Vitamin C Deficiency of Korean Homeless Patients Visiting to Emergency Department with Acute Alcohol Intoxication.

Vitamins are essential micronutrients for maintenance of tissue functions. Vitamin deficiency is one of the most serious and common health problems among both chronic alcoholics and the homeless. However, the vitamin-level statuses of such people have been little studied. We evaluated the actual vitamin statuses of alcoholic homeless patients who visited an emergency department (ED). In this study the blood levels of vitamins B1, B12, B6, and C of 217 alcoholic homeless patients were evaluated retrospectively in a single urban teaching hospital ED. Vitamin C deficiency was observed in 84.3% of the patients. The vitamin B1, B12, and B6 deficiency rates, meanwhile, were 2.3%, 2.3%, and 23.5%, respectively. Comparing the admitted patients with those who were discharged, only the vitamin C level was lower. (P=0.003) In fact, the patients' vitamin C levels were markedly diminished, vitamin C replacement therapy for homeless patients should be considered in EDs.

Ethyl Formate Fumigation for Controlling Two Major Aphid Pests, Aphis spiraecola and Aphis gossypii, on Passion Fruit, from Cultivation to Post-Harvest Storage.

Tropical and subtropical crops are being increasingly cultivated in South Korea, leading to an increase in damage by exotic insect pests. Consequently, ethyl formate (EF) is currently being considered for quarantine and pre-shipment fumigation. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of EF fumigation for controlling Aphis spiraecola Patch and Aphis gossypii Glover, two representative quarantine pests on passion fruit ("Pink Bourbon") during greenhouse cultivation and post-harvest storage. The efficacy of EF against both aphids in terms of the lethal concentration causing 50% mortality (LCt50%) and LCt99% was 1.36-2.61 g h/m3 and 3.73-7.55 g h/m3 under greenhouse conditions (23 °C), and 1.37-2.02 g h/m3 and 3.80-14.59 g h/m3 post-harvest (5 °C), respectively. EF at 4 g/m3 for 4 h resulted in 100% mortality of A. spiraecola, which was more resistant to EF, without causing phytotoxic damage to the trees in a 340 m3 greenhouse. Post-harvest fruit fumigation at 10 g/m3 for 4 h in a mid-size (0.8 m3) fumigation chamber resulted in complete disinfection. Moreover, the EF level decreased below the EF threshold within 10 min after natural ventilation in the greenhouse. Therefore, our results suggest EF fumigation as an effective method for controlling A. spiraecola and A. gossypii.

Effect of chilling on the spring emergence of overwintering Eurytoma maslovskii (Eurytomidae: Hymenoptera).

This study investigated the effect of chilling temperature and duration on diapause termination in Eurytoma maslovskii, a major apricot pest in Korea and China. The experimental insects were sampled in mid-autumn. Overwintering larvae were subjected to a temperature range at -16, -4, 2, 9, 13 °C for 12 wk (a temperature of 19 °C was used for nonchilled control), and then exposed to cold temperature (2 °C) for different durations (from 1 to 16, 19, and 22 wk) at different times (20 September and 30 November) to determine adult emergence, prolonged larval diapause, and development rate postchilling. The results demonstrated a strong association between chilling temperature and duration with the emergence of E. maslovskii. It was observed that diapause may be terminated after at least 6 wk in the cold. However, the rate only reached a higher significance after 10 wk or longer duration of chilling. The optimal chilling temperature ranged from 2 to 9 °C. Late autumn chilling (mid-September) did not differ from winter chilling (late November). The postdiapause development rate of E. maslovskii was determined to be affected by the chilling duration and could be described by a 3-parameter probability density Weibull function. These results suggest that winter conditions play a crucial role in the phenology of E. maslovskii in spring.

Ethyl Formate Fumigation for Control of the Scale Insect Asiacornococcus kaki, a Quarantine Pest on Sweet Persimmon, Diospyros kaki: Efficacy, Phytotoxicity and Safety.

