적색과 청색광은 식물의 광합성에 효과적인 파장으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 다양한 조합의 적색과 청색 LED 혼합광에서 자란 방울 토마토 묘의 생장과 정식 후의 생산량과 품질에 대한 영향을 구명하였다. 파 종 후 2주된 방울 토마토 묘(Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. ‘Cuty’)를 적색(655nm)과 청색(456nm) LED의 다양 한 비율의 혼합광[red:blue = 41:59 (59B), 53:47 (47B), 65:35 (35B), 74:26 (26B), 87:13 (13B), or 100:0 (0B)]과 형광등(대조구)이 설치된 생장상에 옮겨준 후 25/20℃ (주/야), 광합성 광량자속 198.6 ± 5 μmol·m-2·s-1 (12시간)의 조건에서 27일간 육묘하였다. 그 후 방울 토마토를 벤로형 온실에 정식하여 75일동안 재배하였다. 정식 전 육묘 단계에서 27일간 LED 처리된 0B 와 59B 처리구를 제외한 모든 RB 혼합광 처리의 지상부 생 체중이 대조구에 비해 높았다. 지상부 건물중과 엽면적 또한 지상부 생체중과 유사한 경향을 보였다. 줄기 신 장은 13B, 26B, 35B에서 대조구와 다른 처리구들에 비해 유의적으로 가장 높았다. 특히, 26B는 59B처리에 비 해 약 3.2배 높은 줄기 신장을 보였다. 정식 후 37일 째에 마딧수는 26B와 47B에서 유의적으로 가장 높았고, 식물 초장은 26B에서 대조구와 59B에 비해 유의적으로 높았다. 가장 높은 총 과실 생산량을 보였던 26B는 대조구에 비해 1.6배, 59B에 비해 1.8배 높은 총 과실 생산량을 보였다. 따라서, 본 연구는 적색과 청색 LED 의 다양한 혼합 비율이 방울 토마토 묘의 생장 및 발달과 정식 후의 과실 생산량과 같은 생식생장에 영향에 중요한 요소임을 제시한다.

Halitosis is caused by consumption of certain foods or drinks and production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) by periodontopathogens. VSCs-related halitosis is not easily removed using mechanical or chemical therapies such as dental floss, plaque control and mouth rinse. Lactobacillus are known to be probiotics and stimulate immune systems of human. Furthermore, L. casei ATCC 334 and L. rhamnosus GG have an effect on protection of dental caries in vitro studies. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of Lactobacillus on halitosis by Fusobacterium nucleatum- and Porphyromonas gingivalis- producing VSCs and to analyze inhibitory mechanism. The periodontopathogens were cultivated in the presence or the absence Lactobacillus, and the level of VSCs was measured by gas chromatograph. For analysis of inhibitory mechanisms, the susceptibility assay of the spent culture medium of Lactobacillus against F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis was investigated. Also, the spent culture medium of Lactobacillus and periodontopathogens were mixed, and the emission of VSCs from the spent culture medium was measured by gas chromatograph. L. casei and L. rhamnosus significantly reduced production of VSCs. L. casei and L. rhamnosus exhibited strong antibacterial activity against F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis. The spent culture medium of L. casei inhibited to emit gaseous hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide from the spent culture medium of periodontopathogens. However, the spent medium of L. rhamnosus repressed only dimethyl sulfide. L. casei ATCC 334 may improve halitosis by growth inhibition of periodontopathogens and reduction of VSCs emission.

