4-isopropyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)aniline 1 (KTH13-AD1) is a metabolite of Cordyceps bassiana that has been traditionally used to treat various inflammatory disease. Even though it has the magnificent pharmaceutical potential, there was not much understanding on its anti-inflammatory actions. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of KTH13-AD1. We found that KTH13-AD1 suppressed nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-treated macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). Similarly, mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) analyzed by RT-PCR and real-time PCR was also reduced by this compound. Interestingly, KTH13-AD1 also strongly diminished the levels of NF-kB-mediated luciferase activities and nuclear translocated NF-kB family proteins. In agreement with these, KTH13-AD1 suppressed the upstream signaling pathway for NF-kB activation including IkBa, IKKa/b, AKT, p85/PI3K and Src in time- and dose-dependent manners. Therefore, these results strongly suggest that KTH13-AD1 has a strong anti-inflammatory activity via suppression of the NF-kB signaling pathway.

This study aimed at investigating whether a porcine follicular fluid (pFF) supplementation positively affects the characteristics of donor cells and the developmental competence of porcine cloned embryos. Ear fibroblast cells (donor cell) from an Massachusetts General Hospital miniature pig were cultured in different culture methods: (1) Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM)+10% FBS (Control); (2) DMEM+0.5% FBS (SS); and (3) DMEM+10% FBS+10% pFF (pFF) for 72 h. In each conditioned medium, the concentrations of 4 amino acids (Thr, Glu, Pro, and Val) in the pFF group were significantly different from those in the control group (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The proliferation of the cells cultured in the SS group was significantly lower than that of the other treatment groups (p<0.01). The population of apoptotic and necrotic cells in the SS group was significantly higher than that of either the control or the pFF group (p<0.01). The number of embryos that cleaved (p<0.05) and developed into blastocysts (p<0.01) in the SS group was significantly lower than that of either the control or the pFF group. Compared to other groups, the blastocysts produced from the donor cells in the pFF group had higher total cells and lower apoptotic cells (p<0.05). It can be concluded that pFF supplementation in the donor cell culture medium positively affects cell death, cell cycle and quality of the cloned blastocyst.

Immunological rejection of the organ grafted onto a primate arises from two antibody mediated processes, hyperacute rejection (HAR) and acute humoral rejection (AHR). Functional ablation of α1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) and concurrently overexpression of complement regulatory proteins are known to inhibit HAR and AHR. In previous study, we reported that production of porcine male fibroblasts harboring a MCP expression cassette targeted to GalT locus. In this study, we constructed a different MCP expression cassette, in which the EF1α promoter regulates MCP expression and internal ribosome entry site-mediated neomycin resistance gene expression. Subsequently, this cassette was inserted between the left and the right homologous arms to target exon 9 of the GalT gene. Female fibroblasts were isolated from ear skin of 10 days old miniature pig, and used for nucelofection of the the construct for MCP expression at GalT locus. PCR analysis showed that four clones of forty neomycin resistant clones carry MCP expression cassette at exon 9 of the GalT gene. Two clones analyzed downregulated GalT expression, as determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Flow cytometry analysis showed that MCP was efficiently expressed at the cell surface.

The sex pheromone of Synanthedon bicingulata (Staudinger), a major pest of peach trees in many regions of northeast Asia, was identified. Two major components from the pheromone gland extracts of female moths are E3,Z13-18:OAc and Z3,Z13-18:OAc, and the average ratio of these components is about 4:6, respectively. In addition to the major components, four minor components, Z13-18:OAc, E2,Z13-18:OAc, E3,Z13-18:OH, and Z3,Z13-18:OH also were identified from pheromone gland extracts. Field tests showed that E3,Z13-18:OAc and Z3,Z13-18:OAc are essential for attraction of male S. bicingulata moths, and males are optimally attracted to the blend ratio found in pheromone gland extracts of conspecific females. Addition of the minor glandular components (Z13-18:OAc, E2,Z13-18:OAc, E3,Z13-18:OH, and Z3,Z13-18:OH) did not affect captures of males to the primary binary blend. Thus, the blend of E3,Z13-18:OAc and Z3,Z13-18:OAc at the natural ratio can be used for monitoring populations of this species.

