Recently, there had been many reports on ethanol fermentation by mushrooms. This study was initiated to screening of ethanol fermentation by mushroom mycelilal cultures preserved in Culture Collection and DNA Bank of Mushrooms in the Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University. The experimental results showed that ethanol concentration produced by Cerrena unicolor, Trametes pubescens and Daedalea dickinsii, Microporus vernicipes and Perenniporia fraxinea in the glucose medium ranged from 2.3∼4.7%. The highest ethanol concentration was obtained from fermentation of glucose by Cerrena unicolor (4.7%). Some of the mushrooms used in this study have a good ability to efficiently ferment arabinose, fructose, mannose, cellobiose, maltose and sucrose . The highest ethanol concentration was obtained under semi-aerobic condition compared with aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The media used for ethanol fermentation by T. pubescens and P. fraxinea. contained small amounts of β -D-glucan, which is known to have anti-tumor activity.

Most traditional genome sequencing projects involving infectious viruses include culturing and purification of the virus. This can present difficulties as an analysis of multiple populations from multiple locations may be required to acquire sufficient amount of high-quality DNA for sequence analysis. The electrophoretic method provides a strategy whereby the genomic DNA sequences of the Korean isolate of Pieris rapae granulovirus (PiraGV-K) were analyzed by purifying it from host DNA by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, thus simplifying sampling and labor time. The genomic DNA of infected P. rapae was embedded in agarose plugs, digested with a restriction nuclease and methylase, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to separate PiraGV-K DNA from the DNA of P. rapae, followed by mapping of fosmid clones of the separated viral DNA. The double-stranded circular genome of PiraGV-K encodes 120 open reading frames (ORFs), covering 92% of the sequenced genome. BLAST and ORF arrangement showed the presence of 78 homologs to other genes in the database. The mean overall amino acid identity of PiraGV-K ORFs was highest with the Chinese isolate of PiraGV (~99%), followed up with Choristoneura occidentalis ORFs at 58%. PiraGV-K ORFs were grouped, according to function, into 10 genes involved in transcription, 11 involved in replication, 25 structural protein genes, and 15 auxiliary genes. Genes for Chitinase (ORF 10) and cathepsin (ORF11), involved in the liquefaction of the host, were found in the genome. The recovery of PiraGV-K DNA genome by pulse-field electrophoretic separation from host genomic DNA had several advantages, compared with its isolation from particles harvested as virions or inclusions from the P. rapae host. We have sequenced and analyzed the 108,658 bp PiraGV-K genome purified by the pulsed field electrophoretic method. The method appears to be applicable to the analysis of genomes of large viruses. The chitinase, identified by PiraGV-K genome sequence, was functionally characterized by quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy.

Chungbuk province has number of management honey bee(Apis cerana) colonies. A. cerana produce honey, and are pollinators with in agricultural crops and natural environmental ecosystems. Korean Sacbrood Virus(SBV) causes colony collapses of A. cerana Feb. in Korean apiaries from 2009 years. It causes a fatal disease(sacbrood) of honeybee larvae, which fail to pupate, change color and shape, and finally die. We thus conducted a molecular survey of honey bee RNA viruses, Nosema microsporidia, Foul broods and fungal disease(Chalk brood and Stone brood) associated with environmental conditions in apiaries and differential type(Traditional and Modern) of A. cerana hives in Chungbuk province. We found the presence of Israel Acute Paralysis Virus(IAPV), Nosema apis, and Sacbrood virus(SBV) was detected in the tested samples. IAPV were detected from mordern hive. Nosema apis, and Sacbrood virus(SBV) was detected from traditional hives. Our results demonstrate that honey bee RNA viruse(SBV) and N. apis are present in Traditional hives. It can suggest SBV and other disease might be related environment conditions(Type of hives).

The bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, has played an important role as one of the alternative pollinators since the outbreak of honeybee collapse disorder. Recently, pathogens and parasites such as viruses, bacteria and mites, which affect the life span and fecundity of their host, have been discovered in B. terristris. In order to detect the microsporidian pathogen, Nosema Spp. in the field populations of B. terristris, we collected adults and isolated their genomic DNA for diagnostic PCR. The PCR primers specific for Nosema Spp. were newly designed and applied to gene amplification for cloning. Only small subunit ribosomal RNA(SSU rRNA) gene of N. ceranae was successfully amplified and sequenced among examined genes, which indicates that N. ceranae mainly infects the examined field population of B. terristris. To detect of SSU rRNA gene, two regions of SSU rRNA gene were selected by primary PCR analysis and further analyzed in quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR). The qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that SSU rRNA of N. ceranae was detected at concentrations as low as 0.85 ng/μl genomic DNA. This result suggests that the detection via qRT-PCR can be applied for the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of N. ceranae infection in the field population as well as risk assessment of B. terristris.

