수염풍뎅이(Polyphylla laticollis manchurica)는 과거에는 흔히 발견되었으나, 1970년대 이후 한반도 내 개체수 가 급격히 감소하여 2005년 환경부에 의해 멸종위기 야생생물 Ⅰ급으로 지정되었다. 또한 해당종의 분자생물학적 연구는 멸종위기종이라는 특성으로 인해 제한적으로 진행되었다. 그로 인해 NCBI 등 공공 데이터베이스에서 제공되는 서열정보들 또한 부족한 실정이다. 이 연구는 이러한 한계를 극복하고 수염풍뎅이의 유전적 특성을 규명하기 위해 생물정보학적 기술을 활용하여 전사체 분석을 진행하였다. Illumina HiSeq 2500 플랫폼을 사용하여 53,433,048개의 RNA reads를 얻었으며, Trinity와 TGICL을 이용한 De novo 어셈블리 분석을 통해 18,172개의 unigenes를 생성하였다. 생성된 unigenes는 GO, KOG, KEGG, PANM DB를 활용하여 annotation을 진행하였다. 그 결과, GO 분석에서는 ‘binding and catalytic activities’와 관련된 항목이 높은 발현을 보였으며, KOG 분석의 경우 ‘Cellular Processes and Signals’ 범주가 높은 비율을 나타내었다. KEGG 분석을 통해 2,118개의 unigenes가 metabolic 카테고리에 annotation된 것을 확인하였다. SSR 모티프 분석에서는 AT/AT (42.90%) 모티프, AAT/ATT (13.13%) 모티프 순으로 많이 나타나는 것을 확인하였다. 이 연구를 통해 분석한 결과 들을 이용하여 유전자원 및 종 정보를 실시간 제공 및 정보 공유가 가능하도록 Database 및 web-interface를 구축하 였으며, 이러한 자료들은 국내 멸종위기종인 수염풍뎅이의 고유한 유전적 특성을 발굴 및 확보할 수 있는 기반자 료로써 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Haemaphysalis longicornis는 사람과 동물에게 여러 심각한 병원체를 전달하는 주요 매개체로, 한반도에 널리 분포하고 있다. H. longicornis는 Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., Francisella spp., Coxiella spp., 그리고 중증열성혈소판 감소증후군 바이러스 (SFTS virus) 등을 매개하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 국내에 서식하는 H. longicornis의 미생물 군집과 관련된 연구는 많이 진행되지 않은 것으로 확인되었다. 이 연구는 한반도 내 다양한 지역에서 채집된 H. longicornis의 미생물군집 다양성을 지역별, 성장 단계 및 성별에 따라 분석하였다. 2019년 6월부터 7월까지 질병관리청 권역별기후변화매개체감시거점센터 16개 지역에서 채집한 H. longicornis의 16S rRNA 유전자 V3-V4 영역을 PCR로 증폭 후 Illumina MiSeq 플랫폼으로 시퀀싱하였다. Qiime2를 활용한 미생물 다양성 분석을 통해 총 46개의 샘플에서 1,754,418개의 non-chimeric reads를 얻었으며, 평균 126개 의 operating taxonmic unit (OTU) 을 식별하여 총 1,398개의 OTU를 확인하였다. 대부분의 지역에서 Coxiella spp.가 우점종으로 나타났으며, 특히 Coxiella endosymbiont는 가장 높은 우점도를 보이며, Coxiella burnetii와 계통 발생 학적으로 유사한 것으로 확인되었다. 이 연구를 통해 분석된 결과는 각 지역의 H. longicornis 미생물군집 데이터 베이스 구축에 활용되었으며, 이를 통해 지역별 미생물군집의 특이성을 식별할 수 있게 하였다. 이는 한반도의 H. longicornis에 의한 질병 전파 연구와 이를 통한 공중보건 개선에 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) catalyze the oxidative cleavage of glycosidic bonds in crystalline polysaccharides including chitin and cellulose. The recent discovery of LPMO family proteins in many insect species suggests that they presumably play a role in chitin degradation in the cuticle/exoskeleton, tracheae and peritrophic matrix during insect development. Insect LPMOs belong to auxiliary activity family 15 (AA15/LPMO15) and have been classified into at least four groups based on phylogenetic analysis. In this study, we identified and investigated the physiological functions of group I LPMO15 (MaLPMO15-1 and PhLPMO15-1) in two longhorn beetle species, Monochamus alternatus and Psacothea hilaris. In both species, depletion of LPMO15-1 transcripts by RNAi resulted in a lethal pupal-adult molting defect. The insects were unable to shed their old pupal cuticle and died entrapped in their exuviae. Furthermore, TEM analysis revealed a failure of degradation of the chitinous procuticle layer of their old cuticle, retaining intact horizontal laminae and vertical pore canals containing perpendicularly oriented chitin fibers (pore canal fiber, PCF) in their core. These results indicate that MaLPMO15-1 and PhLPMO15-1 are required for turnover of the chitinous old cuticle, which is critical for insect molting.

