Diabetes, a chronic hyperglycemic condition, is caused by insufficient insulin secretion or functional impairment. Long-term inadequate regulation of blood glucose levels or hyperglycemia can lead to various complications, such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have explored the molecular mechanisms linking diabetes to bone loss and an increased susceptibility to fractures. This study reviews the characteristics and molecular mechanisms of diabetes-induced bone disease. Depending on the type of diabetes, changes in bone tissue vary. The molecular mechanisms responsible for bone loss in diabetes include the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, induction of oxidative stress, and deficiencies in insulin/IGF-1. In diabetes, alveolar bone loss results from complex interactions involving oral bacterial infections, host responses, and hyperglycemic stress in periodontal tissues. Therapeutic strategies for diabetes-induced bone loss may include blocking the AGEs signaling pathway, decreasing inflammatory cytokine activity, inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation and activity, and controlling glucose levels; however, further research is warranted.

The CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a G protein-coupled receptor that regulates chemotaxis and effector functions of immune cells. It also serves as the major co-receptor for the entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Recently, CCR5 inhibitors have been developed and used for the treatment or prevention of HIV infections. Additionally, it has been identified that CCR5 controls bone homeostasis by regulating osteoclastogenesis and the communication between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. However, the effects of CCR5 inhibition on bone tissue in elderly patients are unknown. This study aimed to examine the bone phenotype of aged CCR5 knockout (KO) mice. Femoral and tibial bones were isolated from 12-month and 18-month old wild-type (WT) and CCR5 KO mice, and microcomputed tomography and histology analyses were performed. Twelve-month-old CCR5 KO mice exhibited a decreased trabecular bone mass and cortical bone thickness in both femoral and tibial bones compared with agematched WT mice. Eighteen-month-old mice also showed a decreased trabecular bone mass in femurs compared with control WT mice, but not in tibial bones. Unlike in 12-month-old mice, the cortical margin of femurs and tibias in 18-month-old mice were rough, likely because they were aggravated by the deficiency of CCR5. Overall, our data suggest that the deficiency of CCR5 with aging can cause severe bone loss. When CCR5 inhibitors or CCR5 inactivating technologies are used in elderly patients, a preventive strategy for bone loss should be considered.

Teeth and bones are highly mineralized tissues containing inorganic minerals such as calcium phosphate, and a growing number of evidences show that their mineral content is associated with many diseases. Although the quantification of mineral contents by micro-computed tomography(micro- CT) has been used in diagnosis and evaluation for treating bone diseases, its application for teeth diseases has not been well established. In this study, we attempted to estimate a usefulness of a high-resolution micro-CT in analysis of human teeth. The teeth were scanned by using the Skyscan 1172 micro-CT. In order to measure tooth mineral content, beam hardening effect of the machine was corrected with a radiopaque iodinecontaining substance, iodoacetamide. Under the maximum resolution of 6.6 μm, X-ray densities in teeth and hydroxyapatite standards were obtained with Hounsfield unit (HU), and they were then converted to an absolute mineral concentration by a CT Analyzer software. In enamel layer of cusp area, the mean mineral concentration was about 2.14 mg/mm3 and there was a constant mineral concentration gradient from the enamel surface to the dentinoenamel junction. In the dentin of middle 1/3 of tooth, the mean mineral concentration was approximately 1.27 mg/mm3 and there was a constant mineral concentration gradient from the outer of root to the pulp side, ranging from 1.3 to 1.06 mg/mm3. In decay region of dentin, the mineral content was gradually decreased from the intact inner side to the decayed surface. These results suggest that high-resolution micro-CT can be as a useful tool for non-invasive measurement of mineral concentration in teeth.

A new deep red colored standard rose (Rosa hybrida Hort.) cultivar, `Best Red' was developed at the Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extention Services (JARES). Seedling and line selection were conducted in 2003 and its characteristics were examined three times from 2004 to 2006. 'Best Red' which was obtained by cross between 'Vital' and 'Cardinal'. It shows a red group color (RHS No. 46C), medium fragrance, and standard flower with good harmony between ray floret and flower center. The upper stem is moderate curved. The average yield during 2004-2006 was 111 stems/m2. Its vase life was 10 days. This cultivar was registered as a commercial cultivar in 2007. It is suitable for greenhouses in all regions in Korea and will be released to farmers in 2009.

A new light pink colored standard rose (Rosa hybrida Hort.) cultivar, 'Top Pink' was developed by the cross between 'Nobless' and 'Belami' at the Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extention Services (JARES) through seedling and line selection in 2003, and characteristic evaluation during 2004-2006. 'Top Pink' shows a Red group color (RHS No. 49A), strong fragrance, and standard flower with good harmony between ray florlet and flower center, and straight stem. The yield was 131 stems/m2 averaged over three years (2004-2007). It showed 10 days vase life and was resistant to powdery mildew. This cultivar was registered as a commercial cultivar in 2007. It can be cultured in greenhouses in Korea and will be released to farmers in 2009.

A new white colored spray rose (Rosa hybrida Hort.) cultivar Danmi was developed at the Jeollanamdo AgriculturalResearch and Extention Services (JARES) after seedling and line selection in 2002, and its characteristics were examined twicefrom 2004 to 2005