• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2014

Ageratina altissima is an invasive plant species known to threaten native plant communities in Korea. A. altissima is thought to invade shady forests from disturbed open areas; however, uncertainty remains as to how shade and litter depth might affect establishment. A study of A. altissima distribution characteristics in areas adjacent to trails was undertaken at Mt. Umyeon in Seoul, Korea. Increasing densities of A. altissima were found to correlate with greater light availability and decreasing litter depth (p < 0.001) within 10 m distance from trail locations and on ridges rather than further within forests and valleys. The effects of soil moisture content, soil gravel content and soil pH on distribution were not found to be significant, suggesting that A. altissima is adaptable to a broad range of soil conditions. Results indicate that forest areas close to trails may be particularly susceptible place to A. altissima invasion, demonstrating the need to carefully consider implications for A. altissima expansion in trail management.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2017

Bacterial blight in rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) greatly reduces the growth and productivity of this important food crop. Therefore, we sought to increase the resistance of rice to bacterial blight by using a NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) transcription factor, one of the plant-specific transcription factors that is known to be involved in biotic/abiotic stress resistance. By isolating the OsNAC58 gene from rice and analyzing its biological functions related to Xoo resistance, phylogenetic analysis showed that OsNAC58 belongs to group III. To investigate the biological relationship between bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and OsNAC58 in rice, we constructed a vector for overexpression in rice and generated transgenic rice. The expression analysis resulting from use of RT-PCR showed that OsNAC58-overexpressed transgenic rice exhibited higher levels of OsNAC58 expression than wild types. Further, subcellular localization analysis using rice protoplasts showed that the 35S/OsNAC58-SmGFP fusion protein was localized in the nuclei. Thirteen OsNAC58-overexpressed transgenic rice lines, with high expression levels of OsNAC58, showed more resistant to Xoo than did the wild types. Together, these results suggest that the OsNAC58 gene of rice regulates the rice disease resistance mechanism in the nucleus upon invasion of the rice bacterial blight pathogen Xoo.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.56-71
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• 1980

To study the changes of vegetational composition of each plant successional stage of Pinus densiflora forest caused by pine gall midge damage, Thecodiplosis japonensis, located in Kyonggi-do area, the middle part of Korea, four districts, Anseong, Yongin, Gwangju, and Gapyeong, were selected according to the length of insect damage duration. The forest in the Anseong district was the noninfested one selected as the check. And forests in Yongin, Gwangju, and Gapyeong were the recent]y damaged, severely damaged, and damage prolonged ones in sequence. It was considered that this order could be in concord with the gradual transition of plant successional stage. In view of temperature, precipitation and soil factors, these four districts were sited within the same environment. Four survey plots were selected from each district and the distance between them was 3~4 km. Then again four subplots were set within a plot. Through needle accumulation after insect infestation, light intensity, soil moisture content, and the amount of soil organic matter were increased and these conditions could create a favorable environment enabling the new species invasion and their growth. These were naturally closely related with the increase in quantity of Pinus densiflora defoliation. After considerable time lapse, the quantities of above mentioned factors decreased with the development of the new substitute tree species. It was found that Quercus mongolica was an excellently substitute tree species come first in this studied area. Species diversity increased to a degree at the early stage of the duration of pine gall midge damage and decreased thereafter. As the same manner, similarity index value between plots in the same district decreased to a degree and increased thereafter. This was linked admittedly with the increase and decrease of tree species and evenness. Synthesizing above mentioned results, the process of plant succession studied quantitatively by changes of relative density and relative importance value, it can be concluded that Pinus densiflora forest gives way to Genus Quercus forest in which Genus Lespedeza and Genus Rhododendron species become as subdominance species after removal of the Pinus densiflora trees damaged by pine gall midge.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2006

