Three fungal isolates designated as CNUFC-YR329-1, CNUFC-PTS103-1, and CNUFC-PTS2-1 were discovered during a survey of fungal diversity of the order Mortierellales from freshwater and pine tree rhizosphere soil samples in Korea. The strains were analyzed morphologically and phylogenetically based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal DNA gene sequences. Based on their morphology and phylogeny, the three isolates were identified as Mortierella elongata, M. horticola, and M. humilis, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, M. elongata, M. horticola, and M. humilis, belonging to an undiscovered taxon, have not been previously described in Korea.
Classification ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Fresh Water ; Korea ; Mortierella ; Phylogeny ; Pinus ; Rhizosphere ; Soil

3-Carene, a bicyclic monoterpene, is one of the major components of the pine tree essential oils. It has been reported that, in addition to its known properties as a phytoncide, 3-carene has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anxiolytic effects. We have previously demonstrated that α-pinene, the major component of pine tree, has a hypnotic effect through GABA(A)-benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors. However, a hypnotic effect of 3-carene has not been studied yet. Here, we report that oral administration of 3-carene increases the sleep duration and reduces sleep latency in pentobarbital-induced sleep test. 3-Carene potentiates the GABA(A) receptor-mediated synaptic responses by prolonging the decay time constant of inhibitory synaptic responses. These enhancing effects of 3-carene are reproduced by zolpidem, a modulator for GABA(A)-BZD receptor, and fully inhibited by flumazenil, an antagonist for GABA(A)-BZD receptor. The molecular docking of 3-carene to the BZD site of GABA(A) protein structure, suggests that 3-carene binds to the BZD site of α1 and ϒ2 subunits of GABA(A)-BZD receptor. These results indicate that, similar to α-pinene, 3-carene shows a sleep-enhancing effect by acting as a positive modulator for GABA(A)-BZD receptor.
Administration, Oral ; Anti-Anxiety Agents ; Flumazenil ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Oils, Volatile ; Pinus

Radionuclides were deposited at forest areas in eastern parts of Japan following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant incident in March 2011. Ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi have important effects on radiocaesium dynamics in forest ecosystems. We examined the effect of colonization by the EM fungus Astraeus hygrometricus on the uptake of cesium (Cs) and potassium (K) by Pinus densiflora seedlings. Pine seedlings exhibited enhanced growth after the EM formation due to the colonization by A. hygrometricus. Additionally, the shoot Cs concentration increased after the EM formation when Cs was not added to the medium. This suggests that A. hygrometricus might be able to solubilize Cs fixed to soil particles. Moreover, the shoot K concentration increased significantly after the EM formation when Cs was added. However, there were no significant differences in the root K concentration between EM and non-EM seedlings. These results suggest that different mechanisms control the transfer of Cs and K from the root to the shoot of pine seedlings.
Cesium* ; Colon* ; Ecosystem ; Forests ; Fungi ; Japan ; Nuclear Power Plants ; Pinus* ; Potassium ; Radioisotopes ; Seedlings* ; Soil

Two-hundred and fifty-five strains of actinomycetes isolated from soil samples were screened for their antagonistic activities against four well-known wood decay fungi (WDF), including a brown rot fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum and three white rot fungi Donkioporia expansa, Trametes versicolor, and Schizophyllum commune. A dual culture assay using culture media supplemented with heated or unheated culture filtrates of selected bacterial strains was used for the detection of their antimicrobial activity against four WDF. It was shown that Streptomyces atratus, S. tsukiyonensis, and Streptomyces sp. greatly inhibited the mycelial growth of the WDF tested compared with the control. To evaluate the biocontrol efficacy of S. atratus, S. tsukiyonensis, and Streptomyces sp., wood blocks of Pinus densiflora inoculated with three selected Streptomyces isolates were tested for weight loss, compression strength (perpendicular or parallel to the grain), bending strength, and chemical component changes. Of these three isolates used, Streptomyces sp. exhibited higher inhibitory activity against WDF, especially G. trabeum, as observed in mechanical and chemical change analyses. Scanning electron microscopy showed that cell walls of the wood block treated with Streptomyces strains were thicker and collapsed to a lesser extent than those of the non-treated control. Taken together, our findings indicate that Streptomyces sp. exhibits the potential to be used as a biocontrol agent for wood decay brown rot fungus that causes severe damage to coniferous woods.
Actinobacteria ; Cell Wall ; Coniferophyta ; Culture Media ; Fungi* ; Hot Temperature ; Mass Screening* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Pinus ; Schizophyllum ; Soil ; Streptomyces* ; Trametes ; Weight Loss ; Wood*

BACKGROUND: Pollen allergens are one of the main contributors to the development and/or aggravation of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma. OBJECTIVE: An examination of the airborne pollen in residential areas should be conducted to aid the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. METHODS: Airborne pollen samples were collected from 2 sites in Incheon and 2 in Seoul from 2015 to 2016. RESULTS: The highest monthly concentration of airborne pollen was observed in May and September each year. Pollen from 32 families and 50 genera was identified over the 2 years; of these, Pinus spp. showed the highest pollen concentration (41.6%), followed by Quercus spp. (25.3%), and Humulus spp. (15.3%), the latter of which had the highest concentration among weed pollen. The total pollen concentration was significantly higher in Incheon than in Seoul (p = 0.001 in 2015, p < 0.001 in 2016) and higher in 2016 than in 2015. The concentrations of pollen from weed species (Cupressaceae, Humulus spp., Artemisia spp., Ambrosia spp., and Chenopodiaceae) and grass species (Gramineae) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those from tree species. Pollen was distributed from February to November. The first pollen identified in both regions in each year was Alnus spp. Overall, the total concentration of Quercus spp., Betula spp., Humulus spp., Artemisia spp., Ambrosia spp., and Chenopodiaceae pollen increased significantly over the 2 years. CONCLUSION: Region-specific differences exist in the pollen of major allergenic plants. Continuous monitoring of pollen is thus essential for management of pollen-related allergic disorders in each region.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asthma ; Betula ; Chenopodiaceae ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Incheon ; Pinus ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Quercus ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Seoul ; Trees

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to evaluate the effects of Pinus massoniana needle extract (PMNE) on inhibiting demineralization of root dentin.

METHODSRoot dentin blocks were randomly divided into distilled deionized water (DDW) group, fluoride sodium (NaF) group, and 4%, 8% and 12% PMNE groups according to the experimental solution used in the process of pH cycling in each group. All specimens in each group experienced pH cycling for 8 d. The dentin mineral density (DMD) of the normal dentin and demineralized dentin and their D-value (ΔDMD) were determined using micro computed tomography. The morphology of dentin surface after pH cycling was also observed using a scanning electron microscope.

RESULTSThe ΔDMD values in all PMNE groups and the NaF group were considerably lower than the ΔDMD in the DDW group (P<0.05). The ΔDMD values of the 8% and 12% PMNE groups had no difference (P>0.05), both of which were lower than the ΔDMD in the 4% PMNE group and higher than that in the NaF group (P<0.05). The dentin tubules were partly opened in the PMNE groups. The opening degrees of the dentin tubule in PMNE groups were significantly less and smaller than the opening degree in the DDW group and were larger than that in the NaF group.

CONCLUSIONSPMNE can inhibit the deminera-lization of root dentin and can slow down the reduction in DMD. PMNE has the potential to prevent caries, and 8% PMNE can effectively inhibit dentin demineralization.

The genets of Suillus granulatus in a Pinus strobus stand (13 m × 60 m) were identified using random amplified polymorphic DNA molecular markers and the DNA of mushrooms that fruited for two years, and variations in genet size and distribution were analyzed. From a total of 116 mushrooms, 73 genets were identified and were grouped into three locations. The genets of mushrooms in close proximity differed from each other. The genet sizes varied at any of the three locations. The lengths of the identified genets in the pine stand ranged from 0.09 to 2.90 m. The average number of mushrooms per genet was 1.2 to 2.3, and the percentage of genets that were represented by a single mushroom was 44% to 94%. This variation in the genets of mushrooms in close proximity suggests that the ectomycorrhizal mycelial bodies of S. granulatus propagated sexually by fusing haploid spores derived from the mushrooms gills with below-ground mycelia. Therefore, it is necessary further to investigate the formation of new genets through spores in ectomycorrhizal fungal colonies.
Agaricales ; Animals ; DNA ; Fruit* ; Gills ; Haploidy ; Pinus* ; Spores ; Viverridae

