• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.75.1-75.7
• /
• 2022

Background: Since 2013, the number of requests for diagnosis for horses based on neurological symptoms has increased rapidly in South Korea. The affected horses have commonly exhibited symptoms of acute seasonal hindlimb ataxia. A previous study from 2015-2016 identified Setaria digitata as the causative agent. Objectives: This study is an epidemiological investigation to find out risk factors related to the rapid increase in hindlimb ataxia of horses due to aberrant parasites in South Korea. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted on 155 cohabiting horses in 41 horse ranches where the disease occurred. The surrounding environment was investigated at the disease-causing horse ranches (n = 41) and 20, randomly selected, non-infected ranches. Results: Hindlimb ataxia was confirmed in nine cohabiting horses; this was presumed to be caused by ectopic parasitism. Environments that mosquitoes inhabit, such as paddy fields within 2 km and less than 0.5 km from a river, had the greatest association with disease occurrence. Conclusions: Most horse ranches in South Korea are situated in favorable environments for mosquitoes. Moreover, the number of mosquitoes in the country has increased since 2013 due to climate change. Additional research is required; however, these data show that it is necessary to establish guidelines for the use of anthelmintic agents based on local factors in South Korea and disinfection of the environment to prevent disease outbreaks.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.62 no.3
• /
• pp.19.1-19.6
• /
• 2022

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Akabane virus (AKAV) are mosquito-borne viruses that cause encephalitis and reproductive disorders in horses and cattle, respectively. There is no treatment for JEV or AKAV infections in animals. Therefore, we evaluated the antiviral activity of 18-mer amphipathic peptides in the 1b-4/21-C series on JEV and AKAV using Vero cells in vitro and evaluated their effects on JEV in mice. Of 6 peptides, 1b-4/21-C12 had the lowest IC₅₀ of 0.313 against JEV and its use as an antiviral against JEV and AKAV was examined. The IC₅₀ of 1b-4/21-C12 against JEV and AKAV was 0.78 and 1.14 µM, respectively. Mice treated with 5 or 2 mg/kg of 1b-4/21-C12 had 32% and 16% survival rates, respectively, and the surviving mice treated with 1b-4/21-C12 began to gain weight beginning 8 days post challenge with the virulent Nakayama strain. Moreover, 20 µM 1b-4/21-C peptide had no cytotoxic effects on Vero cells. Our in vitro and in vivo results indicate that 1b-4/21-C12 has antiviral activity against enveloped JEV and AKAV and might be useful as a therapeutic substance.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 2019

Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of mosses on the removal of particulate matter (PM 10) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in an indoor space and on the composition of air. For particulate matter removal experiments, 0.2 g mosquitto coil was burned in a glass chamber, where three kinds of mosses (Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Myuroclada maximowiczii, Etodon luridus) were placed. For VOCs removal experiments, 1 mL paint thinner was volatilized in a glass chamber, where Plagiomnium cuspidatum and Myuroclada maximowiczii were used. As a result, it was found that particulate matter was effectively removed by the three mosses, and the removal efficiency of particulate matter increased as the amount of mosses increased. The amount of VOCs was similar to the level in the control when a low amount of mosses (2 and 4 plates) was used. However, the removal efficiency of VOCs was significant when 6 plates of mosses were used. On the other hand, formaldehyde concentration was 40 times more than the control and carbon monoxide 30 times, when 0.2 g of mosquito repellent was completely burned in a glass chamber. Also formaldehyde removal effect was significant when 6 plates of mosses were placed. However, there was no change in the concentration of indoor oxygen, temperature and humidity by moss plants. In conclusion, the moss plants were effective in removing particulate matter and VOCs, and they are expected to be used for indoor decoration and landscape in order to improve indoor air quality in the future.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.44-50
• /
• 2009

