Climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide are significant factors in ecological risk assessments, suggesting their consideration is required in predicting potential distribution of a invasive species. CLIMEX model is one of species distribution models (SDMs) and provides potential geographical distribution by focusing on climatic effect on species inhabitation. Most SDMs, such as Bioclim, Domain, GARP and MaxEnt, focus on relationship between the occurrences of the species and static environmental covariates, whereas CLIMEX model depends on limitations of species' geographical distribution and reactions to climatic variables at an appropriate temporal scale (called seasonal phenology). In this study, we described the basic concept of CLIMEX and reviewed previous applications. Also, we demonstrated the various utilization of CLIMEX differed by study purposes and methodology for analyzing the model.

The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is categorized into the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Accordingly, the prediction of potential distribution of the red imported fire ant is demanded in order to provide the possibility of dispersion into new sites, and to identify vulnerable regions to be attacked. In general, species distribution model can predict potential distribution of a specific species, but most of them have used air temperature as the most important variable. However, red imported fire ant has life cycle under ground, requiring soil temperature for more reliable prediction of potential habitats. For this reason, this study was to insert soil temperature into CLIMEX, and to evaluate potential distribution of the red imported fire ant.

Solenopsis geminata has been found in South Korea, suggesting a risk of its invasion has been increased by rapid climate change. This situation requires species distribution modeling to predict possibility of Solenopsis geminata introduction, but information necessary for performing it is very limited. In this study, we developed a map for global distribution of Solenopsis geminata so that the map can be used for future species distribution modeling. Also, as the first step to assess Solenopsis geminata introduction, climatic similarity between its origin (Puerto Rico) and major cities in South Korea was compared. We used ArcMap (version 10.0) for creating the distribution map by obtaining current habitat from public database, and CLIMEX was used to compare climates based on CMI value. The result showed that climates were not similar as indicated by CMI less than 0.52, suggesting the risk of intial introduction is low under the current climatic condition. However, it should be noted that climatic similarity did not consider biological characteristics of Solenopsis geminata and climate change. Thus, the next study will be devoted to climatic suitability simultaneously considers meteorological data, distribution and biological information.

Ganglioside GM3 is known as an inhibition factor of cell differentiation and proliferation via inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation. Our previous study showed that the exogenous ganglioside GM3 reduced the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes and induced apoptosis at 44 h of in vitro maturation (IVM). However, the role of ganglioside GM3 in the relationship between EGFR signaling and apoptosis during porcine oocyte maturation has not yet been studied. First, porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in the NCSU-23 medium with exogenous ganglioside GM3 according to maturation periods (non-treated, only IVM I: 0 - 22 h, only IVM II: 22 - 44 h and IVM I & II: 0 - 44 h). We confirmed that the proportion of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) increased significantly in the IVM I treated group than in the control group. We also confirmed that the meiotic maturation until M II stage and polar body formation decreased significantly in the only IVM I treated group. Cumulus cell expansion and mRNA levels of the expansion-related factors (HAS2, TNFAIP6 and PTX3) decreased significantly in the IVM I treated group than in the control group. Protein levels of EGFR, p-EGFR, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 decreased significantly in the GM3-treated groups, during the IVM I period. In addition, cellular apoptosis, determined using TUNEL assay, and protein levels of Cleaved caspase 3, were increased significantly in the GM3-treated COCs during the IVM I period. Based on these results, ganglioside GM3 exposure of porcine COCs during the IVM I period reduced meiotic maturation and cumulus cell expansion via inhibition of EGFR activity in pigs.

