본 연구에서는 방사성동위원소 추적자 실험을 통해서 산화아연 또는 두 종류의 은나노물질로 오염시킨 토양에서 지렁이 (Eisenia fetida)의 금속축적과 제거율을 비교하였고, 이들을 이온상의 Ag와 Zn으로 처리한 대조구와 비교하였다. 추가적으로 토양의 금속을 다단계추출법 (sequential extraction method)을 이용하여 금속의 결합 형태로부터 생물이용도 (bioavailability)를 예측하고 실제 생물축적 (BAF, bioaccumulation factor)과 비교하였다. ZnO 처리구의 BAF (0.06)는 아연이온 처리구 BAF (1.86)보다 31배 낮았는데, 이는 토양에서 ZnO의 생물전이가 매우 낮음을 제시해 준다. 한편, 은의 BAF는 금속의 오염 형태에에 무관 하게 0.11~0.17의 범위를 보였다. 다단계추출법을 통해서 아연이온 처리구의 아연은 토양에 비교적 약한 결합을 하 는 형태 (mobile fraction)에 35% 분포하여 아연이온처리구 값 (<20%)보다 높았고, 이는 전자의 더 높은 BAF와 일치 한다. 하지만, ZnO 처리구의 다단계추출은 생물이용도나 BAF를 잘 예측하지 못했으며 이는 ZnO가 토양에서 아연 이온과 지화학적으로 다른 거동을 하기 때문으로 추정된다. 지렁이 체내에 축적된 은의 제거율 (3.2~3.8% d-1)은 아연의 제거율 (1.2~1.7% d-1)보다 2~3배 더 높았다

Frankliniella occidentalis is a major pest in agriculture. Following overuse of insecticides, high resistance has developed due to its high reproduction rate and short generation time. To control the resistant strains of the thrips, the ingestion RNAi- based control was established. A total of 67 genes were selected, and their double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) were delivered to thrips via the leaf disc-feeding method. Among the genes screened, the dsRNA of Toll-like receptor 6 (TLR6) and coatomer protein subunit epsilon (COPE) resulted in the highest mortality (3.8- and 2.8-fold faster LT50 compared to control, respectively) when ingested by thrips. The dsRNA-fed thrips showed 53% and 83% reduced transcription levels of TLR6 and COPE, respectively. This result demonstrates that the observed mortality of thrips following dsRNA ingestion was due to RNAi, and this lethal genes can be employed as a practical tool to control thrips in the field.

In mammals, puberty is a process of acquiring reproductive competence, triggering by activation of hypothalamic kisspeptin (KiSS)-gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal circuit. During peripubertal period, not only the external genitalia but the internal reproductive organs have to be matured in response to the hormonal signals from hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (H-P-G) axis. In the present study, we evaluated the maturation of male rat accessory sex organs during the peripubertal period using tissue weight measurement, histological analysis and RT-PCR assay. Male rats were sacrificed at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 70 postnatal days (PND). The rat accessory sex organs exhibited differential growth patterns compared to those of non-reproductive organs. The growth rate of the accessory sex organs were much higher than the those of non-reproductive organs. Also, the growth spurts occurred differentially even among the accessory sex organs; the order of prepubertal organ growth spurts is testis = epididymis > seminal vesicle = prostate. Histological study revealed that the presence of sperms in seminiferous tubules and epididymal ducts at day 50, indicating the puberty onset. The number of duct and the volume of duct in epididymis and prostate were inversely correlated during the experimental period. Our RT-PCR revealed that the levels of hypothalamic GnRH transcript were increased significantly on PND 40, suggesting the activation of hypothalamic GnRH pulse-generator before puberty onset. Studies on the peripubertal male accessory sex organs will provide useful references on the growth regulation mechanism which is differentially regulated during the period in androgen-sensitive organs. The detailed references will render easier development of endocrine disruption assay.