The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not the antler-shaped fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) has an anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of GL, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), activator protein 1 (AP-1), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). LPS/IFN-γ-induced cellular NO production was significantly decreased in GL-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, Western blotting analysis results demonstrated that reduced protein expression of MAPK families (such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK) and AP-1-targeting inflammatory enzymes (iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, and IL-6). These results indicated that GL modulates the MAPK/AP-1 signal pathway in inflammatory process. In conclusion, the present study provides important evidence that GL can potentially be used to reduce LPS/IFN-γ-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting the MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathways.

Recently, hair loss regarded as a mere means of middle-aged men due to stress and environmental pollution. The market for hair loss in Korea is about four trillion won and it is growing continuously. It is mainly made by mixing natural extracts such as medicinal plant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 70% ethanol extracts of Phellinus linteus on the growth of fibroblasts, dermal papilla cells and lipid precursors, We want to try to make a materialization. The 70% ethanol extract of P. linteus on the cell viability of Human follicle dermal papilla cell (HFDPC), adipocyte (3T3-L1), fibroblast (CCD-986sk). The result the cell viability of HFDPC was increased according to the contents of ethanol extract of P. linteus. But the 70% ethanol extract of P. linteus showed weak inhibit activity in CCD-986sk cell growth. Also, the 70%　ethanol extract of P. linteus did not inhibit the growth of 3T3-L1 cells. As a result of this study, in-vitro hair growth activity of herbal medicines for hair material development was not shown to be toxic to HFDPC and 3T3-L1 cell. As a result, the 70% ethanol extracts of P. linteus have potential to developing hair-related product. Acknowledgement : This research was supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy(MOTIE), Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology(KIAT) through the Encouragement Program for The Industries of Economic Cooperation Region(R0005473)

Hericium erinaceus (HE) is an edible mushroom to exhibit several biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects. This study focuses on the antioxidant potential of HE as extraction solvents. HE was extracted with ethanol (HEE) and water (HEW) in order to observe the change of the extraction amount of the active ingredient. Total polyphenol content (TPC) analyses were performed to decide the active ingredient contents of HEE and HEW. Moreover, 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) and 1,2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities were conducted to compare the antioxidant activities of HEE and HEW extracts. As a result, TPC (7.08 ± 0.08 g GAE/kg extract) of HEE was found significantly higher as compared to HEW (4.94 ± 0.02 g GAE/kg extract). The IC50 values based on the ABTS for HEE (471.47 ± 20.38 μg/ml) was generally stronger showing potential antioxidant properties compared to HEW (606.97 ± 1.04 μg/ml). On the other hand, DPPH radical scavenging activity showed no significant change in HEE and HEW extracts. These results demonstrated that ethanol extracts from HE could be useful as an antioxidative functional ingredients.

Search advertising, the paid listings on a search engine website based on consumers’ keyword searches, has become one of the most important advertising formats and have thus received a huge amount of attention from both academics and practitioners. While many researchers have studied search advertising in a single keyword framework, in practice, consumers’ search usually involve multiple keywords related to their purchase, and similarly, firms advertise on a set of related keywords. Thus, understanding a utilization of multiple keywords is important for firms to efficiently allocate their advertising budget to each keyword, based on consumers’ decision of which keywords to search and which advertising to click. Therefore, this study aims to examine consumers’ search behavior in terms of their click decisions and retailers’ bidding strategy over a set of related multiple keywords. We empirically examine the aforementioned issues regarding consumer clicks and advertiser bids in a search advertising campaign. We use in our empirical analysis a unique dataset containing a number of related keywords in a running shoes product category, in which consumers frequently make online purchases, pertaining to two leading brands in the product category, Nike and Adidas. Based on the consumer purchase funnel framework, we have classified the keywords into five keyword groups at three different levels, the category, brand, and model level keywords. Our data contain daily information from 242 online retailers on their search advertising metrics such as payments per clicks, bids, quality scores, ranks, and the number of clicks from September 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012. Our empirical findings show that overall, consumers search for keywords in a manner consistent with purchase funnel, although some inconsistencies exist in the detailed behavior, depending on different keyword groups and brands. Our findings also show that retailers simultaneously bid on multiple keywords at different stages of the consumer purchase funnel, suggesting that retailers regard the different keywords as strategic complements. However, our findings suggest that retailers’ allocation of their bids across multiple keywords are often inconsistent with the consumer search behavior. Those findings provide advertisers with new insights on multiple keyword management to develop and implement a more effective search advertising strategy.

