Nanoparticles are widely used in various fields such as electronics, medicines and getting focus on the application in food industry for developing intelligent delivery system with bioactive ingredients or functional nutrients. Basic study on possible toxicological effect of food applicable nanoparticles is required for a practical application in food industry. In this study, size-controlled bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles were prepared by a desolvation method and their cytotoxicity was investigated. BSA nanoparticles were prepared with mean diameters as 115, 137, 159, and 299 nm, then cytotoxicity was evaluated with RAW 264.7 macrophages as in vitro model. Cell viabilities were significantly affected as increasing nanoparticle concentration. Smaller the sizes of nanoparticles, LD50 values were significantly reduced. LD50 values of BSA nanoparticles were 50, 65, 126, and 170 μg/ml, respectively. Nanoparticle was supposed to induce the apoptosis of RAW 264.7 marcrophages and underlying mechanism will be investigated in future. These findings will be used as valuable basement for nanofood development with BSA nanoparticles.

Non-thermal techniques for microbial decontamination in foods are becoming more promising. This work aims to evaluate suitability and effectiveness of corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ) for the inactivation of microbial contaminants of dried squid shreds. CDPJ was generated at 20 kV DC and at 58 kHz frequency. Upon the CDPJ treatment for 3 min of the shreds, bacterial contaminants namely aerobic, marine and Staphylococcus aureus were inactivated by 2.0, 1.6, and 0.9 log units, respectively. Also, a 0.9 log reduction of yeasts and molds contaminants was observed. The inactivation pattern fitted well to the pseudo-first-order model rather than first-order kinetic model. The CDPJ treatment did not exert statistically significant (P>0.05) changes in color characteristics and volatile basic nitrogen content of the shreds, as compared to untreated controls. In contrast, the moisture and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were significantly (P<0.05) altered by the plasma exposure. However, the treatment exerted no significant (P>0.05) impact on the sensory characteristics of the shreds. The CDPJ was found effective for bio-decontamination of real-world samples of dried squid. This technology can readily be applied to commercial dried squid processing.

Different pathogenic microorganisms have been reported to cause sprouts-associated outbreaks. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ) on disinfection of the natural bio-contaminants of broccoli seed and also studied the plasma effect on sprout seed germination rate and physico-chemical properties of sprouts. Aerobic bacteria, molds and yeasts, B. cereus, E. coli, Salmonella spp. were detected on the broccoli seed surface. After 0-3 min treatment using CDPJ, the detected microorganisms were reduced in the range of 1.2-2.3 log units. Inactivation patterns were better explained using pseudo-first-order kinetics. The plasma treatment of seeds up to 2 min exhibited positive effects on the germination rate and the seedling growth. The physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of sprouts were unaffected due to the CDPJ treatment of their respective seeds. The CDPJ can potentially be used for microbial decontamination of broccoli seeds.

In the present study, the effects of non-thermal plasma, corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ) against foodborne disease bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43894, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) were determined, and the inactivation patterns were modeled using GinaFiT software in Microsoft Excel. Among inactivation models studied, Weibull-tail model was chosen as the best fit model based on SSE, RMSE, and r 2 values. The initial decimal reduction times (δ) of E. coli O157:H7, S. aureus, and Sal. typhimurium were 6.36, 8.31, and 12.11 s respectively. The inactivation effect increased with the current strength and was highest at span length of 25 mm. After 120 s treatment of the CDPJ at 1.50 A with span length of 25 mm, E. coli O157:H7 was reduced by 5.26 log, S. aureus by 4.21 log, Sal. typhimurium by 2.89 log.

The spotted-wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an Asian species introduced into North America and Europe. It damages a wide variety of thin-skinned fruits. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of D. suzukii to better understand the mitogenomic characteristics of this species and understand phylogentic relationships of Drosophila. The 16,230-bp complete mitogenome of the species consists of a typical set of genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes, and one major non-coding A+T-rich region, with an arrangement typical of insects. Twelve PCGs began with the typical ATN codon, whereas the COI began with TCG, which has been designated as the start codon for other Drosophila species. The 1,525-bp A+T-rich region is the second longest in Drosophila species for which the whole mitogenome has been sequenced, after D. melanogaster. Phylogenetic analysis with the 13 PCGs of the Drosophila species using Bayesian Inference and Maximum likelihood methods both placed D. suzukii at the basal lineage of the previously defined Melanogaster group, with a strong support.

