The silkworm (Bombyx mori), as an industrial insect, possesses a high economic value. Casual discrimination and accumulated genetic information of silkworm varieties are essential ground for the practical utilization and long-term conservation. In this study, nine available microsatellite loci were successfully genotyped from ~50 silkworm strains preserved in Korea. According to genotyping analysis, we obtained 3 ~ 16 alleles per locus, with an average of 7.4, the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.04 to 0.98, and the polymorphic information content (PIC) ranging from 0.06 to 0.88, revealing that some loci are highly variable. Among 54 strains 13 strains were casually identified by the presence of 17 strain-specific apomorphic alleles. Furthermore, 30 among remaining strains contained strain-specific allele combinations that are also apomorphic to each strain, allowing us to discriminate each of these from other strains by genotyping of multiple loci. These results collectively suggest that the silkworm microsatellite DNA is actually and potentially important molecular marker for the discrimination of the silkworm strains that are preserved as hundreds in Korea, as more loci are genotyped.

We have determined the complete mitochondrial genome of the yellow-spotted long horned beetle, Psacothea hilaris (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an endangered insect species in Korea. The 15,856-bp long P. hilaris mitogenome harbors gene content typical of the animal mitogenome and a gene arrangement identical to the most common type found in insect mitogenomes. As with all other sequenced coleopteran species, the 5-bp long TAGTA motif was also detected in the intergenic space sequence located between tRNASer (UCN) and ND1 of P. hilaris. The 1,190-bp long non-coding A+T-rich region harbors an unusual series of seven identical repeat sequences of 57-bp in length and several stretches of sequences with the potential to form stem-and-loop structures. Furthermore, it contains one tRNAArg-like sequence and one tRNALys-likes equence. Phylogenetic analysis among available coleopteran mitogenomes using the concatenated amino acid sequences of PCGs appear to support the sister group relationship of the suborder Polyphaga to all remaining suborders, including Adephaga, Myxophaga, and Archostemata. Among the two available infraorders in Polyphaga, a monophyletic Cucujiformia was confirmed, with the placement of Cleroidea as the basal lineage for Cucujiformia. On the other hand, the infraorder Elateriformia was not identified as monophyletic, thereby indicating that Scirtoidea and Buprestoidea are the basal lineages for Cucujiformia and the remaining Elateriformia.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of administration of Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on semen collection training and semen characteristics in sexually inexperienced boars. Boars were moved individually to a semen collection pen and were trained to mount dummy sow. During the first and second semen collection secessions, 4 out of 17 boars and 4 out of remaining 13 boars allowed collection of semen. The 9 boars that failed semen collection from first 2 attempts received immediately 15 mg of PGF2α i.m. (intramuscular injection) upon entering the collection pen for semen collection resulted in successful semen collection from all 9 boars. Total numbers of spermatozoa were higher in PGF2α treated boars but there was no significant difference in % motility kinematics characteristics between control and PGF2α treated groups during 72 hr period. Overall, administration of PGF2α in sexually inexperienced boars increased the sex drive and facilitated the mounting activity to the dummy sow for semen collection.

국내 경수로원전 1차 냉각재와 중저준위 방사성폐기물 내 핵종방사능비에 대한 유관성을 검토하고자 특수하게 제작된 RCS sampling kit를 이용하여 원전 정상운전기간 동안 핵종을 포집하였다. 시료채취는 경수로형 전 원자력 발전소를 대상으로 2004년과 2005년에 걸쳐 시료를 채취하였고, 방사화학적 방법인 시료 전처리 및 핵종분리를 통하여 핵종 방사능을 분석하였다. RCS sampling kit 내 필터와 수지에서 분석된 핵종 방사능비는 각각 2.32-2와 7.3E-1을 보였으며, 동일주기 내 발생된 중 저준위 방사성폐기물인 농축폐액, 폐수지, 잡고체시료 내 핵종 방사능비는 각각 6.3E-1, 6.7E-1 및 5.7E-2로 시료유형 에 따라 1차 냉각재와 유사성을 갖는 것으로 확인하였다.

