The study was conducted to understand the relationship among university students’ interest in horticulture, psychological well-being and social development and the influence of measured variables. In order to collect data, the surveys were executed by convenience sampling on university students attending four-year universities in Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions of South Korea during the period from July 3 to July 17, 2016. A total of 307 survey results which measured the university students’ interest in horticulture, psychological well-being and social development were analyzed. The results showed that there are differences in the interest in horticulture, psychological well-being, and social development depending on the students’ general characteristics. According to the results analyzed by t-test and one-way ANOVA, the interest in horticulture depending on gender, religion, academic marks, family life satisfaction and school life satisfaction had significant differences showing high interest for the students with religion, good academic marks, high family life satisfaction and school life satisfaction as well as female students. Psychological well-being showed significant differences in academic marks, family life satisfaction and school life satisfaction, while social development displayed significant differences in gender, grade, academic marks, family life satisfaction and school life satisfaction. According to the results analyzed by correlation analysis, there was a significant correlation among university students’ interest in horticulture, psychological well-being and sociality development. Furthermore, regression analysis verified that university students’ interest in horticulture has a positive influence on psychological well-being and social development. The results of this study implies that university students with a higher interest in horticulture have higher levels of psychological well-being and social development.

In order to determine the short-term impact induced by chloride ionic, CaCl2 was used to study the chloride ionic effects of salinity on substrate and growth of Dracacena braunii grown in ornamental hydro-culture. A distilled water (control) was enriched with 10, 20, 50, 100, and 150 g･L -1 of CaCl2, respectively. Before planting, acidity and electronic conductivity values remarkably increased with increasing concentration of CaCl2. However, 4 weeks after planting, acidity values decreased to a slightly acidic pH, while there were not significant differences among electronic conductivity values obtained. Number of root, fresh weight, and total chlorophyll content were significantly decreased in response to CaCl2 concentration in comparison with control, whereas dry weight, water content, and color of stem were no significant effect of CaCl2 concentration less than 20 g･L -1 . These results showed that initial CaCl2 concentrations above 20 g･L -1 is considered to be the threshold value that will sustain the Dracacena braunii in the growth condition and above which plant growth will be retarded.

Background : Tooth vitality is reflected by the health of dental pulp. Schisandrin C is a natural compound extracted from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis which has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The role of Schisandrin C on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) has not been studied yet. This study examined the properties of Schisandrin C as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compound, and whether its characteristics promote mitochondrial biogenesis in HDPCs. Methods and Results : HDPCs were extracted from fresh third molars and cultured. Reactive oxidative stress (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) formation were analyzed by a Muse cell analyzer. Western blotting and gelatin zymography were used to identify the presence of anti-oxidants, as well as inflammatory and mitochondrial biogenesis. Confocal microscopy was used for the detection of mitochondrial activity. Schisandrin C inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory molecules; intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2/9), NO production, ROS formation and the mitogen-activated protein (MAPK) pathway through minimizing the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) translocation. Schisandrin C increased the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes as well as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1a) through the phosphorylated-protein kinase B (p-AKT) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) pathways. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Schisandrin C promoted mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusions : These results suggest that Schisandrin C may be used as an anti-inflammatory compound to reduce oral inflammation such as pulpitis.

Background : Despite the presence of various bioactive compounds in ginseng, there is lack of study on the variations of bioactive compounds in ginseng according to the cultivation of soil and the applied fertilizer types (or amount). Therefore, this study aims to examine the variations of 37 fatty acids (FA) and 8 vitamin E (Vit-E) vitamers in 6-year-old ginseng root cultivated in different soil types with different fertilizers regimes. Methods and Results : The profiling of 37 FAs and 8 Vit-E vitamers in 6-year-old ginseng roots was measured by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector, and then these results were statistically analyzed with chemometrics. The FA and Vit-E content in ginseng roots varied significantly with respect to soil cultivation conditions due to organic fertilizer types and amounts used. Unsaturated FA in ginseng is approximately 2.7 fold higher than the saturated FA. Linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids were the most abundant FAs found in the ginseng roots. Also, the major Vit-E vitamer found in ginseng root is α -tocopherol. In particular, the application of rice straw compost or food waste fertilizer was increased to create nutritionally-desirable FAs and bioactive Vit-E in ginseng root. In addition, phytonutrient profiling coupled with chemometrics can be used to discriminate the cultivation conditions of ginseng. Conclusion : This preliminary study extends our understanding about the variations of FA and Vit-E in ginseng root depending on cultivation conditions. Hence, these results can be useful as basic information for reliable ginseng production containing high amounts of phytonutrients in a paddy-converted field.

