Amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT), a tricyclic antidepressant, is known to exhibit antimicrobial effects against a wide range of bacterial species. This study aims to evaluate the effect of AMT on Brucella (B.) abortus infection in RAW 264.7 cells and ICR mice, which has not yet been clearly characterized. The results showed that all tested concentrations of AMT had no direct bactericidal effect on B. abortus survival at any incubation time point. Interestingly, RAW 264.7 cells pre-treated with a non-toxic high concentration of AMT before B. abortus infection showed a significant reduction in the phagocytosis of B. abortus at 20 min post-infection, compared to untreated cells. However, AMT treatment did not affect the intracellular replication of B. abortus compared to the control cells. Based on the reduced bacterial uptake observed in-vitro, an in-vivo experiment was conducted to assess whether daily oral administration of AMT at a dose of 20 mg/kg could inhibit B. abortus growth in ICR mice. The results showed that AMT treatment slightly increased both organ weights and bacterial loads, suggesting possible systemic effects of prolonged AMT exposure. In summary, these preliminary results provide initial insight into the potential effects of AMT on B. abortus infection both in-vitro and in-vivo. Therefore, further study should focus on dose optimization in-vivo and exploration of the underlying cellular mechanisms involved in AMT-mediated inhibition of phagocytosis during Brucella infection.

The role of the gut microbiota in colorectal cancer (CRC) development has garnered attention, highlighting probiotics as potential adjuncts in CRC prevention and treatment. In recent years, probiotics and their derivatives have demonstrated mechanisms that may contribute to anticancer properties. This study investigates the cytotoxic effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum KCTC 3357, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus KCTC 5033, Limosilactobacillus reuteri VA 103, Bacillus galactosidilyticus VA 107, and Lactococcus taiwanensis VE101 on CT-26 mouse colon carcinoma cells using live cells, heat-killed cells (paraprobiotics), and cell-free supernatants (CFS, postbiotics) through an MTT assay. The results indicate that live bacterial strains, such as KCTC 3357, VA 103, and VA 107, promoted CT-26 cell viability, while heat-killed cells and CFS exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Inactivated forms of KCTC 3357 and VE 101, as well as CFS at 10 mg/mL concentration of KCTC 5033, VA 103, and VE 101, showed the strongest antiproliferative effects. These findings suggest that non-viable probiotic derivatives, such as paraprobiotics and postbiotics, offer promising therapeutic potential for CRC, providing a safer and more stable alternative to live probiotics. However, further research is required to explore their mechanisms of action, in vivo efficacy, and potential clinical applications.

거저리는 식품으로 사용되기 때문에 유충기가 오래 지속되면 더 좋다. 반면에 거저리의 개체수 유지를 위 해 성장을 가속화하기 위해서는 유충이 빨리 성충이 되면 더 좋다. 이 연구에서는 개체군 밀도가 거저리의 발달 시 간에 미치는 영향을 구명하였다. 이를 위해 상단 7 cm, 하단 5 cm, 높이 3 cm 크기의 용기를 사용했다. 거저리는 용기 당 1, 2, 5, 10, 20마리의 밀도로 용기에서 서식하였다. 용기에 밀기울 1 g을 넣고 거저리의 먹이 여부에 따라 라벨을 붙였다. 실험은 세 번 반복되었다. 모든 실험에서 개체군 밀도가 높을수록 유충에서 번데기로의 변환 시간이 짧았 지만 번데기에서 성충으로 변환되는 시간은 크게 다르지 않았다. 또한 먹이가 있는 그룹에서 번데기로의 변환 시간 이 단축되었지만, 성충으로 변환되는 시간에는 차이가 없었다. 이 연구 결과는 유충기를 연장하기 위해 더 낮은 밀 도가 필요하고 더 빠른 속도로 성충이 필요하다면 밀도가 더 높아야 한다는 것을 보여주었다. 결론적으로 거저리의 발달 시간은 개체수 밀도에 의해 제어할 수 있을 것이다.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have been reported to have better properties than conventional materials; however, they are more expensive due to the high cost of their main components. Therefore, research is needed to reduce manufacturing costs. In this study, CoCrFeMnNi HEAs were prepared using metal injection molding (MIM), which is a powder metallurgy process that involves less material waste than machining process. Although the MIM-processed samples were in the face-centered cubic (FCC) phase, porosity remained after sintering at 1200°C, 1250°C, and 1275°C. In this study, the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process, which considers both temperature (1150°C) and pressure (150 MPa), was adopted to improve the quality of the MIM samples. Although the hardness of the HIP-treated samples decreased slightly and the Mn composition was significantly reduced, the process effectively eliminated many pores that remained after the 1275°C MIM process. The HIP process can improve the quality of the alloy.

