• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2013

Slightly acidic hypochlorous water (SAHW) is well known for having a powerful and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, and is harmless to the environment and humans. SAHW (pH 5~6.5, 20~30 ppm available chlorine concentration) was generated by electrolysis of dilute solution of HCl (4%) in a chamber of a non-membrane electrolytic cell. Our objective was to determine SAHW has a potential fungicidal activity on some phytopathogenic fungi. Spores of Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum and Phytophthora capsici were not culturable on agar media at approximately 10 seconds after treatment by SAHW. However, inactivation of Penicillium hirsutum was required over 3 min. Dilution of SAHW with sterilized distilled water (SDW) at the ratio of 1:1 (SAHW:SDW) against C. acutatum showed 100% inactivation but, the efficacy in 1:2 decreased until 63.2%. Control value of SAHW was 70.4% against C. acutatum on pepper fruits when applied upto 24 h postinoculation. SAHW has a powerful and wide spectrum antifungal activity and could be applied as a potential alternative to fungicidal agent for control of plant disease.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.479-483
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of E. coli isolated from porcine semen on sperm viability, motility, and semen pH. Semen samples were prepared using commercial extender, $Seminark^{Pro}$ (Noahbio Tech, Korea) that did not contain antibiotics. And 4 different levels of E. coli were artificially innoculated to semen with following concentrations; 4,000 of sperms with 1 of E. coli (T1), 400 with 1 (T2), 40 with 1 (T3), and 4 with 1 (T4). Semen samples were preserved at $17^{\circ}C$ for 5 days in semen storage box until analyzed by flowcytometer. Aliquots were subjected to measure the sperm viability (Live/$Dead^{(R)}$ stain), motility (mitochondrial function), and semen acidity (pH) from day 0 (day of semen collection) to day 5. Sperm motility and viability were significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 0 (4 hrs after preservation at $17^{\circ}C$) in T3 and T4 compared to control groups and were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in all groups from day 3. Sample pH was acidic in T3 (6.90~6.86) and T4 (6.86~6.65) from day 3 to day 5 (p<0.05). On the other hand, sample pH was maintained 7.0~7.1 in control, T1, and T2 during the experimental period. Sperm motility and viability were significantly decreased from day 0 to day 5 compared to control in samples contaminated with E. coli above a value of 40:1 ($20{\times}10^6$ sperm cells/ml : $5{\times}10^5$ cfu/ml). Even on day 1 in T4 and on day 3 in T3, semen pH was acidic probably due to the acidification of dead spermatozoa. These results suggest that E. coli contamination has a concentration-dependent detrimental effect on extended porcine semen quality.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.200-208
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• 2010

The objectives of this study were to evaluate no-tillage cover crop cropping systems for organic farming in paddy. The experiment was performed at Ihyeon series (silt loam: 9.1% sand, 73.0% silt and 17.9% clay) which affected by different management practices. Planthopper population per 20 plant was significantly higher 65.3 for conventional tillage with chemical compounds (control) compared with 3.4~9.6 for no-tillage treatments (without rice straw or green manure, amended with rice straw, hairy vetch, rape, rye, and Chinese milk vetch). Also, disease severity of sheath blight was significantly higher 10.5% for control compared to 0.7~2.9% for no-tillage treatments. Four weed species, namely Monochoria vaginalis, Ludwigia prostrata, Rotala indica, and Aneilema keisak occurred in no-tillage paddy, whereas Monochoria vaginalis occurred in control only. The pH, available phosphate, and microbial biomass C in paddy were steeply decreased in response to submerging, but increased at first heading stage. Soil $NH_4$-N content at first heading stage was significantly higher in no-tillage treatments compared with control. The grain yield was significantly higher in 4.30 Mg $ha^{-1}$ for control than other treatments. Meanwhile, rice productivity was significantly higher in 2.69 Mg $ha^{-1}$ for no-tillage amended with Chinese milk vetch compared to other no-tillage treatments. The number of panicle per plant, grain number perpanicle, and percent ripened grain were highly related for increasing the yield of rice. These results show that Chinese milk vetch was optimum cover crop for organic farming in no-tillage paddy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2010

