A red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) from Seoul Zoo died with mild anorexia and sudden respiratory distress. A white globoid mass in the abdominal cavity and multifocal nodules in the kidneys were identified on the necropsy. Histologic examination showed anaplastic, solid patterned neoplastic cells in the kidneys and the mass. Immunohistochemistry for pancytokeratin and PAX8 was positive, while heterogeneous antigen expression was present in poorly differentiated neoplastic cells. Overall, the neoplastic changes in the kidneys and the mass were consistent with a renal origin. This case highlights the possibility of further discoveries of metastatic renal cell carcinomas in cranes.

목적: 본 연구에서는 HMD VR을 사용하며 발생한 사이버 멀미와 멀미 민감성이 상관관계를 보이는지 알아보고자 하였다. 방법 : 건강한 젊은 성인 남녀 총 52명을 대상으로 VR 콘텐츠 이용 전 탈것에 대한 멀미 민감도를 측정하기 위 한 설문인 멀미 민감성 설문(Motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire)을 시행하였다. 광학 흐름 요소로 구 분한 두 가지 VR 콘텐츠를 선정하여 대상자에게 사용하도록 하고 사이버 멀미를 평가하기 위해 보편적으로 사용되 는 Simulator sickness questionnaire, SSQ 설문지를 통해 VR 콘텐츠 이용 전과 후의 사이버 멀미를 측정하였 다. VR 콘텐츠를 사용할 때 발생한 사이버 멀미와 피험자의 멀미 민감성에 대한 상관분석을 실시하였다. 결과 : VR 콘텐츠 A와 B를 사용 후 발생한 사이버 멀미와 멀미 민감성 상관분석에서 콘텐츠 A의 SSQ 요인 중 메스꺼움, 방향감각상실에서 유의한 상관관계를 보였다. 그중 메스꺼움 요인은 만 12세 이전 어린 시절, 최근 10년 간 성인 시절, 그리고 전체 멀미 민감성 항목 모두에서 유의한 상관관계가 나타났다. 반면 콘텐츠 B에서는 모든 항 목에서 유의한 상관관계를 보이지 않았다. 결론 : VR 콘텐츠를 사용하며 발생하는 사이버 멀미는 사용자에게 자기 움직임 착각을 유발하는 화면 구성 요 소가 많을 때 크게 나타났다. 두 콘텐츠 모두 게임을 진행할 때 전경의 움직임을 통해 플레이어의 이동 속도와 방 향을 가늠하게끔 구성되어있는데, 그중에서도 사용자의 평소 자세 움직임과 VR 환경에서 예상되는 자세 움직임이 일치하지 않은 콘텐츠에서 기존 멀미 민감성과 상관관계가 나타났다. 이를 분석하고 더 나아가 사이버 멀미를 저감 하기 위해서는 VR 콘텐츠의 시각적인 화면 구성 요소를 사용자들의 평소 움직임 패턴과 유사하게 제작하는 등 과 도한 vection을 제한할 필요성이 있다.

This case report discusses a 15-year-old female poodle with multifocal degenerative myelopathy, who achieved significant clinical improvement through intensive acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy. The patient presented with ataxia in both hind limbs, and imaging studies revealed multiple regions of disc protrusion. Rather than surgical intervention, conservative treatment was chosen, which included acupuncture, medication, and laser therapy. Following treatment, notable improvements in neurological symptoms and pain reduction were observed. This case highlights the potential effectiveness of non-surgical approaches in managing degenerative myelopathy.

