• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2016

This study was conducted to examine the optimal environmental condition for promoting the growth of sowthistle as affected by light quality and photoperiod in a closed-type plant production system. Seeds were sown in 240-cell plug trays and then germinated for 3 days at a 24-hour photoperiod in a closed-type plant production system with LED lights (R:B:W = 8:1:1). Seedlings were transplanted and grown under 3 types of LED (R:B:W = 8:1:1, R:W = 3:7, or R:B = 8:2) and 4 photoperiods (24/0, 16/8, 8/16, or 4/20 hours) with $230{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ light intensity at a density of $20cm{\times}20 cm$. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design. Plants were cultured for 40 days un der the condition of $21{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ and $70{\pm}10%$ relative humidity after transplanting. Plants were fed with a recycling nutrient solution (pH 7.0 and EC $2.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$) contained in a deep floating tank. Fresh weight and dry weight of shoot or root, leaf length, and leaf area were the greatest in the photoperiod of 24/0 (light/dark) with RW LED. The highest number of leaves occurred in the photoperiod of 16/8 (light/dark) with RB LED, while the incidence of tip burn was higher in the photoperiod of 24/0 (light/dark) compared to the other treatments. Chlorophyll value was the highest in the 16/8 (light/dark) photoperiod and there was no significant difference by light quality. Chlorophyll fluorescence was the lowest in the photoperiod of 24/0 (light/dark) compared with other treatments. Therefore, in terms of economic feasibility and productivity for Ixeris dentata Nakai cultivation in a closed-type plant production system, the results obtained suggest that plants grew the best when kept in a photoperiod of 16/8 (light/dark) and light quality of combined LED RW (3:7).

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2011

We previously reported the protein isolated from Coptidis Rhizoma (CRP), which has antifungal activity against a fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. In the current study, we investigated what portion in the CRP is responsible for the antifungal activity. For the investigation, the CRP was fractionated on a Shepadex G-50 column. Data resulting from the fractionation, seven fractions were obtained. Fractions (Fr.) I, II, and III eluted initially from the column showed no inhibitory effect on the growth of C. albicans, whereas Fr. IV, V, and VI eluted later revealed inhibition of the growth, and Fr. IV and VI showed potent antifungal activity by broth susceptibility analysis. However, Fr. VI was contained in the CRP more than Fr. IV, which led us to select the VI for the following experiments. In a murine model of a subcutaneous candidiasis caused by C. albicans, the Fr. VI displayed a therapeutic effect on nude mice pretreated with anti-neutrophil monoclonal antibody (RB68C5) and then infected subcutaneously with live C. albicans. At day 16, these mice were healed almost up to 78% of the infected area when compared to infected area of control nude mice that received diluent (Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline; DPBS), instead of the Fr. VI (P<0.01). The Fr. VI blocked hyphal formation from blastoconidial form of C. albicans (P<0.01), which might prevent penetration of hyphae to the deeper site of skin and thus helps the healing. In the ionic strength test, the effect of Fr. was influenced by $Ca^{2+}$ ion just like other known antimicrobial peptides, but the influence was affected at an extremely high concentration such as 500 mM. Thus, such ion-concentration is considered to be meaningless in the clinical situation. Considering all data together, Coptidis Rhizoma is appeared to produce an antimicrobial peptide that has therapeutic effect on subcutaneous infection caused by C. albicans.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2016

