Endosymbionts of the genus Buchnera, which belong to γ-Proteobacteria, reside in specialized cells known as bacteriocytes. In this announcement, we present the complete genome sequence of Buchnera aphidicola (Aphis gossypii) isolated from Aphis gossypii with Plantago asiatica. The genome spans 628,098 base pairs and has a GC content of 25.4%. A total of 589 CDs, 32 tRNAs, and 3 rRNAs were predicted. Interestingly, the evolutionary rate of the endosymbiont's genome, inferred from intraspecific variations, may be slower than that of the host's mitochondrial genome.

Background: The increasing demand for real-time professional fitness coaching has led to a need for accurate exercise posture recognition using artificial intelligence. Objectives: To compare the performance of Feedforward Neural Network (FNN) and Stacked Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models in classifying fitness posture images using detailed joint coordinate labeling. Design: Comparative analysis of machine learning models using a labeled dataset of fitness posture images. Methods: A dataset from AI-hub containing images and data of 41 exercises was used. Five exercises were selected and processed using a custom program. Data was converted from JSON to CSV format, augmented with joint condition information, and analyzed using Google Colab. Results: The best FNN model achieved a training error of 1.21% and test error of 9.08%. The Stacked LSTM model demonstrated superior performance with a training error of 1.05% and test error of 6.09%. Conclusion: Both FNN and Stacked LSTM models effectively classified sequential fitness images, with Stacked LSTM showing superior performance. This indicates the potential of Stacked LSTM models for accurate fitness posture classification in real-time coaching scenarios.

본 연구에서는 한국산 혹좀벌속(신칭)의 미기록종인 얼룩혹좀벌(신칭)을 국내에 처음으로 보고한다. 한국산 혹좀벌속(신칭)의 목록과 검색 표, 얼룩혹좀벌(신칭)의 기재 및 주요 형질 사진, S. biguttata와 S. flavicollis, S. variegata의 외형과 날개 사진을 제공한다.

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are undifferentiated cells with the potential to develop into all cell types in the body. They have the potential to replenish cells in tissues and organs, and have unique properties that make them a powerful tool for regenerative therapy. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst of pre-implantation embryo and epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) derived from the epiblast layer of post-implantation embryo are the well-known PSCs. These stem cells can differentiate into any of three germ layers of germ cells (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm). Additionally, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) refer to adult somatic cells reprogrammed to return to the pluripotent state by introducing specific factors. This is a breakthrough in stem cell research because ethical concerns such as fertilized embryo destruction can be avoided. PSCs have tremendous potential in treating degenerative cells by generating the cells needed to replace damaged cells, which can also allow to generate specific cell types to study the mechanisms of the disease and create disease models that screen for potential drugs. However, if the proliferative capacity of PSCs is not controlled, there is a risk that tumors will form, as this can lead to uncontrolled growth in their proliferative capacity. In addition, when PSCs are used for therapeutic purposes, there is a risk that the body’s immune system rejects the transplanted cells when the transplanted cells do not originate from the patient’s own tissue. Taken together, PSC is the foundation of stem cell research and regenerative medicine, providing disease treatment and animal development understanding. We would like to explain the classification of PSCs based on their developmental potential, the types of PSCs (ESCs, EpiSCs and iPSCs), their pluripotent status (naïve vs. primed) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in PSCs and PSCs in domestic animals.