염산매질에서 산화/환원제를 사용하여 Pu 산화수를 조절한 후, UV-Visible-Near IR 분광기를 이용하여 Pu(III, IV, V, VI) 산화수에 대한 흡수스펙트럼을 측정하여 그 분광학적 특성을 고찰하였다. Pu(III)으로 조절하기 위하여 환원제인 HCl를 사용하였으며, Pu(IV)와 Pu(VI)로 조절하기 위하여 산화제인 및 를 각각 사용하였다. 또한 Pu(VI)로 조절된 용액에 환원제인 HCl를 사용하여 Pu(V)로 조절하였다. Pu(III)와 Pu(IV)의 대표적인 흡수피크는 470 nm 및 600 nm에서 각각 관찰되었고, Pu(VI)와 Pu(V)의 특성피크는 830 nm 및 1135nm에서 각각 관찰되었다. Pu(III, IV, VI) 산화상태의 시간 경과에 따른 흡수스펙트럼 변화는 관찰되지 않았으나 Pu(V)의 경우 매우 불안정하여 생성되자 마자 Pu(III)로 변화되었다.

Cloned calves derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have been frequently lost by sudden death at 1 to 3 month following healthy birth. To address whether placental anomalies are responsible for the sudden death of cloned calves, we compared protein patterns of 2 placentae derived from SCNT of Korean Native calves died suddenly at two months after birth and those of 2 normal placentae obtained from AI fetuses. Placental proteins were separated using 2-Dimensional gel electrophoresis. Approximately 800 spots were detected in placental 2-D gel stained with coomassie-blue. Then, image analysis of Malanie III (Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics) was performed to detect variations in protein spots between normal and SCNT placentae. In the comparison of normal and SCNT samples, 8 spots were identified to be up-regulated proteins and 24 spots to be down-regulated proteins in SCNT placentae, among which proteins were high mobility group protein HMG1, apolipoprotein A-1 precursor, bactenecin 1, tropomyosin beta chain, H+-transporting ATPase, carbonic anhydrase II, peroxiredoxin 2, tyrosine-rich acidic matrix protein, serum albumin precursor and cathepsin D. These results suggested that the sudden death of cloned calves might be related to abnormal protein expression in placenta.

Human embryonic stem (ES) cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo. Human ES cells have the capacity to differentiate into various types of cells in the body. Human ES cells are indefinite source of cells for cell therapy in various degenerative disorders including neuronal disorders. Directed differentiation of human ES cells is a prerequisite for their clinical application. The objective of this study is to develop the culture condition for the derivation of neural precursor cells from human ES cells. Neural precursor cells were derived from human ES cells in a stepwise culture condition. Neural precursor cells in the form of neural rosette structures developed into neurospheres when cultured in suspension. Suspension culture of neurospheres has been maintained over 4 months. Expressions of nestin, soxl, sox2, pax3 and pax6 transcripts were upregulated during differentiation into neural precursor cells by RT-PCR analysis. In contrast, expression of oct4 was dramatically downregulated in neural precursor cells. Immunocytochemical analyses of neural precursor cells demonstrated expression of nestin and SOX1. When induced to differentiate on an adhesive substrate, neuro-spheres were able to differentiate into three lineages of neural systems, including neurons, astrocytes and oligo-dendrocytes. Transcripts of sox1 and pax6 were downregulated during differentiation of neural precursor cells into neurons. In contrast, expression of map2ab was elevated in the differentiated cells, relative to those in neural precursor cells. Neurons derived from neural precursor cells expressed NCAM, Tuj1, MAP2ab, NeuN and NF200 in immunocytochemical analyses. Presence of astrocytes was confirmed by expression of GFAP immuno-cytochemically. Oligodendrocytes were also observed by positive immuno-reactivities against oligodendrocyte marker O1. Results of this study demonstrate that a stepwise culture condition is developed for the derivation of neural precursor cells from human ES cells.

Korea is located in either low of moderate seismicity continental region. It is realized that the design codes and underlying design concept of high seismicity region may not be a, pp.opriate to low and moderate seismicity regions. The aim of this paper is to search seismic design concept that is deemed to be a, pp.opriate to low and moderate seismicity regions. To this end, the seismicity of Korea will be introduce first and important aspects of seismic design in moderate seismicity region will be discussed. The two-level code system that is going to be adopted in the future seismic regulations of Korea will be introduced.

최근 기후변화와 도시화로 인한 수재해 문제가 증가하고 있으며, 이에 대응방안인 저영향개발(Low-Impact Development, LID) 기법에 관한 연구가 확대되고 있다. LID 기법은 도시 내의 우수유출수를 저감시켜 다양한 수재해 문제를 친환경적으로 제어하고, 도시 개발 이전의 물순환 체계로 회복시키는 기술이다. 하지만 LID 기법에 관한 정량적 데이터가 부족한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 저류형 LID 기술인 식생화분(Planter Box)의 Curve Number (CN)값을 산정하여, 물순환(침투, 유출, 월류수) 분석을 실시하였다. Planter Box의 물순환 분석에 관한 강우강도 시나리오(60.4 mm/hr, 83.1 mm/hr, 97.4 mm/hr, 108.2 mm/hr)는 부산시 확률강우강도표(2010)를 이용하여 선정하였다. 실험 결과는 건물화분3 (BPB-3)과 거리화분3(SPB-3)에서 우수저류율이 각각 43.5%∼52.9%, 33.4%∼39.0%로 나타났다. 또한 BPB-3에서 CN값은 평균 83이 산출되었고, Horton 침투능 곡선식 적용에 따른 우수유출효과는 17%∼96%로 나타났다.

