Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as the most common liver disease in industrialized countries. Recently, natural compounds that may be beneficial for improving NAFLD have received increasing attention. Artemisia annua L. is the source of antimalarial phytomolecule, artemisinin, which has been reported to prevent obesity. However, the effect of A. annua extract on hepatic lipid metabolism remains unclear. This study was performed to determine the protective effect of Artemisia annua extract (AAE) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic lipid accumulation, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind its effects in vivo and in vitro. We found that HFD-fed mice with AAE administration (50 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks dramatically reduced hepatic lipid accumulation compared to the control mice taken with HFD alone. The body and liver weights of AAE group were significantly lower than those of HFD group, and oral administration of AAE remarkably suppressed the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), fasting glucose, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in HFD-fed mice. AAE significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the liver of HFD-fed mice and HepG2 hepatocytes. Moreover, AAE downregulated the hepatic expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in HFD-fed mice and high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. In addition, the inhibitory effects of AAE on the overexpression of SREBP-1c and FAS were attenuated by compound C, which is the specific AMPK inhibitor, in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. These results indicated that AAE may represent a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related NAFLD via the activation of AMPK and the regulation of AMPK-dependent lipogenic genes.

Artemisia annua (AA) is a well-known as a source of antimalarial drug (artemisinin), which also has been traditionally used as an antipyretic and hemostatic agent in Korea and China. In preclinical effective study, a water extract of Artemisia annua (WEAA) ameliorated weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed mice. The plasma levels of triglyceride, AST, and ALT were reduced in the WEAA-treated group. Based on these results, the safety of WEAA as a functional ingredient for liver health was evaluated in this repeated dose oral toxicity study before the clinical trial. Sprague- Dawley (SD) rats were treated by gavage with 20 times (1,000 mg/kg) more than the effective dose for 13 weeks. All rats had survived at the end of the study, and there were no changes indicating obviously abnormal clinical sign and behavior. The treatment of WEAA were also observed no obvious toxicities in the body weights, urine, hematological, serum biochemical, ophthalmic and histopathological examinations. Based on the results of this study, the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) of WEAA in SD rats was estimated to be 1,000 mg/kg. In conclusion, WEAA could be used as a safe functional ingredient for the improvement of liver health in individuals with hepatic diseases including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

An 8-year-old castrated male Maltese dog (patient) was referred to our institute with refractory canine babesiosis. The patient had previously responded to conventional treatment with atovaquone and azithromycin; however, anemia had recurred at six weeks after treatment withdrawal. No effect was observed on the administration of the same medication along with diminazene aceturate. On blood analysis, mild anemia was identified, with the absolute reticulocyte count indicating a markedly regenerative state. On Diff-Quik-stained peripheral blood film examination, the parasitic protozoan Babesia gibsoni was observed, and based on further laboratory examinations, a relapse of babesiosis was confirmed. Based on a previous study of drug-resistant variants of B. gibsoni and therapeutic trials, the treatment was then changed to a combination therapy of clindamycin, doxycycline, and metronidazole. Subsequently, the patient’s condition improved rapidly — B. gibsoni was not detected in the blood film and the PCR analysis for it was negative. This treatment was discontinued at six weeks after treatment initiation; however, at seven weeks after the treatment withdrawal, another relapse of babesiosis was confirmed and treatment was restarted with the same protocol. This treatment was effective again and lasted for 12 weeks. However, anemia recurred again at five weeks after withdrawal of the previous treatment and was corrected by restarting the same treatment protocol. This third treatment continued for 24 weeks and was finally stopped at the request of the client. The patient has reportedly been doing well with no manifestation of clinical signs and symptoms. This case report demonstrates that the clindamycin- doxycycline-metronidazole combination therapy against atovaquone and azithromycin-resistant B. gibsoni may be effective in improving the clinical manifestation of symptoms of canine babesiosis and this therapy may be an alternative treatment strategy.

