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Salinity, where salts concentrate on the soil surface causing severe decline of crop yields, is a worldwide problem. In Tanzania salinity is one of the major soil degradation challenges affecting over 3.5 million hectares limiting agriculture productivity of various crops including rice. Most of the varieties grown are sensitive to salts and inadequate tolerant cultivars available in the country. A hydroponics mass screening technique using Yoshinda Solution was used to test the 102 genotypes in NaCl- saline treated and non-treated solution at Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI-Dakawa Centre). Different salt concentrations (4 dSm-1, 6 dSm-1, 8 dSm-1 and 10 dSm) were used and the experiment was done in three replications. The genotypic variability for salinity tolerance was observed as less salt injury symptoms, low Na+ accumulation and Na+/K+ ratio in plant tissues and high biomass accumulation (fresh weight and dry weight). Results revealed further those 28 genotypes (28.45%) out of 102 showed tolerance to salinity, at high salinity level of 10dSm-1. Lines namely SR35266-2-18-2-1, SR35250-1-19-1-1, SR23364-128-1762-1-HV-1-1, SR35230-1-12-1-1, SR23364-128-1986-1-HV-1-1, SR34590-HB3433-4-1-1, SR35266-2-7-1-1, PBR1000922-1 and SR34053 (#5-52)-1-4-2-10-3-3 showed high performance under high salt conditions. Others includes SR35266-3-1-5-1, SR34574-2-10-3-1-2-1, SR35278-2-10-1-1, SR35250-2-3-1-1, SR35266-3-2-3-1, SR35266-3-2-4-1, SR23364-133-184-1-HV-1-1, SR34592-HB-1-HV-1, and SR34042F3-22-1-1-5-3 indicated tolerance to salt and had high dry matter as well. All the genotypes had increased levels of Na+ and differential performance was observed in some genotypes under saline and non-saline conditions. Among these three lines namely SR35266-2-7-1-1, SR23364-128-1762-1-HV-1-1, and SR34590- HB3433-4-1-1expressed high dilution ability as the K+ and Na+ concentrations were lower compared to other genotypes. The study, therefore, suggests that the lines can be used in breeding programs to develop varieties with potential to salt tolerance and other traits.

The present study exhibits a yield and yield component traits correlations and path coefficient analysis in some KAFACI doubled haploid and other rice {Oryza sativa L} genotypes. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design {RCBD} with 3 replications at Lifuwu Agricultural Research Station trial fields during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 rainy seasons. Eight selected traits namely number of productive tillers per hill, spikelets per panicle, panicle length, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, 1000 grain weight, and grain yield were considered in this study. ANOVA table illustrated significant differences (p

Introduction Particulate matter and air pollution in Korea are becoming worse. There is a lack of research regarding the impact of particulate matter on patients with COPD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various air pollution factors, including particulate matter, on the incidence rate of severe acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) events. Methods We analyzed the relationship between air pollutants and AECOPD events that required hospitalization at Guro Hospital in Korea from January 1, 2015 to May 31, 2017. We used general linear models with Poisson distribution and log-transformation to obtain adjusted relative risk (RR). We conducted further analysis through the Comprehensive Air-quality Index (CAI) that is used in Korea. Results Among various other air pollutants, particulate matter was identified as a major source of air pollution in Korea. When the CAI score was over 50, the incidence rate of severe AECOPD events was statistically significantly higher [RR 1.612, 95% CI, 1.065–2.440, P=0.024]. Additionally, the particulate matter levels 3 days before hospitalization were statistically significant [RR 1.003, 95% CI, 1.001–1.005, P=0.006]. Conclusion Particulate matter and air pollution increase the incidence rate of severe AECOPD events. COPD patients should be cautioned against outdoor activities when particulate matter levels are high.

The success of plant breeding depends on the availability of genetic variation, knowledge about desired traits, and efficient selection strategies that make it possible to exploit existing genetic resource. This study was carried out at Africa Rice Center, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Nigeria, and 239 double haploid lines from Republic of Korea were established along with one of the rice mega varieties (FARO 44) as check. The experiment was conducted using Alpha lattice design with four blocks each planted with 60 entries in two replications. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.001) among the genotypes indicating existence of variation among the genotypes. Correlation coefficient of the yield and its association traits revealed significantly positive correlation of grain yield with number of tillers, plant height, days to 50% flowering, panicle length, effective tillers, leaf area, leaf area index, fertility, biomass, panicle weight, number of grains per panicle and grain yield per plant, hence, selection for these traits can improve yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that days to 50% flowering, leaf area index, fertility, biomass, panicle weight, number of grains per panicle and grain yield per plant exhibited positive direct effect on grain yield. Among all traits examined, panicle weight had the highest significant positive correlation and high positive direct effect. Stepwise regression showed that characters such as panicle weight, grain yield per plant, flag leaf, days to 50% flowering, effective tillers and 1000 grain weight contributed more to the total grain yield. Therefore, selections for the aforementioned characters will assist breeders in making good improvement in rice grain yield.