Insect cuticular extracellular matrices (ECM) including the eggshell and exoskeleton play vital roles in protecting them from natural environmental stresses. However, these chitinous ECMs must be degraded at least in part during embryonic and post-embyonic molting periods to accommodate continuous growth all the way to the adult stage. In this study we investigated the functions of groups I and II chitinases, TcCHT5 and TcCHT10, in turnover of the eggshell and cuticle in Tribolium castaneum. RNAi and TEM analyses revealed that TcCHT10 is required for digestion of chitin in the serosal cuticle for embryo hatching as well as in the old cuticle during post-embryonic molts including larval-pupal and pupal-adult metamorphosis. However, although TcCHT5 is apparently involved in these vital physiological events, TcCHT10 could substitute for TcCHT5 except during the pupal-adult molting when both enzymes are indispensable to degrade chitin in the old pupal cuticle.

Five insecticides (Acrinathrin, Dinotefuran, Emamectin benzoate, Chlorfenapyr and fluxametamide) approved for tomato cultivation were evaluated in Frankliniella occidentalis populations collected from Chungcheong province (Cheongyang, Chungju and Gongju). Leaf dip bioassay was used to evaluate resistance levels (LC50). Bioassays on Acrinathrin demonstrated higher LC50 concentration in evaluated populations. In particular, the Chungju population was 745.61 times the recommended concentration of the insecticide. Other remarkable resistance levels were recorded for the Dinotefuran with 435.06 times and 196.29 times the recommended concentrations for the populations from Chungju and Gongju, respectively. Bioassays for Emamectin benzoate, Chlorfenapyr and Fluxametamide showed low resistance to insecticides in the evaluated populations.

Yellow flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis is mainly controlled using chemical control methods. But the continuous use of chemical pesticides in greenhouse may contribute to development of insecticide resistance. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the insecticidal activity of eleven insecticides against the WFT occurring in greenhouse pepper cultivation in the Gyeonggi province. The results showed no resistance in treatments with emamectin benzoate, fluxametamide, and flometoquin while high levels of resistance were recorded in treatments with acrinathrin, acetamiprid, and dinotefuran. The Anseong and Yeoju population was more resistant against spinetoram and chlorfluazuron, respectively, than populations from other regions.

Background: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a prominent technology that can preserve superior genetic traits of animals and expand the population in a short time. Hematological characters and endocrine profiles are important elements that demonstrate the stability of the physiological state of cloned animals. To date, several studies regarding cloned camels with superior genes have been conducted. However, detailed hemato-physiological assessments to prove that cloned camels are physiologically normal are limited. In this study, We evaluated the hemato-physiological characteristics of cloned male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries). Methods: Therefore, we analyzed variations in hematological characteristics and endocrine profiles between cloned and non-cloned age-matched male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries ). Two groups each of male and female cloned and non-cloned camels were monitored to investigate the differences in hemato-physiological characteristics. Results: All the animals were evaluated by performing complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry, and endocrinological tests. We found no significant difference between the cloned and non-cloned camels. Furthermore, the blood chemistry and endocrine profiles in male and female camels before maturity were similar. Conclusions: These results suggest that cloned and non-cloned camels have similar hematological characteristics and endocrine parameters.

Background: The small intestine plays a crucial role in animals in maintaining homeostasis as well as a series of physiological events such as nutrient uptake and immune function to improve productivity. Research on intestinal organoids has recently garnered interest, aiming to study various functions of the intestinal epithelium as a potential alternative to an in vivo system. These technologies have created new possibilities and opportunities for substituting animals for testing with an in vitro model. Methods: Here, we report the establishment and characterisation of intestinal organoids derived from jejunum tissues of adult pigs. Intestinal crypts, including intestinal stem cells from the jejunum tissue of adult pigs (10 months old), were sequentially isolated and cultivated over several passages without losing their proliferation and differentiation using the scaffold-based and three-dimensional method, which indicated the recapitulating capacity. Results: Porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids showed the specific expression of several genes related to intestinal stem cells and the epithelium. Furthermore, they showed high permeability when exposed to FITC-dextran 4 kDa, representing a barrier function similar to that of in vivo tissues. Collectively, these results demonstrate the efficient cultivation and characteristics of porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids. Conclusions: In this study, using a 3D culture system, we successfully established porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids. They show potential for various applications, such as for nutrient absorption as an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium fused with organ-on-a-chip technology to improve productivity in animal biotechnology in future studies.

