This study aimed to examine the morphological characteristics and variation in main traits by comparing the growth of individuals of Ecklonia cava Kjellman (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) under an aquaculture environment. This survey was conducted from April 2018 to November 2019 at the aquafarm in Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do (South coast of Korea). To classify the morphology of individuals in the aquaculture farm of E. cava, we investigated fourteen morphological characteristics and calculated four ratios between the measured values. Juvenile individuals showed a simple or oblong lanceolate, and at 3-4 months, a short stipe and holdfast developed, along with a bladelet that developed into the secondary blade form. At 5-7 months, secondary blades were found to develop irregularly on the primary blade. At 8-10 months, the primary blade expanded and secondary blades elongated. At 11-12 months, the secondary blades became oblong. At 13-14 months, the thallus area expanded. At 15-16 months, tertiary blades were formed, the thallus became more complex, the stipe thickened, and the holdfast widened. At 17-18 months, secondary blades clearly developed along with lobes. At 19-20 months, tertiary blades developed and became similar to mature natural blades. In the principal component analysis (PCA), the monthly population of the first year (Q1) and that of the second year (Q2) of the cultured population were divided along PC1, which is related to secondary blade morphological characteristics and the holdfast width. Q2 and natural populations are distributed in descending order of volume in Jeju (J), East Coast (E), and South Coast (S) along PC2, which is related to primary blade and stipe morphological characteristics. The results of this study were judged to offer important criteria for the development of different varieties of E. cava.

Recently, electrochromic devices (ECDs) have gathered increasing attention owing to their high color contrast and memory effect, which make them highly applicable to smart windows, auto-dimming mirrors, sensors, etc. Traditional ECDs have a sandwich structure that contains an electrochromic layer between two ITO substrates. These sandwich-type devices are usually fabricated through the lamination of two electrodes and followed by the injection of a liquid electrolyte in the inner space. However, this process is sometimes complex and time consuming. In this study, we fabricated ECDs with a lateral electrode structure that uses only an ITO substrate and an all-in-one electrochromic gel, which is a mixture of electrolyte and electrochromic material. Furthermore, we investigated the EC properties of the lateral-type device by comparing it with a sandwich-type device. The lateral-type ECD shows strong blue absorption as the applied voltage increases and has a competitive coloration efficiency compared to the sandwich-type device.

최근 양식기법이 보급되어 어가의 양식이 활발해진 감태 (Ecklonia cava Kjellman)는 향후 다양한 품종개발이 예상되고, 이들의 구분을 위한 신품종 심사기준 (특성조사요 령) 작성과 기초자료가 되는 자연 개체군의 변이 폭과 지역적 형태 변이에 관한 연구 필요성은 더욱 커지고 있다. 본 연구는 감태 양식 개체군과 국내 연안 16개소에서 채집한 자연개체군의 형태를 비교하고, 주요 형태 형질의 특성과 변이 폭을 규명하고자 하였다. 감태의 품종 구분에 적합한 형질은 1차엽과 2차엽, 줄기에 대한 주요 형태와 특 징에 관한 14개 측정 형질과 4개 비율 형질, 총 18개 특성을 선정하였다. 군집 분석에서 전체 19개 개체군 중, 자연 개체군인 장길 (E4), 소록 (S7)은 동일 지역 개체군들과 유의한 차이를 보였고, 동해와 남해의 나머지 자연 개체군은 양식 2년생인 수유 (Q6, Q8, Q10)를 포함한 2개 집단으로 구분되었고, 제주의 3개 개체군은 별도의 집단을 이루어 지역적으로 구분되었다. 주성분 분석에서도 군집 분석에서 집단을 이룬 동해와 남해 개체군을 중심으로 양식 개체군은 중앙에 모여 나타났고, 장길 (E4), 소록 (S7)과 제주 개체군들은 주성분 1 (PC1)과 주성분 2 (PC2)에 연관된 2 차엽 지수, 줄기의 길이와 직경, 줄기 길이/1차엽 길이, 1차엽 길이와 너비, 2차엽 수, 2차엽 길이와 너비의 형질에 의해 각 축에 따라 구분되어 나타났다. 이상의 결과로 본 연구에서 조사한 18개 형질은 각 해역에서 유의한 차이를 보이는 개체군 구분을 위한 기준으로 유용성이 확인되었으 며, 감태의 각 지역 개체군은 향후 신품종 개발 후보 종으로 가능성이 클 것으로 기대되었다.

