• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 1992

The juvenile hormone(JH) titers and juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) activities were mea¬sured in larval homogenates of the chestnut gall waL,J, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu, parasiting a susceptible and two resistant chestnut ( Cheuk-Pa, and Dan- Tak) varieties by GLC, Galleria wax test and Liquid scintilation counter. JH of the chestnut gall wasp was identified as JH- I. Their juvenile hormone titers were 35,800 GU/g(Cheuk-Pa), 30,900 GU/g (Dan-Tak), and 28,600 GU/g(susceptible variety). The juvenile hormone esterase activities were 1.48 n mole/min/ml(Cheuk-Pa), 1.63 n mole/min/ml(Dan- Tak), and 1.89 n mole/mini ml(susceptible variety). JH titer activity of the chestnut gall wasp parasiting resistant varie¬ties were higher than that from susceptible, whereas their JHE activity was higher in those from susceptible variety than those from resitant varieties. JH titer and JH specific esterase activity was inversely proportional.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.248-252
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• 2004

DNase activity from infective larvae of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus was characterized and compared to that from whole worm. DNase activity from infective larvae was detected throughout pHs 4-10, but high activity was detected under acidic conditions. The activity was not inhibited by 10 mM EDTA at pH 5.0, but was significantly inhibited at pH 7.0. The activity produced DNA, fragments with mixtures of 3'-hydroxyls (OH) and 3'-phosphates (P) at each pH with predominance of 3'-P. A unique DNase activity at 37 kDa was identified from infective larvae on zymograms. The 37 kDa DNase was detected only at pH 5.0, but not at pH 7.0, and this activity was not inhibited by EDTA at pH 5.0. These characteristics of the 37 kDa infective larval DNase resemble those of classic acidic DNases (e.g., DNase II). In contrast, 34, 36 and 38.5 kDa DNase activities were shown to be specific for whole worm. This result demonstrated that DNases in H contortus are regulated during development.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.551-556
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• 2002

We have experimentally evaluated the content of thyroid hormones (THs), the growth and activity of larval rockfish (Sebastes schiegeli) born from parturient mother fish injected with 20 $\mu$g/g BW of 3,5,3-triiodo-L-thyronine ($T_{3}$). There was no difference of L-thyroxine ($T_{4}$) levels between controls (sham control and control) and $T_{3}$ groups in yolk-sac larvae just born from broodstock, while $T_{3}$level of $T_{3}$ group was significantly increased compared with controls. In addition, the both larval $T_{3}$ and $T_{4}$ levels in $T_{3}$ group were always higher than those of control during experimental period. Also, there were significant differences in the development of larvae from the two groups. The larval growth in total length and body weight according to the elapsed days after parturition showed the linear and curve equations, respectively, and the slopes of $T_{3}$ group were significantly higher than those of control. The survival rate of larvae in $T_{3}$ group was higher than that of control. Although the survival rate in $T_{3}$ group under the condition of starvation was significantly depressed compared with the control, larval swimming index in $T_{3}$ group was higher than control. Finally, these findings suggest that the exogenous $T_{3}$ could be transferred into hatched larvae in parturient rockfish by maternal injection, and subsequently the exogenous hormone could play some roles on physiological metabolism of larvae after parturition and may confer a distinct advantage to the fragile larvae during the early developmental stage.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.583-589
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• 2009

GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) is a key enzyme in the de novo synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin. Previously, the Drosophila melanogaster GTPCH gene has been shown to be expressed from two different promoters (P1 and P2). In our study, the 5'-flanking DNA regions required for P1 and P2 promoter activities were characterized using transient expression assay. The DNA regions between -98 and +31, and between -73 and +35 are required for efficient P1 and P2 promoter activities, respectively. The regions between -98 and -56 and between -73 and -41 may contain critical elements required for the expression of GTPCH in Drosophila. By aligning the nucleotide sequences in the P1 and P2 promoter regions of the Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila virilrs GTPCH genes, several conserved elements including palindromic sequences in the regions critical for P1 and P2 promoter activities were identified. Western blot analysis of transgenic flies transformed using P1 or P2 promoter-lacZ fusion plasmids further revealed that P1 promoter expression is restricted to the late pupae and adult developmental stages but that the P2 promoter driven expression of GTPCH is constitutive throughout fly development. In addition, X-gal staining of the embryos and imaginal discs of transgenic flies suggests that the P2 promoter is active from stage 13 of embryo and is generally active in most regions of the imaginal discs at the larval stages.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-56
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• 2006

