The objective of this study was to determine effects of phosphorus on lignification and carbohydrate metabolism in Kentucky bluegrass under drought stress. Drought stress was induced by reducing of water to plants in pots. Two types of phosphorus were applied as potassium phosphate (PO4 3-; P) or potassium phosphonate (PO3 3-; PA) in drought-stressed plants. Drought had significant negative effects on plant growth, as revealed by reduced biomass of shoot. Drought-induced increase of lignin content was concomitant with the increase of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Soluble sugar content was highly increased but fructan content was largely decreased by drought stress. However, the application of phosphorus was efficient to ameliorate the adverse effects of drought. PA application improved reduced shoot growth and relative water content, and inhibited lignification synthesis with a reduction of PAL activity. P or PA application maintained soluble sugar and fructan content at similar levels to controls under drought stress. These results indicate that phosphorus application may mitigate the drought stress by inhibiting the lignification and promoting the fructan assimilation.

The objective of this study was to determine phosphorus effects on drought stress-induced oxidative stress in Kentucky bluegrass. Drought stress was induced by reducing of water to plants in pots. Two types of phosphorus were applied as potassium phosphate (P) or potassium phosphonate (PA). Application of phosphorus was efficient to ameliorate the adverse effects of drought. Osmotic potential, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content were significantly decreased by drought stress, but was relieved by P or PA application. Superoxide (O2 •−) concentration was significantly increased more than 14-fold under drought-stressed plants, was accompanied with increase of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA). However, malondialdehyde (MDA) was much less in P or PA applied plants under drought stress condition. Activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol-peroxidase (GPX) were largely increased by drought stress and its increase rate was much higher in P or PA applied plants except APX. These results indicate that drought stress-induced oxidative stress is alleviated by P or PA application due to the increase of activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Background: Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) functionally adapt to decreased postural control due to impaired processing of sensory information. Standing postural control has been the focus of recent research in CLBP. Change in postural control may be a risk factor for CLBP, although available studies are not conclusive. Objects: This study aimed to identify the role of partial weight supported treadmill training (PWSTT) in improving balance, dysfunction, and pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: The study included 22 patients with CLBP. Patients in the control group (n1=8) performed three 20 min stabilization exercise sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Patients in the full weight treadmill training group (n2=7) performed treadmill training for 30 min after stabilization exercise. Patients in the PWSTT group (n3=7) performed PWSTT with 20% of their body weight unloaded after stabilization exercises. By using the Biodex balance system, the dynamic balance abilities of the patients in the three groups were assessed in the quiet standing position under combined conditions of visual feedback (eyes open and closed) and platform stability (level 8). The Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index and visual analogue scale score were used as the main measure. Results: The results of this study showed that dysfunction and pain were significantly improved in all groups. Although dynamic postural stability with eyes closed was significantly improved only in the PWSTT group (p<.05), no significant difference was found in the other groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that PWSTT improved balance, dysfunction and pain in the patients with CLBP. Thus, this intervention is necessary for patients with CLBP with decreased postural control.

The larvicidal and repellent activities of 33 plant extracts against two mosquitoes as Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus were examined using direct contact application for larva and a patch test for adult. Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. alpinum, Cnidium officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Magnolia kobus, and Magnolia denudate at 1,000 ppm caused 100% mortality to Cx. pipiens larva within 24 hr. Ailanthus altissima, Dryopteris crassirhizoma, Houttuynia cordata, Mentha arvensis, Phyllostachys nigra, and Parthenocissus tricuspidata showed over 90% mortality to Cx. pipiens. C. zawadskii var. alpinum, C. officinale, G. biloba, M. kobus, M. denudate, and P. nigra gave 100% mortality at 1,000 ppm to Ae. albopictus. Acorus gramineus, Campanula takesimana, and D. crassirhizoma, showed 97.8%, 94.5%, and 94.4% mortality to Ae. albopictus at 24 hr, respectively. Five plant extracts (C. zawadskii var. alpinum, C. officinale, G. biloba, M. kobus, and M. denudate) showed 100% mortality both Cx. pipiens and Ae. albopictus. However, A. altissima gave 90% larvicidal activity to Cx. pipiens, whereas 7.8% mortality to Ae. albopictus. Several plant extracts which have highly larvicidal activities, were determined repellency against two mosquitoes species.