We sequenced the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Camponotus atrox (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) that is distributed only in Korea. This genome is 16,540 bp in size, contains typical sets of genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs). The C. atrox A+T-rich region is the longest in the sequenced ants as 1,402 bp and is comprised of an identical tandem repeat consisting of six 100-bp copies and one 96-bp copy. A total of 315 bp of intergenic-spacer sequences were spread over 23 regions. An attempt to align spacer sequences in ants turned out that alignment was mostly feasible among congeneric species, with a substantial sequence divergence, indicating the potential of these sequences as congeneric molecular markers. The A/T content in first and second codon positions of PCGs are similar in ants including C. atrox (73.9 vs. 72.3% on average). Estimation of degree of genetic divergence (e.g. non-synonymous substitution rate) with an increased taxon sampling among hymenopteran superfamilies indicated the presence of different rates of divergence between the suborders Symphyta and Apocrita as has previously been reported. The C. atrox mt genome has a unique gene arrangement, trnI-trnM-trnQ at the A+T-rich region and ND2 junction (underline for inverted gene), possibly originated from tandem duplication of trnM-trnI, resulting in trnM-trnI-trnM-trnI-trnQ and loss of first trnM and second trnI, resulting in trnI-trnM-trnQ.

Introduction Many cultural remains are located in Iksan: Buddhist temples, royal palaces, ancient walls, and the Sangneung, the Tomb of King Moo and his Queen from the Baekje Kingdom. Mireuksa was the largest Buddhist temple on the Korean peninsula when it was first built in the 7th century during King Moo's reign. In those times, large temples were usuatly built in the national capital Historians believe that Iksan was one of the capital cities along with Woongjin and Sabi during the Baekje Kingdom since the Mireuksa(the largest Buddhist temple of the period,) was built in Iksan. However, there is no official record that the capital city during King Moo’s reign was transferred to Iksan. Regardless of the dispute, it is apparent that Iksan was an important city under the reign of King Moo and was governed under Baekje rule. Costume type varies according to locale and period since costumes may be used as a medium to reflect politics, economy, religion, and social atmosphere. The basic forms of Korean traditional costumes were shaped in the Three Kingdoms, which was known as the most significant era of history for Korean costumes. There haves been extensive studies regarding the costumes of the Three Kingdom Period; however, there is limited research on Baekje Kingdom costumes due to the lack of primary sources(relics and literatures) based on secondary sources from neighboring countries. Costume type varies according to locale and period since costumes may be used as a medium to reflect politics, economy, religion, and social atmosphere. The basic forms of Korean traditional costumes were shaped in the Three Kingdoms, which was known as the most significant era of history for Korean costumes. There haves been extensive studies regarding the costumes of the Three Kingdom Period; however, there is limited research on Baekje Kingdom costumes due to the lack of primary sources(relics and literatures) based on secondary sources from neighboring countries.

New lead-free piezoelectric ceramics 0.96[{Bi0.5 (Na0.84 K0.16)0.5}1-xLax(Ti1-y Nby)O3]-0.04SrTiO3 (BNKT-ST-LN, where x = y = 0.00 ≤ (x = y) ≤ 0.015) were synthesized using the conventional solid-state reaction method. Their crystal structure, microstructure, and electrical properties were investigated as a function of the La and Nb (LN) content. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the formation of a single-phase perovskite structure for all the LN-modified BNKT-ST ceramics in this study. The temperature dependence of the dielectric curves showed that the maximum dielectric constant temperature (Tm) shifted towards lower temperatures and the curves became more diffuse with an increasing LN content. At the optimum composition (LN 0.005), a maximum value of remnant polarization (33 C/cm2) with a relatively low coercive field (22 kV/cm) and high piezoelectric constant (215 pC/N) was observed. These results indicate that the LN co-modified BNKT-ST ceramic system is a promising candidate for lead-free piezoelectric materials.

Entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are well-known biological control agents worldwide and have high potential in industrialization. However their thermo-susceptibility limits long-term storage under high temperature conditions and high insecticidal activity after application to target pests. Herein we isolated highly virulent isolates, B. bassiana JEF006 and JEF007 and M. anisopliae JEF003 and JEF004, and produced in three grains, such as sorghum, millet and Italian millet as substrates for solid cultures, followed by thermotolerance assays to compare the potential of the three substrates for thermotolerance. The JEF isolates were exposed to dry and wet heat at 50°C and overall conidia were more stable under dry heat condition rather than wet heat. Of the three grains, Italian millet was superior to the other grains in the production of thermotolerant conidia. Additionally Italian millet did not severely aggregated, which enabled air to penetrate into the substrate well compared to the sorghum and millet. JEF isolates were more thermotolerant when they were kept in oil conditions as carriers of an oil-based formulation. This work suggests that Italian millet can be used as an effective substrate to produce more thermotolerant conidia, thus maintaining viability for long times under unfavorable environment and biological activity against target pests.

