In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects of Abeliophyllum distichum (A. distichum) leaves that were prepared via air-drying. Fresh and air-dried A. distichum leaves were examined via 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging assay and measurements of the reducing power. The suppression effects on inflammation of the leaves were analyzed by a western blot and RT-PCR on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. As a result, the antioxidant activity of the fresh leaves was found to be more effective than that of the air-dried leaves. Also, the fresh leaves were more effective in suppressing the protein and mRNA levels of iNOS and COX-2 than the air-dried leaves, thereby indicating the better anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, the contents of phenolic compounds and acteoside were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the acteoside content decreased with the use of the air-drying method, while there was no change in the content of phenolic compounds. Therefore, this study indicated that fresh A. distichum leaves potential antioxidant and suppression activities of various factors that are involved in the production of NO, which were found to be better than those of air-dried A. distichum leaves. These biological activities were also found to be independent of the content of phonolic compounds and were assumed to be directly or indirectly related to the content of acteoside.

The influence of triploidization on histological characteristics of retina, trunk kidney, liver and midgut tissue, and cell cycle of tail fin and gill tissue in far eastern catfish, Silurus asotus were analyzed. In the infertile triploid fish, the nucleus and/or cell size of secondary proximal tubule cells of trunk kidney, hepatocyte and midgut epithelium are much larger than those of the corresponding cells in the diploid fish (P<0.05). However, triploid tissue showed fewer number of outer nuclear layer in retina and nuclei in secondary proximal tubule of trunk kidney than those for diploid tissue. The mean percentages of the Gl-, the S- and the G2+M-phase fractions were 92.5%, 3.2% and 4.3% in tail fin tissue of diploid, and 93.4%, 2.6% and 4.0% in those of triploid, respectively. There were no significant differences in the percentages of each cell cycle fraction between diploid and triploid. The mean percentages of each phase fractions were 75.1%, 11.1% and 13.8% in gill tissue of diploid and 85.2%, 8.9% and 5.9% in those of triploid, respectively. The differences of cell cycle between tail fin tissue and gill tissue were statistically significant in diploid and triploid (P<0.05). Also, the differences between diploid and triploid were statistically significant in tail fin tissue and gill tissue (P<0.05). Cyclin D1 and cyclin E expressions were not significantly difference between gill tissue and tail fin tissue, and protein expressions of induced triploid were higher than those of diploid. Results from this study suggest that some characteristics in the triploid exhibiting larger cell and nucleus size with fewer number of cell than diploid can be used as an indicator in the identification of triploidization and ploidy level in far eastern catfish.

The influence of triploidization on histological characteristics of retina, trunk kidney, liver and midgut tissue, and cell cycle of tail fin and gill tissue in far eastern catfish, Silurus asotus were analyzed. In the infertile triploid fish, the nucleus and/or cell size of secondary proximal tubule cells of trunk kidney, hepatocyte and midgut epithelium are much larger than those of the corresponding cells in the diploid fish (P<0.05). However, triploid tissue showed fewer number of outer nuclear layer in retina and nuclei in secondary proximal tubule of trunk kidney than those for diploid tissue. The mean percentages of the Gl-, the S- and the G2+M-phase fractions were 92.5%, 3.2% and 4.3% in tail fin tissue of diploid, and 93.4%, 2.6% and 4.0% in those of triploid, respectively. There were no significant differences in the percentages of each cell cycle fraction between diploid and triploid. The mean percentages of each phase fractions were 75.1%, 11.1% and 13.8% in gill tissue of diploid and 85.2%, 8.9% and 5.9% in those of triploid, respectively. The differences of cell cycle between tail fin tissue and gill tissue were statistically significant in diploid and triploid (P<0.05). Also, the differences between diploid and triploid were statistically significant in tail fin tissue and gill tissue (P<0.05). Cyclin D1 and cyclin E expressions were not significantly difference between gill tissue and tail fin tissue, and protein expressions of induced triploid were higher than those of diploid. Results from this study suggest that some characteristics in the triploid exhibiting larger cell and nucleus size with fewer number of cell than diploid can be used as an indicator in the identification of triploidization and ploidy level in far eastern catfish.

