• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.975-984
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• 2021

Objective: Inbreeding depression of reproduction is a major concern in the conservation of native chicken genetic resources. Here, based on the successful development of strongly inbred (Sinb) and weakly inbred (Winb) Langshan chickens, we aimed to evaluate inbreeding effects on reproductive traits and identify candidate genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens. Methods: A two-sample t-test was performed to estimate the differences in phenotypic values of reproductive traits between Sinb and Winb chicken groups. Three healthy chickens with reproductive trait values around the group mean values were selected from each of the groups. Differences in ovarian and hypothalamus transcriptomes between the two groups of chickens were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Results: The Sinb chicken group showed an obvious inbreeding depression in reproduction, especially for traits of age at the first egg and egg number at 300 days (p<0.01). Furthermore, 68 and 618 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the hypothalamus and ovary between the two chicken groups, respectively. In the hypothalamus, DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathways related to vitamin metabolism, signal transduction and development of the reproductive system, such as the riboflavin metabolism, Wnt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, including stimulated by retinoic acid 6, serpin family F member 1, secreted frizzled related protein 2, Wnt family member 6, and frizzled class receptor 4 genes. In the ovary, DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with basic metabolism, including amino acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycosaminoglycan degradation. A series of key DEGs involved in folate biosynthesis (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1), oocyte meiosis and ovarian function (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1, structural maintenance of chromosomes 1B, and speedy/RINGO cell cycle regulator family member A), spermatogenesis and male fertility (prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), Mov10 RISC complex RNA helicase like 1, and deuterosome assembly protein 1) were identified, and these may play important roles in inbreeding depression in reproduction. Conclusion: The results improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression in chicken reproduction and provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of species resources.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.712-723
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• 2019

Chemically synthesized compounds are widely used in oral hygiene products. However, excessively long-term use of these chemicals can cause undesirable side effects such as bacterial tolerance, allergy, and tooth discoloration. To solve these issues, significant effort is put into the search for natural antibacterial agents. The aim of this study was to assess the extracts of foreign native plants that inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans. Among the 300 foreign plant extracts used in this study, Chesneya nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract had the highest antimicrobial activity relatively against S. mutans with a clear zone of 9 mm when compared to others. This plant extract also showed anti-biofilm activity and bacteriostatic effect (minimal bactericidal concentration [MBC], 1.5 mg/ml). In addition, the plant extracts of 19 species decreased the ability of S. mutans to form biofilm at least a 6-fold in proportion to the tested concentrations. Of particular note, C. nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract was found to inhibit biofilm formation at the lowest concentration tested effectively. Therefore, our results reveal that C. nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract is a potential candidate for the development of antimicrobial substitutes, which might be effective for caries control as well, as demonstrated by its inhibitory effect on the persistence and pathogenesis of S. mutans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.55-71
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to propose an evaluation method to assess green environments of streetscapes to improve urban street green spaces in Jeonju City. Through a rapid assessment of urban street green spaces, we suggest an objective basis for expanding street green space as well as for adopting sustainable maintenance and improvement measures. We choose 12 sections of streetscapes (roads and sidewalks) to investigate existing street conditions which have more than four lanes and function as major road axes. Six large roads and six medium roads of Jeonju City center area are investigated as pilot assessment study sites. Site inventory checklists consist of environmental characteristics of streetscape, street tree status, and planting condition evaluation. Environmental characteristics of streetscapes are composed of physical and neighborhood factors. For instance, items for physical factors are types and width of road/sidewalks, paving materials, tree protection materials, and green strip. And surrounding landuse is a neighborhood factor. Assessment items for street tree status are street plant names (tree/shrubs/ground cover), size, and planting intervals. Planting condition evaluation items are tree shape, damage, canopy density, and planting types with existence of adjacent green space. Evaluation results are classified into three levels such as A(maintain or repair), B(greening enhancement), and C(structural improvement). In case of grade A, streetscapes have enough sidewalk width for maintaining green strip and a multi-layered planting(in large road only) with fairly good growing conditions of street trees. For grade B and C, streetscapes have a moderate level of sidewalk width with a single street tree planting. In addition, street tree growing conditions are appeared poor so that green enhancement or maintenance measures are needed. For median, only grade B and C are found as its planting growing foundations are very limited in space. As a result, acquiring enough sidewalk space is essential to enhance ecological quality of urban street green. Especially, it is necessary to have green strip with reasonable widths for plant growing conditions in sidewalks. In addition, we need to consider native species with multi-layer plant compositions while designing street green.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 2019

