• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.105 no.3
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• pp.309-314
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• 2016

A locally adapted plant population under harsh environmental changes might survive for a long generation through maintaining proper level of genetic diversity. When it happens losing the genetic diversity too much fast, the population could be declining and probably become extinct. An isolated small population of Populus davidiana was investigated to study out the genetic diversity and the fine-scale spatial genetic structure. The estimated number of adult trees in the population of Mt. Worak, South Korea, was 350 in the total area of $14,000m^2$. The number of adults in a study plot ($70m{\times}70m$) was 123. The average age was 16-year-old and a 32-year-old tree was the oldest. The distribution of individuals was slightly aggregated in the plot. Sixty-one among the 123 individuals were randomly sampled to estimate genetic variation using AFLP markers. One hundred fifty-one (77%) of total 196 amplicons were polymorphic from six AFLP primer combinations. The average number of loci per primer combination was 32.7 (S.D.=7.2). Expected heterozygosity ($H_e$) and Shannon's diversity index (S.I.) were 0.154 and 0.254, respectively. These values were extremely lower than those of other P. davidiana populations in South Korea. Genetic patchiness was showed within 21 meters by spatial autocorrelation analysis and the isolated small size of population might be mainly attributed to the formation of such small patch size.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2013

Flavonoids have various biological activities; however, their cellular uptake mechanism is beginning to be understood only recently. This review focuses on cellular flavonoids transport mechanisms in both plants and animals. In plants, flavonoids exist in various cellular compartments, providing a specialized transport system. Newly synthesized flavonoids can be transported from the endoplasmic reticulum to the vacuoles or extracellular space via cellular trafficking pathway. Among membrane transporters, ATP binding cassette, multidrug and toxic extrusion, bilitranslocase homologue transporters play roles in both the influx and efflux of cellular flavonoids across the cell membrane. In recent years, extensive researches have provided a better understanding on the cellular flavonoid transport in mammalian cells. Bilitranslocase transports flavonoids in various tissues, including the liver, intestine and kidneys. However, other transport mechanisms are largely unknown and thus, further investigation should provide detailed mechanisms, which can potentially lead to an improved bioavailability and cellular function of flavonoids in humans.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2013

Genomic DNAs of psychrophilic strains of Pleurotus eryngii were analyzed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using OP-A, OP-B, OP-L, OP-P, OP-R and OP-S3 primers to develop the strain-specific DNA marker. A unique DNA fragment with the size of 480 bp was yielded by OP-S3 primer from the psychrophilic strain. A sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker, designated as OP-S3-1, was designed on the basis of the determined sequence. The PCR analysis with the OP-S3-1 primer showed that this SCAR marker can clearly distinguish the psychrophilic strains from the control strains.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2013

Staphylococcus aureus is the most important pathogen in nosocomial infections, including bloodstream infections. Prompt identification of S. aureus from blood cultures and detection of methicillin resistance are essential in cases of suspected sepsis. We have studied a new method for the sequence-specific visual detection of minute amounts of nucleic acids using intercalating reaction by addition of SYBR Green to amplicons of LAMP, and it's a unique gene amplification method in which DNA can be isothermally amplified using only one enzyme. Staphylococcus-LAMP, which targets the spa gene, encoding S.aureus-specific protein A, and the mecA gene, encoding penicillin-binding protein-2' for methicillin resistance, detected MRSA and MRSE. In this study, by using LAMP assay, I detected for Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis concentration in the clinical sample. The detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis was tested by using serial 10-fold dilutions standard solution. I have accurate detected the limit of detection, sensitity, specificity and reproducibility of the assay. The Bio-chip based LAMP assay allowed easy, rapid, accurate and sensitive detection of infection with Staphylococcus and especially applicable in a resource-limited situation.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2000

