• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.202-207
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• 2010

Plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF) are well known for the production of useful secondary metabolites. However, limited information is available on the gibberellin (GA) production capacity of PGPF of endophytic origin. In the current study, 15 fungal endophytes were isolated from the roots of Crown daisy, and then screened on Waito-c rice, in order to identify plant growth promoting fungi. The fungal isolate MH7 significantly increased the shoot length (12.1 cm) of Waito-c in comparison with control treatment (7.9 cm). In a separate experiment, the culture filtrate (CF) of MH7 significantly promoted the growth attributes of Crown daisy. The MH7 CF was analyzed for gibberellins and it contained all physiologically active gibberellins ($GA_1$, 1.37 ng/ml; $GA_3$, 5.88 ng/ml; $GA_4$, 8.62 ng/ml; and $GA_7$, 2.05 ng/ml) in conjunction with physiologically inactive $GA_9$ (0.83 ng/ml), $GA_{12}$ (0.44 ng/ml), $GA_{15}$ (0.74 ng/ml), $GA_{19}$ (1.16 ng/ml), and $GA_{20}$ (0.98 ng/ml). The CF of MH7 produced higher amounts of $GA_3$, $GA_4$, $GA_7$, $GA_9$, and $GA_{12}$ than wild-type Fusarium fujikuroi, which was used as a control for GA production. The fungal isolate MH7 was later identified as a new strain of Penicillium on the basis of its morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the 188 rDNA sequence.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 2010

In order to offer a better understanding of air pollution of China as well as East Asia we attempted to characterize the chemical properties of the raw coal materials mined in China and their combusted bottom ashes generated from coal fired power plant. To this end, we measured the chemical characteristics of individual bottom ashes and feed coal fragments collected at a coal fired power generator which was operated with the raw coal dug at a coal mine in China. The chemical properties of these two sample types were determined by a synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) microprobe method. Through an application of such technique, it was possible to draw the 2D elemental maps in and/or on raw coal fragments and fired bottom ashes. The pulverized fine pieces of feed coal mainly consisted of mineral components such as Fe, Ca, Ti, Ca, and Si, while Fe was detected as overwhelming majority. The elemental mass of combusted bottom ash shows strong enrichment of many elements that exist naturally in coal. There were significant variations in chemical properties of ash-to-ash and fragment-to-fragment. Although we were not able to clearly distinguish As and Pb peaks because of the folding in their X-ray energies, these two elements can be used as tracers of coal fire origin.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2011

Fifteen populations comprising three taxa and a putative hybrid of Fallopia sect. Reynoutria in Korea were examined for their leaf flavonoid constituents. Nineteen flavonoid compounds were isolated and identified; they were glycosylated derivatives of the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol, and of the flavones apigenin and luteolin. Among them, quercetin 3-O-galactoside and quercetin 3-O-glucoside were major flavonoid constituents, and present in all taxa. The flavonoid data appear to be very useful for taxon delimitation, and all taxa examined are readily distinguished by their flavonoid profiles. In addition, the flavonoid data suggest that the Nonsan population may be of hybrid origin involving F. japonica var. japonica, F. forbesii, and F. sachalinensis. In F. japonica var. japonica, there is no apparent correlation between their levels of polyploidy and flavonoid chemistry, but geographical variation of the flavonoid profiles among some populations was detected.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2939-2946
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• 2015

Many of the anti-cancer agents currently used have an origin in natural sources including plants. Aloe vera is one such plant being studied extensively for its diverse health benefits, including cancer prevention. In this study, the cytotoxic potential of Aloe vera crude extract (ACE) alone or in combination with cisplatin in human breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells was studied by cell viability assay, nuclear morphological examination and cell cycle analysis. Effects were correlated with modulation of expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and drug metabolism by RT-PCR. Exposure of cells to ACE resulted in considerable loss of cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, which was found to be mediated by through the apoptotic pathway as evidenced by changes in the nuclear morphology and the distribution of cells in the different phases of the cell cycle. Interestingly, ACE did not have any significant cytotoxicity towards normal cells, thus placing it in the category of safe chemopreventive agent. Further, the effects were correlated with the downregulation of cyclin D1, CYP 1A1, CYP 1A2 and increased expression of bax and p21 in MCF-7 and HeLa cells. In addition, low dose combination of ACE and cisplatin showed a combination index less than 1, indicating synergistic growth inhibition compared to the agents applied individually. In conclusion, these results signify that Aloe vera may be an effective anti-neoplastic agent to inhibit cancer cell growth and increase the therapeutic efficacy of conventional drugs like cispolatin. Thus promoting the development of plant-derived therapeutic agents appears warranted for novel cancer treatment strategies.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 1998