Tetanus is an acute, often fatal, and infectious disease of all species of domestic animals caused by the neurotoxin of Clostridium tetani (C. tetani). This disease is usually known to develop after microbial contamination in the deep or penetrating wound sites. In February 2017, a farmer who was raising 76 cows injected foot and mouth disease vaccine to three or more cows with one syringe. Their clinical symptoms were observed 2 to 16 days after the vaccination. The initial symptoms were stiffness, rigidity of the neck and limbs, pricked ears, and prolapse of the third eyelid. Subsequently, there was recumbency with extension of the limbs, convulsions and opistotonus and the affected 20 cows were all died. Two dead cows were submitted to Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency for disease diagnosis. At necropsy, a focal edematous abscess of 15 to 20 cm in diameter was grossly observed in the subcutaneous and intramuscular tissue of scapular region and filled with a large amount of greenish pus. The feed was full in oral cavity and slightly observed in the trachea and lobes of lung. Histopathologically, focal granulomatous nodules with eosinophilic materials in the tissue were observed. In the lung, aspiration pneumonia and gram (+) bacteria were seen. The C. tetani was isolated in samples anaerobically cultured using reinforced clostridial medium and identified by PCR. To our knowledge, no previous outbreak of tetanus in cattle has affected such a high number of animals; neither has it been associated with misuse of the same syringe and needle to administer multiple individuals.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2021

In this study, we analyzed the cosmetic applicability of extract from snow tea, native to Lijiang, Yunnan-province, China. After confirming the species as N. grossedentata through DNA analysis of Lijiang snow tea, experiments were conducted using representative tea, green tea, and a representative control group for each efficacy analysis. Both teas were extracted using 70% (v/v) ethanol aqueous solution. The polyphenol content in the Lijiang snow tea extract (gallic acid equivalent, 23.9 ± 3.2 mg/mL) was higher than that in green tea extract (16.4 ± 2.3 mg/mL). In contrast, the antioxidant (Radical scavenging, IC₅₀ 104 ㎍/mL), tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory (whitening agent, IC₅₀ 40.7 ㎍/mL), and Escherichia coli growth inhibitory (preservative) activities (IC₅₀ 2.85 mg/mL) were analyzed based on the solid content in the extract, and it was confirmed that the activities of Lijiang snow tea extract were superior to those of green tea extract (radical scavenging, IC₅₀ 234 ㎍/mL. It also showed similar efficacy to previously used active substances such as antioxidants (vitamin C, IC₅₀ 108 ㎍/mL), whitening agents (vitamin C, IC₅₀ 80㎍/mL), and preservatives (methylparaben, IC₅₀ 4.35 mg/mL). However, green tea was found to be better in collagenase inhibition activity (anti-wrinkle). Through this study, the cosmetic application potential of Lijiang snow tea is high.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.289-316
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• 2022

