A new genus and species of Perlodinae (Plecoptera: Perlodidae) from Korea.

Habaek koreanus gen. n., sp. n., a remarkable new Perlodinae is described from adults of both sexes, collected by Malaise traps in South Korea. On the basis of male characters, it is assigned to the tribe Perlodini, but its tribal classification needs to be clarified by characters of the larva and matured eggs. Affinities of the new genus are discussed, and a key is presented for the males of the Perlodini genera.

Population genetic structure of a recent insect invasion: a gall midge, Asynapta groverae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in South Korea since the first outbreak in 2008.

Outbreaks of Asynapta groverae, an invasive mycophagous gall midge, in South Korea have been repeatedly reported since the first occurrence in 2008. This species is a nuisance to residents owing to its mass emergence from newly built and furnished apartments. Here, the levels of genetic diversity, divergence, and structure of invasive A. groverae populations were investigated to understand their ability to survive in novel locations. Population genetic analyses were performed on seven invasive populations, including the first outbreak, sporadically emerged, and two laboratory-isolated (quarantined) populations, using the mitochondrial COI sequences and the ten novel microsatellite markers developed in this study. Non-indigenous A. groverae managed to maintain their populations for 12 years despite decreased genetic polymorphisms resulting from multiple incidences of founder effects by a small number of colonists. Additionally, the advantageous sustainability of A. groverae in the particle boards from which they emerge suggests that human-mediated dispersal is plausible, which may allow for the successful spread or invasion of A. groverae to new locations. This study is one of the few examples to demonstrate that an insect species successfully invaded new regions despite exhibiting decreased genetic diversity that was maintained for a decade. These findings indicate that the high genetic diversity of the initial founding population and asexual reproduction would contribute to the successful invasion of A. groverae in novel environments.

Early Sedation Depth and Clinical Outcomes in Mechanically Ventilated Patients in a Hospital: Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the early sedation depth in the first 48 hours of mechanical ventilation and its relationship to clinical outcomes to promote the transition to light sedation. METHODS: This retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted in two medical intensive care units (MICUs) at a general tertiary hospital, using a standardized sedation protocol. To investigate the early sedation depth, the Sedation Index was used, which can indicate changes over the first 48 hours. Patients were divided into three groups based on tertiles of Sedation Index. The primary outcome was mortality at 30, 90, and 180 days. The secondary outcomes included length of stay in the ICU and ventilator-free days. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox regression were conducted to compare factors influencing mortality. RESULTS: This study included 394 patients. The deepest sedation group showed more severe illness, delirium, and deeper sedation at admission (p < .001). The survival curve decreased as sedation increased, even within the light sedation levels. In the deepest sedation group, 30-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-3.34), 90-day mortality (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.31-3.06), and 180-day mortality (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.17-2.67) increased. The length of stay in the ICU and ventilator-free days did not show statistical differences. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that early deep sedation is a modifiable factor that can potentially affect mortality. The protocol for inducing the transition into light sedation must comply with recommendations to improve clinical outcomes.

A new species of Ephoron Williamson, 1802 (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarcyidae) from Thailand.

The genus Ephoron Williamson, 1802 is widely distributed around the world. In Thailand, only Ephoron indicus Pictet, 1843 was reported in 1961. In this study, a new Ephoron mayfly is described as Ephoron ookaewae sp. nov. In this new species description, the morphological characteristics of larvae and eggs in addition to adults are also shown in detail. Number of tubercles on mandibular tusks, and a median frontal process in larvae, distinguish Ephoron ookaewae sp. nov. from other Ephoron species. Their polar cap shape and a concave indentation in their eggs are also unusual. In addition, the mitochondrial DNA COI sequence data of the newly described Ephoron ookaewae sp. nov. is registered in GenBank. Registration of sequence data for the DNA barcode region of Ephoron mayflies inhabiting the Oriental region remains limited, however it will be useful for future research.

Korean species of the genus Neoperla Needham, 1905 (Plecoptera: Perlidae).

