Beauveria bassiana is one of universal insect pathogenic fungi that have been used for biocontrol agent against insect pests. This fungus has also been studied for medicinal use. To meet for commercial use, the artificial production of the fruit body of this fungus has been established by the Mushtech Co in Korea. This study was carried out to define the morphological features of the fruit body of B. bassiana developed through artificial cultivation. For the observation of mycelia growth, B. bassiana was cultured on the Sabouraud Dextrose agar plus Yeast Extract(SDAY), nut-supplemented medium, and Fe ion-supplemented SDAY at 25℃ for 15 days. The variation of colony color was observed between the different media. Strong pigmentation was observed on Fe ion-supplemented SDAY. To investigate morphological characteristics of fruit body, geminating ascospores and vegetative hyphae were observed though light microscopy and scanning microscope. During seven weeks of cultivation period, the development process of apical fertile part of stromata can be separated by the development stage of perithecia. To understand the developing process of fruit body at the transcript level, investigating process of distinct gene expression according to cultural condition and developmental stage was discussed.

Cordyceps militaris (CM) has been used as a traditional folk medicine to strengthen the immune system and regain energy in Far East Asian countries. Some of men have been suffered from the insufficient secretion of testosterone causing by physical factors, social and psychological factors. Testosterone is an essential steroid hormone controlling male reproductive function. Alternative medicines in plants, fungi, and insects have been studied to enhance sexuality. Cordyceps species including Cordyceps sinensis and C. militaris has been used as for the enhancement of sexual function for hundreds of years. In the present study, we determined the effect of fruiting bodies of C. militaris which cultured on bee drone medium (DCM) on testosterone concentration in Sprague-Dawley rats. Eighteen rats per group were housed to regular diet or diet supplemented with DCM for 4 weeks. Serum was collected from 6 rats per group. Results showed that changes of the body weight, food and water intake of the rats were not observed in this study. However, DCM significantly stimulated testosterone production (p < 0.05) compared to the control. Hence, it suggests that fruiting bodies of C. militaris grown on the bee drone medium might be developed as a complementary medicine to improve sexual hormones.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of handicraft activities on hand promptness and grasp in the elderly. Subjects were comprised of 14 senior citizens between the ages of 70-85, with 7 subjects in the experiment group and 7 in the control group. Subjects in the experiment group practiced various handicrafts twice a day, while those in the control group did not participate in any special activity. The Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test was used to evaluate the results, while a dynamometer and pinch gauge were used to measure hand promptness and grasp. The 7 senior citizens in the experiment group were able to increase their hand promptness and grasping skills. Conclusively, handicrafts can help improve hand promptness and grasp in the elderly. Furthermore, the development and improvement of such skills can have a positive influence on the daily lives of senior citizens. Such skills are expected to improve the overall neuro-function in the elderly population.