This study prepares highly porous carbon (c-fPI) for lithium-ion battery anode that starts from the synthesis of fluorinated polyimide (fPI) via a step polymerization, followed by carbonization. During the carbonization of fPI, the decomposition of fPI releases gases which are particularly from fluorine-containing moiety (–CF3) of fPI, creating well-defined microporous structure with small graphitic regions and a high specific surface area of 934.35 m2 g− 1. In particular, the graphitic region of c-fPI enables lithiation–delithiation processes and the high surface area can accommodate charges at electrolyte/electrode interface during charge–discharge, both of which contribute electrochemical performances. As a result, c-fPI shows high specific capacity of 248 mAh g− 1 at 25 mA g− 1, good rate-retention performance, and considerable cycle stability for at least 300 charge–discharge cycles. The concept of using a polymeric precursor (fPI), capable of forming considerable pores during carbonization is suitable for the use in various applications, particularly in energy storage systems, advancing materials science and energy technologies.

살충제 저항성 목화진딧물 집단(완주, 춘천, 고성)에 대한 3종(afidopyropen, chlorfenapyr, cyantraniliprole) 약제별 감수성과 혼용에 따른 방제 효과를 평가하였다. 3개 야외집단에 대해서 3약제 모두100배 이상의 저항성비를 보였다. 혼합제의 협력작용을 평가하기 위해 반수치사농도(LC50) 을 이용한 조합지수(CI), %M(synergism), 연합독성계수(CTC), 와들리 비율(WR), 상승비율(SR)와 사충률을 이용한 아보트 비율(AR)로 비교하였 다. Afidopyropen + chlorfenapyr은 모든 야외집단에 대해서 살충활성의 증가를 보였고, chlorfenapyr + cyantraniliprole, afidopyropen + cayntraniliprole은 완주, 춘천 집단에 대해서 살충활성의 증가를 보였다. 그러나 chlorfenapyr + cyantraniliprole (CI, 1.63; %M(synergism), 30; CTC, 64.0; WR, 0.6, AR, 0.54)과 afidopyropen + cyantraniliprole (CI, 6.7; %M(synergism), 1; CTC, 19.8; WR, 0.2, AR ≤ 0.55)은 고성 집단에 서 길항작용을 나타내었다. 포장조건에서도 afidopyropen + chlorfenapyr, chlorfenapyr + cyantraniliprole, afidopyropen + cyantraniliprole 은 99% 이상의 높은 방제가를 보여 향후 살충제 저항성 목화진딧물 방제용 혼합제 개발에 유용하게 활용될 것이다.

복숭아혹진딧물(Myzus persicae)은 다식성으로 담배, 감자, 고추, 배추, 복숭아 등에 심각한 피해를 입히는 대표적인 농업해충이다. 본 연구에 서는 국내 복숭아혹진딧물 야외개체군의 λ-cyhalothrin, imidacloprid 및 flupyradifurone에 대한 약제 저항성 발달 수준과 점 돌연변이(R81T, L1014F, M918L)의 발생 여부를 확인하였다. 또한, qRT-PCR을 통해 사이토크롬 P450 유전자인 CYP6CY3 발현량을 확인하였다. 그 결과, λ -cyhalothrin은 저항성비(Resistance Ratio, RR)가 12개 모든 지역이 > 200으로 높은 저항성을 보였다. Imidacloprid와 flupyradifurone은 YS, UR, HY, 그리고 WJ 개체군에서 > 200의 저항성비로 높은 저항성을 나타냈다. R81T는 12개 집단 중 약 50%, L1014F는 약 33.3%, M918L은 100%에서 발현하였다. 또한 qRT-PCR을 통해 imidacloprid 저항성 개체에서 subunit CYP6CY3의 발현량이 높게 나타난 것을 확인하였다. 이러 한 결과는 M918L 점 돌연변이는 λ-cyhalothrin 저항성 진단마커로, R81T와 CYP6CY3의 높은 발현은 imidacloprid 저항성 진단마커로 활용이 가능하다는 것을 시사한다.