Sweet persimmons are a valuable export commodity. However, the presence of live insects such as Asiacornococcus kaki limits their access to many export markets. Methyl bromide, traditionally used for pest control, is damaging to human health and the environment. Ethyl formate (EF) is a viable alternative; however, its effectiveness against A. kaki on sweet persimmon fruit is unknown. We evaluated the effectiveness of EF fumigation in controlling A. kaki present under the calyx of persimmon fruit. The hatching rate of eggs and the survival rates of nymphs and adults of A. kaki at low temperatures, its LCt50 and LCt99 after EF exposure, and phytotoxic damage caused by EF were evaluated in laboratory-scale and commercial-scale tests. The dose-response tests showed that the EF LCt99 at 5 °C was 9.69, 42.13, and 126.13 g h m-3 for adults, nymphs, and eggs, respectively. Commercial-scale tests demonstrated EF efficacy against all A. kaki stages without causing phytotoxic effects on persimmons, though the eggs of A. kaki were not completely controlled in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)-packaged fruit. This study demonstrated that EF is a potential fumigant for quarantine pretreatment, especially before persimmon fruit is packed with LLDPE film, to control A. kaki infesting sweet persimmon fruit.

Prediction of Increased Intracranial Pressure in Traumatic Brain Injury Using Quantitative Electroencephalogram in a Porcine Experimental Model.

Continuous and non-invasive measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is important to recognize increased ICP (IICP), which can reduce treatment delays. The purpose of this study was to develop an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based prediction model for IICP in a porcine TBI model. Thirty swine were anaesthetized and underwent IICP by inflating a Foley catheter in the intracranial space. Single-channel EEG data were collected every 6 min in 10 mmHg increments in the ICP from baseline to 50 mmHg. We developed EEG-based models to predict the IICP (equal or over 25 mmHg) using four algorithms: logistic regression (LR), naive Bayes (NB), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF). We assessed the performance of each model based on the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values. The accuracy of each prediction model for IICP was 0.773 for SVM, 0.749 for NB, 0.746 for RF, and 0.706 for LR. The AUC of each model was 0.860 for SVM, 0.824 for NB, 0.802 for RF, and 0.748 for LR. We developed a machine learning prediction model for IICP using single-channel EEG signals in a swine TBI experimental model. The SVM model showed good predictive power with the highest AUC value.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Aclees taiwanensis Kôno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Aclees taiwanensis collected in Korea. The circular mitogenome of A. taiwanensis is 17,435 bp, longer than that of Aclees cribratus, and includes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and a control region/D-loop. The AT ratio is 75.4%. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenetic trees showed that A. taiwanensis was clustered with A. cribratus with full-support values for both trees.

Temperature-Dependent Development of the Post-Diapause Periods of the Apricot Seed Wasp Eurytoma maslovskii (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae): An Implication for Spring Emergence Prediction Models.

The present study investigates the influence of temperature on the development of Eurytoma maslovskii after a diapause break up until adulthood. The insect development rate was fitted to both linear and nonlinear models to estimate thermal bioparameters, which served as the basis for constructing prediction models. Chilled apricot seeds collected in November were used for the experiments in March. Experiment 1 used intact seeds, while experiment 2 used overwintered larvae obtained by cracking the endocarp cover. Both larvae and intact seeds were subjected to seven constant temperatures (14.5, 18.8, 21.3, 24.0, 27.0, 30.2, and 34.3 °C). The post-diapause larvae of E. maslovskii developed into adults at a temperature range of 14.5-30.2 °C, and no larvae pupated at 34.3 °C. The lower temperature thresholds (LTs) for post-diapause larva and pupa and the total post-diapause period until adult emergence and until adult exit were 8.1, 8.2, 8.2, and 7.3 °C, respectively, whose thermal constants (DD) were 66.2, 180.2, 246.9, and 336.7 degree days, respectively. The distribution of E. maslovskii at all post-diapause stages was described using a two-parameter Weibull function. The data predicted by the model using accumulated degree days starting from January 1 did not differ by more than three days from the observed field emergence of E. maslovskii. Our data provide insights into the development of E. maslovskii after diapause. Temperature-dependent development supports the use of a degree day model to predict field emergence for pest timing control.

