Bee venom is a rich source of pharmacologically active substances. In this study, we identified a bumblebee (Bombus ignitus) venom Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor (Bi-KTI) that acts as a plasmin inhibitor. Bi-KTI showed no detectable inhibitory effect on factor Xa, thrombin, or tPA. However, it strongly inhibited plasmin, although this inhibitory ability was two-fold weaker than that of aprotinin. The activities of B. ignitusvenom serine protease (Bi-VSP) and plasmin in the presence of Bi-KTI indicate that Bi-KTI targets plasmin more specifically than Bi-VSP. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism for bee venom by which Bi-KTI acts as an antifibrinolytic agent, raising interest in Bi-KTI as a potential clinical agent.

곤충, 특히 벌을 이용한 Bee-vectoring 기술은 수정벌이 꽃가루뿐만 아니라 박테리아나 곰팡이 같은 미생물등도 운반하는 점을 병해충 방제에 응용한 기술이다. 캐나다를 비롯한 여러 나라에서 1990년대 초반부터 연구되고 있고, 우리나라도 최근 연구가 활발하게 진행되고 있다. 수정벌이 미생물제제의 매개자로서 식물체의 꽃이나 잎 등에 곤충병원균을 전파함으로써 병해충 방제를 가능케 하는 새로운 방제 전략으로, 곤충병원균을 효율적으로 살포할 수 있는 매개곤충 및 방제제 선발과 미생물 제제가 효과적으로 벌에 부착하는 것을 도와주는 분배장치의 개발이 중요하다. Al-mazar’awi 등(2006, 2007)와 Kapongo 등(2008a, 2008b)은 곤충병원성곰팡이, 뒤영벌, 분배장치를 이용하여 bee-vectoring의 기술을 연구, 개발하였는데, 최적농도에서 뒤영벌에 영향을 최소화하면서 시설내 온실가루이, 총채벌레 뿐만 아니라 식물병의 방제 가능성을 보고하였다. 본 연구진의 연구결과에 따르면 Bt제를 이용한 vectoring 연구 결과, 뒤영벌은 벌, 꽃, 잎에 상당한 양의 미생물 살충제를 살포시키고 이 균들에 의한 해충 방제효과도 확인하였다. 베큘로바이러스(ACMNPV)도 식물체내 살포가 확인되었으며 대상해충에 방제효과가 높게 나타났다. 또한 분배장치는 bee-vectoring 연구에서 중요한 부분으로 국내에서 새로이 고안된 분배장치는 기존의 국외 개발 장치와 비교시 벌의 활동량과 제제 운반량을 증진시키는 것으로 확인되었다. 벌이 분배장치를 통과시 부착되어 운반하는 제제의 양은 분배장치의 길이, 폭, 높이 조합과 연관되어 있었다. 친환경 방제를 위해 사용되는 미생물 살충제의 곤충 이용 살포기술은 곤충병원균의 생존에 영향이 없는 생력적 방제 기술로서 많은 연구의 확대가 필요한 분야이다.

Bee venom contains a variety of protein allergens, including serine proteases. Additionally, bee venom has been used in therapeutic application through immunotherapy for bee venom hypersensitivity and venom therapy as an alternative medicine. Here we present a novel view of the application of bee venom through which bee venom serine protease exhibits fibrin(ogen)olytic activity. Compared to honeybee venom, bumblebee venom contains a larger amount of a serine protease as one of its major components. Immunologically, venom serine proteases from bumblebees did not show cross-reactivity with the honeybee venom serine protease. We provide functional evidence indicating that bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) venom serine protease (Bt-VSP) acts as a fibrin(ogen)olytic enzyme. Bt-VSP activates prothrombin and directly degrades fibrinogen into fibrin degradation products, defining roles for Bt-VSP as a prothrombin activator, a thrombin-like protease, and a plasmin-like protease. However, Bt-VSP did not activate plasminogen and the fibrinolytic activity of Bt-VSP is less than plasmin. These findings offer insight into the allergic reaction sequence of bee venom serine protease and its potential usefulness as a clinical agent in the field of hemostasis and thrombosis.