Nokona regalis (Butler) and Toleria romanovi (Leech) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) are economically important pests of grape in northeast Asia. We compared the overwintering, damage and seasonal flight activities of these two species in Korean vineyards. Mature larvae of N. regalis overwintered in the infested shoots of grape, while T. romanovi overwintered as mature larvae enclosed within a cocoon in the soil. Larvae of the former species fed primarily in grape shoots (97.2%), whereas larvae of the latter species burrowed into main trunks (57.4%) and branches (40.4%), causing significant damage and frequent mortality. The seasonal fluctuation of male catches was monitored with pheromone traps in 2010. Male moths of N. regalis were present from late May until middle June, and peak abundance occurred in early June. T. romanovi males were trapped from early June to early August with peak catch in middle July in Suwon.

In order to establish an indoor-rearing system for A. Alcinous, the effect of temperature and pupal diapause was investigated. Temperature has been suggested as an important factor in determining the developmental rate, Lifespan and mortality in invertebrates. As temperature increase, the developmental period was gradually reduced. The developmental period of A. alcinous larvae was 12.9 days and 25.8 days at 30℃ and 20℃, respectively. And we investigated the effect of different chilling days on diapause termination. Under longday condition(LD 16:8h, 20℃) oxygen consumption gradually increase. But oxygen consumption on the first day of pupa was the highest and rapidly fell down the next day and attained lowest point after 7days, with average value of 1.92mol/min/g under shortday condition(LD 8:16h). Diapause pupae were chilled for 60, 75, 90, 105 days at 8℃ and thereafter subjected to LD 16:8h at 25℃. And emergence rate at 60~90days was 57.1~80.7%.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is one of the most important grass species in the world's temperate zones. It is used as high-quality forage in pastures and for recreational use as turf in golf courses, lawns and parks. Genetic improvement of perennial ryegrass is difficult due to its self-incompatibility. Consequently, progress by conventional breeding can be slow. Genetic transformation is an alternative that permits direct introduction of useful genes into a plant's genome and is becoming a powerful tool to complement conventional breeding. To improve environmental stress tolerance and quality of perennial ryegrass by introducing better and useful genes into the genome, we have developed a rapid and efficient transformation system using Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer system.

The experimental work was conducted to investigate the effects of the application level of composted cattle manure (CCM) on forage productivity using Italian ryegrass-WCR double cropping system for 3 years (2006~2008). Main plot was consisted of application level of CCM such as 150%, 200% and control plot. The total day matter yield (DMY) of Italian ryegrass and WCR in treatment of CCM 150% and CCM 200% significantly decreased as compared with that of treatment of chemical fertilizer (CF). However, NDF, AND and CP content of Italian rye grass and WCR were hardly influenced by CCM application.

The experimental work was conducted to investigate the effects of the application level of composted cattle manure (CCM) on forage productivity using rye-whole crop rice (WCR) double cropping system for 3 years. Main plot was consisted of application level of CCM such as 150%, 200% and control plot. The total DMY of of rye-WCR in treatment of CCM 150% significantly decreased as compared with that of treatment of CF and CCM 200%. However, NDF, ADF and CP content of rye and WCR were hardly influenced by CCM application.

In this study, we conducted to select the promising crops for both uses in the bioethanol and forage production in Korea. The result indicated t㏊t Natsukaje (guinea grass), Gwangpyeongok (corn), Jumbo (sorghum×sudangrass hybrid), SS405 (sorghum×sorghum hybrid), Millex32 (pearl millet), Jeju barnyard grass), Alamo (switch grass) and Selection75 (klein grass) showed the production of biomass from the highest to the lowest in order. However, the order of the production of quality forage was, from the highest to the lowest, Natsukaje (guinea grass), Jumbo (sorghum×sudangrass hybrid), SS405 (sorghum×sorghum hybrid), Gwangpyeongok (corn), Millex32 (pearl millet), Selection75 (klein grass), Jeju (barnyard grass), and Alamo (switch grass). We concluded the Natsukaje (guinea grass) was the best bioethanol crop, and also the Natsukaje (guinea grass) was the best for forage production.

