This study was conducted in order to investigate repeated-dose toxicities of Magnolia ovobata ethanol extract (MEE). MEE was administered orally to male and female Sprague Dawley rats at dose levels of 0, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg for four weeks. Repeated administration of MEE did not induce abnormalities in general signs, body weight gain, feed and water consumption, necropsy findings, or organ weights. In addition, no abnormality was observed in hematological analyses; red blood cells and their indices, white blood cells, platelets, and coagulation times. In male rats, BUN and creatinine showed an increase at doses of 2,000 mg/kg and 500-1,000 mg/kg, respectively, while in female rats, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase showed a decrease at 2,000 mg/kg, the upper-limit dose of repeated-dose toxicity studies. However, there were no dose-dependent increases or gender-relationship. In addition, other parameters of the hepatic and muscular toxicities as well as energy and lipid metabolism were not affected. In microscopic examination, no considerable pathological findings were observed. The results indicate the safety of oral administration of MEE to the upper-limit dose.

In our present study, total methanol extracts prepared from B. platyphylla var. japonica showed a significant increase in cell proliferation upon the induction of oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide or y-ray irradiation. Total methanol extracts were fractionated into five separate preparations i.e. n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water fractions. Among these, the ethylacetate and butanol fractions of B. platyphylla var. japonica showed the highest protective effects against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. These fractions also showed strong protective effects against y-ray irradiation. When we evaluated the cytotoxicity of these fractions, the butanol fraction showed no effects in a colony formation assay. In addition, the butanol fraction showed a cell proliferation activation effect evidenced by significant increase in the colony formation of y-ray irradiated cells. Both a radical scavenging activity and clonogenic activity assay suggested that the mechanism behind this protective effect against reactive oxygen species may be due to the radical scavenging and cell proliferation activity of B. platyphylla var. japonica extracts.

The principal objective of this study was to assess the antioxidative activities of Petasites japonicus against oxidative stress in bovine brain tissue . Petasites japonicus is found with a relatively widespread distribution, and is cultivated as a culinary vegetable in Korea. Petasites japonicus samples were dried either by freeze-drying or by hot air-convection drying (80℃), then evaluated for their antioxidative activity by measuring 1-dipheny-1，2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in brain homogenates subjected to Fe2+ -mediated lipids with or without the addition of botanical extract. Hot air convection-drying resulted in a slight increase in the extraction yie1d as compared with freeze-drying. However, total phenol and flavonoid contents in freeze-dried Petasites japonicas were significantly higher than those of hot air convection-drying. Freeze-drying increased the free radical scavenging activity of Petasites japonicas, leaves, and stems by 52.6, 28.6, and 248.0%, as compared with hot air convection-drying. Additionally, the IC50 values measured by TBARS in hot air convection-dried Petasites japonicas， leaves, and stems were increased by 36.0, 31.6, and 15.9%, as compared to those of freeze-drying. Although antioxidative activity was reduced slightly by heat processing in Petasites japonicas, freeze-drying for each portion of Petasites japonicus was the most appropriate for use as a functional food and pharmaceutical material.

