Bee venom contains a variety of peptides and enzymes, including serine proteases. While the presence of serine proteases in bee venom has been demonstrated, the role of these proteins in bee venom has not been elucidated. Furthermore, there is currently no information available regarding the melanization response or the fibrin(ogen)olytic activity of bee venom serine protease, and the molecular mechanism of its action remains unknown. Here we show that bee venom serine protease (Bi-VSP) is a multifunctional enzyme. In insects, Bi-VSP acts as an arthropod prophenoloxidase (proPO)-activating factor (PPAF), thereby triggering the phenoloxidase (PO) cascade. Bi-VSP injected through the stinger induces a lethal melanization response in target insects by modulating the innate immune response. In mammals, Bi-VSP acts similarly to snake venom serine protease, which exhibits fibrin(ogen)olytic activity. Bi-VSP activates prothrombin and directly degrades fibrinogen into fibrin degradation products, defining roles forBi-VSP as a prothrombin activator, a thrombin-like protease, and a plasmin-like protease. These findings provide a novel view of the mechanism of bee venom in which the bee venom serine protease kills target insects via a melanization strategy and exhibits fibrin(ogen)olytic activity.

The spontaneous mutant circling mouse (cir/cir) shows a circling behavior and hearing loss. We produced transgenic mice overexpressing transmembrane inner ear (tmie) gene, the causative gene, for the phenotypic rescue of the circling mouse. Through the continuous breeding with circling mice, the cir/cir homozygous mice carrying the transgene (cir/cir‐gtg) were produced. The rescued cir/cir‐gtg mice were able to swim in the water with proper orientation and did not show any circling behavior like wild type mice. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis exhibited that the transgenic tmie was expressed in the inner ear. Inner and outer hair cells were recovered in the cochlea and spiral ganglion neurons were also recovered in the rescued mice. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test demonstrated that the cir/cir‐gtg mice are able to respond to sound. This study demonstrates that tmie transgene can recover the hearing impairment and abnormal behavior in the circling mouse.

In organic agriculture, various cover-crops have been used to control weeds. In this study, we have investigated the effect of Vicia tetrasperma (L.) Schred. (Eolchigiwandu) which is native to on major insect pests of pepper. Redpepper seedlings at 8 leaves stage were transplanted in 20th May 2009 into experimental field located in the farm of the department of agricultural biology, Suwon, Korea. A cover-crop cultivation plot was compared with a control plot mulched by black plastic-film. Density of aphids and damaged fruits by oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta, were surveyed ten times from 21 days after transplanting (DAT) to 82 DAT. Fifty and forty pepper plants were sampled to count the density of aphids and damaged fruits by oriental tobacco budworm per a plant, respectively. In current study, three aphid species namely, cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae were collected. Overally, the density of aphids on pepper in the control plot was higher than the cover-crop plot. Especially, aphid density increased up to 67.44±26.8 in early stage of control plot, whereas aphid was not found in cover-crop plot. The rate of fruit damage by oriental tobacco budworm was significantly higher in the cover-crop plot than the control plot in early stage of pepper, however damaged fruit rate of pepper in the control plot was significantly higher since the middle of July.

The devastating insect pests of the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) were surveyed in environmentally friendly (no-pesticide and organic) greenhouses located in the provinces of Gyeonggi, Gyeongsang, Gangwon, Chungcheong and Jeju. Whitefly, leaf miner, aphid and moth were recorded as the major pests in these surveys. Among them, whitefly was the most serious pest of greenhouse cultivated tomato and major species was Trialeurodes vaporariorum. The population densities of T. vaporariorum was 0~36 nymph per leaf. Population of moths Spodoptera litura were the highest in summer season. Population of the whitefly was considered to be influenced by the previous cultural methods. Farmers in organic cultivation, used insect natural enemy, commercial EFAM (Environment Friendly Agricultural Material), yellow sticky trap or home made pesticides. Commercial microbial pesticides were applied to evaluate their insecticidal activities against whitefly. The results revealed that microbial pesticides exhibited 65.3 to 100% whitefly nymph mortality. Further, pesticidal activities of Cooking Oil and Yolk (COY), plant extracts and neem oil were evaluated against other tomato pests as well.