Both Nilaparvata lugens Stål and Laodelphax striatellus Fallén has been known as the major rice pests which were irregularly migrated into Korea by wind current from China. We re-arranged and compared the resistance profiles to detect the existence convergent adaptation by using the previously published dataset (N. lugens at 2014, 17:711-716 and L. Striatellus at 2016, 19:247-252 in J. Asia Pac. Entomol., respectively). Both species commonly exhibited the high level of resistance to imidacloprids. Especially, the immigrant populations of L. Striatellus exhibited higher resistance level to indigenous populations, suggesting that they would settle down in Korea with insecticide resistance traits being predisposed. To detect the convergent adaptation to insecticide, pearson correlation analysis were employed by comparing mean dosage of LD50 and resistance ratio to nine insecticides. Strikingly, high and similar dosage responses were observed between the two species with high correlation coefficients of 0.928 (df=7, P <0.001) and 0.950 (df=7, P <0.001), respectively, in the comparison of LD50 vs. resistance ratio. This finding indicates that convergent adaption has occurred in both species through consistent selection by insecticides with similar usage patterns.

RNA interference (RNAi) has been proven as an operative technique for efficient gene silencing in many organisms. In our study, Tetranychus urticae, an extremely polyphagous and rapidly resistance developing mite against acaricides, was screened by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery method using multi-unit chambers. Among several lethal genes of T.urticae, COPA (the coatomer subunit alpha), a gene involved in membrane transport between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi complex, showed the highest mortality rate [median lethal time (LT50)=54h]. To investigate the effect of dsCOPA treatment to lysosome formation, we used the Lysotracker green DND26 dye, selective to acidic cellular compartments such as lysosome. The result revealed that the dsEGFP-treated T. urticae has 1.3-fold more of lysosome than that of dsCOPA treated, indicating that downregulation of COPA affected lysosomes function and autophagy, thereby resulting in lethality. To investigate the further detailed toxic mechanism of COPA knockdown, investigation on histological changes in T. urticae fed COPA dsRNA is currently on going.

It is difficult to identification between Bursaphelenchus spp. and Pine Wood Nematode (PWN) by morphological characteristics without expertise about nematode taxonomy. Furthermore, Baermann funnel method, which is nematode extraction method from wood chips or soil, requires at least 24 hours to extract nematode that is unsuitable to rapid diagnose the Pine Wilt Disease (PWD). For these reasons, the aim of this experiment is not only to improve accuracy of a PCR based method but also to reduce total experiment time for detection Bursaphelenchus spp. and PWN in the wood chips of PWD infected pine tree. In this experiment, we had been employed two PCR primer sets, which were originated from PWN specific Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequence region and Bursaphenchus spp. universal mitochondrial Cytocrome Oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) sequence region in order to discrimination between Bursaphelenchus spp. and PWN at the same PCR reaction. This experimental procedure was able to reduce experiment time and cost as well as to improve accuracy of detection than previous PCR based detecting method by not using Baermann funnel method and commercial genomic DNA extraction kit but using direct pine wood chips lysis method.

Integrin is a heterodimer protein that locates on cell membrane to interact with neighboring cells or extracellular matrix. A transcriptome analysis of the brassica leaf beetle, Phaedon brassicae, midgut identified both α and β subunits of integrin. RNA interference of β subunit genes significantly impaired survival of both larvae and adults of P. brassicae. A recombinant bacteria expressing double-stranded RNA specific to β integrin of P. brassicae were constructed and showed significant oral toxicities.

Expression of hairpin RNA corresponding to the part of COPA transcript was done by agroinfiltration in soybean plants and was confirmed by qRT-PCR. In a pot experiment, T. urticae was infested on agroinfiltrated soybean plants and T. urticae mortality was observed and compared with control plants overtime. Significantly higher mortalities of T. urticae were observed in the COPA-agroinfiltrated soybean plants from post-infestation day 2 (15 ±5%), day 4 (50 ±10 %). At post-infestation day 6, mortality reached to (70 ± 15%). To validate the observed COPA silencing effect in T. urticae fed on the agroinfiltrated soybean plant expressing COPA hairpin RNAs, qRT-PCR analysis was performed. The transcript level of COPA gene was decreased in T. urticae fed on agroinfiltrated soybean plants expressing COPA hairpin RNA from post-infestation day 2. At post-infestation day 2, 4 and 6, COPA transcript levels were reduced by 23.8, 20.7 and 18.8 fold, respectively compared to post-infestation day 1 (control). The results obtained in this study also ruled that the plant mediated production and uptake of silencing (dsRNAs/siRNAs) is an effective way to trigger RNAi in the T. urticae.