Bee venom contains a variety of peptides and enzymes, including serine proteases. While the presence of serine proteases in bee venom has been demonstrated, the role of these proteins in bee venom has not been elucidated. Furthermore, there is currently no information available regarding the melanization response or the fibrin(ogen)olytic activity of bee venom serine protease, and the molecular mechanism of its action remains unknown. Here we show that bee venom serine protease (Bi-VSP) is a multifunctional enzyme. In insects, Bi-VSP acts as an arthropod prophenoloxidase (proPO)-activating factor (PPAF), thereby triggering the phenoloxidase (PO) cascade. Bi-VSP injected through the stinger induces a lethal melanization response in target insects by modulating the innate immune response. In mammals, Bi-VSP acts similarly to snake venom serine protease, which exhibits fibrin(ogen)olytic activity. Bi-VSP activates prothrombin and directly degrades fibrinogen into fibrin degradation products, defining roles forBi-VSP as a prothrombin activator, a thrombin-like protease, and a plasmin-like protease. These findings provide a novel view of the mechanism of bee venom in which the bee venom serine protease kills target insects via a melanization strategy and exhibits fibrin(ogen)olytic activity.

고랭지 착색단고추 여름재배시 착과 증대 및 품질향상을 위하여 호박벌을 이용한 수정증대 효과에 대하여 검토하였다. 호박벌에 의하여 처리기간 동안 착과수의 증가는 있었으나 재배기간의 총 수량에서는 무처리와 비교하여 차이가 없었다. 과실의 종자수는 무처리에 비해 호박벌 처리에서 7.3%가 증가되었으나 배꼽썩음과 발생은 높았다. 과중의 분포 비율이 호박벌 처리에 의하여 SS 사이즈는 감소하고 L 사이즈가 증가하여 수출 규격품율이 향상되었다. 따라서 고랭지 여름재배시 착과증진을 위한 호박벌 처리는 착과율을 높이고 과실의 종자수를 증가시켜 수출 규격품율을 높이는 등 고품질 생산에 효과적이었으며 배꼽썩음과 방지에 대한 검토가 추후 필요할 것으로 판단되었다.

A bee-vectoring method has been recently developed against greenhouse insect pests. In this study, we conducted experiments to determine if bumble bees, bombus terrestris L. could vector Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai from hives equipped with a pathogen dispenser to leaf and flower of sweet pepper. First, in laboratory, insecticidal activity of B. t. subsp. aizawai NT0423 WP (Tobagi, Dongbu Hitek Co.) against 2nd instar larva of Spodoptera litura Fabricius was evaluated to determine if the amount of B. thuringiensis deposited on the leaf and flower would be sufficient to control the tobacco cutworm. The B. t concentration of the product in this experiment was estimated as 2.8-3.1 x 109 CFU/ml. The B. t. concentration on the body of bumble bees that was captured as they exited hives with filled pathogen dispensers was 4.6 x 109 cfu/ml. At the laboratory bioassay, the mortality of tobacco cutworm was serially measured depending on the pathogen concentrations. At the cage trials, the B. t. delivered by bumble bees was detected in bees, flowers and leaves. Through the several trials, the control effect on the tobacco cutworm has been investigating. The side effect on bumble bee from the first trial was not found in this experiment.

Climate change and global warming are directly effecting the population dynamics of insects of medical importance and insect pests of agricultural commodities during the last few years. The outbreak of some insect-borndiseases and decreasing yield of agricultural products are both caused and results of climate change are known everywhere in the world. Recent reports of honey bee diseases and out breaks, as well as increase in the incidence of CCD(Collapse Colonial Disease) are causing great concerns and pose big problem for our bee keepers in many countries in North America and Europe. These important infectious diseases are possible carried and propagated by bee mites primarily by Varroa mites, which have recently experienced increasing populations in USA and UK includes some European countries. Recently some Asian honey bees adapted to live in the urban areas as the example of Apis dorsata move to Mae Fah Luang Campus more than 30 colonies and even in Chulalonkorn Campus more than 10 colonies increase from few colonies in the the last few years. Apis florea have been found more than 161 colonies this year in Kanchanaburi (River Kwai province) this year(2009). The discussion of some wild honey bees migration will concentrate on research program of our bee research unit of the university in Thailand.

