• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2011

Diverse epigenetic phenotypes are frequently found during research on transgenic plants. To understand the factors underlying such diversity, hundreds of independent 35S-GFP transgenic N. benthamiana plants were analyzed. The diverse GFP-expression phenotypes of the transgenic plants were classified into three major types based on the GFP expression patterns and their response to 35S-GFP agroinfiltration: steady-green, silenced and non-uniform phenotype. The non-uniform phenotype was further sub-divided into five minor phenotypes: variegated, red-dropped, on-silencing, partitioned and misty, according to the distribution of GFP expression on the leaves. Many of transgenic plants continuously generated diverse phenotypes over several generations despite the transgene identity. Such epigenetic GFP phenotyping was found to be the result of spontaneous transgene silencing mediated by either or both of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) and transcriptional gene silencing (TGS). This finding was verified by the detection of 21- and 24-nt small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules, and DNA methylation in the transgenic plants that showed repeated epigenetic variation. Agroinfiltration demonstrated that irregular distribution of GFP on a leaf was the result of erratic transgene silencing, and the technique also proved to be a rapid and effective method for selecting fully silenced plants within 3 days. Furthermore, two novel phenotypes described are potential materials for in-depth investigations into the genes and mechanisms responsible for spontaneous transgene silencing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2001

In order to transform pokeweed antiviral protein cDNA to tobacco plant, total RNA was extracted from Phytolacca americana. PAP-II cDNA was synthesized from purified total RNA via RT-PCR and subcloned to recombinant vector pBluescript II SK-. 10 deletion mutant PAP-II cDNA fragments which were sequentially deleted from N-terminal by 90bp were synthesized from PAP-II cDNA except leading frame by PCR with primers designed in our laboratory. To select non-cytotoxic clone, pAc55M was constructed with yeast expression vector pAc55 and multicloning site(MCS). Sequentially deleted mutant PAP-II cDNAs were cloned on downstream of gall promoter of pAc55M. 6 non-cytotoxic deletion mutant PAP-II cDNA were selected. Selected cDNAs were cloned into plant expression vector pKGT101BH for transformation of these clones to plant through Agrobacterium tumefacience. After cloning, recombinant pKGT101BH carrying deleted mutant PAP-IIcDNA were transformed to Nicotiana tabacum cv. NC567. Transformed tobacco plants cultured on shooting and rooting media were transfered to green-house. About four weeks later, these plants were infected with physically infection using carborandum with PVY-VN strain. After 4 weeks, plants resistant to virus were selected , and seeds of these plants were gathered. Southern blot hybridization showed deleted fragments by 220bp and 420bp, so resistant ability of these plants is due to mutant PAP-II cDNA.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.187-195
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• 2010

Hyper duplex stainless steels have been developed in Korea for the purpose of application to the seawater system of Korean nuclear power plants. This system supplies seawater to cooling water heat exchanger tubes, related pipes and chlorine injection system. In normal operation, seawater is supplied to heat exchanger through the exit of circulating water pump headers, and the heat exchanged sea water is extracted to the discharge pipes in circulating water system connected to the circulating water discharge lines. The high flow velocity of some part of seawater system in nuclear power plants accelerates damages of components. Therefore, high strength and high corrosion resistant steels need to be applied for this environment. Hyper duplex stainless steel (27Cr-7.0Ni-2.5Mo-3.2W-0.35N) has been newly developed in Korea and is being improved for applying to nuclear power plants. In this study, the physical & mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of newly developed materials are quantitatively evaluated in comparative to commercial stainless steels in other countries. The properties of weld & HAZ (heat affected zone) are analyzed and the best compositions are suggested. The optimum conditions in welding process are derived for ensuring the volume fraction of ferrite(${\alpha}$) and austenite(${\gamma}$) in HAZ and controlling weld cracks. For applying these materials to the seawater heat exchanger, CCT and CPT in weldments are measured. As a result of all experiments, it was found that the newly developed hyper duplex stainless steel WREMBA has higher corrosion resistance and mechanical properties than those of super austenitic stainless steels including welded area. It is expected to be a promising material for seawater systems of Korean nuclear power plants.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.255-265
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• 2020