Anti-proliferation of methanol extract of Curcuma rhizome on oral squamous cell carcinoma (KB) and osteosarcoma (HOS) cells were investigated. In order to elucidate the involvement of telomerase inhibitory activity as a part of anti-proliferative effect of Curcuma rhizome on cancer cells, we measured telomerase activity in Curcuma rhizome extract-treated cancer cells. The concentration inhibited cell proliferation to 50% (IC50)of the methanol extract of Curcuma rhizome against oral squamous cell carcinoma (KB) cells and osteosarcoma (HOS) cells were 21.30 μg/mℓ and 39.3μg/mℓ respectively. The methanol extract of Curcuma rhizome showed inhibitory telomerase inhibitory effect which is required for cancer cell immortality. Therefore, it seems that the anticancer effect of methanol extract of Curcuma rhizome is at least partially due to telomerase inhibitory effect. Five fraction samples were prepared according to its polarity differences and analyzed anti-proliferative effects of each fraction samples on oral squamous cell carcinoma and osteosarcoma cells. Anticancer effect was observed in dichloromethane, and ethylacetate fractions. The highest anticancer effect was found in dichloromethane fraction which had IC50value of 23.3 μg/mℓ and 10.5μg/mℓ against oral squamous cell carcinoma (KB) cells and osteosarcoma (HOS) cells, respectively.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the nutrient intake status of elderly dementia patients. We surveyed the dietary intake of 50 demented elderly patients receiving a regular diet, who were hospitalized in a geriatric hospital in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do. The average age of the subjects was 79.6 土6.5 for the males and 80.5 土6.3 for the females. The average heights were 169.5 土6.0 cm (males) and 154.6 土5.2 cm (females), and the average weights were 58.5 土7.4 (males) and 51.7 土8.9 kg (females). Depending on the type of dementia, the male patients showed significant differences in their intakes of vegetable protein, fiber, total iron, and non-heme iron between the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the vascular dementia (VD) groups, and the female patients showed significant differences in their intakes of total protein, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamin B6 between the two groups. The male patients showed significant differences in their intakes of animal-source calcium and carotene according to ability to self-feed. According to physical activity, the male patients showed significant differences in vegetable fat and vitamin A intake, and the females showed significant differences in their intakes of total protein, animal protein, fiber, ash, total calcium, vegetable-source calcium, animal-source calcium, phosphorous, total iron, non-heme iron, heme iron, sodium, vitamins B1, B2, B6, niacin, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. We found that the patients consumed excessive protein, but low amounts of calcium, vitamin B2, and folate. Also, the patients’ physical activity abilities appeared to affect their nutrient intakes.

This study was to taken to demonstrate the effects of exogenous nitric oxide(NO) on hu rnan pu lp cell s ‘ In volvement of cyclic 3’, 5' -monophosphate(cGMP) in p버 paJ protection induced by herne oxygenase-l (J-lO-l) against NO-induced cytotoxicity , By use of Western blotting and cell viabi lity assay, we have examined the cytotoxicity and J-lO-l induction in pulp cells that were treated with NO donor ‘ S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D, L-penici 1 lamine(SNAP) , We have assessed wheathel' HQ--l contributes the cytoprotective effect against the cytotoxicity caused by NO, and inves tigated the l'elationship between HO-l and cGMP in the s ignaling pathway, SNAP decreased cell via bility but in creased HO-l expl'ession in a concentl'ation- and time一dependent manner in hurnan pu lp cells NO-induced cyto toxicity was inhibited in the presence of the hemin(inducer of HO-l) , whel'eas was en hanced in the pl'esence zinc protoporphyrin IX(ZnPP IX, HO-l inhibitor), thus Lhe NO-induced cytoLoxicity was cOl'related with HO- l expression. R‘ etreatment with a rnemhrane-permeable cGMP analog, 8-bromo-cGMP, restored cell death and enhanced the HO-l protein expression induced by SNAP, ln contrast‘ inhibition of guanylate cyclase by lI-l -[1,2,4] ox adiazole[ 4,3 口]quinoxalin-l-one(ODQ) pretreated pulp cells to 1 mM SNAP resulting in marked cytotoxicity , These findings , demonstrating a link between J-lO-l, regulated thl'ough the cGMP system and NO-induced cytotox.icity in huma띠 p버 p ceJls , suggesti ng a protective 1'ole of HO-l in pulp infl ammatory disease

수용상 MPD(m-phenylene diamine)와 유기상 TMC(trimesoyl chloride)를 사용하여 역삼투 복합막의 활성층 고분자인 aromatic polyamide 제조를 행하고 그 성능을 고찰하였다. 또한 polysulfone 다공성 지지막 위에 박막을 회분, 연속식으로 계면중합 제조한 후, 제조변수에 따른 역삼투 성능을 비교하였다. 회분식으로 복합막을 제조한 결과 유기상 용매의 종류, 단량체의 농도와 함침시간, 열처리 온도, 중화제, 알코올 후처리, 산 후처리 등에 의해 다양한 성능을 나타내었다. 이때, 투과량 향상에는 알코올 후처리 효과가, 또 선택도의 향상에는 단량체의 농도와 함침시간이 변수이었다. 최적조건에서 연속식 공정으로 막모듈을 제조하여 NaCl 5,000 ppm, 25kgf/cm2에서 상용막과 비교할때, 투과량은 33% 증가하고 배제율은 5% 감소하였다.

