Background: In healthy dentin conditions, odontoblasts have an important role such as protection from invasion of pathogens. In mammalian teeth, progenitors such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can migrate and differentiate into odontoblast-like cells, leading to the formation of reparative dentin. For differentiation using stem cells, it is crucial to provide conditions similar to the complex and intricate in vivo environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of differentiation into odonto/ osteoblasts, and compare co-culture with/without epithelial cells. Methods: MSCs and epithelial cells were successfully isolated from dental tissues. We investigated the influences of epithelial cells on the differentiation process of dental pulp stem cells into odonto/osteoblasts using co-culture systems. The differentiation potential with/without epithelial cells was analyzed for the expression of specific markers and calcium contents. Results: Differentiated odonto/osteoblast derived from dental pulp tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells with/without epithelial cells were evaluated by qRT-PCR, immunostaining, calcium content, and ALP staining. The expression of odonto/ osteoblast-specific markers, calcium content, and ALP staining intensity were significantly increased in differentiated cells. Moreover, the odonto/osteogenic differentiation capacity with epithelial cells co-culture was significantly higher than without epithelial cells co-culture. Conclusions: These results suggest that odonto/osteogenic differentiation co-cultured with epithelial cells has a more efficient application.

To safely dispose of highly radioactive spent resin and concentrate waste generated through nuclear power plant operations, it is essential to meet the physicochemical properties requirements of the packages and ensure the accuracy and reliability of radiological characteristics determination. Both spent resin and concentrate are packaged in high-integrity containers (HICs) after drying and are homogeneous waste products generated in the primary system and liquid radioactive waste treatment system. Meeting the physicochemical properties requirements does not appear to be difficult. However, to achieve reliable radiological characterization of high-integrity container packages, it is necessary to take a representative sample and perform accurate radiological analysis. Therefore, this paper discusses the methodology for evaluating the radionuclide inventory of high radioactive resin and concentrate packages, as well as the essential element technology and considerations. For relatively high radioactive resin and concentrate packages, the radionuclide inventory for each package should be evaluated with high reliability through direct radiological analysis of the representative samples collected for each package. This can contribute to the efficient operation of radioactive waste disposal facilities. Radionuclide-specific concentrations directly analyzed for each package will be managed in a database. As analytical data accumulates and direct measurements of high-integrity container package such as the radwaste drum assay system (RAS) become feasible, statistical techniques such as correlation analysis between easy-tomeasure (ETM) nuclides and difficult-to-measure (DTM) nuclides can lead to the development of efficient and reasonable indirect evaluation methods, such as scaling factor and the mean activity concentration method. As for the element technology, a remote representative sampling technique should be developed to safely and effectively take representative samples of highly radioactive materials, including granulated or hardened concentrate waste. Considerations should also be given to determining the sample quantity representing each package, as well as establishing radiation calibration and measurement methods appropriate to the radiation levels of the representative samples.

2015년부터 2022년도까지 6개목(딱정벌레목, 노린재목, 나비목, 벌목, 파리목, 총채벌레목)에 대해서 식물검 역현장 검출실적과 국내 미기록종을 분석 하였다. 총 45,078건이 검역현장에서 검출되었으며, 545종이 새롭게 국내에 보고되었다. 이중 9종은 검역현장에서도 검출된 것으로 확인되었다. 검역현장에서는 딱정벌레목, 총채 벌레목, 노린재목이 높은 검출률을 보였으며, 국내 미기록종 중에서는 벌목이 176종으로 가장 많이 보고되었다. 본 연구는 검출실적과 미기록종과의 관계를 살펴볼 때, 동시간대의 침입압력으로는 설명이 어렵다는 것을 보여 주고 있으며, 이는 지속적인 식물검역시스템 개선이 필요성을 제시한다.