Background: With the growing interest in the health of companion dogs, their average lifespan has increased, leading to an increase in the proportion of elderly dogs. As elderly dogs are vulnerable to various diseases, there is a need for alternatives to predict the risk of major diseases in senior dogs, prevent them in advance, and manage their health effectively. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify candidate genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influencing primary angle-closure glaucoma, a major disease in elderly dogs, using the Axiom Canine HD Array and establishing foundational data. Methods: Samples from 95 dogs of 26 breeds from South Korea were analyzed using an SNP chip. Ultimately, two SNPs were selected. To assess the impact of non-synonymous SNP (nsSNPs), functional analysis of candidate genes, Hazard Assessment, and protein structure prediction were conducted. Sequencing for SNP validation involved samples from 95 dogs of ten breeds with reported domestic and international glaucoma cases. Results: The candidate gene TNS1 was associated with the integrin signaling pathway. The selected nsSNP was found to cause a mutation at the ninth position of the amino acid sequence, changing serine to leucine and resulting in alterations to the overall protein structure. Sequencing analysis results for SNP validation revealed differences in frequency among breeds. Conclusions: The identified SNP markers are potential risk prediction tools. Utilizing genotype frequency data by breed and individual could aid in disease management and contribute to advancements in the medical industry.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a zeolite and sulfuric acid mixture (ZS) as an air filter to mitigate the emissions of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) during the composting of cattle manure. Compared to the control group (blank), ZS reduced NH3 emissions by 91.4%, N2O emissions by 33.6%, and CH4 emissions by 20.0% over the 100-day composting period. Additionally, sulfuric acid in the ZS reacted with NH3, storing it as ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4], which can serve as a source of nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S). To evaluate the fertilizing efficiency of [(NH4)2SO4] in ZS for maize growth, we applied four treatments: control (non-N fertilizer), collected ZS (cZS), cattle manure (organic fertilizer, OF), and urea (chemical fertilizer, CF). Compared to the control, cZS increased total dry weight (DW) by 48%, total digestible nutrients (TDN) by 7.3%, and crude protein (CP) by 77.8%. No significant differences were found among the applications of cZS, OF, and CF. These results suggest that the zeolite mixed with sulfuric acid effectively reduces hazardous gas emissions such as NH3, CH4, and N2O during cattle manure composting. Furthermore, the collected zeolite can potentially be reused as fertilizer, suggesting a positive opportunity for resource recycling to mitigate environmental pollution.

In story writing, interjections are used in dialogue to enhance the emotional tone of the text. However, crafting realistic dialogues that effectively incorporate interjections can be a challenging task for young learners with developing writing skills. This study examines how young learners utilize interjections in their story writing. The study analyzed the narratives of 242 students from three different English proficiency groups: lower and higher level EFL elementary school students and native English speakers in seventh to twelfth grade. The analysis aimed to understand the relationship between interjection frequency and writing qualities. The findings revealed a negative correlation between the occurrence of interjections and both content quality and vocabulary diversity. Additionally, comparisons across proficiency groups indicated that certain types of interjections were more prevalent in specific groups. These results suggest that learners should use interjections judiciously in story writing. Although interjections may seem peripheral, they warrant closer attention as they can subtly detract from writing qualities.

This article aims to compile key information to describe the current production situation of potatoes f or c onsumption and v irus- free s eed potatoes i n Paraguay, and to identify the main challenges for developing a self-sufficient production system. The study describes the climatic conditions of the production of potatoes and the national production and distribution situation, highlighting the dependence on imports for more than 90% of market demand. It analyzed the issues surrounding the production and supply of virus-free seed potatoes, which depend on imports from Argentina, averaging 799.9 tons per year. Additionally, this study collects information on virus detection in local potatoes and the risks associated with introducing viruses through imported seeds. To address these issues, the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA) and the Paraguayan Institute of Agricultural Technology (IPTA) cooperation project promoted the production of virus-free seed potatoes for their distribution to smallholder farmers across various country regions, strengthening the foundations for future virus-free seed potato production and distribution systems. Improving self-sufficiency in potato production in Paraguay requires an integrated strategy that includes analyzing suitable regions for seed potato production, implementing advanced technologies, and strengthening farmers’ technical capacity. Establishing virus-free seed potato production areas and securing governmental and legal support are crucial steps toward achieving sustainable seed potato production and reducing dependence on imports.

An 8-month-old, neutered male, Korean short hair cat was referred for a closed locked jaw. Physical examination and computed tomography(CT) revealed an old trauma fracture with the absence of synovium at the left temporomandibular joint suggestive of left temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Gap arthroplasty successfully eliminated clinical signs, aided by the 3D printed model of the patient’s skull and piezosurgical unit. The major complication, temporal ipsilateral facial paralysis and reankylosis, were auspiciously managed through constant ocular lubrication and early rehabilitation.

This study reassessed two KBA sites in the Republic of Korea following the KBA guidelines. Both sites met the sub-criteria A1a, A1b, and D1a, confirming their status as KBA. These assessments provide a scientific foundation for discussions on designating new protected areas or expanding existing ones. Through this study, we confirmed that continuous biodiversity conservation is essential for Geum-gang river and estuary and Yubu-do to maintain their KBA status. This KBA reassessment provides an important scientific foundation for discussions on the designation of new protected areas or the expansion of existing ones. Furthermore, this study was based on a previously evaluated taxonomic group, birds, highlighting the need for future assessments to include other biological taxa and evaluation criteria, such as Criteria B or E, for a more comprehensive analysis.

