Beauveria bassiana isolates have been used in integrated pest management, but little consideration has been given to the studies on fungal gene expressions and their functions. In this work, to determine the functions of genes, B. bassiana ERL1170 was transformed by restriction enzyme-mediated integration method, where pABeG with bar gene was used as a transformation vector. Among seven hundred of transformants, morphologically different ERL1170-pABeG-#160 transformant, particularly dysfunctional in conidiogenesis. The transformant had yellow hyphal growth on fourth strength Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA/4) and produced very small amount of conidia (<1.0×105 conidia/cm2 agar) in 7 days, whereas wild type had white mycelial growth and significantly greater conidia (3.6×106 conidia/cm2 agar). Additionally under microscopic observation, hyphae of #160 seemed like indian club, compared to the straight forms of wild type hyphae. The next work is figure out possible genes contributing the conidiogenesis of B. bassiana.

Entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana can be used in integrated crop management and pharmaceutical applications. Recently some efforts have been given to the fungus to improve its biological performances, but low fungal transformation efficiency is one of the limitations. In this work, B. bassiana ERL1170 isolate was used for fungal transformation by restriction enzyme-mediated integration, where pBARKS1-Bbs-cecropinA was linearied using HindIII. The fungal transformation comprised two steps, preparation of competent blastospores and integration of the plasmid into the cells. To prepare competent blastospores, 2-d cultured blastospores were individually treated with 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 M lithium acetate (LiAc). Secondly in the integration step, concentration of LiAc and calcium chloride (CaCl2), and time period of heat shock were investigated as follows: LiAc, 1, 2 and 4 M; CaCl2, 50, 100 and 200 mM; and heat shock at 42℃, 20, 40 and 60 min. Consequently, combination of 0.2 M LiAc in preparing competent blastospores and 2 M LiAc and 200 mM CaCl2 in the second step showed the highest transformation efficiency. This work would be helpful in the fungal transformation of B. bassiana.

To identify subspecies and stocks of minke whale meats purchased from Korean markets during 2005-2007, we first obtained their complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b and control region sequences, and compared these sequences to the corresponding sequences of the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), obtained from GenBank. From analyses with partial cytochrome b sequences (383 bp) and non-coding, partial control region sequences (463 bp), Korean mink whale meats are identified as products from the North Pacific minke whale (B. a. scammoni). In addition, the sequences of the partial control region from these meats showed G at site no. 298 and G or A at site no. 463, and the meats appeared to originate from the J stock within this subspecies. Thus, because the J stock has been protected since 1986, implementation of strict regulation measures to reduce their accidental fisheries by catch seems urgent. In addition, B. a. scammoni is distinct from B. a. acutorostrata, with an average Jukes-Cantor distance of 2.21% in the complete control region sequence analysis (935 bp) and 1.31% in the complete cytochrome b gene sequence analysis; the current results support the current subspecies classification, although further sequencing analyses with nuclear genes are necessary.

Anti-inflammatory effects of ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas (EAG 50, 150, and 500 mg/kg) were investigated in thermal burn-paw edema model. Immersion of rat hind legs into 48.5℃ water for 50 scincreased the leg volume by 0.46-0.55 ml. EAG attenuated not only the paw volume in a dose-dependent manner, but also blood lymphocyte counts and interleukin-6 level increased by burns, without influence on the level of tumor-necrosis factor-α. Moreover, EAG reduced alkaline phosphatase level, a parameter of hepatic injury, which was increased by thermal burns. The results indicate that EAG attenuates inflammatory aymptoms induced by thermal burn and EAG or its conmarin derivatives could be a promising anti-inflammatory drug candidate in inflammation diseases.

Inhibitory effect of colchicine on growth and gravitropic responses in Arabidopsis root was explored to find whether there was an involvement of ethylene production. It has been known that cytoskeleton components are implicated in sedimentation of statoliths to respond to gravitropism and growth. The root growth was inhibited by 25% and 40% over control for 8 hr treatment of colchicine at a concentration of 10-5 M and 10-7 M, respectively. The roots treated with colchicine at the concentration of 10-7 M showed the same pattern as control in 3 hr, however, gravitropic response was decreased in the next 5 hr. The colchicine treatment at the concentration of 10-5 M inhibited the gravitropic response resulting in 60° of curvature. In order to better understand the role of colchicine, the production of ethylene was measured with and without the treatment of colchicine. Colchicine increased the ethylene production by 20% when compared to control via the activation of ACC oxidase and ACC synthase activity. These results suggest that the inhibition of the growth and gravitropic responses of Arabidopsis roots by the treatment of colchicine could be attributed to the rearrangement of microtubule, and increase of ethylene production.

Adenostemma madurense DC. (Asteraceae, Adenostemma L.), which is known to be distributed in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Nepal was recently found on Jeju Island in Korea. It is morphologically allied to A. madurense but distinguished from A. lavenia (L.) Kuntze by having such characters as broadly ovate or ovate to oblong leaves, 15-21 ㎝ long × 7-12 ㎝ wide and smooth achenes with slightly muricate at the upper. Furthermore, A. madurense is found in dry mountain slopes in evergreen forests while Adenostemma lavenia occures in the wetland and side of pond. This taxon was named ‘San-mul-meo-wi’ in Korean based on its habitat. We provide a description, illustrations, photographs, and the key to the related species in Korea.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Yellow PangPang' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2005. The cross between 'Restone' and 'Focus' was made in 2001. After evaluation for the characteristics including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in spring and consecutive selection from 2002 to 2005, final selection was made. The natural flowering time of "Yellow PangPang" is late October, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has pompon type flowers with yellow petals and greenish yellow flower center. It shows very strong stem hardness, especially flower neck, and excellent flower setting. The diameter of flower is 3.9 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 11.3 and the days to flower under the short day treatment is about 54 in autumn season. It has long vase life of 21 days in autumn.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Innocence' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2005. It was selected from the progenies of open pollination of 'Sei-Alps' in 2002. After evaluation for the characteristics including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in spring between 2002 and 2005, final selection was made. The natural flowering time of "Innocence" is late October, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has round and wide petal, single type flowers with pure white petals and yellowish green flower center. The flowers are large and volumed. The plant shows vigorous growth. The diameter of flower is 7.4 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 9.3 and number of petals per flower is 27.7. The days to flower under short day treatment is about 57 and its vase life is 19 days in autumn season.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Pink Pride' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2005. The cross between 'Grand Pink' and 'YeonJa' was made in 2001. The characteristics were investigated from 2002 to 2005 for the evaluation and selection of this variety, including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in spring. The natural flowering time of "Pink Pride" is late October, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has pollenless, single type flowers with pink petals and green flower center. The growth of plant is very vigorous and resistant to white rust (Puccinia horiana Henn). The diameter of flower is 6.6 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 11.7 and number of petals per flower is 27. The days to flower under short day treatment is about 56 and its vase life is 19 days in autumn season.

A new spray chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum) cultivar Peak was bred by crossing between GrandPink and Relance. Its growth and flower characteristics were investigated from 2002 to 2004 by shading culture in summer andretarding culture in spring.