Additive effects of Artemisia capillaris extract and scopoletin on the relaxation of penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.

The objective was to investigate the cellular effect and action mechanism of Artemisia capillaris extract (ACE) and its component, scopoletin, on penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (PCCSM). In vitro study with PCCSM, the precontracted PCCSM with phenylephrine was treated with ACE or scopoletin. Cyclic nucleotides in the perfusate were measured by radioimmunoassay and expression of protein and mRNA of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the perfused PCCSM were measured by western blot and real-time PCR, respectively. The interaction of ACE or scopoletin with udenafil was also evaluated. ACE and scopoletin exerted a significant and concentration-dependent relaxation in PCCSM. The perfusion with ACE or scopoletin significantly increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and the perfusion with ACE or scopoletin increased the expression of eNOS mRNA and protein. Furthermore, ACE or scopoletin enhanced udenafil-inducing relaxation in PCCSM. ACE and scopoletin relaxed the PCCSM mainly by activating nitric oxide-cGMP system and cAMP pathway and they may be additive therapeutic candidates for ED patients who do not completely respond to udenafil.

Food protective effect of geraniol and its congeners against stored food mites.

The acaricidal activities of compounds derived from the oil of Pelargonium graveolens leaves against the storage food mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, were compared with the activity of a commercial acaricide, benzyl benzoate, in an impregnated fabric disk bioassay. Purification of the active constituent from P. graveolens was accomplished by silica gel chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Structural analysis of the active constituent by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C-NMR, 1H-13C shift correlated spectroscopy NMR, and distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer NMR identified trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol (geraniol). Based on the 50% lethal dose values, the most toxic compounds against T. putrescentiae were geraniol (1.95 microg/cm3), which was followed by nerol (2.21 microg/cm3), citral (9.65 microg/cm3), benzyl benzoate (11.27 microg/cm3), and beta-citronellol (15.86 microg/cm3). Our results suggest that geraniol is more effective in controlling T. putrescentiae than benzyl benzoate is. Furthermore, geraniol, which is used as a flavoring for beverages, candies, ice creams, and baked goods and congeners (citral and nerol), may be useful for managing populations of T. putrescentiae.

HSPF-Paddy simulation of water flow and quality for the Saemangeum watershed in Korea.

The Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) is a comprehensive model that was developed to simulate many processes related to water flow and quality in watersheds of almost any size and complexity. Paddy rice fields often dominate extensive portions of the landscape in the Asian monsoon region. The hydrological and environmental conditions of paddy fields differ somewhat from those of other land uses, and HSPF may not adequately simulate watersheds in paddy farming regions. HSPF was previously modified to HSPF-Paddy; here, we examined the applicability of the modified model. The model was applied to simulate the water flow and quality of the Saemangeum watershed (2523 km2) in Korea, where paddy rice fields comprise about one-third of the total watershed area. Long-term monitoring data (5 years for water flow, 10 years for water quality) were used in the calibration and verification processes. Model performance was in the range of "very good" and "good" based on model efficiency (R2) and percent difference. The accuracy of the daily simulation was lower than that of monthly simulation for water flow. The water-quality simulation results were encouraging for this sizable watershed with mixed land uses; HSPF-Paddy proved adequate, and its application is recommended to simulate watershed processes in paddy farming regions.

Water quality modeling to evaluate BMPs in rice paddies.

A water quality model applicable to rice paddies was developed using field data from 1999-2002. Use of the Dirac delta function efficiently explained the nutrient-concentration characteristics of ponded water. The model results agreed reasonably well with the observed data. The ponded-water quality was influenced primarily by fertilization; nutrient concentration was especially high during early cultivation periods. Reducing surface drainage during the fertilization period may substantially reduce nonpoint source loading from paddies. Increased weir heights and shallow irrigation methods were evaluated by the model as practical methods for reducing nutrient loading from paddies. These methods were effective in reducing surface drainage and are suggested as "best management practices" (BMPs) if applied based on site-specific paddy conditions.

Mass balance analysis and water quality model development for loading estimates from paddy fields.

Mass balance analysis and water quality model development for paddy field were performed using field experimental data during 2001-2002. About half (47-62%) of the total outflow was lost by surface drainage, with the remainder (490-530 mm) occurring by evapotranspiration. Most of nutrient inflow and outflow were mediated by fertilization and plant uptake, respectively. Nutrient outflow by surface drainage runoff was substantial about 15%-29% for T-N and 6%-13% for T-P. However, the responses of yield and drainage outflow to fertilization were not significant in this study. A water quality model applicable to paddy fields was developed and it demonstrates good agreement with observed data. The nutrient concentration of ponded water was high by fertilization at early culture periods, so reducing surface drainage during fertilization period can reduce nutrient loading from paddy fields. Shallow irrigation, raising the weir height in diked rice fields, and minimizing forced surface drainage are suggested to reduce surface drainage outflow.

Expression of the hepatitis B surface S and preS2 antigens in tubers of Solanum tuberosum.

In an attempt to develop an edible vaccine, we transformed a recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene encoding the middle protein of HBV that contains the surface S and preS2 antigen into potato by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The HBV gene was under control of either the CaMV 35S promoter, the double 35S promoter with the AlMV 5' non-translated leader sequence, or the tuber-specific patatin promoter. HBV mRNA levels were higher with the 35S promoter than with the double 35S and patatin promoters; however, the levels of the S and preS2 antigen in the transformed tubers were higher with the patatin promoter than with the CaMV 35S and double promoters. The levels of preS2 antigen produced are the highest reported to date. Transgenic potato tubers were fed to mice, and the mice showed an immune response against the HBV S antigen.