Korean species of Hydrosmecta Thomson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) with descriptions of two new species.

A taxonomic study of the genus Hydrosmecta Thomson in Korea is presented. The genus is represented in Korea by three species including two new species, H. beolgokensis Lee & Ahn, sp. nov. and H. koreana Lee & Ahn, sp. nov. A key to Korean species, descriptions, and illustrations of habitus photographs and diagnostic characters are provided to facilitate identification.

Five new species of Bryaxis Kugelann (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae) from Korea and a nomenclatural note on Bryaxismahunkai Löbl.

The genus Bryaxis Kugelann (Goniaceritae: Bythinini) is the most species-rich genus of the subfamily Pselaphinae and is mainly distributed in the Palearctic region. Although previous studies have documented 14 species in the Korean Peninsula, the true diversity, ecology, and immature stages of the genus are still inadequately known. In this study, five new Korean species are described: B.grandinodussp. nov., B.uljinensissp. nov., B.fabaiformissp. nov., B.girinensissp. nov., and B.nemorosussp. nov. Illustrations of the habitus and other morphological details, and a distribution map are provided. In addition, Bryaxisleechanyoungi Nomura & Lee, 1993 is proposed as a new synonym of B.mahunkai Löbl, 1975 based on the original description and illustrations of diagnostic characters.

Korean species of the genus Amischa Thomson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), with a description of new species.

A taxonomic study of the genus Amischa Thomson of Korea is presented. The genus is represented in Korea by three species, including A. koreana Lee & Ahn, sp. nov. Amischa analis (Gravenhorst) is reported for the first time in the Korean peninsula. A key to Korean species, descriptions, habitus photographs, and illustrations of the diagnostic characters are provided.

Korean species of the Atheta Thomson subgenus Dimetrota Mulsant amp; Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) with a description of new species.

A taxonomic review of the Atheta Thomson subgenus Dimetrota Mulsant Rey in the Korean Peninsula is presented. The subgenus is represented in Korea by 11 species including a new species, A. (D.) ovata Lee Ahn, sp. nov. and a new synonym [A. (Badura) tokiokai Sawada = A. (D.) chagangensis Panik syn. nov.]. Atheta (D.) yamamotoi Sawada is reported for the first time in the Korean Peninsula and A. (D.) machonryongica in South Korea. A key to Korean species and descriptions with illustrations of habitus photographs and diagnostic characters of three species new to Korea are provided.

Hymenocallis littoralis ameliorates inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and HCl/EtOH-induced gastric mucosal injury via targeting the MAPK pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hymenocallis littoralis (Jacq.) Salisb. Also known as Pancratium littorale Jacq. And Hymenocallis panamensis Lindl., is a medicinal plant from the family Amarylideceae used for emetic and wound healing and has manifested anti-neoplastic, anti-oxidant, and anti-viral properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this paper is to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential and molecular mechanism of H. littoralis against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages and in vivo HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mucosal injury models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators was evaluated by Griess assay, RT-PCR, and real-time PCR. Moreover, the relevant proteins of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including ERK, JNK, p38, c-Jun, and c-Fos were detected using immunoblotting. RESULTS: We demonstrated that H. littoralis prominently dampened production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-, poly I:C-, or pam3CSK-stimulated RAW264.7 cells; down-regulated the expression levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase; and markedly attenuated the luciferase activities of AP-1 reporter promoters. Moreover, H. littoralis administration prominently downregulated c-Fos and c-Jun phosphorylation as well as JNK1, ERK2, and MKK7 overexpression in HEK 293T cells. Furthermore, H. littoralis displayed anti-inflammatory effects in the HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mice model. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulatively, these results demonstrated that H. littoralis exerts eminently anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells in vitro and in HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mice models in vivo. These activities could be attributed to its modulatory effects on the MAPK signaling pathway.

Review of the Korean Species of the Genus Edaphus Motschulsky (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) with Description of Four New Species.

The cosmopolitan euaesthetine genus, Edaphus Motschulsky, 1857, with about 90 Palaearctic species, was formerly known by a single species, E. koreanus Puthz, 2011, of which 2 specimens were collected in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. In this paper, the knowledge of the Korean Edaphus fauna is expanded to include six species, including four described here based on a rich material collected in recent years. A key to all six species of Korean Edaphus, illustration of the habitus and diagnostic characters, and a distribution map are provided.