In the multicellular tissue, cell-cell interaction is important for a precise control of its function. The exchange of signaling molecules between adjacent cells via connexon allows the functional harmony of cells in the tissue. The present research was to determine the presence and expressional patterns of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the rat epididymal fat during postnatal development using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Of 13 Cx isoforms examined, expression of 11 Cx isoforms in the epididymal fat during postnatal development was detected. These Cx isoforms include Cx26, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx33, Cx36, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45, and Cx50. Expressional levels of all Cx isoforms at 1 and 2 years of age were significantly higher than those at the early postnatal ages, such as 7 days, 14 days, and 24 days of ages. Except Cx33 and Cx43, the transcript levels of rest Cx isoforms at 1 year of age were significantly lower than that at 2 years of age. In addition, expressional patterns of Cx isoforms between 7 days and 5 months of ages generally varied according to the isoform. The existence of various Cx isoforms in the rat epididymal fat has been identified and expression of each Cx isoform in the epididymal fat during postnatal development has shown a particular pattern, distinguishable from the others. To our knowledges, this is the first report showing expressional patterns of Cx isoforms at transcript level in the epididymal fat at various postnatal ages.

Connexin (Cx) involves in the regulation of various physiological functions of tissue by forming a channel, a gap junction which allows direct cell-cell communication, between adjacent cells. The effect of a single subcutaneous treatment of estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the weaning age on the expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caput epididymis was evaluated in this research. Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, a low-dose of EB [0.015 μg/kg body weight (BW)] caused significant decreases of Cx30.3, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 mRNA levels and no change of Cx26, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx37 transcript levels. The treatment of a high-dose EB (1.5 μg/kg BW) resulted in reduced expression of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx43, and Cx45 but increased expression of Cx37 and Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms examined, except Cx31, was significantly increased by the treatment of a low-dose Flu (500 μg/kg BW). However, the treatment of a high-dose Flu (5 mg/kg BW) led significant expressional suppression of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 but an increase of Cx37 transcript level. With the comparison of previous findings, the expression of Cx isoforms in the adult epididymis after the exposure to EB or Flu is likely differentially regulated in regional-specific and/or exposed postnatal age-specific manner.

Direct communication between neighboring cells through connexin (Cx)-based gap junction is a crucial biolo– gical manner to regulate functions of a tissue consisting of multi-cell types. The present research evaluated expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis of adult rat exposed to estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the early postnatal age. A single subcutaneous administration of EB at a low-dose [0.015 g /kg body weight (BW)] or a high-dose (1.5 g/kg BW) or Flu at a low-dose (500 g/kg BW) or a high-dose (5 mg/kg BW) was performed to an animal at 1 week of age. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was employed to determine expressional changes of Cx isoforms. The transcript levels of Cxs30.3 and 37 were decreased by a low-dose EB treatment, while decreases of Cxs31, 31.1, 32, 40, and 45 transcript levels were observed with a low-dose EB treatment. The treatment of a high-dose EB resulted in expressional reduction of Cxs30.3, 31, 31.1, 37, 40, 43, and 45. The Flu treatment at a low dose caused increases of Cxs26, 37, and 40 transcript levels but decreases of Cxs31.1, 43, and 45 transcript levels. Increases of Cxs30.3, 31, 37, and 40 mRNA amounts were induced by a high-dose Flu treatment. However, exposure to a high-dose Flu produced expressional decreases of Cxs31.1, 32, and 43 in the adult caput epididymis. These observations suggest that exposure to EB or Flu at the neonatal period could lead to aberrant expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caput epididymis.

The present research was chiefly designed to determine the effect of the treatment of estrogenic agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or antiandrogenic compound, flutamide (Flu), at the weaning age on the expression of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the caudal epididymis of adult male rat. Animals were subcutaneously administrated with a single shot of either EB at a low-dose (0.015 mg of EB/kg body weight (BW)) or a high-dose (1.5 mg of EB/kg BW) or Flu at a low-dose (500 mg of EB/kg BW) or a high-dose (5 mg of EB/kg BW). Expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis were examined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The treatment of a low-dose EB caused significant increases of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx32, and Cx43 transcript levels but reduction of Cx31.1, Cx37, and Cx45 expression. Exposure to a high-dose EB resulted in very close responses observed in a low-dose EB treatment, except no significant expressional change of Cx37 and a significant induction of Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms, except Cx45, was significantly increased by a low-dose Flu treatment. Expressional increases of all Cx isoforms were detected by a high-dose Flu treatment. The current study demonstrates that a single exposure to estrogenic or antiandrogenic compound during the early postnatal developmental period is sufficient to disrupt normal expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis.