It has been studied that the measurement of odor component emission at confectionery manufacture. The objects of this study were to investigate reduction of offensive odor. The survey effects of odorous materials are presented as follows. The countermeasure of operating process is to minimize sludge sediment in each unit facility. Especially, in summer, we have to clean the sludge frequently, because anaerobic decomposing is likely to occur easily. The sludge or scum from sedimentation tank pond, and floating tank should be treated quickly. We should avoid overloading operation. In the case of overloading, dissolved oxygen should be increased, the quality of wastewater input should be decreased. When dried cakes from condense tank or floating tank are left in treatment plant, we should cover, to prevent diffusion of smell with masking materials. The seasonal condition of operating should be fixed and the kind of coagulants should be changed because the wastewater in each season have different loading rates and organic materials. Odorous materials are very sensitive to the seasonal temperature variation. Especially, when the amount of rainfall is small and the high temperature of maintenance in long periods, air diffusion rate is large, so odorous materials can make great effect on surroundings comparision with other periods. To reduce odorous gas, as short term method, we had better take ceramic addition method. Especially, in summer we should take ceramic addition method. Also, as long term method, the size of wastewater treatment facility is the most important in the normal operating of wastewater treatment facility. But wastewater treatment facilities in this factory are too old, treatment process is old fashion, and the size is too small. So, large wastewater quantity to treat in summer. As results, the expansion of wastewater treatment facility and the process of improvement are required. Restriction level of odor was exceed. As it is overloaded in summer, the basis cause of odor is that the size of wastewater treatment facility is small. The prediction of air quality equilibrium density variation show that the odorous materials from working place are Amine materials whose smell strength is about 2.5(a little strong degree). We can suppose that in summer is sensitive to temperature variation, smell strength is larger as to reduce the origin of odor. We must expand wastewater treatment facility and improve the process A.S.A.P.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6047-6053
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• 2012

Bracken fern [Pteridium aquilinem (L.) kuhn (Dennstaedtiaceae)] is one of the most common species on the planet. It has been consumed by humans and animals for centuries. Use by some human groups is because they believe bracken fern is good for health as plant medicine. However, it is also one of the few known plants that can cause tumors in farm animals. Many interested groups have focused their attention on bracken fern because of these interesting features. In order to evaluate the biological effects of exposure to this plant in cellular level, human cancer cell lines were treated with the fern dichloromethane extracts and the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects were studied. Anti-proliferative/cytotoxic effects were evaluated by cell count, MTT assay and flow cytometry methods with three different cancer cell lines, TCC, NTERA2, and MCF-7, and two normal cells, HDF1 and HFF3. Pro-apoptotic effects of the extracts were determined by DAPI staining and comet assay, on TCC cancer cells compared to the normal control cell lines. Cellular morphology was examined by light microscopy. Our present study showed that the extract caused DNA damage and apoptosis at high concentrations ($200{\mu}g/mL$) and also it may induce cell cycle arrest (G2/M phase) at mild concentrations (50 and $30{\mu}g/mL$) depending on the cell type and tumor origin. These results indicate that bracken fern extract is a potent source of anticancer compounds that could be utilized pharmaceutically.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.265-272
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the efficient propagation method of Cyrtomium caryoptideum var. coreanum by sporophyte culture. The influence of origin of explant sources (rhizome, blade, or stipe) and homogenization of culture materials on shoot regeneration were investigated. As a result, only rhizome explant exhibited the organogenic capacity and the shoot regeneration was promoted by homogenization of culture material. Vigorous and excellent growth of multiple shoots was induced on the half-strength of inorganic salts containing MS medium. It was appeared that optimum nitrogen content of shoot regeneration was half-strength of nitrogen containing MS medium (30mM) and optimum sucrose concentration was 1%. Addition of $NaH_2PO_4$ to culture medium generally enhanced shoot multiplication and promoted growth of the regenerants. The organogenic capacity of homogenized rhizomes was especially promoted on medium supplemented with $5{\mu}M$ kinetin plus $5{\mu}M$ IBA. The incorporation of $0.1\sim0.2%$ activated charcoal on medium supplemented with growth regulators prevented the formation of multiple bud primordia - nodule-like bud clusters and improved the normal morphogenesis of sporophytes.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2018

