The cord blood serves as a vehicle for the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. In the past, the human cord blood has generally been discarded after birth. However, numerous studies have described the regenerative ability of the cord blood cells in various incurable diseases. The umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived stem cells are obtained through non-invasive methods that are not harmful to both the mother and the fetus. Furthermore, the cord blood stem cells are more immature than the adult stem cells and expand readily in vitro. The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity to differentiate in vitro into various mesodermal (bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle, and adipose), endodermal (hepatocyte), and ectodermal (neurons) tissues. This review describes the immunological properties of the human UCB-MSCs to assess their potential usefulness in the allogeneic transplantation for the regenerative medicine.

An intracellular invertase was purified to homogeneity from the cell extract of an alkalophilic and thermophilic Bacillus sp. TA-11, which was classified as a new species belonging to Bacillus cereus based on chemotaxanomic and phylogenetic analyses. The purified enzyme with a recovery of 26.6% was determined to be a monomeric protein with a molecular weight of 23 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 26 kDa by gel filtration. The maximum enzyme activity was observed at pH 7.0 and $50^{\circ}C$, and the purified enzyme was stable at the pH range of 5.0 to 8.0 and below $60^{\circ}C$. $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values of the enzyme for sucrose were 370 mM and 3.0 ${\mu}M$ per min, respectively. The enzyme activity was significantly inhibited by bivalent metal ions ($Hg^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$) and sugars (glucose and fructose).

A total of 45 bacterial strains were isolated from the traditional Korean soybean-fermented food, Chungkookjang. Among these strains, seven strains were selected and identified based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, as well as phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequences. All strains were Gram-positive, aerobic, motile, oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, and endospore-forming bacteria, and produced extracellular enzymes such as amylase, cellulase, lipase, protease, and xylanase. The isolates were grown in the presence of 0-11% (w/v) NaCl. Growth was optimal at pH 6-9 and at temperatures of $30-45^{\circ}C$. According to VITEK automicrobic system tests and supplementary tests, the isolates were similar to several species of the genus Bacillus. The phylogenetic analysis of seven bacterial strains based on comparisons of 16S rDNA sequences, revealed that the strains were closely related to Bacillus species. The identification of strains that produced surfactin was also carried out, based on PCR screening of the sfp gene. Among the seven isolated strains, six yielded a surfactin-positive result with PCR.

A solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry utilizing $^{13}C$-formate as an internal standard for the determination of formate was proved to be applicable as a reliable quantitative method in several plants. We were the first to discover that trees contain larger pool sizes of formate than herbs. Our data also showed that the formate level of the leaves increased after the methanol-spraying, suggesting that methanol oxidation could convert formaldehyde into formate. In addition, drought and chilling led to the increase of endogenous formate in Arabidospsis thaliana. These results confirmed that formate is a universal stress signal in plants.

One of the important functions of skin is protection from harmful environments. Many studies have explored how to prevent skin from wrinkling and the occurrence of pigmentation changes. Skin wrinkling and pigmentation changes could be caused by unusual disruption of connective tissue, the formation of free radicals and ultraviolet radiation. In this study, extracts obtained from 254 different kinds of Jeju medicinal plants were screened for inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and elastase, and for free radical scavenging effects. Four herbs, Phormium tenax, Morus bombycis, Morus alba, and Cudrania tricuspidata, were potent inhibitors of tyrosinase ($IC_{50}$ values 4.62, 5.46, 8.17, and 64.17 ${\mu}g$/mL, respectively). Aleurites fordii [$IC_{50}$: 5.29 ${\mu}g$/mL, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)], Distylium racemosum ($IC_{50}$: 6.14 ${\mu}g$/mL), Acer palmatum ($IC_{50}$: 5.44 ${\mu}g$/mL), and Spiraea salicifolia ($IC_{50}$: 5.25 ${\mu}g$/mL) showed good antioxidative effects. Furthermore, Distylium racemosum ($IC_{50}$: 7.51 ${\mu}g$/mL), Diospyros kaki ($IC_{50}$: 15.1 ${\mu}g$/mL), Cornus macrophylla ($IC_{50}:$ 16.59 ${\mu}g$/mL), and Psidium guajava ($IC_{50}$: 40.25 ${\mu}g$/mL) exhibited potent inhibitory effects on elastase. These results suggest that medicinal plants possessing several biological activities may be potent inhibitors of the processes involved in pigmentation increases and aging. Further investigations will focus on in vivo assays and on the chemical identification of the major active components responsible for whitening and anti-aging activity in the screened efficacious extracts.

