The gingival epithelium of the oral cavity is constantly exposed to exogenous stimuli such as bacterial toxins, allergens, and thermal changes. These exogenous stimuli are resisted by innate host defense in gingival epithelial cells. However, it is unclear exactly how the exogenous stimuli affect detrimentally on the human gingival epithelial cells. Here, we investigated whether the allergen, such as house dust mite (HDM) extract, is linked to Ca2+ signaling and proinflammatory cytokine expression in primary cultured human gingival epithelial cells. HDM extract induced an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner. Extracellular Ca2+ depletion did not affected on the HDM extract-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. The HDM extractinduced increase in [Ca2+]i was abolished by the treatment with U73122 and 2-APB, which are inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor. Moreover, HDM extract induced the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-8. These results suggest that HDM extract triggers PLC/IP3-dependent Ca2+ signaling and IL-8 mRNA expression in primary cultured human gingival epithelial cells.

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.

A New Cymbidium variety "Yellow Evening" was developed from a cross between "Oji" and "Valley Flower Cherry Life" followed by seedling and line selections at the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science (NIHHS), Rural Development Administration (RDA) in 2004. After investigation of the characteristics and selection for 9 years (1996-2004), it has been selected specifically pot orchid flower. "Yellow Evening" has medium plant height and semi-erect peduncle. It has medium flowering habit and brownish yellow flowers (RHS, Y11B: petal and sepal) with grayed purple GP183A) spot on lip, when fully opened. Each peduncle has 15.3 flowers with diameter of about 7.4 cm. It has adequate peduncle height, with some curved and spreading petal and sepals. Under optical culture conditions, it started to bloom early-winter (November).

A new Phalaenopsis hybrid “White Angel” was selected from the progenies derived from self-pollination of collection, “PN 3005 in 1995 at National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI) Rural Development Administration. Final selection was applied in 2003 after the investigation of the characteristics for five years (1999-2003). “White Angel” has white flower with red rip and is a medium sized Phalaenopsis variety with semi-upright leaf and high PLBs (Protocorm ike bodies) formation ability of 70%. “White Angel” has white flower with red rip and is a medium sized (Flower width is 8.3 cm and leaf length is 25 cm) Phalaenopsis variety with semi-upright leaf and high PLBs (Protocorm like bodies) formation ability of 70%. Strong sunlight and over irrigation should be avoided for the appropriate growth.

Excessive soil water in paddy field induces growth losses during the vegetative stages of soybean plants. Our objectives were to know growth responses of soybean as affected by the level of ridge heights. A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Korea University near Seoul in 1996. Ten cultivars of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) were planted at the ridge heights of 10, 30, and 50cm in paddy soil on 27 June. Total dry matter accumulation at the 10cm ridge height was severely decreased until the growth stage of R5 as compared to the ridge heights of 30 and 50cm, and this decrement was mainly due to both reduced leaf and stem dry weights. However, seed dry weight was not significantly decreased at the lower ridge height with the increment of harvest index. Cultivar differences were found on seed dry weight, crop growth rate from R1 to R5, and leaf/stem ratio of R5. From the above results, soybean growth responses to excessive soil water in paddy field were different between seed filling stage and late vegetative to early reproductive growth stages