Oak wilt disease caused by Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae is one of the serious diseases in Korea. Infected trees showed wilting and discolourations on the cambium when the bark of a tree is peeled, since it deters moisture migration. Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae is vectored by Platypus koryoensis. In this regard, it was assumed that there might be a positive correlation between the number of gallery generated by P. koryoensis and the level of damage on the infected tree by the oak wilt disease. In order to link the occurrence of dead oak trees with the number of galleries produced by P. koryoensis, five regions (Incheon, Anyang, Gwangmyeong, Icheon and Gimhae) were selected in Korea. The number of galleries on Mongolian oaks produced by attack of P. koryoensis was counted in four directions between 50cm and 100cm from the ground level. Furthermore, Vegetation was investigated from the area where the oak wilt disease occurred, and a data logger was set up to collect data including temperature and relative humidity in each region at the elevation between 100~200m. A significant difference was observed in the number of galleries made by the insect vector between dead trees and trees infected with oak wilt disease, while no difference was observed from the vegetation on the area investigated. We will further investigate as to whether climate factors might contribute to the density and the successful invasions of the insect vector to the oak trees.

Pine wilt disease caused by Bursaphelechus xylophilus has continued to expanding in Korea since its first occurrence identified from Busan in 1988. The direction of spread and density of two vector insects, Monochamus saltuarius and M. alternatus, are closely associated with the expansion and occurrence of pine wilt disease being observed in Korea. In 2016, a pheromone trap was installed to investigate the density of each vector. A correlation between the density of two insect vectors and the number of trees infected by pine wilt disease was further investigated in Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Ulsan, and Jeju. To perform a correlation analysis, the number of infected trees was counted within a radius of 50m from which the pheromone traps were installed. In addition, factors that might have an effect on the density of vectors were investigated. This includes the altitude, temperature and forest type from the site where the pheromone traps were installed.

Forest insect pests monitoring provides essential information for forest management against their outbreaks. Long-term monitoring data for forest insect pests have been collected by National Institute of Forest Science at national level since 1968. Forest insect pests for long-term monitoring include pine needle gall midge, black pine bast scale, fall webworm, pine moth, spotted lanternfly, etc. The monitoring data were analyzed effect of meteorological factors on the outbreaks of sporadic forest insect pests. Our results showed that meteorological factors can influenced on outbreak of forest insects. The species including Lepidoptera has more occurred when fall and winter temperature were relatively high during the period, suggesting that their outbreaks depends on mortality rate during winter diapause. In Diptera, species abundance was positively related with amount of precipitation in spring but negatively related with summer temperature. The species belong to Hymenoptera was also more abundant when spring temperature was relatively warm. These results can provide useful information for predict potential forest insect pests from climate change.

Korean Oak Wilt (KOW), was first recorded in Gyeonggi Province in 2004, and since then has increased steadily in its occurrence and ecological and economic impacts. Platypus koryoensis vectors the symbiotic fungus Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae, which is the causative agent of KOW. KOW may be closely related to recent climate changes, which have allowed P. koryoensis to extend its distribution range in Korea. And it results in greater overlap with the susceptible host tree, Quercus mongolica throughout Korea. In this regard, changes in the climate suitability of P. koryoensis and Q. mongolica were predicted using CLIMEX model and the influences of other environmental factors such as elevation and the number of days with heat wave were also identified in this study.

Transcellular transport in epithelial cell is a method for absorbing calcium from intestine to blood, providing effective mechanism of utilizing calcium at low calcium intake. In this study, we aimed at theoretically developing a simple mechanistic model explaining transcellular transport in calcium absorption process. Transcellular calcium transport was schematized into 3 steps which were entry, diffusion, and extrusion. Each step was separately modeled to include the specific feature of them. In detail, electro-diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and Michaelis-Menten kinetics were employed to model calcium entry, diffusion, and extrusion, respectively. Then, the developed models were numerically solved to find a solution which simultaneously satisfied 3 models under steady-state assumption. Result of model simulation was consistent with the known behavior of transcellular calcium absorption, showing that transcellular calcium transport became saturated with increase of luminal calcium concentration. Because transcellular calcium transport depends on calcium binding protein mediated by vitamin D we expect that this model can be used to find optimal regulatory point for increasing calcium absorption.

Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a notorious migratory pestand has caused significant damage in NortheastAsia including South Korea. For this reason, predicting occurrence time and distribution area considered to be an importantfor establishing early control plan. Because it cannot survive during the winter in South Korea and occurs seasonallydue to invasion from the southeast of China, general application of CLIMEX may not be adequate. Therefore, we appliedCLIMEX for analyzing seasonal occurrence M. separata of based on its growth index (GI) predicted in accordance withclimate. As a result, GI in southern region of South Korea began to occur at the earliest time and showed the highestvalue from the end of April to the beginning of September.

Prediction of the seasonal occurrence and potential distribution of agricultural pests has accomplished by software toolsimplementing species distribution models (SDMs). In this aspect, we used CLIMEX software to evaluate the seasonaloccurrence and potential distribution of Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), which is one of household mothsdamaging dried fruits in pantries. Based on the simulation, the beginning of period for suitable climate was predictedto be from mid-March to end-March, while it might be end in late October to early November. The peak time for P.interpunctella was ranged from early or mid-July to mid-August, but depended on local geography. When applying RCP8.5 climate change scenario, it was predicted that P. interpunctella would not occur due to intensive rainfall in July andAugust in 2060.

Invasive pests have posed an ecological threat as climate change has been accelerated, suggesting early prediction ofinvasive pests is required to minimize damages by them. As one of predictive tools, CLIMEX has been effectively usedin a few regions, including US, Australia, and Europe. It allows us to predict a species distribution on a local area inresponse to climatic conditions: and thus, potential distribution of invasive species, risk assessment of agricultural pests,and suitability of biological control agents have been tested by CLIMEX. In this study, we introduced how to use CLIMEXfor predicting a species distribution differed by climate change in terms of its functions, required data, and examplesof its application.

Ganglioside GT1b, glycosphigolipids with three sialic acid, is known to play an important role in signal transduction such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGF is also known to induce resumption of meiosis and cumulus cells expansion during porcine oocyte maturation. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ganglioside GT1b on resumption of meiosis and cumulus cells expansion in porcine oocyte maturation. First, porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with GT1b (0, 1, 2 and 4 μM) at 44 h. We observed that the proportion of the metaphase II (M II) stage was significantly increased in the 2 μM GT1b (78.0 ± 2.3) treated group than in the other groups. Furthermore, expression of cumulus cells expansion factor genes (Has2, TNFAIP6, Ptx3) were significantly increased in the 2 μM GT1b treated group than in the other groups. Next, we investigated the meiotic maturation and the expressions of cumulus cells expansion factor genes after GT1b and/or EGF treatment. The proportion of the M II stage was significantly higher in the GT1b+EGF (90.1 ± 2.3) treated group than in the other groups. Moreover, expressions of cumulus cells expansion factor genes were significantly increased in the GT1b+EGF treated group than in the control group. After in vitro fertilization, fertilization rate, preimplantation development competence and quality of blastocyst were improved in oocytes derived from GT1b+EGF treated group. Taken together, these results suggest that exogenous ganglioside GT1b improving the developmental competence of porcine embryos via increase of resumption of meiosis and cumulus cells expansion during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.

