Lacticin NK34 is a small nisin-like bacteriocin present in the supernatants of an isolate of Lactococcus lactis from jeotgal, a salted and fermented Korean food made with seafood such as shrimp, oysters, and fish. Recently, we demonstrated that a partially purified NK34 is highly effective against various Staphylococcus species in a murine infection model. In this study, the two major bacterial pathogens associated with bovine mastitis, Streptococcus aureus and S. agalactiae, were evaluated for their susceptibility to NK34 in vitro using a standard teat-dip assay as well as in vivo using mastitic cows infected with one of these pathogenic strains. The experimental analyses showed a significant decrease (up to 98 times) in the bacterial numbers between the NK34-treated and -untreated teats. Moreover, a dramatic reduction in somatic cell counts was observed at 3 days post-treatment with 10 ml of NK34 administered directly into the mastitic cows. Neither S. aureus nor S. agalactiae were recovered. Taken together, these results imply that lacticin NK34 is an alternative antimicrobial substitute for the treatment of bovine mastitis, caused especially by either S. aureus or S. agalactiae.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging disease, causing high fever, thromobocytopenia, leukopenia, gastrointestinal simptoms (vomiting, diarrhea), hemorrhage and multiorgan dysfunction. It was known that Haemaphysalis longicornis (H. longicornis), a major tick in Korea, is the principal vector for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). Firstly, to investigate the existence and prevalence of SFTSV in the country, we collected the ticks in 9 provinces in South Korea and detected SFTSV from H. longicornis ticks from 2011 to 2012. And we also investigated SFTSV infection in ticks collected from healthy humans without SFTS symptom and their residential areas. From the former study, we collected 13,053 ticks, and H. longicornis (90.8%, 11,856/13,053) was the most abundant among them. The minimum infection rate (MIR) of SFTSV in H. longicornis was 0.5% (59 pools). From the later study, totally 422 ticks of 8 species were collected from humans and at their neighborhood throughout the nation from May to October, 2013 and SFTSVs were detected from 12 pools (5.7% MIR) by RT-PCR. Finally, we diagnosed 35 patients by detecting SFTSV gene with their sera, and isolated 26 SFTSVs among them in 2013. These findings indicate that SFTSVs are prevalent and SFTS is probably endemic in Korea.

A 7-year-old spayed female English Cocker Spaniel dog presented with polyuria (PU), polydipsia (PD), intermittent vomiting, and weight loss. Physical examination revealed pale, tacky mucous membranes and severe emaciation. Hematological and biochemical examinations revealed moderate normocytic normochromic non-regenerative anemia and moderate azotemia. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated bilaterally small lumpy-bumpy kidneys with hyperechoic parenchyma as well as loss of renal corticomedullary junction. Based on clinical history and examinations, the dog was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The dog was treated with supportive care including fluid therapy, phosphate-binding agent, and histamine H2-receptor antagonist. Darbepoetin Alfa was administered to control renal secondary non-regenerative anemia. Prescribed diet with low-protein and low-phosphorus was fed to alleviate CKD signs. Further, dietary probiotics were supplemented. This case demonstrates that oral probiotic supplementation helped reduce blood urea-nitrogen (BUN) levels. This case indicates that dietary probiotics can be a potential alternative therapeutic agent for management of renal failure

The purpose of this study to identified the effect of muscle strengthening of ankle joints on postural sway. The subjects of this study were 29 healthy adults aged between 20 and 30 years(male 18, female 11). All subjects received ankle muscle strengthening exercise for 3 times, 3 sessions, 30 minutes per week over 4weeks period. The measured item of muscle strength, postural sway. Data collected from all subjects the result were as follows. The ankle strength showed significant increase(p<.05). One leg stand test with eye close increase in static balance(p<.05), left-right sway distance and anterior-posterior sway distance with eye open and close in static balance(p<.05). The result findings show that strength of the ankle joint muscles is a factor which affects postural sway and the ankle joints are important in static balance.