Serum metabolites were analyzed to investigate relationship of pregnancy and non-pregnancy Hanwoo cows. Totally, 251 Hanwoo cows were used in the present study. Grazing was carried out for 5 months in the pasture. In barn feeding, concentrate 3.0 Kg (TDN 68%, CP 14%) and rice straw 6 kg(TDN 50%, CP 6.5%) were fed. For artificial insemination (AI), progesterone-supplying device (CIDR) was introduced to vagina of Hanwoo cows and 2.0 mL of GnRH. One week after introduction, CIDR was removed and 5.0 mL of PGF2α was injected intramuscularly. After 2.5 day, AI was accompanied by a 2 mL of GnRH intramuscular injection and a second AI was carried out 3.5 day. The pregnancy diagnosis was confirmed by rectal palpation about 90 days after AI. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein after 3 hours of feeding. Analysis of serum metabolites was performed on six types of metabolites: glucose(mg/dl), cholesterol(mg/mL), BUN(mg/dl), AST(U/L), ALT(U/l), and nonessterified fatty acids(NEFA, uEq/L). The metabolic profile test was analyzed by analyzer (Hitachi, 7020, Japan). Pregnant and non-pregnant groups showed serum metabolites as follows. In 60 pregnant group: Glucose 88.9 ± 2.5, Cholesterol 149.8 ± 4.9, BUN 16.9 ± 0.4, AST 99.1 ± 2.6, ALT 35.9 ± 0.9 and NEFA 326.7 ± 15.7. In 43 non-pregnant cow group: Glucose 89.2 ± 3.3, Cholesterol 165.9 ± 4.6, BUN 17.4 ± 0.6, AST 108.9 ± 0.6, ALT 37.8 ± 1.0 and NEFA 419.2 ± 32.8. Cholesterol, AST and NEFA levels in non-pregnant cows were significantly higher than those in pregnant cows (P<0.05). In sum of grazing and barn feeding group was totally 148 cows. Seventy nine pregnant cows showed high glucose and low NEFA levels compared to 69 non-pregnant cows (P<0.05). In conclusion, pregnant group showed high level of glucose and low level of cholesterol, NEFA. Further study needed to obtain more accurate level of metabolites in serum for pregnant and non-pregnant cows.

In this study, we examined sperm penetration and blastocyst developmental rate of oocytes to determine fertilizability of cauda epididymal spermatozoa in Hanwoo bull. One testicle with epididymides were castrated from one Hanwoo bull (14 months of age) and transported to laboratory. Spermatozoa recovered from cauda epididymis by mincing with semen extender (Optixcell, IMV, France) and cryporeserved in liquid nitrogen tank until use. As control, frozen Hanwoo semen was used. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from follicles (2-8 mm) of slaughtered ovaries and 10 to15 COCs were matured in 50μl droplet with M-199 media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 10μg/ml FSH, 10μg/ml LH, 10μg/ml EGF for 22 to 24 hours in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. After maturation of COCs, matured COCs were co-incubated with cauda epididymal spermatozoa in 100μl droplet in modified Brackett and Oliphant media supplemented with 2.5 mM theophylline for 12 or 18 hours under 5% CO2 in air. Sperm concentration was adjusted to 5 × 106cells/ml. After IVF for 18 hours, presumptive zygotes were cultured in modified synthetic oviductal fluid with 1mM glutamine, 12 essential amino acids, 10 μg/ml insulin under 5% CO2, 5% O2 in air. In experiment 1, we examined sperm penetration rate at 12 hours of IVF of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm. Total penetration rate among cauda epididymis and control were not significantly different (mean±standard error, cauda epididymis and control vs. 49.7±11.3 and 54.4±12.8%) In experiment 2, cleavage and blastocyst development rate were evaluated at day 2 and day 8 after IVF for 18 hours. Cleavage rate among cauda epididymis and control was similar different (cauda epididymis and control vs. 81.2±3.4 and 82.7±2.5%). However, blastocyst developmental rate of cauda epididymis group was significantly higher than that of control group (cauda epididymis and control vs. 24.4±1.6 and 12.2±2.8%, p<0.05). In conclusion, cauda epididymal spermatozoa in Hanwoo bull has high fertilizability and embryo development. Cauda epididymal sperm can be used as an alternative to ejaculated frozen sperm in vitro.