Background : Garlic is one of the important vegetables and a source of natural anti-oxidants. This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activities including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picr yl-hydrazil (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), reducing power (RP) and total polyphenol content (TPC) of A. ampel oprasum L. Methods and Results : DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, TPC, and RP were analyzed the extract of aerial plant part in 22 accessions of A. ampeloprasum by spectrophotometry mathod. A. tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng. was used as a control. DPPH was ranged from 0.35 to 3.06 ㎍ ASC ㎎-1 dw. ABTS and FRAP showed wide variation from 4.37 to 29.30 ㎍ Trolox ㎎-1 dw and 3.18 to 10.8 ㎍ ASC ㎎-1 dw, respectively. RP and TPC were ranged from 3.43 to 9.51 ㎍ GAE ㎎-1 dw, and 0.8 to 18.63 ㎍ ASC ㎎-1 dw, respectively. Cluster analysis of A. ampeloprasum germplasm was divided into two major groups. Group Ⅰ (7 accessions) characterized as higher antioxidant activities than the group Ⅱ (15 accessions) and had similar antioxidant activities with A. tuberosum as a control. FRAP value showed a significant strong positive correlation with DPPH (r = 0.868*) and ABTS activity (r = 0.826*). Principal component analysis showed that the first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) cumulatively explained 85.64 % of total variation. Conclusion : From the above results, we may suggest that A. ampeloprasum aerial parts might have useful as a new material for functional food.

Background : The natural stable isotope ratio of common bio-elements like carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), or sulfur (S) varies with diverse isotope fractionation processes in nature. Therefore, measuring the variation of these stable isotope ratios in ginseng roots can be a feasible tool to discriminate the geographical origins of ginseng in Korea. Methods and Results : The 3-year-old six Korean ginseng cultivars were cultivated at the five regions in Korea, and then used for measuring the stable isotope ratios of C, N, O, and S by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The mean C, N, O, and S stable isotope ratio values in the ginseng roots significantly differed according to the cultivation regions (p < 0.05). However, these isotope ratios in ginseng roots had relatively weak discriminative power against to the ginseng cultivars at each cultivation region. The interaction of the cultivation region and ginseng cultivar type also significantly affected to the C, N, O, and S stable isotope ratio in ginseng roots (p < 0.0001). The two-dimensional plots associated with the N stable isotope ratio can effectively separate the ginseng roots in Jinan compared to those in the other regions. The partial least squares-discriminant analysis showed more significant separation between ginseng geographical origins compared to the principal component analysis. Conclusion : Our findings improve our understanding of how the isotope composition of ginseng roots varies with respect to cultivation regions and cultivars, and suggest that the analysis of the stable isotope ratios combined with chemometrics can be used as a feasible tool to discriminate geographical origin of ginseng in Korea.

There have been many suggestions and much debate about climate variability during the Holocene. However, their complex forcing factors and mechanisms have not yet been clearly identified. In this paper, we have examined the Holocene climate cycles and features based on the wavelet analyses of 14C, 10Be, and 18O records. The wavelet results of the 14C and 10Be data show that the cycles of ~2180-2310, ~970, ~500-520, ~350-360, and ~210-220 years are dominant, and the ~1720 and ~1500 year cycles are relatively weak and subdominant. In particular, the ~2180-2310 year periodicity corresponding to the Hallstatt cycle is constantly significant throughout the Holocene, while the ~970 year cycle corresponding to the Eddy cycle is mainly prominent in the early half of the Holocene. In addition, distinctive signals of the ~210-220 year period corresponding to the de Vries cycle appear recurrently in the wavelet distribution of 14C and 10Be, which coincide with the grand solar minima periods. These de Vries cycle events occurred every ~2270 years on average, implying a connection with the Hallstatt cycle. In contrast, the wavelet results of 18O data show that the cycles of ~1900-2000, ~900-1000, and ~550-560 years are dominant, while the ~2750 and ~2500 year cycles are subdominant. The periods of ~2750, ~2500, and ~1900 years being derived from the 18O records of NGRIP, GRIP and GISP2 ice cores, respectively, are rather longer or shorter than the Hallstatt cycle derived from the 14C and 10Be records. The records of these three sites all show the ~900-1000 year periodicity corresponding to the Eddy cycle in the early half of the Holocene.

The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a vascular structure connecting the proximal descending aorta to the roof of the main pulmonary artery, near the origin of the left branch pulmonary artery. Transcatheter closure has become the treatment of choice for most cases of PDA in both children and adults; however, measurement of the exact size and morphology of the shunt in adult cases using only contrast fluoroscopy is difficult. We report on a case of a 49-year-old woman who underwent transcatheter closure of PDA with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guideance. In the current case, IVUS is feasible and helpful for measuring the exact size and shape of the PDA.

Neutropenic enterocolitis (NE), the most serious gastrointestinal complication, has been reported as a clinical syndrome that occurs in the setting of disease- or chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Complications of NE include bowel necrosis with perforation, fistula, stenosis, massive bleeding, abscess formation, and pneumatosis intestinalis (PI). Most physicians recommend initial conservative management with bowel rest, intravenous fluids, total parenteral nutrition, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and normalization of neutrophil counts. Surgical intervention is recommended in the event of obstruction, perforation, persistent gastrointestinal bleeding despite correction of thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy, or clinical deterioration. We experienced a patient whose abdominal computed tomography scan showed pneumoretroperitoneum, intramural gas in the colon, and inferior vena caval gas. Her condition improved after treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and broad-spectrum antibiotics. We report on this case along with a review of the literature.