In this paper, the effect of Ni (0, 0.5 and 1.0 wt%) additions on the microstructure, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of cast and extruded Al-MM-Sb alloy is studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy, and a universal tensile testing machine. Molten aluminum alloy is maintained at 750 oC and then poured into a mold at 200 oC. Aluminum alloys are hot-extruded into a rod that is 12 mm in diameter with a reduction ratio of 39:1 at 550 oC. The addition of Ni results in the formation of Al11RE3, AlSb and Al3Ni intermetallic compounds; the area fraction of these intermetallic compounds increases with increasing Ni contents. As the amount of Ni increases, the average grain sizes of the extruded Al alloy decrease to 1359, 536, and 153 μm, and the high-angle grain boundary fractions increase to 8, 20, and 34 %. As the Ni content increases from 0 to 1.0 wt%, the electrical conductivity is not significantly different, with values from 57.4 to 57.1 % IACS.

To attenuate and control the spread of infectious disease, a body of research has been conducted to generate safe vaccines and to continue national-level surveillance. However, understanding on viability and persistence of avian influenza virus (AIV) in infected carcasses, and effective disposal approaches are still limited up to date. Here, using HA test and RT-PCR, we assessed active status of AIV and degradation of viral RNA in collected specimens at different sites and time points. First, AIV infectivity was recovered until day 2, and viral nucleic acids persisted to day 14 and 21 in inorganic and organic samples, respectively, in sealed vials incubated at room temperature. Second, AIV was totally inactivated in all examined specimens, and viral RNA was not detectable at all time points tested at least one month post-infection in AIV-inoculated carcasses buried directly in soil or fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bin. Lastly, among different burial sites in South Korea, 6 out of 17 sampling sites in Jeonbuk province showed the presence of viral genetic materials, while the rest of the field samples displayed neither the presence of infective AIV nor detectable viral RNA. This study showed a linear relation between time and degradation degree of viral RNA in buried samples suggesting that burial disposal method is effective for the control or at least attenuation of spread of AI infection in infected animals although consistent monitoring is required to verify safety of disposal.

Equine reproductive failures for many different reasons are the main contributors to economic losses in the horse industry. This paper describes major bacterial agents isolated from thoroughbred mares that had reproductive failures in the previous year as well as the antimicrobial susceptibility of these bacterial isolates. A total of 146 vaginal and uterine swab samples were submitted to Jeju Self-Governing Veterinary Research Institute by equine veterinarians from 2011 to 2015. Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus were the most frequently encountered bacteria in 29 samples (48.3%). Other identified species included 21 samples (35%) with Escherichia coli, six samples (10%) with Klebsiella pneumoniae, and four samples (6.7%) with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefazolin, cefuroxime, and florfenicol, while all were resistant to tetracycline and kanamycin. All E. coli were sensitive to enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and most were susceptible to cefazolin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, florfenicol, and gentamicin. All K. pneumoniae isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefazolin, cefuroxime, florfenicol, and ciprofloxacin, while all were resistant to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. P. aeruginosa exhibited sensitivity to quinolones and aminoglycosides, particularly gentamicin, while all were resistant to cefazolin and cefuroxime.

In South Korea, Jeju Island has a role as a test bed for electric vehicles (EVs). All conventional cars on the island are supposed to be replaced with EVs by 2030. Accordingly, how to effectively set up EV charging stations (EVCSs) that can charge EVs is an urgent research issue. In this paper, we present a case study on planning the locations of EVCS for Jeju Island, South Korea. The objective is to determine where EVCSs to be installed so as to balance the load of EVCSs while satisfying demands. For a public service with EVCSs by some government or non-profit organization, load balancing between EVCS locations may be one of major measures to evaluate or publicize the associated service network. Nevertheless, this measure has not been receiving much attention in the related literature. Thus, we consider the measure as a constraint and an objective in a mixed integer programming model. The model also considers the maximum allowed distance that drivers would detour to recharge their EV instead of using the shortest path to their destination. To solve the problem effectively, we develop a heuristic algorithm. With the proposed heuristic algorithm, a variety of numerical analysis is conducted to identify effects of the maximum allowed detour distance and the tightness of budget for installing EVCSs. From the analysis, we discuss the effects and draw practical implications.