Background and objective: The purpose of this study was to provide guidelines for irrigation management by analyzing the effects of soil moisture on the growth characteristics of herbaceous plants in green infrastructure. Methods: In a rain shelter greenhouse, the growth performance of nine species of experimental plants was assessed under different soil moisture contents (20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, and 1%) for about 5 months to analyze plant growth characteristics due to soil humidity. Methods to determine plant growth conditions include surveying growth conditions of the crowns, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits on the aerial part and surveying growth conditions of the roots in the underground part. Results: The results showed that Mukdenia rossii and Astilbe rubra grew well at 15% moisture content with irrigation intervals of 10 and 13 days, respectively. Soil moisture content of 10% with irrigation intervals of 13 and 17 days was appropriate for Sedum kamtschaticum and Pachysandra terminalis. Similarly, Aquilegia japonica and Liriope platyphylla grew well at 15% moisture content with irrigation intervals of 10 and 17 days. However, Ligularia stenocephala grew well-developed stems and roots at 1% soil moisture content and an irrigation interval of 25 days, while the optimum conditions for Lythrum anceps were 5% moisture content and an irrigation interval of 8 days. Conclusion: Although a limited number of experimental plants were used in this study, this study could propose an appropriate irrigation cycle for planting on artificial soil substrates. Based on these results, it is possible to plan suitable planting designs considered irrigation cycles.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.615-624
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• 2020

Background and objective: Urbanization caused a reduction in urban green space and a lack of community spaces. An attempt to solve these problems, urban gardens, have become popular and are currently being implemented in various downtown areas. However, urban gardens have some inadequate aspects from a visual or landscape perspective. The goal of this study was to examine the possibility of an aesthetic and productive garden space by introducing cultivation methods through the planting system design process. Methods: The design process using plants was classified and presented to suggest the importance of the landscape and aesthetic value. An urban garden space was designed according to the perspective of 'production scenery' and 'participation aesthetics'. According to the characteristics of the plant, urban gardens were divided into vertical type (corn, millet, sorghum), climbing type (kidney bean, cucumber, bitter gourd), and runner type (melon, watermelon, peanut). After classifying plants according to the shape of the root, the structure supporting climbing was installed and the crops were cultivated in an upright form with a tunnel. Results: In the designed cultivation, each crop cooperates, without invading each other's space. Compared with the conventional cultivation, there was little difference in production, and management was made more convenient since weed outbreaks were effectively suppressed while runner type crops cover over the land's surface. Since the positions of each crop are clearly distinguished, the aesthetic value is improved by offering a sense of rhythm with a balanced design. Conclusion: The results suggest that the cultivation methods through the plant system design process have aesthetic as well as productive value, and the design using plants, an infinite living resource, could lead to an expansion of the design field. Moreover, it would enable a sustainable symbiosis between industry and environment. There is potential for the design industry to make significant progress through collaboration with agriculture, horticulture, and landscape architecture.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.699-710
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the effect of chamomile, sage, and green tea intakes on anti oxidative capacity in 15-month-old rats. Dried powders of three plants were analyzed to determine the amount of total flavonoids, $\beta$-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and dietary fibers. In order to examine the change of antioxidative capacity in old rats, forty-eight Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 621.2$\pm$9.5 g were divided into four groups according to body weight and fed for four weeks with each experimental diet of three dried powders and control diet. Plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities, erythrocyte and liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and plasma vitamin A, C, E, and total carotenoids levels were measured. The total flavonoids and vitamin C contents were the highest in green tea powder. Beta-carotene and vitamin E contents were not significantly different among all three dried powders. Total dietary fiber contents also were not different among all three dried powders, but soluble dietary fiber contents of chamomile was higher than other two dried powders. Plasma TBARS level was found to be significantly lower in all the experimental groups as compared to control group. Chamomile powder group, especially, showed the lowest level among all experimental groups. Liver TBARS levels of experimental groups were also lower than that of control group and significant differences were observed in chamomile and green tea groups compared to control. Plasma XO activity of green tea group was significantly lower than control group. Liver XO activities of green tea and chamomile groups were significantly lower than control group. Erythrocyte SOD activity was not significantly different among all the groups. However, liver SOD activities of sage and green tea groups showed a significant increase as compared to control group. Plasma vitamin A level was not significantly different among all the groups. Plasma total carotenoids levels were found to be significantly higher in experimental groups as compared to control group. Plasma vitamin E level of chamomile group and vitamin C level of green tea group showed the highest level among all the groups. In conclusion, chamomile, sage, and green tea intakes had an effect on improving antioxidative capacity in 15-month-old rats. Effects of green tea and chamomile powders, especially, were higher than sage powder.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2007