This study was carried out to know pathogenicity of the pathogen isolated in several location of Korea and penetration mechanism of the Pseudocercospora vitis ($(L\acute{e}v)$.) Speg. Inoculation tests at room temperature were performed on both sides of leaves with different isolates of the fungus. The typical symptoms appeared on the abaxial leaf surface, but no symptom was observed on the adaxial leaf surface with all isolates. The average incubation period was nine days, since all symptoms appeared from 8 to 10 days after inoculation. In order to know the mechanism of invasion of P. vitis to grapevine, the behavior of penetration hyphae through stomata were compared in two cultivars having different level of resistance. In order to know the mechanism of resistance of grape vine to P.vitis, two cultivars having different level of resistance were compared by counting the numbers and measuring size of the stomata per leaf. In a susceptible cultivar Campbell Early, the number of stomata was more than that of a resistance cultivar 'Kyoho'. In a susceptible cultivar 'Campbell Early', the fungus entered readily into stomata after inoculation. However, in a resistant cultivar 'Kyoho', the fungus seemed to pass over or surrounded only the guard cells. In comparison of height of guard cells of stomata between the two cultivars, significant differences were observed by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The height of guard cells of 'Campbell Early' showed a little higher than those of 'Kyoho' known to be resistant to the fungus.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.880-888
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• 2015

Foeniculum vulgare (FV) has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In addition, it is usually known as an important medicinal and aromatic plant widely used as a carminative, digestive, lactogogue, and diuretic, and for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. The skin barrier protects against the invasion of pathogens, fends off chemical and physical assaults, and protects against extensive water loss. In this study, the effects of solvent-fractionated FV fruits on strengthening the skin barrier and maintaining moisture, as well as their antifungal activity, were investigated in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. The expression of involucrin, loricrin, filaggrin, hyaluronic acid synthase, human β defensin, and cathelicidin genes and proteins was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. The production of hyaluronic acid was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The butanol fraction increased the expression of involucrin and filaggrin. Both the ethyl acetate and the butanol fractions increased hyaluronic acid production by promoting the expression of hyaluronic acid synthase-1. Although the antimicrobial peptides were increased by FV crude extract and its fractions, the samples did not show a significant effect compared to the normal group. These results suggest that the butanol fraction of FV could be very useful in cosmetics for the treatment of dermatological diseases.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.398-412
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to collect the basic data for effective creation and management of hilly pasture. The investigation of flora and vegetation was conducted at 59 $relev\acute{e}s$ in hilly pasture of Daegwallyeong from 2014 to 2016. The vascular plants of the hilly pasture were 121 listed taxa which contain 38 families, 90 genera, 104 species, 13 varieties, and 12 subspecies. The biological type of the hilly pasture was determined as the $Th-D_4-R_5-e$ type. Twelve taxa were of naturalized plants composed of 5 families, 9 genera, 12 species. The urbanization index and the naturalized index were 3.7% and 9.9%, respectively. The vegetation types in the hilly pasture were classified into the following 3 communities: the Spiraea miyabei-Spiraea salicifolia community, the Persicaria thunbergii community, and the Agrostis alba-Phleum pratense community. The Agrostis alba-Phleum pratense community was classified into the following 5 subcommunities: the Poa pratensis subcommunity, the Artemisia princeps subcommunity, the Festuca ovina subcommunity, the Rumex acetosella subcommunity, and the typical subcommunity. Two factors (slope and EC) had the strongest impact on plant community distribution. Especially, the steep sloping sites (over $40^{\circ}$) did not play a crucial role in maintaining adequate pasture because of the invasion and establishment of shrubs.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.199-206
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• 2005