This study compares the differences in the gastrointestinal transit time between the conventional capsule endoscope and a minimized capsule endoscope model in normal dogs to verify whether the minimization of capsule endoscope can help relief retention in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the pyloric passage. Three male beagles were used as the experimental group for which the minimized capsule endoscope model was orally administered and the control group consisted of three beagle dogs for which the conventional capsule endoscope was orally administered. Nine experiments were conducted with three experiments for each dog in each group. The results showed a significant difference in the gastric transit time (GTT) by the minimization of the capsule endoscope between the two groups (control group: 123.3 ± 80 min, experimental group: 63.3 ± 40.9 min, p=0.019). In contrast, the difference in the small bowel transit time (SBTT) by the minimization of the capsule endoscope between the two groups (control group: 86.6 ± 58.9 min, experimental group: 80 ± 33.5 min, p=0.863) was not significant. In this study, the capsule endoscopes reached the large intestine without retention in the small intestine in all subjects. The significant difference in the GTT between the control group using the conventional capsule endoscope and the experimental group using the minimized capsule endoscope model suggests that the smaller size of the capsule endoscope is helpful in resolving retention in the gastrointestinal tract, thus shorting the GTT.

This study investigated the prokinetic effect of metoclopramide and mirtazapine on gastric transit time (GTT), small bowel transit time (SBTT) and gastrointestinal transit time (GITT) during capsule endoscopy in four healthy beagle dogs. Four beagle dogs participated in the experiment as four groups at intervals of more than three days as the following: Control group 1 (capsule alone), Control group 2 (capsule alone), Metoclopramide administered group (metoclopramide + capsule) and Mirtazapine administered group (mirtazapine + capsule). The results of this study demonstrated there was no significant difference in GTT ([min] control group 1: 105 ± 90, control group 2: 172.5 ± 102 vs metoclopramide administered group: 247.5 ± 93, p = 0.07, 0.10) and SBTT ([min] control group 1: 120 ± 88, control group 2: 75 ± 39 vs metoclopramide administered group: 37.5 ± 15, p = 0.20, 0.18) for capsule only administered groups (control group 1 & 2) compared to metoclopramide administered group. In addition, there was no significant difference in GTT ([min] control group 1: 105 ± 90, control group 2: 172.5 ± 102 vs mirtazapine administered group: 127.5 ± 45, p = 0.56, 0.36) and SBTT ([min] control group 1: 120 ± 88, control group 2: 75 ± 39 vs mirtazapine administered group: 157.5 ± 38, p = 0.29, 0.07) between capsule only administered groups (control group 1 & 2) and mirtazapine administered group. In this study, the fact that metoclopramide might be ineffective and administration of mirtazapine might be inadequate in dogs were confirmed.

We present a color-magnitude (CM) diagram of M35, an open cluster. A DSLR camera was used for measuring the color index with the RGB channels. It is cost-effective and has relatively easy controls compared to astronomical CCDs for educational environments. The 8-inch refracting telescope was used at the Korea Science Academy of KAIST in Busan. The B-G color index was obtained from observations and the magnitudes from publications in order to draw CM diagram. The linear correlation of B-G to B-V is found. The RGB channel of the DSLR camera can be easily represented on the CM diagram for astronomical education with aid of easy controls.

Clinical measures that Quantify falling risk factors are needed for the accurate evaluation of patients and to plan an intervention strategy. The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest and interrater reliability of the dynamic gait index (DGI) for persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). A total of 22 idiopathic PD patients were recruited from rehabilitation hospital, Korea in this study. The DGI was assessed in two sessions that were, three days apart. We also measured Berg balance test (BBT) and geriatric depression scale (GDS) for concurrent validity with DGI. Intrarater and interrater reliability (.96 and .98 respectively) for DGI were high. indicating good agreement. The DGI was showed a good positive correlation with the BBS (r=.852). but not GDS (r=-.462). Intrarater and interrater reliability of DGI were high in people with PD. The DGI could be a reliable measure to evaluate functional postural control during gait activities in the PD population, and the ability of DGI to detect real change is acceptable in research and clinical settings.