This study investigated the seasonal variations and environmental factors influencing soil respiration in Quercus mongolica forests at three distinct sites in South Korea: Mt. Jeombongsan, Mt. Namsan, and Mt. Jirisan. Monthly soil respiration rates were measured from 2009 to 2010 using a closed chamber method, alongside assessments of soil temperature, moisture, and organic matter. Results revealed significant seasonal and spatial variability, with the highest respiration rates recorded during summer months. Soil temperature was identified as the primary driver of respiration, showing strong positive correlations across all sites (R2=0.64 - 0.88). The temperature sensitivity (Q10) values ranged from 2.7 at Mt. Namsan to 5.7 at Mt. Jeombongsan, underscoring the heightened vulnerability of cooler, high-altitude forests to warming. Soil moisture had a dual role, promoting respiration at moderate levels but inhibiting it under saturated conditions, particularly at Mt. Jirisan. Soil organic matter content exhibited an inverse relationship with respiration rates, indicating that substrate quality, rather than quantity, predominantly governs microbial activity. Plant-soil interactions, including root respiration and litterfall decomposition, further modulated respiration patterns, with site-specific differences reflecting variations in vegetation density and ecosystem structure. These findings highlight the complexity of soil carbon dynamics in temperate forests and the critical influence of environmental factors and plant-soil processes. The study provides essential insights for improving carbon cycling models and informs climate-resilient forest management strategies. Future research should prioritize long-term monitoring and experimental manipulations to better predict soil respiration under changing climatic conditions.

Background: Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are capable of differencing into various cell types in the body, providing them valuable for therapy of degenerative diseases. Patientspecific treatments using PSCs, such as mesenchymal stem cells in patient’s own body, may reduce the risk of immune rejection. Inducing the differentiation of PSCs into vascular endothelial cells (ECs) altering culture conditions or using specific growth factors is able to applied to the treatment of vascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to induce the differentiation of porcine epiblast stem cells (pEpiSCs), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (pBM-MSCs) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (pAMSCs) into ECs and then examine the functionality of vascular ECs. Methods: Porcine pEpiSCs, pBM-MSCs and pA-MSCs were induced to differentiate into ECs on matrigel-coated plates in differentiation medium (EBM-2 + 50 ng/mL of VEGF) for 8 days. Cells differentiated from these stem cells were isolated using CD-31 positive (+) magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and then proliferated in M199 medium. Evaluation of ECs differentiated from these stem cells was treated with capillary-like structure formation and three-dimensional spheroid sprouting assay. Results: Porcine pEpiSCs, pBM-MSCs and pA-MSCs showed similar expression of pluripotency-related genes (OCT-3/4. NANOG, SOX2). These stem cells were differentiated into vascular ECs, but showed different morphologies after the differentiation. Cells differentiated from pEpiSCs showed an elongated spindle-like morphology, whereas cells differentiated from pBM-MSCs showed a round pebble-like morphology. In the case of pA-MSCs, these two morphologies were mixed with each other. Additionally, vascular ECs differentiated from these stem cells showed different formation of capillary-like structure formation and three-dimensional spheroid sprouting assay. Conclusions: Cells differentiated from pEpiSCs, pBM-MSCs and pA-MSCs presented the functionality of different vascular ECs, demonstrating the potential of the excellent ECs differentiated from pEpiSCs.

This study aimed to investigate the metabolic and morphological responses of Italian ryegrass to waterlogging stress during its early growth stage. Waterlogging increased the number of adventitious roots and root porosity, indicating an enhanced oxygen transport mechanism. Phenolic compound levels were increased in both leaf and root tissues under waterlogging stress compared to the control, suggesting the development of a non-enzymatic antioxidant system. Waterlogging treatment also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels only in roots. Total soluble carbohydrates and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity increased under waterlogging stress, suggesting an increased activity of carbohydrate breakdown and energy conversion mechanisms. This study suggests that Italian ryegrass exhibits significant metabolic and morphological adaptations to waterlogging stress during its early growth stage. These adaptations demonstrate that Italian ryegrass has developed tolerance mechanisms to cope with such stress.

본 연구에서는 한국산 미기록속인 고수씨살이좀벌속(신칭) 및 미기록종인 고수씨살이좀벌(신칭)과 긴고수씨살이좀벌(신칭)을 처음으로 보 고한다. 본 논문에서는 한국산 고수씨살이좀벌속(신칭)의 검색표와 두 미기록종의 재기재문 및 사진을 제공한다.

