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A 22-year-old male patient was diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). He received conservative treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Two years later, oral therapy, consisting of 60 mg tolvaptan per day, was initiated. Compared with height-adjusted total kidney volume, the rate of kidney growth reduced significantly from 7.33% to 0.66% annually, since commencement of the tolvaptan therapy. The liver enzyme profile and serum sodium level and osmolality were constantly within normal ranges. In Korea, this is the first reported case of a patient with ADPKD who received tolvaptan treatment for more than 1 year. This case demonstrates that long-term tolvaptan treatment appears to be safe, well tolerated, and effective for ADPKD.

We used a 135K rice microarray to identify genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and metabolism in black rice. Using our multi-interaction screening method, we then screened 427 expression genes, 754 orthologous genes, and 416 pathway-network related genes associated with anthocyanin bio-synthesis. Finally, we identified eight candidate genes by comparing pathway-expression genes, including ortholog-ontology genes. To verify the candidate genes, each was mapped to the black rice genome, and functional predictions were confirmed via phylogenetic reconstructions using the candidate genes and their homologous proteins. While the eight genes identified by our method require further characterization and validation, our study demonstrates the power of multi-interaction screening after the initial identification of genes with microarrays.

School of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeonsan 712-749, KoreaABSTRAT The Feather Color of chicken is considered as most obvious, and the purpose of this study is to identify the genotype following the SNP of MC1R, MITF and TYRP1, which are genes related to Feather Color, and develop a SNP marker that can be classified per breed. When a haplotype is observed through the combination of markers, a Korean Native Chicken can especially be distinguished when it is a CGG type in the SNP combination of the MC1R gene. In case of the TAG, TGG and TAA types, only Araucana was identified, and for the CAA type, Leghorn could specifically be distinguished. In the SNP combination of TYRP1 gene, only Leghorn was differentiated in case of the TTTCA and CCTCA types, and only Silky Fowl was identified in case of the CTTTA type. The SNP combination of MC1R gene enabled for Korean Native Chicken, Leghorn, and Araucana to be distinguished and each of the SNP and combination of TYRP1 gene allowed for all 4 breeds to be classified. If many researches are conducted about genetic polymorphism between breeds, then it is considered that the differences between breeds will be understood from a molecular biological aspect instead of simply distinguishing the breeds through Feather Color.(Key words : MC1R, MITF, TYRP1, SNP, haplotype)

Moksan Hanwoo Research Institute, Gyeongsan 712-821, KoreaABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different crude protein levels in the concentrates on carcass and meat quality of Hanwoo steers. A total of thirty 5.3-month-old castrated Hanwoo calves(135.6±10.52kg) were randomly allocated into either control or treatment group. The animals were separately housed to 5 heads per group. Crude protein levels in concentrates for growing, fattening, and finishing phases were 14, 13, and 11% for control group and 16, 15, and 14% for treatment group respectively. Comparative analysis of carcass characteristics, physico-chemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition in M. longissimus dorsi of Hanwoo steers were carried out. There was no statistical difference in average cold carcass weight between control(411.9kg) and treatment(419.9kg) group. Also, dietary crude protein level in concentrates did not affect M. longissimus dorsi area, backfat thickness, and meat yield index. In contrast, the marbling score in treatment group was higher(p

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of macsumsuk and herb resources on the performances and meat quality of broiler chickens. Six hundreds (600) broiler chickens were randomly allocated into four groups (4 groups×50 chickens/group×3 replica), Control, Treatment 1 (T1; 0.3% macsumsuk), Treatment 2 (T2; 0.3% herb resources), and Treatment 3 (T3; 0.3% macsumsuk + 0.3% herb resources) and fed for 5 wk. T2 group showed higher total body weight gain and average daily gain of 1,812.5 g and 51.79 g, respectively, than the other groups. Control group showed the highest (p

Department of Hotel Culinary Art, Mungyeong College, Mungyeong, KoreaABSTRACTThe study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Macsumsuk and herb resources on the egg performance and quality in Korean native crossbred chickens. A total of three hundred sixty improved Korean native crossbred chickens in primary laying period were randomly allocated to four treatments(30 birds/treatment×3 replications) for eight weeks. Dietary treatments included CON(basal diets), T1(basal diets+0.3% Macsumsuk), T2 (basal diets+0.3% herb resources) and T3 (basal diets+0.3% Macsumsuk+0.3% herb resources). No significant differences were found for feed intake, egg weight and average egg production(P>0.05), however, cracked egg rate was higher in CON than in T1~T3, especially T3 was the lowest (P 0.05). However, the experimental treatments were significantly higher than CON(P