Two new species of the perlid genus Neoperla, N. adamantea Murányi & Li, sp. n. and N. goguryeo Murányi & Li, sp. n. are described from both sexes, collected in the Kumgang and Myohyang Mountains of North Korea by personnel of the Hungarian Natural History Museum during the 1970's. Two additional species, N. coreensis Ra, Kim, Kang & Ham, 1994 and N. ussurica Sivec & Zhiltzova, 1996 are redescribed from North Korean specimens. Neoperla quadrata Wu & Claassen, 1934 is redescribed on the basis of the holotype from Sichuan Province, China, and the Korean occurrence of this species requires confirmation. Korean and global distributions of the five Neoperla species reported from the peninsula are depicted on maps.

Korean species of the genus Perlomyia Banks, 1906 (Plecoptera: Leuctridae).

Eight species of the genus Perlomyia (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) are reported from Korea, six are new records for the Korean Peninsula. Two species, known only as unassociated females are described under informal unnamed designations. Previous Korean records are discussed, taxonomic characters of the Korean specimens and Korean distribution are presented for these species. Zoogeographic notes on the Asian Perlomyia are also given.

Genetic analysis of ultrasound and carcass measurement traits in a regional hanwoo steer population.

Ultrasound measurements of backfat thickness (UBF), longissimus muscle area (ULMA) and marbling score (UMS) and carcass measurements of carcass weight (CW), backfat thickness (BF), longissimus muscle area (LMA), and marbling score (MS) on 7,044 Hanwoo steers were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters. Data from Hanwoo steers that were raised, finished in Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do (province) and shipped to slaughter houses during the period from October 2010 to April 2013 were evaluated. Ultrasound measurements were taken at approximately three months before slaughter by an experienced operator using a B-mode real-time ultrasound device (HS-2000, FHK Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) with a 3.5 MHz linear probe. Ultrasound scanning was on the left side between 13th rib and the first lumbar vertebrae. All slaughtering processes and carcass evaluations were performed in accordance with the guidelines of beef grading system of Korea. To estimate genetic parameters, multiple trait animal models were applied. Fixed effects included in the models were: the effects of farm, contemporary group effects (year-season at the time of ultrasound scanning in the models for UBF, ULMA, and UMS, and year-season at slaughter in the models for CW, BF, LMA, and MS), the effects of ultrasound technicians as class variables and the effects of the age in days at ultrasound scanning or at slaughtering as linear covariates, respectively for ultrasound and carcass measures. Heritability estimates obtained from our analyses were 0.37 for UBF, 0.13 for ULMA, 0.27 for UMS, 0.44 for CW, 0.33 for BF, 0.36 for LMA and 0.54 MS, respectively. Genetic correlations were strongly positive between corresponding traits of ultrasound and carcass measures. Genetic correlation coefficient between UBF and BF estimate was 0.938, between ULMA and LMA was 0.767 and between UMS and MS was 0.925. These results suggest that ultrasound measurement traits are genetically similar to carcass measurement traits.

Exposure of mayfly Ephemera orientalis (Ephemeroptera) eggs to heavy metals and discovery of biomarkers.

The objective of this study was to assess acute toxicity of heavy metals in eggs of mayfly Ephemera orientalis McLachlan, and to elucidate relationships between heavy metal toxicity and protein expression patterns determined using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). Acute toxicity analysis was conducted using five heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and mercury), and the toxicity endpoint was established from the egg hatching rate during a 14-day exposure period. Median hatching toxicity (HC50) values were determined for each heavy metal, and the most toxic heavy metal was found to be mercury (0.11 mg/L), followed by copper (0.32 mg/L) and lead (4.39 mg/L). E. orientalis eggs were highly tolerant to cadmium and chromium (>120 mg/L). Proteinchip array analysis using a strong anion exchange proteinchip (Q10) in conjunction with SELDI-TOF-MS was used to assess the protein expression patterns after exposure to heavy metals at the EHC10 (prohibiting hatching concentration to 10% eggs), except for cadmium and chromium, which were used at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100mg/L. Three novel biomarker candidate proteins, i.e., 4269, 4283, and 4623 m/z, were identified for the detection of heavy metal toxicity in aquatic ecosystems at the level of HC10 in E. orientalis eggs. SELDI-TOF MS analysis for detecting differential expression of proteins was found to be more effective than Q10 proteinchip separation in the mayfly eggs.