During monocarpic senescence in higher plants, functional stay-green delays leaf yellowing, maintaining photosynthetic competence, whereas nonfunctional stay-green retains leaf greenness without sustaining photosynthetic activity. Thus, functional stay-green is considered a beneficial trait that can increase grain yield in cereal crops. A stay-green japonica rice 'SNU-SG1' had a good seed-setting rate and grain yield, indicating the presence of a functional stay-green genotype. SNU-SG1 was crossed with two regular cultivars to determine the inheritance mode and identify major QTLs conferring stay-green in SNU-SG1. For QTL analysis, linkage maps with 100 and 116 DNA marker loci were constructed using selective genotyping with $F_2$ and RIL (recombinant inbred line) populations, respectively. Molecular marker-based QTL analyses with both populations revealed that the functional stay-green phenotype of SNU-SG1 is regulated by several major QTLs accounting for a large portion of the genetic variation. Three main-effect QTLs located on chromosomes 7 and 9 were detected in both populations and a number of epistatic-effect QTLs were also found. The amount of variation explained by several digenic interactions was larger than that explained by main-effect QTLs. Two main-effect QTLs on chromosome 9 can be considered the target loci that most influence the functional stay-green in SNU-SG1. The functional stay-green QTLs may help develop low-input high-yielding rice cultivars by QTL-marker-assisted breeding with SNU-SG1.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil selenium (Se) supplementation level on Se contents of green tea and milk vetch. Four different concentrations of sodium selenite ($Na_2SeO_3$) solutions (0.0, 3.3, 33.0 and 165.0${\mu}g/mL$) were prepared and one liter of each solution was well mixed with 10 kg of compost (cowpea soil) to give four different levels of Se-containing soil: $T_1$, 0; $T_2$, 33; $T_3$, 330; $T_4$, and 1,650${\mu}g$/100 g soil. Green tea plants and milk vetch were individually cultivated in those soils for 60 days. Se contents of freeze-dried green tea leaves were 6.87, 10.40, 12.04, and 20.19 ${\mu}g/g$, respectively; all of which were significantly different (p<0.05) from the others except for $T_2$ and $T_3$. The results showed that Se-contents of green tea leaves were increased 1.5$\sim$2.9 times as the Se level in the soil increased. Regression equation between Se contents in green tea (Y) and soil Se supplementation level (X) was: Y=0.007X＋8.857. However, Se contents in the milk vetch were increased significantly (p<0.05) more with the same treatments $T_3$ (74 ${\mu}g/g$) and $T_4$ (187$\mu$g/g) in comparison to those at $T_1$ (5.0 ${\mu}g/g$) and $T_2$ (12.0$\mu$g/g). The increases ranged from approximately between 2.4 to 37.4 times that of the control group. Regression equation between Se contents in milk vetch (Y) and soil Se supplementation level (X) was: Y=0.1063X＋15.989. The large difference of Se contents between green tea leaves and milk vetch would be attributed by the difference of protein contents between the 30% or higher protein-content of legumes and 15$\sim$20% protein of shrubs. The present study clearly indicates that green tea leaves and milk vetch can be enriched in selenium by supplementing the soil with Se. Therefore, Se-enriched green tea or milk vetch powder could be utilized as functional foods in Se-fortified green tea drinks or salads, or as food additives to enhance the daily intake of Se.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.632-638
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• 2023

A soybean cultivar with a green seed coat and cotyledon contains high levels of lutein, which is beneficial for eye health. Plus, antinutritional components such as lipoxygenase, Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI), lectin and stachyose exist in the mature seed. The genetic elimination of these antinutritional factors is a necessary step in green soybean breeding. This research was conducted to improve a new green soybean line with the green cotyledon and tetra null genotype (lox1lox2lox3tilers2) in terms of lipoxygenase, KTI, lectin and stachyose. We used five germplasms to develop a breeding population. A total of 69 F₂ seeds were obtained from the cross of parent 1 and parent 2, and from those, 21 F₂ seeds were selected that had the green seed coat color, and which were free of lectin protein. Next, four F₂ plants with the green seed coat and tetra null genotype were selected from the breeding population derived from four genotypes. The absence of lipoxygenase, KTI and lectin proteins was confirmed in the F₅ strain. The breeding line has a green seed coat, green cotyledon and white hilum color. The 100-seed weight and stachyose content for the breeding line were 30.7 g and 2.40 g/kg, respectively. The line selected in this study could be used as a cultivar or parent to improve colored soybean cultivars through the removal of antinutritional components such as lip- oxygenase, KTI, lectin and stachyose.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.135-145
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• 2014

Nanomaterials synthesized by natural bioresources such as microorganisms, animals and plants in nature can also be synthesized in laboratories even on large scale. This is considered as an attractive prospect for eco-friendly or so-called green synthesis. Development of eco-friendly synthesis of biocompatible nanoparticles and their potential biomedical applications introduces the concept of nanobiotechnology. The lower cost and lesser side effects as compare to chemical methods of synthesis are the main advantages of biosynthesis. This review article demonstrates the role of various biological resources e.g. bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, plant leaves, fruits and honey as well as animal tissues for the synthesis of nanoparticles mainly gold and silver with an overview of their potential applications.