This study was conducted to assess the genetic variability and correlation of phenotypic characteristics in 12 tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes including 11 WorldVeg and one commercial variety (Pusa Ruby) in Terai (plain) region of Nepal in 2021–2022. This experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The phenotypic traits, including days to 50% flowering, plant vigor and height, fruit number/plant, fruit yield, fruit weight and diameter, fruit firmness and fruit pericarp thickness, and total soluble solids (TSS) content of the fruits, were studied. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits except for plant vigor. The genotype of AVTO1705 resulted the highest fruit yield (2.9 kg/plant) than Pusa Ruby, a commercial check (0.5 kg/plant). The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits and PCV values were maximum for the number of fruits, fruit yield, and fruit weight. High PCV, GCV, and genetic advance (GA) were observed for yield, fruit weight, and plant height, respectively, indicating the additive gene effect. High heritability for fruit yield/plant and plant height inferred the phenotypic selection for their genetic improvement. Fruit yield was significantly (P<0.05) positively correlated with the fruit number and fruit weight, and direct selection of these traits are reliable for yield improvement in tomato.

Transport packages have been developed to transport the decommissioning waste from the nuclear power plant. The packages are classified with Type IP-2 package. The IAEA requirements for Type IP-2 packages include that a free drop test should be performed for normal conditions of transport. In this study, drop tests of the packages were performed to prove the structural integrity and to verify the reliability of the analysis results by comparing the test and analysis results. Half-scale models were used for the drop tests and drop position was considered as 0.3 m oblique drop on packages weighing more than 15 tons. The strain and impact acceleration data were obtained to verify the reliability of the analysis results. Before and after the drop tests, radiation shielding tests were performed to confirm that the dose rate increase was within 20% at the external surface of the package. Also, measurement of bolt torque, and visual inspection were performed to confirm the loss or dispersion of the radioactive contents. After each drop test, slight deformations occurred in some packages. However, there was no loss of pretension in the lid bolts and the shielding thickness was not reduced for metal shields. In the package with concrete shield, the surface dose rate did not increase and there was no cracks or damage to the concrete. Therefore, the transport packages met the legal requirements (no more than a 20% increase of radiation level and no loss or dispersion of radioactive contents). Safety verifications were performed using the measured strain and acceleration data from the test, and the appropriate conservatism for the analysis results and the validity of the analysis model were confirmed. Therefore, it was found that the structural integrity of the packages was maintained under the drop test conditions. The results of this study were used as design data of the transport packages, and the packages will be used in the NPP decommissioning project in the future.

This study describes the national program of year-round surveillance and monitoring for avian influenza (AI). The validity of the epidemiologically-based surveillance scheme was assessed. Korea’s current surveillance program is aimed at detecting subclinical infection of either the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus or the low pathogenic avian influenza virus, types H5 and H7, both of which carry risk of converting to HPAI. The current AI surveillance program has demonstrated that implementing a surveillance strategy is plausible. Farmer and livestock related professional support is the critical step of specimen collection to discover hidden infection. Early detection of AI virus infection can achieve best by the combined efforts of farmers, animal health authorities, and other related industries.

There are many researches about the contribution of virginiamycin use in animals to quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D) resistance in humans. In this study, the prevalence and mechanisms of streptogramin resistance in Enterococcus faecium from chickens were investigated. A total of 170 E. faecium isolates from 38 chicken farms was tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Eleven (6.5%) E. faecium isolates were found to be resistant to Q/D. The vatE and ermB genes were detected in 2 (18%) and 6 (55%) of Q/D-resistant E. faecium respectively. By using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), 6 distinct PFGE patterns were identified. These data indicate that Q/D resistance among E. faecium from chickens remains low despite the long history of virginiamycin use. However, we have to concern over antimicrobial resistance in bacteria originated from animals, including the possibility of transfer of resistance genes from animal to human.

The biosensor technology, which makes it possible to detect biomaterial such as protein, pathogen, and small molecules, is useful in such areas as diagnosis, bioprocessing, and food analysis or safety. For the development of a highly sensitive biosensor, immobilization techniques of organic/bio films on solid substrate, and detection methods of protein-protein reactions appearing in a few nanometers region from the sensor surface should be established. In this review, several immobilization techniques and detection methods are reviewed based on the articles reported recently.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a significant public health problem in Korea. In many cases, it is not easy to diagnose TB. A 13-year-old male patient was admitted for left chest pain for 6 months period. Chest radiography done two months ago during the school screening revealed a pleural effusion in the left lung. All cultures were negative, and 3 sputum samples and his pleural fluid sample tested negative for Acid-fast bacilli. There was no evidence of a malignant effusion. A pleural fluid examination revealed features suggestive of an empyema. Thick and yellowish pus was drawn out. Pleural fluid analysis presented White blood cell 5,200/mm3, and neutrophil-dominant with 60% of neutrophil. In an effort to attain a diagnosis, a video-assisted thoracoscopy procedure was performed with pleural drainage and biopsies. Active chronic granulomatous pleuritis was found through pleural biopsies. He was responsive to treatment and received 6 months of anti-TB therapy with complete clinical resolution. If the clinical picture is in confusion, pleural biopsy is occasionally indicated to diagnose TB pleuritis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a kind of liver inflammation caused by an accumulation of fat in the liver. Patients with NAFLD have an increased risk to develop liver fibrosis, which leads to cirrhosis. To investigate hepatoprotective effects of Agrimonia eupatoria L (A. eupatoria), oleic acid-induced NAFLD in HepG2 cells was used and A. eupatoria was fractionated with ethanol (EtOH), n-hexane, dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (BuOH), and H2O. Cells treated with the EtOAc fraction showed the highest lipid accumulation inhibiting effect. A. eupatoria also suppressed triglyceride accumulation and inhibited expression of lipid marker gene, such as a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ). Moreover, another marker, mRNA expression level of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPAR-α) was significantly increased by in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that A. eupatoria is a potent agent for the treatment of NAFLD.