This study aimed to develop the in vitro method using domestic commercial diets to estimate nutrient digestibility in dogs. The existing in vitro method were tested and compared with literature data to develop new in vitro method. The development of in vitro method progressed as follows: modification of pepsin solution to an activated form and supplementation with 1% lipase. All the in vitro method progressed to 4 hours of stomach simulation and 2 hours of small intestine simulation. In vivo digestibility was measured using the same diets as beagle dogs. The supplementation of lipase methods showed significantly improved (p < 0.05) DM, OM, and EE than the existing and modified pepsin solution methods. The correlation between in vitro and in vivo data in DM, OM, and EE digestibility was high (r2 = 0.889, 0.907, and 0.721, respectively), and the correlation between in vitro and in vivo data in CP and GE digestibility was medium (r2 = 0.681 and 0.536, respectively). The current in vitro method is similar to in vivo digestibility and helps potentially predict digestibility for dogs. In conclusion, this developed in vitro method suggests that it can help estimate the nutrient digestibility of dogs' diets without in vivo experiments.

Pellino, a highly conserved E3 ubiquitin ligase, is known to mediate ubiquitination of phosphorylated Interleukin-1 receptor-related kinase (IRAK) homologs in Toll signaling pathway. To understand the immunological function of TmPellino, we screened the knockdown efficiency of TmPellino by injecting TmPellino-specific dsRNA into T. molitor larvae. Subsequently, we investigated the larval mortality and the tissue-specific expression patterns of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes against microbial challenges. Interestingly, the results indicate that the expression of many AMP genes was upregulated in the Malpighian tubules of TmPellino-silenced T. molitor larvae. This study may provide basic information to understand how Tmpellino regulates AMPs production in T. molitor.

Recently, it is demonstrate that the invertebrates have a immune memory, called Immune priming (IP). It was partially studied that the IP is mainly regulated by epigenetic modification. Here, to understand the IP on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production, we investigated larval mortality and time-dependent expression patterns of AMP genes in T. molitor larvae challenged with E. coli (two-times injection with a one-month interval). Interestingly, the results indicate that the higher and faster expression levels of most AMP genes were detected compared to the non-primed T. molitor larvae. Our results may used to improve the understanding of mechanisms of invertebrate immune memory.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) is known to regulate antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production in mammals. Here, to understand the immunological function of TmTRAF against microbial challenge, the induction patterns of TmTRAF against microbial infection was investigated by qRT-PCR in the whole-body and tissue of young larvae. In addition, the effects of TmTRAF RNAi on larval mortality and expression of 15 AMP genes in response to microbial infection were investigated. Our studies may help to understand the basic role of AMP production.

Tube, an intracellular protein of the Toll-pathway, forms a complex with Pelle and MyD88, and regulates a signal transduction to activate NF-κB in Drosophila. To understand the antimicrobial function of TmTube, the induction patterns of TmTube were investigated at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h-post injection of pathogens into 10th to 12th instar larvae. In addition, we investigated the effects of TmTube RNAi on larval mortality and tissue specific AMP expression in response to microbial challenge. Our results will provide a basic information to elucidate the immunological function of TmTube

Pelle, a serine/threonine kinase, is an intracellular component of the Toll pathway and is involved in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production due to pathogenic infection. It is known that the Pelle phosphorylates Cactus and activates the NF-κB signaling pathway in Drosophila, but it is not studied in Tenebrio molitor. In this study we investigated the tissue-specific expression patterns of the Pelle following pathogenic infection at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours. Additionally, larval mortality and AMP expression against microbial injection were investigated in dsPelle-treated T. molitor larvae. Our results may help to understand the antimicrobial function of TmPelle.

In insects, the glutathione S-transferase is initiated in both the detoxification process and the protection of cellular membranes against oxidative damage. In this study, we identified the open reading frame (ORF) sequence of GST-iso1 and 2 from Tenebrio molitor (TmGST-iso1 and 2). To investigate the expression patterrns of TmGST-iso1 and 2 in response to herbicide, 0.06, 0.6, and 6 ㎍/㎕ of butachlor (FarmHannong, Seoul, South Korea) was challenged into T. molitor larvae, resulting that the TmGST-iso1 were highly induced at 3 and 24 h-post injection. Whereas, the highest expression of TmGST-iso2 was detected at 24 h after treatment. This study may contribute to basic information about the detoxifying activities of T. molitor.

