• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 2015

In this study, we evaluated the fatty acid composition and physiological activities of oils extracted from eight types of seeds, pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), green tea (Camellia sinensis L.), perilla (Perilla frutescens var. japonica Hara), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), cotton (Gossypium indicum LAM.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), walnut (Juglans regia L.), and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). The composition and quality analysis showed that the oils were potentially suitable for foo-grade applications. The composition analysis showed that the oils were mostly composed of unsaturated fatty acids including linoleic acid and oleic acid. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, green pepper, perilla, and peanut seed oils inhibited lipid accumulation, and green pepper, perilla, peanut, sesame, walnut, and safflower seed oils induced leptin secretion. These results show that the inhibitory effect of edible seed oils on lipid accumulation, and induction of leptin secretion may be useful for obesity management.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.745-752
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• 2012

Compared to wide ranges of genetic variation of natural populations, very limited Miscanthus cultivar has been released. This study was the first report on the development of Miscanthus cultivar by means of radiation breeding. Seeds of M. sinensis were initially exposed to gamma rays of 250 Gy for 24 h, generated from a $^{60}Co$ gamma-irradiator. The irradiated seeds were sown and then the highly tiller-producing mutants were selected for this study. Biomass-related parameters including tiller number, plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number were measured. Ploidy level and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were investigated to characterize the mutants compared to wild type (WT) Miscanthus. Plant height and tiller number were negatively related, where multi-tillering mutants were relatively short after 4 month growth. However stem diameter and leaf number were greater in mutants. All the materials used in this study were diploid, implying that the mutants with greater tiller numbers and stem diameter were not likely related to polyploidization. Based on the sequence of ITS regions, the mutants demonstrated base changes from the gamma irradiation where G+C content (%) was decreased in the ITS1, but increased in ITS2 when compared to WT sequence. ITS2 region was more variable than in ITS1 in the mutants, which collectively allows identification of the mutants from WT. Those mutants having enhanced tillers and allelic variations might be used as breeding materials for enhanced biomass-producing Miscanthus cultivars.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.109-117
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• 2017

The purpose of the study aimed to explore the possibility for natural preservative convergence materials by examining the antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effect of 19 wild plants in Jiri Mountain. Total polyphenols were higher in the order of CS(Camellia sinensis L., 87.9 mg GAE/ g), MP(Mentha piperascens Holmes., 85.1 mg), NN(Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., 65.0 mg) and PD(Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc., 52.8 mg). Total flavonoids were high in NN(25.7 mg QUE / g) and MP (25.4 mg QUE / g). CS(58.1%), NN(47.9%), and MP(40.6%) showed high ABTS radical scavenging ability and the result was similar in DPPH radical scavenging ability. The extracts of HC(Hemerocallis coreana Nakai.), PD, and CO(Cornus officinalis Siebold et Zucc.) showed the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of E. coli. The extracts of PK(Pulsatilla koreana Nakai ex Nakai.), SC(Saururus chinensis Baill.), and MC(Smilax china L.) completely inhibited the proliferation of S. aureus, showing the possibility to be developed as natural preservatives and disinfectants.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.439-457
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• 1993

The present study was undertaken to classify and describe the forest vegetation on Imha-dam area, located at the northern part of Kyungsang-pookdo, Korea by the phytosociological method of the Z-M school. The field investigations were carried out in 60 plots around the dam area from May 1, 1991 to October 10, 1992. The vegetation data obtained were classified by the table comparison method. As a result, the following vegetation units were recognized: A. Pinus densiflova community A-a. Miscanthus sinensis group A-b. Carex humilzs group A-c. Typical group B. Quercetum variabili-serratae Kobayashi, Muranaga et Takeda 1976 C. Robinin pseudo-acacia-Conzmeli~ta comnzultis community D. Larix leptolepis community The vascular plant species of these forest communities consist of 63 families, 144 genera, 191 species and 30 varieties. Also the relationship of the vegetation units with their environments such as altitude, slope, topography and soil condition was discussed here. On the basis of the floristic composition, life-form spectrum and soil analysis, a sere for the forest vegetation was proposed as follows: Rohinia pseitdo-acacia-Conz~neli~za communis community and Larix leptolepis community $\rightarrow$ Pinus densiflora community $\rightarrow$ Quercetunz variahili-serratae $\rightarrow$ Quercus mongolica community. Lastly, relating to the nature conservation of dam area, some of plans were discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 1985