Viruses of the honeybee, Apis mellifera L. are known to reside at low levels in colonies, typically showing no apparent signs of infection. Chronic paralysis virus(CBPV) is known to induce significant losses in honey bee colonies. The pathology is characterized by clusters of trembling, flightless, crawling bees and by individual bees, sometimes hairless, standing at the hive entrance. A minusstrand-specific RT-PCR was used to assess viral replication. This is the first report on the infection of CBPV in Korea. Using (-)RT-PCR, 27 apiaries in korea were screened for the honeybee viruses, with positive colonies being analysed for viral genetic diversity. We got 550-nt PCR product from CBPV genomic RNA. Nucleotide sequences were aligned to the complete CBPV genomic RNA sequence deposited in the GenBank database and was revealed 96%(AM-CBPV) identity, respectively. Sequence comparison with other CBPV and honeybee virus.

To understand geographic genetic variation of the species and relationships among populations of the bumble bee, Bombus ardens, that is utilized as green house pollinator we expanded our investigation by sequencing somewhat longer mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragment, covering some uninvestigated regions within the species distribution, and analyzing the sequence data in terms of population genetic structure. For the purpose of study, a portion of mitochondrial COI gene, corresponding to "DNA Barcode" region (658 bp) was sequenced from 160 individuals of B. ardens collected over 15 localities in Korea. The sequence data revealed overall relatively low genetic diversity within species, with a maximum sequence divergence of 0.3%. Geographically, one haplotype (BARBA01) was found in all localities surveyed, with the frequency of 91% (145 among 160 individuals), whereas other haplotypes were found in a locality mostly as a single individual, suggesting that haplotype distribution can be summarized as coexistence of widespread, one dominant haplotype and regionally restricted, other haplotypes. Overall, very high rate of per generation female migration (Nm = 4.6 ~ infinite) and very low level of geographic substitution (FST = 0 ~ 0.099) among localities were characteristic. Although some populations were genetically subdivided from the remaining localities in the hierarchical analysis, there was regional polarity on this subdivision. Taken together with gene flow estimates, the nature of genetic divergence of the bumble bee populations is characterized as one that possessing low genetic diversity, high gene flow, and wide spread of one dominant haplotype, consistent with the previous finding. To have further detailed information of this valuable genetic resource, further longer and variable molecular portion is under investigating.

The mason bee (Osmia cornifrons Radoszkowsky) is an excellent pollinator of apple. To understand geographic genetic variation of the species and relationships among populations sequenced a portion of mitochondrial COI gene, which corresponds to “DNA Barcode” region (658 bp) from 81 individuals collected over eight localities in Korea. The sequence data were used to investigate genetic diversity within populations and species, geographic variation within species, phylogeographic relationship among populations, and phylogenetic relationship among haplotypes. Summarized, overall moderate to low genetic diversity within populations and species was characteristic, concordant with the high potential to disperse of O. cornifrons in Korea. Although two populations were genetically subdivided from the remaining localities, no clear regional bias was observed. Overall, high rate of gene flow among localities and low FST was characteristic considering other relevant studies that investigated population genetic structure of other insects occurring in Korean peninsula.

To understand geographic genetic variation of the species and relationships among populations of the bumble bee, Bombus ardens, we sequenced a portion of mitochondrial COI gene, which corresponds to "DNA Barcode" region (658 bp) from 101 B. ardens individuals collected over 11 localities in Korea. The sequence data were used to investigate genetic diversity within populations and species, geographic variation within species, phylogeographic relationship among populations, and phylogenetic relationship among haplotypes. A total of nine haplortpes were found, but they very close to each other (a maximum sequence divergence of 0. 304%). Summarized, overall moderate to low genetic diversity within populations and species was characteristic, concordant with the high potential to disperse of B. ardens in Korea. There was no clear regional subdivision was observed and relatively high rate of gene flow among localities and low FST was characteristic.

