• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.61-66
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• 2016

It has been known that Arak, Salvadora persica, has a number of medicinal properties. We tried to investigate in vitro scolicidal effect of root extracts of this plant against protoscolices from hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus. Protoscolices were aseptically collected from sheep livers containing hydatid cysts. S. persica root extract was used in 10, 30, and 50 mg/ml concentration for 10, 20, and 30 min. The viability of protoscolices was ascertained by 0.1% eosin staining. Scolicidal activity of S. persica extract at a concentration of 10 mg/ml was 36.3%, 50.3%, and 70.8% after 10, 20, and 30 min of exposure, respectively. The scolicidal effect of this extract at a concentration of 30 mg/ml was 52.9%, 86.7%, and 100% after 10, 20, and 30 min of exposure, respectively. S. persica extract at a concentration of 50 mg/ml, meanwhile, killed 81.4%, 100%, and 100% of protoscolices after 10, 20, and 30 min, respectively. Also, the cytotoxic potential of S. persica was assessed on human liver cells (HepG2) using trypan blue exclusion test. No cytotoxic effect was observed on HepG2 cell line. The present study confirmed for the first time that the ethanolic extract of S. persica has high scolicidal power in vitro. However, in vivo effect of this material remains to be studied for treatment of echinococcosis in humans and herbivorous animals.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.377-380
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• 2001

Herbivory is an important selective forces on plants by reducing the ability of the plant to compete with its neighbors and to produce offspring. Oak nut weevil(Mechoris ursulus Roelofs) females lay eggs in unmatured acorns and cut off the branch of oviposited acorns. To investigate the influences of branch-cutting behavior of oak nut weevils on oak production, we surveyed the horizontal and vertical distribution ranges of damaged oaks and depth of sites of overwintering larvae and quantified the amounts of biomass and acorn removed by the weevils on deciduous oak species. All of the endemic oak species in Korea were damaged by oak nut weevils in all of the study sites including Mt. Halla and Mt. Seorak. The upper limit of vertical distribution of damaged oaks by the weevils raried from 700 m to 900 m. Mostly their larvae were found in soil from 8.1 cm to 10.0 cm depth in winter. Percentage of annual net primary productivity($720g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) of oak species removed by the weevils was about 7%, which is higher than the percentage removed by all the herbivores in typical temperate forest(5%) and equivalent to that by all the herbivores in tropical forest. The predation percentage of annual acorn production by oak nut weevil was 27% in Q. mongolica and 33% in Q. acutissima. This results indicate that the branch-cutting behavior of oak nut weevil may be the most important factor regulating oak population and affecting other predators dependent on acorns.

• 한국환경복원기술학회지
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• 제6권6호
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• pp.14-24
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• 2003

This study had researched use conditions of forty-seven arboreta in the inside and outside of the country for the suggestion of activation plan of provincial arboretum. Chungnam Keum-Kang Arboretum in Kongju-Si, Chung-Cheong Nam-Do, had been surveyed as a case study. The survey was focused on current condition, location, ecological resources, characteristics and so on. In addition, questionnaire of users of Keum-Kang arboretum were conducted. Chungnam Keum-Kang arboretum is located in the inland area and has many vegetations. It is a provincial arboretum which was planted by trees, shrubs and vines, and a public garden which was used by paid admission. It has natural recreation forests, tropical green houses and breeding grounds for birds and wild animals. It, however, has many problem in the use and management system. And the shortages of attraction and program for user are serious problem. For the use activation and the improvement of management of this arboretum, this study suggested as follows ; (1) The responsible experts in charge of the general management of arboretum are demanded. (2) Term master plan for improvement of arboretum must be established. (3) It is necessary to manage for collection, propagation, display and preservation of plant species. (4) It is necessary to hold suitable and variety events for the seasons. (5) It is needed to arrange fitly convenience facilities.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.15-18
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• 2010