Historical review and occurrence records of Callipogon relictus Semenov, 1899 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) in Gwangneung Forest, South Korea with suggestions for species conservation.

Biodiversity has been declining and extinction rates have been exponentially increasing because of land use changes, invasion of exotic species, nutrient enrichment and climate change. In this scenario, many international networks such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature have been making efforts to raise conservation awareness and preserve species and their habitats in many countries. The relict longhorn beetle Callipogon relictus Semenov, 1899 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is the largest coleopteran species in the Palearctic region and has a unique distribution compared to its congeneric species. Callipogon relictus has been protected by two Korean laws since it was designated as a Korean Natural Monument and an Endangered Species in 1968 and 2012, respectively. To improve the conservation of this species, ecological and biological data were obtained from studies performed during the last 12 years on its populations in Gwangneung Forest, the fourth UNESCO biosphere reserve in South Korea. Previously scattered distribution records of C. relictus from South Korea from 1932 to 2007 are therefore summarized and ecological features of adults observed during fields studies performed from 2008 to 2019 are presented. Based on the summarized data, we suggest different management measures and conservation efforts to maintain the size of C. relictus populations in South Korea, which can also be further used in the restoration of other endangered insects.

Genome Size Estimation of Callipogon relictus Semenov (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an Endangered Species and a Korea Natural Monument.

We estimated the genome size of a relict longhorn beetle, Callipogon relictus Semenov (Cerambycidae: Prioninae)-the Korean natural monument no. 218 and a Class I endangered species-using a combination of flow cytometry and k-mer analysis. The two independent methods enabled accurate estimation of the genome size in Cerambycidae for the first time. The genome size of C. relictus was 1.8 ± 0.2 Gb, representing one of the largest cerambycid genomes studied to date. An accurate estimation of genome size of a critically endangered longhorned beetle is a major milestone in our understanding and characterization of the C. relictus genome. Ultimately, the findings provide useful insight into insect genomics and genome size evolution, particularly among beetles.

A taxonomic review of Korean Atheta Thomson subgenus Atheta Thomson (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae), with descriptions of two new species.

A taxonomic review of Atheta Thomson subgenus Atheta Thomson in the Korean Peninsula is presented. The subgenus is represented in Korea by eight species including two new species, A. (A.) prolixa Lee Ahn, sp. nov. and A. (A.) vegrandis Lee Ahn, sp. nov. Atheta (A.) sauteri Bernhauer is reported for the first time in South Korea. A key, descriptions, habitus photographs and illustrations of the diagnostic characters are provided.

Survey research on the habitation and biological information of Callipogonrelictus Semenov in Gwangneung forest, Korea and Ussurisky nature reserve, Russia (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Prioninae).

An investigation on the habitation of Callipogonrelictus Semenov, 1899 in Gwangneung forest was carried out, where the Korea National Arboretum is located. In an investigation spanning the last eleven years (2007-2017), 22 emergence holes, nine pupal chambers, six adults, and two larvae of C.relictus were identified. In this study, biological information about habitation of C.relictus is provided by comparing and combining the results of this investigation with a survey conducted in Ussurisky Nature Reserve, Russia, in 2015. The distribution is also reviewed to include the Korean Peninsula and a new location of South Korea is added to the distribution for C.relictus.

A taxonomic review of Korean Acrotona Thomson with a description of new species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae).

A taxonomic review of the Acrotona Thomson in the Korean Peninsula is presented. The genus is represented in Korea by seven species including a new species, Acrotona (Acrotona) koreana Lee Ahn, sp. nov. Two new synonyms are proposed: A. (A.) lutulenta (Sharp) = A. (A.) suyangsani Pasnik syn. nov., A. (A.) pseudotenera (Cameron) = A. (A.) paeksongricus Pasnik syn. nov. Three species [A. (A.) lutulenta (Sharp), A. (A.) pseudotenera (Cameron) and A. (A.) vicaria (Kraatz)] are reported for the first time in South Korea. A key, descriptions, habitus photographs and illustrations of the diagnostic characters are provided.

