Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter (NHX) gene subfamily plays an important role in plant response to salt stress. In this study, we identified the NHX gene family members of Chinese cabbage and analyzed the expression patterns of BrNHXs gene in response to abiotic stresses such as high temperature, low temperature, drought and salt stress. The results showed that there were 9 members of the NHX gene family in Chinese cabbage, which were distributed on 6 chromosomes respectively. The number of amino acids was 513-1 154 aa, the relative molecular weight was 56 804.22-127 856.66 kDa, the isoelectric point was 5.35-7.68. Members of BrNHX gene family mainly existed in vacuoles, the gene structure is complete, and the number of exons is 11-22. The secondary structures of the proteins encoded by the NHX gene family in Chinese cabbage had alpha helix, beta turn and random coil, and the alpha helix occurred more frequently. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the gene family members had different responses to high temperature, low temperature, drought and salt stress, and their expression levels differed significantly in different time periods. BrNHX02 and BrNHX09 had the most significant responses to these four stresses, and their expression levels were significantly up-regulated at 72 h after treatments, which could be used as candidate genes to further verify their functions.
Genome, Plant ; Multigene Family ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Brassica/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins/metabolism*

The E class MADS-box genes SEPALLATA (SEP)-like play critical roles in angiosperm reproductive growth, especially in floral organ differentiation. To analyze the sequence characteristics and spatio-temporal expression patterns of E-function MADS-box SEP-like genes during kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) flower development, BroaSEP1/2/3 (GenBank No. KC967957, KC967958, KC967960) homologues, three kale SEP MADS-box gene, were isolated from the kale variety 'Fourteen Line' using Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicated that these three SEP genes had a high degree of identity with SEP1, SEP2, SEP3 from Brassica oleracea var. oleracea, Brassica rapa, Raphanus sativus and Brassica napus, respectively. Alignment of the predicted amino acid sequences from these genes, along with previously published subfamily members, demonstrated that these genes comprise four regions of the typical MIKC-type MADS-box proteins: the MADS domain, intervening (I) domain and keratin-like (K) domain, and the C-terminal domain SEPⅠ and SEP Ⅱ motif. The longest open reading frame deduced from the cDNA sequences of BroaSEP1, BroaSEP2, and BroaSEP3 appeared to be 801 bp, 759 bp, 753 bp in length, respectively, which encoded proteins of 266, 252, and 250 amino acids respectively. Expression analyses using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR indicate that BroaSEP1/2/3 are specifically expressed in floral buds of kale during flower development process. The expression levels of the three genes are very different at different developmental stages, also in wild type, mutant flower with increased petals, and mutant flower with decreased petals. These different patterns of gene expression maybe cause the flowers to increase or decrease the petal number.
Brassica/metabolism* ; Flowers/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; MADS Domain Proteins/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins/metabolism*

PURPOSE: This study examined the associations of Korean fermented cabbage kimchi consumption with the incidence risk of metabolic syndrome and its components in Korean adults.METHODS: We used the community-based cohort data from the 2001 ~ 2012 Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). General characteristics, food group frequencies and nutrient intakes at baseline from 3,560 healthy individuals aged 40 ~ 69 years and the incidence of metabolic syndrome and its component from 2,259 participants, after excluding the data with incomplete anthropometric and blood test, during 10-year follow-up were analyzed. The participants were classified into three groups according to their daily consumption frequency of Korean fermented cabbage kimchi: ‘less than once (< 1/day)’, ‘once or twice (1 ~ 2/day)’, and ‘three times (3/day)’.RESULTS: After controlling for potential confounders such as age, education, income, residence area, alcohol drinking and energy intake, the consumption frequencies of rice and legumes were significantly higher, and the consumption frequency of meat was significantly lower in the 3/day group compared to that of the other two groups in men and women. The average intakes of energy and most nutrients, except fat and cholesterol, were higher in the 3/day group compared to those of the other two groups in men and women. Frequent consumption of kimchi was associated with a lower incidence of metabolic syndrome in all the models (unadjusted, age-adjusted, and multivariable-adjusted models) in women. When examining the multivariable-adjusted model, the hazard ratio for metabolic syndrome was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.47 ~ 0.86) for the 3/day group compared to that of the < 1/day group in women. However, there was no significant association between kimchi consumption and the incidence of metabolic syndrome in men.CONCLUSION: Our results show that consumption of kimchi at every meal was significantly associated with a lower incidence of metabolic syndrome in women.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Brassica ; Cholesterol ; Cohort Studies ; Education ; Energy Intake ; Epidemiology ; Fabaceae ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genome ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Incidence ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Meals ; Meat