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor involved in neuronal differentiation, plasticity, survival and regeneration. BDNF draws massive attention mainly due to the potential as a therapeutic target in neurological diseases such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. In a primary screening for the natural compounds enhancing BDNF release from cultured rat primary cortical neuron, we found that compounds such as baicalein, tanshinone IIa, cinnamic acid, epiberberine, genistein and wogonin among many others increased BDNF release. All the compounds at $0.1{\mu}M$ of concentration barely showed stimulatory effect on BDNF induction, however, their combination (mixture 1; baicalein, tanshinone IIa and cinnamic acid, mixture 2; epiberberine, genistein and wogonin) showed synergistic increase in BDNF release as well as mRNA and protein expression. The level of BDNF expression was comparable to the maximum BDNF stimulation attainable by a positive control oroxylin A ($20{\mu}M$) without cell toxicity as determined by MTT analysis. Both mixtures synergistically increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) as well as cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), an immediate and essential regulator of BDNF expression. Similar to these results, mixture of these compounds synergistically inhibited the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by lipopolysaccharide treatments in rat primary astrocytes. These results suggest that the combinatorial treatment of natural compounds in lower concentration might be a useful strategy to obtain sufficient BDNF stimulation in neurological disease condition such as depression, while minimizing potential side effects and toxicity of higher concentration of a single compound.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.1023-1031
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• 2017

The conformational change of cellular prion protein ($PrP^C$) to its misfolded counterpart, termed $PrP^{Sc}$, is mediated by a hypothesized cellular cofactor. This cofactor is believed to interact directly with certain amino acid residues of $PrP^C$. When these are mutated into cationic amino acid residues, $PrP^{Sc}$ formation and prion replication halt in a dominant negative (DN) manner, presumably due to strong binding of the cofactor to mutated $PrP^C$, designated as DN PrP mutants. Previous studies demonstrated that plasminogen and its kringle domains bind to PrP and accelerate $PrP^{Sc}$ generation. In this study, in vitro binding analysis of kringle domains of plasminogen to Q167R DN mutant PrP (PrPQ167R) was performed in parallel with the wild type (WT) and Q218K DN mutant PrP (PrPQ218K). The binding affinity of PrPQ167R was higher than that of WT PrP, but lower than that of PrPQ218K. Scatchard analysis further indicated that, like PrPQ218K and WT PrP, PrPQ167R interaction with plasminogen occurred at multiple sites, suggesting cooperativity in this interaction. Competitive binding analysis using $\small{L}$-lysine or $\small{L}$-arginine confirmed the increase of the specificity and binding affinity of the interaction as PrP acquired DN mutations. Circular dichroism spectroscopy demonstrated that the recombinant PrPs used in this study retained the ${\alpha}$-helix-rich structure. The ${\alpha}$-helix unfolding study revealed similar conformational stability for WT and DN-mutated PrPs. This study provides an additional piece of biochemical evidence concerning the interaction of plasminogen with DN mutant PrPs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 1999

To examine the relationship between air pollution and occurrence of disease in plants, we investigated the alteration of physiology and biochemistry of Ginkgo biloba by inoculating with Coniothyrium sp. and fumigating with 0.1 ${\mu}l/l\;SO_{2-}$ Visual damage did not appear but photosynthesis, $CO_2$ use efficiency(CUE) and water use efficiency(WUE) were reduced when G. biloba was exposed to $SO_{2-}$for 7days (8 hours a day). When inoculated with Coniothyrium sp., the seventies of damage in G. biloba showed a threefold difference between $SO_{2-}$ treatment (SI) and $SO_{2-}$ free treatment (SFI) at day 42 from initial inoculation. Little difference was observed in sugar contents that may be used pathogens feed, among control, SFI and SI. In spite of the reduction in photosynthetic rate, sugar contents and CUE were maintained. WUE was enhanced 13% more at SI than SFI. The $CO_2$fixation boosted because of enhanced WUE, and thus sugar synthesis was not affected. In addition, sugar transport seems to be retarded for some internal alteration. Consequently, the severity of SI was more serious than that of SFI because Coniothyrium sp. easily invades into the physical texture of G. biloba weakened by $SO_2$ fumigation and because sugar was accumulated in leaves of G. biloba.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.360-366
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• 2014