A new lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) variety ‘Sunny Red Butter’ that belongs to butter-head type has transverse broad elliptical leaf with red color. Crossbreeding of ‘Oriana’ and ‘Cardinale’ was made to obtain seeds of the F1 generation. Subsequent generations were selected using in pedigree methods until 2011, resulting in ‘Sunny Red Butter’. The new variety ‘Sunny Red Butter’ is brown in seeds and the upper part of the leaf is light red and glossy. The leaf stalk is white. It can be harvested from 30 days after planting. The average harvested leaf number is 51 leaves per plant. The average weight is 556.5g per plant, which is 44% higher than a control lettuce variety ‘Germania’. It showed that 30.9 tons/ha production was made in spring, summer, and autumn cultivations for 3 years in 6 areas (Daegwanryeong, Gyeonggi, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, Gyeongnam, and Jeju) than the control variety ‘Germania’. The shelf-life of ‘Sunny Red Butter’ was 4 weeks for storage at 4℃. Anthocyanin amount (10.3 mg/100g) of ‘Sunny Red Butter’ was lower than that of ‘Germania’. BSL (latucin+8-deoxylactucin+lactucopicrin) amount of ‘Sunny Red Butter’, the bitter ingredients was 26.1 μg/g and higher than BSL amount of ‘Germania’. Leaf hardness of ‘Sunny Red Butter’ was 1,554 kg/cm 2 , which was thicker than ‘Germania’. ‘Sunny Red Butter’ showed better taste (more crispy and sweeter) than ‘Germania’. The new variety ‘Sunny Red Butter’ can be used as lettuce productions during spring and autumn in most area and in summer in highland of Korea.

Sophora japonica has been used for treatment of liver and blood-related diseases in herbology. We evaluated whitening activities of Sophorae Flos and Fructus. Sophorae Flos and Fructus were extracted with methanol (MeOH) and divided into petroleum ether, ethyl acetate(EtOAC) and water fraction. For whitening effect by western blot in B16 F10 cells, we analyzed it by investigating the effect of tyrosinase, TRP-l (tyrosinase-related protein 1), TRP-2 (tyrosinase-related protein 2) and MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) protein expression. The protein expressions of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2 and MITF in B16 F10 cells treated with Sophorae Flos and Fructus extract were reduced in a dose-dependant manner. Therefore, these results suggest that Sophorae Flos and Fructus have useful plant resource to be developed as functional cosmetic.

In this study, we produced the recombinant lunasin peptide using E. coli and P. pastoris, and evaluated biological activity of the recombinant lunasin peptide. Lunasin peptide was produced from E. coli transfected with pPGEX-lunasin expression vector and P. pastoris GS115 transfected with pPIC-lunasin expression vector. These recombinant lunasin peptides were similar to the synthetic lunasin peptide in the identification by LC-ESI-MS. In addition, the recombinant lunasin peptide from E. coli and P. pastoris was bound in the chromatin, and inhibited histone acetylation and the activity of histone acetyltransferase. These findings suggest that the production of the lunasin peptide using E. coli and P. pastoris will be useful for industrial utilization of lunasin peptide.

This study was designed to identify citizens’ awareness and satisfaction of Green Roof Projects (GRPs) in Changwon City, South Korea. Changwon City implemented a “Green Roof Promotion Planning” project according to the city’s codes and regulations from 2009 to 2011. The project introduced guidelines for ecological area rates and provided financial subsidies for the green roofing of private buildings. A citizens’ survey shows that 64.8 percent of respondents have a positive awareness of GRPs and think the projects’ priority should be on public buildings and commercial/office buildings. About 43.1 percent of green roof users were satisfied with green roofing in terms of housing improvement and energy saving. However, 34.6 percent of green roof users were not satisfied with regard to plant management. Educational level made a statistically meaningful difference in terms of the awareness of the project’s needs and participatory spirit. Statistics of the survey showed that citizens’ attitude of participation spirit was influenced by the increase in value of a building, green space expansion, and ecosystem conservation. However, their satisfaction was determined by housing improvements. The results of this survey call for a deliberate policy effort on the part of Changwon City to increase the projects’awareness, satisfaction, and participation

