Since there had been the first human outbreak of novel influenza A/H1N1 in Mexico, it has become pandemic throughout the world. In the Republic of Korea, the first human case was on May, 2009 and National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) has started monitoring novel influenza A/H1N1 on domestic swine farms. The first positive case was detected on 14, Dec, 2009 and until now, we have had total 17 positive cases. From the first case, we did epidemiological investigation on introduction and transmission of virus to pigs. We have concluded that virus had been introduced from humans to pigs, possibly from October to November, 2009 in our country. There were direct and indirect factors including the vehicles transporting veterinary medicine, feed, etc. related to transmission of virus from farm to farm. However, breeding pigs seem to be extrinsic to transmitting factors. Upon the epidemiological investigation, the off-limits of visitors to farms and the disinfection is thought to be critical for blocking the introduction and transmission of novel influenza A/H1N1. In addition, collecting and analyzing the genetic informations of influenza virus is important for predicting and handling the new pandemic influenza in the future.

This paper describes an investigation of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Republic of Korea in January 2010. In this paper, we investigated introduction to the index farm from overseas countries, transmission from index farm to other outbreak farms. The introduction factors were divided direct, indirect factors or airborne spread factor. Based on the epidemiological data, clinical information and other data, in these introduction factors, it was likely that outbreak of FMD in index farm was due to international goods or employees from overseas countries (including China). There were other suggested causes in index farm. But it was less likely that outbreak of FMD in index farm have occurred by other causes. The transmission factors from index farm to other farms were also divided direct, indirect factors or airborne spread factor. In these transmission factors it was possible to make assumptions from index farm to other outbreak farms that the FMD virus was transmitted through animal treatment, persons concerned and persons (who were) attended farmers’ assembly.

This study was conducted to develop the unique native local foods of Namwon and to provide basic data needed to reinvigoratethe tourist industry and local economy. Perception and satisfaction with native local foods of Namwon were surveyed in 483 tourists (246 men and 237 women 53% visiting Namwon for the first time). Of the participants, 41.2% did not stay or eat in Namwon. Most tourists visited with other family members and spent approximately 20,000 won per capita on food. Of the foods sampled for the first time, preferred foods were (in order of preference and intention to order again) Chueo-tang, Hanjeongsik, wild edible greens-jeongsik, and black pork. The degree of food satisfaction was relatively favorable (3.54±0.08 points on a 5-point satisfaction scale), with taste being the most important factor affecting the degree of satisfaction for 92.9% of the subjects. However, willingness to revisit Namwon on the basis of the local foods was not as high as the degree of satisfaction with the foods. Insufficient information and publicity concerning Namwon local foods were cited as impediments, and suggested improvements included taste, sanitation and food-based tourism. The degree of satisfaction was higher in men than in women. Age, residence, and occupation were not related to the degree of satisfaction. But, the willingness to revisit Namwon to sample local foods was related with gender (men more willing) and occupation (public service personnel, business owners, salaried employees, professionals, and housewives more willing, in order). Women in general and housewives in particular were most critical in food assessment.

Background : For the green approach of nanoparticles synthesizing, plant based technology has been considered as cost-effective and eco-friendly mass production. The oriental medicinal crop, Kalopanax septemlobus (Thunb.) Koidz. (Korean name: 음나무), the deciduous tree and a family of Araliaceae. Endemic tree of Asian countries, K. septemlobus being used for the treatment of various diseases. Phytochemicals of K. septemlobus such as polyphenols has highly probability of reducing agent for biosynthesizing nanoparticles. Methods and Results : In this study, we applied K. septemlobus ZnO nanoparticles (Ks-ZnO NPs) with procedures including green approach one-pot synthesis. For the characterization of nanoparticles, UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM were used. The formation of ZnO nanoparticles, the aurface plasmon resonance were observed at 372 ㎚ in UV-Vis spectroscopy. The presence of functional groups which as a capping agent and formation of ZnO nanoparticles were confirmed in FTIR result. The crystallization and morphology showed by XRD, TEM and SEM respectively. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles, was determined using Methylene blue (MB) dye degradation under UV irradiation (365 ㎚) which resulted rate constant is (−k) 0.1215 with 97.5% of degradation in 30 min. Conclusion : The result shows that phytochemicals in K. septemlobus extract have a potential as a reducing agent to form ZnO nanoparticles. The ZnO NPs are capable to degrade MB with in brief time.

