Growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β that has been identified as a strong physiological regulator. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of GDF8 on porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM). We investigated a specific gene transcription levels in oocytes and cumulus cells (CC) after IVM, and protein kinase B (PKB) expression and activation levels in matured CCs by western blotting. Each concentration (0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml) of GDF8 was treated in maturation medium (TCM199) while process of IVM. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Duncan using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science). Data are presented as the mean and differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. After 44 h of IVM, oocytes are mechanically denuded from CCs with 0.1% of hyaluronidase, and then the separated each group of oocytes and CCs were sampled. To assess the effect of GDF8 on specific gene transcription level changes as a dose response during IVM, the realtime PCR was performed. In CCs, all of GDF8 treatment groups showed significantly higher CREB transcription regulator cbp mRNA and the 1- and 10 ng/ml treatment groups observed significantly increased cumulus expansion related genes areg, cox-2, has2, ptx3 and tnfaip6 transcription levels after IVM. In matured oocytes, the maternal factors jmjd3 and zar1, transcriptional regulator foxo1 and sirt1, mitochondrial activity factor sirt3 and acadl, and anti-apoptosis gene bcl-2 mRNA transcription levels were significantly increased in 1- and10 ng/mL of GDF8 treatment groups compared with control. To determine effect of GDF8 treatment during IVM, translation regulator PKB protein expression and phosphorylation levels were analyzed in CCs by western blotting. The 10 ng/ml treatment group showed significantly increased phosphorylated PKB (1.4 times higher than control) protein levels (P < 0.05). In conclusion, treatment 10 ng/ml of GDF8 during IVM activates CREB related transcription and induced cumulus cells expansion via activation of PKB signaling in CCs. The transcriptional landscape changes in CCs result maternal factors accumulation and mitochondrial activation in oocytes during IVM.

Euzophera batangensis (Lepidotera: Pyralidae) is seriously damaging trunks or branches of persimmon tree (Diospyros sp.). We tested the attractiveness of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol (Z9-14OH) and (Z9,E12)-tetradeca- 9,12-dien-1-ol (Z9,E12-14OH) with single or blended baits at southern parts of Korea in 2014 and 2015. The monoene was not attractive at all at three places during the two years. In 2014, diene was equally or more attractive than the mixture in Jinju and Suncheon, respectively. In 2015 too, the attractiveness of diene and mixture was not different in Jinju and Munsan. Monitoring of the seasonal occurrence of E. batangesis with the sex pheromone components revealed that it occurred three times a year; the first occurrence from early April to mid May, the second from early Jun to mid July, and the third from late August to late September.

Ooencyrtus nezarae lshii (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a major egg parasitoid of Riptortus pedestris (F.) (Hemiptera: Alydidae). One of the components of the aggregation pheromone of R. pedestris, (E)-2-hexenyl (Z)-3-hexenoate (E2HZ3H), is known to attract O. nezarae female. Response of O. nezarae females to E2HZ3H and its isomers was studied using electro-antennogram (EAG) and field tests. O. nezarae females showed higher antennal response to E2HZ3H and Z2HE3H isomers than E2HE3H and Z2HZ3H. In field tests, O. nezarae females were attracted to E2HZ3H traps, but not to Z2E3 traps. Interestingly, the blend of E2HZ3H and Z2HE3H showed significant antagonistic activities to the attraction of O. nezarae females in the field. We conclude from this study that Z2HE3H is a potent antagonist to the behavioral response of O. nezarae.

The habitat of the cockroach varies by species. The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) lives in human dwellings, while the Japanese field roach (Blattella nipponica) lives in a mountainous region. Based on phylogenetic analysis of mtCO I, the two species are closely related to each other and B. germanica is divergent from wild species such as B. nipponica. Their habitats and walking speed differ even though the two species have similar morphology. We hypothesized that habitats might influence walking speed via changes to appendage morphology and enzyme-based physiological differences. We found that phenotype such as appendage length and esterase isozyme expression were clearly different between the two species. These differences might be responsible for the observed difference in walking speed.