We are currently developing the smart mosquito counter device (height 1080mm × width 560mm × diameter 320mm, 220V 60Hz 30W), which can attract the blood sucking female mosquitoes by emitting CO2 gas (300ml/min), can count the number of the captured mosquitoes by an infra-red beam area sensor, and can send the captured mosquitoes’ number through the CDMA module at real time. We operated the 8 – 16 devices with mosquito sensor networks and a server at the Youngdeungpo-gu areas in Seoul city of south Korea for three years (2011-2013) and we could efficiently control mosquitoes at the high mosquito density area based on the mosquito sensor’s data. We found that the accuracy of the device was about over 93% compared the real mosquito data and transmitted data by CDMA. We also found the water reservoir areas to control floods in Seoul metro city had relatively higher mosquito density than other normal areas, because those flat water areas were preferred by mosquitoes. Because our pest control office knew the mosquito occurrence peak times and areas from mosquito data transmitted by the mosquito sensor devices, we efficiently controlled mosquito larva and adults at the right time. We could accomplish very systematic mosquito control policy and we had the high credibility with the results. Based on the mosquito occurrence data, we selectively and scientifically controlled mosquitoes. Therefore, we reduced pesticide usage and saved annually pesticide expenses up to 2/3. Conclusively, if there is no mosquito, we don’t have to control mosquitoes.

A surveillance of chigger mites was conducted to clarify the incidence of scrub typhus vectors by new chigger mite collecting traps instead of trapping wild rodents for surveillance from each 4 collection points of 5 regions from September to November 2012 in Korea. During the surveillance period, 2,829 chiggers were collected and 10 species of 4 genera were identified. The first appearance of chigger mite and patients was 39 week (9.19~9.25) and the density of chigger mites had the peak in 43 week (10.17~10.23) and the density of patients had the peak in 44 week (10.24~10.30), respectively. In Goryeong-gun, a total of 1,797 mites representing 4 genera and 6 species were collected and the predominant species were Leptotrombidium scutellare (86.0%), L. pallidum (6.5%) and L. palpale (4.7%) whereas, In Gurye-gun, a total of 89 mites representing 2 genera and 3 species were collected and the predominant species were L. scutellare (46.5%) and L. palpale (36.2%) in similar to the natural environment. The high collecting rates were recorded at rice field (71.8%) and waterway (11.6%). This result shows that the surveillance of scrub typhus vectors by new chigger mite collecting trap is useful as an eco-friendly method.

We investigated the prevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia- syndrome virus (SFTSV) and geographical distribution of ixodid ticks from 25 regions of the Korea during 2011-2012. We collected 25,940 ixodid ticks with 3 genera and 7 species using dry ice bait trap and flagging. Among them, Genus Haemaphysalis, Ixodes and Amblyomma counted 25,821 (99.5%), 118 (0.5%) and 1 (<0.0%). Genus Haemaphysalis consisted of 4 species, H. longicornis (90.4%), H. flava (9.2%), H. formosensis and H. hystricis (<0.1%). Genus Ixodes consisted of 2 species, I. nippoenesis (0.4%) and I. persulcatus (0.1%). Only one Amblyomma testudinarium was collected. The highly infested sites were grassland (50.1%) and mixed stand forest (20.3%). Minimum infection rate (MIR) of SFTSV in H. longicornis was 0.5% in Korea and this rate was similar to that in China (0.46%). Our results showed that H. longicornis is a major vector of SFTSV and its surveillance will be needed at high risk area.

Mushroom production by automatic bottle culture system was introduced into China in 1999 and developed rapidly in recent ten years. According to the statistics of Chinese Mushroom Society, about 652 facilities of automatic mechanized bottle system were in 2011. The annual rate of increase of facility is expected to exceed 47%. The gross production by automatic bottle culture system was 990,000 tons in 2011. Beijing Hengdaxing Edible Mushroom Co., Ltd established in 2007 in Tongzhou district, Beijing is a company producing Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae with annual production of 1,000 tons. The company has finished the technical reformation and expansion. Its designed production capacity is 6.5 tons per day and 2,000 tons per year. Beijing Fuqin Edible Mushroom Science & Technology Co., Ltd is an industrial production company of Flammulina velutipes. It was established in 2007. Its production capacity is 20 tons per day and 7,000 tons per year.