It was compared the reduction effect of contaminants and odor according to DO change and EM (effective microorganisms) addition in maturation process of piggery slurry. The maturation processes were divided into three cases as follows: R-1 was operated at of DO without the addition of EM, R-2 was operated at of DO without the addition of EM and R-3 was operated at of DO with the addition of EM. The addition of EM was more effective than the increase of DO for the reduction of CODcr, and T-N in the maturation of piggery slurry. In addition, the reducing effect of odor intensity appeared high even in the short-term maturation period in case of adding EM and one could not even smell the stimulating odor of piggery slurry.

The changes of contaminants and odor corresponding to anaerobic maturation process of piggery slurry were investigated by applying the additives, such as different kinds of complex microorganism products and deodorants containing microorganism activating agents. The pHs during 20-day anaerobic maturation were operated stably without great change regardless of the additives, although they were rather lower in the case that the additives were contained than the case that they were not contained. The effects of removing CODcr, , T-N, and T-S in case that the additives were not contained, were not so great during the 20-day operation and so it would be difficult to remove the organic materials and nitrogen ingredients simply with anaerobic maturation process. However, in case of anaerobic maturation process that the additives were contained, their average removal rates were improved with the values of for above each of items, even if the 20-day of short-term maturation period was applied. Especial1y, odor intensity with the additives was lowered continuously during the operation period and it had more than two times of lowering effect compared to that without those.

The treatment of styrene vapor was carried out using the biofilter packed with loess/polyurethane composite during continuous operation of 74 days. The microorganisms were adapted within 2-3 days under the experimental conditions of inlet concentration and empty bed contact time (EBCT). At 200 sec of EBCT, the removal efficiency of styrene was 100\% with 200 ppmv of inlet concentration, while with 400 ppmv of inlet concentration. The biofilter showed the stable removal efficiencies of over under the EBCT range from 300 to 75 sec at the 150 ppmv of inlet styrene concentration. The maximum capacity of styrene removal for the biofilter packed with loess/polyurethane was . During continuous operation of 74 days, pH of the drain water changed slightly and the pressure drop through the biofilter column was below .

Endoplasmic reticulum stress has a profound effect on cancer cell proliferation and survival, and also has the capacity to activate cells of the adaptive immune system. Multimodality treatments that combine conventional cancer therapies with antigen-specific immunotherapy have emerged as promising approaches for the control of cancer. However, it is not well known whether ER stress inducing agents can influence the efficacy of tumor antigen targeted vaccines. We used previously developed therapeutic human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA vaccines encoding calreticulin (CRT) linked to HPV-16 E7 antigen (CRT/E7) vaccine and ER stress inducing agent, 3-bromopyruvate in a preclinical model for its potential to enhance E7-specific CD8+ T cell immune responses as well as antitumor effects against E7-expressing tumor (TC-1 cells). In vitro assay, luciferase-expressing TC-1 tumor cells were treated with 3-bromopyruvate. E7-specific CD8+ T cells were added to evaluate the cytotoxicity. The degree of cytotoxic T lymphocytes-mediated killing of the tumor cells was measured with the IVIS Luminescence Imaging System. We also determined the levels of ER stress markers in 3-bromopyruvate treated TC-1 cells. In vivo assay, TC-1 tumor-bearing mice were treated with 3-bromopyruvate (10mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) and/or CRT/E7 DNA vaccine (30μg/mouse). The tumor mass size and survival were evaluated. Treatment of TC-1 cells with 3-bromopyruvate induced significant in vitro cytotoxicity. We found that treatment with 3-bromopyruvate led to upregulation of ER stress markers (CHOP, GRP78) in E7-expressing TC-1 tumor cells. More importantly, treatment with combination of 3-bromopyruvate and CRT/E7 DNA vaccine led to improved antigen-specific CD8+ T cell immune responses as well as therapeutic antitumor effects in TC-1 tumor-bearing mice. Thus, our data indicate that 3-bromopyruvate can enhance therapeutic HPV vaccine potency in generating improved antigen-specific immune responses and antitumor effects. These findings have important implications for future clinical translation. Citation Format: Sung Yong Lee, JaeJeong Shim, Kang Kyung Ho, Kye Young Lee, Chien-Fu Hung, T.-C. Wu. Endoplasmic reticulum stress enhances the antigen-specific T cell immune responses and therapeutic antitumor effects generated by therapeutic HPV vaccines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B33.

The clinical findings of 29 patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Seoul virus were evaluated and compared with the previously reported clinical findings of classic Korean hemorrhagic fever (KHF). The diagnoses of these patients were made by hemagglutination inhibition test. The results were as follows: The disease occurred predominantly in males with a high incidence in the third and fourth decades of life. The highest incidence of the disease occurred in October–December. Major symptoms were fever, abdominal or flank pain, vomiting and myalgia. Major signs were petechia, CVA tenderness, pharynegeal injection, and conjunctival infection, but these signs were much less common than in patients with classic KHF. The treatments were mainly conservative and there was no fatal case in the study subjects. These findings suggest that the clinical course of Seoul virus infection may be much milder than that of classic KHF and the outcome may be more favorable.