• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1107-1115
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• 2013

The Cyt1Aa protein of Bacillus thuringiensis susbp. israelensis elaborates demonstrable toxicity to mosquito larvae, but more importantly, it enhances the larvicidal activity of this species Cry proteins (Cry11Aa, Cry4Aa, and Cry4Ba) and delays the phenotypic expression of resistance to these that has evolved in Culex quinquefasciatus. It is also known that Cyt1Aa, which is highly lipophilic, synergizes Cry11Aa by functioning as a surrogate membrane-bound receptor for the latter protein. Little is known, however, about whether Cyt1Aa can interact similarly with other Cry proteins not primarily mosquitocidal; for example, Cry2Aa, which is active against lepidopteran larvae, but essentially inactive or has very low toxicity to mosquito larvae. Here we demonstrate by ligand binding and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays that Cyt1Aa and Cry2Aa form intermolecular complexes in vitro, and in addition show that Cyt1Aa facilitates binding of Cry2Aa throughout the midgut of C. quinquefasciatus larvae. As Cry2Aa and Cry11Aa share structural similarity in domain II, the interaction between Cyt1Aa and Cry2Aa could be a result of a similar mechanism previously proposed for Cry11Aa and Cyt1Aa. Finally, despite the observed interaction between Cry2Aa and Cyt1Aa, only a 2-fold enhancement in toxicity resulted against C. quinquefasciatus. Regardless, our results suggest that Cry2Aa could be a useful component of mosquitocidal endotoxin complements being developed for recombinant strains of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and B. sphaericus aimed at improving the efficacy of commercial products and avoiding resistance.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.10
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• pp.546-551
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• 2014

The insecticidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxins involves toxin stabilization, oligomerization, passage across the peritrophic membrane (PM), binding to midgut receptors and pore-formation. The residues Arg-158 and Tyr-170 have been shown to be crucial for the toxicity of Bt Cry4Ba. We characterized the biological function of these residues. In mosquito larvae, the mutants R158A/E/Q (R158) could hardly penetrate the PM due to a significantly reduced ability to alter PM permeability; the mutant Y170A, however, could pass through the PM, but degraded in the space between the PM and the midgut epithelium. Further characterization by oligomerization demonstrated that Arg-158 mutants failed to form correctly sized high-molecular weight oligomers. This is the first report that Arg-158 plays a role in the formation of Cry4Ba oligomers, which are essential for toxin passage across the PM. Tyr-170, meanwhile, is involved in toxin stabilization in the toxic mechanism of Cry4Ba in mosquito larvae.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.199-209
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• 2004

The migut epitheluim of the last instar larva in the mosquito larvae, Anopheles sinensis was observed with electron microscopes. The midgut epitheluim of the mosquito larva is composed of a single-layered columnar absorptive cells, regenerative cells and secretory granular cells. The free surface of the columnar absorptive cells has a regular array of microvilli 'brush border', while cell membranes close to the basal lamina are extrmely infolded and a lot of mitochondria are concentrated in those processes. The columnar absorptive cells also contain cell organelles expected to be found in absorptive cell. Midgut regenerative cells which are positioned basally in the epithelium form the groups, which are called 'nidi', composed of 1 or $2{\sim}3$ cells, they show darker appearance than the columnar absoptive cells. The secretory granular cells contain numerous electron dense granules, $200{\sim}400$ nm in diameter. The cone shaped secretory granular cells are located in the basal portion of the midgut epitheluim. The epithelium is surrounded by the subepithelial space and muscle bundles. The subepithelial space, which is filled with fibrous connective tissue, is innervated by many axon cells and tracheoles.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1123-1134
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• 2009

This study was designed to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the pollutant compositions, which were emitted from three types of mosquito repellents(MRs)(mat-, liquid-vaporized, and coil-type) by utilizing a 50-L environmental chamber. A qualitative analysis revealed that 42 compounds were detected on the gas chromatography/mass spectrometer system, and that the detection frequency depended upon chemical types. Nine of the 42 compounds exhibited a detection frequency of 100%. Four aromatic compounds(benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, and xylene) were detected in all test MRs. The concentration equilibriums in the environmental chamber were achieved within 180 min after sample introduction. The coil-type MR represented higher chamber concentrations as compared with the mat- or liquid-vaporized-type MR, with respect to the target compounds except for naphthalene. In particular, the chamber concentrations of ethyl benzene, associated with the use of coil-type MR, were between 0.9 and $65\;mg\;m^{-3}$ whereas those of mat- and liquid-vaporized-type MRs we~e between 0.5 and $2.0\;mg\;m^{-3}$and 0.3 and $1.4\;mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. However, naphthalene concentrations in the chamber, where a liquid-vaporized-type MR was placed, were measured as between 17.8 and $56.3\;mg\;m^{-3}$, but not detected in the chamber, where a mat- or coil-type MR was placed. The empirical model fitted well with the time-series concentrations in the environmental chamber(in most cases, determination coefficient, $R^2$ ≿ 0.9), thereby suggesting that the model was suitable for testing emissions. In regards to the target compounds except for benzene, although they were emitted from the MRs, health risk from individual exposure to them were estimated not to be significant when comparing exposure levels with no observed adverse exposure levels or lowest observed adverse exposure levels of corresponding compounds. However, it was concluded that the use of MRs could be an important indoor source as regards benzene.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.506-512
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• 2007