The current study was conducted to compare the growth performance and physico–chemical characteristics of Hanwoobulls and steers of different slaughtering ages. Thirty-six Hanwoo (average age, 13-mon) were allocated into either a bull orsteer group (18 animals/group). Each group was sub-divided into 26-, 28-, and 30-mon-old age groups (six animals/group).Surgical castration was performed in the steer group immediately after the experimental groups were assigned. Growth per-formance of the animals, as well as carcass characteristics and fatty acid composition of M. longissimus dorsi were deter-mined. Cold carcass weights increased as carcass slaughtering age increased in both Hanwoo bulls and steers (p

Many environmental chemicals are known to affect sex steroid production and vitellogenesis through agonistic or antagonistic pathways. To investigate the estrogenic effect of 2,2'4,4'5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) on reproductive function, we have constructed a cDNA library and cloned a 320 base sequence encoding a partial VTG mRNA of rockfish (rVTG), Sebastes schlegeli. We have examined the expression level of rVTG mRNA level by northern blot analysis and measured levels of plasma estradiol-17beta (E2) and testosterone (T) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Plasma concentrations of T in female and male injected with PCB 153 were not significantly different between two dosages of 0.16 mg/kg b.w. and 0.57 mg/kg b.w. However, plasma concentrations of E2 in female fish injected with PCB 153 at 0.16 mg/kg b.w. and 0.57 mg/kg b.w. increased after 12 h and 24 h. An rVTG mRNA transcript of approximately 4.0 kilo bases was extracted from hepatic tissue for northern blot analysis, and the effects of PCB 153 on rVTG mRNA expression in vivo with both male and female juvenile rockfish were examined. The level of rVTG mRNA expression increased only in female rockfish injected with both dose levels of PCB 153 after 48 h of exposure. The results of this study suggest that PCB 153 may produce VTG in female through a synergic effect with E2 resulting in indirect disruption.

The sperm structures of pandalid shrimps were previously undescribed. We determined the mature sperm morphology and ultrastructure of Pandalopsis japonica by means of light and electron microscopy and compared them with the known morphology and ultrastructure from other carideans. Spermatogenesis is initiated in the testicular tissue of the male-phased Pandalopsis japonica ranging from 14 to 23 mm in carapace length. The sperms are 52 to 55 μm in length and consist of a cup-shaped main body and a spike extending from the convex surface of the main body. The main body, of which the size is 24 to 26 μm in width and 5 to 7 μm in height, has a nucleus and a cup-shaped base. The spike, 40 to 44 μm long and approximately 3 μm thick, consists of the central core filled with electron-lucent materials and the electron-dense wall containing a number of tubular-like structures that are aligned along the longitudinal spike. The unique structure of Pandalopsis japonica sperm, particularly in the spike possess...

Summary Effects of eyestalk ablation on androgenic gland (AG) protein synthesis and the following gonad development were determined in reproductive and non-reproductive adult males of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium nipponense. During the non-reproductive season, the AG cells from intact prawns were characterized by a small amount of vacuolated cytoplasm and highly pycnotic nuclei. The AG cells from unilateral eyestalk ablated prawns (UEA) consisted of developing rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (rER) a molting cycle after the operation. The AG cells of bilateral eyestalk ablated prawns (BEA) showed a more extensively developed rER and Golgi complex, which are similar in appearance to AG cells from normal reproductive prawns. The gonads from reproductive prawns were in active spermatogenesis. Eyestalk ablation prompted the progress, particularly in the BEA. The gonads from non-reproductive prawns were under reproductive arrest. The eyestalk ablation induced the non-reproductive prawns to be reprodu...

We studied how the relationship between cadmium (Cd) toxicity and oxidative stress influenced the growth, photosynthetic efficiency, lipid peroxidation, and activity of ntioxidative enzymes in the roots and leaves of rice(Oryza sativa L Dongjin). Plants were exposed to Cd for 21 d. Both seedling growth and photosynthetic efficiency decreased gradually with increasing cadmium concentrations. Lipid peroxidation increased slowly in both roots and leaves, causing oxidative stress. However, each tissue type responded differently to Cd concentrations with regard to the induction/ inhibition of antioxidative enzymes. The activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased in both roots and leaves. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity increased in leaves treated with up to 0.25 µM Cd, then decreased gradually at higher concentrations. In contrast, APX activity in roots increased and remained constant between 0.25 and 25 µM Cd. Enhanced peroxidase (POD) activity was recorded for treatments with up to 25/M Cd, gradually decreasing at higher concentrations in the leaves but remaining unchanged in the roots. Catalase (CAT) activity increased in the roots, but decreased in the leaves, whereas the activity of glutathione reductase (GR) was enhanced in both roots and leaves, where it remained elevated at higher Cd concentrations. These results suggest that rice seedlings tend to cope with free radicals generated by Cd through coordinated, enhanced activities of the antioxidative enzymes involved in detoxification.