In an aquatic environment, toxicity of metals to organisms depends on external factors (type of metal, exposure concentration and duration, environmental parameters, and water quality) and intracellular processes (metal-binding sites and detoxification). Toxicity of copper (Cu) on the marine microalga Tetraselmis suecica was investigated in this study. Dose-dependent (Cu concentration dependent) inhibition of growth and cell division, as well as, variation of intra- and extra-cellular Cu, Fe and Zn content was observed. T. suecica was sensitive to Cu; the 96 h EC50 (concentration to inhibit growth-rate by 50%) of growth rate (μ) (21.73 μM L-1), cell division day-1 (18.39 μM L-1), and cells mL-1 (13.25 μM L-1) demonstrate the toxicity of Cu on this microalga. High intra- (19.86 Pg cell-1) and extra-cellular (54.73 Pg cell-1) Cu concentrations were recorded, on exposure to 24.3 and 72.9 μM L-1 of Cu.

Social commerce is a kind of internet shopping mall in which consumers purchase the products with other consumers through mutual interactions including the development of SNS(social network service). Social commerce has expanded rapidly as a mainstream online shopping mall over the past five years driving consumers to purchase more fashion products providing the cheaper prices than open market internet shopping mall. The purpose of this study is to identify the important parameters of social commerce characteristics and consumer characteristics that affect repurchase intention and wordof-mouth intention. A 221 survey questionnaire was distributed to men in their 20’s and 30’s who live in Seoul metropolitan area. The data were analyzed utilizing Cronbach's α, factor analysis, and regression analysis using the SPSS 18.0 program. The results revealed, first, that in terms of social commerce characteristics, three variables(website reputation, interactivity, and product scarcity) influenced repurchase intention. Among them, website reputation identified as the most important factor influencing repurchase intention and word-of-mouth intention. Second, with regard to consumer characteristics, interest and a tendency toward impulse buying affected the repurchase intention, and interest and internet shopping experience have influenced the word-of-mouth intention. Among three variables interest in social commerce identified as the key factor affecting both repurchase intention and word-of-mouth intention. The results of the study provide the practical implications and suggest the business strategies to enhance social commerce in the future by identifying the key social commerce characteristics and consumer characteristics that influence male consumers’ buying behaviors.

Chrysanthemums (Dendranthema grandiflorum ‘Iwanohakusen’) were grown in a greenhouse with complete nutrient solution system to investigate the effect of silicon (Si) supplement on salt induced deleterious effects in chrysanthemum plants. The experiment was conducted in plastic pots supplemented with a mixture of upland soil : leaf mold : river sand (3:3:4, v:v:v). Si and salinity were treated in combination with two levels of NaCl (0 and 100 mM) and two sources of silicon (K2SiO3, KSi and silicate fertilizer, SiF) at the same concentration (1.8 mM Si) by weekly-drenching for 12 weeks. Chrysanthemum plants supplemented with Si increased in fresh and dry matter enhancing water content and salinity tolerance. The plants grown under salt stress produced less fresh and dry matter than control plant. However, Si supplement to plants under salt stress ameliorated negative effects of salt stress. In soil, EC and NaCl increased by salt stress were mitigated by Si supplement. Salt stress significantly decreased the contents of K and P in leaf, but Si supplement under salt stress significantly recovered the decreased contents with enormous desorption of K and P in soil. Added Si significantly increased content of available SiO2 with its adsorption by salt stress in soil, which was directly related to Si accumulation in leaf. However, Si uptake by roots was suppressed by salt stress irrespective of Si supplement. Si supplement did not ameliorated the negative effects of salt stress on chlorophyll content and membrane integrity in leaf of chrysanthemum plant although significantly increased Si content in leaf, but reversed pest (Liriomyza trifolii) resistance to above-control level.

There are over 3,000 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world; currently 56 species are reported in Korea. Mosquitoes can act as vectors for many disease-causing viruses and parasites during blood sucking. Various species of mosquitoes are estimated to transmit various types of disease to more than 700 million people annually in Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico, Russia, and much of Asia, with millions of resultant deaths. At least two million people annually die of these diseases, and the morbidity rates are many times higher still. To prevent the spread of diseases, KNIH (Korea National Institute of Health) used three categorized methods; identifying or taxonomic analysis of mosquitoes, detecting virus caring mosquitoes, and detecting malaria from Anopheline mosquitoes. We have proved that taxonomic analysis using DNA barcording method (COI gene) is useful to complement identification of mosquito species. In detecting virus, we have reported Cx. orientalis as a new potential Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vector. We also reported that the Anopheline mosquito species composition and Plasmodium vivax infection rates in malaria hot spot in Korea.

