This study evaluated a potential sterilization process that uses calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)2) as a disinfectant and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a neutralizing agent for monoculture processes of microalgae (Nannochloropsis oculata). The results showed that no contaminants (prokaryote) were present when the Ca(ClO)2 concentration was greater than 0.010%. The use of an equivalent amount of H2O2 completely neutralized Ca(ClO)2 and had an additional bactericidal effect because of the formation of singlet oxygen. No substantial difference was observed in the biomass accumulation and chlorophyll contents compared to those in cultures sterilized using conventional physical methods such as autoclaving. Therefore, chemical sterilization using Ca(ClO)2 and H2O2 has an excellent economic advantage, and we expect the proposed ecofriendly chemical sterilization method to become a critical culture technology for microalgae-related industrialization.

본 연구에서는 국내 및 국제 화훼장식 자격증 취득 여부에 따른 화훼장식 자격증에 대한 인식을 알아보고 국내 화훼장식 자격증의 활용방안을 모색하고자 화훼장식 자격증 취득자 100명과 미취득자(일반인) 210명, 총 310명을 대상으로 설문을 진행하였다. 화훼장식 자격증 선호도 조사에서는 화훼장식기사(3.27)와 화훼장식기능사(3.13)에 대한 선호도가 가장 높았으며, 자격증 선호 이유로는 자격증이 주는 자신감(3.56)과 다양한 실무에서의 활용(3.43)이 가장 큰 이유로 나타났다. 반면, 자격증 취득 여부와 상관없이 국내 화훼장식 민간자격증 에 대한 선호도는 가장 낮았으며, 특히 자격증 취득자의 선호도가 미취득자에 비해 더 낮았다. 화훼장식 자격증 취득자가 보유하고 있는 자격증에 대한 만족도는 국제 화훼장식 자격증 (3.70)이 국내 화훼장식 자격증(3.03)보다 높았으며, 특히 미국 화훼장식 민간자격증(4.03)에 대한 만족도가 가장 높았다. 반면, 국내 화훼장식 민간자격증 보유자는 많았으나 본 자격 증 만족도는 보통 이하로 낮은 수준이었다. 자격증 취득의 만족 이유로는 해당 자격증이 능력개발 및 전문성에 도움을 주며(3.61), 자격증이 주는 신뢰도(3.45), 실무에 도움(3.41)을 제공하기 때문에 만족하는 것으로 나타났다. 화훼장식 자격증 별 신뢰도에서는 자격증 취득 여부와 상관없이 국내 화훼장식 민간자격증(2.80)을 제외한 모든 자격증을 신뢰하는 것으로 나타났으며, 특히 국내 화훼장식기사(3.44)는 유럽, 일본과 한국의 민간자격증에 비해 신뢰도가 높은 것으로 나타났다. 국내 화훼장식 자격증의 발전 방향을 살펴본 결과, 자격증 취득 여부와 상관없이 취업과 실무와의 연계, 실기 심사에 대한 공정성, 시험 및 평가방식의 강화 등이 자격증 발전에 필요한 요인으로 인식하고 있었다. 또한, 자격증 취득 시험 출제 기준 및 자격증 취득 후 국가적 복지혜택에 대한 보완이 바람직한 화훼 장식 자격증 제도의 정착을 위해 필요한 사항으로 나타났다.

Here, we investigated antioxidant defense mechanism in the spermatheca of A. mellifera queens via RNA-seq analysis of spermathecae in both mated and virgin queens. We identified the genes encoding antioxidant proteins, which were differentially expressed in the spermatheca of mated queens. The concentrations of antioxidant proteins, such as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GTPX), and transferrin (Tf) together with the levels of ROS, H2O2, and iron were higher in the spermathecal fluid of mated queens as opposed to those in the spermathecal fluid of virgin queens; this indicated that increase in antioxidant protein concentration is an antioxidant defense mechanism occurring in the spermathecal fluid of mated queens against ROS; this mechanism involves conversion of ROS using antioxidant enzymes and Tf-mediated inhibition of the Fenton reaction occurring between Fe2+ and H2O2. Our data indicate that an increased expression of antioxidant proteins could facilitate prolonged storage and survival of sperms in the spermatheca of mated queens, suggesting the role of antioxidant proteins in antioxidative defense against ROS.

Bumblebee, Bombus ardens ardens (Apidae: Hymenopera), is an important resource for pollination that is most widely distributed in Korea. This study utilized microsatellite markers for investigation of genetic diversity and geographic relevance of the B. a. ardens populations in Korea. Through Next Generation Sequencing analysis, we identified 10 microsatellite markers and genotyped for 107 individuals of B. ardens collected from 10 populations. At each locus the number of alleles ranged from 10 to 23; the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.8909 to 1.0000 and 0.6641 to 0.8422, respectively; and inbreeding coefficient(FIS) ranged from –0.5053 to –0.0891. Significant deviation from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was not observed at any locus. Population structure analysis indicated that there are three genetic groups in Korea with each Jeongseon and Ulleung-do composed of different gene pool from the remaining other populations. Similarly, Principal coordinates analysis also showed the same pattern. FST and RST analyses showed that each Jeongseon and Ulleung-do population had a significant genetic distance from other populations. Considering these results, genetic isolation of Ulleung-do may be explained by “Oceanic island” status and Jeongseon, which showed the positive FIS (0.069) and genetic isolation may be caused by its location on the east side of Baekdudaegan and by on-going inbreeding with a small population size.