This study aimed to estimate the rumen fermentation characteristics and greenhouse gas emissions of major domestic feed sources for Hanwoo. Five feed sources mainly used in South Korea were selected: corn meal (CM), soybean meal (SM), wheat flour (WF), palm kernel cake (PKC), and corn distiller’s dried grains with soluble (DDGS). These feed sources were purchased from a commercial feed company. For 24 h rumen incubation, each feed source (0.3 g) was placed into the incubation bottle with the rumen mixture (30 mL) in quadruplicates. After incubation, total gas production was measured and sub-sampled for CO2 and CH4 analyses, and the bottle content was centrifuged for rumen fermentation characteristics and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Crude protein content was highest in SM and lowest in CM. Ether extract content was highest in DDGS and lowest in SM, while neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents were highest in PKC and lowest in CM. Propionate content was highest in DDGS, and butyrate and A:P ratio contents were highest in PKC (p<0.05). Total gas emission (mL/g DMD) was lowest in SM and DDGS, while CH4 emission (mL/g DMD) was lowest in DDGS (p<0.05). Therefore, this study concluded that DDGS could be an alternative feed source to reduce methane emissions.

Forage crop cultivation and management are the greatest challenge under warm and dry climatic conditions. In this study, we estimated the productivity of three Sorghum-Sudangrass hybrids (SSH) cultivars in Cheonan, Korea, under different weather conditions during 2021-2023. The selected three cultivars performed well in the first and second cutting time during the experimental period and the plant growth characteristics were slightly different among cultivars. Particularly, the plant height was highest in Superdan cultivars (282 ± 24, 271 ± 30 cm), followed by Dairy mens dream (263 ± 39, 283 ± 29 cm) and Supergreen (270 ± 36, 264 ± 34 cm), for the first and second cuts respectively. The stem diameter slightly decreased in the second cut compared with the first cut of SSH cultivars. The highest stem diameter was found in Superdan cultivars (11.1 ± 1.7 mm), greater than Supergreen (10.2 ± 1.7 mm), and Dairy mens dream (9.5 ± 1.8 mm). Also, the total dry matter yield (DMY) was highest in Dairy mens dream (28,868 ± 6,653 kg/ha) followed by Supergreen and Superdan cultivars. In 2021 and 2023, the highest plant height, stem diameter and DMY were measured in the selected cultivars compared to 2022. The crude protein level was higher in the first cutting of all three cultivars at approximately 9-12%, in the order of Supergreen > Dairy mens dream > Superdan varieties. Moreover, the crude protein content was lowest in the second harvest of all cultivars, but the NDF and ADF levels did not alter in both harvest periods across different cultivars and years. In conclusion, the selected cultivars for SSH forage production could be efficient and recommended in the Cheonan region. However, the choice of cutting time and optimum precipitation should be considered to further increase SSH forage cultivation.

Moringa oleifera, a versatile plant, has been traditionally used to treat various ailments and is gaining scientific attention due to its potential as a medicine. Native to the Indian subcontinent, it is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions, thriving in Asia, Africa, and South America, especially in arid climates. This study explores the antioxidant potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE), employing a comprehensive screening approach with various solvents to identify the most effective extraction method. Initial experiments assessed antioxidant efficacy and yield using distilled water (D.W.), 95% ethanol, and 95% methanol. Among these, 95% ethanol extract demonstrated superior antioxidant activity, confirmed through assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-14 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, total polyphenol content analysis, and reducing power assay. In addition, with the 95% ethanol MOLE, a higher extraction efficiency was yielded compared to other solvents, making it the most effective for large-scale preparation. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of key bioactive compounds, including ellagic acid, rutin, Q-3-O, quercetin, and kaempferol. Results revealed that MOLE, prepared using 95% ethanol, exhibited remarkable antioxidant properties, attributed to its rich polyphenolic content. This research underscores the therapeutic potential of MOLE as a natural antioxidant source and highlights the importance of solvent optimization in phytochemical extractions.