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is one of the most widely grown winter forage crops in Korea, but its yields are known to be greatly affected by drought that occur frequently in spring. This study aimed to compare the growth and tolerance response characteristics to drought stress in several Italian ryegrass varieties cultivated in Korea. Twenty-day-old Italian ryegrass was subjected to drought treatment for 4 days, and then the growth and physiological responses of the plants were compared. Drought stress reduced leaf length, fresh weight, and dry weight in all Italian ryegrass varieties compared to the control. In addition, chlorophyll content was significantly decreased in all varieties treated with drought stress, but Fv/Fm was significantly decreased only in Winter hawk. For H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, Winter hawk showed the highest increase and New dawn showed the least increase. In terms of relative water content (RWC), New dawn showed the least decrease and Winter hawk showed the greatest decrease. These results indicate that New dawn is relatively drought-tolerant and Winter hawk is a drought-sensitive variety, indicating that each variety of Italian ryegrass has different drought tolerance mechanisms, which may provide basic insight for the development of tolerant varieties in the future.

Drought stress is one of the major factors that reduce plant growth and productivity. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of exogenous acetic acid pretreatment on drought stress tolerance response in plants. Fourteen-day-old alfalfa plants were pretreated with 15 mM acetic acid, and then subsequently subjected to drought stress for 6 days. The fresh weight and relative water content in the leaves of acetic acid pretreated alfalfa plants were increased compared to the control group. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were slightly decreased in the acetic acid treatment. The H2O2 and proline contents were also significantly decreased in the acetic acid treatment. These results suggest that the scavenging mechanism of reactive oxygen species in alfalfa activated by acetic acid pretreatment is involved in conferring tolerance to drought stress.

This study evaluated the efficacy of a wild boar repellent (Repellent A) consisting of tannins and plant oils (castor oil, garlic oil, and cinnamon oil). Sixty farmed wild boars (4-8 months old) were divided into three groups: the normal control group (NC, n=20), the experimental group (EP, n=20), and the comparative experimental group (C-EP, n=20), which used Repellent B consisting of guaiacol, eugenol, menthol, thymol, and indole. EP and C-EP were equipped with four repellents per feeder, while no repellents were installed in the NC feeder. The feed intake and the number of feeding approaches were measured for one week in all groups. The number of approach of wild boars in feeders was monitored daily using a CCTV camera. The daily feed intake per farmed wild boar in EP and C-EP was significantly decreased compared to NC (p<0.05), and EP was significantly decreased compared to C-EP (p<0.05). In the average number of daily approaches, EP and C-EP were significantly decreased compared to NC (p<0.05), and EP was significantly decreased compared to C-EP (p<0.05). In conclusion, Product A has been confirmed to have excellent repellent effects on wild boars, and it could be used to prevent wild boars from approaching pig farms.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of seeding dates on the growth characteristics, dry matter yield and mineral contents of rye cultivated in the paddy field. The field experiment was conceived as a randomized block design performed in triplicate with seeding dates of October 19 (T1), October (T2), November 2 (T3), November 9 (T4), and November 16 (T5). All treatments was harvested on May 22 of the following year. Plant length, stem diameter, dry matter yield, and total digestible nutrient (TDN) yield were higher in rye with early seeding dates (p<0.05), whereas TDN was higher with late seeding dates (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between crude protein and ether extract among the different seeding dates. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were higher with early seeding dates (p<0.05). K and Ca contents were significantly higher at T1 as compared to other treatments (T2, T3, T4 and T5). There was no significant difference in Mg and Na content among T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 treatments. P content was higher in the order T1 > T2 > T3 > T4 > T5 (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in free sugar contents (glucose, fructose and sucrose) by treatments, whereas total free sugar content was the highest in T1 than in the other treatments (p<0.05). Collectively, the results obtained in this study indicate that it is favorable to seed (T1 and T2) soon after harvesting rice to increase dry matter, TDN yield and total free sugar content of rye in the midlands of Korea.