This experiment was carried out to find out the optimum variety of com hybrids and to find out alternative crops in the rice black-streaked dwarf virus(RBSDV) prevalent area. Productivity of 4 Korean improved and 6 introduced com hybrids and RBSDV infection rate were tested for 3 years in both Cheonan(middle part of Korea) and Gochang(southern part of Korea). Percentage of RBSDV diseased plants differed depending on the hybrid and region.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of low temperature and low radiation conditions on the yield and quality of hot pepper at an early growth stage in Korea. In plastic greenhouses, low temperature, low temperature with covered shading treatments were set 17 to 42 days after transplanting. The pepper growing degree days decreased by 5.5% due to the low temperature during the treatment period. Radiation decreased by 74.7% due to the covered shading. After commencing treatments, pepper plant growth decreased with low temperature and low radiation. Analysis of the yield showed that the first harvest was delayed by low radiation. The cumulative yields of 119 days after transplanting were 1,956, 2,171, and 2,018 g/m2 for control, low temperature, and low temperature with low radiation respectively. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin concentrations in pepper fruit decreased with low temperature and low radiation. To investigate the photosynthetic characteristics according to the treatment, the carbon dioxide reaction curve was analyzed using the biochemical model of photosynthesis. Results showed that the maximum photosynthetic rate, Vcmax (maximum carboxylation rate), J (electric transportation rate), and TPU (triose phosphate utilization) decreased at low temperatures; the maximum photosynthetic rate, J, and gm (dark respiration rate) were reduced by shading. These results indicate that low temperature and low radiation can retard early growth, yield, and quality, but these can also be recovered 119 days after planting. Based on the results, the yield and quality of pepper can recover from abiotic stresses with proper cultivation.

A numerical simulation was conducted on perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the Gwangyang Bay using a multi-box model to estimate the transport of organic chemicals in the coastal environment. The results of the sensitivity analysis on dissolved PFOS and PFOS in Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) indicate that they were most significantly influenced by the adsorption rate, desorption rate, and sinking velocity coefficients. PFOS in phytoplankton was found to be sensitive to bio-concentration and the excretion rate. The results of the mass balance indicate that the standing stocks of PFOS in water, POC, and phytoplankton are 345.55 g, 63.76 g, and 0.11 g, respectively, in the inner part and 149.90 g, 27.51 g, and 0.05 g, respectively, in the outer part. Considering flux in the inner part, adsorption to POC had the highest value among transition paths. The next highest were desorption, outflow to the outer part, and inflow to the inner part. Outflow into the open sea was found to have the highest value for the outer part.

The gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonadal development and changes in hormones in plasma level of the indoor cultured grunt (Hapalogenys nitens) were investigated by histological study from August 2011 to October 2012. The GSI showed similar trends with gonad developmental stages during the culture periods. Changes in plasma level of estradiol-17β of female H. nitens reached the highest value before the spawning period, and seasonal changes in plasma level of estradiol-17β were similar in trends of oocyte developments and GSI changes. Testosterone levels of male H. nitens reached the highest value before and after the spent stage. Ovarian developmental stages of H. nitens could be classified into early growing stage, late growing stage, mature stage, ripe and spawning stage, recovery and resting stage. The testicular developmental stages could be divided into growing stage, mature stage, ripe and spent stage, and recovery and resting stage.

The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a vascular structure connecting the proximal descending aorta to the roof of the main pulmonary artery, near the origin of the left branch pulmonary artery. Transcatheter closure has become the treatment of choice for most cases of PDA in both children and adults; however, measurement of the exact size and morphology of the shunt in adult cases using only contrast fluoroscopy is difficult. We report on a case of a 49-year-old woman who underwent transcatheter closure of PDA with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guideance. In the current case, IVUS is feasible and helpful for measuring the exact size and shape of the PDA.