Ganglioside GD1a is specifically formed by the addition of sialic acid to ganglioside GM1a by ST3 β- galactoside α -2,3-sialyltransferase 2 (ST3GAL2). Above all, GD1a are known to be related with the functional regulation of several growth factor receptors, including activation and dimerization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in tumor cells. The activity of EGF and EGFR is known to be a very important factor for meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation during in vitro maturation (IVM) of mammalian oocytes. However, the role of gangliosides GD1a for EGFR-related signaling pathways in porcine oocyte is not yet clearly understood. Here, we investigated that the effect of ST3GAL2 as synthesizing enzyme GD1a for EGFR activation and phosphorylation during meiotic maturation. To investigate the expression of ST3GAL2 according to the EGF treatment (0, 10 and 50 ng/ml), we observed the patterns of ST3GAL2 genes expression by immunofluorescence staining in denuded oocyte (DO) and cumulus cell-oocyte-complex (COC) during IVM process (22 and 44 h), respectively. Expression levels of ST3GAL2 significantly decreased (p<0.01) in an EGF concentration (10 and 50 ng/ml) dependent manner. And fluorescence expression of ST3GAL2 increased (p<0.01) in the matured COCs for 44 h. Under high EGF concentration (50 ng/ml), ST3GAL2 protein levels was decreased (p<0.01), and their shown opposite expression pattern of phosphorylation-EGFR in COCs of 44 h. Phosphorylation of EGFR significantly increased (p<0.01) in matured COCs treated with GD1a for 44 h. In addition, ST3GAL2 protein levels significantly decreased (p<0.01) in GD1a (10 μM) treated COCs without reference to EGF pre-treatment. These results suggest that treatment of exogenous ganglioside GD1a may play an important role such as EGF in EGFR-related activation and phosphorylation in porcine oocyte maturation of in vitro.

Mitochondria are well known to regulate the mammalian embryo development. Recent studies showed that the mitochondrial dynamics responses are mainly generated through mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cellular ATP production, which is dependent on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, these mechanisms are unclear on development process of preimplantation porcine embryos. The aim of this study was to evaluate that difference of the mitochondrial dynamics-derived various functions on the embryo development according to lipid composition of zygote. First, zygote was classify two groups (high lipid, grade 1: G1 and low lipid, grade 2: G2) by lipid composition of cytoplasm. And, we performed the in vitro culture (IVC) using zygote of divided groups. The nuclei numbers and developmental rates of blastocysts were lower in G2 than those of G1 embryos. Next, we investigated the intracellular ROS and mitochondrial derived superoxide production in porcine embryos by using DCF-DA and Mito-SOX staining. As expected, both intracellular ROS and mitochondrial derived superoxide were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the preimplantation stage embryos of G2 group compared with G1 group. In addition, to observe difference of the mitochondrial functions, we investigated the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨ) and contents of ATP in the preimplantation stage embryos by using JC-1 kit and ATP determination kit. These functions of mitochondria were dramatically reduced in cleavage stage embryos or blastocysts of G2 group. Finally, to verify the difference of the mitochondrial dynamics-derived various functions, we investigated the expressions of mitochondrial fission (Drp1, pDrp1-616) and fusion (Mfn1, Mfn2) factors by Western blotting analysis. Interestingly, the protein levels of pDrp1-616 in embryos of G1 group were continuously increased until blastocyst stage. Whereas, the expression patterns of Mfn1/2 in embryos of G2 group were significantly reduced during IVC progression. The expression patterns of mitochondria dynamic between the two groups were shown opposite. These results demonstrated that the lipid contents of zygote were related the positive-correlation with mitochondrial dynamics-derived functions in porcine embryos. Moreover, we suggest that lipid of zygote is play a important role on mitochondrial functions and dynamics during preimplantation embryos development in pigs.