The intradermal test (IDT) has been developed for confirming diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). Prior to performing IDT, rapid immunoassay (Allercept E-screen 2nd generation; ES2G) can detect allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in canine serum. The objective of this study was to evaluate agreement between IDT and immunoassay in diagnosis of CAD in domestic atopic dogs. Forty dogs were diagnosed with CAD in accordance with Favrot’s criteria. Intradermal testing was performed using 39 selected allergens. ES2G detected IgE antibodies specific for three allergen groups, including indoor allergens, grasses and weeds, and trees. Among 19 dogs diagnosed by IDT, the highest positivity was observed in house dust mites, followed by molds, epidermis and inhalants, house dust, and weeds. A total of 28 atopic dogs were evaluated by rapid ES2G immunoassay. Indoor allergens showed the strongest positive reaction, followed by grasses/weeds and trees. IDT and ES2G were performed concurrently in 17 dogs. The results of ES2G showed slight agreement with those of IDT. Level of agreement was highest for indoor allergens, which showed a predictive positive value of 100% in ES2G. These results indicate that a rapid immunoassay may be valuable for predicting the results of IDT in atopic dogs sensitized to indoor allergens.

Acute ischemic stroke results from sudden decrease or loss of blood supply to an area of the brain, resulting in a coinciding loss of neurological function. The antioxidant action of melatonin is an important mechanism among its known effects to protective activity during ischemic/reperfusion injury. The focus of this research, therapeutic efficacy of melatonin on recovery of neurological function following long term treatment in ischemic brain injured rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40; 8 weeks old) were divided into the control group, and MCAo groups (Vehicle, MT7 : MCAo+ melatonin injection at 7:00, MT19 : MCAo+melatonin injection at 19:00, and MT7,19 : MCAo+melatonin injection at 7:00 and 19:00). Rat body weight and neurological function were measured every week for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the rats were anesthetized with a mixture of zoletil (40 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) and sacrificed for further analysis. Tissues were then collected for RNA isolation from brain tissue. Also, brain tissues were analyzed by histological procedures. We elucidated that melatonin was not toxic in vital organs. MT7,19 was the most rapidly got back to mild symptom on test of neurological parameter. Also, exogenous melatonin induces both the down-regulation of detrimental genes, such as NOSs and the up-regulation of beneficial gene, including BDNF during long term administration after focal cerebral ischemia. Melatonin treatment reduced the loss of primary motor cortex. Therefore, we suggest that melatonin could be act as prophylactic as well as therapeutic agent for neurorehabilitative intervention.

Clinical arthritis is typically divided into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Arthritis-induced muscle weakness is a major problem in aged people, leading to a disturbance of balance during the gait cycle and frequent falls. The purposes of the present study were to confirm fiber type-dependent expression of muscle atrophy markers induced by arthritis and to identify the relationship between clinical signs and expression of muscle atrophy markers. Mice were divided into four experimental groups as follows: (1) negative control (normal), (2) positive control (CFA+acetic acid), (3) RA group (CFA+acetic acid+type Ⅱ collagen), and (4) aging-induced OA group. DBA/1J mice (8 weeks of age) were injected with collagen (50 μg/kg), and physiological (body weight) and pathological (arthritis score and paw thickness) parameters were measured once per week. The gastrocnemius muscle from animals in each group was removed, and the expression of muscle atrophy markers (MAFbx and MuRF1) and myosin heavy chain isoforms were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. No significant change in body weight occurred between control groups and collagen-induced RA mice at week 10. However, bovine type Ⅱ collagen induced a dramatic increase in clinical score or paw thickness at week 10 (p<0.01). Concomitantly, the expression of the muscle atrophy marker MAFbx was upregulated in the RA and OA groups (p<0.01). A dramatic reduction in myosin heavy chain (MHC)-Iβ was seen in the gastrocnemius muscles from RA and OA mice, while only a slight decrease in MHC-Ⅱb was seen. These results suggest that muscle atrophy gene expression occurred in a fiber type-specific manner in both RA- and OA-induced mice. The present study suggests evidence regarding why different therapeutic interventions are required between RA and OA.

Arthritis is a common disease in aged people, and is clinically divided into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Although common symptoms such as pain are present, the underlying pathological mechanisms are slightly different. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to compare joint damage induced by RA and OA by analyzing the major morphological and molecular differences, and to propose a suitable therapeutic intervention based on the pathophysiological conditions of bones and joints. For the RA animal model, 8-week-old DBA1/J mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). Normal C57BL/6 mice (over 2 years of age) were used for OA. The clinical arthritis score was calculated using a subjective scoring system, and paw thicknesses were measured using calipers. The serum TNFα level was analyzed using an ELISA kit. Micro- CT was used to identify pathological characteristics and morphological changes. In collagen-induced RA mice, there were increased ankle joint volumes and clinical scores (p<0.01). The concentration of TNFα was significantly increased from 3 to 7 weeks after immunization. Micro-CT images showed trabecular bone destruction, pannus formation, and subchondral region destruction in RA mice. OA among aged mice showed narrowed joint spaces and breakdown of articular cartilage. This study suggests that a careful therapeutic intervention between RA and OA is required, and it should be based on morphological alteration of bone and joint.