Foraging preference in prey size and type is influenced by a variety of factors including energy requirements, season-dependent food availability, and social context (e.g. competition and predation risk). The oriental stork (Ciconia boyciana) is known as a wetland forager that inhabits human-managed wetlands such as paddy fields while breeding. However, it became an internationally endangered species. Information on its foraging preference is anticipated to play an important role in maintaining storks in captivity with a variety of food types as well as managing the food availability in foraging habitats of reintroduction sites. Specifically, the present study investigated the patterns of foraging preference of the subject in captivity as a partial study of the prerelease training and habitat management programs prior to reintroduction. The observations of foraging behavior of breeding adult storks included foraging preference in prey size (i.e. small, less than 6 cm, vs. large, larger than 6 cm, mudfish) during the incubation and nestling periods (March to April of 2009~2010) and prey type (i.e. mudfish, Misgurnus spp., crickets, Gryllus spp., and earthworms, Lumbricus spp.) during the postnesting period (October of 2009~2010). Our results indicated that storks in captivity not only preferred large to small mudfish independent of breeding stage but also preferred mudfish to crickets and earthworms. To our knowledge, captive storks did not appear to be constrained by providing offspring with various mudfish size and were likely dependent on mudfish, suggesting that a mudfish population in paddy fields should be monitored and managed for the main food resource for breeding storks prior to reintroduction.

This purpose of this study was to analyze the nutritional composition about Auricularia spp., which has been used to Auricularia auricula-judae(black and brown) and Auricularia polytricha. First, the contents of total polyphenol and beta-glucan were analyzed. Subsequently, the contents of free sugars, amino acids and organic acids were analyzed by HPLC. In addition, the content of vitamin D from these strains was also measured and the D3 of this vitamin D was anlyzed. In conclusion, Auricularia spp. showed evident differences in the nutritional composition.

Public concern has recently increased over the potential risk of toxic elements emitted from anthropogenic sources. Among these, mercury has drawn special attention owing to its increasing level of bioaccumulation in the environment and in the food chain, with potential risks for human health. This paper presents an overview of research related to mercury control technology and identifies areas requiring additional research and development. It critically reviews measured mercury emissions progress in the development of promising control technologies, including catalytic oxidation, sorbent injection, photochemistry oxidation, and air pollution control devices.

The scope of this work investigates the relationship between the amount of oxygen-functional groups and hydrogen adsorption capacity with different concentrations of phosphoric acid. The amount of oxygen-functional groups of activated carbons (ACs) is characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effects of chemical treatments on the pore structures of ACs are investigated by N2/77 K adsorption isotherms. The hydrogen adsorption capacity is measured by H2 isothermal adsorption at 298 K and 100 bar. In the results, the specific surface area and pore volume slightly decreased with the chemical treatments due to the pore collapsing behaviors, but the hydrogen storage capacity was increased by the oxygen-functional group characteristics of AC surfaces, resulting from enhanced electron acceptor-donor interaction at interfaces.

We prepared the amine epoxy adducts (AEA)/thin multiwalled carbon nanotubes (TWCNTs) composite particles using nonsolvent based methods including dry mechano-chemical bonding(MCB) process and supercritical fluid (SCF) process. The resulting TWCNTs/AEA composite particles have been used as curing agents for urethane modified bispheol A type epoxy resin. The thermal, thermomechanical properties of the epoxy resins cured with TWCNTs/AEA composite particles were measured by DMA and the dispersion of CNT was characterized by SEM. Because of high degree of CNT dispersion, thermal and mechanical properties of the epoxy resin cured with TWCNTs/AEA composite particles prepared by SCF process are better than those cured with mechano-chemically prepared TWCNTs/AEA composite particles.