Multiple starters consisting of two Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains (MJ1-4 and EMD17), Pichiafarinosa SY80, and Rhizopus oryzae were used for Doenjang making. Bacillus strains were selected based on their abilities to inhibit toxinogenic fungi and Bacillus cereus, fibrinolytic activity, and their ability to confer good flavor to Cheonggukjang. P. farinosa SY80 and R. oryzae, previously isolated from soy sauce, were selected because they were not inhibited by two bacilli. Doenjang was prepared by inoculation of multiple starters (A1 Doenjang). Control Doenjang was prepared by inoculation of B. subtilis KACC 16750 (Natto strain) and Aspergillus oryzae KCCM 60166 (A2 Doenjang). Another control (A3 Doenjang) was prepared by inoculation of microorganisms present in rice straw. Doenjang samples were fermented for 70 days at 20℃. pH of 3 samples decreased from the initial value of 6.4 to 5.8~6.0 and titratable acidity (TA) increased from 0.6 to 1.1~1.3. The amount of amino-type nitrogen increased during fermentation. There were slight differences in moisture, crude-protein, and crude-fat contents after 70 days. Contamination of fungi was observed only in A3 Doenjang and B. cereus was not detected from all 3 samples. A1 Doenjang showed the highest fibrinolytic activity and A2 Doenjang the second. These results indicate that Doenjang made with carefully selected starters was functionally improved and microbially more safe.

The black-veined white, Aporia crataegi (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), is nearly extinct in South Korea, although substantial numbers of dried specimens are available. One of the common practices for such species is to launch re-introduction program after proper amount of genetic information are analyzed from donor and donee populations. In this study, we sequenced complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of A. crataegi to design species-specific primers for subsequent population works and to further understand the mitogenome evolution in lepodiopteran Papilionoidea. The 15,140-bp long A. crataegi mitogenome that has typical sets of 37 genes is smallest among true butterfly species with overall slightly smaller size in genes and regions throughout the genome. Arrangement of the genome is identical to those of other lepidopteran mitogenomes, in which tRNA cluster located between the A+T-rich region and ND2 gene is translocated into tRNAMet, tRNAIle, and tRNAGln from ancestral arrangement, tRNAIle, and tRNAGln, tRNAMet. The A/T content of the genome at 81.3% is the highest in Pieridae, but lower than that of lycaenid species (81.7% ~ 82.7%) The high A/T content in the genome is also reflected in codon usage, accounting for 41.69% of A/T-composed codons (TTA, ATT, TTT, and ATA). Unlikely the diversified or modified usage of anticodon for tRNASer(AGN) the species of Pieridae including A. crataegi all unanimously have GCT that has been hypothesized as ancestral for Lepidoptera. A total of 111 bp of non-coding sequences are dispersed in 13 regions, ranging in size from 1–49 bp. Among them relatively longer ones (≥ 16 bp) all have relatively higher sequence identity to other regions of the genome, suggesting partial duplication of the sequences during A. crataegi evolution. As has been reported in some species of Lepidoptera, the A. crataegi A+T-region also has typically found conserved sequences (e.g., poly-T stretch, ATAGA motif, ATTTA element, microsatellite-like A/T sequence, and poly-A stretch) and one tRNA-like sequence, and this feature was commonly found in true butterfly species.

Cryptic mealybug (CMB), Pseudococcus cryptus, is a serious scale pest on citrus, especially grown in plastic greenhouse on Jeju island, Korea. Binomial sampling plan was developed using the relationship between infested proportion of twig with less than T scales (pT) and mean density per twig (m) according to the empirical model ln(m)=α+βln(-ln(1-pT)). T was defined as tally threshold and set to 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 scales per twig in this study. T=3 was the best tally threshold for estimating densities of CMB based on the precision of the model. Binomial model with T=3 provided reliable predictions of mean densities of CMB observed on commercial citrus orchards. The obtaining model was evaluated by resampling validation of Wald's sequential binomial plan and by fit at 95% confidence intervals for independent collected data sets. Binomial sampling program for decision-making of CMB population level was obtained at the action threshold 0.10, proportion of twig infested with more than 3 scales.