A 2-year-old female Maltese dog was presented with a history of anemia and vaginal hemorrhagic discharge. Physical examination revealed severe vaginal hemorrhagic discharge, abdominal pain, pale mucous membranes, low blood pressure and dehydration. Results of serum biochemistry, hematology, venous blood gas, and electrolyte canine C-reactive protein (CRP) test revealed severe normocytic normochromic anemia, severe neutropenia, a high level of CRP, hypoglycemia, and imbalanced electrolytes. Abdominal ultrasound examination showed focal hypoechoic defect with loss of layering in uterine horn wall. A laparotomy revealed a clear reddish fluid in the abdomen, the fistula of left and right uterine horn, the purulent discharge from fistula, and symptoms of septic peritonitis near by the fistula site. The bitch underwent ovariohysterectomy and recovered without complication. Histopathological diagnosis of the uterine fistula site was adenocarcinoma.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of various mulching materials on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). Three kinds of polyethylene (PE) mulching materials were used which are: black (Black), green (Green), and white and black on both sides (White), black non-woven fabric (Fabric), and barley straw (Straw) and the control plot (Control) were also used in this study. The change of soil temperature was observed in various mulching materials with Green showing the highest average temperature of 24.4o, followed by Black > Fabric > Control > White > Straw. The variation of plant length,, aboveground weight, and root weight were constant in the order of Green > Black > White > Fabric > Control > Straw. Total yield (number of fruits) were 281,000 in Green which was the highest yield, and the least was from Straw which was 62.3% of Green. Total weight of fruits in Green was 395 kg which was the heaviest, and in Straw was least with 226 kg Hence, the weight of fruits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the initial detection time and development of the fetal genital structures using ultrasound in twelve pregnant small bitches. The initial detection time of the fetal genital structures was as follows: genital tubercle at days 32.6; os penis at days 45.2; labia at days 45.7; scrotum at days 47.5. Ultrasonograms of fetal genital structure according to gestational stage were as follows: Undifferentiated stage (before day 35), the genital tubercle was observed to have a small elevation and just a hyper-echogenic structure in the midline between the umbilical cord and the tail in male and female fetus. Migration stage (between day 35∼45), the genital tubercle was observed as a hyper-echogenic, bilobular, oval shaped and the genital tubercle began to migrate from the initial position toward the umbilical cord in males, and toward the tail in females. Differentiated stage (after day 46), the penis and os penis were observed to stand out in the abdominal wall and the scrotum was observed toward the perineal region in male fetuses. The labia was detected at the base of the tail in female fetuses. These results indicate that ultrasound of fetal genital structures could be useful for fetal gender determination and a completely prepartum evaluation of the canine fetus.

A 10-year-old spayed female Yorkshire Terrier visited for a physical checkup. The bitch had a history of ovariohysterectomy for treatment of pyometra a year ago. On physical examination, the dog was bright and alert. Complete blood counts, serum biochemistry and blood gas analysis results did not show any deviations within normal ranges. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations revealed unilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter of the right kidney and ureter, and obstruction of the distal ureter was observed. On the basis of these results, nephroureterectomy was performed. During the operation, the adhesion of the distal ureter and surrounding tissue cells were observed without the evidence of the ureteral ligation. The distal ureteral obstruction was presumed to be adhesion caused by fibrous tissue formation between ureter and retained broad ligament, or incompletely removed blood clots following ovariohysterectomy. This case report describes the occurrence of hydroureteronephrosis caused by adhesion of the distal ureter following ovariohysterectomy in a bitch.

A 6-year old, Greyhound bitch was presented with vaginal hemorrhage and dystocia. Physical examination revealed severe vaginal hemorrhage, abdominal pain, pale mucous membranes and the presence of solid structures to abdominal palpation. A hematological test revealed a marked hemorrhagic anemia, and abdominal radiography and ultrasonographic examination showed two dead fetuses in the uterus. Median laparotomy revealed a rupture of the left uterine horn adjacent to the bifurcation, region of weakened uterine wall in the right uterine horn, blood clots and uterine fluids in abdominal cavity without septic peritonitis. The bitch underwent ovariohysterectomy and recovered without complication.