This study investigated the antidiabetic effect of amaranth grain ethanol extract (AEE) in a diabetic animal model, db/db mouse. The mice were divided into 4 groups: normal control mice (C57BL/6J), diabetic mice (C57BL/6J db/db), diabetic mice fed a lower concentration of AEE (0.3 mg/kg), and diabetic mice fed a higher concentration of AEE (0.5 mg/kg). After 10 weeks of treatment, body weights, blood insulin levels and blood glucose levels of each group were compared. At the end of treatment, the results showed that both AEE supplemented groups had lower body weights than those in the diabetic groups although higher than those in the normal groups. Moreover, in both AEE supplemented groups, serum insulin levels were higher and blood glucose levels were lower than those in the diabetic groups although both values were higher than those in the normal groups. The results of this study suggest that AEE can alleviate many of the common symptoms of diabetes in diabetic mice and, therefore, has potential as a therapeutic supplement for normalization of blood glucose and insulin levels in humans.

The mammary gland is a complex organ, made up of various cell types that work together for mil synthesis. A previous study had established a clonal cell line from primary bovine mammary alveolar cells (MAC-T) for the study of bovine milk production and synthesis. In this study, we transplanted MAC-T bovine alveolar cell line to BALB/C nude mice for regeneration of bovine mammary gland alveolar ducts. The MAC-T cells were suspended with matrigel and injected into the dorsal tissue of 8 weeks old male BALB/C nude mice. After 6 weeks, the injected cells were showed typical morphology of the tubuloalveolar female glands by histological analysis. It was made the branching ducts that were surrounded by smooth muscle with small alveoli budding off the ducts. In addition, the epithelial markers CK14 and CK18 were expressed within the duct-like structure. Prolactin was detected in the duct interior in these CK14 and CK18 positive cells but not in the non-transplanted MAC-T cells. These results showed that duct-like tissue had been successfully formed after 6 weeks of transplantation of the CK14 and CK18 positive MAC-T cells into mice dorsal tissue. This mouse model will be a useful tool for further research on the bovine mammary gland.

Insect constitute the largest and most diverse group of animals on world and also serve as the hosts or nutrient sources. In addition, several insects have a strong influence on people's emotion. To utilize the preference and interest of insects in the field of mental healthcare, a survey study was conducted with individual living in Korea. As results, the most people had a high preference and interest of insect, but some were disagreeable to the insect itself. The preference and interest of insect were high on male, adult and practician experienced insect-related events than female, student and non-practician, respectively. The most favored insects were familiar or pet insects such as Papilio xuthus, Lucanus maculifemoratus, Allomyrina dichotoma and Lampyridae. These results may be useful to develop a healing program for mental healthcare using insects. Further research is needed to determine the effects of these insect in the mental therapy for this purpose.

Artificial insemination (AI) has been performed widely in swine industry using fresh liquid sperm instead of frozen type of sperm. However fresh sperm are not able to preserve more than three days with optimal motility and other sperm parameters for the successful fertilization, since in vitro stored sperm has an oxidative stress that resulted increase of abnormality and acrosome reation. To overcome these major problems, novel preservative formulation is needed to neutralize the oxidative stress and to provide suitable physiological environment for sperm in in vitro. In this study, naturally derived substances such as Poncirus trifoliate (Trifoliate orange), Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen), pig placenta and testis extracts were tested as sperm preservative agents. Placenta extracts (PE), trifoliate orange extracts (TOE), testes extracts (TE) and mangosteen extracts (ME) were applied to analyze specific parameters for sperm motion characteristics individually and combinatorial. Each individual extract treatment can accelerate the sperm motility but noticeably TOE, TE and ME treatments exhibited the considerable and significant preservation of sperm motility. PE, TE and ME showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in ALH after one week. Further we evaluated the five different combinations of these extracts on sperm motility and its motion characteristics. Surprisingly even after one week ME, TOE and TE combination significantly preserved the sperm motility about 75%. It is noteworthy that unlike individual extract treatment, combination of ME, TOE and TE simultaneously protect the sperm motility and its motion characteristics. Taken together these data conclude that addition of ME, TOE and TE can be effective for preservation of pig sperm.