Globally, there is an increase in demand for organic products which has boosted the organic food industry. There has been a continuous incease in th organic agricultural land due to the aforementioned reaseons which has been in fluencing the use of chemical-free pesticides, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs for cultivation. Also, the increasing per-capita expenditure income and high purchasing power of consumers in developing countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa, Korea, Japan, and China have forced the manufactures to offer a wide range of organic products to sustain competition. Agricultural biologicals are a group of products which are derived from natural sources such as microorganisms, plant extracts. or other biological matter, which can be used as a substitute for agriculture chemical products. Farmers can depend on these agricultural biologicals along with the biotechnology and variety of agronomic practices, in order to grow healthy and nutritious crops.

The consumption of pre-treated vegetables (including fresh-cut vegetables) has been significantly increased because of their ease of use for cooking. Vegetable cutting machine has been widely utilized for producing fresh-cut vegetables or agricultural products with different sizes; however, its design standard is not specifically established depending on types of agricultural products. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine mechanical properties (compressive and shear force) of targeted agricultural products (radish, carrot, squash, cucumber, shiitake mushroom and sweet potato) for developing multipurpose vegetable cutting machine. According to ASAE standard (s368.3), compressive and shear force of targeted agricultural products were measured by using custom built UTM (universal testing machine). Shape type of samples and speed ranges (5~15 mm/min) of loading rate on bioyield and shear points were varied by targeted agricultural products. The range of averaged bioyield points of targeted agricultural products were between 7.89 and 146.98 N. On the other hands, their averaged shear points were from 22.50 to 53.47 N. Results clearly showed that the bioyield and shear points of targeted agricultural products were thoroughly affected by their components. As accumulating compressive and shear points of agricultural products, it can be technical feasible to establish the design standard and control mechanism of multipurpose vegetable cutting machine.

We developed a type of sausage made of chicken breast and liquid egg whites for consumers interested in weight management. To determine the quality of the product, its chemical characteristics, fatty acid composition, free amino acid contents, and nucleotides contents were evaluated during 4 weeks of storage. Sensory evaluation was conducted by both general consumers and body-builders. The sausage was proposed as a fat-free product as fat content was 0.12% based on the Korean Indication Standard of Animal Origin Food. Protein content was 13.42% and calorie value was 61.50 kcal/100 g of the sausage. In sensory evaluation, the mixture of chicken breast and egg whites stuffed into the same casing had an adverse effect on taste, color, texture and overall acceptance while the product that contained egg white stuffed separately into the outer casing enclosing the chicken breast (double layer) improved these attributes. The developed double-layer sausage can last for at least 4 weeks of storage without quality deterioration of flavor-related compounds, such as fatty acids and nucleotides.

Plant nutrition one of the most important factors that increase plant production. Thus, the present study was carried out to investigate the effects of NPK (three main macro elements of fertilizer) and their interactions on morphological and biochemical contents of Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata). Results exhibited that application of different fertilization treatments had a considerable effect on the different vegetative growth characteristics of C. lanceolata compared to the non fertilizer control. Plant height showed significant results towards all fertilization group compared to non fertilizer group, and the highest value (266.8 cm) for plant height was observed from the N+P+K group. The growth of internode was converted to vine after node 5, no fertilizer effects were found on internode elongation. Chlorophyll content showed a high amount in the range of 42.8 to 46.6 against all fertilization treatment groups, except P+K group. The highest values (57.0 g) for the fresh weight of roots were obtained from the N+P+K groups compared to non fertilizer group. The mineral nutrient content of Na, Mg, Cu and Al of the roots of C. lanceolata showed the lowest amount from in P+K groups compared to other groups. In addition, P from N+K group, Mn from N+P group and Ca, Fe, Zn from N+P+K group also exhibited the lowest mineral content compared to other groups respectively.

