This study evaluated the applicability of existing overseas-developed allometric equations for estimating the biomass of domestic apple trees (Malus domestica) in South Korea. To assess their suitability, predicted biomass values derived from these equations were compared with actual measurements obtained through destructive sampling. The results indicate that some overseas equations showed no significant difference when applied to domestic apple trees, suggesting their potential applicability to local conditions. However, it was also noted that certain equations may not fully capture the unique characteristics of domestic apple trees, such as the slender spindle form associated with modern high-density planting practices. Given these findings, the study highlights the need to develop new allometric equations that are specifically optimized for the growth characteristics and cultivation environments of domestic apple orchards. Such equations would enable more accurate biomass estimation, support agricultural sustainability, and provide reliable data for the national greenhouse gas inventory. This research is expected to serve as a foundation for future Tier 2-level studies on biomass and carbon sequestration in apple orchards while also underscoring the importance of expanding research to include various fruit tree species to develop customized biomass estimation models for enhanced agricultural management and environmental conservation.

Haemaphysalis longicornis는 사람과 동물에게 여러 심각한 병원체를 전달하는 주요 매개체로, 한반도에 널리 분포하고 있다. H. longicornis는 Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., Francisella spp., Coxiella spp., 그리고 중증열성혈소판 감소증후군 바이러스 (SFTS virus) 등을 매개하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 국내에 서식하는 H. longicornis의 미생물 군집과 관련된 연구는 많이 진행되지 않은 것으로 확인되었다. 이 연구는 한반도 내 다양한 지역에서 채집된 H. longicornis의 미생물군집 다양성을 지역별, 성장 단계 및 성별에 따라 분석하였다. 2019년 6월부터 7월까지 질병관리청 권역별기후변화매개체감시거점센터 16개 지역에서 채집한 H. longicornis의 16S rRNA 유전자 V3-V4 영역을 PCR로 증폭 후 Illumina MiSeq 플랫폼으로 시퀀싱하였다. Qiime2를 활용한 미생물 다양성 분석을 통해 총 46개의 샘플에서 1,754,418개의 non-chimeric reads를 얻었으며, 평균 126개 의 operating taxonmic unit (OTU) 을 식별하여 총 1,398개의 OTU를 확인하였다. 대부분의 지역에서 Coxiella spp.가 우점종으로 나타났으며, 특히 Coxiella endosymbiont는 가장 높은 우점도를 보이며, Coxiella burnetii와 계통 발생 학적으로 유사한 것으로 확인되었다. 이 연구를 통해 분석된 결과는 각 지역의 H. longicornis 미생물군집 데이터 베이스 구축에 활용되었으며, 이를 통해 지역별 미생물군집의 특이성을 식별할 수 있게 하였다. 이는 한반도의 H. longicornis에 의한 질병 전파 연구와 이를 통한 공중보건 개선에 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

In this study, we examined the antagonistic effects of sprout-borne lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. This antagonism is promoted as a means of controlling contamination during sprout production and provides additional LAB for consumers. We isolated a total of 24 LAB isolates in nine species and five genera from seven popular vegetable sprouts: alfalfa (Medicago sativa), clover (Trifolium pratense), broccoli (Brassica oleracea ssp. italica), vitamin (B. rapa ssp. narinosa), red radish (Raphanus sativus), red kohlrabi (B. oleracea var. gongylodes), and Kimchi cabbage (B. campestris var. pekinensis). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the LAB species were identified as Enterococcus casseliflavus, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. mundtii, Lactococcus taiwanensis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Weissella cibaria, and W. confusa. A total of 16 LAB isolates in seven species including E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. mundtii, L. taiwanensis, L. mesenteroides, P. pentosaceus, and W. cibaria showed antagonistic activity toward S. enterica. The growth inhibition of sprout LAB on S. enterica was confirmed by co-culture. Unexpectedly, sprout LAB failed to suppress the growth of S. enterica in alfalfa sprouts, whereas all LAB strains stimulate S. enterica growth even if it is not significant in some strains. The findings of this study indicate that S. enterica-antagonistic LAB are detrimental to food hygiene and will contribute to further LAB research and improved vegetable sprout production.

Leiomyosarcoma is malignant mesenchymal tumor of smooth muscle and commonly encountered in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. However, primary canine leiomyosarcoma in oral cavity is rare due to lack of smooth muscle in the oral tissue. A 13-year-old, neutered male Poodle presented a hard and immobile mass on the left maxilla. Imprinting cytology from the mass as well as fine-needle aspirated cytology from the left scapular lymph node revealed predominant spindle cells met malignancy criteria of the tumors, including coarse chromatin, high N/C ratio, nuclear molding, macro/multi-nucleoli with cigar-shaped nucleus. Radiography of the skull showed lysis of the nasopalatine bone, and mineral radiopacity in the mass. Computed tomography showed soft tissue attenuating mass from the left incisor teeth to the left retrobulbar space with loss of nasopalatine bone and medial wall of orbit. The histopathological examination showed irregularly arranged malignant spindle-shaped cells with oval or elongated nuclei. The nucleolus is distinct and moderate cellular polymorphism is observed. Mitotic figures are occasionally observed. The tumor cells are positive to vimentin, desmin, α-smooth muscle actin when immunohistochemistry was performed, and in Masson’s trichrome stain, tumor cells are stained as red. Overall, histopathologic exam and immunohistochemistry confirmed canine oral leiomyosarcoma. Because of the poor prognosis, the owner did not consent further treatment.