It is well known that the JNK pathway regulates AMP production against pathogenic infection in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Tenebrio molitor hep (Tmhep) is an homolog of MAP kinase kinase in mammals. Here, we investigate the immunological function of Tmhep in responses in microbial infection using RNA interference technology. The results showed that silencing of Tmhep increased the larval mortality against microbial challenge, as well as reduced AMP production compared to the control group (dsEGFP-treated group). Conclusively, Tmhep plays an critical role in antimicrobial defense in T. molitor larvae.

The moth species and bugs are highly polyphagous that feed on a wide range of field and vegetables crops, including soybean in Korea. The monitoring study was conducted in soybean fields in Southern area Miryang from 2021-2023. Commercial funnel and rocket traps housing species-specific baiting with pheromone were used for monitoring of moth species (Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera litura, Agrotis ipsilon, Helicoverpa armigera, Ostrinia furncalis, Spodoptera exigua, and Mythimna separata) and bean bugs (Riptortus pedestris), respectively. The higher number of Spodoptera species (S. litura and S. exigua) were captured in August to September with several seasonal population peaks. The higher number of R. pedestris was captured in July to September. Climatic components were found as critical and influential factors in the population dynamics of moth species and bean bug. The population information of this study can be used to understand the spring emergence along with number of generations, and integrated into management programs of moths and bugs.

Islands often have relatively well-preserved ecosystem and an abundance of bioresources with a high conservation value, with unrecorded species continuing to be reported (Hong, 2011). Approximately 1,000,000 species of insect known worldwide (Costello et al., 2012), and 20,710 species are known in Korea (NIBR, 2023). Among these, there are 6,117 species in Korean islands (HNIBR, 2022). Native insect Bio-scan project for Korean islands is to estimate the number of insect species on Korean islands. We attempted to estimate the number of insect species on Korean islands using Barcode Index Number (BIN), and also found unrecorded species. The samples were collected four times from April to July at five locations in the Amtedo, an island located in Shinan-gun Jeollanam-do. We tried to obtain a minimum of one to usually a maximum of four samples per morphospecies to enable DNA barcoding.

우리나라의 “곤충산업의 육성 및 지원에 관한 법률”은 곤충산업에 대한 직면한 문제 등 다양한 관점에서 다루 고 있다는 점을 시사한다. 이는 곤충에 대한 연구를 인간과 함께 할 수 있는 식용화, 약리활성 접근법을 통해 변화 를 가져야 한다는 것을 의미하기도 한다. 최근의 시사점은 곤충을 식용화하여 곤충산업을 활성화 하는 것이 최우 선 과제로 이 역시 곤충에 대한 혐오가 가장 큰 문제였다. 예를 들면, 곤충은 생리활성물질을 포함하고 있어 기능성 식품으로 개발되었지만 곤충에 대한 인식전환의 문제점을 내포하고 있다. 곤충을 활용할 때 가장 큰 장점은 유기 성 폐자원을 분해할 수 있기 때문에 우수한 곤충자원을 확보하는 하는 것이 우리의 연구에서 매우 중요하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 대표적인 곤충인 굼벵이 유충을 성장단계에 따라 유기성 폐자원을 분해할 수 있는지를 평가했다. 우리의 연구에서 굼벵이 유충은환경정화곤충으로서의 가치는 감소가 되었다. 또한 이 결과는 곤충농 가의 활용 측면에서 기초적 정보를 제공하는데 있다.

