Background: Sperm quality and the number of sperm introduced into the uterus during artificial insemination (AI) are pivotal factors influencing pregnancy outcomes. However, there have been no reports on the relationship between sperm concentration at AI and sperm quality in Hanwoo cattle. In this study, we examined sperm quality and pregnancy rates after AI using sperm inseminated at different concentrations. Methods: We evaluated the motility, viability, and acrosomal membrane integrity of sperm at different concentrations (10, 15, 18, and 20 million sperm/straw) in 0.5-mL straws. Subsequently, we compared the pregnancy rates after AI with different sperm concentrations. Results: After freeze-thawing, sperm at the assessed concentrations showed similar viability and acrosomal membrane integrity. After AI, cattle in the 10 million group had significantly lower pregnancy rates compared to those in the 18 and 20 million groups. Conversely, there were no statistically significant variances observed between cattle in the 10 and 15 million groups. Conclusions: Sperm at concentrations of 10, 15, 18 and 20 million per straw exhibited comparable motility, viability, and acrosomal membrane integrity. However, a concentration of at least 18 million sperm per straw is required to achieve a consistent rate of pregnancy rate in Hanwoo cattle after AI.

This study evaluated the risk of single and combined exposure to microplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio) through biomarkers, such as survival rate, excretion rate, and histological alterations of organ systems. The experimental groups were the control (Cont.), single microplastics exposure group (MPs, 1.83%/fish total weight (g)), the copper group (Cu, 21.6 μg L-1), and a group with combined exposure to MPs and copper (MPs*Cu). The experiment was conducted with individual exposure (7 days) for MP excretion rate analysis and group exposure (14 days) for biomarker analysis. The daily excretion rate of MPs tended to decrease in a time-dependent manner. The copper concentration in the body was not significantly different between single and combined copper exposure. The degeneration of mucous cells in the skin, capillary dilation of the gill lamella, increased intestinal mucous, hepatocyte hypertrophy, and the degeneration of glomeruli and renal tubules were observed in all exposure groups. These histological alterations showed the highest tendency in the MPs*Cu group. In this study, the changes in biomarkers were attributed to the single effect of copper or the combined effect of copper and MPs rather than being solely influenced by MPs.

Bangladeshi medicinal plants (BMP) have a history of traditional use in treating chronic inflammatory diseases, but a BMP bark’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects remain largely unexplored. This study assessed methanolic extracts’ antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties from the bark of 15 medicinal plant species native to Bangladesh. The methanol extracts of BMP bark were evaluated for their total antioxidant activity and ability to counteract inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among the 15 bark extracts from BMP, Albizia odoratissima (A. odoratissima), Engelhardia spicata (E. spicata), and Shorea robusta (S. robusta) showed the highest total phenolic contents and total antioxidant capacity by effectively scavenging free radicals. In particular, these three bark extracts significantly reduced the mRNA expression of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines and enzymes inducible by inflammation in macrophages. Also, the mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase 2 was significantly suppressed by the three bark extracts in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that out of the 15 bark extracts obtained from medicinal plants in Bangladesh, the extracts from A. odoratissima, E. spicata, and S. robusta exhibit substantial total antioxidant capacity by efficiently scavenging free radicals and also inhibit LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages.

토복령은 우수한 항균, 항산화, 항염증 효능을 가진 소재로 알려져 있다. 이러한 토복령(Smilax china)의 추출물의 기능성을 화장품에 적용하기 위한 기초연구로써 토복령에서 발견되는 플라보노이드인 quercetin, catechin, naringenin의 농도별 경피 투과 특성을 조사할 필요성이 있다. Marzulli의 정의에 적 용한 결과 케르세틴의 Kp 값은 0.1 mg/mL에서 "빠름"으로 분류되었고, 0.2 및 0.4 mg/mL에서 "보통"으로 분류되었다. 특히, 농도가 증가함에 따라 투과 속도가 감소하는 경향이 있었다. 나린제닌의 경우 Flux 값은 각각 0.1, 0.2 및 0.4 mg/mL 농도에서 0.69, 1.07 및 1.42 μg/hr/cm²이었으며, 해당 Kp 값은 각각 6.95, 5.34 및 3.56이었다. 나린제닌의 Kp 값은 모든 농도에서 "보통" 범주에 속하며, 케르세틴과 관찰된 것과 같이 농도가 높아짐에 따라 투과 속도가 감소하였다. 카테킨의 경우 Flux 값은 각각 0.1, 0.2 및 0.4 mg/mL 농도에서 0.75, 1.09 및 1.66 μg/hr/cm²이었으며, 해당 Kp 값은 각각 7.55, 5.46 및 4.16이었다. 카테킨의 Kp 값은 모든 농도에서 일관되게 "보통"으로 분류되었다. 여드름 저해능 및 항염증 효능이 우수 한 토복령 추출물의 유효성분인 quercetin, catechin, naringenin의 경피 투과 특성이 보통 이상으로 나타나 기능성 화장품에 사용할 수 있는 우수한 천연물 소재인 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