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.

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.

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.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are of great interest for cell-based therapies and tissue engineering approaches, as these cells are capable for extensive self-renewal and display a multilineage differentiation potential. Clinical application of these cells for degenerative and age-related diseases has been accumulating. However, preparation of MSC before the onset of the diseases, it needs to develop the cryopreservation method. Most cryopreservation methods include fetal bovine serum (FBS) which is essential for effective cryopreservation. Yet it should not be used clinically because of the potential risk of infection. In the present study, we investigated whether human serum albumin (HSA), human serum (HS), and knockout serum replacement (KSR) can be used as an alternative of FBS for cryopreservation of human adipose derived stem cells (hADSC). Cells cryopreserved with 9% HSA showed much higher viability after thawing compared with cells frozen with 5% or 1% HSA. Cells cryopreserved with 90% HS or KSR exhibited greater viability than cells frozen with 25% and 5% HS or KSR, respectively. Viability of cells frozen with 9% HSA, 90% HS or 90% KSR was comparable to that with 90% FBS. Morphology and proliferation ability of these cells were not affected by cryopreservation when compared the freshly obtained cells. Cryopreserved hADSC expressed transcription factor genes including Oct3/4, Nanog, Nestin and Sox2, which are related to the self-renewal of stem cells. Flow cytometric analyses showed that both fresh and cryopreserved hADSC were positive for the antigens of HLA-ABC, CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105, CD166, and negative for HLA-DR, CD31, and CD34. Similar to fresh cells, cryopreserved hADSC could differentiate into mesodermal lineages, adipogenic, osteogenic, or chondrogenic cells. These results suggest that 9% HSA, 90% HS or 90% KSR can be used to replace FBS during successful cryopreservation of hADSC.

Some characteristics of the formations of acrosomal vesicles during the late stage of spermatids during spermiogenesis and taxonomical charateristics of sperm morphology in male two species (Saxidomus purpurata and Meretrix petechialis) in the family Veneridae were investigated by electron microscope observations. In two species, the morphologies of the spermatozoa have the primitive type and are similar to those of other bivalves in that it contains a short midpiece with five mitochondria surrounding the centrioles. The morphologies of the sperm nuclear types of S. purpurata and M. petechialis in Veneridae have the curved cylindrical and cylinderical type, respectively. And the acrosome shapes of two species are the same cap-shape type. In particular, the axial filament is not found in the lumen of the acrosome of two species, however, subacrosomal material are observed in the subacrosomal spaces between the anterior nuclear fossa and the acrosomal vesicle of two species. The axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum shows a 9+2 structure. In particular, taxonomically important some charateristics of sperm morphologies of two species in the family Veneridae are acrosomal morphology of the sperm, The axial filament is not found in the acrosome as seen in a few species of the family Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta. The acrosomal vesicle is composed of right, left basal rings and the apex part of the acrosomal vesicle. These charateristics belong to the subclass Heterodonta, unlikely a characteristic of the subclass Pteriomorphia showing all part of the acrosome being composed of electron opaque part (region). Therefore, it is easy to distinguish the families or the subclasses by the acrosomal structures. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of S. purpurata and M. petechialis in Veneridae are five. However, the number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm in most species of Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta are four. Therefore, the number of mitochondria of the sperm midpiece of two species are exceptionally 5, and it is only exceptional case in the species in Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta. Except these cases, the number of mitochondria in the sperm midpiece in all families in the subclass Heterodontaare are 4, and now widely used in taxonomic analyses.

The human eyelid adipose-derived stem cells (HEACs) are known as a candidate source for stem cell-based therapy. HEACs possess the ability to proliferate in vitro and multipotency to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic cells. To be used later than the time of collection, a long-term storage is needed. In this study, we investigated stem cell characteristics after cryopreservation of HEACs for 6 months and 1 year in liquid nitrogen. Frozen-thawed stem cells have shown that cumulative cell and doubling numbers were similar to those of fresh HEACs. After thawing, HEACs expressed stem cell-related genes of SCF, NANOG, OCT4, and TERT, ectoderm-related genes of NCAM and FGF5, mesoderm/endoderm-related genes of CK18 and VIM. They also consistently expressed transcripts of the immune-related genes of HLA-ABC and β2M. To induce mesodermal differentiation, cell were cultivated in adipogenic, osteogenic or chondrogenic medium for 2～3 weeks. After each differentiation culture, HEACs expressed adipocyte-, osteocyte- and chondrocytespecific genes. They were also stained with Oil red O, von Kossa, or alcian blue, revealing adipogenic, osteogenic, or chondrogenic character, respectively. The results suggest that long-term storage up to 1 year do not affect their biological properties, HEACs may be suitable for clinical application on cell-based therapies.