We describe here the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding the ferritin heavy chain homologue (TeFerHCH) from the cricket Teleogryllus emma. The TeFerHCH gene spans 1,009 bp and consisted of four introns and five exons coding for 217 amino acids residues. The TeFerHCH subunit contained the conserved motifs for the ferroxidase center typical of vertebrate ferritin heavy chains and the iron-responsive element (IRE) sequence with a predicted stem-loop structure was present in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of TeFerHCH mRNA. TeFerHCH was grouped with the S type (HCH) in a phylogenetic tree. The TeFerHCH cDNA was expressed as approximately 27 kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells. Northern blot analysis revealed that TeFerHCH exhibited ubiquitous expression and was upregulated by wounding and iron overload in the fatbody, suggesting a functional role for TeFerHCH in iron metabolism.

The HMG box containing protein (HBP) has a high mobility group domain and involved in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of tissues. We screened HBP2 in glioblastoma using Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) and isolated human spermatogonial stem cell‐like cells (hSSC‐like cells) derived from patients of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Expression of HBP2 was analyzed by RT‐PCR in undifferentiated stem cells (human Embryonic Stem Cells, hSSC‐like cells 2P) and spontaneous differentiated stem cells (hSSC‐like cells 4P). It was overexpressed in hESC and hSSC‐like cells 2P but not in hSSC‐like cells 4P. Also, the expression level of HBP2 was downregulated in colon tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Specifically in synchronized WI‐38 cells, HBP2 was highly upregulated until the G1 phase of the cell cycle and gradually decreased during the S phase. Our results suggest that HBP2 was downregulated during the spontaneous differentiation of hSSC‐like cells. HBP2 was differently expressed in colon tissues and was related to G1‐progression in WI‐38 cells. It may play a role in the maintenance of an undifferentiated hSSC‐like cell state and transits from G1 to S in WI‐38 cells. This research was important that it identified a biomarker for an undifferentiated state of hSSC‐like cells and characterized its involvement to arrest during cell cycle in colon cancer.

In order to establish a year round indoor-rearing system for Copper butterflies; large copper butterfly, Lycaena dispar, the effect of temperature on larval development and diapause was investigated. Temperature has been suggested as an important factor regulating the developmental rate, length of life, and survival rate from insect. As temperature increased, the developmental period was gradually shorten. The developmental periods of large copper larvae had a range of 11.0 days to 28.5 days at 30℃ and 17.5℃ respectively. The highest emergence rate was 94.2% recorded at 20℃. And the low emergence rate was 72.7% under 17.5℃. We investgated the sensitive stages to diapause induction in the larger copper effect of temperature and photoperiod. The experiment involves transfer of individuals from diapause averting (LD 16:8h, 25℃) to diapause inducing condition (LD 8:16h, 20℃) at various stages. Diapause was induced in 95.2% insect transferred at hatching larvae, in 15.6% of insects transferred at 2nd stadium molt, in 0% of insects transferred at after 3rd stadium molt. Percentage diapause induction increase with the length of short days and low temperature experienced. The main stage sensitive to photoperiod and temperature induction of diapause determination is the early first larval instar. The diapause induction began 14 days and ended 20 days after hatching larvae (LD 8:16h, 20℃).

This study examines whether the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) has increased financial statement comparability among firms and reduced undervaluation of Korean firms in the capital market by enhancing financial statement comparability. The so-called Korea Discount, which indicates an inefficient allocation of capital, has been attributed to lack of transparency and comparability of accounting information. Therefore, an efficient distribution of capital in the market was intended when IFRS was first adopted in Korea, but such progress is based on a premise of enhancement in Korean firms’ accounting information comparability. This study conducts empirical analysis by using a comparability measure by De Franco et al. (2011). More specifically, it analyzes differences among comparability of domestic firms following IFRS adoption, with firms in the EU, which adopted IFRS in 2005, and with firms in the U.S., China and Japan that do not follow IFRS. The analysis of changes in domestic firms’ comparability finds that their comparability improved following IFRS adoption. Meanwhile, the examination of cross-national differences in comparability demonstrates that, although there has been no significant change in comparability with firms in the U.S. and the EU across Korean industry since IFRS adoption, comparability with China has decreased while that with Japan improved.