The high molecular-weight mucilage extracted and purified from cactus fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica var. Saboten was degraded by the cell-free culture filtrate of a fungus isolated from soil. TLC analysis of the polymeric mucilage after incubation with the fungal culture filtrate confirmed its degradation. When the degradation products were tested for their qualitative reactions with ninhydrin and phenol-sulfuric acid, only phenol-sulfuric acid gave positive development, and ninhydrin did not show any observable color reaction. This coloring reaction suggested the presence of a carbohydrate without an amino group within the mucilage. Analyses by HPLC and liquid gel permeation chromatography on sephadex G-100 also provided additional information on degradation of the mucilage by the fungal culture filtrate. The sequences of ITS-5.8S rDNA from the fungal isolate that was cultivated for the preparation of mucilage-degrading enzyme showed 99% similarity to those of Pestalotiopsis aquatica.

We characterized a full-length cDNA of CaCOP1 from pepper. Phylogenetic analysis based on the deduced amino acid sequence of CaCOP1 cDNA revealed high sequence similarity to the COP1 gene in Oryza sativa (84% identity). CaCOP1 shares high sequence identity with regulatory protein in Arabidopsis (84%), constitutively photomorphogenic 1 protein in Pisum sativum (81%) and COP1 homolog in Lycopersicon esculentum (79%). CaCOP1 gene exists single copy in the chili pepper genome. Expression of CaCOP1 was reduced in response to inoculation of non-host pathogens. The expression of this gene under abiotic and oxidative stresses was investigated, including 200 mM NaCl, 200 mM mannitol, cold ($4^{\circ}C$), 100 ${\mu}M$ abscisic acid (ABA), and 10 mM hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$). CaCOP1 was induced significantly 3 h after low temperature treatment but not by dehydration or high salinity. Moreover, CaCOP1 was not induced by plant hormone ABA. These observations suggest that CaCOP1 gene plays a role in abiotic stress and may be belong to ABA-independent regulation system.

The effects of ultra-fine pulverization on the physicochemical properties of rice starch (RS) were investigated using a high impact planetary mill. After pulverization, RVA characteristics, peak viscosity, break down, and set back values of RS decreased from 274.75 to 9.42 RVU, 214.46 to 6.17 RVU, and 87.80 to 17.00 RVU, respectively. The pasting properties also changed significantly. X-Ray diffractogram revealed RS had four A-type peaks, which disappeared after pulverization. The peak temperature and gelatinization enthalpy of RS using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were 13.99 J/g at $75.14^{\circ}C$, whereas the pulverized RS (PRS) had two peaks, 0.13 J/g at $63.88^{\circ}C$ and 1.23 J/g at $101.24^{\circ}C$. DSC measurement showed the retrogradation degree of PRS was lower than that of RS after storage at 4 and $25^{\circ}C$. The enzymatic (${\alpha}$-amylase) digestibilities of RS and PRS were 72.7 and 77.3%, respectively.

Effects of aqueous chlorine dioxide ($ClO_2$) treatment on the microbial growth and the quality of iceberg lettuce during storage were examined. Lettuce samples were treated with 0, 5, 10, and 50 ppm of $ClO_2$ solution and stored at $4^{\circ}C$. Aqueous $ClO_2$ treatment significantly decreased the populations of total aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, and coliforms on the shredded lettuce. Fifty ppm $ClO_2$ treatment reduced the initial populations of total aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, and coliforms by 1.77, 1.34, 1.10 log CFU/g, respectively. Aqueous $ClO_2$ treatment caused negligible changes in the Hunter color L, a, and b values during storage. Sensory evaluations exhibited that there were no significant changes among treatments. These results indicate that the aqueous $ClO_2$ treatment can be useful in improving the microbial safety of the iceberg lettuce during storage and extending the shelf life.

The contents of total phenol and total flavonoid of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) were measured. The antioxidant activity of the artichoke was evaluated based on its potential as a scavenging the ABTS radical. These results showed the antioxidant activity of artichoke has a close relationship with the total flavonoid content. The compound showing antioxidant activity was isolated from the artichoke by repeated column chromatography and recrystallization. Based on the spectrometric studies, the compound was identified as 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, known as cynarin. The content of cynarin from heads and leafs of the artichoke determined by $C_{18}$ reversed phase HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) coupled with photodiode array detector was 10.15 and 0.67 mg/g, respectively. This compound showed potent antioxidant activities against DPPH and ABTS radicals ($EC_{50}$ = 14.09 and 28.85 ${\mu}M$, respectively).

Thirteen edible plants previously reported to show inhibitory activities on farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase) and phosphatase of the regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) were evaluated for inhibitory activity on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Four plant extracts, Oenothera erythrosepala, Perilla frutescens, Panicum miliaceum, and Quercus acutissima, significantly inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs induced by the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) without cytotoxicity at 100 ${\mu}g/mL$. Myristica fragrans, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Syringa patula also showed inhibitory activity on the proliferation with only mild cytotoxicity.