With increasing the demand of urban greenery, market of landscape trees using container has grown steadily. However, there has been little research on the proper fertilizer application for various landscape trees using container. This study was conducted to investigate optimal fertilizer intensity for Crataegus pinnatifida to produce landscape trees using container. The main objective of this study was to examine effects of fertilization treatments (Con., 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 g/L) on the growth characteristics of Crataegus pinnatifida. In this study, Crataegus pinnatifida showed the highest growth of tree height (TH), root collar diameter (RCD), dry biomass weight (DBW) and Seedling Quality Index (SQI) in 1.0 g･L -1 treatment (p<.05). Especially, 1.0 g･L -1 treatment showed 4 to 9 times better quality than other treatments in SQI. In the case of height/root collar diameter (H/D) ratio and top/root (T/R) ratio, there were no significant differences between the treatments (p>.05). Soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) value on 2.0 g･L -1 treatment was much higher than that on other treatments (p<.05), but 2.0 g･L -1 treatment showed lower value than 1.0 g･L -1 treatment in the growth of TH, RCD, DBW and SQI. Therefore, our results support that 1.0 g･L -1 could be more economical and environmental than 2.0 g･L -1 , which is the highest fertilizer intensity on Crataegus pinnatifida’s container production.

Superjami is a new rice breed resulted from crossing ‘C3GHi (has high amount of Cyanidin 3-glucoside, and was developed from a cross between ‘Heugjinjubyeo’ and ‘Suweon 425’) and ‘Daeribbyeo 1’. Superjami has 10.9 times higher C3G content compared with ‘Heugjinjubyeo’. It also contains the highest essential amino acids of all kinds (except tryptophan content). This study was done to investigate the effects of extracts from superjami bran on the in-vitro antioxidant metabolism, in-vivo antioxidant metabolism and bone metabolism on menopause- induced condition in experimental rats. Overall, extract from superjami bran was confirmed of improving antioxidant and bone metabolism which can be considered as a good dietary supplement.

The ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to Sham-Control, OVX-Control, OVX-Superjami (extract) groups. The results showed that the activity of glucokinase to keep the blood sugar constant is increased by increasing insulin secretion from pancreatic β- cells and the homeostatic regulation of glucose. Meanwhile the glyconeogenesis which is involved in the actions of the enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase showed that the glucose level is decreased. It was confirmed that these enzymes regulate the carbohydrate metabolism. On the other hand, results of the measurement of the lipid metabolism in the fat tissue and liver tissue, effect of β-oxidation enzymes and carnitine palmitoyl transferase which is involved in fatty acid oxidation for energy generation is increased. Moreover, the activity of fatty acid synthase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme have been reduced, therefore, it was confirmed that these enzymes regulate the lipid metabolism.

A protocol for the production of transgenic Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer was established via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of direct somatic embryos. A number of conditions related to the co-cultivation were tested with respect to maximizing transformation efficiency. The results showed that pH of the co-cultivation medium (5.7), the bacterial growth phase (optical density; OD600 = 0.8), co-cultivation period (3 days), and acetosyringone concentration (100 μM) had positive effects on transformation. Selected plantlets were cultured on the medium at an elevated hygromycin level(30 mg/l). Integration of the transgenes into the P. ginseng nuclear genome was confirmed by PCR analysis using hpt primers and by Southern hybridization using hpt-specific probe. The transgenic plantlets were obtained after 3-month cultivation and did not show any detectable variation in morphology or growth characteristics compared to wild-type plants.

The cost of conventional cultivation of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is very expensive, because shadow condition should be maintained during cultivation periods owing to inherently weak plant for high-temperature. Therefore, application of plant biotechnology may be possible to overcome these difficulties caused by conventional breeding of ginseng. Transgenic plants were produced via Agrobacterium tumefaciens Gv3101, both carrying the binary plasmid pBI121 mLPISO with nptII and Iso (isoprene synthase) gene. Integration of the transgenes into the P. ginseng nuclear genome was confirmed by PCR analysis using nptII primers and Iso primers. RT-PCR result also demonstrated the foreign isoprene synthase gene in three transgenic plant lines (T1, T3, and T5) which was expressed at the transcriptional level. When whole plants of transgenic ginseng were exposed to high temperature at 46℃ for 1 h, a non-transformed plant was wilted from heat shock, whereas a transgenic plant appeared to remain healthy. We suggest that the introduction of exogenous isoprene synthase is considered as alternative methods far generating thermotolerance ginseng.