Caliber persistent artery (CPA) is a vascular anomaly presenting as a bluish and pulsatile artery in the subepithelial tissue. Although the incidence of CPA was debated, many CPAs occurred in the perioral and facial tissues at which the embryonal strapedial artery networks were distributed. The present study demonstrated a case of CPA occurred in the retromolar buccal mucosa in a 37 years old male. The lesion showed many pinkish granular spots, but was asymptomatic except biting irritation during mastication. It had slowly increased in size up to 20 × 25 mm for 3 years, and recently became hemorrhagic due to the biting injury between left upper and lower second molars. With the fear of oral cancer an incisional biopsy was performed, and followed by histological and immunohistochemical study. Histologically the lesion showed many tortuous artery localized at the submucosa area, and the arterial wall was thick and its lumen was narrowed and shrunken. In the immunochemistry α-SMA was positive for thick smooth muscle layer of artery and arterioles, TGase 2 was weakly positive for the luminal surface of arterial intima, and bFGF was consistently positive for the perivascular fibrous tissue. But PCNA, VEGF, CD31, CMG2, TGF-β1, HSP-70, and 14-3-3 were almost negative for the vascular tissue. Therefore, it was presumed that the lesion was not actively proliferative nor degenerative but still retained its cellular stability and slow growing potential. It was finally diagnosed as CPA differentially from arterio-venous malformation, hemangioma, lymphangioma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The retromolar buccal mucosa CPA is first reported in this study and may present usual clinical findings depending on its size and location. This asymptomatic lesion could be severely hemorrhagic by minor biting injury, therefore, precise differential diagnosis should be made through biopsy, and careful therapy be followed.

Entomopathogenic fungi infect some arthropod pest and have been used for biological control. Some entomopathogenic fungi have high potential in insect pest management worldwide, and most of researches were given to Hypocreales order of Ascomycota, but little in Zygomycota, such as Entomophthorales in our country. We have identified some species belonging to Entomophthorales and investigated cultural features and ecology of Entomophaga aulicae. E. aulicae in sweet potato fields, where Aedia leucomelas was a dominant pest, had caused epizootics from 2002–2005. E. aulicae-infected A. leucomelas larva were mostly found from August to October and its occurrence was significantly related to the precipitation. E. aulicae were mainly observed in dead A. leucomelas larval populations (infection rate = 41.3% in 2002), rather than other lepidopteran pests. E. aulicae was morphologically and genetically identified and its virulence was characterized in laboratory conditions. Additionally, pest infection by Zoophthora radicans, Neozygites floridana and some Entomophthorales have been identified. On the basis with this information, we need research to predict the prevalence and to develop biological control agent using Entomophthorales including E. aulicae that contribute to regulation of host populations.

Background and Purpose: The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is the ratio of blood pressure in the lower legs to that in the arms. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of extracranial carotid arteries determined by B-mode ultrasound is a measurable index of the presence of atherosclerosis. A low ABI and a high carotid IMT are independently related to increased risk of cardiovascular events. This study examined the association between carotid IMT and ABI in patients with ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively, 116 hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke were recruited. Using a pulse wave velocity ABI device along with carotid duplex sonography, we measured carotid IMT and ABI and investigated the correlation between average values. Results: There was a significant difference in carotid IMT between the normal and abnormal ABI groups (P=0.0262). The group with an abnormal ABI was more than five times as likely to have increased carotid IMT as the group with a normal ABI (age, sex-adjusted OR 5.67 (95% CI 1.85~17.38)). The ABI and carotid IMT showed a weak inverse linear correlation in patients with ischemic stroke (correlation coefficient −0.378 after adjusting for age and sex). Conclusion: Our study suggests that an abnormal ABI is associated with a high carotid IMT in patients with ischemic stroke.