In this study, water quality data of eight main sites in the Geumho River watershed were collected and analyzed for long-term changes in water quality over the period from 2005 to 2015. The results showed that BOD concentration was gradually improved by the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), stages 1 and 2. Recently, a tendency of increasing BOD concentration was observed in the downstream section of the river. The concentration of COD was analyzed to be contaminated throughout the water system regardless of the water quality improvement project, and the TN concentration tended to increase in the midstream of the river from 2013. The TP concentration has clearly decreased from 2012 after the second stage of TMDL. For the statistical analysis of PCA ordination, monthly water qualities (pH, DO, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Water Temperature (WT), BOD, COD, TN, TP, TOC, and SS) and flow rate data for 5 years from 2012 to 2016 were used. Seasonally the Geumho River showed an increase in the TN concentration at point sources during the dry season (December to February). TP showed the effect of non-point sources in the summer, because rainfall has caused a rise in flow rate in the upstream. Besides, the origin of pollution source was changed from non-point sources with BOD, COD, and TOC.

Background : Ginseng is a perennial plant and damaged by various diseases and insect pests. The damage lowers harvest and quality. Accordingly, a chemical control system was made with the aim of effectively control gray mold, anthrax, and spotting disease which occur during growth period. fungicide resistance of gray mold rot was examined to find out whether the chemical control system can be used over the long term. Methods and Results : This experiment was conducted in three areas including Geumsan-gun, Yesan-gun, and Sejong city. The chemical control system was done to the plants of two years old or older. As for the order of the treatment, from the end of April to May Fludioxonil (A) and Pyraclostrobin (B) were used; from the mid-May to the end of July of growth stages Difenoconazole (C), Iminoctadinetris (albesilate) (D), Cyprodinil (E), Metconazole (F), Fluazinam (G) and Pyrimethanil (H); from August to September nonresidualizing polyoxinB + mancozeb (K); in November of hibernating period, Fenhexamid (I) and Carbendazim/diethofencarb (J) were used. As for the interval, from the end of April to the end of July the interval was 10 days, in August and September once a month, and twice in every ten days in November. The isolation of Botrytis cinerea for examination into mycelial growth inhibition rate was conducted to 4-year old ginseng in Geumsan, 5-year old in Yesan, and 3-year old in Sejong. In Geumsan, the mycelial growth inhibition rate to Botrytis cinerea was 75.5% - 100%. Every fungicides showed good rate of mycelial growth inhibition. The lowest rate was seen in fungicide B at 75.5%. K showed the prevention rate at 76.8%, D at 82.7%, and I at 82.2%, and other fungicides at 100%. In Sejong area, the hyphal prevention rate of Botrytis cinerea was 71.0% - 100%, indicating all fungicides show good rate of mycelial growth inhibition. The lowest rate was recorded by fungicide B at 71.1%, D at 81.1%, K at 85.4%, and I at 95.4%. Yesan area also showed similar results to those of Geumsan and Sejong. Conclusion : Botrytis cinerea was isolated from ginseng and mycelial growth inhibition effect was examined in concentration of 11 kinds of fungicides. In all three areas where chemical control system were applied, resistance was not found, suggesting that the chemical control system can be applied to control diseases of ginseng.