Genetically modified (GM) plant claims to be the solution to global poverty, and potentially solving environmental change and food requirement by increased human population. In this study, we were evaluating agronomic characteristics and chemical properties of two GM drought-tolerant rice (CaMsrB2-8 and CaMsrB2-23) compared with donor cultivars (Ilmi). Statistical analysis agronomic characteristics GM and donor rice showed no significant difference between both of them. Yield and appearance of rice grain, GM rice was a similar to the donor rice. Chemical composition analysis showed that GM drought-tolerant rice has no different with donor rice. This result indicated that GM drought tolerant rice has no big significant difference agronomic character and chemical properties; it can be solve food shortages in spite of drought condition.

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping is a highly effective approach for studying genetically complex forms of plant shattering. With QTLs mapping, the shattering loci can be described. SSR marker is based on the imformation of Simple Sequence Repeat and easy to analyze using PCR and has high reproducibility. For analyzing QTLs associated with shattering, we selected 219 SSR markers from 254 SSR markers and used them for implementing Mapmaker(Ver. 3.0) and Mapchart(Ver. 2.2). Mapmaker help to calculate distances between each markers and Mapchart is a program for drawing Genetic map. This Genetic map of rice (Oryza sativa L.) covering 2082.4 cM with 9.5 cM between makers in the Kosambi function has been constructed using 120 F1 DH plants from a single cross between the indica variety Chungchung and the japonica variety Nagdong.

Ultrastructural characteristics of the germ cells and accessory cells in testis during spermatogenesis and taxonomic values of mature sperm morphology of Ruditapes philippinarum were investigated by the transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope observations. The testis is the diffuse organ that consists of branching acini containing developing germ cells and accessory cells associated with spermatogenesis. The morphology of the spermatozoon is of the primitive type and is somewhat different to those of other bivalves. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus type and the acrosome shape of this species have a cylinderical type and a modified cone shape, respectively. As some ultrastructural characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle, the peripheral parts of two basal rings show electron opaque part, while the apex part of the acrosome shows electron lucent part. These characteristics of sperm belong to the family Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta, unlike a characteristic of the subclass Pteriomorphia showing all part of the acrosome being composed of electron opaque part. In particular, a cylinder-like nucleus of the sperm is curved. The spermatozoon is approximately 48-51 μm in length, including a long acrosome (about 2.40 μm in length), a curved sperm nucleus (about 3.40 μm in length), and a tail flagellum. The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure.

Rye has important genes for biotic and abiotic stress resistance. Introduction of these genes to wheat by breeding wheat-rye translocation have been intensively used in wheat breeding program. Rye chromatin 1RS and/or 2RL show superior performance in unfavorable environments. In order to develop high yielding wheat, we applied various molecular breeding strategies. To develop EST-derived 1RS specific markers, we used comparative genomics with public sequence databases of Poaceae family. Putative rye chromatin specific sequences were used to design 1RS specific markers. To identify genes related to water deficiency, cDNA AFLP analysis was used in PEG treated seedlings of 1RS RILs. For functional analysis of identified genes and markers, we used Brachypodium distachyon, as a new model plant of temperate grasses. B. distachyon were recently applied for transformation and we constructed Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system. Integration of those strategies and conventional breeding method would enhance the usefulness of rye chromatins for wheat improvement.

Phosphorus is one of the macronutrients essential for plant growth and development, as well as crop productivity. Many soils around the world are deficient in phosphate (Pi) that plants can utilize. To cope with the stress of Pi starvation, plants have evolved many adaptive strategies, such as changes of root architecture and enhanced Pi acquisition form soil. To understand molecular mechanism underlying Pi starvation stress signaling, we characterized the activation-tagged mutant showing altered responses to Pi deficiency compared to wild type Arabidopsis and named hsp3 (hypersensitive to Pi starvation3). hsp3 mutant exhibits enhanced phosphate transporter activity, resulting in higher Pi content than wild type. However, in root architectural change under Pi starvation, hsp3 shows hyposensitive responses than wild type, such as longer primary root elongation, lower lateral root density. Histochemical analysis using hsp3 mutant expressing auxin-responsive DR5::GUS reporter gene, indicated that auxin allocation from primary to lateral roots under Pi starvation is aborted in hsp3 mutant. Molecular genetic analysis of hsp3 mutant revealed that the mutant phenotype is caused by the lesion in ENHANCED SILENCING PHENOTYPE4 (ESP4) gene whose function is proposed in mRNA 3’ end processing. Here, we propose that mRNA processing plays a crucial role in Pi homeostasis in Arabidopsis.