• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 1992

An excess risk of lung cancer mortality among Koreans, attributable to indoor $^{222}Rn$ daughters exposure, were quantitatively evaluated by applying a stochastic health risk projection model on the radiation exposure. The lung cancer rate in Korean males and females, based on the 1989 demographic data, were estimated to be $22.4/10^5-y\;and\;9.5/10^5-y$, respectively The lifetime baseline lung cancer risks, deduced from these rates, appeared to be 0.047 and 0.019 for males and females, respectively, and were lower than the corresponding 1984 values of 0.067 and 0.025 in the U.S.A. The excess risk coefficients, derived by modified relative risk projection model of the BEIR-IV Committee under the US National Academy of Science, per annual 1.0 WLM of exposure to indoor radon daughters were estimated to be 0.022/WLM for males, 0.009/WLM for females, and 0.017/WLM for both sexes. The resulting annual frequency of excess lung cancer mortality for the life expectancy in the Korean population appeared to be 230/10^6-WLM, which was an approximate median of $120{\sim}450/10^6-WLM$ reported so far in the world.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.453-474
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• 2020

Here, we present an updated checklist based on voucher specimens of vascular plants for Gasan Mt. which is located in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. The list includes 322 taxa in 212 genera and 81 families of vascular plants, of which 14 are endemic, six are rare plants, 48 are floristic target species, and 14 are considered naturalized in Korea. Based on voucher specimens, Gasan Mt. was the southern limit of Cimicifuga heracleifolia var. bifida Nakai and Iris odaesanensis Y. N. Lee on the Korean peninsula. Moreover, we confirmed a hybrid plant deriving from two Iris parents, I. minutoaurea Makino and I. odaesanensis, in a mountain fortress of Gasan Mt. We also present online databases including 325 voucher specimens deposited at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM; http://oasis.kiom.re.kr/herblib). This study has great significance as the first floristic study of Korean plants sharing virtual specimens online.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.258-264
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• 2011

The Korean edible mountainous vegetable, byeongpungssam, Cacalia firma Komar. (CFK) is a wild plant found in the intermountain areas in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate its free radical scavenging activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenozothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, ferric reducing/antioxidant power assays, an electron spin resonance spectroscopy. We also examined its protective effect against oxidative DNA damage using agarose electrophoresis of ethanol extract of CFK. The protective activity of the extract against the DNA damage induced by HO${\cdot}$ radicals was compared to epicatechin, ascorbic acid and trolox as reference antioxidant compounds. Total phenolic content in the extract was determined spectrometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and calculated as gallic acid equivalents. Total polyphenolic content of the extract was measured in the leaves ($161.53{\pm}1.07{\mu}g/g$) and shoot ($142.45{\pm}0.56{\mu}g/g$). The antioxidant potential of the extracts against some radicals and DNA damage by HO${\cdot}$ radicals showed over 60%, respectively.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.153-160
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• 2006

Brassica rape is an important species used as a vegetable, oil, and fodder worldwide. It is related phylogenically to Arabidopsis thaliana, which has already been fully sequenced as a model plant. The 'Multinational Brassica Genome Project (MBGP)'was launched by the international Brassica community with the aim of sequencing the whole genome of B. rapa in 2003 on account of its value and the fact that it has the smallest genome among the diploid Brassica. The genome study was carried out not only to know the structure of genome but also to understand the function and the evolution of the genes comprehensively. There are two mapping populations, over 1,000 molecular markers and a genetic map, 2 BAC libraries, physical map, a 22 cDHA libraries as suitable genomic materials for examining the genome of B. rapa ssp. pekinensis Chinese cabbage. As the first step for whole genome analysis, 220,000 BAC-end sequences of the KBrH and KBrB BAC library are achieved by cooperation of six countries. The results of BAC-end sequence analysis will provide a clue in understanding the structure of the genome of Brassica rapa by analyzing the gene sequence, annotation and abundant repetitive DHA. The second stage involves sequencing of the genetically mapped seed BACs and identifying the overlapping BACs for complete genome sequencing. Currently, the second stage is comprises of process genetic anchoring using communal populations and maps to identify more than 1,000 seed BACs based on a BAC-to-BAC strategy. For the initial sequencing, 629 seed BACs corresponding to the minimum tiling path onto Arabidopsis genome were selected and fully sequenced. These BACs are now anchoring to the genetic map using the development of SSR markers. This information will be useful for identifying near BAC clones with the seed BAC on a genome map. From the BAC sequences, it is revealed that the Brassica rapa genome has extensive triplication of the DNA segment coupled with variable gene losses and rearrangements within the segments. This article introduces the current status and prospective of Korea Brassica Genome Project and the bioinformatics tools possessed in each national team. In the near future, data of the genome will contribute to improving Brassicas for their economic use as well as in understanding the evolutional process.