A surveillance of chigger mites was performed to monitor the incidence of scrub typhus vectors at 5 environmental collection points of 3 locations (Muju, Namwon and Gimge) from April 2016 in Jeollabuk-Do, Korea. During the surveillance period, 3,292 chigger mites were collected and the predominant species were Leptotrombidium pallidum (42.9%). The high environmental collecting rates were recorded at reservoir bank (31.6%) and grassfield (29.7%). We detected Orientia tsutsugamushi from the samples collected in Jeollabuk-Do using nested polymerase chain reaction. The specific DNA of O. tsutsugamushi were detected in 11 pools among total 119 pools and its minimum positive rate was 0.35%. In order to clarify the relationship between chigger mites and scrub typhus cases, further survey will be needed.

A surveillance of chigger mites was performed to monitor the incidence of scrub typhus vectors at 4 environmental collection points of 6 locations from September to November 2014 in Korea. During the survey period, 420 chigger mites were collected and the dominant species was Leptotrombidium scutellare (42.6%). The first appearance of chigger mite was at 37th week (9.3.-9.10.) and the collected numbers of chigger mites was the highest at 43rd week (10.17.-10.23.). In Goryeong-gun, 299 chigger mites were collected, whereas 5 chigger mites were collected In Yesan-gun. The high environmental collecting rates were recorded at rice field (56%) and waterway (20%). The annually collected numbers (2012-2014) of chigger mites were compared with the average temperatures in August. This result suggests that the average temperature in August might be related with the annual incidence of scrub typhus vectors in Korea. However, the relationship between climate factors and the density of chigger mites needs to be studied by long-term periodical surveillance.

Wrinkles are an outward sign of cutaneous aging appearing preferentially on ultraviolet B (UVB)-exposed areas. The anti-wrinkle effects of herbal extracts were investigated in an animal model. Female albino hairless mice (HR/ICR) were randomly allocated to the control group (non-irradiated vehicle), positive control group (UVB irradiated-vehicle), and two herbal extract mixture groups (HE-1 and HE-2). HE-1 included Glycyrrhizae radix, Rhei Rhizoma, Cornus officinalis, and Sesami semeni, and HE-2 included Swertia pseudo-chinensis, Sophora flavescens, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Salvia miltiorrhiza. The herbal extract mixtures were pre-treated dorsally with 0.2 ml per individual five times per week for four weeks prior to the start of UVB irradiation. At the fifth week, the animals were exposed to UVB irradiation for a subsequent eight weeks, three times per week. The intensity of irradiation showed a gradual increase, from 30 mJ/cm 2 to 240 mJ/cm2 (1 MED: 60 mJ/cm2 ). Dorsal skin samples were stained with H&E in order to examine the epidermal thickness. In addition, Masson-Trichrome staining was performed for determination of the amount of collagen fiber. Treatments with HE-1&2 resulted in an increase in the amount of collagen fiber, a better appearance, and fewer wrinkles, compared with the positive control. As determined by hydroxyproline assay, treatments with HE-1&2 led to a significant increase in the amount of collagen, compared with the positive control group (p<0.05). Chronic UVB irradiation to skin of hairless mice resulted in an increase in expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), however, treatments with HE-1&2 tended to decrease the expression of MMP-1. These results indicate that the herbal extracts used in this study have a preventive effect on UVB-induced wrinkle formation in a hairless mouse model, due in part to inhibition of MMP-1 expression and increment of collagen amount.

Although hair disorders are not life threatening, a lot of people who suffer hair loss and/or hair thinning is increasing in accordance with changes in lifestyle and nutritional balance. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of herbal extracts on hair regrowth in C3H/HeJ mice. There were 6 experimental groups including distilled water (D.W.), 50% ethanol (a vehicle control), 3% minoxidil (a positive control), and 3 kinds of herbal extracts mixtures (C, D & E). The test compounds included followings; C : Glycyrrhizae radix, Rhei Rhizoma, Cornus officinalis and Sesami semeni, D : Viticus fructus, Pulsatilla chinensis, Gardenia fructus and Artemisiae argyi herb, E : Swertia pseudo-chinensis, Sophora flavescens Scutellaria baicalensis and Salvia miltiorrhiza. The animals were shaved with an electric clipper. The test compounds were daily treated to dorsal skin with 0.2 ml per mouse for 3 weeks. The topical application of the E test solution accelerated hair regrowth after 10 days faster than that of the positive and vehicle controls. The activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase significantly were increased in all the treatment groups after 3 weeks, compared with D.W. group. Especially, the E test solution notably increased ALP activity compared with positive or vehicle control group. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were increased in all the treatment groups after 3 weeks compared with D.W. group. These results suggest that the herbal extracts have hair regrowth effect by increasing enzyme activities and growth factors and it can be useful for treatment for alopecia in humans.

