Ips acuminatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the potential pests of various species of pines. To investigate the effects of thinning on I. acuminatus and Stigmatium pilosellum (Coleoptera: Cleridae), known as a natural enemy of bark beetles, were examined in Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest in Chuncheon, South Korea in 2014. Three study site were selected - two sites (western slope and southern slope) that thinning was conducted in early spring 2014 and a site without thinning within 5 years. I. acuminatus and S. pilosellum were collected every week or fortnightly using the 12-unit Lindgren multi-funnel traps with pheromone lure (Ipsdienol +50/-50 40mg, Ipsenol +50/-50 40mg) from May to early October. The densities of I. acuminatus, the dominant species of bark beetles, were maximum 8.4 ± 0.9 and 1.4 ± 0.4 individuals/trap/day at thinning site and non-thinning site, respectively. In case of S. pilosellum, the dominant species of Cleridae, its densities were 17.7 ± 2.4 and 2.6 ± 0.8 individuals/trap/day at thinning site and non-thinning site, respectively. I. acuminatus showed first emergence peak on June and second emergence peak on September, but S. pilosellum showed only one time emergence peak on June – the density of S. pilosellum increased along with the density of I. acuminatus (r = 0.66, p = 0.0365). Our results shows that thinning in Korean pine forest increases the densities of I. acuminatus and S. pilosellum, reflecting increase in their food resources available.

To develop an empirical degree-day model for predicting the spring flight period of the bark beetle, Ips subelongatus Motschulsky, based on field observation, field studies were biweekly conducted in three Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) forests in In-je, Korea from 2013 to 2014. To validate this degree-day model, we compared the model-predicted values with observed emergence data of I. subelongatus in 2015 spring at one of the sites. The flight period of over-wintering generation began on April and ended May, and flight of next generation lasted until October. The lower developmental threshold temperature (LDT) was estimated using spring emergence of I. subelongatus and field temperatures. Then a degree-day model was constructed, based on LDTs estimated from field observations data. The baseline temperature with the highest coefficient of determination was considered the LDT, and this was estimated to be 6.0℃. The explanatory power of the model was 88%. This model accurately predicted the flight of I. subelongatus in 2015 spring, as the estimated median flight dates was 1 days earlier than the corresponding observed flight date. The results of the goodness-of-fit test did not differ between observed and estimated values (ks = 0.21, P = 0.54).

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive source for cell therapy, as they have the potential for differentiation into multi-lineage cells. Adipose tissue is a safe source due to its easy extraction and abundant resource, with minimal risk to the organ donor. In this study, we attempted to correlate the harvest yield and resulting multipotency of feline adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (fAD-MSCs) in accordance with processing time. fAD-MSCs were individually isolated from the abdominal adipose tissues of 6 felines. They were divided into two groups, based on their processing times – Group 1: 0~1 day after adipose tissue harvesting; Group 2: more than 3 days after adipose tissue harvesting. In both groups, the proliferation capacity was analyzed using the cumulative population doubling level (CPDL) calculation assay. The expression levels of MSC-specific markers and differentiation potentials into mesodermal cell lineages were also evaluated. We observed that fAD-MSC isolation yields and CPDL were excellent in Group 1 compared with Group 2. We also found that the differentiation potential-specific genes (ACAN and OPN) were strongly expressed in Group 1 compared with Group 2. These results suggest that for the clinical treatments of feline diseases, fAD-MSCs should be isolated within 1 day after adipose tissue harvesting.

Bone fractures are most often seen in racetrack horses because of the high level of intensity in racing. These issues are the main cause of decreased performance in racehorses. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been explored to improve intra-articular therapy in racehorses. MSCs are essential for the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues. In this study, the effect of intra-articular injection of MSCs in racehorses was investigated. Before accessing the MSC therapy, synovial fluids were obtained from the fracture site of racehorses, and adipose tissue was collected for MSC isolation. Using the MSC specific marker, adipose tissue-derived MSCs were identified. The racehorses received intra-articular injection of autologous MSCs (or allogeneic) (3 × 107 cells/3 mL). After 1 or 2 weeks, synovial fluids were collected from racehorses. To test the effect of MSC injection using ELISA, we analyzed inflammatory factors from the untreated samples compared to MSC-treated samples of racehorses. The level of pro-inflammatory factors (interleukin-1β and prostaglandin E2) was significantly decreased in synovial fluids of MSC-injected racehorses, compared to before accessing the MSC therapy, whereas, the level of anti-inflammatory factor (interleukin-10) was higher than prior to accessing the MSC therapy. Further studies are needed to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of MSC in racehorses.