Background: This study was carried out to determine the best time for collecting ginseng berries without reducing the ginsenoside- Re content of ginseng roots, which are used as food, medicine, or cosmetic materials. Methods and Results: The test variety of ginseng used in this study was is Chunpung, which was collected from a 4-year-old ginseng field. Ginseng berries were collected at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 days after flowering. The number of berry bunches per 1.62㎡ ranged from 43.4 to 61.4, while the weight of berries per 1.62㎡ was the greatest when they were collected 49 days after flowering. The root fresh weight per 1.62㎡ was increased by 0.21 - 1.00 ㎏ compared with that before the test, but root weight gain was decreased as the berry collection time was delayed. Total ginsenoside content of 4-year-old ginseng was the highest when berries were collected 7 days after flowering, while the ginsenoside-Re contents was the highest when collection was done 14 days after flowering. Conclusions: The most suitable period for ginseng berry collection was proposed to be from 14 to 21 days after flowering, as this is when the content of ginsenoside-Re, which is useful as a medicinal or cosmetic material, is still high and the ginseng root has not yet decreased in weight.

Background : Ginseng root rot is a devastating disease caused by the fungus, Ilyonectria mors-panacis that generally attacks younger roots (-2 years), leading to defects in root quality, ginsenoside accumulation and also life cycle of the plant. Hence, there is an indispensable need to develop strategies resulting in tolerance against ginseng root rot. The protective role of silicon during pathogen infestation is well documented in other plant systems and a previous study demonstrated that silica nanoparticles are absorbed and accumulated more than the bulk silica in maize. However, the role of silica in ginseng-root rot pathosystem is unknown. Methods and Results : In the present study, we evaluated the effect of silica nanoparticles (N-SiO2) in Panax ginseng during I. mors-panacis infection. Long term analysis (30 dpi) revealed a striking 50% reduction in disease severity index upon 1 mM and 2 mM treatment of N-SiO2. However, N-SiO2 did not have any direct antifungal activity against I. mors-panacis. Candidate genes and metabolites based approach revealed jasmonic acid (JA) mediated sterol accumulation and incresed ginsenside biosyntesis as the key transcriptional reprogramming events orchestrated by N-SiO2 during the fungal infection. Conclusion : In a nut shell, N-SiO2 administration induces transcriptional reprogramming in ginseng roots, leading to increased phytosterol and ginsenosides synthesis resulting in enhanced tolerance against I. mors-panacis.

Background : Anemarrhena asphodeloides has efficacy such as anti-fungal, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, Anti-UV etc. Metal nanoparticles are used for photo imaging, cancer resection and drug delivery etc in medical field. Therefore A. asphodeloides nanoparticles will be expected better efficacy for therapeutic properties in medical field. Methods and Results : The water extract of A. asphodeloides mediated the synthesis of Aa-AgNPs and Aa-AuNPs. Their characterized by several physicochemical techniques such as UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FE-TEM, EDX spectroscopy, SAED pattern, DLS size analysis, XRD analysis, and FTIR analysis. Both Aa-Ag/AuNPs were evaluated for cytotoxicity towards 3T3-L1, A549, HT29 and MCF7. Aa-AgNPs and Aa-Au NPs were found to be spherical, face-centered cubic nanocrystals with hydrodynamic diameter of 190 and 258 ㎚. In vitro cytotoxic analysis revealed that up to 50 ㎍/㎖-1 concentration Aa-Au NPs did not exhibit any toxicity on 3T3-L1, HT29 and MCF7 cell lines, while being specifically cytotoxic to A549 cell line. On the contrary, Aa-Ag NPs displayed a significantly higher toxicity in all cell lines specially MCF7 cell line. ROS generation was not affected by Aa-Au NPs, but Aa-AgNPs has a higher potential to induce oxidative stress in A549 cells than HT29 and MCF7 cells. Aa-Au NPs have the potential for anticancer agent during lung cancer treatment. Aa-AgNPs is also exhibited to inhibit cell migration by induce oxidatie stress. Conclusion : The Aa-Au/AgNPs might have the anticancer potential and might be effective in the lung cancer therapy, however further evaluation is must needed.

Background : Korean ginseng is an important cash crop in Asian countries. However, plant yield is reduced by pathogens. Among the Ilyonectria radicicola-species complex, I. mors-panacis is responsible for root-rot and replant failure of ginseng in Asia. It is essential to find a way to reveal the existence of the pathogen before starting cultivation. Therefore, qRT-PCR method is developed to detect and quantify the pathogen in ginseng soils. Methods and Results : In this study, species specific Histone H3 primer set is developed for the quantification of I. mors-panacis. The primer set was applied on DNA of other microbes to evaluate its sensitivity and selectivity on I. mors-panacis DNA. Sterilized soil samples artificially infected by the pathogen in different concentrations were used to evaluate the ability of the primer set to detect the pathogen population in the soil DNA. Finally, the pathogen was quantified in many natural soil samples. The designed primer set was found to be sensitive and selective to I. mors-panacis DNA. In artificially infected sterilized soil samples, the estimated template using qRT-PCR was positively correlated with the pathogen concentration in soil samples (R2=0.94), disease severity index (R2=0.99), and colony forming unit (R2=0.87). In the natural soils, the pathogen was recorded in the most of fields produce bad yields with the range of 5.82 ± 2.35 to 892.34 ± 103.70 pg/g of soil. Conclusion : According to the presented results, the proposed primer set is applicable for estimating soils quality before ginseng cultivation. This will help in the disease management and crop protection in the future.

