Characteristics and useful effects for human health of antioxidant carbon nanodots contained in microwave-assisted Opuntia humifusa extract (MA-OHE(CD)) were investigated in this work. MA-OHE(CD) was characterized using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering analysis, X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Besides, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of MA-OHE(CD) were measured. It was revealed that the MA-OHE(CD) increases aquaporin-3 expression in human epidermal keratinocytes cell with hydrophilic characteristics. Moreover, the bio-active compound extraction efficacy and antioxidant activity of microwave-assisted extraction were great when compared to maceration.

The microstructure and mechanical properties of the heat-affected zone welded using the GTAW process on SDSS material used in offshore structures were analyzed. The chemical composition of the specimen material was analyzed using XRF. The microstructure of the heat-affected zone where the plate was welded was examined by SEM, and the ferrite volume fraction was assessed using the point count method of ASTM E562. A lot of ferrite was formed in the overheated weldment region, and In the weld cap where the cooling rate was fast, ferrite was not converted back to austenite and the microstructure was not uniform. From the ferrite phase fraction, it was shown that it can be applied to the pitting resistance equivalent numbers through changes in mechanical properties according to welding conditions.

In this study, Bacillus velesensis TJS119, isolated from freshwater, demonstrated growth inhibition against insect pathogenic fungi. The culture medium of the B. velezensis TJS119 strain underwent sequential fractionation with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. Notably, the n-butanol fraction exhibited significant antifungal activity against Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana. LC/MS analysis of antifungal peaks identified the production of various lipopeptides by B. velezensis TJS119, including two types of iturin A (C14, C15), four types of fengycin A (C14, C15, C16, C17), and two types of fengycin B (C16, C17). The antifungal efficacy of Iturin A and Fengycin against insect pathogenic fungi was further validated using the paper disc diffusion method. These findings underscore the potential of B. velezensis TJS119 as a promising candidate for future research and applications in the realm of agricultural biological controls against fungal diseases.

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae from industrial insects are traditionally recognized as functional health foods in South Korea. We evaluated the immuno-modulatory effects of feeding beneficial microorganism (Bacillus velezensis TJS119) to P. brevitarsis larvae as a dietary source. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing activities of P. brevitarsis larvae hot-water extract (PLW) and PLW after treatment with B. velezensis TJS119 (PLWB) using the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. We examined the effects of PLWB on cell proliferation, cytokine production, and nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells. PLWB showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations ranging from 7.8 to 1,000 μg/mL in RAW264.7 cells. Treatment with PLWB increased the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)] at doses of 62.5 to 1,000 μ g/mL in RAW264.7 cells. As a result, PLWB exhibited a stronger immune-enhancing effect compared to PLW. In conclusion, the results of this study offer experimental evidence to support the potential utilization of PLWB as an immunity-enhancing nutraceutical ingredient.

Bacillus velezensis TJS119 was isolated from the freshwater, and antagonistic activity against of pathogenic fungi. Strain TJS119 showed a broad spectrum of antagonistic activities many fungal pathogens, including the green muscardine fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. The whole-genome sequence of B. velzensis TJS119 was analyzed using the illumina platform. The genome comprises a 3,809,913 bp chromosome with a G + C content of 46.43%, 3,834 total genes, 10 rRNA and 73 tRNA genes. The genome contained a total of 8 candidate gene clusters (difficidin, fengycin, bacillaene, macrolactin, bacillibactin, bacilysin, surfactin and butirosin) to synthesize secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Overall, our data will aid future studies of the biocontrol mechanisms of B. velezensis TJS119 and promote its application in insect disease control.

The striped fruit fly, Zeugodacus scutellata., is ubiquitous in agricultural areas, making it a critical pest to monitor and manage. It is necessary to develop a technique for rearing Z. scutellata in the laboratory to achieve mass production for biological control. The pumpkin is an important host plant for Z. scutellata; females lay their eggs on the tops of pumpkin flower buds, and larvae consume the stamens from top to bottom before dropping to the ground. Several types of diets are considered in the present study, including liquid, solid, and semisolid diets. Methyl benzoate, propionic acid, sodium benzoate, and citric acid were tested for their ability to suppress microbial contamination and improve the shelf life of diets. Fresh pumpkin, pumpkin flower, and pumpkin powder were used as primary ingredient. Reared adults were tested for their egg laying and survival abilities based on different diets. Approximately 86% of adults emerged from liquid and semisolid diets. Solid diets reduce pupae production and adult emergence. The diets with a total viability of less than 75% were discarded, which is considered as a reasonable threshold to determine whether a diet is nutritionally sufficient to rear the flies. Based on the results of the present study, we have developed a diet for mass rearing in laboratories, which may assist in providing a scientific basis for the effective control of Z. scutellata.

When shooting an object with a microscope, the size of the object is large, so it may not be captured on one screen, or the results may not be good due to dust. It is intended to provide a high-resolution image photographing method and correction method using Photoshop 5.0 program. In particular, when the object is large, a method of synthesizing after split photographing when it is not visible on one screen during micrographing will be provided. In addition, when the background is dark, a background color correction method and a color correction method after imaging are also provided. The photographing method and correction method are presented based on Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera. The high-resolution images were taken using Nikon D500 16-80mm VR Kit or Leica M205C, Dhyana400DC.

We analyzed trend of plants (40 items) on imported seedlings using the Pest Information System (PIS) for the past 20 years. 530 species (9 order 336 genus) were found among 40 items on imported seedlings including Rosaceae, Arecaceae, Crassulaceae, and Fabaceae. Hemiptera were the most expected to be detected pest as 52%, followed by Coleoptera as 16%, Lepidoptera as 11%, and Diptera as 8% in potential detection rate. For prohibited pests, Tephritidae are the most common pests as 86% in approximately 60 prohibited species, including Bactrocera dorsalis, and Bactrocera tryoni in Diptera and Cydia pomonella in Lepidoptera.