Laurencia is a red algal genus that was described by J.V. Lamouroux in 1813. The main characteristics of this genus have been known as the presence of four pericentral cells in an axial segment, secondary pit connections between adjacent epidermal cells, and the presence of corps en cerise in both epidermal and trichoblast cells. Additionally, the tetrasporangia are arranged in a parallel manner, and male branches feature terminal cup-shaped spermatangial pits. Currently, sixteen Korean Laurencia species have been reported based on their morphological characteristics. In this study, Laurencia decussata and L. pacifica have been added as new records to the Korean algal flora based on a combination of morphological observations and molecular analyses of rbcL sequences. Laurencia decussata has expanded from Australia and New Zealand to Korea, while the distribution of L. pacifica has expanded from USA and Mexico to Korea.

The morphological features of germling cells were examined to identify an unspecified resting cyst (described as Cochlodinium cf. polykrikoides-like resting cyst) in the Korean coastal area. LSU rRNA gene sequences were also obtained from a strain established from the germling cells. The resting cysts isolated from Korean coastal sediment were characterized as being brown in color, having a large dark-red body, and fibrous lobed ornaments. The germling cells were ellipsoidal with an irregular outline and had an open comma-shaped ASC (apical structure complex), a wide and deep cingulum, and a deep sulcus. These morphological features were consistent with those of previously described harmful dinoflagellate Pseudocochlodinium profundisulcus. The molecular phylogeny revealed that the germling cells and P. profundisulcus were conspecific. Based on these morphological and phylogenetic data, this study documents the occurrence of P. profundisulcus in a Korean coastal area for the first time.

At the end of 2022 there were 439 nuclear power reactors in operating around the world, including 25 nuclear power reactors of Korea. Domestic nuclear power plants (NPPs) continuously produce low and intermediate-level radioactive waste (LILW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF). As amount of radioactive waste is increasing and interim storage facilities meet limitation of their capacity, radioactive waste need to be transported. Consequently, the demand for radioactive waste transportation is increasing and the importance of Radiation Risk Assessment Codes (RRACs) for radioactive waste transportation is also on the rise. Considering the domestic situation where all NPPs are located on seaside, the radioactive waste transportation by ship is inevitable and the its risk assessment is very important for safety. Although various researches on radioactive waste transportation risk assessment is being actively conducted, research on domestic radioactive waste maritime transportation is insufficient. In this study, MARINRAD and KM-RAD were used to review on the radioactive waste transportation risk assessment. The result of reviewing shows that MARINRAD used SNF as transporting radioactive materials and ‘SAND87-7067 (1987)’ as nuclide database, whereas KMRAD used LILW and ‘IAEA Technical Report Series-422 (2004)’. To complement these limitations, we present an modernized integrated database by updating data and covering the radioactive materials from LILW to SNF. These results are expected to contribute to the development of RRACs for domestic radioactive waste maritime transportation.

In the case of nuclear projects, when developing a new reactor type, it is necessary to confirm the reactor type, secure the safety, and especially obtain the construction permit approval of the licensing authority for construction. Schedule management is necessary to carry out nuclear projects, and progress rate management of project progress management is largely composed of three elements: scope management, cost management, and resource management. However, in the case of the small modular reactor (SMR) project currently being carried out, it is difficult to calculate the progress rate including budget and resources due to the nature of the project. Therefore, in the SMR project, it took two years from the beginning to prepare the integrated project master schedule (IPMS) to prepare the draft, and then two revisions were made over a year and a half. In this SMR project, we will consider the entire construction period such as design, purchase and production, construction, commissioning, and operation in terms of scope management. The entire document list was created using the document review and approval sheet created at the beginning of the design. In the PMIS (Project Management Information System), the number of approved documents was calculated by comparing the list of engineering documents. In the purchase production part, the main core equipment such as the primary system nuclear steam supply system (NSSS), the secondary system turbine and condenser, and the man machine interface system (MMIS) are managed. Purchasing and manufacturing management shall be managed so that major equipment can be delivered in a timely manner in accordance with the schedule for delivery of equipment in the IPMS. In order to prevent delays in the start of production, it is necessary to minimize the waiting time for work through advance management tasks such as insurance of drawing, stocking of materials, availability of production facilities, etc. In this way, we decided to carry out the schedule management for the design, purchase and manufacturing part in the SMR project first, and the installation, construction and commissioning part will be prepared for the future schedule management.