Mangroves are special plant communities that live along intertidal zones in tropical and subtropical areas. They are regarded as one of the most important types of natural ecosystem in the world because of the many ecosystem functions that they perform, of which water purification is the most complex. Mangrove ecosystems are conducive to the deposition and retention of heavy metals. So it is important to understand the impact of heavy metals on mangrove ecosystems, and especially on soil subsystems. We examined the levels of heavy metals in the soil of mangroves in the Dongzhaigang Mangrove National Nature Reserve. Dongzhaigang, the first mangrove nature reserve established in China, is located south of Haikou in Hainan Island and encompasses $33.37\;km^2$, of which mangroves comprise $20.56\;km^2$. To assess the impact of human activities, we collected a large number of soil samples in four sampling areas (the protection station, the harbor, a tour area, and Yeboluo island) in the study area. We measured the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd in the soil samples using the spectra of polyatomic molecules. The average concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd were $5.04\;{\mu}g/g$, $10.36\;{\mu}g/g$, $20.06\;{\mu}g/g$ and $0.06\;{\mu}g/g$, respectively, and the heavy metal concentrations were lowest in the protected area, highest in the harbor, and intermediate in Yeboluo Island and the tour area. The heavy metal concentrations in the soil collected from different sample plots are related not only to the physical and chemical properties of the soil, but also to the heavy metal emitted by nearby pollution sources. Our analysis indicates that tourist boats are the main pollution sources in the study area.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제13권11호
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• pp.1542-1547
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• 2000

To standardize proper formulation of urea and molasses, the former to increase crude protein content of tropical grass and the latter for improving its silage quality, we examined the fermentation quality of silage of fresh and wilted napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) with different levels of urea and molasses with or without lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Silage was made of napiergrass with conditions of fresh young (Exp. 1),young wilted for half day (Exp. 2) and fresh mature (Exp. 3). Chopped plant materials of about 1cm length were ensiled into a laboratory silo and incubated for one month at $25^{\circ}C$. The treatments were the combination of 0, 0.2 and 0.6% of urea and 0, 2 and 5% of molasses (fresh material basis) with or without LAB inoculation. After opening the silo, pH, organic acids, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) and total nitrogen (TN) were determined. Addition of molasses significantly (p<0.01) lowered pH values in three experiments. Though molasses addition increased lactic acid production even at a higher level of urea, pH values at 0 and 2% molasses were significantly increased by urea in fresh and wilted young silages, but in fresh mature silage it occurred only when molasses was not added. VBN/TN at 0.6% urea were decreased significantly by the highest molasses in three experiments. Significant increases in TN by the increasing of urea addition were observed at all levels of molasses in wilted young and fresh mature silages. In conclusion, a combination of 5% molasses and 0.6% urea could improve the nutritive and fermentation qualities of napiergrass silage under young, wilting and mature conditions.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.203-217
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu kola, is a tropical medicinal plant native to Madagascar, Southeast Asia, and South Africa. It is well known to have biological activities, including wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of extracts of C. asiatica against age-related eye degeneration and to examine their physiological activities. MATERIALS/METHODS: To determine the effects of CA-HE50 (C. asiatica 50% EtOH extract) on retinal pigment cells, we assessed the cytotoxicity of CoCl₂ and oxidized-A2E in ARPE-19 cells and observed the protective effects of CA-HE50 against N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal damage in C57BL/6 mice. In particular, we measured factors related to apoptosis and anti-oxidation and the protein levels of rhodopsin/opsin. We also measured glucose uptake to characterize glucose metabolism, a major factor in cell protection. RESULTS: Induction of cytotoxicity with CoCl₂ and oxidized-A2E inhibited decreases in the viability of ARPE-19 cells when CA-HE50 was administered, and promoted glucose uptake under normal conditions (P < 0.05). In addition, CA-HE50 inhibited degeneration/apoptosis of the retina in the context of MNU-induced toxicity (P < 0.05). In particular, CA-HE50 at 200 mg/kg inhibited the cleavage of pro-caspase-3 and pro-poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase and maintained the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 similar to normal control levels. Rhodopsin/opsin expression was maintained at a higher level than in normal controls. CONCLUSION: A series of experiments confirmed that CA-HE50 was effective for inhibiting or preventing age-related eye damage/degeneration. Based on these results, we believe it is worthwhile to develop drugs or functional foods related to age-related eye degeneration using CA-HE50.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.47-55
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• 2020