A new mandarin hybrid cultivar ‘Shinyegam’ was developed from a cross between ‘Kiyomi’ (Citrus unshiu × C. sinensis) and ‘Wilking’ (Citrus reticulata) at the Citrus Research Institute of the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science in 2012. The ‘Jegam na No. 33’, a first selection seedling from the fruits obtained in 2008 was finally named ‘Shinyegam’ after field evaluation trials at five locations in Jeju island, Korea from 2010 to 2012. The tree vigor was intermediate and the tree was spreading in nature, similar to that of the ‘Kiyomi’ cultivar. The fruits produced were compressed to oblate and globose in shape, were a deep orange in color, and moderately weighed at 130 g. ‘Shinyegam’ produces fruit that mature in late December, and has few seeds, which are mono-embryonic. The average seed number of a fruit varied depending on the pollinator citrus tree. Cultivation of ‘Shinyegam’ along with the other cultivars possessing high pollen fertility resulted in seed numbers that was more than 20, while in the absence of a pollinator species the seed number was around 5. The fruit contained soluble solids at 11 to 12 ° Bx and the acidity was approximately 1% at maturity. The rind thickness of approximately 2.5 mm ensures easy peeling. The flesh is very tender and juicy, with a pleasant, aromatic flavor similar to that of ‘Wilking’ but is comparatively weak. ‘Shinyegam’ is moderately resistant to the citrus scab disease and melanose, but susceptible to citrus canker. Owing to the high quality of fruit, good aroma, and cold hardness characteristics, this cultivar is expected to satisfy consumer acceptability in terms of the diversity of the cultivar in open-field cultivation.

Background: Valeriana fauriei (Valerianaceae) has been used to as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of symptoms, including headache, insomnia, hypertension, and menstrual irregularity. However, the present study investigates the species' antioxidant activity and its inhibition of oxidative DNA damage, which have yet to be studied.Methods and Results:The antioxidant activity was assessed using radical scavenging assays with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and, 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and a reducing power assay. The total phenol content was also analyzed, and phenolic compounds were detected using HPLC/UV, whereas the inhibitory effect of Valeriana fauriei on oxidative DNA damage was measured using φ-174 RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were 75.17 ± 3.55% and 95.83 ± 0.63%, repectively, and the reducing power was 93.14 ± 1.74 at 200 μg/ml. The total phenol content was 10.24 ± 0.04 ㎎/g, whereas chlorogenic acid, catechin, caffeic acid and epicatechin were identified using HPLC/UV, and the φ-174 RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay indicated that V. fauriei provided protection against oxidative damage.Conclusions:The results of the present study suggest that V. fauriei has powerful antioxidant activity that can provide protective effects against the oxidative DNA damage caused by free radicals. The species, therefore, provides a valuable resource for the development of natural pharmaceutical to treat aging, cancer, and degenerative diseases.

Sexual dimorphism is the most conspicuous difference between the sexes. This study examines possible sexual dimorphism and the relative growth patterns of morphometric characteristics in the marine medaka, Oryzias dancena for their potential to help differentiate between males and females of this species. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated by a non-linear regression method were L∞=30.2 mm, K=3.22/year, and τ0=-0.05. All 18 characteristics measured showed a difference between males and females from 70 days after hatching. Each of these characteristics were significantly different between sexes (ANCOVA, P<0.05), and the ratio of standard length between sexes showed that males were larger than females for all five morphometric measurements. Fin length measurements were taken for 21 distances of anal fin and 7 distances of dorsal fin between landmarks. There were all differences for all dorsal fin rays between the males and the females and there is significant difference in 70 days after their hatch when the sexual dimorphism is presented. The significant difference (P<0.05) in fin ray for male and female was more greatly seen as they grow. Male marine medaka showed more rapid growth than females, with longer length, dorsal fins and anal fins. Differences in these characteristics will be useful during experiments when it is necessary to differentiate between sexes of marine medaka.