Tetranychus urticae is extremely hard to control by conventional acaricides due to its rapid development of resistance to nearly all arrays of acaricide. As an alternative control measure of acaricide-resistant mites, RNA interference (RNAi)-based method has recently been suggested. A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery method using multi-unit chambers was established and employed to screen the RNAi toxicity of 42 T. urticae genes. Among them, the dsRNA treatment of coatomer I (COPI) genes, such as coatomer subunit epsilon (COPE) and beta 2 (COPB2), resulted in high mortality [median lethal time (LT50) = 89.7 and 120.3 h, respectively]. The transcript level of the COPE gene was significantly (F3,9 = 16.2, P = 0.001) reduced up to 24% following dsRNA treatment, suggesting that the toxicity was likely mediated by the RNAi of the target gene. To identify the deferentially expressed gene upon dsRNA ingestion, RNA-seq was employed to compare the transcriptional profiles between mites fed dsEGFP and dsCOPB2. Approximately 928 of genes were up- or down-regulated significantly (P < 0.05) compared to control and 182 genes were commonly responded to the treatment of both dsRNAs. Those dsRNA-responsible genes were mainly categorized into metabolic enzymes, transporters and secretory proteins. Further study would be necessary to elucidate the roles of dsRNA-responsible genes in mite’s dsRNA uptake and defense.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genus Steinernema are pathogenic to the insects and well known as ideal models for understanding parasite-host interaction. EPNs harbor a number of bacterial symbionts in their gut belonging to the noble genus Xenorhabdus which are capable of killing insects by themselves or by combination with nematodes by suppressing insect immune defense. Here, we report host range of Steinernema monticolum and its symbiont Xenorhabdus hominickii. S. monticolum has a diverse host range including lepidopteran and coleopteran insects although they showed higher pathogenicity to the lepidopteran insects. Especially, X. hominickii suppressed insect immune responses. A target insect, Spodoptera exigua, exhibited both cellular and humoral immune responses by expressing antimicrobial peptides and forming nodules in response to heat-killed X. hominickii. However, live bacteria significantly suppressed the immune responses. An addition of arachidonic acid to the bacterial infection significantly rescued the immune responses, suggesting eicosanoid biosynthetic pathway as a pathogenic target of X. hominickii.

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of mobilization of C0-C1 and C7-T1 applied to asymptomatic individuals with reduced upper cervical rotation during the FRT. Design: parallel randomized controlled trial. 48 subjects(38.52 years±15.13) with C1-C2 rotation hypomobility in TFR joined the study and were randomized into three groups(C0, C7, control group). FRT in both directions was measured before and after the intervention. C0 intervention consisted of a dorsal translatoric mobilization of C0-C1 in the cervical neutral position. C7 intervention consisted of a ventral cranial translatoric mobilization of C7- T1 in neutral position and the control group maintained a supine position. C0 group experienced a FRT ROM to the restricted side increase of 17.64。(SD=4.55), that was significantly greater (P<0.001) than 5.95。 (SD=4.81) of the C7 group and 2.45。(SD=5.05) of the control group. The results showed that a dorsal translatoric mobilization of C0-C1 in neutral position restored the physiological FRT mobility in subjects with C1-C2 hypomobility and experienced statistical significant improvement in FRT as compared to a C7-T1 translatoric mobilization and a control group. (Level of evidence: 1b).

This research seeks ways to convert the landscape resources of rural village forest into a tourist resource. The study area was restricted to rural village forests in the city of Namwon; we selected 10 village forests using the evaluation indicators of size, landscape, accessibility, connectivity, historicity, and enhancement possibility. We selected five historic/cultural type groves among the preselected village groves as final target areas for planning and then carried out an analysis of their current status and conditions, which has been included in this research. For Naein village forests, themes concerning the winds of Inpoong-ri and the poongchinadae form of feng shui were used. For Haengjeong village forest, preferentially considered ecological of carpinus laxiflora but that introduced the Dokkaebi, which concerns village forest legends. In the Sagok village forest, the beauty of old pine trees and the champan (vice minister) forest were symbolized; in the Jeonchon village forest, the Battle of Hwangsan was symbolized by connecting it to a location in the neighboring village, the Hwangsan Battle Monument site. The themes of Walgil village forest included the historical culture of the village forest, such as Cheonikseong (a person’s name), a famed doctor who practiced good deeds, stonepiles (stacking of stones), and the pine resin delivery of the Japanese colonial era (the Japanese collected resin from the pines). The tourism resources of village forests is expected to provide residents with a amenity space for relaxation and leisure activities and visitors with a space to experience history and culture.

Nitrogen (N)-doped ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) with a dual transition metal system were synthesized as non-Pt catalysts for the ORR. The highly nitrogen doped OMCs were prepared by the precursor of ionic liquid (3-methyl-1-butylpyridine dicyanamide) for N/C species and a mesoporous silica template for the physical structure. Mostly, N-doped carbons are promoted by a single transition metal to improve catalytic activity for ORR in PEMFCs. In this study, our N-doped mesoporous carbons were promoted by the dual transition metals of iron and cobalt (Fe, Co), which were incorporated into the N-doped carbons lattice by subsequently heat treatments. All the prepared carbons were characterized by via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). To evaluate the activities of synthesized doped carbons, linear sweep was recorded in an acidic solution to compare the ORR catalytic activities values for the use in the PEMFC system. The dual transition metal promotion improved the ORR activity compared with the single transition metal promotion, due to the increase in the quaternary nitrogen species from the structural change by the dual metals. The effect of different ratio of the dual metals into the N doped carbon were examined to evaluate the activities of the oxygen reduction reaction.