Currently, the storage temperature of the production factory of medicinal herbs (hGMP) is about 5~ 12℃. This temperature is possible to suppress pest but can not kill the pests. For this reason, we need to lower the temperature during lethal time because the pest has often occurred inside the packaging of medicinal herbs in the distribution process in summer. In order to solve this problem, we have investigated the lethal time of the storage insect(Tribolium castaneum Herbst) After we froze medicinal herbs(Cnidium officinale Makino and Angelica gigas N. ) at approx. –70℃ and –15℃ respectively. We then investigated the change of bioactive components and exterior characteristics of medicinal herbs in order to determine whether there is a change of quality. The results were as follows. The lethal time of Tribolium castaneum Herbst is about 2 minutes if processed at approx. –70℃, while the other time is about 16 minutes at approx. –15℃. We investigated the change of quality after the treatment of the two medicinal herbs in the similar way but could not confirm the difference of color and brightness and the bioactive components on statistics. Through this research, it has been verified that the process of quick freezing for pest control can not affect the main quality of the medicinal herbs. Therefore this technology can be introduced in the manufacturing process of medicinal herbs through additional research.

The effects of thinning on community diversity of wood-boring beetles were examined in Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi) forest in In-je, South Korea in 2013. Three study sites were selected and thinning in the plots was conducted in 2010, spring 2012, and autumn 2012, respectively. Wood-boring beetles were collected every week using the 12-unit Lindgren multi-funnel traps with pheromone lure (Ipsdienol +50/-50 40mg, Ipsenol +50/-50 40mg) from mid-April to early November. Total 5 families (Cerambycidae, Curculionidae, Dryophthoridae, Scolytidae, Platypodidae), 62 species, and 26,638 individuals were collected. Diversity indices were 2.08, 2.02 and 0.76, and evenness indices were 0.55, 0.49 and 0.19 in 2010, spring 2012 and autumn 2012 thinning area, respectively. Among wood-boring beetles, the number of species of bark and ambrosia beetles were accounted for 44.4, 41.9 and 46.3% in 2010, spring 2012 and autumn 2012 thinning area, respectively. The number of individuals of bark and ambrosia beetles were accounted for 86.9, 82.2 and 98.4% in 2010, spring 2012 and autumn 2012 thinning area, respectively. Our results showed that the density of wood-boring beetles was the highest in the most recent thinning area, suggesting that thinning timing can influenced on the abundance of bark and ambrosia beetles. Among them, Ips subelongatus, I. acuminatus, and I. sexdentatus are species that mainly attack Japanese Larch. Ips subelongatus emerged faster than others and was the most dominant species.

The dispersal distance and the flight behaviour of adult Platypus koryoensis were examined using mark-release-recapture experiment in central Korea in 2013. Sticky traps were attached to the trunks of oak trees toward release point and opposite direction up to 48.8m from the release point. For each direction, two traps were attached on upper (1.5m from ground) and lower (0.5m from ground) trunk. Platypus koryoensis which emerged within 24 hours were marked with fluorescent powder and released at 11:00 a.m. The number of recaptured beetles was counted after 30 and 90 minutes after release. The experiment was replicated three times on 20, 21, and 26 June. The numbers of beetles released were 299, 810, and 208, respectively. Recapture rates at 90 minutes after release on 20, 21, and 26 June were 0.09, 0.06, and 0.03, respectively. More than 85 percent of recaptured beetles were caught in 30m. The numbers of beetles caught by sticky traps in upper and lower trunk were not significantly different, indicating that P. koryoensis do not hover but just land and move to explore suitable for living site in trunk when they attack oak tree. The valley breeze which drive upward the valleys and mountain slopes in the daytime blew during experiment periods and maximum flight distance of P. koryoensis was 43m, even though the beetles flew against the wind.

Escape pattern of the ambrosia beetle Platypus koryoensis (Murayama) based on individual gallery was investigated. The survey was conducted in four oak forests located in Chuncheon, Hanam, Paju and Seongnam, and escape patterns from individual gallery were surveyed using emergence trap attached at the entrances of galleries formed in 2010. The number of adults caught in each trap was periodically counted from May 2011 to September 2012. The adults ambrosia beetle was caught over two years after infestation. The escape patterns in the first and second year after infestation showed different types; in the first year, escape of adults from gallery was observed one or two times whereas escape from gallery was observed two times in the second year with variation in aspect of escape density and timing. Moreover, variations in escape pattern between trees or between galleries in the same tree was observed. Colonization success rate in living tree was higher than that of dead tree, but the number of progeny per gallery in living tree was lower than that of dead tree. Colonization success rate in the galleries of second year was lower than that of first year, but the number of progeny per gallery of second year was higher than that of first year.

