Norovirus (NoV) is an etiologic agent of human and animal acute gastroenteritis and is a member of the family Caliciviridae. NoV is classified based on nucleotide sequences of the VP1 gene into at least six genogroups (GI-GVI), among which GI, GII, and GIV are known to infect humans and GII is the most prevalent genogroup. In this study, VP1, the full gene of GII human NoV, was cloned from a human fecal sample and expressed using a baculovirus expression system. Human NoV VP1-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced using expressed recombinant VP1. Expressed VP1 in the recombinant virus was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) test, and Western blot analysis. Eight hybridomas secreting VP1-specific MAbs against human GII NoV were generated and characterized. All of the MAbs produced in this study reacted with human GII NoV VP1-recombinant baculoviruses but not with other non-human calicivirus recombinant baculoviruses. These MAbs reacted specifically with human NoV GII.4-2009 virus-like particles (VLPs), and some MAbs showed cross-reactivity with other GII.4 variant VLPs. Expressed human GII NoV VP1-recombinant protein and MAbs specific to this protein can be used as useful reagents for detecting and characterizing human NoV.

Odor problems in urban areas have become a common cause of public complaints. In order to gain a better understanding of odor problems, we investigated the emission characteristics of odorants originating from manholes (n=22) and stormwater catch basins (n=48) (SCBs) around Wangsimni station in Seoul. To this end, concentrations of H2S and NH3 were measured after arbitrarily dividing the whole study area into five different districts. Our measurements were made to allow comparisons between three different criteria: (1) manholes vs. SCBs, (2) temporal variation between morning vs. afternoon, and (3) water content in the sewer system. The average concentration of H2S in manholes and SCB were 2.39 ppm and 0.81 ppm, respectively. In contrast, their NH3 counterparts were 1.86 ppm and 1.02 ppm, respectively. According to the contouring method made to identify spatial distribution characteristics, of odorants a relatively lowland site D was expected to work as a significant emission source in light of the transportation patterns of a sewer system. Moreover, higher concentrations of odorants were prevalent in the afternoon (as the prime time for commercial activities) relative to before noon. If concentration data are converted into odor intensity, H2S was the predominant component exerting controls on the odor pollution in these underground environments.