본 연구의 목적은 토종다래의 용매별 추출물에 따른 약리활성에 대한 검증 및 효능 평가로서 토종다래의 항산화, 항염증에 대한 효과를 확인하였다. 염증 반응은 자극이 가해지면 histamine, serotonin, prostaglandin과 같은 혈관 활성물질에 의해 혈관 투과성이 증대되어 염증을 유발하고 cytokine, free radical, lysosomal enzyme 등 다양한 매개 인자가 관여한다. 자극에 의한 macrophage cell의 염증반응은 tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β)와 같은 pro-inflammatory cytokine의 발현이 유도되고, inducible nitric oxide synthase(i-NOS)와cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)에 영향을 받는 유전자의 발현을 자극하게 되어 nitric oxide(NO) 등의 염증 인자가 생성된다. 이에 따라 토종다래 추출물의 항염증에 대한 연구를 위해 이에 영향을 주는 인자인 i-NOS, COX-2의 단백질 발현억제 작용을 확인하였다. 그 결과, HKE > HKA > HKW 순서로 높은 효능을 확인 할 수 있었다. 가장 효과가 좋은 HKE 처리군에서 다양한 염증성 인자의 mRNA 발현량을 확인하였다. 측정 결과, HKE(2,000 μg/mL)는 i–NOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α mRNA 발현이 각각 93.2%, 27.9%, 96.4%, 89.4%, 73.9% 억제되는 효과를 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, HKE의 nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) 단백질 발현에 농도의존적으로 유의미한 결과를 확인하였으며, 이에 토종다래의 항염증효과는 LPS에 의한 TLR4의 자극에서 NF-κB 경로의 완화로 나타는 것임을 검증하였다. 결론적으로 토종다래는 70% ethanol 추출물(HKE)의 항염증 효과가 가장 높았으며, HKE는 대식세포에서 NF-κB 염증관련 경로의 억제로 세포 내 mRNA 및 단백질 수준에서의 염증인자들의 생성을 저해하여 항염증 효과가 명백히 확인되었다. 향후 본 연구팀은 토종다래의 항염증과 관련된 유효성분의 분리정제 및 구조분석을 진행할 예정이다.

Although trisomy 16 is commonly detected in spontaneous abortions and accounts for over 30% of cases of autosomal trisomy detected after spontaneous abortion, trisomy 16 mosaicism is rarely detected by amniocentesis in the second trimester. Here, we report a case of level III trisomy 16 mosaicism (47,XX,+16[8]/46,XX[31]) diagnosed by cytogenetic analysis of independently cultured amniotic fluid cells. The female baby was delivered at full term with low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation, and interestingly, her karyotype was normal (46,XX). Given the difficulty in predicting the outcomes of fetuses with this mosaicism, it is recommended to inform the possibility of mosaicisms including this trisomy 16 mosaicism during prenatal genetic diagnosis and genetic counseling for parents.

흡연 유무의 남성을 대상으로 뇌 백질의 손상 유무를 파악 할 수 있는 확산텐서영상을 검사하여 영상을 획득 한 후 Tract-Based Spatial Statics(TBSS)방법으로 뇌 백질 부위의 신경섬유로의 비등방도 FA(fractional anisotropy)값을 측정 분석한 결과 모든 영역에서 흡연자가 비흡연자보다 비등방성 측정값이 낮게 나타났지만 FA값은 통계적으로 유의하지 않았으며 오른쪽 맥락총 부위에 대한 FA값에서만 통계적으로 유의하였다. 본 연구의 결과 값으로 추측하자면 즉 흡연이 뇌 백질의 미세구조성 변화에 크게 영향을 미치지는 않지만 맥락총 부위에는 영향을 미친다고 할 수 있다.