While American acoustics had been lagged behind European one in the nineteenth century, Alfred Mayer greatly contributed to enhance American experimental acoustics. He inherited experimental skills in collaboration with Koenig in Paris, and got chances to obtain research ability from leading researchers such as Rayleigh during his visit to England. His accomplishments, which brought him fame in Europe, included the creation of the acoustic pyrometer which measured the high temperature by means of the thermal change of the sound velocity, the discovery of mosquito's hearing by selective resonance, the formalization of the duration of the residual sensation of sound, the invention of the topophone which searched for the direction of the sound source, the construction of the apparatus for visualizing the frequency of sound and so on. He not only added new research results to Europe's acoustics but applied acoustics to physical education to help produce the next generation of American acousticians.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.63 no.1
• /
• pp.77-80
• /
• 2024

Aedes albopictus, a common species in the Republic of Korea, is internationally known as a major vector for various diseases, and it is well-adapted to urban environments. Recent insect outbreaks in urban areas, attributed to climate change and urban heat islands, have increased the necessity of researching the effects on mosquito populations. This study analyzed climate data from 25 Automatic Weather System (AWS) stations in Seoul, identifying urban areas with pronounced heat island effects and suburban areas with milder effects. Nine urban heat island conditions were established based on this analysis, under which the hatching rates of Ae. albopictus were examined. The results revealed an increase in hatching rates correlating with the intensity of the urban heat island effect. Regression analysis further indicated that this trend accelerates as the strength of the heat island effect increases. This study suggests that temperature variations resulting from urban heat island phenomena can significantly influence the hatching rates of Ae. albopictus.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.58 no.2
• /
• pp.89-99
• /
• 2019

In total, 654,362 adult mosquitoes were captured using black light traps in Gangwon-do Province of the Republic of Korea from 2012 to 2017. The collected mosquitoes were identified to the species level, placed in pools of up to 50 mosquitoes each, by species and date of collection, and screened for flaviviruses using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. A total of 276,224 adult mosquitoes were grouped in 7,721 pools for virus testing, and 68 flavivirus positive pools (0.9%) were detected. Flavivirus-positive products were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Japanese encephalitis viruses were detected in single pools collected from Chuncheon (2012, 2017: Culex pipiens, 2,728 and 1,111 mosquitoes, respectively), Hoengseong (2013: Culex orientalis, 19), and Gangneung (2017: C. pipiens, 724). All the Japanese encephalitis viruses detected were revealed as genotype V. Chaoyang viruses were detected in 63 pools of 5,055 Aedes vexans nipponii and a single pool of 585 C. pipiens collected in Gangwon-do Province from 2012 to 2017. Chuncheon was the region with the highest minimum infection rates (MIR, 0.32) and maximum likehood estimate (MLE, 0.33; confidence interval (CI) 95%, 0.23-0.46) of A. vexans nipponii for Chaoyang virus, followed by Hoengseong (MIR 0.30, MLE 0.30, CI 0.16-0.52) and Gangneung (MIR 0.21, MLE 0.21, CI 0.13-0.31). Monthly MIR and MLE values of A. vexans nipponii for Chaoyang virus were the highest in October (MIR 0.38, MLE 0.38, CI 0.07-1.25).

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.15-24
• /
• 1986

The species composition, population density, and seasonal prevalence of vector mosquitoes in an inland area of Kyungoook Province were studied, based on light trap and human bait trap collections, and the recent patterns of infestation for infective larvae of Brugia malayi in these vector hosts were investigated from May to November in 1985. Nine species in four genera of mosquitoes were collected by light trap, human bait trap, and/or by nets. Anopheles sinensis Wiedemann was the most abundant species collected by light traps during this year. Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles was the second abundant species, and Aedes vexans nipponii (Theobald) ranked third in total abundance. The earlist time when A. sinensis were found was the middle of May. At that time the temperature ranged from $14.3^{circ}{\;}to{\;}22.8^{\circ}C$ and the humidity 53~90 per cent. The month of highest average nightly catch was July, when the temperature was between $21.5^{circ}{\;}and{\;}30.6^{\circ}C$ and the humidity 72~91 per cent. The peak time of biting activity of mosquitoes was different in each month, i.e. between 22:00~23:00 in July, and 20:00"-'21:00 hours in September, when the temperature was between $24.3^{circ}{\;}and{\;}26.5^{\circ}C$ and the humidity 73~88 per cent in the field. While infective larvae of B. malayi were reported to have been found in one species of mosquito in 1975, no larvae were found in any species collected in this survey.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.64-68
• /
• 2010