Honeybee (Apis mellifera) egg-yolk protein vitellogenin (Vg) plays roles in immunity, antioxidation, and life span beyond reproduction, but it also acts as an allergen Api m 12 in venom. Here we established antimicrobial and antioxidant roles of honeybee Vg in the body and venom. Using the cDNA encoding Vg identified from Asiatic honeybee (A. cerana) workers, recombinant A. cerana Vg (AcVg) protein of approximately 180 kDa was produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells. In A. cerana worker bees, AcVg was expressed in the fat body and venom gland and was present in the secreted venom. AcVg induced structural damage in microbial cell walls via binding to microbial surfaces and exhibited antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. AcVg protected mammalian and insect cells against oxidative damage through direct shielding of cell membranes. Interestingly, AcVg exhibited DNA protection activity against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the transcript level of AcVg was upregulated in the fat body, but not in the venom gland, of worker bees with antimicrobial peptides and antioxidant enzymes in response to microbial infection and oxidative stress. Our data indicate that AcVg is involved in innate immunity upon infection and in a defense system against ROS, supporting a crucial role of honeybee Vg as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent in the body and venom.

노로바이러스는 전세계적으로 모든 연령에게 급성 장염을 일으키는 주요 원인체이다. 본 연구는 국내 식품업계의 식품종사자를 대상으로 무증상 노로바이러스 감염의 유행성을 조사하였다. 2,729명의 식품종사자에서 29명 (1.06%)이 무증상 노로바이러스로 확인되었고 이 중 5명 (17.24%)은 노로바이러스 GI 양성이었고 24명(82.76%)은 노로바이러스 GII 양성이었다. 특히 유전자 염기서열 분석과 계통 분석에서 GII-4 유전자형이 가장 유행성이 높은 것으로 나타났으며 많은 수의 무증상 식품종사자는 노로바이러스 GII-4 에 감염되어있었다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 무증상 식품종사자가 노로바이러스 감염에 잠재적인 전파 원인일 가능성이 있음을 보여준다. 또한 이러한 결과는 노로바이러스 예방에 대한 식품업체의 교육의 필요성을 강조한다. 무증상 노로바이러스 감염에 더 많은 주 의를 기울여야 할 것이다.

The nesting behavior, reproduction, fruit set and shape of O. cornifrons varied significantly with the released sex ratio of O. cornifrons. A female : male sex ratio of 1 : 2 was resulted in a 3.4 to 6.7 fold higher than other sex ratio in a nesting behavior. A ratio of 1 : 2 resulted in a 1.2-fold nesting rate, which was slightly higher than other nesting rates. Releasing only males resulted in a 2.4-fold greater amount of fruit set in non-pollinated sites. A sex ratio of 1 : 2 gave a slightly higher shape index and a 1.2 to 1.6-fold lower asymmetric index than other sex ratios. There was no significant difference between female release numbers in fruit set, and 100 to 200 females gave a slightly higher shape index than 400 females. Thus, we determined that 200 females should be released per 2,000㎡ and that the sex ratio of females to males should be 1 : 2.

We investigated pollination and foraging activities of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and bumblebee (Bombus terrestris L.) during flowering season of the asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia N.) under different weather conditions. There was no significant statistical difference about the pollination activities of two species. However, the pollination activities of bumblebee were more active than those of honeybee under low temperature and rainfall period. The activities of honeybee and bumblebee were more influenced by temperature than other factors (i.e. illumination and wind velocity). Honeybee was more sensitive to temperature and illumination than bumblebee. At low temperatures (<20℃) on cloudy days (<30,000 lux) with a certain wind velocity (>4.0 m/s), the pollination activity of the honeybee was lower twice than that of bumblebee.

The honeybee inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK) peptide acts as an antifungal peptide and insecticidal venom toxin. However, the ICK peptide from bumblebees has not been characterized. Here, we report the molecular cloning and antifungal activity of a bumblebee (Bombus ignitus) ICK peptide (BiICK). We identified a BiICK that contains an ICK fold. The BiICK was expressed in the epidermis, fat body, and venom gland of B. ignitus worker bees. A 6.7-kDa recombinant BiICK peptide was expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. Recombinant BiICK peptides directly bound to Beauveria bassiana, Ascosphaera apis, and Fusarium graminearum, but they did not bind to Escherichia coli, Paenibacillus larvae, or Bacillus thuringiensis. Consistent with this finding, BiICK exhibited antifungal activity against fungi. These results demonstrate that BiICK acts as an antifungal peptide.