본 연구는 유역의 물이용 취약성을 평가하는 지표 기반 접근법을 개발하고 이를 한강유역의 단위유역에 적용하였다. 평가 지표는 기후뿐만 아니 라 사회 · 경제 · 환경적 측면을 고려하여 총 16개를 선정하였으며, 취약성 정의에 따라 노출, 민감도, 적응능력으로 구성하였다. 이는 다기준 의사 결정기법(Multi-criteria Decision Making, MCDM) 중 TOPSIS (Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution)를 적용 하여 유역에 대한 취약성을 도출하였다. 지표 자료는 2010년을 기준으로 수집하였으며, 국가 통계 자료 및 SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) 모형의 모의 자료를 활용하였다. 또한, 각 지표에 대한 가중치는 전문가 설문조사를 통하여 산정된 주관적 가중치(Subjective weight)와 자 료 기반 엔트로피(Entropy) 개념을 활용하여 산정된 객관적 가중치(Objective weight)로 구분하여 적용하였다. 수도를 포함하고 있는 한강 유역 에 대하여 표준단위유역별 취약성을 평가하고 우선순위 비교 및 순위상관 분석을 실시하였다. 취약한 유역들은 대부분 용수사용량이 많고 상수도 누수율이 높게 나타났다. 가중치 적용 방법에 따른 취약성은 일부 지역에서 차이를 보였으나, 전반적으로 북한강유역의 취약성이 가장 높았다. 본 연 구 결과를 통하여 보다 신뢰도 높은 물이용 취약성 평가를 위해서는 다양한 가중치 방법론을 활용하는 것이 중요함을 확인할 수 있었다.

To investigate the effect of soluble silicate zeolite dressing of the rice against bakanae disease, field trial in reclaimed land and in vitro were carried out. The coated rice seeds (SCS) which were dressed with the mixture of 25% silicic acids (binder), and the zeolite (coating powder). In wet direct seeding, uniform scattering of rice seeds on the soil surface and the better seedling establishment were shown in SCS treatment plots. The incidence of bakanae disease began from the mid tillering stage toward the heading stage. Around heading stage, the ratio of infected tillers reached its highest point by 9.9% in non-SCS treatment plots. While, in SCS treatment plots, the ratio of infected tillers was no more than 0.01%. The vitality of the pathogenic fungi of bakanae disease in the SCS and non-SCS samples were assessed. Samples were incubated for one week keeping proper humidity at 30°C after inoculated with panicles of infected rice plants from experimental field plots. In non-SCS treatment, pinkish colonies were formed on the grain surface of panicle of infected plants, and mycelium, macro-conidia and micro-conidia were developed actively inside part of infected grain inoculated. While in SCS treatment, micro-conidia and mycelium were not survived and the growth of macro-conidia, mycelia were greatly inhibited and withered. Based on the results, it is concluded that the environmental friendly control of bakanae disease by use of SCS is possible and soluble silicate can be applied as agents for replacement of seed disinfection.

최근 수자원 취약성에 대한 논의 및 지속가능한 개발 개념에 적합한 지수 개발이 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 이러한 지수를 바탕으로 현재 또는 미래의 수자원 취약성을 판단하고 진단하고 있다. 본 연구는 자료의 확보가 가능한 World Bank, 취약성-탄력성지수(Vulnerability Resilience Indicator, VRI), 환경지속가능성지수(Environmental Sustainability Index, ESI)에서 사용된 수자원 평가 관련 지표들을 활용하여 우리나라를 포함한 전 세계 152개 국가의 수자원 취약성 순위를 도출했다. 이러한 지표를 바탕으로 수자원 취약성의 정량적 평가를 위해 TOPSIS(Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) 기법을 적용하여 국가 별 수자원 취약성을 지수화하고 취약성 순위를 도출하였다. 연구결과 우리나라는 152개국 중 88위로 나타났고, 대륙 별 비교 시 오세아니아가 취약성이 낮았고, 아프리카는 취약성이 심각한 것으로 나타났다. 주요 국가 비교 시, 미국, 일본, 우리나라, 중국 순으로 취약성의 정도가 심각했다. 따라서 본 연구는 국가 별 수자원 취약성 순위를 통해 우리나라의 상황을 파악하고 국가의 수자원 계획 수립 및 대책을 제시할 수 있는 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.