The mosquito, Aedes albopictus is important vector of humen phatogen such as dengue fever. And Aedes albopictus has widly distribution in oriental regions. This study was conducted to investigate the biological effects of cooper on the development of the Asian tiger mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Aedes albopictus was affected with pupation ratios, mortalities, and wing lengths of the 3th and 4th instars by exposure to different concentration $CuCl_2$ (0.0, 2.5, 25.0 and 50.0 ppm) for 24 h and 48 h depending on dose and exposure period. The lowest $LC_{50}$ (median lethal concentration) value of $CuCl_2$ was 18.1 ppm at the 3rd instars for 48 h exposure. The pupation ratio of the larvae exposed at 50.0 ppm for 48 h was 14% which was much lower than those exposed to other treatment groups Changes of adult wing length showed significant decreased by Cu treatment. In conclusion, the most prominent effects of high concentration and longer exposure period were to reduce in the survival and pupation rates of larvae and wing length of Ae. albopictus.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.136-141
• /
• 2010

The aim of this study is to investigate whether medetomidine (MED) and tiletamine/zolazepam (ZT) combination in dogs provide the sufficient analgesia during the period of the stage of surgical anesthesia determined by the response to the noxious stimuli, which were evaluated by the change of electroencephalogram (EEG) and hemodynamic values. Seven clinically healthy, adult beagle dogs were used. They were used repeatedly at interval of a week, according to a randomized design. This study had 2 experimental groups. In Group 1, dogs received $30\;{\mu}g/kg$ of medetomidine and 10 mg/kg of tiletamine/zolazepam. Both drugs were administered intramuscularly. In Group 2, dogs were medicated with the same method as in Group 1, except the pedal withdrawal reflex test was done. In Group 2, interdigital regions were grasped with a mosquito forceps for 30 seconds, every 5 min from 10 min to 45 min after ZT injection. During all recording stages, the power for each band, mean arterial pressure and heart rates were calculated. On EEG, no significant changes were observed between groups. Although mean arterial pressure and heart rate were increased 10 min after ZT injection, no significant differences were observed between groups. In conclusion, the MED and ZT anesthesia in dogs are seemed to provide a satisfactory analgesic effect during the period of surgical anesthesia based on EEG with pedal withdrawal reflex test.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.181-190
• /
• 1995

Malate dehydrogenase in the mosquito ovary after a blood meal, Aedes aegypti, was purified and characterized. MDH purification steps involved DEAE-Sepharose, S-Sepharose and Cibacron blue affinity chromatography. The purified MDH was 70,000 daltons in molecular weight and was a homodimer consisting of tow identical subunits. Optimal activity of purified MDH was obtained pH 9.0-9.2 in malate-oxaloacetate reaction and pH 9.8-10.2, in oxaloactate-malate reaction. With obtained pH 9.0-92 in malate-oxaloacetate reaction and pH 9.8-10.2, in oxaloactate-malate reaction. With malate as substrate, purified mitochondrial MDH (1.28$\times$${10}^{-4}$ M) had lower Km value than cytoplasmic MDH (8.92x${10}^{-3}$ M). MDH activity was inhibited by citrate, $\alpha$-ketoglutarate, and ATP. Inhibition of MDH activity by ATP and citrate was less in malate-oxaloacetate reaction and in oxaloacetate-malate reaction. MDH activity was completely inhibited by ATP in oxaloacetate-malate reaction and not inhibited by citrate in malate-oxaloacetate reaction. Temporal activity change of MDH is similar to that of isocitrate dehydrogenase in the ovary after blood feeding; their activities in the ovary began to rise at 18 hours after a blood meal, and reached at the maximal level at 48 hours.