Conventional staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) karyotypes of the non-genetically modified (GM) parental rice line, 'Nakdong' (Oryza sativa L. japonica), and its four GM rice lines, LS28 (event LS30-32-20-1), Cry1Ac1 (event C7-1-9-1), and LS28 × Cry1Ac1 (events L/C1-1-3-1 and L/C1-3-1-1) were analyzed using 5S and 45S rDNAs as probes. Both parental and transgenic lines were diploids (2n=24) with one satellite chromosome pair. The lengths of the prometaphase chromosomes ranged from 1.50 to 6.30 μm. Four submetacentric and eight metacentric pairs comprised the karyotype of 'Nakdong' and its four GM lines. One pair of 5S rDNA signals was detected near the centromeric region of chromosome g in both the parental and transgenic lines. The 45S rDNA signals were detected on the secondary constrictions of the satellite chromosome pair in both the parental and transgenic lines. There was no significant difference in chromosome size, length, and composition between 'Nakdong' and its four GM lines. This research was conducted as a preliminary study for chromosomal detection of transgenes in GM rice lines and would be useful for their breeding programs.

"Hyehwa" an Asiatic lily cultivar was released in 1998 at National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science (RDA), Suwon, Korea. The cross was made in 1991 between Asiatic lily "White Bird", a white colored, and "Avignon", an unspotted scarlet red colored. It was preliminarily selected as A93-20 in 1993. Its multiplication, bulbing growth and flowering characteristic tests were conducted from 1994 to 1998. A new cultivar "Hyehwa" flowers in middle of June and grows 98.7 cm in height. Flowers bloom upward-facing, thick orange (RHS, 28A). Year-round flowering is possible by storage of the bulb under -1.5℃ conditions. For forcing culture, it is necessary to add calcium to the fertilizer or remove side scales to prevent leaf scorch. Botrytis disease control is needed in the wet season.

Cowpea might have been introduced from China to Korea and cultivated for several hundred years but it has never been a staple food crop in Korea. In this study, genetic diversity of 492 Korean cowpea landrace accessions that have passport information was estimated using six SSR markers. The mean of Weir's gene diversity was 0.665 from all accessions investigated in the study. Cowpea gene diversity of six local provinces in Korea was ranged from 0.370 in accessions of Gangwon to 0.680 in Jeonra provinces. Low gene diversity of the cowpea genepool of Gangwon province was probably derived from relatively few introductions. Especially SSR markers VM36 and VM39 seem to be good markers to distinguish the Gangwon accessions from others by occurring at a specific locus with higher than 78% of allele frequency. Except for the Gangwon province with the low genetic diversity, gene diversity of cowpea accessions from other provinces was ranged from 0.600 to 0.680 indicating no big differences among provinces. Distribution pattern of the allele frequencies was similar among the other provinces. This may reveal that Korean farmers might exchange cowpea seeds easily with even their neighbors with geographical barriers. A core collection, 100 landraces, ca. 20% of base collection, was developed at the 70% of a similarity coefficient level using random sampling approaches after stratification of the entire landrace collection based on the phenetic dendrogram. The variability of SSR in the base and core collections of Korean cowpea landrace was compared by calculating Weir's gene diversity. The mean of Weir's gene diversity of the core was 0.707 while that of the base collection was 0.665. The higher diversity index in the core collection indicates that it maintains the initial variability and well represents the base collection. The core collection included one of determinate accession (IT 216155) and two of no branching type accessions (IT 103959 and IT 161024). The core collection could be used to guide more efficient management and utilization of the entire collection. This core collection should be revised periodically as additional accessions are collected and further characterization is conducted.