Direct communication between neighboring cells via gap junction in tissue is important for maintenance and regulation of its physiological functions. Each epididymal region has different composition of cell types. It is well recognized that the epididymis is a steroid hormone-responsive tissue. The present study was designed to determine the effect of estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide exposured at the early postnatal age on the expression of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the caudal epididymis. The EB or flutamide was subcutaneously administrated to male Spragure Dawley rat at 7 days of age, and expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The treatment of low-dose EB resulted in decreases of Cx30.3, Cx31.1, Cx37, and Cx45 expression but caused an increase of Cx32 expression. Exposure to high-dose EB led into expressional increases of Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, and Cx43, even though a decrease of Cx37 expression was found with a high-dose EB treatment. A low-dose flutamide induced increases of Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, and Cx43 expression but a decrease of Cx37 expression. Expression of most Cx genes were significantly increased by a high-dose flutamide, while no expressional change of Cx26 and Cx40 was detected by a high-dose flutamide. These results indicate that expression of Cx isoforms in the caudal epididymis is altered by exposure to steroidal compounds at the prepubertal age. It is suggested that a contact with environmental exogenous materials during the early postnatal period would lead to alteration of epididymal functions at the adult.

Cell-cell direct communication through channel-forming molecules, connexin (Cx), is essential for a tissue to exchange signaling molecules between neighboring cells and establish unique functional characteristics during postnatal development. The corpus epididymis is a well-known androgen-responsive tissue and involves in proper sperm maturation. In the present research, it was attempted to determine if expression of Cx isoforms in the corpus epididymis in the adult is modulated by exposure to estrogenic or anti-androgenic compound during the early postnatal period. The neonatal male rats at 7 days of age were subcutaneously injected by estradiol benzoate (EB) at low-dose (0.015 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (1.5 mg/kg body weight) or flutamide (Flu) at low-dose (500 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (50 mg/kg body weight). The corpus epididymis collected at 4 months of age was subjected to evaluate expressional changes of Cx isoforms by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of low-dose EB resulted in increases of Cx32, Cx37, and Cx45 transcript levels, while exposure to high-dose EB decreased expression of Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45. Treatments of Flu caused significant decreases of expression of all examined Cx isoforms, except Cx37 and Cx43 shown no expressional change with high-dose Flu treatment. These findings imply that expression of most Cx isoforms present in the corpus epididymis would be transcriptionally regulated by actions of androgen and/or estrogen during postnatal period.

Connexin (Cx) is a complex which allows direct communication between neighboring cells via exchange of signaling molecules and eventually leads to functional harmony of cells in a tissue. The initial segment (IS) is an excurrent duct of male reproductive tract and expression of numerous genes in the IS are controlled by androgens and estrogens. The effects of these steroid hormones on gene expression in the IS during postnatal development have not extensively examined. The present research investigated expressional modulation of Cx isoforms in the IS by exogenous exposure to estrogen agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or androgen antagonist, flutamide (Flu), at weaning age. Two different doses of EB or Flu were subcutaneously administrated in 21-day old of male rats, and expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult IS were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of a low-dose EB (0.015 μg/kg body weight) resulted in an increased expression of Cx31 gene and a decreased expression of Cx37 gene. A high-dose EB (1.5 μg/kg body weight) treatment caused an increase of Cx31 gene expression. Increased levels of Cx30.3 and Cx40 transcripts were observed with a low-dose Flu (500 μg/kg body weight) treatment. Treatment of high-dose Flu (50 mg/kg body weight) led to expressional increases of Cx30.3, 40, and 43 genes. Our previous and present findings suggest differential responsiveness on gene expression of Cx isoforms in the IS by androgens and estrogens at different postnatal ages.