The objective of this study was to develop fermented vegetable juices that possess antidiabetic and antioxidant activities. Lactobacillus plantarum MKHA15 (MKHA15) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides MKSR (MKSR) were applied to ferment onion, cabbage, and tomato juices at 37℃ and 30℃ for 72 h, respectively, and their functionality was tested using the 12 h hour-fermented juice by MKHA15, and 48 h hour-fermented juice by MKSR. Inhibition of α-glucosidase activity was observed in all fermented juices. The onion juice fermented by MKHA15 showed significantly higher α-glucosidase inhibition activity compared to other juices. All juices showed more than 70% inhibition of α-amylase activity. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of onion juice fermented by MKSR showed significantly lower activity than cabbage and tomato juices; however, no difference was observed between the types of starter cultures. The SOD-like activity of cabbage juice fermented by MKSR was the highest among the fermented juices. The juices fermented by MKHA15 showed higher reducing power than those by MKSR. Therefore, we believe that cabbage, onion and tomato juice fermented by MKHA15 and MKSR would be useful in probiotic juices, as they possess antidiabetic and antioxidant activities.
Brassica ; Fruit and Vegetable Juices ; Lactobacillus plantarum ; Lactobacillus ; Leuconostoc ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; Onions ; Probiotics ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify nursing interventions for the postpartum breast care of mothers and determine the effectiveness of interventions for breast pain and engorgement by systematic review. METHODS: Eight national and international databases were reviewed to retrieve and collect randomized controlled trial and controlled clinical trial literature published up to March 2015. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and performed data abstraction and validation. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane criteria. A meta-analysis of the studies was performed to analyze the data. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that breast massage, along with routine breast care, resulted in a 3.52-point reduction in pain on a 10-point visual analogue scale. Meta-analysis of therapy with cold cabbage leaves and routine breast care showed a pain reduction of 0.54 points. Meta-analysis of cold cabbage leaf application in the experimental group versus cold compress therapy in the comparison group showed a pain reduction of 0.44 points. Meta-analysis of cold cabbage leaf application and routine breast care showed an engorgement reduction of 0.67 points. CONCLUSION: The results of the analysis of 12 articles showed that hot and cold compresses, breast massage, and cabbage application were effective for postpartum breast pain and engorgement.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Brassica ; Breast ; Humans ; Massage ; Mastodynia ; Mothers ; Nursing ; Postpartum Period

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a global health problem of significant importance which increases mortality. In place of anti-obesity drugs, natural products are being developed as alternative therapeutic materials. In this study, we investigated the effect of Brassica juncea L. leaf extract (BLE) on fat deposition and lipid profiles in high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFC)-induced obese rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) according to diet: normal diet group (ND), high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group (HFC), HFC with 3% BLE diet group (HFC-A1), and HFC with 5% BLE diet group (HFC-A2). Each group was fed for 6 weeks. Rat body and adipose tissue weights, serum biochemical parameters, and tissue lipid contents were determined. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: The HFC-A2 group showed significantly lower body weight gain and food efficiency ratio than the HFC group. BLE supplementation caused mesenteric, epididymal, and total adipose tissue weights to decrease. The serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased in rats fed BLE. These results were related to lower glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, acetyl-coA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase mRNA expression, and to higher expression of the cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and low density lipoprotein-receptor, as well as increased protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α. Histological analysis of the liver revealed decreased lipid droplets in HFC rats treated with BLE. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of HFC with 3% or 5% BLE inhibited body fat accumulation, improved lipid profiles, and modulated lipogenesis- and cholesterol metabolism-related gene and protein expression.
Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Anti-Obesity Agents ; Biological Products ; Blotting, Western ; Body Weight ; Brassica* ; Cholesterol ; Diet* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Global Health ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase ; Humans ; Lipid Droplets ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Male ; Metabolism ; Mortality ; Mustard Plant* ; Obesity* ; Peroxisomes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Triglycerides ; Weights and Measures