Al though the changes in tooth morphology and hardness by hydrogen peroxide(H20 z) have been r‘epor‘.ted .‘ the pαr。o야t뻐ec야tive role of heme oxygenase-l(HO-l) against the cytotoxic effects of H202 has not been clarifïed i n human pulp cells ln this st udy. we investigated whether HO-l is involved in Hz0 2-induced cytoLox icity a nd examined the production 0 1' dentin sia lophosphoprotein(DSPP) and other mineralization markers‘ in hllman pu lp cells H202 decreased cell viabi lity, but increased HO-l and DSPP expression in a concentra tion and time dependent manner . Inhibitors of gllanylate cyclase. PI3K, ERK. and p38 MAP kinase blocked H202-indllced cytotoxicity and the expression of HO-l and DSPP mRNAs in pulp cells. These data suggest that the induction of HO-l by H202 in plllp cells plays a protective role against the cytotoxic effects 0 1' HzOz and stimulates DSPP expression‘ reslllting in prematllre odontoblast dilTerentiation throllgh pathways that involve cGMP‘ p38. and ERK.

Al t hough substance P(SP) , a potent pro- inflammatory peptide, is involved in inflammation and immune responses‘ t he eff'ect of SP on t he expression of macrophage inflammatory protein 3a (MIP- 3α CCL20) in periodontal liga ment(PDL) cell s a re unknown, Equally as enigmatic is the link between SP, t he stress protein heme oxygenase- l(HO-l) ‘ and CCL20 procluction, We investigated whether SP induces the release of chemokine CCL20 from immortal ized PDL(IPDL) ceJJ s‘ and fur ther c l a꺼 SP mediated pathways, We also examined the relationship between HO-l a ncl CCL20 by t reating PDL cells with SP, Incubating IPDL cells with SP increased expression of CCL20 mRNA a nd CCL20 protein in a dose-time dependent manner Highly selective p38 and ERKl/2 inhibitors abrogated SP-induced expression of CCL20 in IPDL cell s, SP is a lso responsible for ini t iating phosphorylation of I/C B, degradation of Iκ B‘ ancl activat ion of NF'-/C B, SP induced expression of HO-l in both a concentration- and time-dependent man nel ‘ and CCL20 refl ected s imilar patterns, The inductive effects o[ SP on HO- l and CCL20 wer e enhanced by HO- j inducer hemin and the membrane-permeable cGMP analog 8-bromo-cGMP, Conversely, this pathway was inJübited by t he 1-10난 inhi bitor zinc protoporphyrin IX(ZnPP IX) and the selective inl뼈itor of guanylate cyc1ase‘ lH-[l , 2, 4Joxad iazole[4‘ 3-aJquinoxal in-l-one (ODQ) , We report herein the pathway that connects SP along with other modulators 。f neuroimmunoregulationto the induction of HO-l and t he inflammatory mediator MIP-3a /CCL20 in IPDL cell s‘ which play an important role in the development 01' periodontitis or inflamrnation during orthodontic tooth movem

Interlellkin • 8(IL-8) is an important cytokine involved in tllmor growth and angiogenesis in a variety of malig nancies. bllt the regll lation of IL-8 in 01 외 cancer cells are llnderstood . We invesLigated whether mi togen-activated protein kinases pathway is involved in iron chelator-mediated lL-8 produdion in inunortalized and malignant oral keratinocytes. In this study we examined the role of p38 and extracellular signal- reglllated kinase• 1/2 in the expression of [L-8 by DFO. Incllbation of IHOK and HN12 cel ls with DF'O increased the expression of 11-8 mRNA. as well as the release of IL-8 protein. The signal transdllction study revealed that both p38 and ERK1/2 were significantly activated in response to DFO. Accord ingly. the selective inhibitors for both kinases‘ eit her a lone or combination. abolished DFO- induced lL-8 secretion. indicating an importance of MAP kinase pathway. Interestingly. however‘ inhibition of the p38 and ERK pathway more attenuated IL-8 secretion in IHOK than in HN12 cells. DFO induced NF-kB activation , suggesting a NF-kB- dependent mechanism in DFO- induced IL-8 production. In addition, p38 and ERK inhi bition resulted in the accelerated degradation of lL-8 mRNA, suggesting that in IHOK and HN12 cells, p38 and ERK cunLr iullLe Lo DFO imluced IL-8 secretion by IHOK and HN12 cells via a posttranscriptional mechanism that involves stabilization 01' the IL-8 transcript. Finally. we investigatecl llsing specific inhibitors : 8NP and G8NO for NO c1onor. PDTC for potent inhibitor of NF-kB. Cycloheximide for inhibition of de novo protein synthesis. We observecl 8NP ancl PD1'C clepenclent IL-8 gene incluction in IHOK cell s. but not in HN12 cells used specific inhibitors‘ Collectively. these results demonstrate that‘ targeting MAP kinase ancl NF-kB pathway may be a potentiaI approacb to controlling the angiogenes is ancl growth 이 human oral cancers