본 연구에서는 양봉사 내부환경을 보다 효율적으로 조절할 수 있는 환기팬 작동방식을 구명하기 위하여 시뮬레이션을 통해 얻어진 환기팬 작동방식에 대한 연 구결과를 양봉사에 직접 적용하여 실험을 실시하였으며, 양봉사 내부의 온도 및 습도변화에 대한 시율레이션과 실험결과를 비교 · 분석하여 양봉사 설계시 양봉사 열환경 해석 프로그램의 적용성을 검토하고, 실험결과를 이용하여 환기팬 작동방식별 양봉사 내부환경의 조절 성능을 분석하였다. 기 개발된 양봉사 열환경 해석 프로그램은 앞으로 양봉사 설계에 적절하게 이용할 수 있을 것으로 판단되었다. 외부기온이 비슷한 조건에서는 환기팬 작동방식 B의 경우가 A의 경우보다 양봉사의 내부온도가 대체로 더 낮았으며, 평균적으로 벌통 내부는 2.8℃, 양봉사 내부는 2.1℃ 더 낮았다. 이것은 Lee 등(1998b)이 제시한 환기팬 작동방식에 따라 양봉사 내부의 승온억제를 최고 2.8℃까지 할 수 있다는 내용을 뒷받침하는 실험결과이다. 환기팬 작동방식 A와 B 모두 꿀벌이 월동하기에 적합한 상대습도 범위 (50~75%) 였으나, 방식 B가 A 보다 양봉사 내부 습도의 최고 및 최저편차가 약 2%, 평균습도가 약 5% 적게 나타나 습도환경조절에 있어 좀 더 안정적인 것으로 판단되었다. 따라서 환기팬 작동방식 B는 A 에 비하여 양봉사 내부환경조절 성능이 더욱 우수하고 효율적인 것으로 판단되었다.

매년 일회성을 포함한 포스터 국제 컴페티션이 20여개 이상 개최되고 각 컴페티션에서 수준 높은 포스터 디자인이 2,000~4,000 여 점이 출품되고 있다. 따라서 본 논문은 1년에 한번 또는 2~3년에 한번 지속적으로 개최하는 컴페티션으로 대중은 물론 디자이너들에게도 관심이 높은 18개의 컴페티션 중 중복되는 나라를 제외하고 10년 이상 지속적으로 개최하고 있는 4개 국가, 즉 모스크바 골든비 그랑프리 수상작 5개(시리즈 3개), 일본 도야마 그랑프리 수상작 5개(시리즈 2개), 폴란드 바르샤바 그랑프리 수상작 7개, 프랑스 쇼몽 그랑프리 수상작 13개(시리즈 3개)를 대상으로 2000년부터 2013년까지 총 30개의 포스터를 그래픽 표현을 분석하였다. 그래픽의 시각이미지 분석으로 ‘시각적 요소와 상관적 요소’로 구분하여 분석한 결과 시각적 요소로서의 형상은 신체와 사물 등의 형상을 과감하게 부각시켜 사실적으로 표출하는 포스터, 크기는 통념적 크기나 일상적 크기가 아닌 의외성 있는 크기 개념으로 주제를 신속하게 전달할 수 있는 포스터, 색채는 이미지 구현에 조화롭고 오브제를 강조한 효과적인 색채가 그랑프리로 채택되는 경우가 많았다. 상관적 요소로서의 방향은 수용자와의 시선을 강조하거나 수용자를 향해 다가서는 방향, 레이아웃은 전반적으로 정 중앙에 위치한 이미지들이 대부분이나 일정한 흐름보다는 화면 전면을 채우는 레이아웃, 배경은 일반적인 포스터들과는 달리 배경과 오브제와의 연관성이 적고 오브제에 비해 상대적으로 작은 배경 공간으로 채워 완성된 포스터들이 많았다. 해외 그랑프리 포스터들은 뛰어난 아이디어와 새로운 기법, 거기에 실험적 표현, 완성도 높은 포스터를 보여 주었다. 무엇보다 이 포스터들은 소통의 중심에서 많은 수용자들에게 관심과 공감을 유도한다는 것에는 의심의 여지가 없을 것이다.

This study was conducted to develop a portable quality evaluation system of bee-honey by near infrared spectroscopic technique. Two kinds of bee-honeys from acacia and polyflower sources were tested in this study. The system consists of power supply, tungsten-halogen lamp, detector, and optical fiber probe. Performance of the system was analyzed by comparing the prediction accuracy of the laboratory spectrophotometer. Total of 346 spectra was divided into a calibration set and a prediction set. The PLS (Partial Least Squares) models were developed to predict the quality parameters of bee-honeys. Reflectance spectra, moisture contents, ash, invert sugar, sucrose, F/G ratio, HMF(hydroxy methyl furfural), and ratio of honeys were measured. The PLS models of the laboratory spectrophotometer showed good relationships between predicted and measured quality parameters of honeys in the wavelength range of 1.100~2.200 nm. The PLS analysis of the portable quality evaluation system showed good relationships between predicted and measured quality parameters of honeys in the wavelength range of 1.100~1.300 nm and 1.400~1.700 nm. The results showed the feasibility of the portable quality evaluation system to determine the quality parameters of bee-honey in the field during harvesting.