Kimchi is a Korean traditional fermented food with various health functionalities. However, the protective effects of kimchi against Alzheimer's disease (AD) have not been studied yet. In this study, the protective activities of kimchi extract against oxidative stress and AD were investigated in an amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$)-induced AD model using ICR mice. Kimchi extract exerted strong scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radical. In addition, T-maze, object cognition, and water maze tests were carried out using the AD model. The $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-injected groups showed impairment of cognition and memory. However, the abilities of novel object recognition and new route awareness were improved by administration of kimchi extract (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Furthermore, the results on water maze test indicated that kimchi extract exerted protective activity against cognitive impairment induced by $A{\beta}_{25-35}$. The present study suggested that kimchi protected against $A{\beta}$-induced impairment of memory and cognition as well as attenuated oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.202-210
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• 2020

As the elderly population increases, it is becoming important to prevent and treat muscle loss caused by aging or disease. Steroidal androgen in the protein assimilation steroid (AAS) system is mainly used to induce muscle improvement, but it is well known that long-term or excessive doses of AAS result in various side effects, although they are prescribed for various muscle and weight loss treatments. Research is therefore underway to explore natural substances that promote muscle renewal with relatively few side effects. However, despite many studies on the improvement of skeletal muscle and the reduction of muscle disease using natural products, there is still a lack of significant clinical results and mechanism studies. The promotion of muscle regeneration through treatment with natural substances typically involves three mechanisms: positive control of the muscle modulating factor (MRF), activation of the protein synthesis mechanism, and inhibition of the protein breakdown mechanism. A study of plant extracts that are known to have muscle neoplasmic stimulation effects, such as black ginseng, plum, and nutmeg, as well as single substances derived from natural products, such as creatine, catechin, and several fatty acids, is therefore described. We also summarize the mechanisms that have been identified so far through which each of these extracts or single materials facilitates muscle regeneration and the signaling pathways that they mediate.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2016

Background: Rhizobacteria play an important role in plant defense and could be promising sources of biocontrol agents. This study aimed to screen antagonistic bacteria and develop a biocontrol system for root rot complex of Panax notoginseng. Methods: Pure-culture methods were used to isolate bacteria from the rhizosphere soil of notoginseng plants. The identification of isolates was based on the analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences. Results: A total of 279 bacteria were obtained from rhizosphere soils of healthy and root-rot notoginseng plants, and uncultivated soil. Among all the isolates, 88 showed antagonistic activity to at least one of three phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Phoma herbarum mainly causing root rot disease of P. notoginseng. Based on the 16S rRNA sequencing, the antagonistic bacteria were characterized into four clusters, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetesi. The genus Bacillus was the most frequently isolated, and Bacillus siamensis (Hs02), Bacillus atrophaeus (Hs09) showed strong antagonistic activity to the three pathogens. The distribution pattern differed in soil types, genera Achromobacter, Acidovorax, Brevibacterium, Brevundimonas, Flavimonas, and Streptomyces were only found in rhizosphere of healthy plants, while Delftia, Leclercia, Brevibacillus, Microbacterium, Pantoea, Rhizobium, and Stenotrophomonas only exist in soil of diseased plant, and Acinetobacter only exist in uncultivated soil. Conclusion: The results suggest that diverse bacteria exist in the P. notoginseng rhizosphere soil, with differences in community in the same field, and antagonistic isolates may be good potential biological control agent for the notoginseng root-rot diseases caused by F. oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Panax herbarum.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.591-599
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• 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by the progressive degradation of joint cartilage and is accompanied by secondary inflammation of synovial membranes. The purpose of this study describes a preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity on test material of Litsea japonica. fruit (LJTM) Also, this study was to evaluate the effects of LJTM on the joint cartilage of rat with OA induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). To study for anti-inflammatory agents effectively, we first examined the inhibitory effect of the LJTM on the production of pro-inflammatory factors and cytokines stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. We identified anti-nociceptive effects of the LJTM by using in vivo peripheral and central nervous pain models. In addition, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on mRNA expression of MMP-2, -3, -7, -9, -13, TIMP-1 and –2 in cartilage of OA. In the LJTM inhibited production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO and PGE₂) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). In cartilage, Expression of MMPs and TIMPs mRNA was suppressed in LJTM treatment group than in the control group. This study suggests that LJTM are potential candidates as anti-inflammation and anti-osteoarthritis agents (painkillers) for the treatment of OA.