This report is a part of the investigations of the secondary vegetation successions carried out and the analysis of soil properties in the burned areas of forest. The fires-crown fire and surface fire-were occurred at April, 1978 and February, 1984. The investigations were carrited out from August 10. 1983 to September 25, 1984. The burned areas studied are located in southern slope of Mt. Ssalibagu (above sea-level, 590m), So-myon, Sungju-gun, Chollanam-do, Korea. The results are as follows: The floristic compositions of the burned area at the 5th year after the fires were 85 families, 250 genera, 321 species and 53 varieties. Among them, 85 families, 127 genera, 129 species and 30 varieties were found in the currently burned area. In all the sampling sites (10*10cm), 31 and 57 species were found in the currently burned and in the 5th years after the fires, respectively. Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens, Quercus serrata and Festuca ovina were dominant species in the both areas. Biological spectra in both the burned areas showed $H-D_1-R_5-e$ type. Degree of the succession(DS) was 412-884 in the 5th years passed burned area and it was high level. Species diversity index(H) was 0.59~1.13 and evennes index(e) was 0.43~0.79, these indexes between both areas were different considerably. Indexes of similarity between both areas were different, too, but that between $B_1$ and $B_6$ was the highest (CCj=0.5). Probably this phenomenon is due to the great numbers of the pine trees appeared simulataneously. Content of the organic matter, N, P, K and Ca of soil in the burned area at the 5th years after the fires was lower than that of soil in the currently burned area.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.288-295
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• 2011

Amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$)-induced neurotoxicity is a major pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of L-theanine, a component of green tea (Camellia sinensis) on $A{\beta}_{1-42}$-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative damages of macromolecules. L-theanine inhibited $A{\beta}_{1-42}$-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 mitogenic activated protein kinase as well as the activity of nuclear factor kappa-B. L-theanine also signifi cantly reduced oxidative protein and lipid damage, and elevated glutathione level. Consistent with the reduced neurotoxic signals, L-theanine (10-50 ${\mu}g$/ml) concomitantly attenuated $A{\beta}_{1-42}$ (5 ${\mu}M$)-induced neurotoxicity in SK-N-MC and SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells. These data indicate that L-theanine on $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity prevented oxidative damages of neuronal cells, and may be useful in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease like AD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2405-2425
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• 2014

Radiation exposure leads to several pathophysiological conditions, including oxidative damage, inflammation and fibrosis, thereby affecting the survival of organisms. This review explores the radiation countermeasure properties of fourteen (14) plant extracts or plant-derived compounds against these cellular manifestations. It was aimed at evaluating the possible role of plants or its constituents in radiation countermeasure strategy. All the 14 plant extracts or compounds derived from it and considered in this review have shown some radioprotection in different in vivo, ex-vivo and or in vitro models of radiological injury. However, few have demonstrated advantages over the others. C. majus possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects appears to be promising in radioprotection. Its crude extracts as well as various alkaloids and flavonoids derived from it, have shown to enhance survival rate in irradiated mice. Similarly, curcumin with its antioxidant and the ability to ameliorate late effect of radiation exposure, combined with improvement in survival in experimental animal following irradiation, makes it another probable candidate against radiological injury. Furthermore, the extracts of P. hexandrum and P. kurroa in combine treatment regime, M. piperita, E. officinalis, A. sinensis, nutmeg, genistein and ginsan warrants further studies on their radioprotective potentials. However, one that has received a lot of attention is the dietary flaxseed. The scavenging ability against radiation-induced free radicals, prevention of radiation-induced lipid peroxidation, reduction in radiation cachexia, level of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis, are some of the remarkable characteristics of flaxseed in animal models of radiation injury. While countering the harmful effects of radiation exposure, it has shown its ability to enhance survival rate in experimental animals. Further, flaxseed has been tested and found to be equally effective when administered before or after irradiation, and against low doses (${\leq}5Gy$) to the whole body or high doses (12-13.5 Gy) to the whole thorax. This is particularly relevant since apart from the possibility of using it in pre-conditioning regime in radiotherapy, it could also be used during nuclear plant leakage/accidents and radiological terrorism, which are not pre-determined scenarios. However, considering the infancy of the field of plant-based radioprotectors, all the above-mentioned plant extracts/plant-derived compounds deserves further stringent study in different models of radiation injury.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2007