목 적: 화학수송법으로 성장시킨 Ga2Se3 및 Ga2Se3 : Co2+ 단결정의 광학적 에너지 띠 간격 energy band gap의 온도의존성을 규명하고, 이로부터 기초적 열역학 함수를 추정고자 한다. 방 법: gallium(99.9999 %, 2 mol), selenium(99.9999 %, 3 mol), cobalt(99.99 %, 0.1 mol %) 그리고 수송물질로 iodine(99.99 %, 6 mg/cm3)을 함께 석영관에 넣고 내부를 5×10-6 torr로 유지하면서 봉입하여 성장용 ampoule을 만들었다. 성장용 ampoule을 2단 전기로의 중앙에 위치시키고, 결정 성장측의 잔류불순 물을 깨끗이 제거한 후, 시료 출발측을 890 ℃, 성장측을 780 ℃로 6일간 유지하여 단결정을 성장시켰다. 기초 흡수단 부근에서 에너지 띠 간격의 온도의존성을 구하기 위하여 저온장치(Air Products, SH-4)가 부 착된 UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer(Hitachi, U-3501)를 사용하여 광흡수 스펙트럼을 측정하였다. 결과 및 고찰: Ga2Se3 및 Ga2Se3 : Co2+ 단결정들의 광흡수 스펙트럼은 순수한 Ga2Se3 단결정의 경우 570 nm영역에서, Ga2Se3 : Co2+ 단결정의 경우 594 nm영역에서 광흡수가 급격히 증가하여 cobalt를 첨가한 단 결정의 기초 흡수단이 장파장 측으로 이동됨을 볼 수 있었다. 또한 에너지 띠 간격의 온도의존성은 Varshni 가 제안한 실험식으로부터 구하였다. 결 론: 성장된 단결정의 구조는 cubic구조이었고, 이들의 격자상수 값은 Ga2Se3 및 Ga2Se3 : Co2+ 단결정 들에 대하여 각각 a = 5.442 Å, a = 5.672 Å이었다. 광흡수 스펙트럼으로부터 구한 optical energy band gap(Eg)의 band구조는 직접 전이형이었고, 에너지 띠 간격의 온도의존성은 Varshni방정식이 잘 적용되었 다. 이때 구한 상수 값은 Ga2Se3 단결정의 경우 Eg(0) = 2.177 eV, α= 7.8×10-4eV/K, β= 378 K로 주어 지고, Ga2Se3 : Co2+단결정의 경우 Eg(0) = 2.089 eV, α= 1.20×10-3 eV/K, β= 349 K로 주어졌다. 이들 값 으로부터 구한 에너지 띠 간격의 온도의존성으로부터 열역학 함수인 entropy(SCV), heat capacity(CCV), enthalpy(HCV) 값을 추정할 수 있었다.

(-)-Epicatechin gallate (ECG) is a polyphenol compound of green tea exhibiting biological activities, such as antioxidant and anticancer effects. To examine the effect of ECG on porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM), oocytes were treated with 0-, 5-, 15-, and 25 μM ECG. After maturation, we investigated nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). After 42 hours of IVM, the 5 μM group exhibited significantly increased (p< 0.05) nuclear maturation (89.8%) compared with the control group (86.1%). However, the 25 μM group observed significantly decreased (p< 0.05) nuclear maturation (83.5%). In intracellular maturation assessment the 5-, 15-, and 25 μM groups had significantly increased (p< 0.05) GSH levels and decreased ROS levels compared with the controls. The 5- and 15 μM group showed significantly increased (p< 0.05) embryo formation rates and total cell number of blastocysts after PA (18% and 68.9, 15% and 85.1 vs. 12% and 59.5, respectively) compared with controls. Although the 25 μM group observed significantly lower blastocyst formation rates after PA (27.6% vs. 23.2%) than control group, the 5 μM group showed significantly increased blastocyst formation rates after PA (37.2% vs. 23.2%) compared to the control group. Furthermore, the 5 μM group measured significantly increased blastocyst formation rates (20.7% vs. 8.6%) and total cell number after IVF (88.3±1.5 vs. 58.0±3.6) compared to the control group. The treatment of 5 μM ECG during IVM affectively improved the porcine embryonic developmental competence by regulating intracellular oxidative stress during IVM.