The optimization of deacetylation process parameters for producing chitosan from isolated chitin shrimp shell waste was investigated using response surface methodology with central composite design (RSM-CCD). Three independent variables viz, NaOH concentration (X1), radiation power (X2), and reaction time (X3) were examined to determine their respective effects on the degree of deacetylation (DD). The DD of chitosan was also calculated using the baseline approach of the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of the yields. RSM-CCD analysis showed that the optimal chitosan DD value of 96.45 % was obtained at an optimized condition of 63.41 % (w/v) NaOH concentration, 227.28 W radiation power, and 3.34 min deacetylation reaction. The DD was strongly controlled by NaOH concentration, irradiation power, and reaction duration. The coefficients of correlation were 0.257, 0.680, and 0.390, respectively. Because the procedure used microwave radiation absorption, radiation power had a substantial correlation of 0.600~0.800 compared to the two low variables, which were 0.200~0.400. This independently predicted robust quadratic model interaction has been validated for predicting the DD of chitin.

Black phosphorus (BP) is incorporated in the electrochemical detection of uric acid (UA) to form few layers of BP nanosheets (BPNS)-modified glassy carbon electrodes (BPNS/GCE), investigated by means of ultrasound-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation. We find a significant increase in the peak current magnitude and positive potential shift in the electrochemical response of BPNS/GCE, which may be attributed to the larger specific surface area and good charge transfer ability of BPNS. Further, the electrochemical response of BPNS/GCE is evaluated under different conditions to achieve the optimal conditions. UA detection using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) shows linear response within the range of 1–1000 μM with a detection limit of 0.33 μM. This work reveals new applications of BP nanomaterials in the electrochemical sensing, thereby promoting further advancement in terms of practical applications of two-dimensional nanomaterials.

Hypertension is characterized by excessive renin-angiotensin system activity, leading to blood vessel constriction. Several synthetic compounds have been developed to inhibit renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). These drugs often have adverse side effects, driving the exploration of plant protein-derived peptides as alternative or supplementary treatments. This study assessed the phenolic compound and amino acid content and the antioxidant and antihypertensive activity of 5 South Korean staple crops. Sorghum had the highest phenolic compound content and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Millet grains, particularly finger millet (38.86%), showed higher antihypertensive activity than red beans (14.42%) and sorghum (17.16%). Finger millet was found to contain a large proportion of branched-chain, aromatic, and sulfur-containing amino acids, which are associated with ACE inhibition. In particular, cysteine content was positively correlated with ACE inhibition in the crops tested (r=0.696, p<0.01). This study confirmed that the amino acid composition was more correlated with the antihypertensive activity of grains than the phenolic compound content. Finger millet mainly contained amino acids, which have higher ACE inhibitory activity, resulting in the strongest antihypertensive activity. These findings underscore the antihypertensive potential of select crops as plant-based food ingredients, offering insight into their biological functions.

Background: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is introduced species that has caused aquatic ecology activity both in vitro and in vivo were investigated for the possibility of application of the bass extract as an alternative feed ingredient. Methods: The bass oil was extracted using a 1-L supercritical extractor, while the protein was extracted from 250 g of bass dry matter, which was dissolved in 1 mL of H2O at 50℃. Both oil and protein extracts were evaluated antioxidant activities and the level of DPPH radical scavenging assay and nitric oxide (NO) production assay with lipopolysaccharide response. Oral administration of 6.6 μL/g bass protein and 5.38 μL/g bass oil conducted for investigating serological and physiological effect. Results: DPPH radical scavenging showed similar radical scavenging ability of 50 μM of ascorbic acid at 200 μg of protein and 10% of oil treatment. NO concentration was diminished by the treatment of bass oil. Oral administration of both bass oil and proteins to mice showed that the body weight increase rate of the bass oil treated group was significantly reduced by 1.55 g compared to the other groups. The number of white blood cells (WBC) was increased by 4.52 k/μL in the bass protein-treated group and 4.44 k/μL in the bass oil-treated group compared to the control group. However, the serum IgG level did not show a significant difference between the bass extract-treated groups and the control group. Conclusions: These studies demonstrate that both bass oil and proteins extracted from the bass not only provide excellent effects of antioxidant and immune activity but can also be used as functional food supplements.