This paper analyzes the location, landscape elements, and outdoor space composition in the Korean Sosu seowon and Chinese Bailudong seowon. The Sosu and Bailudong seowons were designed to fit well into similar valleys, and they share the approach of Jwa hak woo myo, which means the sacrificial space is on the right and the educational space is on the left. The two seowons each have unique layout characteristics, which reflect topographical features. In the case of the Sosu seowon, the buildings have different orientations, creating a natural arrangement of structures. By contrast, in Bailudong seowon, buildings have a fixed orientation and a formal serial-parallel arrangement along five abscissa axes and one longitudinal axis. Pedestrian systems were established in both seowons, designed to reflect the hierarchical order of the buildings. The Sosu seowon adopted the pedestrian system that encouraged strolling, while the Bailudong seowon’s orthogonal circulation system was set up lengthwise, in parallel with the transverse. The component buildings used for worshiping ancestors and giving lectures, as well as the supporting spaces, were created at the start of the building process, while various other buildings were built to meet the needs of later periods. The two waterscape facilities are also very different: the Takcheongji (pond) at the Sosu seowon symbolizes clarifying the mind through study, while the Panchi (pond) at the Bailudong seowon merges with the Lishengdian (shrine) to contain and represent Confucian culture. The rock carvings at the two seowons differ in both quantity and content. However both sets of rock carvings incorporate Neo-Confucian meanings designed to encourage students to cultivate themselves. From the perspective of earlier literature, both seowons took the meaning of trees very seriously, although they planted different types of trees in their grounds.

Lignocellulosic biomass conversion to biofuels such as ethanol and other value-added bio-products including activated carbons has attracted much attention. The development of an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly pretreatment process is a major challenge in lignocellulosic biomass to biofuel conversion. Although several modern pretreatment technologies have been introduced, few promising technologies have been reported. Microwave irradiation or microwave-assisted methods (physical and chemical) for pretreatment (disintegration) of biomass have been gaining popularity over the last few years owing to their high heating efficiency, lower energy requirements, and easy operation. Acid and alkali pretreatments assisted by microwave heating meanwhile have been widely used for different types of lignocellulosic biomass conversion. Additional advantages of microwave-based pretreatments include faster treatment time, selective processing, instantaneous control, and acceleration of the reaction rate. The present review provides insights into the current research and advantages of using microwave-assisted pretreatment technologies for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars in the process of cellulosic ethanol production.

Cryopreservation has been applied successfully in many mammalian species. Nevertheless, pig embryos, because of their greater susceptibility to cryoinjuries, have shown a reduced developmental competence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival status of vitrified-warmed porcine embryos. Forced blastocoele collapse (FBC) and non-FBC blastocysts are vitrified and concomitantly cultured in culture media which were supplemented with/without fetal bovine serum (FBS). Porcine vitrified-warmed embryos were examined in four different methods: group A, non- FBC without FBS; group B, non-FBC with FBS; group C, FBC without FBS; group D, FBC with FBS. After culture, differences in survival rates of blastocysts derived from vitrified-warmed porcine embryos were found in group A∼D (39.5 (A) vs 52.5 (B) and 54.8 (C) vs 66.7% (D), respectively, p<0.05). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of survived blastocysts was lower in group D than that of another groups (p<0.05). Moreover, total cell number of survived blastocysts was higher in group D than that of other groups (p<0.05). Otherwise, group D showed significantly lower number of apoptotic cells than other groups (2.0±1.5 vs 3.2±2.1, 2.8±1.9, and 2.7±1.6, respectively, p<0.05). Taken together, these results showed that FBS/FBC improves the developmental competence of vitrified porcine embryos by modulating intracellular levels of ROS and the apoptotic index during the vitrification/warming procedure. Therefore, we suggest that FBS and FBC are effective treatment techniques during the vitrification/warming procedures of porcine blastocysts.

Euclid, which is primarily a dark-energy/cosmology mission, may have a microlensing component, consisting of perhaps four dedicated one-month campaigns aimed at the Galactic bulge. We show that such a program would yield excellent auxilliary science, including asteroseismology detections for about 100 000 giant stars, and detection of about 1000 Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), down to 2–2.5 mag below the observed break in the KBO luminosity function at I ∼ 26. For the 400 KBOs below the break, Euclid will measure accurate orbits, with fractional period errors . 2.5%.

서평