The 12 cultivars of the Jeju native Citrus are considered to have originated from China. However, the origin of the cultivar ‘Byungkyool’ (Citrus platymamma Hort. ex Tanaka) is not clearly known. We performed PCR analysis by using three primer sets designed from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) to analyze the phylogenetic relationship between the traditional citrus cultivars and the Byungkyool cultivar. Sequence length of the nrDNA ITS1 region of JNCPCRI (Jeju Native Citrus platymamma Citrus Research Institute) cultivar was 247 bp, 8the ITS2 region was 228 bp and the total ITS region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) was 638 bp. Analysis of the genetic relationship based on the sequence analysis at the ITS region of the JNCPCRI cultivar revealed that the ITS1 region of the cultivar was genetically the same as that of the Byungkyool (JQ990189) cultivar, and the ITS2 region was genetically similar to the Binkyool (JQ990180), Hongkyool (JQ990178), Dangyooja (JQ990179), and Pyunkyool (JQ990181) cultivars. Moreover, the total ITS region in the 5.8S rDNA region was genetically similar to the Hongkyool (JQ990178) cultivar. In addition, the total ITS region of the JNCPCRI cultivar was the most closely related to the Cheongkyool (JQ990183) cultivar and has been reported to originate from the Binkyool (JQ990180) and Pyunkyool (JQ990181) cultivars. Although the JNCPCRI cultivar was morphologically the same as the Byungkyool (JQ990189) cultivar, the ITS region showed genetic heterogeneity. Taken together, we conclude that the genetic variation in the ITS region of JNCPCRI cultivar suggests that it was propagated through fertilization with the surrounding citrus cultivars.

Antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage of ethyl acetate fractions extracted from Cone of Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) were investigated to find utilization of Cone, by-product of Red Pine, thrown out after berry shatter, as a new natural plant resource. Cone from P. densiflora was extracted with methanol (MeOH) and separated to petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and water fraction. Among them, ethyl acetate fraction was used. The antioxidant activity was conducted by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2, 2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, Fe 2+ chelating assay and reducing power assay. The inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage was determined by DNA cleavage assay using φX-174 RF I plasmid. The results of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity at 200 ㎍/㎖ of extracts were 86.50% and 95.80% respectively, which were similar figures compared with L-ascorbic acid as control. Fe 2+ chelating activity was 77.96% and reducing power was 0.77 at 200 ㎍/㎖. Total phenolic component was 27.29±0.3 ㎎/g and Vitamin C content was 1.84±0.1 ㎎/g. Also ethyl acetate fraction from Cone has inhibitory effect, using φX-174 RF I plasmid on DNA cleavage assay. In conclusion, Cone, by-product of P. densiflora, showed high antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage. Therefore this study suggests Cone, useless by-product, can be developed as a new natural plant resource with lots of utilization such as an effective antioxidant, natural medicine, food, cosmetics and so on.

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (A. distichum) has been reported to exert the inhibitory effect on angiotensin converting enzyme and aldose reductase. Recently, our group found that branch extracts of A. distichum (EAFAD-B) induce apoptosis through ATF3 activation in human colon cancer cells. However, anti-cancer reagents exert their activity through the regulation of various molecular targets. Therefore, the elucidation of potential mechanisms of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity may be necessary. To elucidate the potential mechanism of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity, we evaluated the regulation of cyclin D1 in human colon cancer cells. EAFAD-B decreased cellular accumulation of cyclin D1 protein. However, cyclin D1 mRNA was not changed by EAFAD-B. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in the cells treated with EAFAD-B. In addition, EAFAD-B induced cyclin D1 phosphorylation at threonine-286 and the point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation. Inhibitions of both ERK1/2 by PD98059 and NF-κB by a selective inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 suppressed cyclin D1 downregulation by EAFAD-B. From these results, we suggest that EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation may result from proteasomal degradation through its threonine-286 phosphorylation via ERK1/2-dependent NF-κB activation. The current study provides new mechanistic link between EAFAD-B and anti-cancer activity in human colon cancer cells.