The plastic monomer bisphenol A (BPA) is well known as a representative environmental hormones. Recent studies showed that the BPA exposure induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial derived reactive oxygen species (mito-ROS). However, changes of antioxidant enzymes expression and ROS production from mitochondria according to the BPA exposure on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes have not been studied. We hypothesized that regulation of ROS production from mitochondria by BPA may play a critical role in meiotic maturation or expansion of cumulus cells in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). To investigate the negative effects of BPA exposure on oocyte maturation, immature pig oocytes were matured in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with BPA (50, 75 and 100 μM) for 44 h. Expectedly, the rates of meiotic maturation and cumulus cell expansion of COCs in the BPA (75 μM) treated group was significantly lower than those of control group (p<0.01). Most of secretion factors expressions from COCs were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the BPA treated COCs. Next, we investigated the intracellular ROS and mitochondrial specific superoxide production according to the BPA exposure using DCF-DA and mito-SOX staining, respectively. BPA exposure were showed that increasing of both intracellular ROS and mito-ROS, as well as mitochondrial related antioxidant enzymes (sod2, prdx3, prdx5) mRNA expression significantly increased (p<0.01) in COCs. And then, mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) dramatically reduced, and mitochondrial-derived apoptotic factors (bax, bcl-xl, caspase 3) mRNA expressions were increased (p<0.01) in BPA treated COCs. In additon, protein levels of mitochondrial-derived apoptosis genes (AIF, cleaved parp1 and caspase 3) were significantly increased (p<0.05) by BPA exposure. To confirm the reduction of BPA-induced mito-ROS, we used to the mitochondrial-targeted ROS scavenger, mito-TEMPO. Interestingly, addition of mito-TEMPO (0.1 μM) to the BPA pre-treated COCs recovered in meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes. These results demonstrated that BPA exposure was induced increasing of mitochondrial dysfunction, mito-ROS and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis on pig oocyte maturation. Therefore, we suggest that controlling of mito-ROS plays a critical role in pig oocyte maturation in vitro. These findings will be helpful to solve causes of mitochondrial-related infertility.

Melatonin has an important role as anti-oxidative effect and reducing of endoplasmic reticulum(ER)-stress on oocyte maturation and embryo development. Under ER-stress condition, unfolding protein response (UPR) is a defence mechanism in mammalian cells. Recently, regulation of UPR signaling genes are involved in oocyte maturation, embryo development and female reproduction. However, there is no report on the role of melatonin for UPR signaling and ER-stress mediated apoptosis during pig oocyte maturation progression. Moreover, the changes of UPR genes expression according to the porcine oocyte maturation is not yet fully understood. Here, we investigated the changes of UPR signal (BIP/GRP78, ATF4, p90/p50ATF6, and XBP1) and ER-stress apoptotic factor CHOP genes expressions in porcine oocyte maturation by Western blot and RT-PCR analysis. During oocyte maturation, UPR marker and CHOP genes expressions were significantly increased in matured oocytes or cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). UPR markers expressions were significantly increased by ER-stress inducer, tunicamycin (Tm), treated (1, 5, 10 μg/ml) groups in a dose-dependent manner compared with control group. To confirm the reducing of ER-stress by melatonin (0.1 μM), we were compared to the effects of ER-stress inhibitor, TUDCA (200 μM), after pre-treated Tm (5 μg/ml) for 22 h maturation. Expressions of UPR markers and meiotic maturation were recovered by melatonin (0.1 μM) in COCs. And, we observed the role of Grp78/Bip as UPR signaling beginning marker using siRNA. In result, reduction of Grp78/Bip gene expression by siRNA was induced the inhibition of oocyte maturation (32.5±10.1 vs control; 77.8±5.3), and p50ATF6 protein level was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in cultured COCs for 44 h. In addition, these results were recovered through the addition of melatonin (0.1 μM) or TUDCA (200 μM) in maturation medium. These results demonstrated that the regulation of UPR signaling via Grp78/Bip gene induction plays a critical role in porcine oocyte maturation in vitro. Furthermore, this present study first confirmed a functional link between inhibition effect of ER-stress by melatonin and regulating of UPR signaling in porcine oocyte maturation. In conclusion, melatonin improves the oocyte maturation and cumulus cells expansion of COCs through the regulation of UPR signal pathway by BIP/GRP78 against the ER-stress during porcine oocyte maturation periods.