Molecular identification of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) found on Korean pears.

Mealybugs are under a strict regulation at foreign trades of agricultural products because they are one of the most economically damaging groups of insects on food crops and ornamental plants. However, the absence of morphological characteristics enabling the discrimination of early life stages often cause a significant delay or rejection of a shipment when infested fruit is discovered, causing significant economic loss. A polymerase chain reaction-based method for species identification was developed for six mealybug species known to infest Korean pears including two regulated insects, Planococcus kraunhiae (Kuwana) and Crisicoccus matsumotoi (Siraiwa). Six sets of species-specific primers were designed based on the sequence comparison of the internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 regions. Efficiency tests against 29 mealybug samples showed that this method could effectively discriminate different mealybug species regardless of their developmental stages. Blind tests against 11 field collected mealybug nymph samples indicated that a single polymerase chain reaction is enough to discriminate unidentified mealybugs collected on Korean pears. This new method will facilitate trade and export requirements, as well as identify the species at any stage of mealybug intercepted.

The second complete mitochondrial genome of Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): investigation of intraspecific variations on mitochondrial genome.

We have determined the second mitochondrial genome of Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 collected in Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. The circular mitogenome of A. diaperinus is 15,512 bp long which is slightly longer than that of the previous mitogenome of A. diaperinus. It includes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNAs. The base composition was AT-biased (72.4%). Intraspecific variation between two mitogenome of A. diaperinus was investigated: one SNP and one INDEL were identified, presenting the low level of intraspecific variations on mitochondrial genome.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 is a major pest in poultry production and easily observed in poultry litter. We have determined mitochondrial genome of A. diaperinus collected in Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. The circular mitogenome of A. diaperinus is 15,511 bp long which is longer than that of Z. atratus but shorter than that of T. obscurus. It includes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNAs. The base composition was AT-biased (72.4%). Phylogenetic tree displays that tribe Alphitobiini is clustered with tribes Helopini and Diaperini with enough supportive values of three phylogenetic trees.

DNA barcoding in quarantine inspection: a case study on quarantine insect monitoring for Lepidoptera obtained through quarantine inspection on foreign vessels.

We conducted quarantine insect species diversity monitoring using DNA barcoding with 517 lepidopteran samples that were obtained from quarantine inspections of foreign vessels entering Korea. For species delimitation and species identification of the analyzed samples, we applied a 2% cutoff rule. Consequently, 145 (368 samples) were considered taxonomically identified. Therefore the number of samples that were identified to the species level was relatively low, at approximately 71%. Thirty of 145 species were not known in Korea, three, i.e., Noctua pronuba (Noctuidae), Orthosia hibisci (Noctuidae), and Pieris brassicae (Pieridae), were checked as 'Regulated pests' in Korea.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham, 1802) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham, 1802) is a serious pest of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) in Europe and the USA. We have determined a 20,124 bp mitogenome of C. obstrictus which includes 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and a single large non-coding region of 2,773 bp. The base composition was AT-biased (81.4%). Hypothetical ORFs are identified in the control region. Phylogenetic trees present that C. oibstricus is clustered with Alcides juglans (Alcidinae). It also shows polyphyletic manner for two tribes, requiring more mitogenomes to resolve it.

Review of the family Coccidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) in Laos.

The family Coccidae Fallén, 1814 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha), known as soft scale insects, is represented in Laos by 26 species. This includes 15 new country records: Ceroplastes cirripediformis (Comstock, 1881), C. floridensis Comstock, 1881, Coccus capparidis (Green, 1904), C. celatus De Lotto, 1960, C. formicarii (Green, 1896), C. gymnospori (Green, 1908), C. latioperculatum (Green, 1922), Drepanococcus cajani (Maskell, 1891), Eucalymnatus tessellatus (Signoret, 1873), Megapulvinaria maxima (Green, 1904), Paralecanium expansum (Green, 1896), Pulvinaria floccifera (Westwood, 1870), P. psidii Maskell, 1893, Saissetia miranda (Cockerell Parrott in Cockerell, 1899), and S. oleae (Olivier, 1791). An identification key to adult females of all the soft scale species known from Laos is provided, together with diagnoses, photographs and host information. The economic importance of each species is also discussed.

