Effects of a Single-Session Cognitive Enhancement Fitness Program on Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged Women.

Few studies have been undertaken to develop cognitive functional improvement-focused exercise programs and determine their effect. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of a cognitive enhancement fitness program (CEFP) on short-term memory and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels according to the cognitive state in middle-aged women. A total of 30 healthy volunteers aged 40-59 years were divided into two groups, that is, a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group and a non-MCI group based on results from the Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire. A single-session CEFP was conducted over 50 min and consisted of four parts: warm-up, low intensity interval circulation dance exercises, moderate intensity resistance exercises using elastic bands, and cool-down. Serum BDNF levels were measured by ELISA and short-term memory determined by forward digit/word span test was assessed before and after CEFP. After CEFP, forward digit/word span test scores and BDNF levels increased to median 119.2%/115.1% and 118.7%, respectively. After CEFP, the MCI and non-MCI groups produced higher forward digit span test scores (from 6.7 ± 1.5 to 7.5 ± 1.4 points, p = 0.023 and from 6.2 ± 2.0 to 7.0 ± 2.1 points, P=0.011, respectively). After CEFP, forward word span scores and BDNF levels increased (from 3.5 ± 1.7 to 4.6 ± 1.8 points, p = 0.029 and from 610.8 ± 221.1 to 757.9 ± 267.9 pg/ml, p = 0.017, respectively) in non-MCI group only. No group differences were observed between change in short-term memory and change in BDNF. Short-term memory and BDNF levels after CEFP were found to be negatively correlated with age, but pre- to post-intervention changes in short-term memory and BDNF were not. The present study shows that a single, 50-minute CEFP improved short-term memory and increased serum BDNF levels in healthy middle-aged women, especially those without MCI.

Evaluating Korean rice genotypes and landraces for octacosanol contents and antioxidant activity.

Increase in the average life span and interest in correlation between food and human health have led to researches to find and utilise the functional materials in rice. Octacosanol in rice grain is well known for its potential benefit. This study was conducted to evaluate the Korean rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes and landraces for octacosanol contents and antioxidant activity. Octacosanol contents in 223 cultivars of Korean rice ranged from 0.78 to 6.06 mg 100 g-1. Thirteen genotypes and landraces had high contents of octacosanol (4 mg 100 g-1). The antioxidant activity in Korean rice ranged from 12 to 96%. Among the tested genotypes and landraces, red-coloured rice accessions had more than 90% antioxidant activity. Genotypes with high level of octacosanol and antioxidant activity may be useful for rice breeders to develop functional varieties and food processing as nutraceutical materials.

Dietary intake of phytonutrients in relation to fruit and vegetable consumption in Korea.

The purpose of this study was to provide baseline data for health policy creation by estimating phytonutrient intake and identifying major food sources of phytonutrients. Dietary recall data collected in the 2008 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and phytonutrient database of the Korea National Academy of Agricultural Science were used in this study. The proportions of the population satisfying recommended dietary guidelines for fruits and vegetables were estimated, and phytonutrient intake was compared between populations who consumed the recommended intake and those who did not. The study found that 5.3% of subjects satisfied the recommended fruit and vegetable intake. In particular, the proportions of adolescents (13 to 18 years of age) and young adults (19 to 39 years of age) meeting the recommended fruit and vegetable intake were lower than other age groups (P<0.001). Intakes of major carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene), flavonoids (anthocyanidins, hesperitin, quercetin, catechin, and isoflavones), and one phenolic compound (gallic acid) were significantly higher (P<0.001) among subjects who met the recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption compared with those who did not. Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelons were found to be major sources of carotenoids. Flavonoids were mainly obtained from persimmons, mandarins, apples, grapes, onions, soybeans, and chestnuts. However, one or two food items contributed to nearly all intake of each phytonutrient, suggesting a lack of variety. In conclusion, the Korean population needs to consume a larger quantity and variety of fruits and vegetables.

Devosia soli sp. nov., isolated from greenhouse soil in Korea.

A Gram-negative, obligately aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from greenhouse soil used to cultivate lettuce. The strain, GH2-10T, was characterized on the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to the genus Devosia, with highest sequence similarity (98.5%) to Devosia riboflavina IFO 13584T. Sequence similarities with other strains tested were below 97.0%. Strain GH2-10T had Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18:1omega7c and C16:0 as the major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 59.5 mol%. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization experiments (47% relatedness between D. riboflavina DSM 7230T and strain GH2-10T) and physiological and biochemical tests suggested that strain GH2-10T represents a novel species of the genus Devosia, for which the name Devosia soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GH2-10T (=KACC 11509T=DSM 17780T).

Paracoccus homiensis sp. nov., isolated from a sea-sand sample.