Since Montreal protocol in1989 designated MB(methyl bromide) as ozone depleting chemicals, IPPC(International Plant Protection Convention) has adopted replacing the MB with alternative chemical and reducing the rate of MB use in plant quarantine in 2008. Pineapples are one of the most frequently fumigated imported fruit with MB in Korea. However, there was no technically available replacement. Therefore, we evaluated phosphine(PH3) fumigation as alternative to MB in applying pineapples. In the preliminary test, PH3 gas in 12L desicators to calculate ranged to 0.1 from 2g/m3 was tested at 2 and 24hr exposure to target pest, citrus mealy bug(CMB, Planococcus citri). All different of stage of CMB was shown 100% mortality when 2g/m3 of PH3 applied for 24hrs at 8℃. To confirm studies designed in 0.5m3 fumigation chamber, all egg, nymph and adult stages of CMB was killed completely and there wasn’t any phytotoxic and quality damages on pineapples for 2 weeks post-fumigation periods at 8℃. In terms of commercial use, further commercial research will need to be carry out in cooperation with importers and fumigators.

Cotesia plutellae has been known as a natural enemy against the Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella via laying eggs into a larva. When the larva hatches from the egg, teratocytes also are released and expected to work as immune suppressor via secreting immune suppressive factors such as venom proteins, teratocytes and polydnavirus. In order to identify immune suppressive factors from teratocytes, we collected the supernatant from serum-free culture media of teratocytes. Concentration of secreted proteins from teratocytes was successfully performed with using centricons among tested methods such proteins precipitation and electrophoresed in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel. The gel slices were directly digested with trypsin using in-gel digestion method and analyzed via LC-Ms-Ms. Molecular weight of peptide fragments were compared with protein database predicted by full-genome sequences of C. plutellae. We identified two immune responsive proteins, which are calreticulin, host cellular response-related gene and neprilysin 2, immune regulator. This result suggests that host immune response is suppressed or regulated by the immune suppressive factors of teratocytes.

Probles is apredominantly Holarctic genus with about 44 species in the Palearctic region (Yu et al. 2012). Palearctic fauna of Probles is rather irregularly studied: West European species were revised by Horstmann (1971, 1981; Horstmann and Kolarov 1988), and Palearctic species of five small subgenera, Microdiaparsis Horstmann, Probles s. str., Rhynchoprobles Horstmann, and Rugodiaparsis Horstmann, were reviewed by Khalaim (2003), whereas the most species rich subgenus, Euporizon Horstmann, is virtually unknown outside Europe. Only two species of Euporizon, P. (E.) sibirica Khalaim, 2007 from Mongolia and Russian Siberia and P. (E.) vulnifica Khalaim & Sheng, 2009 from the Palearctic part of China, are known to occur in the East Palearctic region, and one Oriental species, P. (E.) vietnamica Khalaim, 2011, was recently described from Vietnam (Khalaim, 2011; Khalaim and Sheng 2009). Some species of Probles were recorded as parasitoids of the beetle families Ciidae, Curculionidae, Endomycidae, and Melandryidae in Europe (Horstmann 1971, 1981). In this paper, we describe three closely related new species of Euporzon belonging to one species-group. Three closely related species of the genus Probles Förster, P. fulgida sp. n., P. korusa sp. n., and P. rukora sp. n. differ from other Palearctic species of the genus based on a combination of long and weakly sinuate apically ovipositor and short temple. A portion of the key for identification of this species-group is provided here.

We have previously investigated the proteome changes of rice leaves under heat stress (Lee et al. in Proteomics 2007a, 7:3369- 3383), wherein a group of antioxidant proteins and heat shock proteins (HSPs) were found to be regulated differently. The present study focuses on the biochemical changes and gene expression profiles of heat shock protein and antioxidant genes in rice leaves in response to heat stress (42°C) during a wide range of exposure times. The results show that hydrogen peroxide and proline contents increased significantly, suggesting an oxidative burst and osmotic imbalance under heat stress. The mRNA levels of chaperone 60, HSP70, HSP100, chloroplastic HSP26, and mitochondrial small HSP responded rapidly and showed maximum expression after 0.5 or 2 h under heat stress. Transcript levels of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) showed a rapid and marked accumulation upon heat stress. While prolonged exposure to heat stress resulted in increased transcript levels of monodehydroascorbate reductase, peroxidase, glyoxalase 1, glutathione reductase, thioredoxin peroxidase, 2-Cysteine peroxiredoxin, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1, while the transcription of catalase was suppressed. Consistent with their changes in gene expression, the enzyme activities of APX and DHAR also increased significantly following exposure to heat stress. These results suggest that oxidative stress is usually caused by heat stress, and plants apply complex HSP- and antioxidant-mediated defense mechanisms to cope with heat stress.

