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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.