Background: Curcuma longa L., a perennial crop originating from tropical and subtropical region, including India, is noted for its important medicinal properties. However, C. longa plants are unable to endure the winter season in Korea, and its rhizomes were invariably succumb to fungal infection when stored in polyvinyl bags. In this study, we accordingly sought to develop a C. longa variety capable of producing high rhizome yields and to identify stable conditions under which rhizomes can be stored in Korea. Methods and Results: We evaluated the agronomic characteristics of nine C. longa germplasms and examined the effects of storing rhizomes at different temperatures (4℃ to 24℃) in paper bags or plastic baskets. We found that the finger rhizomes was higher in CUR02, CUR03, and CUR06 germplasms than those of other groups. Furthermore, in terms of yield per 1 ㎡, the weights of the finger rhizomes and tuberous roots were significantly higher in CUR09 (3.4 ㎏/㎡) and CUR04 (678.7 g/㎡) than those of other groups. Therefore, we consider that these C. longa germplasms might be useful as breeding material. Although the fresh weights of the rhizomes were slightly reduced when stored in paper bags and a plastic baskets at 10℃ to 15℃, there was no evidence of fungal decomposition or sprouting, which is observed when using a conventional storage method. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the selected C. longa germplasms can provide a useful source of breeding material for the development of high yielding varieties and that a temperature ranging from 10℃ to 15℃ and the use of paper bags or plastic baskets provide stable post-harvest storage conditions for C. longa rhizomes.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.769-779
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• 2019

Chilli peppers are predominantly cultivated in open field systems under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Abiotic and biotic factors have a considerable effect on plant performance, fruit quantity, and quality. Chilli peppers grow well in a tropical climate due to their adaptation to warm and humid regions with temperatures ranging from 18 to 30℃. Nowadays, chilli peppers are cultivated all around the world under different climatic conditions, and their production is gradually expanding. Expected climate changes will likely cause huge and complex ecological consequences; high temperature, heavy rainfall, and drought have adverse effects on the vegetative and generative development of all agricultural crops including chilli peppers. To gain better insight into the effect of climate change, the growth, photosynthetic traits, morphological and physiological characteristics, yield, and fruit parameters of chilli peppers need to be studied under simulated climate change conditions. Moreover, it is important to develop alternative agrotechnologies to maintain the sustainability of pepper production. There are many conceivable ideas and concepts to sustain crop production under the extreme conditions of future climate change scenarios. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the adverse impacts of climate change and discusses how to find the best solutions to obtain a stable chilli pepper yield.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.191-195
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• 2003

Euphorbia hirta, locally called 'ara tanah' or 'susun nabi' in Malaysia is a small annual herb common to the tropical countries and belongs to the same family as the tic and tapioca. E. hirta has had a long history of usage in the treatment of various ailments. In this current study, in vitro sensitivity test of crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves and barks of E. hirta was carried out against bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylocccus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and fungi (Microsporum canis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis) using the discs diffusion method. The extract-impregnated discs (20, 40 and $80\;{\mu}g/{\mu}l$), the E. hirta extracts inhibited the growth of all the bacteria tested. The growth of C. albicans was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by the aqueous leaves and barks extracts. C. tropicalis was found to be sensitive to the aqueous leaves extracts. The results were compared to antibacterial drugs of chloramphenicol, ampicilin, penicillin G, and enrofloxacine; and to antifungal drug of ketoconazole, itraconazole and miconazole. In this current study, it can be concluded that this plant has antimicrobial activity that is as potent as the standard antimicrobial drugs against certain microorganisms.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.153-159
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• 2011

A total of 286 individuals from 3 selected communities (Areedi-Aje, Ipakodo/Ojokodo, and Ijebu-Igbo) of Ijebu-North, southwestern Nigeria were examined for Loa loa microfilaremia using finger prick blood smear, between December 2008 and March 2009. Rapid assessment procedure for loiasis (RAPLOA) was used to obtain information, from 187 Ijebu-Igbo residents, on adverse reactions experienced from retrospective treatments with ivermectin and history of eye worm. Only 33.9% of the respondents reported having had a history of eye worm while 33.2% had microfilaremia. The demographic factor of gender was not significant determinants of the prevalence (p>0.05) while age was significant (P<0.05). The highest prevalence of eye worm history and microfilaremia were recorded in 61-70 and 15-20 years of age categories, respectively. Ijebu-Igbo had 27.3% eye worm history, 32.1% microfilaremia, and the highest intensity of 140 microfilariae (mf)/ml. Ipakodo area had the highest eye worm history of 54.4% and the highest intensity of 420 mf/ml. Areedi-Aje had the highest occurrence of 45.2% microfilaremia and the highest intensity of 460 mf/ml. Predictably, Areedi-Aje and Ipakodo areas were high risk communities. The low intensity of L. loa infection with an insignificant (2.1%; P>0.05) adverse reactions from 187 subjects involved in the retrospective ivermectin administration confirmed that ivermectin delivery may be considered safe. The community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) programme was most probably responsible for the low prevalence and intensity.