The aim of this experiment was to count excreted oocysts and to evaluate gross lesions and histopathological changes in broiler chicks infected with Eimeria; E. acervulina (Ea), E. maxima (Em), and E. tenella (Et). Twelve-day-old broiler chicks without infection with Eimeria spp. were used in this experiment. On day 12, the chicks in group Ea (n=3), Em (n=3), and Et (n=3) received oral inoculation with 5 × 10 sporulated oocysts of Ea, Em, and Et per 1 mL of tap water, while control chicks were injected with tap water of equal amount. The prepatent period (PP) for Ea, Em, and Et was four, five, and six days, respectively. To evaluate the progress of the coccidiosis, post-mortem analysis method and histopathological evaluation were performed two days after PP of Ea and Et, and three days after PP of Em at two-day intervals on one bird from each group. Intestinal segments (Ea, duodenum and upper intestine; Em, mid intestine; and, Et, cecum) of all chicks were obtained from the autopsied birds. Among pathological changes of coccidiosis, target parts of small intestine and caecal pouches showed mucosal petechiation and white plaques streaks in the duodenum. Histopathological evidence showed upper small intestinal villus preserved with different phases of parasite (zygotes, oocysts, macro- and micro-gametocytes) after infection with Ea in broiler chicks. Zygotes in the lamina propria and fusion of middle small intestinal villi in broilers infected with Em and invasion of the caecal crypt of oocysts and granulomatous inflammation of caecal submucosa in broilers infected with Et were found.

Porcine has been known to have a great impact on the studies of organ transplantation, biomaterial production and specific biomodel development such as transgenic animals. To achieve such therapeutic purposes, establishment of porcine embryonic stem cells (pESCs) will be needed. Especially, in vitro differentiation toward neural cells from pESCs can be a useful tool for the study of early neural development and neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, these cells can also be used in cell replacement therapies and drug development for neuroprotective and/or neurotoxic reagents. Although several studies reported the successful isolation of pES-like cells, it has been a big challenge to determine optimal conditions to generate pESCs without loss of pluripotency for a long time. The present study was performed for generation and characterization of putative pESCs, and differentiation into neurons and astrocytes. In this study, porcine blastocysts were produced by parthenogenetically activated oocytes. The putative pESCs were cultured in pESC growth media supplemented with a growth factor and cytokines (bFGF, LIF and SCF). Subculture of pESCs was conducted by mechanical dissociation using syringe needles after 4-5 days of incubation. As results, six putative pESC lines were maintained over thirty passages. The putative pESCs were compact, round, flat, and single layered, which were similar to human embryonic stem cell morphologically. Six pES-like cells were positive for alkaline phosphatase activity at every three passages. Furthermore, Oct-3/4, Sox-2, Nanog and SSEA-4 were shown to be expressed in those cells. Also, normal karyotypes of pESCs were observed by Giemsa-staining. Differentiation potential into the three germ layers of the putative pESCs was demonstrated by the formation of embryoid bodies (EB). Besides, the study of ESC is very important in aspect of its application to not only the cell-based replacement therapies but also cellular differentiation research. Our results also showed that RA and N2 supplements activated the neural differentiation in pESC5. Neurofilament-l60 were expressed in neural precursor cells. The expression of markers for specific neural lineages, such as Microtubule-associated protein-2 expressed in matured neuron, was also induced from embryonic neural progenitors. In summary, the pESCs were generated from the parthenogenetically activated blastocysts and the typical characteristics of the cells were maintained for the long term culture. Furthermore, it was successful to differentiate the pESCs into various neural lineages through in vitro neurogenesis system. Eventually, pESCs will be excellent biomedicine in incurable and/or zoonotic diseases by regenerating the damaged tissue.

This paper examines the effectiveness of English Teacher Employment Examination (TEE) listening section items by analyzing potential examinees’ mock test scores on the 2009 and 2010 TEEs and their answers to survey questions related to each item. In addition, the relationship between the mock test results and the type or content of the test items is examined. To analyze and interpret the data, descriptive statistics (including means and standard deviations, ANOVA, and PTMEA [point-measure] correlation) are calculated. The findings of this study not only show the common features and differences between the 2009 and 2010 TEEs but also suggest implications to improve the items in terms of five points: item-exposure, point distribution, item discrimination, excessive number of choices, and factors influencing level of difficulty.

The discovery of antibiotics has helped to save the lives of an uncountable number of people. Antibiotics have been grouped in different classes based on their origin, structure, and mechanism of action. An intrinsic and acquired mechanism of antimicrobial resistance has been identified in many bacterial strains that are of high clinical importance. This has seriously jeopardized the use of antibiotics and has also caused the spread of microbes that are resistant to effective first-choice, or “first-line” drugs. Thus, sensible use of antibiotics and the search for effective alternative measures are of high importance in order to minimize the effect due to existing and emerging antimicrobial resistant microbes.