An unbalance of rice productions and consumptions caused serious problems in both of agricultural area and grain market of korea. In recently, various efforts for rice processing products such as rice noodles and rice wines are in progress to overcome the unstable rice market. Among them, waxy rice is predominant items in processing rice. However, varietal features of starch viscosity are not considered in the processing industries and rice breeding field. In this study, 12 waxy rices and 2 cultivars Ilmibyeo(japonica) and IR72(Indica) were studied for physicochemical and amylogram to characterize the use of waxy rices. The amylose contents of waxy rices were from 7.1 to 8.1% with soft gel consistency and relatively low alkali digestion value(1.4% KOH) compare to Ilmibyeo. In the amylogram analysis(RVU) of waxy rices, unlikely normal rices, very fast peak time(about 3.5 min.) was obtained compare to that of 6.2 min. of Ilmibyeo. And 2 to 3 groups were classified based on peak viscosity and consitency of RVU. Wangchal, Odorokimochi and Hangangchal showed relatively high peak viscosity seemed not suitable for rice cake due to the hardness speed. And most of waxy rices developed in korea were believed to be suitable for oil fried cakes(Hankwa) because of a certain grade of starch degradation speed. And Mochiminori and Midoromochi originated from japan could be a good sources in waxy rice breeding program to improve the cooking properties especially in slow down of hardness speed with very low peak viscosity, hot viscosity and cool viscosity.

‘Seohong’ was bred within the potato breeding program of National Institute of Highland Agriculture (NIHA). It was originated from a cross made in 1997 between ‘Jashim’ as a female and 93K65-1 as a male parent. Seohong was evaluated as a seedling number 97S05-1 for tuber characteristics, growth and yielding ability from 2001 to 2002, and than this clone was renamed as Daegwan 1-82. This clone was evaluated in the regional yield trial and the disease resistance in the five locations for three years. Finally, this clone was named as ‘Seohong’ and registered a new recommended potato cultivar in 2006. This cultivar has a round, shallow eye depth, light red-skinned tuber characteristics and low to medium dry matter content. It showed high resistance to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) and potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), however it was susceptible to potato virus Y (PVY) and late blight (Phytophthora infestans). Its mean tuber yields from the regional yield trial and winter cropping trial were 12 and 49 percent higher than that of ‘Superior’, respectively.

“Haryeong” was bred through the potato breeding program at the National Institute of Highland Agriculture (NIHA). Itin1996. It has a round, smooth, light yelow-skined tuber characteristics and high dry mater content. It showed high resistance tolate bligh

Thirty-nine out of eighty-five barley varieties/strains survived until heading stage in the saline experimental field (0.03-0.05~%~;salt) and they were used for pollen study. Light and scanning electron microscopic observations revealed two distinctive types of barley pollens: one transparent and small in size and the other dark and larger. In addition, both types of pollens were stained with Alexander's stain and it was found that the smaller and transparent pollen was cytoplasm-devoid (CD) while the larger pollen was cytoplasm-rich (CR). Sixteen out of 39 barley varieties/lines grown in the saline soil had CR pollens, which were rarely observed in the barley plants grown in the non-saline soil. Moreover, it was observed that salt stress severely reduced seed setting in the varieties having degenerated pollens. These results suggest that salt stress affects the fertility of barley pollen. The sterile pollen was undersized and lack of cytoplasm probably due to abortion. Furthermore, a varietal difference existed in the response of pollen development to salt stress.

Gahwang is an excellent chipping cultivar with yellow flesh, short oval tuber shape and mid-early maturity. Its yields were a little higher than Atlantic through the regional trials with five locations. It has a lower incidence of internal brown spot comp

Shinnamjag is a round, smooth, white-skinned, and fleshed potato cultivar with erect plant shape and early maturity. It has excellent table quality. Its yields are high, especially with prominent marketable yield compared to Superior, a leading potato cul

‘Jowon’ is a new early-maturing potato variety for table use. It has spreading growth habit with narrow oval leaves. Its tubers are attractively round with white skin and light yellow flesh color. The yielding ability of Jowon is similar to Superior. Jowo