Strain DD-R11(T), isolated from a sea-sand sample from Homi Cape, Pohang city, South Korea, was a Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, non-spore-forming, rod- to ovoid-shaped bacterium. Colonies grown on marine agar were circular, convex and colourless to creamy white. Growth occurred between 10 and 40 degrees C (optimum 25-30 degrees C) and at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum pH 6.0-8.0). The strain could grow in up to 15 % NaCl (optimum 3-5 % NaCl). According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain was a member of the genus Paracoccus in the Alphaproteobacteria. Sequence similarities to type strains of the genus Paracoccus were between 94.6 and 98.3 %, showing the highest sequence similarity to Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens ATCC 21588(T). The DNA-DNA relatedness value of strain DD-R11(T) and P. zeaxanthinifaciens ATCC 21588(T) was 27 %. Strain DD-R11(T) was characterized by having ubiquinone 10 as the major respiratory quinone and C(18 : 1)omega7c as the predominant fatty acid. The DNA G+C content was 63.0 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is suggested that DD-R11(T) represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus homiensis sp. nov. is proposed, with DD-R11(T) (=KACC 11518(T)=DSM 17862(T)) as the type strain.

Chryseobacterium wanjuense sp. nov., isolated from greenhouse soil in Korea.

A taxonomic study was performed on strain R2A10-2(T), isolated from greenhouse soil cultivated with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), collected in Wanju Province, Korea. The bacterial cells were Gram-negative, aerobic, short rods. The growth temperature and pH were 5-35 degrees C and 5.0-9.0, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that this isolate had 93.3-97.7 % similarity to Chryseobacterium species: the highest sequence similarities were to the type strains of Chryseobacterium daecheongense (97.7 %), Chryseobacterium formosense (97.1 %) and Chryseobacterium defluvii (96.9 %). Low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness were found between strain R2A10-2(T) and the type strains of these three species (<28 %). Differences in phenotypic properties were found with respect to Chryseobacterium species with validly published names. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-15 : 0 (40.0 %), iso-17 : 0 3-OH (21.9 %), iso-17 : 1omega9c (11.7 %) and summed feature 4 (iso-15 : 0 2-OH and/or 16 : 1omega7c/t, 11.0 %). Menaquinone MK-6 was detected as the sole respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.8 mol%. On the basis of the genomic and phenotypic evidence, this isolate represents a novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the name Chryseobacterium wanjuense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R2A10-2(T) (=KACC 11468(T)=DSM 17724(T)).

Pseudoxanthomonas suwonensis sp. nov., isolated from cotton waste composts.

Three strains, 4M1T, 4M9 and 4M12, were isolated from cotton waste composts. These strains are Gram-negative, aerobic and non-spore-forming rods. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons demonstrated that these isolates were clustered phylogenetically within the genus Pseudoxanthomonas and 4M1T revealed sequence similarity levels of 96.9-99.0% to six Pseudoxanthomonas species with validly published names. According to DNA-DNA hybridization, relatedness values between 4M1T and six known Pseudoxanthomonas species were in the range of 52-63%. The DNA G + C content of the strains was 66.6-68.4 mol%. For a more detailed characterization of these strains, the physiological, chemotaxonomic and genotypic properties were evaluated. From the results of this study, the name Pseudoxanthomonas suwonensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 4M1T (= KACC 11320T = DSM 17175T).

Phylogenetic analysis of the genera Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium and Sinorhizobium on the basis of 16S rRNA gene and internally transcribed spacer region sequences.

A total of 128 strains was isolated from more than 23 legume hosts in Korea. Phylogenetic relationships between these Korean isolates and reference strains of the genera Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium and Sinorhizobium were analysed using their 16S rRNA gene and internally transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences. Among the Bradyrhizobium strains, dendrograms based on both the 16S rRNA gene and ITS region sequences produced two main groups. The ITS tree yielded at least two new clusters that were discernable from the seven previously delineated genospecies. Large discrepancies were revealed between phylogenetic dendrograms based on 16S rRNA gene and ITS region sequences for members of the genus Rhizobium, reflecting their taxonomic heterogeneity. The amalgamation of Rhizobium and former members of Agrobacterium was confirmed using the 16S rRNA tree. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS region sequences showed that the Rhizobium giardinii clade (group II) and the Rhizobium radiobacter/Rhizobium rubi clade (group III) could be tentatively recognized as groups that are separable from the core group (group I), which includes Rhizobium leguminosarum. Dendrograms based on the 16S rRNA gene and ITS region sequences of Mesorhizobium strains were highly conflicting due to the poor taxonomic resolution of the 16S rRNA gene sequences and the low confidence in the ITS dendrogram. Several Korean isolates within the genus Mesorhizobium are thought to represent novel taxa when considering their relatively low ITS region sequence similarities (<80 %) to the reference strains.

Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 by bovine type I collagen in macrophages via C/EBP and CREB activation by multiple cell signaling pathways.

Bovine type I collagen (Col-I) is utilized for medical purposes such as cosmetic surgery and wrinkle removal. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays roles in pathophysiological processes including inflammation and tumorigenesis. This study examines the effects of Col-I on the COX-2 expression and the signaling pathways in macrophages. Col-I increased the levels of COX-2 protein and mRNA in serum-stimulated Raw264.7 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of cells with Col-I increased CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) DNA binding. Antibody supershift experiments revealed that C/EBP DNA binding activity induced by Col-I depended largely on C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta. Immunocytochemistry showed that Col-I induced nuclear translocation of C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta, whose activation contributes to COX-2 induction. Overexpression of the dominant-negative mutant form of C/EBP abolished COX-2 induction by Col-I. Col-I also increased cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB) binding to DNA. Inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) or downstream phosphoinositide 3-kinase and p70S6 kinase by specific chemical inhibitors prevented COX-2 induction by Col-I, and C/EBP and CREB from binding to their consensus DNA oligonucleotides. Experiments using chemical inhibitors or dominant-negative mutant vectors showed that the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways including p38-kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1), simultaneously regulated COX-2 induction by Col-I. This was in agreement with inhibition of Col-I-inducible C/EBP and CREB DNA binding by concomitant treatment with SB203580 and PD98059. These results provide evidence that Col-I induces COX-2 in serum-stimulated macrophages and that the multiple cell signaling pathways involving Src-focal adhesion kinase, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and MAP kinases regulate COX-2 induction by Col-I via C/EBP and CREB activation.

Assessment of estimated daily intakes of benzoates for average and high consumers in Korea.

A study was performed to evaluate the estimated daily intakes (EDI) of benzoates for the average and high (90th percentile) consumers by age and sex categories in Korea. The estimation of daily intakes of benzoates was based on individual dietary intake data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey in 1998 and on the determination of benzoates in eight food categories. The EDI of benzoates for average consumers of different age groups ranged from 0.009 to 0.025 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1). For high consumers, the range of EDI of benzoates was 0.195-1.878 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1). The intakes represented 0.18-0.50% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of benzoates for average consumers and 3.9-37.6% of the ADI for high consumers. Foods that contributed most to the daily intakes of benzoates were mixed beverages and soy sauce in Korea.

Potentiation of lipopolysaccharide-inducible cyclooxygenase 2 expression by C2-ceramide via c-Jun N-terminal kinase-mediated activation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta in macrophages.

Ceramide, formed by sphingomyelinase, is involved in the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). This study examines the effect of C2-ceramide (C2), a cell-permeable ceramide analog, on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-inducible COX-2 expression and signaling pathways. C2 did not induce COX-2 but potentiated LPS-inducible COX-2 expression in Raw264.7 cells, whereas dihydro-C2 was inactive. Treatment of cells with C2 notably increased LPS-inducible CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) DNA binding. Antibody supershift experiments revealed that LPS-induced C/EBP DNA binding activity depended on C/EBP beta and C/EBP delta but not C/EBP alpha, C/EBP epsilon or CBP/p300. C/EBP beta contributed to C2-enhanced DNA binding activity. 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl) 1H-imidazole (SB203580), a p38 kinase inhibitor, completely inhibited LPS-inducible and C2-potentiated LPS-inducible COX-2 expression. Enhancement of LPS-inducible COX-2 expression and C/EBP DNA binding by C2 was abrogated in dominant-negative mutant of JNK1 [JNK1(-)] cells. 2'-Amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059) or stable transfection with dominant-negative mutant of MKK1 decreased COX-2 induction by LPS but failed to inhibit C2-enhanced LPS induction of COX-2. Transfection with dominant-negative mutant of C/EBP inhibited the ability of C2 to potentiate the induction of COX-2 by LPS. In LPS-treated cells, C2 enhanced both the nuclear translocation and the expression of LPS-inducible C/EBP beta with an increase in AP-1 DNA binding activity. These enhancements were abolished by JNK1(-) transfection. AP-1 decoy oligonucleotide suppressed C2-potentiated C/EBP beta expression, indicating that AP-1 was responsible for C2-mediated C/EBP beta expression. These results demonstrate that C2 increases C/EBP beta-mediated COX-2 induction by LPS and that the pathway of JNK1 but not ERK1/2 is responsible for C/EBP beta activation involving activator protein-1-mediated enhanced C/EBP beta expression.