The organic carbon (OC) distribution of Pinus densiflora forest in Songgye valley at Mt. Worak National Park were studied as a part of the National Long-Term Ecological Research in Korea. In order to investigate the OC distribution, OC in plant biomass, litterfall, litter layer on forest floor, and soil were estimated. The density of P. densiflora forest was 1,300 trees/ha, average DBH was $15.2{\pm}6.17\;cm$ and average tree height was $10.7{\pm}2.56\;m$. The shrub layer was dominated by shrubby Quercus variabilis, Fraxinus sieboldiana and lndigofera kirilowii with low frequency, and herb layer was dominated by Pteridium aquilinum and Miscanthus sinensis. Total amount of OC stored in this pine forest was 142.78 ton C/ha. Organic carbon stored in soil and plant biomass accounted for 59.2% and 37.8%, respectively. Amount of OC distributed in trees, shrubs, herbs and litter layer in this pine forest was 51.79, 2.03, 0.12 and 4.29 ton C/ha, respectively. Amount of OC returned to forest floor via litterfall was $1.50\;ton\;C\;ha^{-1}\;yr^{-1}$. Soil organic carbon (SOC) decreased along the soil depth. Total amount of SOC within 50cm soil depth was $84.55\;ton\;C\;ha^{-1}\;50\;cm-depth^{-1}$.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.127-132
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to understand plant community structure in upper zone of Gyeryongsan National Payk. Total 51 plots were set up and surveyed toy this study. The fifty one plots were classified into four communities such as Quereus mongolica community, Carpinus laxiflora community, Pinus densiflora community, and Quercus variabizis community. The Quercus mongotica community were found in 29 plots of the 51 plots and the differential species in the community weve Quercus mongolica, Acer pseudosieboldianum var. koreanum, Arisaema amurense var. serratum, Diarrhena japonica, and Saussurea gyacilis. The Carpinus laxiflora community were found in 10 plots of the 51 plots and the differential species in the community were Carpinus laxiflora, Carpinus cordata, Cornus eontroversa, Carex siderosticta, and Hydrangea serrata for. acuminata. The Pinus densiflora community were found in 7 plots of the 51 plots and the differential species in the community were Pinus densiflora, Lespedeza maximowiczii, Rubus crataegifotius, Miseanthus sinensis, Persicaria filiforme, Artemisia keiskeana, and spodiopogon sibiricus. the Quereus vuriabilis community were found in 5 plots of the 51 plots and the differential species in the community were Quercus variabilis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.575-578
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• 2017

Aspidogastrid trematodes (Subclass Aspidogastrea) are a relatively small group with a characteristic adhesive disc and parasitize in a variety of cold-blooded hosts. Until now, only 2 species in the genus Cotylaspis, i.e., C. coreensis and C. sinensis, have been reported as the aspidogastrid trematode in the Republic of Korea (=Korea). In the present study, we intended to describe a species of aspidogastrids collected from the small intestine of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, in a faunistic point of view. Total 51 specimens were collected from a carp caught in Nakdong-gang (River) on May 2015. Some of them were prepared as the specimens for light microscopic observations, and some others were prepared for SEM. They were slightly elongated without head lobes, $2,432{\times}840{\mu}m$ in average size, and had characteristic adhesive discs with 4 rows and 46 alveoli in average. The ovary was reniform and was located in the posterior-upper part of the body. The single testis was larger than the ovary and was located below the ovary. The uterus was coiled containing numerous eggs and distributed in the posterior 2/3 of the body. The vitellaria were follicular, and distributed from the mid-level of testis to near the posterior end. The morphological characters with dimensions of our specimens were closely identical with those of Aspidogaster ijimai previously described. A new aspidogastrid is added among the Korean trematode fauna by the present study.