Paecilomyces tenuipes (P. tenuipes) is a fungus cultivated artificially by South Korean researchers, utilizing rice bran as its substrate. The increased demand for this fungus has not been met with successful cultivation methods for fruiting body production in natural environments. Therefore, we tested the effect on the growth of P. tenuipes using a Solid media based on pests. In this results, the Solid media based on M.alternatus was effective in increasing the growth of P. tenuipes and the content of cordycepin. Moreover, we confirmed the conditions for manufacturing a Solid media based on M.alternatus for P. tenuipes growth. We suggested that the growth-promoting compounds offers valuable insights for optimizing fungal cultivation conditions, thereby enhancing productivity and contributing to a broader understanding of fungal physiology in varying nutritional environments.

Plants synthesize antioxidant compounds as a defense mechanism against reactive oxygen species. Recently, plant-derived antioxidant compounds have attracted attention due to the increasing consumer awareness in the heath industry. However, traditional methods for measuring the antioxidant activity of these compounds are time-consuming and costly. Therefore, our study constructed a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model that can predict antioxidant activity using graph convolutional networks (GCN) from plant structural data. The accuracy (Acc) of the model reached 0.6 and the loss reached 0.03. Although with lower accuracy than previously reported QSAR models, our model showed the possibility of predicting DPPH antioxidant activity in a wide range of plant compounds (phenolics, polyphenols, vitamins, etc.) based on their graph structure.

Fulvic acid, a humic substance with unique properties, has sparked interest due to its potential applications in the treatment of allergic diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and as a microplastic adsorbent. However, conventional extraction methods produce insufficient quantities for commercial use, which has prompted research to enhance fulvic acid production. In this study, we investigated the impact of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation on the yield and spectral characteristics of fulvic acid extracted from white peat. Fulvic acid was extracted from both S. cerevisiae-treated and untreated white peats using acid precipitation. The yield of fulvic acid from the S. cerevisiae treated group reached its highest at 3.5 % after 72 hr of fermentation, which was significantly higher than the untreated group (1.1 %). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed similarities in functional groups and characteristic absorption bands between the treated and untreated fulvic acid samples. These findings suggest that S. cerevisiae fermentation can increase the yield of fulvic acid extracted from white peat, providing a promising approach for enhancing the commercial viability of fulvic acid production.

스리랑카는 채소의 주년 생산에 적합한 기후를 갖고 있는 열대국가이다. 열대, 아열대 채소의 재배면적은 전체 농지(105,062 ha)의 약 3%이다. 지난 50년 동안 스리랑카에서 채소 육종에 관한 체계적인 연구가 이루어졌고 채소 부문은 지속적으로 증가하였다. 하지만 채소 육종, 재배 및 가공과 관련된 기술이 선진국에 비해 많이 뒤떨어져 있는 형편이다. 전통 육종법을 통해 개발된 다양한 농업적 형질을 가진 품종이 현재까지 스리랑카의 채소 생산에 이용되고 있지만 생명공학적 방법을 접목한 채소 품종 육종법의 중요성이 점차로 부각되고 있다. 본 논문은 스리랑카에서 중요한 채소 작물인 토마토, 고추류, 콩류, 가지 및 여주의 육종과 품종 현황을 소개하고 향후 스리랑카 육종 전망에 대해 논의하였다.

The efficacy of the natural amendments in improving physical condition as well as waterretention characteristics of the growing media in pot culture was studied on seven different mixratio of growing media applied to soil. Growing media was prepared from peat, perlite, pruningwaste, pulp(3:1:3:3(w/w/w/w)). Growth substrates were prepared by mixing growing media at therates of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 100% with soil at 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%,50% and 0%, respectively. The bulk density tended to decreased with increasing growing mediaproportions. The particle density was lowest(0.6 g/cm3) in sole growing media treatment and theporosity of all the soil mixed growing media(63.2~83.3%) was significantly higher than that ofthe soil as sole medium(60.7%). The water content was lowest in sole soil treatment(5.1%) andgrowing media as sole medium(57.8%) was the closely ideal range for pot culture(>60%). Although substrates were varying water to the atmosphere at similar rates which retained waterfor longer, growing media as sole still remain constant on high water content. It was confirmedthat strongly correlated between bulk density and water retentivity(correlation-0.85).