Pimpinella saxifraga L. (Scarlet pimpernel or Burnet saxifrage), a newly introduced species, was found from Baekyakyi oreum (a parasitic cone or cinder cone) in Seogwipo, Jejudo Island. This species is native to Europe and western Asia and is reported as a widely invasive species around the world. Pimpinella saxifraga is distinguished from other related Korean taxa by leaves that are pinnately compound with 3-7 pairs of segments, which vary from simple, ovate, to 2-pinnatisect, with linear lobes. The vernacular name of "Baek-yak-yi-cham-na-mul" was assigned after the name of the cinder cone where it was initially discovered. We provide descriptions of the morphological characters, photographs and a key to allied taxa in Korea. The geographical origin and introduction routes are unknown, but it is highly likely that it was introduced as fodder given its high nutritious value for sheep and cattle or as a medicinal herb. This species invades commonly grasslands and woodlands and prefers dry, well-drained, and calcareous soils. The distribution of this species was analyzed by searching extensively in surrounding Baekyakyi oreum and adjacent cinder cones, but no other populations were observed. It is protected commonly at the edges or inside of the patchy pine forest in the cinder cone from grazing by cattle; given the worldwide invasive nature of this species, special monitoring and management plans should be developed.

• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2000

The importance of terrestrial organic matter as a food source for a brackish water clam Corbicula japonica was evaluated using stable carbon isotope ratios (${\delta}^{13}$C) in its tissues and potential food resources in an estuarine system of Youngil Bay, Korea. Suspended particulate organic matter (POM) had distinct ${\delta}^{13}$C values from riverine (-31.8 to -27.2%$_o$) to marine waters (-21.0 to -16.6%$_o$). Estuarine macroalgae had a wide ${\delta}^{13}$C range of -22.8 to -15.0%$_o$. The ${\delta}^{13}$C values of riverine POM were more negative than that of riverine phytoplankton (-26.5 to -24.2%$_o$) but similar to that of freshmarsh plant species (-29.1 to -27.5%$_o$ for Phragmites communis and -28.5 to -27.0%$_o$ for Salix gracilistyla), These ${\delta}^{13}$C values suggest that the POM transported by the Hyungsan River is predominantly of terrestrial origin rather than riverine autochthonous sources. The ${\delta}^{13}$C values of Corbicula japonica tissues (-28.7 to -27.2%$_o$) were most similar to values for riverine POM and freshmarsh plants. There was no significant difference in the isotopic composition of the clam individuals. The results indicate a predominant contribution of organic carbon derived from terrestrial and fresmarsh plant detritus to the diet of Corbicula japonica. Our results also confirm previous suggestion that terrestrial organic matter can be incorporated into estuarine food webs although its role is confined to the upper estuarine reaches.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.323-327
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• 1995

This experiment was carried out to observe the origin and developmental pattern of somatic embryos of Oenanthe javanica ($B^{L}.$) DC. The experiment included observation of embryogenic cells and their development stages by light microscope, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. The embryogenic cells, which were smaller than non-embryogenic cells in size with expanded nucleus and dense cytoplasm. When stained with hematoxylin, the embryogenic cells were readily distinguished from the non-embryogenic cells of which cell walls were stained with safranin. It was observed at somatic embryos developed from single cells on the epidermis of developing embryos or in the surface or inside of embryogenic clumps by segmentation pattern. Observation with a transmission electron microscope revealed that the embryogenic cells had dense cytoplasm expanded nucleus, small vacuoles, large amyloplasts containing starch grains, and abundant organelles including lipid bodies. Under a scanning electron microscope, embryogenic callus was shown to consist of very smaller cells than non-embryogenic cells in an orderly arrangement and covered with a net-like structure, while the non-embryogenic callus consisted of large cells, irregular in size and arrangement, and covered with a gelatin-like material.