Poria cocos is a well-known traditional Chinese traditional medicine (TCM) that grows around roots of pine trees in China, Korea, Japan, and North America. Poria cocos has been used in Asian countries to treat insomnia as either a single herb or part of an herbal formula. In a previous experiment, pachymic acid (PA), an active constituent of Poria cocos ethanol extract (PCE), increased pentobarbital-induced sleeping behaviors. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate whether or not PCE and PA modulate sleep architectures in rats as well as whether or not their effects are mediated through GABA(A)-ergic transmission. PCE and PA were orally administered to individual rats 7 days after surgical implantation of a transmitter, and sleep architectures were recorded by Telemetric Cortical encephalogram (EEG) upon oral administration of test drugs. PCE and PA increased total sleep time and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep as well as reduced numbers of sleep/wake cycles recorded by EEG. Furthermore, PCE increased intracellular chloride levels, GAD65/67 protein levels, and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-subunits of GABA(A) receptors in primary cultured hypothalamic neuronal cells. These data suggest that PCE modulates sleep architectures via activation of GABA(A)-ergic systems. Further, as PA is an active component of PCE, they may have the same pharmacological effects.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Cocos* ; Electroencephalography ; Ethanol* ; Eye Movements ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neurons ; North America ; Pinus ; Poria* ; Rats* ; Receptors, GABA-A ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Based on variation of Pinus massoniana families, heritablility and correlation analysis, the contents of shikimic acid and procyanidine (heritability 0.90, 0.70), dry weight of single branch (heritability 0.60) and and leaf length (heritability 0.46) were screened out as quality, yield and harvest cost traits of Folium Pini, respectively. For the different medicinal application of Folium Pini, varied methods were chosen to estimate weight and construct index equation. Weight adjustment based.on equal emphasis were used as economic weight determining method to select the best families, and the index (accuracy 0. 936 4 and heritability 0. 881 6) obtained was a little better than that obtained by equal emphasis, and much better than that by restricted index. The superior families selected with adjustment weight and equal emphasis were No. 46, 43 and 28. Partial regression were used as economic weight determining method to select the best families,and the index obtained had the highest accuracy (0.941 5) , index heritability (0. 889 9) and the genetic gain of shikimic acid content. The superior families selected with this method were No. 46, 27 and 47. No. 46 was the best families with maximal economic benefit. Our study indicated that suitable method for estimate weight and construct index equation can be applied for better accuracy of superior families selection of P. massoniana.
Breeding ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Pinus ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pollinosis is an increasing problem, with allergenic pollen causing rhinitis, asthma, and other allergic diseases. This study examined the patterns of sensitization to inhalant allergens in patients with respiratory allergies and analyzed the regional pollen concentrations in Ulsan, Korea. METHODS: A skin prick test was performed with 21 common inhalant allergens, including 18 types of pollen, in 634 patients with respiratory allergies from January of 2008 through December of 2010. Airborne pollen was collected daily from three different stations in Ulsan using a Durham sampler. Daily records and identification of the pollen types were made (2009-2010). RESULTS: The sensitization rates for inhalant allergens were as follows: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (38.2%), Dermatophagoides farinae (38.0%), birch (15.8%), alder (15.3%), hazel (14.2%), oak (13.5%), beech (10.8%), mugwort (9.6%), and hop Japanese (5.2%). Airborne pollen has two peak seasons: tree pollen from February to June, followed by weed pollen from August to October. Pine tree, oak, and alder were the most frequently found pollen types in spring, whereas hop Japanese and mugwort were the most frequently found pollen types in autumn. CONCLUSIONS: House dust mites are the most common offending allergen in Ulsan. The sensitization rates to some tree pollen types, including birch, alder, and hazel were higher than those of weed or grass pollen. Causative allergens are changing in response to climate change and air pollution. Continuous aerobiological monitoring is the cornerstone for observing changes in pollen and a prerequisite for the study of the effect of climate change on allergic diseases.
Air Pollution ; Allergens* ; Alnus ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Betula ; Climate Change ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Fagus ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity* ; Korea ; Pinus ; Poaceae ; Pollen* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Seasons ; Skin ; Ulsan