Background : Ginseng is a perennial plant and damaged by various diseases and insect pests. The damage lowers harvest and quality. In particular, gray mold rot occurs to plants of every year, growth duration, and hibernating stage, and decays leaves, stems, and roots, lowering the amount of harvest. This experiment was conducted with the aim of effectively preventing gray mold rot, and other major diseases such as anthrax and spotting disease, and establishing chemical control system. Methods and Results : This experiment was conducted in three areas including Geunsan-gun, Yesan-gun, and Sejong city. As for the procedure of medical treatment, from the end of April to early May of germination period, Fludioxonil and Pyraclostrobin were used. From the mid-May to the end of July of growth period, Difenoconazole, Iminoctadine tris (albesilate), Cyprodinil, Metconazole, Fluazinam, and Pyrimethanil were used. From August to September, non residualizing polyoxinB + mancozeb was used. In November of hibernating stage, Fenhexamid and Carbendazim/diethofencarb were used. As for the interval, from the end of April to the end of July the interval was 10 days, in August and September once a month, and twice in every ten days in November. The chemical control system effect was compared with conventional prevention. When chemical control system was used, stem spotting disease occurred at a lower rate of 0.34% than 1.2% of the conventional method. Leaf spotting disease occurred at a lower rate of 1.4% compared with 7.1% of the conventional method, and anthrax occurred at a lower rate by more than 10% than the conventional method. Stem gray mold rot occurred at a rate of 4.1% when the conventional method was used, but the rate stood at 5.3% in Geumsan, 8.9% in Yesan, 2.3% in Sejong when the prevention method was used, which suggest the chemical control system was effective. Conclusion : When chemical control system was applied to prevent major diseases of ginseng, spotting disease, anthrax, and gray mold occurred at lower rates compared with the case where the conventional method was used. The finding is that the chemical control system can be utilized to prevent major diseases of ginseng.

Background : Tetraploid plants are bigger in the size of fruits, leaves, stems, and roots than diploid plants due to bigger cells attributed to chromosome multiplication. The advantage of tetraploid plants includes breakdown of self-incompatibility and increase of disease resistance. This study was carried out to gain tetraploid resources for breeding of new boxthorn varieties having pest resistance, higher yield, and self-compatibility. Methods and Results : Tetraploid lines and maternal varieties used in this study were C0148-10 and C0412-1 from Cheongyang-jaerae, M0148-94 and M0148-120 from Myongan, B0148-43 and B0148-78 from Bulro, D0148-62 and D0148-72 from Cheongdae, and Y0148-2 and Y0148-24 from Youngha. Betaine content was highest as 0.7 - 1.62% in leaf, followed by 0.55 - 1.17% in fruit and 0.04 - 0.23% in root. Betaine content in plant parts of several tetraploid lines increased compared to martenal varieties, higher in fruit for 5 lines including D0148-72, B0148-78, and C0142-1, higher in leaf for 5 lines including C0148-10, C0412-1, and M0148-94, and higher in root for 7 lines including Y0148-2, M0148-94, and M0148-120. Rutin content in leaf ranged 4.0 – 388.55 ㎎% and was highest as 388.55 ㎎% in Y0148-24. Tannin content in leaf of tetraploid lines was 4.70 - 6.12%, highest as 6.12% in Y0148-2 and M0148-120, similar to the maternal varieties. Youngha of the diploid plants showed the highest tannin content of 7.08%. Total free sugar content in tetraploid lines was higher as 8.53 - 12.53% than maternal varieties. Conclusion : Betaine and rutin contents increased in several tetraploid lines and Total free sugar content in tetraploid lines was higher as 8.53 - 12.53% than maternal varieties. This shows tetraploid boxthorn lines are very useful resources in breeding new varieties.

Background : Dungkunma (Dioscorea bulbifera, commonly known as the air potato, air yam, bitter yam, cheeky yam, potato yam) is a species of true yam in the yam family, and has been used as folk remedy to treat conjunctivitis, diarrhea and dysentery, etc. This study was carried out to investigate shelf-life and quality of fresh-cut Dungkunma (Dioscorea bulbifera) in order to elevate utilization of Dungkunma as fresh food. Methods and Results : Before vacuum-packaging (in polyethylene/polypropylene film (100 ㎛, 15 × 20 ㎝, 75 ± 2 ㎝Hg) and storage at 2℃, Dungkunma were peeled out and cut to dice type (2.0 ± 0.5 ㎤), and then washed and blanched (30 sec at 90 ± 2℃ hot water and 2% NaCl solution) and pre-dried at room temperature, 40℃ and 50℃ for removing surface water. Each peeled dice Dungkunma were packed 50 g in polyethylene/polypropylene film (100 ㎛, 15 × 20 ㎝) with vacuum treatment (75 ± 2 ㎝Hg) and stored at 2℃ for 90 days. Hardness and adhesiveness of Dungkunma blanched by 2% NaCl and pre-dried at 50℃ (SB50) was the highest and increased and decreased, respectively, but changes was the least during storage. Lightness and yellowness of stored Dungkunma in all treatments decreased slightly and redness increased during storage but changes of color was the least at SB50. On vacuum packing, SB50 showed 1.88 log CFU/g of total aerobic bacteria during 90 days, and E. coliwas detected in all treatments during whole storage periods. Dioscin and allantoin content of SB50 was virtually unchanged during the storage. Conclusion : Consequently, the results of this study suggest that vacuum packaged Dungkunma after blanching at 2% NaCl could be effective to prolong the quality of fresh-cut Dungkunma and could be easily used.