Use of products containing phytoecdysteroid (PE) as active principle has become popular in prominent sericultural areas of India for hastening larval maturation events and synchronizing cocoon spinning activities as an obvious advantage is assured. At times, the present recommendation of administering PE at the onset of spinning results in peak labour requirement at odd hrs. To enable making recommendation for the use of PE on $multi{\times}bivoltine$ silkworm hybrids based on the climatic conditions prevailing in different areas especially with regard to temperature, the experiment was taken up to determine proper treatment times so that the induced spinning will be more orderly and the labour can be leveraged more efficiently. Different brackets of low ($18-22^{\circ}C$), medium ($24-28^{\circ}C$) and high ($29-32^{\circ}C$) temperature were simulated during the latter half of V larval instar and cocoon spinning. PE was administered to $multi{\times}bivoltine$ silkworm ($BL67{\times}CSR101$) hybrid batches as per the recommended dose at three different times viz., 10 am, 4 pm and 10 pm. Three replicates of 100 larvae were maintained for each treatment. Absolute controls were also maintained in each temperature range to compare the results. Cumulative maturation percentage was recorded at 6 hrs interval to ascertain peak mounting span. The influence of the treatment on the cocoon traits also was studied. Based on the peak mounting span, it was evident that in low temperature 10 pm treatment would be better. In medium and high temperature, treatment at 4 pm proved to be a better option. The influence of the treatment times at different temperature range on labour management is discussed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.75-78
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• 2015

The white-spotted chafer, Protaetia brevitarsis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is an economically important insect in Korea. Traditionally, it has been regarded as a medicine for preventing liver-related diseases and suppressing liver cancer. Recently, this beetle was enlisted as a temporal food ingredient by Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Therefore, this beetle is focused as a one of the important insects that are commercially reared and sold in Korea. As the economic importance of this beetle is growing, the suitable rearing conditions are needed for more detailed investigation. In this study, we compared three temperature conditions and two food additives, rice chaff and soybean cake, for its effects on the body weight change of third instar larvae of P. brevitarsis. Temperature is a major environmental factor that has tremendous effects on rearing insects. In additions, rice chaff and soybean cake are byproducts of other agricultural activities. Therefore, it is easy to get, and the price is comparatively low. However, they still have meaningful amount of nutrients. With four different kinds of feed and three temperature conditions on the third instar larvae of beetles, the body weight change was tracked for 14 wk. We concluded that 27.5℃ is the optimal temperature to rear the third instar larvae among three temperatures (25, 27.5, and 30℃). Among four different feeds, conventional fermented oak saw dust with rice chaff and soybean cake was the best feed for larval weight gain during 14 wk. However, feed with soybean cake at 30 ℃ was the best condition for rearing P. brevitarsis larvae when temperatures and feeds were compared at the same time.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.387-392
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• 2011

To investigate the molecular scavenging capabilities of the larvae of Hermetia illucens, two serine proteases (SPs) were cloned and characterized. Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic tree analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of Hi-SP1 and Hi-SP2 were suggested that Hi-SP1 may be a chymotrypsin- and Hi-SP2 may be a trypsin-like protease. Hi-SP1 and Hi-SP2 3-D homology models revealed that a catalytic triad, three disulfide bonds, and a substrate-binding pocket were highly conserved, as would be expected of a SP. E. coli expressed Hi-SP1 and Hi-SP2 showed chymotrypsin or trypsin activities, respectively. Hi-SP2 mRNAs were consistently expressed during larval development. In contrast, the expression of Hi-SP1 mRNA fluctuated between feeding and molting stages and disappeared at the pupal stages. These expression pattern differences suggest that Hi-SP1 may be a larval specific chymotrypsin-like protease involved with food digestion, while Hi-SP2 may be a trypsin-like protease with diverse functions at different stages.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.151-161
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• 2017