Henricia specimens were collected using a dual approach of trimix scuba diving and fishing nets. This inclusive collection encompasses the discovery of two species highlighted in this study and introduces and provides comprehensive descriptions for Henricia kinkasana and Henricia longispina aleutica. The descriptions offered in this study were derived from the thorough examinations of external morphological characteristics. The documentation provides detailed insight into key traits related to the abactinal and actinal skeletons and spines of these newly recorded species in Korea. This comprehensive examination contributes to our understanding of the distinct morphological characteristics defining each species within the genus Henricia.

In 2006, Cambodian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI) bred a high-quality tomato ‘Neang Pich’ variety. Since ‘Neang Pich’ is susceptible to Sclerotium rolfsii (S. rolfsii), it is severely affected the production major tomato growing regions. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of seven S. rolfsii tolerant rootstocks on growth and yield in graft cultivation of ‘Neang Pich’ tomato. ‘Neang Pich’ seedlings were used as scion and non-grafted control. Six eggplant genotypes (‘2017053’, ‘2017062’, ‘17CJVC2’, ‘No. 80’, ‘VI041979A’, ‘VI041996’) and a commercial tomato variety (‘Hulk’) were used as rootstock. The grafted and non-grafted tomatoes were grown in a plastic greenhouse and open field. The survival rate of plants did not differ between plastic greenhouse (80.2%) and open field (79.5%). The top and root fresh weight of plants grown in a plastic greenhouse increased by 77% and 11% compared to the open field and the dry weight increased by 48% and 10%, respectively. The top (309 g) and root (18.9 g) fresh weight, and the top (90.5 g) and root (6.39 g) dry weight depending on rootstock were the highest in plants grafted onto ‘2017062’. The yield of tomatoes in a plastic greenhouse (19.5 MT/ha) was 65% higher than that of open field (11.8 MT/ha). The yield of tomatoes depending on rootstock were the highest in ‘2017062’ (17.8 MT/ha). The effect of cultivation practice and grafting on pH and sugar content (oBrix) of the fruit was non-significant difference (p0.05). The scion diameter, top fresh weight, fruit weight and yield (MT/ha) were significant difference (p0.05) in the interaction effect between tomato cultivation practices (plastic greenhouse and open field) and rootstock.