Background: The roots of Panax ginseng contain noble tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins derived from dammarenediol-II. Dammarene-type ginsenosides are classified into the protopanaxadiol (PPD) and protopanaxatriol (PPT) groups based on their triterpene aglycone structures. Two cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes (CYP716A47 and CYP716A53v2) are critical for the production of PPD and PPT aglycones, respectively. CYP716A53v2 is a protopanaxadiol 6-hydroxylase that catalyzes PPT production from PPD in P. ginseng. Methods: We constructed transgenic P. ginseng lines overexpressing or silencing (via RNA interference) the CYP716A53v2 gene and analyzed changes in their ginsenoside profiles. Result: Overexpression of CYP716A53v2 led to increased accumulation of CYP716A53v2 mRNA in all transgenic roots compared to nontransgenic roots. Conversely, silencing of CYP716A53v2 mRNA in RNAi transgenic roots resulted in reduced CYP716A53v2 transcription. HPLC analysis revealed that transgenic roots overexpressing CYP716A53v2 contained higher levels of PPT-group ginsenosides ($Rg_1$, Re, and Rf) but lower levels of PPD-group ginsenosides (Rb1, Rc, $Rb_2$, and Rd). By contrast, RNAi transgenic roots contained lower levels of PPT-group compounds and higher levels of PPD-group compounds. Conclusion: The production of PPD- and PPT-group ginsenosides can be altered by changing the expression of CYP716A53v2 in transgenic P. ginseng. The biological activities of PPD-group ginsenosides are known to differ from those of the PPT group. Thus, increasing or decreasing the levels of PPT-group ginsenosides in transgenic P. ginseng may yield new medicinal uses for transgenic P. ginseng.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

The study aimed to determine effects of light emitting diode (LED) and the ultraviolet radiation (UVA) light of plant factory on plant growth and ascorbic acid content of spinach (Spinacia oleracea cv. Shusiro). Plants were grown in a NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system for 28 days after transplanting with fluorescent light (FL, control), LEDs and UVA (Blue+UVA (BUV), Red and Blue (R:B(2:1)) + UVA (RBUV), Red+UVA (RUV), White LED (W), Red and Blue (R:B(2:1)), Blue (B), Red (R)) under the same light intensity ($130{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$) and photoperiod (16/8h = day/night). All the light sources containing the R (R, RB, RUV, and RBUV) showed leaf epinasty symptom at 21 days after transplanting (DAT). Under the RUV treatment, the lengths of leaf and leaf petiole were significantly reduced and the leaf width was increased, lowering the leaf shape index, compared to the R treatment. Under the BUV, however, the lengths of leaf and leaf petiole were increased significantly, and the leaf number was increased compared to B. Under the RBUV treatment, the leaf length was significantly shorter than other treatments, while no significant difference between the RBUV and RB for the fresh and dry weights and leaf area. Dry weights at 28 days after transplanting were significantly higher in the R, RUV and BUV treatments than those in the W and FL. The leaf area was significantly higher under the BUV treatment. The ascorbic acid content of the 28 day-old spinach under the B was significantly higher, followed by the BUV, and significantly lower in FL and R. All the integrated data suggest that the BUV light seems to be the most suitable for growth and quality of hydroponically grown spinach in a plant factory.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.124-134
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• 2013

The authentication of the physico-chemical properties of ginsenosides reference materials as well as qualitative and quantitative batch analytical data based on validated analytical procedures is a prerequisite for certifying good manufacturing practice (GMP). Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, representing protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol ginsenosides, respectively, are accepted as marker substances in quality control standards worldwide. However, the current analytical methods for these two compounds recommended by Korean, Chinese, European, and Japanese pharmacopoeia do not apply to red ginseng preparations, particularly the extract, because of the relatively low content of the two agents in red ginseng compared to white ginseng. In manufacturing fresh ginseng into red ginseng products, ginseng roots are exposed to a high temperature for many hours, and the naturally occurring ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 are converted to artifact ginsenosides such as Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, and Rh2 during the heating process. The analysis of ginsenosides in commercially available ginseng products in Korea led us to propose the inclusion of the (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3, including ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, as additional reference materials for ginseng preparations. (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3 were isolated by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography, silica gel flash chromatography, recrystallization, and preparative HPLC. HPLC fractions corresponding to those two ginsenosides were recrystallized in appropriate solvents for the analysis of physico-chemical properties. Documentation of those isolated ginsenosides was achieved according to the method proposed by Gaedcke and Steinhoff. The ginsenosides were subjected to analyses of their general characteristics, identification, purity, content quantification, and mass balance tests. The isolated ginsenosides showed 100% purity when determined by the three HPLC systems. Also, the water content was found to be 0.534% for (20S)-Rg3 and 0.920% for (20R)-Rg3, meaning that the net mass balances for (20S)-Rg3 and (20R)-Rg3 were 99.466% and 99.080%, respectively. From these results, we could assess and propose a full spectrum of physico-chemical properties of (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3 as standard reference materials for GMP-based quality control.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.180-187
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• 2022