Proper synaptic function in neural circuits requires precise pairings between correct pre- and post-synaptic partners. Errors in this process may underlie development of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Development of ASD can be influenced by genetic factors, including copy number variations (CNVs). In this study, we focused on a CNV occurring at the 16p11.2 locus in the human genome and investigated potential defects in synaptic connectivity caused by reduced activities of genes located in this region at Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions, a well-established model synapse with stereotypic synaptic structures. A mutation of rolled, a Drosophila homolog of human mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) at the 16p11.2 locus, caused ectopic innervation of axonal branches and their abnormal defasciculation. The specificity of these phenotypes was confirmed by expression of wild-type rolled in the mutant background. Albeit to a lesser extent, we also observed ectopic innervation patterns in mutants defective in Cdk2, Gq, and Gp93, all of which were expected to interact with Rolled MAPK3. A further genetic analysis in double heterozygous combinations revealed a synergistic interaction between rolled and Gp93. In addition, results from RT-qPCR analyses indicated consistently reduced rolled mRNA levels in Cdk2, Gq, and Gp93 mutants. Taken together, these data suggest a central role of MAPK3 in regulating the precise targeting of presynaptic axons to proper postsynaptic targets, a critical step that may be altered significantly in ASD.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.233-239
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• 2003

Growth and activities of digestive enzymes in slime flounder (Microstomus achne) larvae were measured from hatching to near the end of larval development (day 58). Larvae reared under starved and fed conditions and the changes of acid phosphatase (ACPase) specific activity, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) specific activity, trypsin-like enzyme activity and pepsin-like enzyme activity were described with growth and developmental stage of larvae. Total length of the starved larvae was gradually increased for 7 days post hatching and then almost unchanged. Total length of the fed larvae ranged from 5.13$\pm$0.178 mm at the day of hatching to 13.43$\pm$1.395 mm at 58 days after hatching. In starved group, dry body weight decreased from 0.l0$\pm$0.020 mg at the day of hatching to 0.05$\pm$0.012 mg at 12 days after hatching. Dry body weight of fed larvae decreased during the prelarva stage like starved group and then gradually increased. ACPase and ALPase specific activity in the starved larvae increased until all larvae died, however those activities in the fed larvae increased until 20 days and then decreased until 58 days after hatching, with no significant difference between groups. Trypsin-like enzyme activity in the starved larvae was unchanged until 3 days and then was the highest on 5 days after hatching, but not detected after completion of yolksac absorption. Those of fed larvae decreased until 3 days and sharply increased until completion of yolksac absorption. The highest trypsin-like enzyme activity in the fed group was observed at 20 days after hatching. Trypsin-like enzyme activity in the fed larvae was significantly higher than that in the starved larvae from 8 days after hatching. Pepsin-like enzyme activity was increased in 5 days after hatching in both groups. There was significant difference at 8 and 10 days after hatching between both groups. Based on above results, digestive enzyme activities were correspondingly changed to a growth and morphological transformation. Trypsin-like enzyme and pepsin-like enzyme activities are able to be a useful indices for health and growth status in larval slime flounder, because there was significant difference in digestive enzyme activities with developmental stages, growth or feed supply.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 2006

The discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and their ecosystems is a monumental landmark in the history of Ocean Sciences. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are scattered along the global mid-ocean ridges and back-arc basins. Under sea volcanic phenomena related to underlying magma activities along mid-ocean ridges generate extreme habitats for highly specialized communities of animals. Multidisciplinary research efforts during past three decades since the first discovery of hydrothermal vents along the Galapagos Rift in 1977 revealed fundamental components of physiology, ecology, and evolution of specialized vent communities of micro and macro fauna. Heterogeneous regional geological settings and tectonic plate history have been considered as important geophysical and evolutionary factors for current patterns of taxonomic composition and distribution of vent faunas among venting sites in the World Ocean basins. It was found that these communities are based on primary production of chemosynthetic bacteria which directly utilize reduced compounds, mostly $H_2S$ and $CH_4$, mixed in vent fluids. Symbioses between these bacteria and their hosts, vent invertebrates, are foundation of the vent ecosystem. Gene flow and population genetic studies in parallel with larval biology began to unveil hidden dispersal barrier under deep sea as well as various dispersal characteristics cross taxa. Comparative molecular phylogenetics of vent animals revealed that vent faunas are closely related to those of cold-water seeps in general. In perspective additional interesting discoveries are anticipated particularly with further refined and expanded studies aided by new instrumental technologies.