This study was investigated to elucidate the distribution of vascular plants and their usefulness of Seondalsan Mountain (1,236 m) in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The surveys were carried out 20 times from April in 2014 to October in 2020. The vascular plants of Seondalsan Mountain was consisted a total of 638 taxa based on the voucher specimens; 96 families, 341 genera, 562 species, 18 subspecies, 53 varieties, 5 forms. 20 taxa of the Korean endemic plants were recorded and 1 taxa of Critically Endangered (CR), 3 taxa of Vulnerable (VU) and 9 taxa of Least Concern (LC), designated by Korean Forest Service as rare plants, were investigated in this region. Furthermore, V, IV and III degrees of floristic regional indicator plants, designated by the National Institute of Ecology, were included 1 taxa, 11 taxa and 28 taxa, respectively. Among them, edible, medicinal, fragrant, industrial, ornamental, ecological restoration, forage/compost plants were included 440 taxa, 505 taxa, 19 taxa, 234 taxa, 335 taxa, 214 taxa and 269 taxa respectively. In addition, 30 taxa of naturalized plants were observed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the germination characteristics through the temperature change treatment compared to the general room temperature immersion treatment of the native species, the Larix kaempferi, and the Berula platyphyllavar. japonica seeds, and to obtain basic data for the production of healthy seedlings with high productivity and efficiency. As a result, the germination rate of the larch seeds showed a significant difference according to room temperature and temperature immersion treatment, and the average germination days of the birch seeds showed a significant difference according to room temperature immersion and temperature immersion treatment. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in germinal uniformity. The results of the study are as follows. First, the results of the analysis of the fallen leaves were the highest germination rate in the treatment of 1.5 days of hot water and 1.5 days of cold water, the fastest germination rate, the lowest average germination day, and the highest germination uniformity. This is the best result in most items, and the change temperature immersion treatment of hot and cold baths was superior to the conventional room temperature immersion treatment. Second, the results of birch tree showed that the germination rate was the highest in 1.5 days of hot water and 1.5 days of cold water. The average germination day is 1.5 days of cold water 1.5 days of hot water 1.5 days, but the difference between 1.5 days of hot water and 1.5 days of cold water is 0.01 days. The highest germinated uniformity was found in 1.5 days of cold water and 1.5 days of hot water. As a result, in the case of larch and birch, the seed temperature immersion (1.5 days of hot water, 1.5 days of cold water) treatment is superior to the existing three-day immersion treatment in various analysis methods, and it is expected that productivity and efficiency can be improved at a low cost in a short period of time at the seedling production site through seeds.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2021

This study is for the collection and analysis of historical records on forest culture. It aims to satisfy the people's needs for forest culture by collecting and analyzing forest-related materials described in the law codes of the Joseon Dynasty to grasp the general matters of the forest culture at that time. From the provisions related to forests in the law codes of the Joseon Dynasty (Gyeongguk Daejeon, Sokdaejeon, Daejeon Tongpyeon and Daejeonhoetong), it was possible to gain insights into the process of changes in forest administration and policies, and changes in forest landscape, etc. Analysis of the Gyeongguk Daejeon revealed the following facts; at that time, special tree species or trees produced only in specific regions were managed separately; and there was a lot of attention paid to manage the landscape of specific areas; for reserved forest management regulations, beyond the level of logging bans, attention was paid not only to planting and cultivation, but also to landscape creation. In addition, it was found that private ownership of forests was generally forbidden, however, the ownership of a certain range of forests around the tombs was recognized for funeral rites.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2021

Solenopsis japonica, which is belonging to Formicidae in Hymenoptera, is a native ant species in Korea. However, it had not been studied for cold hardiness of S. japonica to understand on its overwintering mechanisms in field so far. Cold tolerance on developmental stages was measured at different cold temperature with various exposure times. Workers showed more survival at 5℃ and 10℃ compared with other stages and elevated cold tolerance when workers were exposed at 15℃ for more than 12h incubation as a rapid cold hardening (RCH) condition. RCH treatment not only increased survival of workers at cold temperatures, but also decreased supercooling point (SCP) and freezing point (FP). RCH group increased the survival rate by 44% at 10℃ compared with Non-RCH group. SCP and FP were depressed from -10.0 to -14.2℃ and from -11.3 to -15.3℃, respectively, after RCH treatment. Cold temperature increased expression level of cold- and stress-related genes such as glycerol kinase and heat shock protein. These results indicate unacclimated cold tolerance of S. japonica and its acclimation to low temperature by RCH.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1128-1141
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• 2021

'Angelica' is one of the most traditionally consumed medicinal herbs around Northeast Asia including Korea for treatments of various diseases or health care purposes like hematopoiesis, blood circulation for women, sedative, analgesic, and a tonic medicine etc. Angelica gigas Nakai, a Korean native species of Angelica, is clearly different from the others in containing a high concentration of active ingredients like pyranocoumarines including decursin, decursinol, and decursinol angelate. These compounds have various kinds of positive effects such as anti-tumor activity including the precaution of neutropenia occurred during anticancer drug administration, improvements of metabolic disorders, menstrual irregularity, impairment of renal function, respiration improvement, cognition-enhancement, anti-inflammatory effect, anti-oxidative effect, enhancing fertility and so forth. Thus it implies incredible potentialities in future development for foods and drugs. However, certain purity-related qualities and/or overdose in food products can cause side effects like toxicities; therefore, their safety profiles should also be considered. This review focuses on the positive and negative effects of three pyranocoumarines in Angelica gigas Nakai and some possibilities and considerations for future food and drug products development.