In order to select suitable light in a plant factory, electric energy use efficiency and light use efficiency should be considered simultaneously to consider operating costs as well as quantitative and functional aspects. The growth characteristics, electric energy use efficiency, light use efficiency by light intensity, LED ratio, and photoperiod conditions were compared together. Light intensity is 60, 130, 230, and 320 µmol·m^-2·s^-1 treatments, and light quality is the mixing ratio of red light and blue light 8:2, 6:4, 4:6, and 2:8 treatments. Photoperiod is 9, 12, 15, and 18 hours treatments based on the daytime. In the light intensity experiment, the growth rate increased as the light intensity increased, but there was no significant difference in the light use efficiency. When comparing the leaf fresh weight per power consumption, only the 320 µmol·m^-2·s^-1 treatment group showed significantly low efficiency, and there was no significant difference in the other treatments, so 230 µmol·m^-2·s^-1, which produced the most, was the most efficient. In the light quality experiment, the ratio of red light and blue light was measured to be high at the same time as the growth rate and light use efficiency in RB 8:2, and there was no significant difference in color difference and flavonoids content, so a Red:Blue ratio of 8:2 was the most suitable condition. In the photoperiod experiment, the longer the photoperiod, the higher the growth rate. However, there was no significant difference in the growth rate over 12 hours of daytime, so 12 hours considering the light consumption efficiency was a suitable condition. Based on the above results, LED light environmental conditions for perilla growth in plant factories were light intensity, light quality, and day length of 230 µmol·m^-2·s^-1 or more, 8:2, and 12 hours or more, respectively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1403-1410
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• 2014

Epigenetic regulators like histone deacetylases (1 and 2), and viral onco-proteins (E6/E7) are known to be overexpressed in cervical cancer cells. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of curcumin on HDACs (1 and 2) and HPV E6/E7 in the cervical cancer cell line SiHa and a drug resistant clone $SiHa^R$ (derived from SiHa). It was further intended to investigate whether curcumin could sensitize the cells towards cisplatin induced cell killing by modulation of multi drug resistant proteins like MRP1 and Pgp1. Curcumin inhibited HDACs, HPV expression and differentially increased acetylation and up-regulation of p53 in SiHa and $SiHa^R$, leading to cell cycle arrest at G1-S phase. Up-regulation of pRb, p21, p27 and corresponding inhibition of cyclin D1 and CDK4 were observed. Cisplatin resistance in $SiHa^R$ due to over-expression of MRP1 and Pgp1 was overcome by curcumin. Curcumin also sensitized both the cervical cancer cells towards cisplatin induced cell killing. Inhibition of HDACs and HPVs led to cell cycle arrest at G1/S phase by alteration of cell cycle regulatory proteins. Suppression of MRP1 and Pgp1 by curcumin resulted in sensitization of cervical cancer cells, lowering the chemotherapeutic dose of the drug cisplatin.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2013