Pasture formation and management are crucial to avoid yield reduction. This experiment aimed to examine the effects of tall fescue-centered mixed-seeding combinations on yield and vegetation changes in perennial pastures in the central region for two years, from September 2020 to October 2022. The treatments were arranged in three replications in a randomized block design: control (C), tall fescue-based mixture-1 (T-1), and tall fescue-based mixture-2 (T-2). The tall fescue (TF), orchard grass (OG), perennial ryegrass (PRG), Kentucky bluegrass (KBG), and white clover (WC) were used. The emergency rate of grasses (70.0 to 73.3%) did not differ among mixed seeding combinations. Overwintering rates (81.7 to 83.3%) were similar among treatments. The plant height of grasses was similar at each harvest date, with the highest height (86.2 cm) recorded in the second harvest of the first year, followed by that (58.4 cm) in the third harvest of the first year; it was least (38.9 cm) in the fourth harvest of the second year. There was no significant difference in the dry matter yield of grasses among the mixed seeding combination treatments in the first, third, or fourth harvests of the first year (p>0.05). For second-year grasses, dry matter yield was not significantly different in harvest date among the treatments (p>0.05). Based on mixed seeding ratio, orchard grass showed the highest yield at 70% in the C treatment, followed by tall fescue at 80% and 60% in the T-1 and T-2 treatments, respectively, in the first harvest after seeding. There was no significant difference in feed value between treatments (p>0.05), but a significant difference was observed between the third and fourth harvest (p<0.05). Therefore, it indicated that it is important to create perennial pastures in the central region through mixed seeding combinations centered on tall fescue.

Canine hyperadrenocorticism, a prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by excessive cortisol production. Notably, hypercoagulability leading to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) poses a substantial concern. PTE may be underestimated because of the rapid dissolution of canine thrombi postmortem. However, traditional coagulation assays face challenges in early detection of hypercoagulability. Therefore, this study explored the use of thromboelastography (TEG) as a diagnostic tool for identifying hypercoagulability in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. A total of 31 dogs visited the Gyeongsang Animal Medical Center between 2018 and 2022, comprising 21 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and 10 controls who underwent clinical and coagulation analyses. Hyperadrenocorticism was diagnosed using a low-dose dexamethasone stimulation test or adrenocorticotropin hormone stimulation test, and conventional laboratory parameters and coagulation parameters, such as the prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastic time, fibrinogen, and TEG results, were compared between the groups. Clinical data revealed significantly elevated monocyte, platelet, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, which were attributed to excess cortisol secretion (p<0.05). TEG analysis demonstrated significantly decreased K values and increased α and MA values in hyperadrenocorticism dogs (p<0.05), indicating a shortened clotting time and enhanced clot strength, suggestive of hypercoagulability. TEG effectively highlights hypercoagulability in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and provides valuable insights in predicting blood clot formation. Although predicting clot formation in dogs remains complex owing to multifactorial influences, this study underscores the potential utility of TEG in enhancing such predictions for dogs with hyperadrenocorticism.

The spherical mesophases are the main precursors for the high tap density of carbonaceous anode batteries. However, it is challenging to control mesophase size without coalescence and no deformation since it quickly coalesces into a regular large sphere. Here, we propose a feasible extraction method to refine the spherical size of mesophase using benzene. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis of untreated pitch revealed that the maximum temperature for mesophase nucleation should not exceed 410 °C to provoke the nucleation of mesophase spheres while maintaining a high pyrolysis yield. The extraction results showed that the extraction weight tends to decrease with an increase in the solvent ratio. There is an exponential relationship between the influence of solvent ratio and the ability for extraction. The solubility of the spherical mesophase in benzene is size-dependent and can dissolve selectively spherical mesophases smaller than 5 μm. Consequently, a monodisperse spherical mesophase was obtained. The reason for forming uniform mesophase spheres can be explained by their thermodynamic state, as described by the “two-step” classical nucleation theory. Benzene effectively improves the size distribution of spherical mesophase by dissolving small sizes while retaining large ones.