This study carried out to develop a healthy vinegar with mushrooms mycelia (Cordyceps militaris, Phellinus baumi, Pleurotus cornucopiae, Ganoderma lucidum). As results of analysis of functionality, mycelia culture with brown rice were higher than that of brown rice. The highest beta-glucan contents was showed in Phellinus baumi culture as 78.7mg/g and cordycepin was detected in Cordyceps militaris culture as 0.34mg/g. Physicochemical properties of mushroom mycelia vinegars(MMV), Cordyceps militaris and Pleurotus cornucopiae vinegar is higher acidity and reducing sugar content. Sensory evaluation of MMV, Cordyceps militaris and Pleurotus cornucopiae vinegar was 7.29 and 6.59, respectively. In case of analysis of functional and bioactive components, Cordyceps militaris vinegar was excellent polyphenol, antioxidant activity, and also contained 786ppm of cordycepin. Pleurotus cornucopiae vinegar was showed the highest content of beta-glucan as 20.9mg/g. Cordyceps militaris vinegar was higher antihypertensive activity and anti tyrosinase activiy than that of brown rice vinegar. In addition, Pleurotus cornucopiae vinegar was showed the highest anti-gout activity.

Recent enactments of the Nagoya Protocol and UPOV convention precipitated international competition to secure biological resources. To address these challenges in the case of mushroom industry, collecting and preserving the genetic resources are urgently needed. Mushroom Research Division, National Institute of Horticltural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, has operated mushroom resource management facilities which consist of eight separate rooms with automatic temperature and humidity controllers for the safe preservation of mycelial cultures or voucher herbarium specimens. During the past three years the liquid-nitrogen (LN) cryogenic system for the permanent/semi-permanent preservation of the strains commercially or scientifically important are successfully installed, and the computerized resource management system using QR code are adopted. Up to now, 1,586 strains of 261 species in 79 genus of edible and medicinal mushrooms were preserved.

A powder injection molding process is developed and optimized for piezoelectric PAN-PZT ceramics. Torque rheometer experiments are conducted to determine the optimal solids loading, and the rheological property of the feedstock is evaluated using a capillary rheometer. Appropriate debinding conditions are chosen using a thermal gravity analyzer, and the debound specimens are sintered using sintering conditions determined in a preliminary investigation. Piezoelectric performance measures, including the piezoelectric charge constant and dielectric constant, are measured to verify the developed process. The average values of the measured piezoelectric charge constant and dielectric constant are 455 pC/N and 1904, respectively. Powder injection molded piezoelectric ceramics produced by the optimized process show adequate piezoelectric performance compared to press-sintered piezoelectric ceramics.

Oxalic acid has a nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. High producer of oxalic acid was isolated, and then named as Aspergillus niger F22. Oxalic acid production was investigated under various temperatures from 20 – 33oC and rotational speeds in 5 L jar fermenters. Yield of oxalic acid increased with decreasing temperature. The highest yield was obtained at 23oC, showing the yield of oxalic acid of 8.7 g/L, whereas oxalic acid production was least at 33oC. At 20oC, the yield was lower than that of 23oC. At a rotational speed of 300 rpm, serious oxygen depletion was present from 48 - 72 h, resulting in low productivity of 26.2 mg /L·h. When a rotational speed was set at 600 rpm, dissolved oxygen tension was over 40% and oxalic acid production increased up to approximately 55%. Viscosity during the culture differed with temperatures. Viscosity increased with the increment of temperatures. When A. niger F22 was cultured at 23oC, viscosity was 810 cP, which was favorable for oxalic acid production.