Effects of high-pressure processing on taste-related ATP breakdown compounds and aroma volatiles in grass-fed beef during vacuum aging.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to observe whether high-pressure processing (HPP) affected aroma development and the degradation rate of umami taste-related ATP breakdown products, specifically inosinic acid in grass-fed beef during vacuum aging. METHODS: Strip loin (longissimus lumborum) cuts obtained from six grass-fed Friesian Holstein steers (32 months old) on day 4 post slaughter were vacuum-packed and subjected to pressurization at 300 and 500 MPa for 180 s at 15°C±2°C. The samples were then stored for 4 weeks at 5°C±0.5°C under vacuum and compared with the control (0.1 MPa). RESULTS: HPP increased the shear force value, promoted moisture loss and lipid oxidation, induced surface paleness, stabilized pH during aging, and reduced bacterial load and growth. The shear force value of 500 MPa-treated samples remained higher than the control after aging, while no significant differences were found between the control and 300 MPa-treated samples. Degradation of inosinic acid and inosine occurred during pressurization, resulting in an increase in hypoxanthine content. However, the degradation rate in HPP-treated samples during aging was slower; therefore, inosinic acid and inosine content remained higher than in control samples. No significant differences were found in hypoxanthine content at the end of aging. HPP intensified the levels of hexanal, octanal, 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, benzaldehyde, and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine in cooked-aged beef samples. CONCLUSION: HPP induced aroma development and delayed the degradation of inosinic acid. However, it also reduced the postmortem tenderization rate.

A taxonomic review of the Korean species of the subgenus Datomicra Mulsant & Rey of the genus Atheta Thomson, with description of a new species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae).

A taxonomic review of the subgenus Datomicra Mulsant & Rey of the genus Atheta Thomson in Korea is presented. A new synonym is proposed: Datomicra Mulsant & Rey, 1874 = Datostiba Sawada, 1976, syn. nov. The subgenus is represented in Korea by eight species including a new species, Atheta (Datomicra) semidentiventris Lee & Ahn, sp. nov. Two species [A. (D.) dadopora Thomson and A. (D.) dentiventris Bernhauer] are new to the Korean Peninsula and one [A. (D.) celata (Erichson)] to South Korea. A key, descriptions, habitus photographs and illustrations of the diagnostic characters of the new species and two newly recorded species are provided.

High pressure processing for dark-firm-dry beef: effect on physical properties and oxidative deterioration during refrigerated storage.

OBJECTIVE: Study on the application of high pressure processing (HPP) for dark-firm-dry (DFD) beef was conducted to observe whether HPP has any impact on physical properties and to evaluate oxidative deterioration during refrigerated storage under vacuum. METHODS: The longissimus lumborum muscles obtained from Friesian Holstein steers (33±0.5 months old) with 24-h postmortem pH higher than 6.0 were vacuum-packed and subjected to pressurization at 200, 400, and 600 MPa for 180 s at 15°C±2°C; the samples were then stored for 9 days at 4°C±1°C and compared with control (0.1 MPa). RESULTS: HPP increased meat pH by 0.1 to 0.2 units and the tenderness of cooked DFD beef significantly with no significant effects on meat texture profile. The stability of meat pH was well maintained during refrigerated storage under vacuum. No clear effects were found on the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase, however, glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly reduced by high pressure. HPP and storage time resulted in aroma changes and the increasing amount of malondialdehyde and metmyoglobin relative composition. CONCLUSION: Although the increasing amount of malondialdehyde content, metmyoglobin formation and aroma changes in HPP-treated samples could not be avoided, HPP at 200 MPa increased L* and a* values with less discoloration and oxidative deterioration during storage.

A taxonomic review of Korean Liogluta Thomson (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) with descriptions of three new species.

A taxonomic review of the Liogluta Thomson in Korea is presented. The genus is represented in Korea by eight species including three new species, L. changwhani Lee & Ahn, sp. nov., L. jinilli Lee & Ahn, sp. nov. and L. rufescens Lee & Ahn, sp. nov. Two species [L. distans (Sharp) and L. ursi (Sawada)] are new to the Korean peninsula and L. pyonganica is recorded for the first time in South Korea. A key, descriptions, habitus photographs and illustrations of the diagnostic characters are provided.

A new species of Iotarphia Cameron (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) from Tasmanian seacoasts, Australia.

Iotarphia rufobrunnea Lee & Ahn, sp. n. is described from Tasmania. The new species is compared with another species of the genus, Iotarphia australis Cameron. A description, habitus photograph and illustrations of the diagnostic characters are provided.