Isolation and Identification of Fungal Species from the Insect Pest Tribolium castaneum in Rice Processing Complexes in Korea.

The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, is one of the most common and economically important pests of stored cereal products worldwide. Furthermore, these beetles can act as vectors for several fungal post-harvest diseases. In this study, we collected T. castaneum from 49 rice processing complexes (RPCs) nationwide during 2016-2017 and identified contaminating fungal species on the surface of the beetles. Five beetles from each region were placed on potato dextrose agar media or Fusarium selection media after wet processing with 100% relative humidity at 27°C for one week. A total of 142 fungal isolates were thus collected. By sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region, 23 fungal genera including one unidentified taxon were found to be associated with T. castaneum. The genus Aspergillus spp. (28.9%) was the most frequently present, followed by Cladosporium spp. (12.0%), Hyphopichia burtonii (9.2%), Penicillium spp. (8.5%), Mucor spp. (6.3%), Rhizopus spp. (5.6%), Cephaliophora spp. (3.5%), Alternaria alternata (2.8%) and Monascus sp. (2.8%). Less commonly identified were genera Fusarium, Nigrospora, Beauveria, Chaetomium, Coprinellus, Irpex, Lichtheimia, Trichoderma, Byssochlamys, Cochliobolus, Cunninghamella, Mortierella, Polyporales, Rhizomucor and Talaromyces. Among the isolates, two known mycotoxin-producing fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium spp. were also identified. This result is consistent with previous studies that surveyed fungal and mycotoxin contamination in rice from RPCs. Our study indicates that the storage pest, T. castaneum, would play an important role in spreading fungal contaminants and consequently increasing mycotoxin contamination in stored rice.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto, 1968 (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

We have determined the mitochondrial genome of Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto, 1968. The total length of the R. speratus kyushuensis is 15,898 bp with 65.3% A + T content. It consists of 13 PCGs, 22 tRNA, and 2 rRNA genes and an A + T-rich control region. All the protein-coding genes used ATN as start codon. But the stop codons were TAA, TAG, and an incomplete termination codon (T) abutting an adjacent tRNA gene. The A + T-rich control region was 1105 bp in length with 67.8% A + T content.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes kanmonensis Takematsu, 1999 (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

We have determined the mitochondrial genome of Reticulitermes kanmonensis Takematsu, 1999. The total length of the R. kanmonensis is 16,484 bp with 66.1% A + T content. It consists of 13 PCGs, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA genes and an A + T-rich control region. All the protein-coding genes used ATN as start codon. But the stop codons were TAA, TAG, and an incomplete termination codon (T) abutting an adjacent tRNA gene. The A + T-rich control region was 1680 bp in length with 70.4% A + T content.

Genetic Variability of the Invasive Species Metcalfa pruinosa (Hemiptera: Flatidae) in the Republic of Korea.

Metcalfa pruinosa (Say, 1830) (Hemiptera: Flatidae) has caused substantial agricultural damage since its recent introduction to the Republic of Korea; however, the source of this introduction is still unclear. To examine the genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships among several populations of M. pruinosa from Korea and foreign countries, 251 COI sequences from 251 samples collected from Korea, France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, and the United States were newly analyzed, together with seven published COI sequences from Canada. In total, 19 haplotypes were detected from the 258 COI sequences, and three haplotypes, H1, H3, and H9, were detected from samples in Korea. The MJ network and Bayesian inference revealed that the three haplotypes of Korea were closely connected with samples of Italy, Spain, Slovenia, France, and the United States. Our study revealed the possibility of multiple invasions of M. pruinosa from Europe and/or North America into Korea.