Fungal contaminant in the indoor air is one of risk factors that could damage valuable paper-based records preserved in libraries. In the process of monitoring airborne fungi at the Nara Repository, the National Archives, Seoul, Korea, three fungal strains, DUCC 16098, DUCC 17764, and DUCC17767 were isolated from the archive’s air samples. Fungal identification was performed based on the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the 28S LSU rDNA, and β-tubulin gene (BenA), and TEF1-α gene. These DUCC 16098, DUCC 17764 and DUCC17767 strains were identified as Clonostachys farinosa, Penicillium cosmopolitanum, and Cephalotrichum purpureofuscum. These species have not been recorded before in Korea. Information on these fungi will help the monitoring and management of airborne fungi in the archival facilities.

주변 국가인 태국, 캄보디아, 베트남, 라오스 등에서 벼멸구(Nilaparvata lugens)와 흰등멸구(Sogatella furcifera)를 채집하던 중, 벼멸구와 형태가 아주 유사한 이삭멸구(N. muiri)와 벼멸구붙이(N. bakeri), 그리고 흰등 멸구와 형태가 아주 유사한 흰등멸구붙이(S. kolophon), 피멸구(S. vibix) 그리고 애멸구(Laodelphax striatellus)가 동시에 채집이 되는 등 형태적 차이점이 거의 없어 전문가도 쉽게 구분하지 못하는 문제가 있음이 확인되었다. 따라서 형태가 유사한 상기 멸구류의 종 동정을 확실히 할 수 있는 PCR용 프라이머의 개발을 위해 벼멸구 및 흰등멸구의 미토콘드리아 내 COI 영역을 특이적으로 검출할 수 있는 프라이머 세트를 제작하고 종 동정 효과를 확인하였다.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are attracting attention because of their excellent properties and functions; however, they are relatively expensive compared with commercial alloys. Therefore, various efforts have been made to reduce the cost of raw materials. In this study, MIM is attempted using coarse equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi HEA powders. The mixing ratio (powder:binder) for HEA feedstock preparation is explored using torque rheometer. The block-shaped green parts are fabricated through a metal injection molding process using feedstock. The thermal debinding conditions are explored by thermogravimetric analysis, and solvent and thermal debinding are performed. It is densified under various sintering conditions considering the melting point of the HEA. The final product, which contains a small amount of non-FCC phase, is manufactured at a sintering temperature of 1250oC.

An 8-year-old, spayed female Maltese dog was presented with a one-month history of erythema, swelling and alopecia of periocular region with pruritus. The skin lesions were first detected at the age of three years, but this was the first time that symptoms had appeared in the eyes. Physical examination revealed markedly swollen and erythematous eyelids and conjunctiva including Meibomian glands. In addition, periocular alopecia and tears were identified. Slit lamp microscopy revealed erythema of conjunctiva and swelling of Meibomian glands. The Schirmer’s tear test was normal. Impression smear cytology of eyes revealed sterile neutrophils and corneal epithelial cells. There were no virus or bacterial infections in the eyes. On skin examination, generalized erythema was detected but there were no other skin lesions. A case of allergic blepharoconjunctivitis associated with canine atopic dermatitis was diagnosed based on history taking and skin examination. Treatment included cetirizine, cyclosporine, prednisolone and Forus eye drops®. The owner was instructed to wear an Elizabethan collar around his dog's neck at all times and restrict walking. And the diet was changed to hypoallergenic dog food. Medications and environmental restrictions significantly reduced erythema, edema and swelling of meibomian glands. Pruritus was also decreased. Six weeks later, the edema lesions of eyes disappeared.

절화장미 삽목묘 대량생산 효율을 높이기 위해 국내 육성 절화장미 ‘엔틱컬’(Rosa hybrida ‘Antique Curl’)을 대상으로 생장 활력이 높은 단경삽목묘 주요 절위를 분석하였다. 화경으로부터 순서대로 5매엽 이상을 가진 마디 6개를 삽목(6 절위, Level 1~6)하여 온실과 생장환경조절실에서 각각 30일간 관리 하였다. 그 결과, 삽목 절위가 기부 쪽으로 내려갈수록 발근율과 액아 생장이 억제되었고, 삽수 잎의 황화 및 낙엽 현상이 조기에 나타났다. 잎의 탄수화물 함량은 발근과 신초발아율에 영향을 주지 않았다. 온실환경에서 1~3 절위, 생장환경조절실 에서 1~2 절위의 생장이 가장 우수하였고, 모두 4절위까지는 정상적인 생장을 보였다. 결과적으로 상업용 장미 시설 생산에서 대량삽목번식을 할 때 화경으로부터 5매엽을 가진 네번 째 마디(level 4)까지 가능할 것으로 확인되었다.