In May 2023, a free-living marine nematode species from the genus Parapinnanema was identified in the subtidal zone of Ulleungdo Island, the East Sea, Korea. Specimens were collected using the Smith-McIntyre Grab. These specimens exhibited close similarities to Parapinnanema imbricatum from the sublittoral of Moneron Island, particularly in terms of general characteristics, such as the detailed structure of the buccal cavity, the complex and ringed structure of the cuticle, the copulatory apparatus, spinneret, and the female genital system. However, the Korean specimens of Parapinnanema imbricatum also displayed distinctive features compared to the original description, including a relatively elongated body (3,317-4,339 μm vs. 3,100-4,200 μm) and a narrower body width (66-77 μm vs. 71-85 μm). Additionally, the diameter of the head was relatively shorter (24-29 μm vs. 28-36 μm). This paper offers a comprehensive morphological description, along with illustrations and DIC photomicrographs, of P. imbricatum from Korean waters.

According to IAEA PRIS, there is no record of dismantling commercial heavy water reactors among 57 heavy water reactors around the world. In Canada, which has the largest number of heavy water reactors, three of the 22 commercial heavy water reactors with more than 500 MW are permanently suspended, Gentilly unit 2 (2012), Pickering unit 2 (2007), and Pickering unit 3 (2008), all of which chose a delayed decommissioning strategy. On the other hand, Wolsong unit 1, which will be the world’s first heavy water reactor to be dismantled commercially, will be immediately carried out as a decommissioning strategy. KHNP has established various cooperation systems with advanced companies and international organizations related to overseas NPP decommission and is actively exchanging technologies. Among them, the most important focus is on research cooperation related to COG (CANDU owners Group). The first case is a joint study on Conceptual Calandria Segmentation. Four areas of process, waste management, ALARA, and cost for decommissioning reactors to be submitted to Canadian regulators for approval of Pickering and Gentilly-2’s preliminary decommissioning plan have been evaluated, and research on Wolsong unit 1 is currently underway. The second case is Decommissioning and long-term waste management R&D. Although the technical maturity is low, it studies the common interests of member companies in the decommissioning of heavy water reactor power generation companies and long-term waste management. Robotics for dismantling high-radiation structures, C- 14, H-3 measurement and removal methods, and concrete decontamination technology, which are characterized by heavy water, are being actively studied. KHNP is strengthening international cooperation with COG to prepare for the successful decommissioning of Wolsong unit 1. Based on previous studies by Pickering and Gentilly-2, an evaluation of the decommissioning of Wolsong unit 1 reactor is being conducted. In addition, it is preparing for decommissioning through experience analysis of the pressure tube replacement project.

Anthricin (Deoxypodophyllotoxin), a naturally occurring flavolignan, has well known anti-cancer properties in several cancer cells, such as prostate cancer, cervical carcinoma and pancreatic cancer. However, the effects of Anthricin are currently unknown in oral cancer. We examined the anticancer effect and mechanism of action of Anthricin in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Our data showed that Anthricin inhibits cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner (IC50 50 nM) in the MTT assay and Live & Dead assay. In addition, Anthricin treated FaDu cells showed marked apoptosis by DAPI stain and FACS. Furthermore, Anthricin activates anti-apoptotic factors such as caspase-3, -9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), suggesting that caspase-mediated pathways are involved in Anthricin- induced apoptosis. Anthricin treatment also leads to accumulation of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax, followed by inhibition of cell growth. Taken together, these results indicate that Anthricn-induced cell death of human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells is mediated by mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. In summary, our findings provide a framework for further exploration on Anthricin as a novel chemotherapeutic drug for human oral cancer.

본 연구는 가막만에 서식하는 중형저서동물의 계절적인 변화와 공간분포 특성을 연구하였다. 2009~2010년에 걸쳐 10개 정점에서 2월, 6월 10월에 총 6회 조사를 실시하였다. 가막만에 서식하는 중형저서동물의 군집구조, 분류군 다양 도, N/C ratio를 분석하였다. 연구기간 동안 선형동물과 저서 성 요각류의 서식밀도가 가막만의 중형저서동물 그룹중 가 장 높은 서식밀도를 나타냈다. 분류군 다양도 값은 가막만의 내만역에 비해 외해에 인접한 정점들이 높은 값을 나타냈다. N/C ratio는 각 지역별로 저서생태계의 오염을 모니터링 하 기 위한 지수인데, N/C ratio 분석결과 가막만의 내만역의 N/ C ratio 값이 외해에 인접한 정점들에 비해 높은 값을 나타내 내만역의 오염도가 상대적으로 높은 값을 나타냈다.

CD63, a member of tetraspanin membrane protein family, plays pivotal role in cell growth, motility, signal transduction, host-pathogen interactions and cancer. In this work, the cDNA encoding CD63 homologue (TmCD63) was cloned from larvae of coleopteran beetle, Tenebrio molitor. The cDNA is comprised of an open reading frame of 705 bp, encoding putative protein of 235 amino acid residues. In silico analysis shows that the protein has four putative transmembrane domains and one large extracellular loop. The characteristic ‘Cys-Cys-Gly’ motif and ‘Cys188’ residues are highly conserved in the large extracellular loop. Phylogenetic analysis of TmCD63 revealed that they belong to the insect cluster with 50-56% identity. Analysis of spatial expression patterns demonstrated that TmCD63 mRNA is mainly expressed in gut and Malphigian tubules of larvae and the testis of the adult. Developmental expression patterns of CD63 mRNA showed that TmCD63 transcripts are detected in late larval, pupal and adult stages. Interestingly, TmCD63 transcript was upregulated the maximum 4.5 fold in response to DAP-type peptidoglycan during the first 6 h, although other immune elicitors also made significant increase in the transcript level at later time-points. These results suggest that CD63 might contribute to T. molitor immune response against various microbial pathogens.

We have identified novel ricin-type (R-type) lectin by sequencing of random clones from cDNA library of the coleopteran beetle, T.molitor. The cDNA sequence is comprised of 495 bp encoding a protein of 164 amino acid residues and shows 49% identity with galectin of Tribolium castaneum. Bioinformatics analysis shows that the amino acid residues from 35 to 162 belong to ricin-type β-trefoil structure. The transcript was significantly upregulated after early hours of injection with peptidoglycans derived from Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria, beta-1, 3 glucan from fungi and an intracellular pathogen, L. monocytogenes suggesting putative function in innate immunity.

Fermented soybean food is one of most economical and health food due to its valuable nutritional and medicinal attributes and have been consumed for centuries as flavoring ingredient in Korea. On fermented soybean food such as doenjang, aroma compounds are important property because they determine taste and grade of fermentation. This study investigated variety of aroma compounds of doenjang made from different soybean genotypes. Aroma compounds in twelve different doenjang made from two cultivar (Daewon and Taekwang) and ten elite lines were extracted by steam distillation extraction (SDE) method and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Aroma compound were detected over 80 kinds in eight samples (Daewon, Taekwang, MY177, MY187, MY189, MY192, MY204 and MY205) and under 70 kinds in four samples (yeonchun1, MY188, MY203 and MY206). Among the detected aroma components, 47 compounds were assigned as aromatic compounds (21), long chain fatty acid (13), short chain fatty acid (5) and others (8) by the computer library (Wiley 7n program). The major aroma compounds in twelve different doenjang were benzaldehyde, benzeneacetaldehyde, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, pyrazine type compounds, cysteaminesulfonic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Each doenjang made by same condition (microbe, temperature, aging time and etc) had a difference in ratio and variety of aroma compounds due to different components having soybean genotype.