Five flavonoids, isorhamnetin 3-O-${\beta}$-D-galactosyl-4'-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside (1), isorhamnetin 3,4'-di-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside (2), isorhamnetin 3-O-${\beta}$-D-(6-O-${\alpha}$-L-rhamnosyl)glucosyl-4'-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside (3), isorhamnetin 3-O-${\beta}$-D-(6-O-${\alpha}$-L-rhamnosyl)glucoside (4), and isorhamnetin 3-O-${\beta}$-D-(6-O-${\alpha}$-L-rhamnosyl) galactoside (5) were isolated from the stems of Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. and their structures were identified based on LC-MS and NMR data.

Trapa pseudoincisa Nakai, an aquatic plant, was extracted with 80% aqueous MeOH, and the concentrated extract was successively partitioned with EtOAc, n-BuOH, and $H_2O$. The EtOAc fraction gave three compounds, which were isolated through the repeated silica gel and ODS column chromatographies. Based on the spectroscopic data obtained from NMR, MS, and IR, the chemical structures of the compounds were determined as cycloeucalenol (1), ursolic acid (2), and 2${\beta}$,3${\alpha}$,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (3). These triterpenoids were isolated for the first time from Hydrocaryaceae plants including T. pseudoincisa NAKAI.

Root extracts of Angelica gigas and A. acutiloba have been used traditionally for the treatment of gynecological diseases, as well as anemia, blood stasis, and inflammatory pain, as blood tonics in Oriental medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effects of A. gigas and A. acutiloba on inflammatory mediators in mouse macrophages and compared their activities. Many studies suggest that prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) biosynthesis and nitric oxide (NO) production play important roles in the processes of both inflammation and carcinogenesis. Ethanolic extracts from the roots of both species exhibited significant inhibitory effects on $PGE_2$ generation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In particular, the extract from A. gigas was more effective than that from A. acutiloba. Although neither inhibited NO generation, the extract from A. acutiloba stimulated NO generation. Our results suggest that the roots of A. gigas might possess more anti-inflammatory and/or cancer chemopreventative activity than that of A. acutiloba due to the suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2)-mediated $PGE_2$ production. In addition, A. acutiloba might exert anti-tumor activity through an increase in macrophage-produced NO.

Two acetylmartynosides, 2"-acetylmartynoside and 3"-acetylmartynoside were isolated from the $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction of Clerodendron trichotomum (Verbenaceae) by open column chromatography and MPLC. Their chemical structures were identified by the direct comparison of spectral data reported in the literature, and their antioxidant properties were evaluated. Both compounds showed antioxidant activity based on evaluations of intracellular ROS and DPPH radical scavenging activities.

Dried unripe fruits of Rubus coreanus Miq. were extracted with 80% aqueous MeOH and the concentrated extract was partitioned with EtOAc and $H_2O$. From the EtOAc fraction, four triterpenoids were isolated through repeated silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. From the result of physico-chemical data including NMR, MS aud IR, the chemical structures of the compounds were determined as tormentic acid (1), myrianthic acid (2), hovenic acid (3) and 2${\alpha}$,3${\beta}$,19${\beta}$,23-tetrahydroxylolean-12-en-28-oic acid (4). Compounds 3 and 4 were isolated for the first time from this plant. All isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human colon carcinoma cells using in vitro three-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, compound 3 showed a higher cytotoxicity ($IC_{50}$ = 7.8 ${\mu}M$) than doxorubicin ($IC_{50}$= 50 ${\mu}M$).

Microorganisms were isolated from earthworm intestine and examined for their ability to degrade 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (MNP), a main degradation product of the insecticide fenitrothion. An isolate that showed the best degradation of MNP was selected for further study. The 16S rRNA analysis showed that the isolate belongs to the genus of Burkholderia, close to phenanthrene-degrading Burkholderia sp. S4.9, and is named Burkholderia sp. SH-1. When time-course degradation of MNP by SH-1 was examined by high performance liquid chromatographic analysis, almost complete degradation of MNP was observed within 26 h. Colony forming unit value assays indicated that the isolate SH-1 was capable of utilizing MNP as a sole carbon source. SH-1 could also degrade p-nitrophenol (PNP) but could not degrade ortho-substituted nitroaromatics such as 2,4-, 2,6- and 2,5-dinitrophenol. Catechol was detected as the main degration product of MNP and PNP. SH-1 was also found in the soil from which earthworms were obtained. These results suggest that the dispersal of Burkholderia sp. SH-1 into different environment with the aid of earthworms is likely to play a role in bioremediation of the soil contaminated with MNP.