최근 정원에 대한 관심이 증가함에 따라 자생 식물을 활용 하기 위한 연구가 진행되고 있다. 참식나무(Neolitsea sericea (Blume) Koidz).는 관상용뿐만 아니라 목재로도 이용할 수 있 다. 따라서 이 연구는 참식나무를 정원 식물 소재로 활용하기 위한 대량 증식 기술 개발을 위하여 종자의 발아 특성과 저장 특성에 대해 알아보고자 진행하였다. 2022년 11월 2일 제주 지역에서 채집한 종자를 실험에 사용하였다. 종자의 내·외부 형태 관찰을 한 결과, 종자가 탈리되는 시점에 배가 완전히 발 달한 형태를 가지고 있기 때문에 형태적휴면(morphological dormancy, MD)이 없음을 확인할 수 있었다. 수분흡수 실험 을 통하여 참식나무 종자는 72시간 이후 40% 정도의 수분흡수 율을 보여 내과피의 불투성에 의한 물리적휴면(PY, physical dormancy)이 없는 것으로 판단하였다. 채종 후 곧바로 무가 온 온실에 파종하면 이듬해 5월에 약 60%가 발아하였다. 저 온습윤처리 0, 2, 4, 8, 12주 후 25/15°C에 배양한 결과 최 종 발아율은 각각 0%, 0%, 21.1%, 32.6%, 34.7%였다. GA3 를 0, 10, 100, 1000mg·L-1 농도로 처리한 후 25/15°C에서 배양한 결과, 최종 발아율은 각각 0, 14.5, 22.7, 42.2%였다. 따라서 본 실험의 결과 8주 이상의 저온 처리 또는 GA3 처리 를 통하여 어느 정도 휴면을 타파시킬 수 있었다. 이러한 결과 를 통하여 종자는 intermediate PD를 가지는 것으로 판단 된다. 일부 발아하지 않은 종자는 deep PD를 가지고 있는 것 으로 판단하였다. 후숙 처리 실험의 결과 4주 만에 수분 함량 이 2% 이하로 감소하였고 종자는 전혀 발아하지 않았다. 따라 서 종자의 저장 특성 중 recalcittrant 특성을 지닌 난저장성 종자로 보인다.

Background: Porcine pluripotent stem cells (pPSCs) would provide enormous potential for agriculture and biomedicine. However, authentic pPSCs have not established yet because standards for pPSCs-specific markers and culture conditions are not clear. Therefore, the present study reports comparative pluripotency characteristics in porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) derived from different viral transduction and reprogramming factors [Lenti-iPSCs (OSKM), Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) and Sev-iPSCs (OSKM)]. Methods: Porcine fibroblasts were induced into Lenti-iPSCs (OSKM) and Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) by using Lentiviral vector and Sev-iPSCs (OSKM) by using Sendaiviral vector. Expressions of endogenous or exogenous pluripotency-associated genes, surface marker and in vitro differentiation in between Lenti-piPSCs (OSKM), Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) and Sev-piPSCs (OSKM) were compared. Results: Colonial morphology of Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) closely resembles the naïve mouse embryonic stem cells colony for culture, whereas Sev-iPSCs (OSKM) colony is similar to the primed hESCs. Also, the activity of AP shows a distinct different in piPSCs (AP-positive (+) Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) and Sev-iPSCs (OSKM), but AP-negative (-) LentiiPSCs (OSKM)). mRNAs expression of several marker genes (OCT-3/4, NANOG and SOX2) for pluripotency was increased in Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) and Sev-iPSCs (OSKM), but Sev-iPSCs (OSKM). Interestingly, SSEA-1 of surface markers was expressed only in Sev-iPSCs (OSKM), whereas SSEA-4, Tra-1-60 and Tra-1-81 were positively expressed in Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL). Exogenous reprogramming factors continuously expressed in Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) for passage 20, whereas Sev-iPSCs (OSKM) did not express any exogenous transcription factors. Finally, only Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) express the three germ layers and primordial germ cells markers in aggregated EBs. Conclusions: These results indicate that the viral transduction system of reprograming factors into porcine differentiated cells display different pluripotency characteristics in piPSCs.

To develop quality-improved bakery products, the influence of the partial replacement of wheat flour by Artemisia princeps leaf powder (APP) on the quality characteristics of cookies, including antioxidant activities, was investigated. Studies were carried out to evaluate the addition of different percentages of APP on the quality characteristics of cookies prepared by incorporating APP (1-4%) into wheat flour. The incorporation of APP significantly affected the cookies’ physicochemical parameters and sensory acceptance attributes. Such incorporation at different levels significantly reduced moisture content while increasing the cookie dough’s density (p<0.05). The spread ratio, loss rate, L*, and b* values of the cookies decreased, but their hardness and a* value increased significantly with increasing levels of APP substitution (p<0.05). 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline- 6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities were significantly increased (p<0.05) with higher APP substitution and were well-correlated. Hedonic sensory results showed that cookies fortified with 2% APP generally received satisfactory and acceptable acceptance scores. Consumers seemed to prefer the cookie texture in terms of chewiness when the samples were softer and lighter but less reddish, whereas taste acceptance may be a dominant factor in overall acceptability.