Althogh Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are widely studied in mice, study of pig SSCs is not sufficient for the isolation, long-term culture, and characterization. To identify the effect of growth factor in cultured pig SSC, newly generated pSSCs like cell from neonatal 5days porcine testis were cultured and investigated for the pSSCs like cell formation. Glial derived neurotrophic gactor (GDNF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were applied to culture media to identify the pSSC like cell growth and stem cell formation. The criteria for the determining of stem cell characters, morphology, number of colonies, putative stem cell marker were analysed by microspic, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) methods. Most of the pSSCs like cells were formed approximately 100 μm size with sphere shape. Most of the feeder cells were highly dependent on FGF that feeder cells were not stably attached on plate without FGF and colony formation of pSSC was not observed consequently. Immunocyto chemistry data revealed that this cells expressed the ubiquitin-C-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL-1, PGP9.5) and Dolichos Biflorus Agglutinin (DBA) in addition of 20 ng/ml EGF, 10 ng/ml FGF, 10 ng/ml GDNF, 10 U3/ml LIF. In addition, Alkaline Phosphatase ()was positive in all period of culture. This study suggest that various growth factorsinp SSC culture system is important to regulate and maintain the pSSC. In conculsion, although the precise role of growth factor in pSSC proliferation need to be clarified, combination of growth factor might be critical in order to derivation and proliferation of neonatal pSSCs and spermatogenesis.

INTRODUCTION In rodent, molecular markers of spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid and sperm have been identified. It has been reported that DBA, PGP 9.5 and NanpG can be the markers for spermatogonia in pig. For further understanding the spermatogenesis of the pig on morphological and molecular level, we report identification of testicular cells in neonatal and pubertal pig testis, and a putative marker for spermatogonia and spermatid in pig testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Neonatal (3 day) and pubertal testis (150 day) was cut and fixed in Bouin’s solution for immunohistochemistry (IHC). Gonocytes were isolated from neonatal testis for immunocytochemistry (ICC). Based on references (Phillips et al., 2010), thirteen antibodies (VASA, Oct4, NanoG, PGP 9.5, DAZL, SCF, GFR-alpha 1, PLZF, c-kit, integrin-beta1, Thy1, Sohlh1 and CD9) were used for IHC and ICC. Paraffin section was performed for IHC. Gonocytes were attached to the APS-coated slides for ICC. HRP-conjugated and florescent-labeled secondary antibody was used for IHC and ICC, respectively. RESULTS In histological analysis, spermatogonia and Sertoli cells, which are enclosed by seminiferous tubule and connective tissue, were observed in neonatal testis. However, complete spermiogenesis, including spermatocyte, spermatid and spermatozoa, was not observed in neonatal testis. Spermatocyte, spermatid and elongated spermatid were observed in pubertal testis but matured spermatozoa were not observed. As a result, two antibodies (PGP 9.5 and GFR-alpha1) of thirteen antibodies were available for IHC and ICC. As reported in other studies, PGP 9.5 protein was detected in spermatogonia of ne-onatal in IHC. In addition, it was observed in spermatogonia of pubertal testis. GFR- alpha1 protein was detected in spermatogonia of neonatal testis and spermatid of pubertal testis. In ICC, PGP 9.5 protein was detected in gonocytes as reported in other studies. GFR-alpha1 was also observed in gonocyte isolated from pig testis. In this study, we found that 1) only spermatogonia exist in neonatal pig testis (3 day), 2) GFR-alpha1 is a new marker for spermatogenesis in pig testis.

Interferon induced transmembrane protein-1 (IFITM1) is one of transmembrane protein which is differentially expressed in uterus during estrus cycle and pregnancy, that IFITM1 gene is highly expressed in estrus stage by the effect of estrogen, and in parturition by the effect of PGF2 alpha. This genes are also up-regulated in cells with hyperactivation of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway. In this study, to identify a function of IFITM1, the binding partner of IFITM1 were determined using immunoprecipitation and LC- MASSMASS methods. 1, 3 and 5 ug of polyclonal anti-IFITM1 antisera were used for immunoprecipitation, and the 75 kDa of specific band was detected in silver stained polyacylamide gel. This band were chracterized using LC-MASS-MASS, and revealed this band is glucose regulated protein 75 (GRP75) which binds to p53 and inhibits the p53 action in nucleus. To identify the localization of GRP75 in cells, immunocytochemical approach has been applied, and GRP75 is expressed in mitochondria of L929 murine connective tissue cells. Co-localization study between IFITM1 and GRP75 in L929 cell identified that these two proteins were closely expressed in mitochondria. Although the role of the interaction of these two protein need to be clarified in various biological phenomena, this data suggest that close interaction of IFITM1 and GRP75 may regulate cellular functions in uterus on sets of estrus cycle and pregnancy.

Cytokines are known to function as regulatory molecules that can be produced by virtually every nucleated cell type in the body, including lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and many others. Cytokines include lymphocyte-derived factors (lymphokines), monocyte-derived factors (monokines), hematopoietic factors (colony-stimulating factors), connective tissue/ growth factors, and chemotactic chemokines. Cytokines released in response to infection can affect tumor development in different ways. When exposed to infectious agents, cytokines are secreted by sentinel cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. These cytokines include interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as others, such as IL-6, IL-12, and IL-18. When released in sufficient quantities, these molecules can cause inflammation. Chronic inflammation is highly associated with tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. In this article, we review the roles and mechanisms of cytokines in tumor development.