Native turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) is relatively unreactive to maleimide agents, indicating few reactive thiol groups on TYMV. In the present study, we aimed to construct TYMV mutants that have reactive cysteine residues on the surface. To this end, we prepared a library of TYMV mutants where the Thr residue at the C-terminus of coat protein (CP) was replaced by a random sequence of six amino acids that included one cysteine. This library was introduced into Nicotiana benthamiana by agroinfiltration. The CP sequence of the TYMV RNA isolated from inoculated leaves was amplified by reverse transcription-PCR and then used to construct a second library. This process was repeated one more time, and the CP sequences of the TYMV RNA in the inoculated leaves were analyzed. Based on the analysis of over 11,000 CP sequences, the Cys mutants representing most abundant TYMV RNAs were constructed. Analysis of the mutants showed that four Cys mutants were nearly comparable to wildtype with respect to CP and viral RNA levels in N. benthamiana. All these mutants were highly reactive to fluoresceine-5-maleimide. This demonstrates that TYMV can be modified to have additional functional groups on the surface that would be useful for drug delivery.
Amino Acids ; Brassica napus* ; Cysteine ; RNA ; RNA, Viral ; Tobacco ; Tymovirus*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Glutathione s-transferase (GST) is involved in the formation of a multigene family comprising phase II detoxification enzymes, involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species. This study evaluated whether daily supplementation with kale juice could modulate levels of plasma antioxidant vitamins and oxidative stress-related parameters. We further examined whether this modulation was affected by combined GSTM1 and T1 polymorphisms. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Totally, 84 subclinical hypertensive patients having systolic blood pressure (BP) over 130 mmHg or diastolic BP over 85 mmHg, received 300 mL of kale juice daily for 6 weeks. Blood samples were drawn before start of study and after completion of 6 weeks. RESULTS: After supplementation, we observed significant decrease in DNA damage and increase in erythrocyte catalase activity in all genotypes. Plasma level of vitamin C was significantly increased in the wild/null and double null genotypes. The plasma levels of β-carotene, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity, and nitric oxide were increased only in the wild/null genotype after kale juice supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of kale juice was significantly greater in the GSTM1 null genotype and wild/null genotype groups, suggesting possibility of personalized nutritional prescriptions based on personal genetics.
Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Pressure ; Brassica* ; Catalase ; DNA Damage ; Erythrocytes ; Genetics ; Genotype ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Glutathione Transferase* ; Glutathione* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Metabolic Detoxication, Phase II ; Multigene Family ; Nitric Oxide ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Prescriptions ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: The aim of study was to determine the effects of carbohydrate, fat, protein, and fiber contents on glycemic responses in a single food item or meal. METHODS: Glycemic responses were measured in 30 healthy young adults (17 males and 13 females) with various test foods, including rice, egg whites, bean sprouts, olive oil, noodles, prune, broccoli, Korean dishes, Western dishes, and salad dishes, etc. Test foods were designed to contain various carbohydrate, fat, protein, and fiber contents in single or mixed foods or dishes. After 12 hours of fasting, participants consumed test foods, and the glycemic response was measured for a subsequent 120 min (0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min). Three hundred and fifty three glycemic responses from 62 foods were collected. The incremental area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for each test food for each subject to examine glycemic responses. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify which macronutrient (carbohydrate, fat, protein and fiber) affected the AUC using a mixed model. RESULTS: Carbohydrates (β= 37.18, p < 0.0001) significantly increased while fat (β= −32.70, p = 0.0054) and fiber (β= −32.01, p = 0.0486) significantly reduced the glycemic response. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the glycemic response of a meal can be modified depending on the fat and fiber contents of ingredient foods, even though carbohydrate content is maintained.
Area Under Curve ; Brassica ; Carbohydrates ; Egg White ; Fasting ; Glycemic Index ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Olive Oil ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the salinity of representative Korean foods high in sodium to generate data for use as a fundamental resource for setting salinity standards in foods. METHODS: A total of 480 foods from 16 representative Korean foods high in sodium were collected from 10 households, 10 industry foodservice establishments, and 10 Korean restaurants in four regions (Capital area, Chungcheong Province, Gyeongsang Province, and Jeolla Province) and analyzed for salinity. RESULTS: Among the foods, stir-fried anchovies (4.07~4.45%) showed the highest salinity, followed by pickled onion (1.86~2.62%), cabbage kimchi (1.83~2.2%), braised burdock and lotus root (1.79~2.17%), and sliced radish kimchi (1.78~1.89%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of kimchi from home meals (2.2%) was significantly higher than that of foodservice (1.83%) and restaurant (1.93%) kimchi (p < 0.05). Salinity in each group of food was highest in kimchi (1.83~2.04%), followed by braised dishes (1.54~1.78%), steamed dishes (1.0~1.22%), stir-fried dishes (1.02~1.18%), and soup or stew (0.74~1.02%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of soup and stew from restaurants (1.02%) was significantly higher than that of home meal (0.84%) and foodservice (0.74%) soup and stew. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the salinity of representative Korean foods known to be high in sodium by eating place is expected to be useful to establishing guidelines for reduction of salinity.
Arctium ; Brassica ; Eating ; Family Characteristics ; Lotus ; Meals ; Onions ; Raphanus ; Restaurants ; Salinity ; Sodium ; Steam