In this study, an simultaneous LC-MS/MS multi-residue analytical method was developed and validated for the residues of six neonicotinoid insecticides (acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam) in honey. Sample preparation included a combination of QuEChERS extraction kit and liquid-liquid extraction method to effectively extract pesticide components from the honey matrix and optimized analytical conditions to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity. The limits of detection (LOD) and the limits of quantitation (LOQ) were set in the range of 6-15 ng/mL and 19-44 ng/mL, respectively and the correlation coefficient (R²) was greater than 0.99, confirming good linearity. In addition, the intra-day recoveries for each pesticide were 75-104%, and the coefficient of variation (CV) was less than 20%, which met the guideline recommended by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The LC-MS/MS method developed in this study is expected to be used as a multi-residue analysis method for 6 neonicotinoid pesticides in honey.

Thyroid scanning using technetium-99m (99mTc) is the gold standard for diagnosing feline hyperthyroidism. In cats with an overactive thyroid, a thyroid scan is the most appropriate imaging technique to detect and localize any hyperfunctional adenomatous thyroid tissue. In this study, the pharmacological properties of the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m), developed as a diagnostic agent for feline hyperthyroidism using 99mTc as an active ingredient, were tested in FRTL-5 thyroid follicular cell line and ICR mice. The percentage of cell uptake of the Tc-99m in FRTL-5 thyroid cells was 0.182 ± 0.018%, which was about 6 times higher compared to Clone 9 hepatocytes. This uptake decreased by 38.2% due to competitive inhibition by iodine (sodium iodide). In tissue distribution tests by using ICR mice, the highest distribution was observed in the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and femur at 0.083 hours after administration, and this distribution decreased as the compound was excreted through the kidneys, the primary excretory organ. Maximum distribution was confirmed at 1 hour in the small intestine, 6 hours in the large intestine, and 2 hours in the thyroid gland. Additionally, the total amount excreted through urine and feces over 48 hours (2 days) was 78.80% of the injected dose, with 37.70% (47.84% of the total excretion) excreted through urine and 41.10% (52.16% of the total excretion) through feces. In conclusion, the Tc-99m has the same mechanism of action, potency, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion characteristics as 99mTc used for feline hyperthyroidism in the United States, Europe, and other countries, because the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) contains 99mTc as its sole active ingredient. Based on these results, the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) is expected to be safely used in the clinical diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism.

The role of transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor-1 (TRPV1) has been primarily investigated in pain sensory neurons. Relatively, little research has been performed in testicular cells. TRPV1 is abundantly expressed in Leydig cells of young adult mice. This study was conducted to determine the role of the TRPV1 channel in Leydig cells. TRPV1 modulators and testosterone were treated to the mouse Leydig cell line TM3 cells for 24 h. Capsaicin, a TRPV1 activator, dose-dependently induced cell death, whereas capsazepine, a TRPV1 inhibitor, inhibited capsaicin-induced cell death. Testosterone treatment reduced capsaicin-induced cell death. High concentrations of testosterone decreased TRPV1 mRNA and protein expression levels. However, TRPV1 modulators did not affect testosterone production. These results showed that capsaicin induced cell death of Leydig cells and that testosterone reduced capsaicininduced cell death. Our findings suggest that testosterone may regulate the survival of Leydig cells in young adult mice by decreasing the expression level of TRPV1.

Reproductive potential decreases with age. A decrease in male fertility is due to a combination of morphological and molecular alterations in the testes. Transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor-1 (TRPV1) is associated with aging and lifespan, and its activation causes apoptotic cell death in various cell types. However, the effect of TRPV1 on testicular apoptosis in aged mice has not yet been reported. TRPV1 knockout (KO) mice had a longer lifespan than that of wild-type (WT) mice. Lifespan was increased by 11.8% in male TRPV1 KO mice compared to that in WT mice. TRPV1 KO males lived approximately 100 days longer than WT males on average, and the maximum lifespan was markedly extended in TRPV1 KO mice compared with that in WT mice. The TRPV1 expression levels were highly increased in the testes of older mice. TRPV1 was expressed in the entire testes region of the old mice. In addition, old TRPV1 KO mice had lower testicular apoptosis than that of WT mice. Our results show that TRPV1 induces testicular apoptosis and suggest that TRPV1 may be associated with testicular aging.