The thyroid hormone responsive protein (THRSP) gene is a functional gene that can be used to indicate the fatty acid compositions. This study investigates the relationships of exonic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the THRSP gene and fatty acid composition of muscle fat and marbling score in the 612 Korean cattle. The relationships between fatty acid composition and eight SNPs in the THRSP gene (g.78 G>A, g.173 C>T, g.184 C>T, g.190 C>A, g.194 C>T, g.277 C>G, g.283 T>G and g.290 T>G) were investigated, and according to the results, two SNPs (g.78 G>A and g.184 C>T) in exon 1 were associated with fatty acid composition. The GG and CC genotypes of g.78 G>A and g.184 C>T had higher unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content (pA and g.184 C>T had significantly relationships with UFAs and MUFAs. Two SNPs in the THRSP gene affected fatty acid composition, suggesting that GG and CC genotypes and the ht1*ht1 group (Val/Ala haplotype) can be markers to genetically improve the quality and flavor of beef.

Objective: To evaluate whether germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes from stimulated cycles can be a source of embryos. Design: In vitro model study. Setting: Specialized laboratory of women's clinic. Patient(s): Women in whom oocytes were retrieved at the GV stage. Intervention(s): After culture of GV oocytes in the modified TLP medium with human follicular fluid, oocytes that reached the metaphase II stage underwent ICSI. Potential of fertilization and subsequent cleavage of in vitro-matured oocytes was compared with that of an in vivo-matured control. Main Outcome Measure(s): Maturation rate, rate of pronuclei formation, and developmental activity. Result(s): The maturation rate of GV oocytes from follicles primed with gonadotropin was not affected by the presence or absence of cumulus. However, the maturation was more synchronous in oocytes with cumulus than in those without cumulus. Proportions of oocytes with two pronuclei and embryos cleaved to the 16-cell stage after ICSI were significantly lower in the oocytes matured in vitro than in the oocytes matured in vivo. Conclusion(s): Human GV oocytes from stimulated ovaries can be matured, fertilized, and developed in vitro. Production of embryos from GV oocytes will increase the opportunity for achieving pregnancy.

Purpose : To evaluate the clinical results of lengthening in first brachymetatarsia using a distraction osteogensis with an external fixator. Materials and Methods : Fifteen cases in nine patients, who had received firstmetatarsal distraction osteogenesis from January 1996 to December 2002, were enrolled in this study. At the final follow-up, the application time of the external fixator was measured and the percentage of lengthening, healing index, complication rate, and the patients satisfaction was analyzed. The patients satisfaction was evaluated using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, which were scored according to the level of stiffness, pain, function, and alignment. Results : The score according to the AOFAS-Hallux Metatarsophalangeal joint and Inter-Phalangeal joint scale was excellent in 13 patients and good in 2. All patients were satisfied with the procedure. The average percentage of lengthening was 48.7%. The average healing index was 72.8 days/cm. The major complication was a cavus foot, which was noticed in four feet. All the first toes showed some decrease in motion at the metatarsophalangeal joint. The other complications were hallux valgus, angulation of the metatarsals, and a pin tract infection each in two feet. Conclusion : Distraction osteogenesis is an effective method for first brachymetatarsia. However, excessive lengthening can cause potential complications.

It is unclear whether serum ALT levels or virological characteristics of hepatitis C virus(HCV) including HCV genotypes and HCV RNA titers, can reflect the degree of histological injury in chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the levels of histological damage and serum ALT levels, HCV genotypes or circulating HCV RNA titers in chronic hepatitis C. A total of 56 patients underwent liver biopsy and the histological activity index (HAI) was evaluated by Knodell's scoring system. HCV genotype by RT-nested PCR and HCV RNA quantitation by competitive RT-PCR were performed. Thirty-four patients were infected with HCV genotype 1b, 20 patients with genotype 2a, and 2 patients with undetermined type. Serum ALT levels were not positively correlated with total HAI score or HCV RNA titers, but showed a linear correlation with scores of piecemeal necrosis (r=0.32, p