Estuary islets should be managed systematically because they are important places for birds to rest and breed. This paper investigates the environmental properties of islets where the sand banks are located from east to west on the southernmost of Nakdong estuary during a year (September 2003 $\sim$ August 2004). The research showed that 59 species and 19,148 individuals were found in the area A (Jangja Shinja-Do) and 61 species and 28,394 individuals in the area B (Saja-Do; Beakhapdeung Doyodeung). Totally, 74 species and 47,539 individuals were observed in both of this estuary. Shorebirds are the most observed species in both areas. In area, most of individuals were especially observed in the spring when Shorebirds migrate northward for breeding. In B area, various species were also observed in the fall when they migrate southward for wintering. Therefore, many groups of birds are observed around Shinja-Do in the spring. They passed the winter in Doyodueng, associated with feeding in the main stream of Nakdong river mainly. Although the southernmost sand bar is the breeding place to access to outside without interception, invasion by human beings and predators (mice, weasels and etc.) gives a fatal blow for birds to breed or rest. The reed which is a tall herbaceous plant is flourished according to the process of ecological succession. Therefore, the sand bar becomes a land. It results in reduction of habitats and breeding grounds for birds. In conclusion, these areas where birds can use the islets as habits and breeding places must be preserved by restraining luxuriance of reeds and systematic management of human beings and predators is necessary.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.462-469
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• 2013

Withaferin A is a steroidal lactone purified from the Indian medicinal plant Withania somnifera. It exhibits a wide variety of activities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, and immunomodulation properties. In this review, we focused on the anti-cancer effects of withaferin A. Withaferin A inhibits cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis in cancer cells. Furthermore, it sensitized irradiation, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-, and doxorubicin-mediated apoptosis. The results showed that multiple mechanisms were involved in withaferin A-mediated anti-cancer effects. First, withaferin A increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and induced ER stress- and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Second, withaferin A inhibited the signaling pathways (Jak/STAT, Akt, Notch, and c-Met), which are important in cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. Third, it induced apoptosis and inhibited cancer cell migration through the up-regulation of prostate apoptosis protein-4 (Par-4). Finally, withaferin A up-regulated pro-apoptotic protein expression levels through the inhibition of proteasome activity. Our findings suggested that withaferin A is a potential, potent therapeutic agent.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2018

This study aims to study the flora and identify the naturalized plants of the 4 ancient palace (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung) and Jongmyo Shrine, which are national cultural heritage and urban cultural centers in Seoul. The plants found consisted of 315 taxa in total, belonging to 82 families, 201 genera, 285 species, 1 subspecies and 29 varieties. The naturalized plants were shown as follows: in the Deoksugung Palace(33 taxa), the Jongmyo Shrine(14 taxa) and the Gyeongbok Palace(21 taxa) and the Changdeokgung Palace complex(11 taxa). The results of the analysis based on the place of origin showed a higher rate of distribution of species based in North America, Europe and Eurasia, with higher rates of grass than tree. In addition, except for Gyeongbokgung Palace, the annual rate is higher than the perennial rate. As a result of naturalization analysis, the percentage of naturalized plants corresponding to naturalization degree 3 and naturalization degree 5 was high. According to the moment of the invasion, the naturalized plants recently introduced were higher than the first species. In addition, it was found that the similarity between the sites was more than 40%, and the diversity of species of naturalized plants common to the five sites was very low. The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for cultural heritage landscaping and naturalized plant management.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.206-215
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• 2015

Predicting the changes in the potential distribution of invasive alien plants under climate change is an important and challenging task for the conservation of biodiversity and management of the ecosystems in streams and reservoirs. This study explored the effects of climate change on the potential future distribution of Paspalum distichum var. indutum in the Korean Peninsula. P. distichum var. indutum is an invasive grass species that has a profound economic and environmental impact in the waterfronts of freshwater ecosystems. The Maxent model was used to estimate the potential distribution of P. distichum var. indutum under current and future climates. A total of nineteen climatic variables of Worldclim 1.4 were used as current climatic data and future climatic data predicted by HadGEM2-AO with both RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5 scenarios for 2050. The predicted current distribution of P. distichum var. indutum was almost matched with actual positioning data. Major environmental variables contributing to the potential distribution were precipitation of the warmest quarter, annual mean temperature and mean temperature of the coldest quarter. Our prediction results for 2050 showed an overall reduction in climatic suitability for P. distichum var. indutum in the current distribution area and its expansion to further inland and in a northerly direction. The predictive model used in this study appeared to be powerful for understanding the potential distribution, exploring the effects of climate change on the habitat changes and providing the effective management of the risk of biological invasion by alien plants.