This study has investigated the effect of isometric contractile force and muscle activity applying sperficial heat according to the time from the biceps brachii muscle. In this study, 20 university students participants without musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. By applying a hot pack 5min, 10min, 20min and 30min respectively. After that measurement are skin temperature, contractile force and muscle activity. Skin temperature of the hot 5 min applied that rapidly changing. Increasing the time it takes to apply a variance has been reduced(p<.001). Isometric contractile force was not statistically significant but highest when applying the hot pack 5 minutes and lowest when applying the hot pack 30 minutes(p<.001). Muscle activity and median frequency was highest when applying the hot pack 5 minutes. To analyze the above results, it was found that isometric contractile force and muscle activity changed according to the applying time. These result lead us to the conclusion that this study will be more evidence for changes in muscle contraction to apply hot pack on clinic.

Ganoderma have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years in Korea, China and Japan as well as in other regions of the world. Ganoderma species is known to grow on hardwoods, conifers, palms, old and declining trees, decay dead wood and stumps. Several species is cause serious diseases of plantation and other economically important tropical crops. It also has been reported to prevent and treat immunological diseases, including tumorigenesis, control of blood glucose levels, modulation of the immune system, hepatoprotection, bacteriostasis, and more. In the present study, we examined the effects of various Ganoderma species, including Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma neo-japonicum on nitric oxide inhibition activities, β-hexosaminidase secretions, and DPPH free radical scavenging capacities to compare the anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antioxidant effects.

Baculum elongatum has a long, thin shape that resembles a twig, propagates by parthenogenesis, changes body color, and drops eggs, all of which suggests its potential in the commercial market, especially as an educational pet insect. This study was carried out to determine the best hatching environment and an alternative or artificial diet for rearing B. elongatum to be developed as a commercial and educational pet insect. Oviposition was performed by females without fertilization by the sperm of males. The oviposition period was 42.2 ± 22.7 days and the number of eggs per female was 109.5 ± 70.5 eggs. The hatch rate was 73.3% at 25°C and 66.7% after low temperature treatment (8°C for 60 days). In nature, B. elongatum overwinters as an egg, but it can be assumed from the results that cold temperatures were not required for hatching. The hatch rate was 98.2% in the treatment using floral foam, fermented sawdust, and leaves. Clover(Trifolium repens) was an excellent diet as it was similar to the host plant and could be used as an alternative diet. The rate of reaching adulthood for the insects was 66.7% on an artificial diet containing 25% acacia leaves. For sustainable mass rearing of nymphs or adults of B. elongatum, a natural diet could be used such as acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), white oak (Quercus aliena), chestnut (Castanea crenata var. dulcis), and bush clover (Lespedeza bicolor), or an alternative diet such as clover or artificial diet. To rear nymphs and adults of B. elongatum, natural diet such as acacia, white oak, chestnut, or bush clover leaves, or an alternative diet such as clover or an artificial diet can be used.

Two families of checkered beetles (Cleridae and Thanerocleridae) contain approximately 3,600 described species. Clerus is one of genera belonging to the Omadius genus-group (Cleridae: Clerinae: Clerus series), and distributed in Palaearctic, Indo-Australian and Afrotropic regions containing 17 species. Among the known species, 11 species have been recorded from Palaearctic region (seven from East Asian countries). Through a taxonomic study on the Korean Clerus species, a total of three species, C. dealbatus (Kraatz, 1879), C. pilosellus (Gorham, 1878) and Clerus sp. nov. are recognized. From the present study, it was confirmed that C. dealbatus was misidentified as Thanasimus lewisi (Jacobson, 1911) in the country, due to the similarity of the body coloration. The presence of the latter species in Korean insect fauna is very doubtful. Diagnostic characters of three Korean Clerus species are presented.

This study was carried out to clarify the response of butterfly communities on forest degradation in the Gwangneung Forest, Korea. We monitored butterfly communities with varying degrees of human activities by conducting line transect twice a month in 2011. A total of 70 species and 4,676 individuals butterflies were observed in four sites: natural forest, plantation forests, and Korean National Arboretum. Species richness increased with increasing open land. The result on niche breadth and habitat type of butterfly was consistent with our predictions; specialist species and forest interior species were abundant in natural forest, whereas generalist species and grassland species were abundant in Korea National Arboretum, the most modified area. Also, habitat breadth of butterflies clearly indicated the difference on the degree of forest degradation. Butterfly diversity associated with landscape patterns based on aerial photographs supported mosaic concept which indicates that species diversity increases as habitat heterogeneity and variability increase. Forest management plan that maintains various habitats and ensures grasslands is necessary to increase butterfly diversity in forest.