China is one of the countries with the highest reserves of coal bed methane (CBM) in the world. Likewise, the CBM industry is significantly growing in China. However, activities related to CBM development have led to more environmental problems, which include serious environmental damage and pollution caused by CBM-produced water. In this paper, the detailed characteristics of CBM-produced water in the southern Qinshui Basin were investigated and analyzed and compared with local surface water and coal mine drainage. Most of CBM-produced water samples are contaminated by higher concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS), K (Potassium), Na (Sodium) and $NH_4$. The alkalinity of the water from coalmines and CBM production was higher than that of the local surface water. The concentrations of some trace elements such as P (Phosphorus), Ti (Titanium), V (Vanadium), Cr (Chromium), Ni (Nickel), Zn (Zinc), Ge (Germanium), As (Arsenic), Rb (Rubidium), and Pd (Palladium) in water from the coalmines and CBM production are higher than the acceptable standard limits. The ${\delta}D$ and ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of the CBM-produced water are lower than those of the surface water. Similarly, the ${\delta}D$ values of the CBM-produced water decreased with increasing drainage time.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.307-318
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• 1988

Properties of succinate transport were examined in basolaterat membrane vesicles (BLMV) isolated from rabbit renal cortex. An inwardly directed $Na^+$ gradient stimulated succinate uptake and led to a transient overshoot. $K^+,{\;}Li^+,{\;}Rb^+$ and choline could not substitute for $Na^+$ in the uptake process. The dependence of the initial uptake rate of succinate on $Na^+$ concentration exhibited sigmoidal kinetics, indicating interaction of more than one $Na^+$ with transporter Hill coefficient for $Na^+$ was calculated to be 2.0. The $Na^+-dependent$ succinate uptake was electrogenic, resulting in the transfer of positive charge across the membrane. The succinate uptake into BLMV showed a pH optimum at external pH $7.5{\sim}8.0$, whereas succinate uptake into brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) did not depend on external pH. Kinetic analysis showed that a Na-dependent succinate uptake in BLMV occurred via a single transport system, with an apparent Km of $15.5{\pm}0.94{\;}{\mu}M$ and Vmax of $16.22{\pm}0.25{\;}nmole/mg{\;}protein/min$. Succinate uptake was strongly inhibited by $4{\sim}5$ carbon dicarboxylates, whereas monocarboxylates and other organic anions showed a little or no effect. The succinate transport system preferred dicarboxylates in trans-configuration (furmarate) over cis-dicarboxylates (maleate). Succinate uptake was inhibited by the anion transport inhibitors DIDS, SITS and furosemide, and $Na^+-coupled$ transport inhibitor harmaline. These results indicate the existence of a $Na^+-dependent$ succinate transport system in BLMV that may be shared by the other Krebs cycle intemediates. This transport system seems to be very similar to the luminal transport system for dicarboxylates.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.562-570
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• 2018

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In this study, we used a bioactivity-guided isolation technique to identify constituents of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) with antiproliferative activity against human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: Bioactivity-guided fractionation and preparative/semipreparative HPLC purification were used with LC/MS analysis to separate the bioactive constituents. Cell viability and apoptosis in human lung cancer cell lines (A549, H1264, H1299, and Calu-6) after treatment with KRG extract fractions and constituents thereof were assessed using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay and terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. Caspase activation was assessed by detecting its surrogate marker, cleaved poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP-ribose) polymerase, using an immunoblot assay. The expression and subcellular localization of apoptosis-inducing factor were assessed using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. Results and conclusion: Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the KRG extract revealed that its ethyl acetate-soluble fraction exerts significant cytotoxic activity against all human lung cancer cell lines tested by inducing apoptosis. Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetatesoluble fraction led to the isolation of six ginsenosides, including ginsenoside Rb1 (1), ginsenoside Rb2 (2), ginsenoside Rc (3), ginsenoside Rd (4), ginsenoside Rg1 (5), and ginsenoside Rg3 (6). Among the isolated ginsenosides, ginsenoside Rg3 exhibited the most cytotoxic activity against all human lung cancer cell lines examined, with $IC_{50}$ values ranging from $161.1{\mu}M$ to $264.6{\mu}M$. The cytotoxicity of ginsenoside Rg3 was found to be mediated by induction of apoptosis in a caspase-independent manner. These findings provide experimental evidence for a novel biological activity of ginsenoside Rg3 against human lung cancer cells.