This study aimed to examine the effect of a mild elevation in serum cholesterol level in a porcine coronary overstretch restenosis model using a balloon angioplasty catheter or drug-eluting coronary stent. Pigs were divided into two groups and were fed a commercial normal diet (CND, n = 4) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 4) for 5 weeks. Coronary overstretch injury by balloon angioplasty or stent implantation was induced in the left anterior descending and left circumflex artery after 1 week of feeding. Histopathological analysis was performed at 4 weeks after coronary injury. During the experiment, the total cholesterol level in the HFD group increased by approximately 44.9% (from 65.9 ± 3.21 mg/dL at baseline to 95.5 ± 9.94 mg/dL at 5 weeks). The lumen area in the CND group was reduced in comparison with that in the HFD group after balloon angioplasty. After stent implantation, the injury score showed no significant difference. There were significant differences in the neointimal area (2.7 ± 0.33 mm2 in the CND group vs. 3.3 ± 0.34 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), lumen area (2.6 ± 0.54 mm2 in the CND group vs. 2.0 ± 0.33 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), and percent area stenosis (52.0 ± 7.96% in the CND group vs. 62.4 ± 5.15% in the HFD group, p<0.05). Body weight change was not different between the two groups. Increased serum cholesterol level activated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in the porcine coronary overstretch model.

Overseas R&D subsidiaries contribute to the cross -border knowledge sourcing of MNC headquarter by providing tacit and context specific knowledge and reducing the searching cost of the headquarter

In early 2015, L’Oréal’s luxury cosmetics brand LANCÔME launched a product called Miracle Cushion™, a sponge soaked in liquid foundation. By integrating a cosmetic formula with a sponge in a compact case, it distinguished itself from other conventional makeup products, e.g., liquid foundation in a glass bottle or pressed powder in a portable compact. On Lancôme’s website, Miracle Cushion™ is described as follows: “a foundation revolution has arrived – liquid makeup in a cushion.” LANCÔME’s “revolution” actually originated from AMOREPACIFIC, Korea’s number one beauty group which had a sales revenue of KRW 4.7 trillion (USD 3.9 billion) in 2014. By launching Air Cushion® in March 2008, AMOREPACIFIC created a new makeup product category called “cushion.” By July 2015, the total cumulative number of AMOREPACIFIC’s cushion products sold in 13 countries was 63 million units. In 2014 alone, more than 26 million units were sold – one every 1.2 seconds. The sales revenue was KRW 641 billion (USD 542 million), which accounted for more than 13% of AMOREPACIFIC’s total revenue. AMOREPACIFIC launched Air Cushion® under IOPE, one of its premium brands. The company initially positioned Air Cushion® as sunscreen. Equipped with mass production facilities, AMOREPACIFIC sold 517,000 units of cushions in 2010, which accounted for KRW 14.5 billion (USD 12.2 million). Furthermore, the company started to automate the entire manufacturing process for cushions. With this automation, the sales revenue of Air Cushion® in 2011 reached KRW 33.6 billion (USD 28.4 million) - more than doubled compared to 2010. Obviously, it was a huge success for sunscreens under a single brand. From 2012, AMOREPACIFIC began to expand cushions for other in-house brands besides IOPE. Simultaneously, AMOREPACIFIC started to reposition cushion as makeup “foundation,” not “sunscreen.” HERA, AMOREPACIFIC’s luxury brand with a strong heritage in color makeup, took the initiative in repositioning cushion. This was also a strategic decision to diversify distribution channels: the main distribution channels of premium brands such as IOPE were Sephora-like specialty stores and discount stores whereas the primary distribution channels of luxury brands such as HERA were department stores and door-to-door networks. With HERA focused on domestic market expansion, LANEIGE, the most globalized brand of all in AMOREPACIFIC, pioneered the global market for cushions. Starting from its entry into Hong Kong and China in 2002, LANEIGE had already expanded its presence in more than 10 countries including Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Specifically, LANEIGE was perceived in most Asian countries as a cosmetics brand spearheading “K-Beauty” trends, part of the “Korean Wave” phenomenon. Thus, LANEIGE capitalized on its brand reputation accumulated over the years in the Asian market to expand cushions. LANEIGE designed a brand concept for its cushion as BB Cushion to make the most of the popularity of BB creams across Asia. In 2012, LANEIGE BB cushion was first launched in Singapore in January, followed by Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam in March, and finally Taiwan in April, all prior to its release in Korea in May. Initially, it emphasized the brightening function to fulfill the demand for whitening products already popular throughout Asia. From 2013, LANEIGE started to offer a variety of product lines customized to different consumer needs from each country. For example, LANEIGE launched BB Cushion Pore Control for consumers in hot, humid areas of Southeast Asia and BB Cushion Anti-aging for consumers in extremely cold and dry areas of China. Starting with HERA and LANEIGE in 2012, AMOREPACIFIC continue to release cushions under other brands by stages - SULWHASOO, ETUDE HOUSE in 2013, and INNISFREE, MAMONDE in 2014, etc. Every cushion product launched under different brands was named “cushion.” For example, HERA UV Mist Cushion, LANEIGE BB Cushion, SULWHASOO Perfecting Cushion, ETUDE HOUSE Precious Mineral Any Cushion, INNISFREE Water Glow Cushion, MOMONDE Cover Powder Cushion, etc. With the consistent labeling, AMOREPACIFIC succeeded in categorical differentiation. Stimulated by the widespread popularity of AMOREPACIFIC’s cushion foundations, competitors followed. Among local companies, LG Household and Healthcare was the first to enter into the cushion market in August 2012. Among the foreign brands, it was Lancôme. This paper is trying to understand how to achieve breakthrough innovation and create a new product category in the mature market such as cosmetics by analyzing the case of AMOREPACIFIC’s cushion.