Background: Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are capable of differencing into various cell types in the body, providing them valuable for therapy of degenerative diseases. Patientspecific treatments using PSCs, such as mesenchymal stem cells in patient’s own body, may reduce the risk of immune rejection. Inducing the differentiation of PSCs into vascular endothelial cells (ECs) altering culture conditions or using specific growth factors is able to applied to the treatment of vascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to induce the differentiation of porcine epiblast stem cells (pEpiSCs), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (pBM-MSCs) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (pAMSCs) into ECs and then examine the functionality of vascular ECs. Methods: Porcine pEpiSCs, pBM-MSCs and pA-MSCs were induced to differentiate into ECs on matrigel-coated plates in differentiation medium (EBM-2 + 50 ng/mL of VEGF) for 8 days. Cells differentiated from these stem cells were isolated using CD-31 positive (+) magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and then proliferated in M199 medium. Evaluation of ECs differentiated from these stem cells was treated with capillary-like structure formation and three-dimensional spheroid sprouting assay. Results: Porcine pEpiSCs, pBM-MSCs and pA-MSCs showed similar expression of pluripotency-related genes (OCT-3/4. NANOG, SOX2). These stem cells were differentiated into vascular ECs, but showed different morphologies after the differentiation. Cells differentiated from pEpiSCs showed an elongated spindle-like morphology, whereas cells differentiated from pBM-MSCs showed a round pebble-like morphology. In the case of pA-MSCs, these two morphologies were mixed with each other. Additionally, vascular ECs differentiated from these stem cells showed different formation of capillary-like structure formation and three-dimensional spheroid sprouting assay. Conclusions: Cells differentiated from pEpiSCs, pBM-MSCs and pA-MSCs presented the functionality of different vascular ECs, demonstrating the potential of the excellent ECs differentiated from pEpiSCs.

This study developed an unmanned autonomous moving algae collection device (HAMA-bot) to remove high-density algae concentrated in the waterfront of urban agricultural reservoirs, and analyzed the effect of algae removal after field application to medium-sized urban reservoir. The algae reduction effect (Chl-a) of the study site in the reservoir by the HAMA-bot operation showed an average 18.5% higher in the treatment area compared to the control area before operation, while the average reduction of 24% in the treatment area after operation. In addition, the Chl-a removal rate, which directly analyzed the influent and effluent of HAMA-bot, showed a very high level with an average of 96.9% (94.7~99.2%). Currently, it is optimized for urban reservoirs and manufactured on a small scale, but it is a useful tool that can be applied on a large scale to large dams and rivers, and it is considered that the field applicability would be improved with the optimized scale.

Coffee is a major traded item worldwide. Uganda, where the coffee sector provides a livelihood to 1.8 million households, is Africa’s second-biggest coffee exporter. Pests and diseases are significant constraints affecting coffee production. Although the Ugandan government has implemented strategies to assist farmers in addressing these constraints, coffee pests and diseases continue to affect the yield and quality of coffee crops. This ongoing issue highlights the need for more effective and sustainable solutions to protect coffee production in Uganda. This review examined two prevalent diseases and two major pests known to significantly impact Uganda’s coffee systems. It explored strategies that pathogens and pests would utilize to invade and colonize coffee plants. Furthermore, this review evaluated current challenges and prospects for improving coffee pest and disease management. By offering valuable insights and recommendations, it aims to equip agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge needed to develop and implement more effective strategies for combating these persistent threats to coffee production in Uganda.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈의 광학적 특성을 분석하고, 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈를 이해하는 데 도움이 되는 자료를 제시하는 것이다. 방법 : 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈(소재 방법 및 코팅 방법)와 일반 렌즈를 시감투과율 0, 2, 3등급( 10종)으로 구 분하여, 250∼1,400 nm의 분광 투과율을 측정하였고, 청색광 및 근적외선 차단율을 산출하였다. 또한, 주행 중 교통 신호등 감지에 대한 적합도를 확인하기 위해 상대 시각 감쇄 계수(Q)를 분석하였다. 결과 : 시감투과율 분류 0, 2, 3등급에서 투과율은 일반렌즈가 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈보다 높았다(p<0.05). 410∼470 nm 영역에서 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈와 일반렌즈의 청색광 차단율은 차이가 없었고(p>0.05), 470 nm ∼500 nm 영역의 0, 2, 3등급은 차이가 있었다(p<0.05). 근적외선(780 nm∼1,400 nm) 영역의 차단율은 0, 2, 3등급에서 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈가 일반 렌즈에 비해 높았고(p<0.05), 근적외선 차단 성능이 더 우수함을 입증 하였다. 근적외선의 침투로 인해 영향을 받는 눈과 피부 영역에서 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈는 일반 렌즈보다 차단율 이 높았고(p<0.05), 일반렌즈 보다 근적외선의 침투를 감소시킬 수 있을 것이다. 동일한 차단율의 0등급 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈는 소재 방식보다 코팅방식 차단 렌즈의 차단 성능이 좋았다(p<0.05). 시감투과율 0, 2, 3등급에서 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈는 주행 중 교통 신호등 감지를 위한 색 구별에 적합했다. 결론 : 시감투과율 분류 0, 2, 3등급에서 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈는 일반 렌즈에 비해 높은 차단율을 나타내어 그 성능을 입증하였고, 근적외선의 영향을 받는 눈과 피부의 파장 영역에서도 근적외선의 침투를 감소시킬 수 있을 것이다. 결과적으로, 근적외선 차단 안경렌즈의 광학적 특성에 대해 이해하는데 도움이 되는 자료를 제공하였다.