Entomopathogenic fungi were isolated directly from a cadaver of adult M. saltuarius (infected with white fungi) supporting fungal sporulation, to develop biological control of pine wilt disease vector, M. saltuarius which was the most abundant in the middle to northern part of Korea and caused enormous damage to native pine tree in Korea, Japan and other regions of Asia. Pathogenicity of each fungus was tested using oak longicorn beetle, Moechotypa diphysis, as substitutive insect. As the result, only one of them showed pathogenic to adults of M. diphysis, with up to 100% mortality within 13 days of inoculation. Selected fungus was named as MsW1 and identified by Beauveria bassiana using microscopic examination, B. bassiana-specific PCR primers and genetic sequencing of the ITS region analysis. Pathogenicity test were conducted with various concentration of conidial suspensions of this isolate on M. saltuarius (3rd instar larvae and adults). Mortality rates varied from 57.1% to 100.0% and from 16.7% to 100.0% of M. saltuarius (3rd instar larvae and adults), respectively at 30 days. This is the first report of natural infection of M. saltuarius by B. bassiana.

In agricultural fields, the entomopathogenic fungal species have been investigated for their potential as the biological control agents due to their role of natural enemies for insects. Until recent times, most of the studies for these fungi have been based on isolation from insect cadaver or soil. However, these methods, especially isolation from soil, might cause a problem involving differential isolation of the each entomopathogenic fungi. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal isolation medium for entomopathogenic fungi using dodine, chitin, and skim milk. The growth rates of entomopathogenic fungi and non-entomopathogenic fungi were compared on dodine agar medium. The medium for this experiment was modified Veen semiselective medium which consisted of based on SDA (Sabouraund Dextrose Agar), 100 mg/ml for chloramphenicol, 50 mg/ml for streptomycin and adjusted dodine to 40, 50, 70 and 100 mg/ml. As a result, optimal concentration of dodine for isolation of entomopathogenic fungi was 50 mg/ml and 168 positive entomopathogenic fungi were isolated in 470 soil samples and 11 cadavers of insect. In addition, the isolates had significantly greater chitinase and protease activity than non-entomopathogenic fungi. The isolation method described represents a valuable tool for rapid and simple isolation of entomopathogenic fungi. These positive entomopathogenic fungi may have potential against variety pests in agriculture.

미국 9.11 사고 이후 테러는 과거에 비하여 다중이용시설 공격을 통한 불특정 다수의 공격이 증가하고 있다. 연이은 런던 폭탄테러, 파키스탄의 자폭 등은 사람들의 공포심 및 사회적 불안감을 증가시켰다. 최근 국내에서 다양한 국제행사가 개최되고 있어, 방사능테러 위협에 대비한 방사성물질의 국가 안보 의식이 증대되고 있다. 본 논문에서는 HotSpot Code를 사용하여 서로 상이한 기상조건에 따른 결과를 비교하였다. 국내에서 발생 가능한 테러 시나리오 작성 후, RDD(Radiological Dispersal Device) 및 더티밤에 사용될 가능성이 높은 선원을 조사하였다. 기상조건은 Pasquill-Gifford 안정도 등급에 따라 가장 안정된 조건의 F, 가장 불안정한 조건의 A를 선택하여 비교하였다. 시뮬레이션을 통한 A, F 등급 결괏값은 방사선학적 영향에 의해 시민들이 급성 영향으로 사망하는 경우는 없다고 판단하였다. 또한, 풍속 및 기상 안정도에 따라 방사능의 도달 정도가 서로 다르며, 기상 조건에 따라 방사능 희석정도가 서로 다름을 확인할 수 있다. 분석결과는 방사능테러 발생 시 초동 대응에 활용할 수 있을 것으로 예상된다.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway is a key signal transduction pathway involved in cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. In dairy cows, IGF family proteins and binding receptors, including their intracellular binding partners, regulate mammary gland development. IGFs and IGF receptor interactions in mammary glands influence the early stages of mammogenesis, i.e., mammary ductal genesis until puberty. The IGF pathway includes three major components, IGFs (such as IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin), their specific receptors, and their high-affinity binding partners (IGF binding proteins [IGFBPs]; i.e., IGFBP1–6), including specific proteases for each IGFBP. Additionally, IGFs and IGFBP interactions are critical for the bioactivities of various intracellular mechanisms, including cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Notably, the interactions between IGFs and IGFBPs in the IGF pathway have been difficult to characterize during specific stages of bovine mammary gland development. In this review, we aim to describe the role of the interaction between IGFs and IGFBPs in overall mammary gland development in dairy cows.