AUDIT-K(한국형 알코올 중독 간이선별 검사법)을 이용하여 일상적으로 생활하고 있는 상당수의 잠재적인 위험 음주자들을 선별 할 수 있었으며 연령, 종교, 결혼여부, 직업, 소득음주사망 가족력, 음주시작 연령, 흡연, BMI(체질량지수)는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었으며, 학력, 음주기간만 통계적으로 유의하였다. 이러한 결과는 교육을 더 받은 사람의 남성이 알코올 소비가 더 높다고 한 선행연구와 부합하는 결과를 나타내었으며 교육수준 또한 무엇을 어떻게 배웠는가에 따른 차이를 살펴 볼 필요가 있음을 시사하며, 교육에 따른 알코올 소비도 각각 다른 결과를 나타냄을 알 수 있다. 또한 나이가 적을수록 술을 많이 마시면 음주기간이 길어질 것이고 기존의 음주시작 연령에 대한 연구와 일치하는 결과가 나타났다. 본 연구에서는 음주 기간이 알코올 사용 장애의 가장 큰 요인이었으며 음주 기간을 단축하기 위한 방법으로는 음주 시작연령을 최대한 늦출 수 있는 국가 정부 제도의 대책 및 교육이 필요하다고 생각된다.

For rapid production of freesia ‘Shiny Gold’ shoots by using a bioreactor, several culture conditions were investigated. Young shoots (< 1 ㎝) obtained from freesia corm section in vitro were used as plant materials for this experiment. As a basic experimental environment, 20 young shoots were inoculated into a 5 L balloon type bubble reactor which contained 1 L 1/2 strength MS medium supplemented with 30 g sucrose (3%), and the aeration was 0.1 vvm (vessel volumes per minute). The bioreactors were placed in a growth room with 23℃ temperature, 60% relative humidity and 60 μmol·m-2·s-1 light condition (16 h/8 h, day/night). The concentrations of MS media were set with 1/4, 1/2, 1 strength, medium volume 10, 20, 40%, sucrose concentration 3, 6, 9%, and aeration 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 vvm. After 4 weeks of cultivation, the growth indexes including the fresh and dry weight, and plant height were evaluated. At the same time, the consumption, pH, and EC of medium were estimated 4 weeks after incubating. The best results were achieved when 40 young shoots were incubated in a bioreactor in which 1 L of 1/2 strength MS medium supplemented with 6% sucrose was used for the rapid production of freesia shoots. The shoots were 17 cm in plant height and 1.0 g in fresh weight only 4 weeks after incubation which could be a good plant material suitable for corm enlargement i

This study was conducted to investigate the change of workers physiology and sensitivity according to the plant decoration activity using electroencephalographic (EEG), electrocardiogram, and semantic differential (SD) methods on 31 male and female workers in their twenties. Plant decoration activity and writing documents on a computer (WDOC) were carried out for 10 minutes each. The relative slow alpha power spectrum (RSA) has been highly exhibited at most measurement points at plant decoration activity compared to WDOC, and ratio of alpha to high beta spectrum (RAHB) was higher in the parietal lobe responsible for visual function in charge of visual function and showed stable and relaxed effect with little stress or tension. In addition, the relatively fast alpha power spectrum (RFA), which is responsible for visual function, after WDOC was higher than after plant decoration activity in the left parietal lobe (P <.05). Although not statistically significant, the relative high beta power spectrum (RHB) and the ratio of mid beta to theta (RMT), which are stress concentration indexes with tension, were highly regarded as a whole when performing WDOC. There was little difference in heart rate between after both activities. However, high frequency (HF) component indicating parasympathetic nervous system activity was more highly active after WDOC than Planting decoration activity, and the low frequency (LF) component indicating sympathetic nervous system activity tended to be lower after WDOC than after planting activity meaning that plant activity have a sense of stability than WDOC and these results were similar to brain wave analysis. In addition, the sense of comfort, naturalness, calm were significantly higher when the plant decoration activity was performed than when the WDOC was performed in the SD emotional vocabulary survey. These results could be interpreted that plant decoration activity induced more physiologically and psychologically stability and relaxation than WDOC, and enhanced attention ability in appropriate awakening state.