Background : Platycodon grandiflorum root (PGR) was one of the primary herbs used in a phlegm-relieving herb from the past. Platycoside compounds on PGR may exhibit neuroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergy, improved insulin resistance, and cholesterol-lowering properties. In order to developing a concentrate product that improved the functionality and preference of PGR, it was fermented using lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum N76-10 and 56-12). Methods and Results : The concentrate products were created by PGR-concentrate (PGRC, 60 ºBrix) mixed with fermented PGR-extract (FPGRE, 2 ºBrix) at the level of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200%. Sweetness and preference were supplemented by other added materials including honey, oligosaccharide, concentrate of jujube (60 ºBrix) and pear (60 ºBrix), and cactus Chounnyouncho extract (2 ºBrix). The products were put into investigation for their preference of taste, antimicrobial activity in accordance with amount of FPGRE. When it comes to preference of taste, the most favor is adding 100% of FPGRE on PGRC. The product added 150% FPGRE exhibited a strong microbial anti-proliferation in all four kinds (Corynrbacterium diphtheriae, Klebsiella pnneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes) of bacteria inducing bronchus diseases and was higher antimicrobial activity than concentrate without FPGRE. In terms of the sensory evaluation (taste, texture and visco-elasticity), concentrate mixed with FPGRE (10), jujube concentrate (2), pear concentrate (10), cactus Chounnyouncho extract (10), oligosaccharide (2), honey (1) and xanthan gum (0.02) showed the highest scores. Conclusion : Thus, A PGR concentrate was made by adding FPGRE (100%) and it was increased organoleptic quality, antimicrobial activity. These studies may provide new product development for effective utilization on Platycodon grandiflorum root.

Background : This study aimed to identify the mechanisms of the antinociceptive effects of PG in the fibromyalgia (FM)-like animal model. Methods and Results : To assess the possible effect of PG on FM symptoms, we constructed a FM animal model induced by intermittent cold stress with slight modification. All mice underwent nociceptive assays using electronic von Frey anesthesiometer and Hargreaves equipment. To assess the relation between PG and the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB), western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed. In behavioral analysis, nociception tests showed that the pain threshold was significantly decreased in the FM group compared to control group. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus showed downregulation of BDNF and p-CREB proteins in the FM group compared to control group. PG recovered these changes at behavioral tests and protein level. These results provide evidence that the effects of PG extract in the FM model may be related to its modulating effect on the BDNF signaling pathway in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. Conclusion : Our animal model may be involved in the mechanism by which PG extract is effective as a therapeutic agent for FM.

Background : For cultivation of varieties of ginseng, the pure line selection method, which is to select the best among those cultivated in farms for pedigree breeding, replicated yield trials and regional adaptation trials before registering as a new variety, is widely used. Although there are 25 registered varieties of ginseng in Korea, the quality of ginseng is declining together with the amount of harvest being decreased by 15 - 20% due to the heat injuries and diseases from the warming & abnormal climate. Thus, the needs for development of disaster-resistant varieties with better chances of surviving through high temperature, salts and disease are increasing. Therefore, this study is to cultivate disaster-resistant varieties among those selected for their disaster tolerance and salt tolerance through regional adaptation trials. Methods and Results : As a result of examining the growth characteristics of the selected 2 - 5 year old varieties used in the study, among the 5-year old crops, Goryeo 4 and Eumseong 5 showed superior growth in both above and below aerial parts, and among the 4-year old crops, Eumseong 11 and Cheonryang showed superior growth while the growth in the below aerial parts were satisfactory in the order of Cheonryang > Eumseong 10 > Eumseong 11 > Eumseong 9. Among the 3-year old crops, the most superior growth in both above and below aerial parts was observed in Eumseong 14 with the weight of the below aerial part, root diameter and taproot length at 13.8 g, 11.8 ㎝ and 6.2 ㎝ respectively. Among the 2-year old crops, Eumseong 10 showed the most superior growth in both above and below aerial parts. Conclusion : Based on the above results, Goryeo 4 and Eumseong 5 among the 5-year old crops, Eumseong 11 among the 4-year old crops, Eumseong 14 among the 3-year old crops and Eumseon 10 among the 2-year old crops showed the most superior growth among the selected varieties. The growth characteristics of both above and below aerial parts in each year will continuously be monitored.