Objectives: Through comparing sleep variables and autonomic activities among three shifts in shift workers, the authors intended to clarify which shift is most tolerable and to identify the characteristics of their psychological and physical problems. This study is also expected to help shift workers to adapt themselves to their work more effectively. Methods: Fifty one shift workers took part in this study. They were working in a rapidly rotating system in which they worked for 3 days in one shift with one day off between each shift. Based on a sleep diary, sleep latency (SL), sleep period time (SPT), and number of wake after sleep onset (NWASO) were estimated and compared among the three shifts. In assessing sleepiness, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used. To evaluate mood states among the three shifts, profile of mood states (POMS) was administered. Heart rate variability (HRV), and the level of adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured to assess autonomic activities. HRV included low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), and LF/HF. Results: SPT was significantly lengthened during the evening shift and SL was shortened during the night shift. The workers showed a drop in alertness at wake-up during morning shift and a drop in alertness at work during night shift. During night shift the subjects complained of physical fatigue and cognitive decline. Comparison of HRV showed that parasympathetic activity was most prominent during the evening shift. Secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline decreased during the evening shift, though statistically not significant. Conclusion: We found that the evening shift was most tolerable among the three shifts. It is recommended that morning light exposure be done during the morning shift and nocturnal light exposure during the night shift.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.2
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• pp.187-192
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• 2015

Individuals in the population under a particular environmental condition influencing recurrently for a long time could locally adapted and local adaptation is of a fundamental importance in a breeding program, conservation activities of genetic resources or evolutionary biology. Plants at northern range limits have higher probability of expressing an adaptative genetic trait. The natural community at the northern range limit of Ilex cornuta (Chinese holly) in Buan, Jeollanam-do in Korea was composed of adults of 744 and seedlings of 211 (hereafter Community) and is designated as the Korean Natural Monument (No. 122) by the law. At two adjacent areas to Community, 85 (hereafter Plantation I) and 27 hollies (hereafter Plantation II) were planted respectively for preparations of the next generation. Eighty-five trees were sampled for genetic analysis in the three groups. Fifty-two (36%) of the total 143 amplicons were polymorphic from four AFLP primer combinations. A total of thirteen genotypes was identified and just one genotype was for 52 trees of Community. Seven and five genotypes were shown for Plantation I and II, respectively. There was no identical genotype between Community and Plantation (I or II) or between two plantation groups. Number of private loci was 2 for Community, 6 for Plantation I and 4 for Plantation II. We presumed their genetic backgrounds were quite different with one another and the plantation groups were made independently because they were different not only the genetic compositions but also their ages. Considering the genetic monomorphism by AFLP markers, observations of only male trees and asexual propagation as layerage or cuttage, the hollies in Community might be a genet by root suckering from a single male tree, not the results of selective removal of female trees for ornamental use in the past.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.346-358
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• 2023

Due to the acceleration of climate change or global warming, it is important to predict rice productivity in the future and investigate physiological changes in rice plants. The research aimed to explore how rice adapts to climate change by examining the response of nitrogen absorption and nitrogen use efficiency in rice under elevated levels of carbon dioxide and temperature, utilizing the SPAR system for analysis. The temperature increased by +4.7 ℃ in comparison to the period from 2001 to 2010, while the carbon dioxide concentration was held steady at 800 ppm, aligning with South Korea's late 21st-century RCP8.5 scenario. Nitrogen was applied as fertilizer at rates of 0, 9, and 18 kg 10a^-1, respectively. Under conditions of climate change, there was an 81% increase in the number of panicles compared to the present situation. However, grain weight decreased by 38% as a result of reduction in the grain filling rate. BNUE, indicative of the nitrogen use efficiency in plant biomass, exhibited a high value under climate change conditions. However, both NUEg and ANUE, associated with grain production, experienced a notable and significant decrease. In comparison to the current conditions, nitrogen uptake in leaves and stems increased by 100% and 151%, respectively. However, there was a 25% decrease in nitrogen uptake in the panicle. Likewise, the nitrogen content and NDFF (Nitrogen Derived from Fertilizer) in the sink organs, namely leaves and roots, were elevated in comparison to current levels. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure resources by mitigating the decrease in ripening rates under climate change conditions. Moreover, there seems to be a requirement for follow-up research to enhance the flow of photosynthetic products under climate change conditions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1015-1024
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• 2023

