The bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mainly contributes to the structural integrity, survival and protection barrier against harsh environments. Therefore, the early stages in LPS or lipid A biosynthesis are attractive targets in the identification and development of inhibitors which would be effective against infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The bacterial outer membrane proteins (OMPs) meanwhile function as maintenance for structure, adhesion to other cells and substances, as well as development of resistance to antimicrobials. The LPS and LPS-related molecules, and OMPs are important immunogenic components of several important pathogens including Brucella, which have been extensively used in immunological studies and in the diagnosis of diseases. Here we review the importance, structure, functions and immunogenic aspects of LPS and OMPs particularly of Brucella which can be targeted for the prevention and diagnosis of brucellosis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of the low temperature atmospheric plasma device with needle tip designed for easy approach to the oral cavity and root canal against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. The antibacterial activities evaluated by measuring clear zone of agar plate smeared with each bacteria after plasma treatment. To quantify antibacterial effects, dilution plate method was used. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for observation of changes in bacterial morphology. As treatment time of plasma increased, the clear zone was enlarged. The death rate was more than 99%. The SEM results showed that the globular shape of bacteria was distorted. These results suggest that needle tip plasma could be an innovative device for prevention of dental caries, and treatment of apical infection and soft tissue diseases.

To date, most serodiagnostic methods for brucellosis screening are based on antibodies against lipopolysaccharides of Brucella spp. However, this approach has the drawback of yielding false-positive results due to cross-reactivity with lipopolysaccharides of other related pathogens, especially Yersinia enterocolitica O:9. In this study, Brucella abortus AspC was cloned and expressed by PCR amplification into a pCold TF expression system to obtain recombinant AspC (rAspC). The immunogenicity of rAspC was confirmed by western blotting of Brucella-positive bovine serum. rAspC-based ELISA was performed to determine whether rAspC could be used in the serodiagnosis of bovine brucellosis. rAspC reacted strongly with anti-Brucella antibodies in positive sera in the tube agglutination test (TAT), but did not show strong reaction with most negative samples. In particular, the average OD492 value at the highest TAT titer showed a 1.4-fold increase with respect to the cutoff value. The accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of rAspC were 71.88%, 78.33%, and 68%, respectively. These findings suggest that rAspC might be valuable for the serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis.