Innate immunity responses are triggered by the immune challenge and therefore involve signaling processes. The cellular response is initiated by hemocytes and mainly involves phagocytosis and encapsulation of intruders by these cells. To address whether Hc-STAT is activated upon bacterial challenge, we examined the subcellular location of STAT protein in hemocyte by immunostaining. A new insect member of the STAT family of transcription factors (Hc-STAT) has been cloned from the lepidopteran, Hyphantria cunea. The domain involved in DNA interaction and the SH2 domain are well conserved. The gene is transcribed at a low level during all stages of development, and the protein is present in hemocytes, fat body, midgut, epidermis, and Malphigian tuble (Mt). Especially, hemocytes and Mt showed transcriptional activation of Hc-STAT upon Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge. Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge specifically results in nuclear translocation of Hc-STAT protein and induction of DNA-binding activity that recognizes a STAT target site in H. cunea hemocyte. In vitro treatment with pervanadate translocates Hc-STAT to the nucleus in hemocyte cells. Here we report the first evidence for the involvement hemocyte JAK/STAT pathway upon microbial infection in lepidopteran insect.

Innate immunity responses are triggered by the immune challenge and therefore involve signaling processes. The cellular response is initiated by hemocytes and mainly involves phagocytosis and encapsulation of intruders by these cells. To address whether Hc-STAT is activated upon bacterial challenge, we examined the subcellular location of STAT protein in hemocyte by immunostaining. A new insect member of the STAT family of transcription factors (Hc-STAT) has been cloned from the lepidopteran, Hyphantria cunea. The domain involved in DNA interaction and the SH2 domain are well conserved. The gene is transcribed at a low level during all stages of development, and the protein is present in hemocytes, fat body, midgut, epidermis, and Malphigian tuble (Mt). Especially, hemocytes and Mt showed transcriptional activation of Hc-STAT upon Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge. Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge specifically results in nuclear translocation of Hc-STAT protein and induction of DNA-binding activity that recognizes a STAT target site in H. cunea hemocyte. In vitro treatment with pervanadate translocates Hc-STAT to the nucleus in hemocyte cells. Here we report the first evidence for the involvement hemocyte JAK/STAT pathway upon microbial infection in lepidopteran insect.

Cloned calves derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have been frequently lost by sudden death at 1 to 3 month following healthy birth. To address whether placental anomalies are responsible for the sudden death of cloned calves, we compared protein patterns of 2 placentae derived from SCNT of Korean Native calves died suddenly at two months after birth and those of 2 normal placentae obtained from AI fetuses. Placental proteins were separated using 2-Dimensional gel electrophoresis. Approximately 800 spots were detected in placental 2-D gel stained with coomassie-blue. Then, image analysis of Malanie III (Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics) was performed to detect variations in protein spots between normal and SCNT placentae. In the comparison of normal and SCNT samples, 8 spots were identified to be up-regulated proteins and 24 spots to be down-regulated proteins in SCNT placentae, among which proteins were high mobility group protein HMG1, apolipoprotein A-1 precursor, bactenecin 1, tropomyosin beta chain, H+-transporting ATPase, carbonic anhydrase II, peroxiredoxin 2, tyrosine-rich acidic matrix protein, serum albumin precursor and cathepsin D. These results suggested that the sudden death of cloned calves might be related to abnormal protein expression in placenta.

The spermatogenesis is the process by which spermatozoa are generated in the testes. The spermatozoa travel male reproductive tract during which they meet many substances secreted from reproductive organs. One of the substances is epididymal protease inhibitor (EPPIN) that is involved in the post-testicular maturation including capability of fertilizing the eggs. The expression of EPPIN gene was investigated in various tissues of sexually mature and regressed male Syrian hamsters by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The EPPIN gene was identified in the testis and epididymis of the male Syrian hamsters and compared to the genes reported previously. There was no expression of EPPIN gene in reproductively and completely regressed testes of Syrian hamster. These results suggest that the expressions of the EPPIN gene are associated with the reproductive capability in the Syrian hamsters.

PSC(Prestressed Concrete)는 전단면을 유효하게 사용할 수 있으므로 교량 및 암거와 같은 구조물에 가장 많이 사용되고 있다. 그러 나 내부의 텐던은 항상 높은 인장하중을 받는 상태에 노출되므로 부식환경에서 더욱 주의를 해야한다. 본 연구는 동일한 부식조건에서 프리스 트레싱 하중에 따라 변화하는 부식전류 및 내력저하에 대한 연구이다. 이를 위해 초기 프리스트레싱 하중의 0.0%, 20.0%, 40.0%수준으로 가력 한 뒤, ICM(Impressed Current Method)를 이용하여 촉진부식실험을 수행하였다. 초기 하중이 증가할수록 부식전류와 부식량은 증가하였으며 최대하중의 감소가 선형적으로 발생하였다. 초기하중이 20%에서 40%로 증가할 때, 부식전류량은 124.4%와 168.0% 수준으로 증가하였으며, 최종 파괴시의 하중은 87.8% 및 78.4%수준으로 감소하였다. 동일한 전압인가 시 부식속도와 내력저하는 인가한 초기 프리스트레싱 하중에 비 례함을 알 수 있다.

This study examined the effects of delayed harvest of Miscanthus on its biomass yield and growth characteristics. The trial was conducted at a 5-year-old demonstration field, using Miscanthus sacchariflorus cv. Geodae 1 and Miscanthus × giganteus. Harvesting was carried out using a mower, baler, and bale picker driven by a 5-ton tractor. Harvesting dates were the 1 st , 10 th , and 17 th of April, which respectively corresponded with the first, mid, and last emerging dates of new shoots. The sequential changes in stem number due to delayed harvesting were investigated on April 29 th , May 27 th , July 22 nd , and October 30 th , which corresponded to the juvenile, mid, luxuriant, and senescence stem stages, respectively. Soil penetration resistance, biomass yield, and growth characteristics were investigated on October 30 th . There was no difference in soil penetration resistance at a depth of 10 cm, but it increased at a depth of 20 cm in proportion to the delayed harvesting time. The sequential change in stem number due to delayed harvesting was greater in M. sacchariflorus cv. Geodae 1 than in M. × giganteus. In M. sacchariflorus cv. Geodae 1, which was harvested on the last emerging date of new shoots, the stem number was 169/m 2 in the mid stage but decreased to 70/m 2 in the luxuriant stage. The diameter of newly developed rhizomes, stem height, and biomass yield decreased in the two Miscanthus species due to delayed harvesting. The ratio of Miscanthus headings, which is a critical characteristic for landscape use, also decreased due to delayed harvesting. Heading of M. sacchariflorus cv. Geodae 1 was not observed in plots harvested on the mid and last emerging dates of new shoots.

본 연구는 한국형 바이오에너지작물로 선발된 물억새인 ‘우람’의 미성숙 화기를 이용한 캘러스 유도 및 식물체 재분 화 조건을 확립하고자 하였다. 캘러스 유도율은 MS배지에 2,4-D 3 mg L-1 첨가에서 93.3%로 높게 나타났으며, 2,4-D 3 mg L-1과 BA 0.1 mg L-1 처리에서 86.7%로 높게 나타났 다. 식물체 재분화율은 BA가 첨가된 배지에서 유도된 캘러스 를 이용하였을 경우 BA가 첨가되지 않은 배지에서 유도된 캘 러스보다 높게 나타나는 것을 확인하였다. 재분화를 위한 배 지 조성은 BA 5 mg L-1과 NAA 0.1 mg L-1 호르몬 조합에 서 재분화율이 86.7%로 가장 효과적이었다. 재분화된 소식물 체는 캘러스로부터 분리하여 MS배지에서 발근을 유도하였을 때 배양 4주 이후 뿌리가 3 cm 이상 신장하였다. 기내에서 발 근이 된 소식물체의 순화를 위해 상토에 이식하고 온실에서 재배하였을 때, 5주 후 지상부가 20 cm 이상으로 신장하여 성공적으로 활착되었다.

This study firstly provides basic data for selection of cultivatable bioenergy grass in barren reclaimed lands applied with solidified sewage sludge. The experimental plots consisted of a plot containing reclaimed land mixed with solidified sewage sludge (MSS 50), a plot covered by solidified sewage sludge (CSS 100), and an original reclaimed soil plot (ORS). The growth, biomass production of bioenergy grasses and soil chemical properties were investigated in each experimental plot for 5 years. The organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (T-N) content in both MSS 50 and CSS 100 were considerably higher than those in ORS. In bioenergy grasses, M. sacchariflorus cv. Geodae 1 showed an excellent growth and adaptability on reclaimed land applied with solidified sewage sludge. The application of solidified sewage sludge may provided soil nutrition in the reclaimed land due to the fact that bioenergy crops grew better in soils applied with solidified sewage sludge than in untreated soils, and treated soils had higher OM and T-N content than untreated soils. This study suggests that M. sacchariflorus cv. Geodae 1 is the most suitable biomass feedstock crop for biomass production and that solidified sewage sludge may be used as a soil material

This study firstly provides basic data for selection of cultivatable bioenergy grass in barren reclaimed lands applied with solidified sewage sludge. The experimental plots consisted of a plot containing reclaimed land mixed with solidified sewage sludge (MSS 50), a plot covered by solidified sewage sludge (CSS 100), and an original reclaimed soil plot (ORS). The growth, biomass production of bioenergy grasses and soil chemical properties were investigated in each experimental plot for 5 years. The organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (T-N) content in both MSS 50 and CSS 100 were considerably higher than those in ORS. In bioenergy grasses, M. sacchariflorus cv. Geodae 1 showed an excellent growth and adaptability on reclaimed land applied with solidified sewage sludge. The application of solidified sewage sludge may provided soil nutrition in the reclaimed land due to the fact that bioenergy crops grew better in soils applied with solidified sewage sludge than in untreated soils, and treated soils had higher OM and T-N content than untreated soils. This study suggests that M. sacchariflorus cv. Geodae 1 is the most suitable biomass feedstock crop for biomass production and that solidified sewage sludge may be used as a soil material

The rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker) was one of the most destructive pest of rice for the 1960s and 1970s in Korea. Recently, it is newly recognized as a potential risk factor to the biomass yield of bioenergy crops. The current research was firstly conducted to investigate overwintering larvae population density and pattern of rice stem borer attacking Miscanthus sacchariflorus cv. Geodae 1 which is referred to as an ideal lignocellulosic bioenergy crop in Korea. Population density of larvae per 1 m2 in stems and rhizomes at the Miscanthus experimental plots and rates of damage (wormhole, abscission) of M. sacchariflorus cv. Goedae 1 were investigated from October 2012 to March 2013. The population of larvae per 1 m2 in stems of Miscanthus were 23, 4, 1, and 1 in October, November, December 2012, and January 2013, respectively. Over the same period, the population of larvae in basal stem rots and rhizomes were increased, whereas decreased in stems. Interestingly, the positions of larvae for overwintering in Miscanthus were confirmed to 5~10 cm below the soil surface such as basal stem rot and rhizome, whereas the most common overwintering position known in rice is a part of stem on the ground such as rice straw and rice stubble. It would suggest that the larvae gradually moved to bottom of stems and rhizomes in soil in line with decline in temperature. Moreover, the damage rates of stems per 1 m2 were up to more than 50% in some places. In conclusion, this might be the first report that rice stem borer could affect the productivity of biomass of Miscanthus in case of mass cultivation. Moreover, it should be necessary to make a decision in insect control management for this bioenergy feedstock and other related crops.

농업유래의 바이오매스 중 볏짚의 저장형태와 저장기간에 따른 수분함량 변화와 바이오매스의 화학적 성분 변화를분석함으로써 바이오에탄올 생산을 위한 원료의 최적 저장방법을 제시하고자 하였다. 주요 결과는 아래와 같다.1. 볏짚의 수분함량 변이를 측정한 결과 실내에서 보관한사각곤포 및 원형곤포는 약 20 ~ 25%의 수분함량을유지하였으며 실외에서 보관한 비가림 시설을 도입한사각곤포의 경우 20%이하의 낮은 수분함량을 확인하였다.2. 볏짚의 화학적 성분의 변이를 분석한 결과 실외보관곤포는 cellulose 및 hemicellulose의 함량이 큰 폭으로감소하였으나, 실내에서 보관한 곤포들은 비닐원형곤포를 제외한 나머지 집속형태에서는 오히려 성분의 함량의 증가를 확인하였다.3. 볏짚을 장기간 보관할 때에는 외부환경을 차단할 수있는 실내에서 보관하거나 부득이하게 실외에서 보관할 때 최소 비가림 시설을 도입하여 수분함량 및 화학적 성분의 감소를 최소화해야 바이오에탄올 생산을 위한 고품질의 원료로써 이용될 수 있을 것이다.

본 연구는 바이오에탄올 생산용 작물 선발을 위해 국내재배 가능한 일년생 작물중에서 바이오매스 생산량이 우수한 수수-수단그래스 교잡종에 대한 바이오에탄올 생산성을조사하였으며 그 결과는 다음과 같다.1. 총 11 품종의 수수-수단그래스 교잡종 대한 화학적 특성검증 결과 셀룰로오스 함량은 Green Star 품종이 가장높았으며 발효율 검정을 위해 Green Star, Revolution,KF429 그리고 SS504 4품종을 선발하였다.2. 선발된 4품종으로부터 발효 당을 추출하기 위해 시료와1 M NaOH 용매를 1:14의 비율로 혼합하고 150℃에서30분간 전처리하였을 때 시료내 셀룰로오스 함량은 55%이상 이였으며, 발효 저해 작용을 하는 리그닌 및 회분함량은 65%이상 제거 되었다.3. 전처리물의 당화율 검정을 위해 celli CTEC II 효소 30FPU/g-cellulose를 사용하였으며 4품종의 당화율은 평균86%이었다.4. 수수-수단그래스 교잡종의 발효율 검정은 동시당화발효(SSF)방법으로 수행하였으며 발효균주로는 Saccharomysiscerevisiae CHY1011를 사용하였고, 결과적으로 GreenStar의 발효율이 92.4%로 가장 높았으며 에탄올 생산량은 6,206 L/ha임을 확인하였다.

Cryopreservation has been known as an efficient method for long-term preservation of clonally propagated plants, and several cryopreservation methods have been developed. Among them, a droplet-vitrification method for potato using axillary shoot tips in vitro has been established previously. In this study, we have optimized the procedure in which explants were submitted to a step-wise pre-culture in liquid sucrose-enriched medium (0.3 and 0.7 M for 7 and 17 h, respectively). The pre-cultured explants were dehydrated with PVS3 (w/v, 50% glycerol + 50% sucrose) for 90 min or modified PVS2 vitrification solution (w/v, 37.5% glycerol + 15% DMSO + 15.0% ethylene glycol + 22.5% sucrose) for 30 min. This two dehydration solutions produced post-cryopreservation regeneration percentages of 57.2% and 80.9%, respectively. We also compared a new post-culture medium (0.1 mg L ･ -1 GA3, 0.1 mg L ･ -1 kinetin) with the conventional one (0.15 mg L ･ -1 IAA, 0.2 mg L ･ -1 zeatin, 0.05 mg L ･ -1 GA3); the shooting initiation rates were 80.9% and 43.5%, respectively. The results suggest that the modified droplet-vitrification protocol described in this study is more effective, easier to implement, and more economical than the droplet-vitrification protocols currently used for potato.