Direct cell-cell communication through connexin (Cx) complexes is a way to achieve functional accordance of cells within a tissue or an organ. The initial segment (IS), a part of the epididymis, plays important roles in sperm maturation. Steroid hormones influence on expression of a number of genes in the IS of adult animals. However, developmental effect of sex hormones on the gene expression in the IS has not been examined. In this study, estradiol benzoate (EB, an estrogen agonist) or flutamide (Flu, an androgen antagonist) was exogenously administrated at 1 week of postnatal age, and expressional changes of Cx genes in the IS were determined at 4 months of age by a quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Treatment of EB at 0.015 mg/kg body weight (BW) increased expression of Cx30.3, 31.1, and 43 genes. However, treatment of 1.5 mg EB/kg BW resulted in expressional decreases of Cx31, 32, and 45 genes and caused increases of Cx30.3 and 43 gene expression. Significant decreases of Cx31, 31.1, 32, 37, and 45 gene expression were detected with a treatment of 500 mg Flu/kg BW, while expression of Cx43 gene was significantly increased with a treatment of 500 mg Flu/kg BW. A treatment of 50 mg Flu/kg BW led to significant increases of Cx30.3, 32, 37, 40, and 43 gene expression. These findings imply that exogenous exposure of steroidal hormones during the early developmental period would result in aberrant expression of Cx genes in the adult IS.

The market competition of express package deliveries in Korea is severe because a large number of companies have entered into the market. This study thus suggests an approach to the reconfiguration of express service networks with respect to the strategy partnership of closing/keeping service centers among companies involved and the adjustments of their cutoff times. For this we propose an integer programming model and a genetic algorithm based solution procedure for allowing companies involved to maximize their incremental profit. An illustrative numerical example is presented to demonstrate the practicality and efficiency of the proposed model.

Ozone measurements made from 4 sites in Jeju Island have been analyzed, including those from two urban and two rural locales. The data were analyzed in terms of the seasonal and diurnal trends. It should be clear that the surface ozone levels in Jeju area would be relatively sensitive to the external ozone supply originated from the region of Northeast Asia. It seems to be that due to the reactions of ozone with NOx and CO, the average ozone level in Jeju City appears lower than that in Seogwipo City although Jeju City is the largest city in Jeju Island.

Aerosol measurement were carried out to investigate the characteristics of its chemical composition directly affected by the local emissions of Jeju City, Jeju Island by using an eight-stage cascade impactor from Dec. 1999 to Aug. 2000. The ambient aerosol concentrations measured at Jeju City were generally very low but the fine particle concentrations were to be higher than the US standard of PM2.5. The majority of sulfate were non sea salt and contained in the fine particles. In the fine particles, the concentrations of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl- and NO3- had a tendency to increase during the springtime rather than the other seasons. However, the springtime sulfate and ammonium concentrations in the fine particles were slightly lower than those during the other seasons. On the other hand, associated with the coarse particles, the concentrations of ionic species except potassium and ammonium were elevated during the springtime. The calcium concentrations in the coarse particles were increased up to 8 times relative to the other seasons.

R. Philippinarum is dioecious and oviparous. In the early vitellogenic oocyte, the Golgi apparatus and mitochondria present in the perinuclear region are involved in the formation of lipid droplets and in lipid granule formation. In the late vitellogenic oocyte, the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria in the cytoplasm are involved in the formation of proteid yolk granules. At this time, exogenous lipid granular substance and glycogen particles in the germinal epithelium are passed into the ooplasm of oocyte through the microvilli of the vitelline envelope. Ripe oocytes are about 55-60 m in diameter. The spawning period was once a year between early June and early October, and the main spawning occurred between July and August when seawater temperature was approximately 20 C. The reproductive cycle of this species can be categorized into five successive stages: early active stage (February to March), late active stage (April to May), ripe stage (April to August), partially spawned stage (June to October), and spent/inactive stage (August to March). Gonad developmental phases by histological qualitative analysis showed similar results with those of quantitative image analysis.