This experiment was designed to assess the physical and chemical properties of growing media substituted with a range of increasing concentrations of pretreated wood and to relate these properties to plant growth responses. For preparing the growing media, each material was combined with rural soil, peat, perlite and pretreated wood. Physicochemical properties studied were similar to ideal substrate ranges for plant growth on growing media, including pretreated wood. Physical properties were also well maintained over time. In comparison to plants growing in 100% rural soil, tall fescue(Festuca arundinacea) in the prepared growing media achieved better growth, especially when using the 50% rural soil + 50% PPW(peat + perlite + pretreated wood, 3:1:6(w/w/w)) and 30% rural soil + 70% PPW (peat + perlite + pretreated wood, 3:1:6(w/w/w)), and showed improved germination percentage. We confirmed the potential use of growing media, including pretreated wood. Furthermore, our results show a correlation among the physicochemical properties of tall fescue(Festuca arundinacea); physical properties were significantly influenced by germination and aerial parts. The root length of physicochemical properties was correlated with bulk density and organic compound (p<0.01).

An experiment was conducted to study the potential of thermal treated oak sawdust(steaming and steam explosion) as horticultural medium component in plug seedlings production of Chinese cabbage(Brassica campestris L.). This study involves the chemical, physical characterization and growth test of thermal treated oak sawdust(steaming and steam explosion) in order to evaluate their use as components of horticultural media. A commercial peat moss and oak sawdust were used as control. The total carbohydrate, C/N ratio, pH, phenolic compound, total porosity and water holding capacity were 45.1g/100g dry wt, 425.1, 4.4, 141.8mg/g wt, 82.5%, 47.1% in oak sawdust and 39.2g/100g dry wt, 300.3, 4.7, 131.7mg/g wt, 84.9% and 49.2% in steamed oak sawdust and 30.3g/100g dry wt, 247.8, 5.7, 40.8mg/g wt, 92.3% and 51.7% in steam exploded oak sawdust, respectively. The mixtures of the horticultural media were prepared using different substrate as peat moss, oak sawdust, steamed oak sawdust, steam exploded oak sawdust and perlite to grow Chinese cabbage in a greenhouse. The seed germination, stem height and leaf area were 68%, 2.2cm, 1.1cm2 in OSP(containing 90% oak sawdust and 10% perlite) and 69%, 2.5cm, 1.5cm2 in SMP(containing 90% steamed oak sawdust and 10% perlite) and 87%, 3.0cm, 2.2cm2 in SEP(containing 90% steam exploded oak sawdust and 10% perlite), respectively. The leaf area SEP(containing 90% steam exploded oak sawdust and 10% perlite) was higher than that of PP(containing 90% peat moss and 10% perlite). This research indicates that steam exploded oak sawdust may be utilized as a suitable replacement for peat moss in horticultural media component for Chinese cabbage.

Flexible transparent conducting films (TCFs) were fabricated by dip-coating single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) onto a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. The amount of coated SWCNTs was controlled simply by dipping number. Because the performance of SWCNT-based TCFs is influenced by both electrical conductance and optical transmittance, we evaluated the film performance by introducing a film property factor using both the number of interconnected SWCNT bundles at intersection points, and the coverage of SWCNTs on the PET substrate, in field emission scanning electron microscopic images. The microscopic film property factor was in an excellent agreement with the macroscopic one determined from electrical conductance and optical transmittance measurements, especially for a small number of dippings. Therefore, the most crucial factor governing the performance of the SWCNT-based TCFs is a SWCNT-network structure with a large number of intersection points for a minimum amount of deposited SWCNTs.

This study aims to examine the effects of taping of the ankle joint on the static and dynamic balance and gait ability of stroke patients. Twenty-six stroke patients receiving physical therapy at a hospital located in Gyeonggi-do were divided equally into a group that had taping in physical therapy and an ordinary physical therapy group. They exercised for 30 minutes each, 3 times per week for 8 weeks from June to August 2011. Romberg’s eye open and eye closed tests, limits of stability(LOS), forward and back test, timed up and go test(TUG) and 10-meter gait velocity test were performed to evaluate static balance, dynamic balance, and gait ability, respectively, prior to and 8 weeks after the intervention. Differences within each group in relation to the lapse of time were compared by a paired t-test. Differences between the two groups were compared by an independent t-test. Regarding comparison of differences within each group, all tests resulted in significant changes in both groups after the intervention (p<.05). Comparison of differences between the two groups showed that taping in the physical therapy group had significantly better test results than the ordinary physical therapy group in all measured items(p<.05). The after effects of ankle taping on stroke patients are more efficient and effective than ordinary physical therapy alone in improving balance and gait ability.