Correlation between Antioxidant Enzyme Activity, Free Iron Content and Lipid Oxidation in Four Lines of Korean Native Chicken Meat.

This study was conducted to observe the association between antioxidant enzyme activity, free iron content and lipid oxidation of Korean native chicken (KNC) meat during refrigerated storage. Four lines of KNC (Yeonsan ogye, Hyunin black, Hoengseong yakdak and Hwangbong) were raised under similar conditions. A total of 16 roosters were randomly sampled and slaughtered at the age of 12 mon. The breast and thigh meats were stored aerobically for 10 d at 4℃. Although thigh meat had higher antioxidant enzyme activity, it was more susceptible to lipid oxidation and released more iron during storage than breast meat. Aerobic refrigerated storage for 10 d significantly decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and increased the amount of free iron and malondialdehyde. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were negatively correlated with lipid oxidation, whereas that of catalase was not. The amount of free iron was positively associated with lipid oxidation. We concluded that chicken line did not affect strongly on antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid oxidation in breast meat of KNC. However, the thigh meat of Hwangbong and Hyunin black had higher SOD and GSH-Px activity, respectively, and lower malondialdehyde contents than that of other chickens. SOD, GSH-Px and free iron play significant roles in meat lipid oxidation during refrigerated storage.

Effects of Replacing Pork Back Fat with Canola and Flaxseed Oils on Physicochemical Properties of Emulsion Sausages from Spent Layer Meat.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of canola and flaxseed oils on the physicochemical properties and sensory quality of emulsion-type sausage made from spent layer meat. Three types of sausage were manufactured with different fat sources: 20% pork back fat (CON), 20% canola oil (CA) and 20% flaxseed oil (FL). The pH value of the CA was significantly higher than the others (p<0.05). The highest water holding capacity was also presented for CA; in other words, CA demonstrated a significantly lower water loss value among the treatments (p<0.05). CA had the highest lightness value (p<0.05). However, FL showed the highest yellowness value (p<0.05) because of its own high-density yellow color. The texture profile of the treatments manufactured with vegetable oils showed higher values than for the CON (p<0.05); furthermore, CA had the highest texture profile values (p<0.05) among the treatments. The replacement of pork back fat with canola and flaxseed oils in sausages significantly increased the omega-3 fatty acid content (p<0.05) over 15 to 86 times, respectively. All emulsion sausages containing vegetable oil exhibited significantly lower values for saturated fatty acid content and the omega-6 to omega-3 ratios compared to CON (p<0.05). The results show that using canola or flaxseed oils as a pork fat replacer has a high potential to produce healthier products, and notably, the use of canola oil produced characteristics of great emulsion stability and sensory quality.

A taxonomic review of Korean species of the AthetaThomsonsubgenusMicrodota Mulsant & Rey, with descriptions of two new species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae).

A taxonomic review of the AthetaThomsonsubgenusMicrodota Mulsant & Rey in Korea is presented. The subgenus is represented in Korea by 15 species including two new species, Atheta (Microdota) jangtaesanensis Lee & Ahn, sp. n. and Atheta (Microdota) pasniki Lee & Ahn, sp. n. Four species [Atheta (Microdota) kawachiensis Cameron, Atheta (Microdota) muris Sawada, Atheta (Microdota) spiniventris Bernhauer, and Atheta (Microdota) spinula (Sawada)] are new to the Korean Peninsula and two [Atheta (Microdota) formicetorum Bernhauer and Atheta (Microdota) subcrenulata Bernhauer] to South Korea. Two other species [Atheta (Microdota) kobensis Cameron and Atheta (Microdota) scrobicollis (Kraatz)] previously recorded in North Korea had been identified incorrectly. A key, descriptions, habitus photographs and illustrations of the diagnostic features are provided. Species distributions and diversity in East Asia are discussed.

Two new combinations and a key to the species of the genus Earota Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae).

Earota babai (Sawada, 1989), comb. nov. and Earota koreana (Pasnik, 2001), comb. nov. are transferred from the genera Pelioptera Kraatz, 1857 and Aloconota Thomson, 1858, respectively. Earota babai is recorded from the Korean Peninsula for the first time and E. koreana is a new addition to South Korea. Redescriptions, habitus photographs, illustrations of diagnostic characters of these two species and a key to the known species of the genus Earota Mulsant & Rey, 1874 are provided to facilitate identification.