The antioxidant capacities, total phenolic contents (TPC), and total quercetin contents (TQC) of a red (Chenjujuck), a yellow (Sunpower), and a white (Grasier) onion cultivar were determined in this study. Onion was separated into edible portion and dry skin. In the case of edible portion, the yellow onion had the highest antioxidant activity, followed by the red onion. The white onion showed neither antioxidant activity nor quercetin compounds. On the other hand, the dry skin of the red onion showed higher antioxidant activity than yellow onion skin. The white onion skin had slight antioxidant activity, low TPC, and no quercetin compounds. In addition, the flavonoid compounds of the edible portion and dry skins of these colored onions were analyzed by UFLC(ultra-fast liquid chromatography). The major compounds were quercetin 3,4-diglucoside and quercetin 4- glucoside in yellow and red onion edible portion, whereas the major compounds in yellow and red onion skins were quercetin 4- glucoside, quercetin, and quercetin 3,4-diglucoside.

7 new sericinjams are in breeding by the hybridization of silkworm genetic resource, that is, ND strain and the parent silkworm, and the feature of new sericinjam was classified by a cocoon color. According to cocoon color, sericinjam showed two kind of color including the light green and yellow. D601, D704 and D707 with the light green silk were a difference to density of color. Also D703, D705, D751 and D752 with the yellow silk showed a difference to density of color. As investigating the pupation rate which means the healthiness of the silkworm, D601 was highest with 93%, and D703 was lowest with 65.6%. The ratio of the sericin silk showed some difference every breed, and D601 among them was highest with 91%. There is close correlation between sericin cocoon quantity and the dried silkgrand weight. The weight of the dried silkgrand for sericinjams which were compared with baeokjam was low about 2.5 ~ 7.9 times. Among sericinjams, D601 was lowest, and D707 was highest. The pure sericin content of sericinjams was an above 96%, and sericin content of per one cocoon was low 1.4 ~ 2.5 times than baeokjam. Blood of silkworm which makes the light green silk exhibited anti bacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

Virus infections of the honeybee(Apis mellifera) have been increasingly investigated during the last decade. In general, honeybee viruses are widespread and most of them persist as inapparent infections. We screened honeybee colonies for the presence of several bee viruses, including deformed wing virus(DWV), black queen virus(BQCV), Kashmir bee virus(KBV), Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), sacbrood virus(SBV), acute bee paralysis virus(ABPV), using uniplex RT-PCR. Frequently simultaneous infections with different viruses are diagnosed in seemingly healthy bee colonies. Therefore we developed a multiplex RT-PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of multiple bee viruses.

Rutin is one of the major flavonoids found in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). While rutin is already known to exhibit anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities. However, the health beneficial function of rutin metabolites is not well understood. In DPPH radical scavenging assays, the present study found that 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid had the highest total anti-oxidant activity, followed by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, rutin, homovanillic acid, and 3-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid. Further, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid strongly reduced LPS-induced IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells, compared with other metabolites. Therefore, these results suggest that rutin metabolites have potential to be utilized as food ingredients with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.