Malaria remains a significant public health issue, particularly in regions such as the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Effective malaria control and prevention require precise prediction of mosquito density across both monitored and unmonitored areas. This study aimed to develop predictive models to estimate the abundance of malaria vector mosquitoes by integrating meteorological and geographical data. Data from mosquito surveillance sites and NASA MODIS land cover datasets acquired between 2009 and 2022 were utilized. Two predictive models, the Gradient Boosted Model (GBM) and Principal Component Regression (PCR), were employed and evaluated. Model performance was assessed using the coefficient of determination (R²). Results showed that PCR outperformed GBM in predictive accuracy, suggesting that PCR is more robust in handling multicollinearity among variables. However, both models did not show practically-usable level of prediction performance. This study provides a preliminary but foundational framework for extending predictive modeling to broader regions, thereby supporting malaria prevention efforts through improved risk mapping.

This study was conducted to investigate changes in immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration, nutrient content, and microbial communities of fresh and heat-treated Holstein colostrum collected from a colostrum bank operated by a local agricultural technology center in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. Of the 16 colostrum samples, 8 were heated at 60℃ for 30 min under a pressure of 0.9–1 bar. The colostrum samples were stored at −70℃ until use, at which time they were thawed at 50–55℃ in a water bath to analyze IgG levels, chemical composition, and microbiome, which was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq-PE250 platform. The IgG concentrations were similar in fresh and heat-treated colostrum. The fat, protein, and lactose contents also did not differ in these samples. However, somatic cell count (SCC) was lower in heat-treated colostrum than those in fresh colostrum (p<0.05). At the phylum level for the microbiome of fresh colostrum, Proteobacteria (44.16%) was the most abundant taxa, followed by Bacteroidota (33.26%), Firmicutes (10.04%), Actinobacteriota (7.14%), and a marginal difference in the order of abundance was observed in heat-treated colostrum. At the genus level, bacteria belonging to Sphingomonas, Delftia, Ochrobactrum, Simplicispira, and Lactobacillus were more abundant (p<0.05) in the heat-treated colostrum, while the abundance of Acinetobacter in the fresh colostrum was four times more (p<0.05) than that in the heat-treated colostrum. Our results demonstrated that heating does not affect IgG level and colostrum composition but reduces SCC (p<0.05), suggesting that heat-treated colostrum can potentially be put to further use (e.g., feeding Hanwoo calves) without compromising its quality. Differences in the microbiome between the fresh and heat-treated colostrum were limited. Further studies are required to extensively investigate the quality and safety of colostrum collected from dairy farms to ensure better utilization and processing at a local agricultural technology center.

Probiotics have been evaluated as therapeutic agents for cancer treatment in an increasing number of studies. This study investigated the inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of specific Lactobacillus strains on a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29). The strains assessed were Limosilactobacillus (L.) reuteri VA 102, Ligilactobacillus (L.) animalis VA 105, and Limosilactobacillus (L.) reuteri KCTC 3594 (ATCC 23272). The viability of HT-29 cells was evaluated using the MTT assay. The findings revealed that cell-free supernatants (CFS) exhibited significant anticancer effects. Heat-inactivated L. reuteri VA 105 and L. reuteri KCTC 3594 induced a pronounced reduction in cell viability. Furthermore, live cultures of L. reuteri VA 105 and L. reuteri VA 102 also showed reduced cell viability compared to the control group. These results suggest that CFS and heat-inactivated cells may be more suitable for therapeutic applications than live bacteria owing to their improved safety profiles and reduced potential for adverse effects. Our findings also emphasize the potential anticancer benefits of these LAB strains.

This study investigates how working memory (WM) capacity and L2 linguistic knowledge affect L2 literal and inferential reading comprehension, considering the presence or absence of background knowledge. Eighty upper-intermediate to advanced adult English learners participated, completing tasks to assess WM capacity, background knowledge, L2 linguistic knowledge, and reading comprehension (both literal and inferential). Stepwise regression analyses revealed that WM capacity had a stronger influence on both literal and inferential comprehension when background knowledge was absent. For literal comprehension, L2 linguistic knowledge was the sole predictor when background knowledge was present, while WM capacity dominated in its absence. Inferential comprehension was consistently predicted by WM capacity, regardless of background knowledge. These findings indicate that WM capacity and L2 linguistic knowledge influence L2 reading comprehension differently depending on background knowledge and the type of comprehension. Implications include incorporating WM training into L2 reading instruction and employing diverse WM assessment methods to measure WM independently of L2 linguistic proficiency.