뻐ny studìes have shown the anti-proli ferative effects of irondeprivation on cancer cell s‘ but the effects 01' iron-chelators on oral cancer have not been clearly elucidated , To investigate the effects of an iron chelato r, desferrioxamine( 01"O).on the growth of ilIllTIortali zed human o1'al ke ratinocytes(IHOK), primary oraJ cancer cel ls(HN4)‘ metastatic oral cancer cell s(HN12) , and human skin keratìnocytes(HaCaT) in the MTr assay, three-dimensional(3D) raft cul tmes, Western blott ing, cell cycJ e analysis‘ nuclear staining‘ and cytochrome c expression for apoptosis s ig naling pathway were used OFO inhibited the growth of immortalized IHOK and HaCaT and mal ignant HN4 and HN12 keratinocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner according to the MTT assay, The 3D organotypic cu l tu re also revealed that OF'O-treated cells showed less epithelial maturation, less surface keratinizati on‘ and de creased epithelia l thickness, The major mechanìsm of growth inhìbition with the micromolar 0 1"0 treatment was by the induction of apoptosis‘ which was supported by nuclear OAPI staining, ONA fragmentation analysis, and J10w cytometric analysis for sub-Gl phase ar rest and Annexin V-1"ITC stainìng, Furthermore‘ Bax expression in creased together with p53 and p21WAF1!CIPl, whìle the Bcl-2 expression decreased in the immortalized and malig nant keratinocytes treated with 01"0 , Time-dependent cytochrome c from mitochondria was observed in D1"O-treated [l-IOK and 0 1'머 cancel‘ ceJJ s, and was accompanied by the activation of caspase-3 in IHOK cells. These resu lts demonstrate that 0 1"0 has growth inhibitory effects on immortalized and malignant oral keratinocyLes Lhrough the induction of apoptosis and suggest that further evaluation of OFO as a potcntial thcrapcutic agent for human oral precancerous and cancerous lesions is warranted

This study investigates whether other comprehensive income (OCI) reported in the statement of comprehensive income (one of the main financial statements after the adoption of K-IFRS) predicts a firm’s future performance. Using the quarterly data of Korean listed companies, we examine the association between OCI estimates and future earnings. First of all, we find that OCI is positively associated with earnings in both 1- and 2-quarter ahead, supporting the predictive value of OCI. When we break down OCI into its individual components, our results suggest that the net unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale (AFS) investment securities are positively associated with future earnings, while the other components (e.g., net unrealized gains/losses on valuation of cash flow hedge derivatives) present insignificant results. In addition, we investigate whether the reliability in OCI estimates enhances the predictive value of OCI to predict future performance. We find that the predictive ability of OCI, in particular the net unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale (AFS) investment securities, becomes more pronounced when firms are audited by the Big 4 audit firms. Overall, our study suggests that information content embedded in OCI can provide decision-useful information that is helpful for the prediction of future firm performance.

This study was conducted to determine the number of days required to break a plant’s dormancy and promote subsequent crop growth in new varieties of Gomchwi through the 4℃ treatment. Three new varieties of Gomchwi namely, ‘Sammany’, ‘Gommany’, and ‘Damogy’ were observed in this study. The rate of leaf emergence of ‘Sammany’ after 15-day of 4℃ treatment was 100%, while ‘Gommany’, and ‘Damogy’ took 20-days and 10-days, respectively to reach to 97.9% rate of leaf emergence. After 10-days of 4℃ treatment, ‘Damogy’ grew faster than the other varieties. and Harvest time for ‘Damogy’ was on January 18th, after 5-days of 4℃ treatment and yield was observed to be the highest at 15-days of 4℃ treatment. ‘Sammany’ was next with a minimum of 10-days of 4℃ treatment, although 15-days is more preferred for better harvest. ‘Gommany’ on the other hand, did not grow enough for harvest by January 18th, and its harvest time was delayed to January 31st. It needed a minimum of 15-days and preferentially 20-days of 4℃ treatment to grow normally and be ready for harvest. The plant height, leaf length and leaf petiole length appeared to grow better by extending duration of the 4℃ treatment. The number of leaves of ‘Sammany’ and ‘Gommany’ varieties was three leaves for the 5-days treatment which may be due to the incomplete breaking of dormancy. Regarding the yield per plant, ‘Sammany’ yielded 112.3 grams (g) in 15-days treatment, and ‘Gommany’ yielded 106.5 g in 25-days treatment. In the case of ‘Damogy’, it yielded 123.5 g and 183 g in the 10-days and 25-days treatment respectively. It is concluded that ‘Damogy’, ‘Sammany’ and ‘Gommany requires 10, 15, and 20 days of 4℃ treatment to break the plant’s dormancy and promote better plant growth.