Physicochemical properties and palatability of rice from six elite varieties in Korea (Chucheongbyeo, Saechucheongbyeo, Mihyangbyeo, Hitomebore, Nampyeongbyeo, and Ilpumbyeo) were analyzed. All samples, which contained 17–18 g/100 g rice starch amylose, belong to low-amylose rice group. Hitomebore variety showed abundant amount of essential amino acids, highest palatability score (82.9), and lowest mineral content. The rice samples contained relatively similar concentrations of saturated (21–24 g/100 g rice) and unsaturated (75–78 g/100 g rice) fatty acids. Mihyangbyeo variety exhibited the highest amount of protein (8.10 g/100 g rice), sugar content, and pasting temperature (82.75°C) and time (3.78 min), but lowest viscosity values. Ribose, rhamnose, and potassium were found to have negative correlations with palatability and breakdown viscosity, indicating that gelatinization characteristics could also be used in evaluating the eating quality of rice. Results of this study could assist plant breeders in developing rice varieties with improved genetic traits and high eating quality.

4-1BB (CD137), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is expressed on activated T-cells, and 4-1BB signaling due to interaction with 4-1BB ligand or ligation with anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibody (mAb) costimulates T cells. It has been shown that administration of anti-4-1BB mAb induces anti-tumor immunity in mice, but the nature of the cellular subsets responsible for this immunity is uncertain. In this study we found that anti-4-1BB mAb administration to B16F10 melanoma-bearing mice induced marked expansion of CD11c+CD8+ T-cells in parallel with suppression of pulmonary tumors. The mAb-treated mice produced higher levels of IFN- in their tumor tissues, spleen and lymph nodes than mice exposed to control antibody. When the CD11c+CD8+ T-cells were purified and re-stimulated in vitro, they produced high levels of the Th1 cytokines, IFN- and IL-2, but low levels of the Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10. Furthermore, they expressed high levels of 4-1BB and CD107a, a marker of activated cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Our results suggest that CD11c+CD8+ T-cells play a role in the anti-tumor immunity induced by anti-4-1BB mAb.

In this study, the effect of different herbicide x pyroligenous acid mixtures on soil chemical and biological properties was evaluated in order to elucidate its potential impacts on nutrient availability and soil quality. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions consisted of 100-fold diluted wood vinegar (100 WV), 50% BCB (Bentazone cyhalofop-butyl), 100% BCB, 50% BCB+100 WV, 50% BCB+250 WV and 50% BCB+500 WV applied against Echinochloa crusgalli . Ten days after herbicide application, the chemical properties were altered and the changes were influenced by the amount of WV dilutions. The soil pH was near neutral to slightly alkaline coupled with decreased electrical conductivity (EC). The total carbon, available phosphorous, exchangeable magnesium, exchangeable sodium, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable potassium and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were relatively lower compared to the control. Biolog TM assay showed that different treatments resulted to variable microbial activity, Shannon-Weaver index and richness of carbon utilization potential. Principal component analysis showed segregation of samples based on extracted principal components indicating variable carbon utilization potential due to different treatments combination. Correlation analysis between soil and microbial properties revealed that Principal Component 2 has negative correlation with pH and available P. On the other hand, Principal Component 3 was positively correlated with total C, exch. Ca, Mg, Na, and CEC (0.475, 0.490, 0.555, 0.489, and 0.517, respectively). Application of pyroligneous acid combined with herbicides resulted to changes in soil chemical and biological characteristics which may have unique implications on nutrient availability and overall soil quality.

Heavy metal (HM) pollution has long been a problem in crop production. However, soils contaminated at low concentration such as areas for food production may have a high risk of biomagnification and food chain contamination. Different methods were used for remediating these polluted environments, but pyroligneous acids (PAs) such as wood vinegar (WV) application are rarely studied. Thus, the effects of WV on metal availability in soils and on the growth of mustard were evaluated by measuring chlorophyll content, biomass, nutrient and metal uptake. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) were computed to determine suitable phytoremediation practices. Overall results revealed favorable growth of mustard due to the direct source of nutrients provided by WV. WV decreased the metal concentration in soil and inhibited uptake through phytostabilization. Organic substances associated with WV are naturally endowed with adsorption sites available for chelation, rendering metals less bioavailable. As a result, HM-contaminated soils can now be utilized for food production.