The present study aimed to figure out current situation and consumer perception on the advertising of functional climbing wear in Korea. Advertising is about showing consumers how products meet their needs. In case of functional clothing, the most basic need of consumer should be a functional need (Lee, 2014;Shimp, 2010). However, research on advertisement of functional clothing, especially focused on the functional information, has not carried out in Korea. Recently research by Liu and Yoo (2014) investigated changing patterns of magazine advertising of functional climbing wear from 2008 to 2013. It is found that advertisements of professional climbing wear had been changed like fashion apparel ads in terms of functional information, celebrity model dependence, and appeal type (Liu&Yoo,2014). On 2013, over 70% of functional climbing wear ads did not provide any functional information and percentage of celebrity model dependence was dramatically increased from 1.48%to35.30%. In this study, 388 adults in their 20-50’s were surveyed in order to figure out general satisfaction on advertisements of functional climbing wear. The survey consisted of eight questions including satisfaction with reliability, communicability, type of expression, model, and contents of functional climbing wear advertisement. For analysis of characteristics of respondents, years of climbing experience, frequency of climbing, average expenses per single purchase, and frequently exposed advertising media types were asked as well as demographic characteristics. Most of respondents (83.85%) were in their 30-50’s and had 3-5 years climbing experience (29.50%).Frequency of climbing was ‘once every two months’ (35.70%) and ‘1~2 times every month’ (25.26%), and the most frequent average expenses per single purchase was ‘100~300 thousand won’ (65.25%). Frequently exposed advertising media types were TV commercials (33.60%), magazine (23.10%), and internet (9.50%). Purchase frequency was ‘once every two tears’ (31.14%), ‘3~4 times in a year’ (29.11%), ‘1~2 times in a year’ (25.06%). Results showed respondents want ‘more precise information for better understanding of performance of functional climbing wears’ (4.22point out of 5.00). Significant differences in ‘advertisement of functional climbing wear is reliable’ were observed across age and gender; male rather than female group and ages 30 are than other age groups showed higher average value. Age 40’s significantly more wanted to be informed precise information via advertisement and preferred celebrity model than other age groups. Overall, ages 20-30’s were more satisfied with the advertisement of functional climbing wear than age 50’s. The results from this study could provide practical insights to establish guidelines for providing product information in the functional clothing industry.

The purpose of this study is to develop a growth prediction model that can predict growth and development information influencing the production of citrus fruits: the growth model algorithm that can predict floral leaf ratio, number of fruit sets, fruit width, and overweight depending on the main period of growth and development with consideration of the applied weather factors. Every year, large scale of manpower was mobilized to investigate the production of outdoor-grown citrus fruits, but it was limited to recycling the data without an observation supporting system to systemize the database. This study intends to create a systematical database based on the basic data obtained through the observation supporting system in application of an algorithm according to the accumulated long term data and prepare a base for its continuous improvement and development. The importance of the observed data is increasingly recognized every year, and the citrus fruit observation supporting system is important for utilizing an effective policy and decision making according to various applications and analysis results through an interconnection and an integration of the investigated statistical data. The citrus fruit is a representative crop having a great ripple effect in Jeju agriculture. An early prediction of the growth and development information influencing the production of citrus fruits may be helpful for decision making in supply and demand control of agricultural products.

Artificial insemination is a technique to transfer instrumentally sperm from the male into the female’s reproductive system. A key factor among artificial insemination techniques is gathering sperms. Here, a method for collecting sperm of bumblebee male by pressing was firstly developed. This method has stage of separating reprodutive tract of male, separating accessory testis, separating vas deferens, pressing vas deferens with cover-glass and collecting sperm with syringe. The developed method was 2.8 fold higher in rate of collecting sperm than that of existing method. Among 1M NaCl-, Insect ringer solution-, Phosphate buffered saline(PBS)-collecting sperm solutions, PBS was exhibited the best result as 17.2 sperms/cell, which corresponded to 1.6-1.8 fold increased over the result of other collecting sperm solution. Consequently, we think that this method is very important technique to save time for collecting sperm, to keep activity of sperm and to reduce contamination of sperm.

Porcine parvovirus (PPV), a member of the genus Parvovirus, family Parvoviridae, is a significant causative agent in porcine reproductive failure, causing serious economic losses in the swine industry. PPV is a non-enveloped virus and its capsid is assembled from three viral proteins (VP1, VP2, and VP3). The major capsid protein, VP2 is the main target for neutralizing antibodies in PPV. When VP2 was expressed in large amounts, it assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) similar in size and morphology to the original virions. In this study, we generated the recombinant Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) to express the VP2 protein. Expression of the VP2 protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The recombinant VP2 protein of approximately 64 kDa was detected by both analyses. The formation of VLP by recombinant VP2 was confirmed through transmission electron microscopy examination. The purified VP2 protein assembled into spherical particles with diameters ranging from 20 to 22 nm.