Antibiotics have greatly contributed to the treatment and prevention of bacterial diseases in humans, animals, and fish. However, antibiotic misuse has led to the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In addition to antibiotic discovery research, efforts are being made to combat such multidrug-resistant bacteria using antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, host immune enhancement, probiotics, and bacteriophages, as well as various symptomatic therapies. To discover novel bioactive compounds, it is crucial to adopt approaches that incorporate fresh ideas, new targets, innovative techniques, and untapped resources. Halophytes are plants that grow in high-salt soils and are known to adapt to salt-induced stress through unique metabolic processes that produce secondary metabolites. This study aimed to investigate the effects of extracts of halophytes native to Korea on oxidative stress and to determine whether they exert inhibitory activity against biofilms, which are major pathogenic factors of infectious bacteria. The Acinetobacter baumannii strain ATCC 17978, a representative drug-resistant bacterium, was used to measure anti-biofilm activity. The results showed that Aster spathulifolius, Carex kobomugi, Rosa rugosa, and Asparagus cochinchiensis exerted strong antioxidant and anti-biofilm effects without affecting bacterial growth itself. The halophytes used in this study are promising candidates for the development of pharmaceutical agents with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.1
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• pp.88-96
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• 2024

This study was conducted to determine the optimal light conditions for the in situ and ex situ conservation and restoration of Osmanthus insularis, a rare plant species in South Korea. Evaluations included the growth performance, leaf morphological features, photosynthetic characteristics, and photosynthetic pigment contents of seedlings grown from April to November under different light conditions (100%, 55%, 20%, and 10% relative light intensity). The shoot lengths and root collar diameters did not differ significantly with relative light intensity. The dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots and the leaf number were highest at 55% relative light intensity. The leaf shape showed morphological acclimation to light intensity, with leaf area decreasing and thickness increasing as the relative light intensity increased. Several leaf parameters, including photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance at light saturation point, net apparent quantum yield, and dark respiration, as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, were all highest at 55% relative light intensity. Under full light conditions, the leaves were the smallest and thickest, but the chlorophyll content was lower than at 55% relative light intensity, resulting in lower photosynthetic ability. Plants grown at 10% and 20% relative light intensity showed lower chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, as well as decreased photosynthetic and dark respiration rates. In conclusion, O. insularis seedlings exhibited morphological adaptations in response to light intensity; however, no physiological responses indicating enhanced photosynthetic efficiency in shade were evident. The most favorable light condition for vigorous photosynthesis and maximum biomass production in O. insularis seedlings appeared to be 55% relative light intensity. Therefore, shading to approximately 55% of full light is suggested for the growth of O. insularis seedlings.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.484-492
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• 2012

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of static magnetic field (SMF) on the growth and physiological characteristics of common indoor plant species. Five foliage plant species, Spathiphyllum spp., Ardisia pusilla DC., Syngonium podophyllum, Peperomia pereskiifolia, and Pilea cadierei were potted into plastic pot equipped with round type anisotropic sintered NdFeB permanent magnet inside the pot. The surface magnetic flux density of each magnet was 3,500 G. After 6 months of growth period, the biomass accumulations of Spathiphyllum, A. pusilla, and P. cadierei under SMF were statistically higher than those of controls. Tissue water content also increased under the influence of SMF in most species. The photosynthetic rate of Spathiphyllum under SMF significantly increased but other species showed no significant difference compared with control. Although there was no significant increase in the photosynthetic rates of A. pusilla, and P. cadierei, they showed remarkable increase in total fresh weight under SMF. This suggests that the demand of assimilates for normal metabolism could be decreased under magnetic influence and thereby biomass accumulation could be more favored. But this is not always true for all plant species because P. pereskiifolia in this experiment, showed no changes in both photosynthetic rate and biomass accumulation. Leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll contents were enhanced significantly in most plant species under influence of SMF. Chlorophyll a/b ratio also increased by SMF. Although there might be a limitation depending on plant species, these results suggest that long-term exposure to SMF might allow plant to have an enhanced acclimation capacity against environmental fluctuations and optimal application of SMF could increase the practical use of indoor plants such as an attempt to improve indoor air quality.