본 연구는 차광처리에 의한 잔대의 지상부 및 지하부 생장특성을 파악하여 잔대의 임간재배기술을 확립하기 위한 기초정보를 제공하기 위함에 있다. 차광처리에 의한 잔대의 발순율 및 개엽율은 25% 처리구에서 가장 높았으며, 75% 처리구에서 가장 낮게 나타났다. 잔대의 지상부 및 지하부의 생장특성을 분석한 결과, 초장, 엽수, 엽장, 엽폭 등 지상부의 생장은 25% 처리구에서 가장 우수하였고, 뿌리의 형태적 특성인 총근장과 뿌리투영면적은 25% 처리구에서 가장 높게 나타났으며, 뿌리표면적, 뿌리부피 및 뿌리직경은 대조구에서 가장 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 0.5 mm이하의 미세근은 75% 처리구에서 72.4%로 가장 높았으며 이어 25% 처리구에서 69.5%로 다른 처리구에 비해 높은 것으로 분석되었다.

In the present study, we investigated the role of binding immunoglobulin protein/glucose-regulated protein, 78-kDa (BIP/GRP78)-regulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress on meiotic maturation and cumulus cells expansion in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Previously, it has been demonstrated that unfolded protein response (UPR)- related genes, such as molecules involved in ER-stress defense mechanisms, were expressed in matured oocytes and cumulus cells during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. However, BIP/GRP78-mediated regulation of ER stress in porcine oocytes has not been reported. Firstly, we observed the effects of knockdown of BIP/GRP78 (an UPR initiation marker) using porcine-specific siRNAs (#909, #693, and #1570) on oocyte maturation. Among all siRNAs, siRNA #693 significantly reduced the protein levels of UPR marker proteins (BIP/GRP78, ATF4, and P90ATF6) in porcine COCs observed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. We also observed that the reduction of BIP/GRP78 levels by siRNA#693 significantly inhibited the meiotic maturation of oocytes (siRNA #693: 32.5±10.1% vs control: 77.8±5.3%). In addition, we also checked the effect of ER-stress inhibitors, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA, 200 μM) and melatonin (0.1 μM), in BIP/ GRP78-knockdown oocytes. TUDCA and melatonin treatment could restore the expression levels of ER-stress marker proteins (BIP/GRP78, p-eIF2α, eIF2α, ATF4, and P90ATF6) in siRNA #693-transfected matured COCs. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that BIP/GRP78-mediated regulation of UPR signaling and ER stress plays an important role in in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.

This study was performed to analyze genetic relationship of the four major Cucurbitaceae crop. We used 120 Expressed Sequence Tag(EST)-Simple Sequence Repeat(SSR) primer sets of developed from watermelon and published in International Cucurbit Genomics Initiative (ICuGI) database. Among 120 EST-SSR primer, 51(49.17%) EST-SSR primer set successfully amplified and 49(40.8%) EST-SSR primer set showed polymorphisms among eight cultivars of Cucurbitaceae. In the first instance, amplified PCR products analysis was conducted by the agarose-gel electrophoresis then further analyzed by using Fragment Analyzer. A total 382 PCR band were producted by 49 EST-SSR primers in 24 plant panels, used the analysis of pairwise similarity and dendrogram construction. Assessment of the genetic relationships resulted in similarity index with range of 0.0103 to 0.8452. In dendrogram, 24 plant panels were formed three major groups (A, B, C) and 7 subgroups (A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, C-1, C-2). Major group A was comprised of 2 subgroups, subgroup A-1 (6 watermelon cultivars, Citrullus lanatus var. vulgaris Schrad.) and subgroup A-2 (3 wild type watermelon, Citrullus lanatus var. citroides Mats. & Nakai). Major group B was comprised of 3 subgroups, subgroup B-1 (4 melon cultivars, Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis Naudin.), subgroup B-2 (2 oriental melon cultivars, Cucumis melo var. conomon Makino.) and subgroup B-3 (5 cucumber cultivars, Cucumis sativus L.). Major group C was comprised of 2 subgroups, subgroup C-1 [2 squash/ pumpkin cultivars, Cucurbita moschata (Duch. ex Lam.)/Duch. & Poir. and Cucurbita maxima Duch.] and subgroup C-2(2 squash/pumpkin cultivars, Cucurbita pepo L./Cucurbita ficifolia Bouche.)