A 10-year-old intact female Cocker Spaniel weighing 15.3 kg presented with dysbasia. The dog had hyperglycemia and glucosuria at presentation. Neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging on the following day indicated the onset of cervical disk disease. Four days later, the patient returned due to sudden vomiting and anorexia with severe dehydration. Abnormal laboratory findings included severe hyperglycemia with ketonuria. Plasma progesterone concentration was very high at presentation. She was hospitalized for critical care, and insulin administration with fluid therapy was initiated. Mean blood glucose concentration showed a gradual decline, and hyperglycemia with glucosuria disappeared four days after initiation of insulin therapy. This case demonstrated that high plasma progesterone concentration during diestrus can contribute to development of diabetes mellitus in intact female dogs.

The Trichoderma disease, commonly referred to as green mold, has been previously considered as a problem in mushroom production, because it typically occurred in association with low-quality compost or poor hygiene. We studied growth of Trichoderma spp. (Trichoderma aggressivum, Trichoderma atroviride, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma koningii, Trichoderma viride) is under the control of environment factors ; 15℃ - 35 ℃ of incubation temperature, pH 3 - pH 11 of medium and 55% - 75% moisture content of rice straw medium. At the temperature of incubation, Trichoderma spp. had the highest growth rate at 25 ℃ and had no growth at 35 ℃. At the pH of medium, Trichoderma spp. had the highest growth rate at pH 5 and had the lowest growth rate at pH 11. In the Moisture content of rice straw medium, Trichoderma spp. had the highest growth at 75% moisture content and had the lowest growth rate at 55% moisture content.

Essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa leaves and water extract from Pseudotsuga menziesii sawdust were examined for antifungal activity against Trichoderma spp. (Trichoderma aggressivum, Trichoderma atroviride, Trichoderm harzianum. Trichoderma koningii, Trichoder-ma viride). Generally, essential oil and water extract inhibited the growth of Trichoderma spp. by about 25% and 33%, respectively, at 1000 ppm. Antifungal activity of water extract was slightly higher than essential oil at 1000 ppm. Antifungal activity was increased with increasing concentration of essential oil and water extract. This study was carried out the investigation of the chemical composition of essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa leaves and water extract from Pseudotsuga menziesii sawdust. The essential oil was analyzed by GC-MS and water extract analyzed by GC-MS/HS. Thirty-eight components were identified, of which terpinyl acetate (13.41%), elemol (11.86%) and isobornyl acetate (7.89%) were the main compounds in essential oil. Twenty-four components were identified, of which 2-Isopropoxy-ethylamine (46.45%), Epifluorohydrin (8.62%) and Trans-2,3-Dimethyloxirane (7.78%) were the main compounds in water extract. Based on all results described above, we conclude that the essential oil and water extact may have a potent in vitro antifungal activity against Trichoderma spp.

Antioxidants partially ameliorated the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on sperm characteristics during in vitro storage. The objective of the present study was to investigate the single or synergetic antioxidative effect of curcumin and Vit. E on the characteristics of fresh boar sperm during in vitro storage. The sperm viability in curcumin, Vit. E supplementation and curcumin+Vit. E+H2O2 groups remained over 85.0% in 3 hr incubation period, but in 6 hr incubation period, curcumin+Vit. E+H2O2 groups was sharply dropped than those of curcumin and Vit. E group. The membrane intergrity in all evaluated groups except for H2O2 group did not significantly difference in 3 hr incubation period. The viability in curcumin or Vit. E supplementation were significantly increased than in curcumin+H2O2 and Vit. E+H2O2 group in 6 hr incubation period. The percentage of mitochondrial activity and acrosome intergrity obtained similar trends within same incubation periods irrespective of treatment. The lipid peroxidation of spermatozoal plasma membrane ranged from 11.6∼17.5 nM/l×106 and 14.0∼ 19.0 nM/l×106 in 3 hr and 6 hr incubation periods. In conclusion, curcumin or Vit. E rpplementation alone or cooperatively improved sperm viability index (motility, membrane intergrity, viability and survival rates) and fertility index (mitochondria activity, acrosome intergrity and lipid peroxidation) of fresh boar sperm, indicating that curcumin and Vit. E have a antioxidative properties through its scavenging activity against hydrogen peroxide.