No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) regulates leukocyte chemotaxis and activation, and its deficiency exacerbates development of nephritis. Therefore, we investigated the role of CCR5 during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury. CCR5-deficient (CCR5-/-) and wild-type (CCR5+/+) mice, both aged about 10 months, had acute renal injury induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg). Compared with CCR5+/+ mice, CCR5-/- mice showed increased mortality and renal injury, including elevated creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, following LPS challenge. Compared to CCR5+/+ mice, CCR5-/- mice also exhibited greater increases in the serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β following LPS challenge. Furthermore, infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, expression of intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and the number of apoptotic cells were more greatly increased by LPS treatment in CCR5-/- mice than in CCR5+/+ mice. The concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were also significantly increased in the kidney of CCR5-/- mice after LPS challenge. Moreover, primary kidney cells from CCR5-/- mice showed greater increases in TNF-α production and p38 MAP kinase activation following treatment with LPS compared with that observed in the cells from CCR5+/+ mice. LPS-induced TNF-α production and apoptosis in the primary kidney cells from CCR5-/- mice were inhibited by treatment with p38 MAP kinase inhibitor. These results suggest that CCR5 deficiency increased the production of TNF-α following LPS treatment through increased activation of the p38 pathway in the kidney, resulting in renal apoptosis and leukocyte infiltration and led to exacerbation of LPS-induced acute kidney injury.

Fusarium wilt on strawberry plants caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae (Fof) is a major disease in Korea. The prevalence of this disease is increasing, especially in hydroponic cultivation in strawberry field. This study assessed the effect of nutrition solution pH and electrical conductivity (EC) on Fusarium wilt in vitro and in field trials. pH levels of 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5 were assayed in vitro and in field trials. EC levels at 0, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.5 dS•m-1 were assayed in field trials. Mycelial growth of Fof increased with increasing pH and was highest at 25 o C pH 7 and lowest at 20 o C, pH 5.0 in vitro. The incidence of Fusarium wilt was lowest in the pH 6.5 treatment and highest in the pH 5 treatment in field trials. At higher pH levels, the EC decreased in the drain solution and the potassium content of strawberry leaves increased. In the EC assay, the severity of Fusarium wilt and nitrogen content of leaves increased as the EC increased. These results indicate that Fusarium wilt is related to pH and EC in hydroponic culture of strawberry plants.

A strawberry variety 'Kuemsil' was derived in 2007 as an artificial cross between 'Maehyang', a high fruit firmness variety and 'Seolhyang', a high-yielding variety. The lines were selected from 2009 to 2011, and yield trials of '08MS-62', the final selected line, were conducted to evaluate its characteristics in forcing cultures from 2012 to 2015. After farmer field trials in 2016, the line was renamed 'Kuemsil'. The general characteristics of 'Kuemsil' include upright growth habit, elliptical leaves, and strong vigorous growth. The fruit are conical and light red. This variety is suitable for forcing culture because of the early flower bud differentiation (late August), early first harvest (late November), and continuous formation of next flower clusters. The first cluster bore about 22.4 fewer flowers compared with those of the check varieties ('Maehyang' and 'Seolhyang'), which could reduce the labor cost needed for fruit thinning. 'Kuemsil' was high in sugar content (11.1 °Bx) and had optimal fruit firmness (21.9 g/mm 2), which is comparable to 'Seolhyang'. The fruit weight was about 24.6 g, higher than that of the check varieties. The marketable yield was 566.9 g, 14% higher than that of 'Maehyang' and 13% less than that of 'Seolhyang'. Unlike 'Maehyang', which is harvested in unripe stage, 'Kuemsil' fruit should be harvested at 80% coloration to intensify their deep flavor. 'Kuemsil' is more susceptible to Phytophthora crown rot compared with the check varieties, which requires complete disinfection of the soil area (or substrate) of the crown rot. 'Kuemsil' was registered with the Korea Seed and Variety Service (KSVS) for commercialization in 2018 (Registration No. 7345).