‘고홍’은 ‘DL 1672’와 ‘청치마’를 교배하여 육성한 잎상추 로 누운타원형 잎을 가진 축면 상추이다. 2005년 교배하여 2010년까지 계통육종법에 선발과 고정을 하였다. 신품종 ‘고 홍’은 회색 종자이며 엽형은 누운타원형이다. 잎 상단부는 붉 고 광택이 좋으며 잎 기부는 녹색이다. 다수성 품종으로 기존 품종보다 주당 45매 정도의 잎을 수확할 수 있으며, 주당 무 게는 평균 331 g로 12% 수량성이 많은 품종이다. 전국 6개지역(대관령, 경기, 충북, 전북, 경남, 제주)에서 1년간 봄, 여 름, 가을 재배하였을 때 평균 2,737 kg/10 a을 나타내었다. 특히 수량성에서 봄작형은 36.7톤, 가을작형에서 16.7톤이 생 산되어, 대비품종에 비해 34%, 23% 증수되는 다수성 품종이 다. 숙기는 정식 후 25일 후부터 수확이 가능한 조･중생종이 며, 고온기 비가림하우스 재배시에도 적색이 발현되는 특성을 가지고 있다. 적색발현의 주 요인인 안토시안닌 함량은 7.5 mg/ 100 g으로 대조품종인 ‘뚝섬적축면’보다는 고온기 적색발현이 좋은 품종이다. 쓴맛 성분인 락투신(latucin+8-deoxylactucin +lactucopicrin)은 ‘뚝섬적축면’보다 적어 쓴맛이 적고 단맛이 나며 아삭아삭하여 맛이 좋다. 이것은 잎두께와 엽연이 ‘뚝섬 적축면’보다 조밀하고, 잎의 경도가 21.1 kg/cm 2로 ‘뚝섬적축 면’보다 강한 특성을 가지고 있기 때문이다. 따라서 신품종 ‘고홍’은 봄과 가을작형에 가장 적합한 품종으로 추천할 수 있다.

The present study attempts to evaluate antioxidant activities of extracts from Abeliophyllum distichum. Nakai flower. The samples were collected in Jangyyeon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Korea and extracted with either hot-water or ethyl acetate (EtOAC). In DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and Fe2+ chelating activity of EtOAC extracts were 93.41%, 98.43%, and 7.38%, while those of hot-water extracts were 86.93%, 41.33% and 47.68% at 200 μg/ml, respectively. In ΦX-174 RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay, the protective effects of EtOAC and hot-water extracts against oxidative DNA damage were 82% and 17% at 200 μg/ml, respectively. Both extracts showed the protective effect of DNA migration by oxidative stress in intracellular DNA migration assay. Both extracts had no cytotoxity in NIH3T3 cells. Several polyphenolic compounds were identified such as 2-methoxy-benzoic acid, vanillic acid, phytol and pulegone by GC/MS. These results indicated that extracts of Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai flower showed antioxidant activities and protective activities against oxidative DNA damage and showed the possibility to be used as an effective natural antioxidants.

Spontaneous perirenal hematoma is an unusual but serious complication of tumors, vascular disease, ruptured cyst, or infection. The authors report the case of a diabetic patient who presented with spontaneous perirenal hematoma and who was subsequently diagnosed to have emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Cerebral infarction is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and the most common cause of death from a singledisease in South Korea. Each year, 795,000 people in the U.S. experience a new or recurrent stroke. Approximately 15-30% of cerebral infarctions are of embolic origin related to cardiac abnormalities. Because determination of the etiology of cerebral infarction is crucial to acute management and future prevention, clinicians should pay attention to finding the cardiac source of embolism in patients with cerebral infarction. We report on a case of cerebral infarction by a small papillary fibroelastoma on the mitral valve. The patient was treated with open heart surgery and closure of the patent foramen ovale to prevent further embolic events.

‘춘풍적축면’은 ‘포자비적축면’과 ‘먹치마’를 교배 육성한 잎상추로 누운타원형 잎을 가진 축면 상추이다. 2000년 교배하여 2007년까지 계통육종법에 선발과 고정을 하였다. 전국 6개 지역(대관령, 경기, 충북, 전북, 경남, 제주)에서 2년간 봄, 여름, 가을 재배하였을 때 평균 2,069 kg/10a을 나타내어 기존 품종보다 주당 53매 정도의 잎을 수확할 수 있으며, 주당 무게는 평균 372 g으로 6% 수량성이 많은 품종이다. ‘춘풍적축면’은