HyPer is the genetically encoded biosensor of intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the most stable of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by living cells. HyPer has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting intracellular H2O2 by confocal laser microscopy. However, it was not known whether high speed ratiometric imaging of H2O2 by HyPer is possible. We thus investigated the sensitivity of HyPer in detecting changes to the intracellular H2O2 levels in HEK293 and PC12 cells using a microfluorometer imaging system. Increase in the HyPer ratio were clearly evident on stimulations of more than 100 μM H2O2 and fast changes in the HyPer ratio were observed on ratiometric fluorescent images after H2O2 treatment. These results suggest that HyPer is a potent biosensor of the fast temporal production of intracellular H2O2.

Habitats for migratory birds provide good blood source for blood sucking insects including mosquitoes, which may lead to high population mosquito species. This study was intended to know mosquito fauna in habitats for migratory birds that have preference for bird’s blood. We selected 7 locations for migratory birds (Ansan: a great reedy marsh in lake of Shihwa; Cheonan, Gyeongju, and Pyeongtaek: pine forest; Seosan: a reclaimed land near bay of Cheonsu ; Ulsan: great bamboo forest around Teahwa river) and subdivided each location with four habitats (forest, swamp, cow shed and downtown area) as mosquito collecting site. We used two types of trap for mosquito collection such as CDC black light trap and BG Sentinel trap. Additionally, we use black light and dry ice as an attractive source, respectively. A total of 27,615 mosquitoes representing 9 genera and 18 species were collected. In Ansan, 9 genera and 17 species were collected and in the other locations only 11 to 12 species. Representing by habitats shows this; in forest 9 genera and 17 species, in swamp 8 genera and 16 species, in cow shed 6 genera and 12 species, in downtown 8 genera and 17 species. The dominant species was Culex pipiens (60%) followed by Aedes vexans (11%), Anopheles spp. (8%), Aedes albopictus (7%), and Armigeres subalbatus (5%).

The aim of this study was to evaluate immunopotentiating activities of β-glucan derived from Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae and to select new strains having possibility as an immune-enhancing substance. We examined SB20 strains derived from commercial product as a control, and extracted β-glucans from the four strains of S. cerevisiae. RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with heat-killed yeasts, β-glucans, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β were then quantified. When macrophages were induced directly by in vitro addition of β-glucan, little production of NO and IL-1β was observed. When pretreated with strong stimulants, i.e., LPS, most yeasts showed down-modulation of NO and IL-1β production. However, TNF-α secretion was triggered by β-glucans and even more increased by the mixture effect of LPS and β-glucans. In particular, S6 strain induced TNF-α secretion more than other strains. Therefore, we can conclude that the S6 strain has possibility as an immune-enhancing substance.

This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value and the quality of ensiled kenaf after fermentation with three cultivars at three different times of harvesting. Experimental plot were allocated with three harvest date (Early;8/3, medium;8/15 and late;8/28) and three cultivars (Tainung-a, Everglade, Whitten). The DM (dry matter) yield increased with maturity in all three cultivars, especially in Whitten which showed the highest yield at each harvest time. The DM content in Whitten at late harvesting time was higher than other treatments (231 g kg 1DM). The CP (crude protein) contents of the kenaf silage of all three cultivars ranged from 151 to 164 g kg 1. Highest content of NDF (neutral detergent fiber) was observed in Everglade at medium harvesting date, but the ADF (acid detergent fiber) content was highest in Everglade at early harvesting date (p<0.05). All treatments produced a pH less than 4.0, which is sufficient for stable storage. The pH of Tainung-a was higher than other cultivars at all harvesting times (p<0.05). Whitten showed the higher content of lactic acid (25.8 g kg 1 DM) showed at early harvesting date than other cultivars (p<0.05), while the acetic acid content (21.1 g kg 1 DM) was higher in Tainung-a at medium harvesting date (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in ammonia-Nand butyric acid concentrations among all treatments. These results indicate that a kenaf silage could be used as fodder for ruminants. Especially, the Whitten harvested at late growing stage showed promise as a forage silage crop under Koran environments.

As a preceding study for investigating the influence of sound wave stimulus on Arabidopsis thaliana metabolomics, the polar secondary metabolomes of the plant were determined using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 10 polar secondary metabolomes were characterized and quantified. Among them, 4 metabolomes, p-coumaroylagmatine isomer (7 and 8), p-coumaroylagmatine isomer (9 and 10) were identified in the plant for the first time. The validation was conducted in terms of linearity, recovery, precision, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). The validated method was applied to the simultaneous quantification of the 10 polar secondary metabolomes.