Various long chain aliphatic acid hydrazides react with aromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes in alcoholic medium in refluxing conditions to give corresponding 2-hydroxy benzylidene and 1H-indol-3-ylmethylene hydrazides, a newer class of mosquito para-pheromones. We describe here synthesis of various novel long chain aliphatic acid (2- hydroxy benzylidene and 1H-indol-3-ylmethylene) hydrazides by conventional as well as microwave irradiation techniques. The structures of these compounds have been confirmed by spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, NMR & MS). Some of the interesting features of the electron impact mass spectral fragmentation pattern of these compounds have also been discussed.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2004

Bacillus thuringiensis produces crystal proteins toxic to medically and agriculturally important pests during sporulation. To improve the activity of insecticidal crystal protein in applying to mosquito larval control, an expression vector, pSyn4D harboring the mosquitocidal cry11Aa gene under control of psbA promoter of Amaranthus hybridus was constructed. This expression vector was transformed into Synechocystis PCC6803 and a transformant, Tr2C was selected with kanamycin. The mosquitocidal cry11Aa gene was stably integrated Into genomic DNA of Tr2C in PCR detection using cry11Aa-specific primers. The transformant expressed 72-kDa Cry11Aa protein and median lethal time (LT$\sub$50/) was approximately 2.1 days for Culex tritaeniorhynchus larvae and 0.7 day for Anopheles sinensis larvae, respectively. These results suggest this transformant can be used for mosquito larval control as a biological control agent.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2003

Seasonal fluctuations in density of mosquito species were investigated at two cow sheds near to a large, reedy marsh with fairly polluted brackish water near the coast of Yongam-ri, Cheongryang-myon, Ulsan, Korea. Female mosquitoes were collected biweekly using Nozawa light traps from March to September, from 1999 to 2001. On average, 4,416.1, 5,505.9 and 6,863.8 females per trap night were collected from 10 species in 5 genera in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Among them, An. sinensis was most abundant (53.4% in species ratio), followed by Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (43.0%), Cx. inatomii (1.6%), Ochlerotatus dorsalis (1.3%) and Cx. pipiens pallens (0.5%). A malaria vector, An. sinensis and a Japanese encephalitis vector, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were collected 3,663.3 females and 3,142.5 females per trap night from June to September for the years, respectively. According to the biweekly population changes at the area, Cx. inatomii which was dominant species in 1997, was the most abundant in the early July during 1999-2001.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.334-343
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• 2014

The number of malaria cases has been undulating for the past 10 years in Korea since the reemergence of malaria in early 1990's. Considering the spatial variations of malaria incidence across the northmost border areas near the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the occurrence of the disease seems to be influenced by the natural and human environment in the region. Malaria is an infectious disease that is transmitted to humans by the bites of vector-mosquitoes that carry malaria parasites, and its incidence rate depends on specific climatic and sociodemographic factors. This study found that the spatial characteristics of malaria incidence have varied depending on relative proportions of mosquito habitats, distance between mosquito habitats and human residence, the physical and sociodemographic environments of the city by urbanization, and local topography.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 1999

The epithelium of the rectum in the mosquito larvae, Culex pipiens pallens: Culicidae, was observed with electron microscope. The rectum of posterior hindgut was composed of epithelial tissue which were covered with cuticular intima on the luminal side, connective tissue and muscular tissue. The rectal epithelial cells were squamous absorptive cells, and apical plasma membranes were highly folded to form apical infoldings with mitochondria inserted them. The lateral plasma membranes were irregularly infolded and well developed mitochondria were found closely associated with infoldings . And intercellular spaces (or channels) were formed between the epithelial cells, whereas speptate junction was found near the apical zone between them. Also basal plasma membrane were infolded which made basal infoldings ('basal labyrinth'), and were covered with thin basal lamina. Rcetal epithelium was surrounded by the connective tissue which was contained axon and tracheole cells. Connective tissue was covered with the bundles of circular and longitudinal muscles.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2017

Background: As the habitat changes in Korea due to climate change, the emergence of disease-mediated vectors is increasing rapidly. Thus for the surveillance of mosquito- and chigger mite-borne disease, their seasonal prevalence and species composition were investigated at seven locations in Daegu, Gunwi and Sangju. Methods: Mosquitoes were collected twice every month from five collection sites using a black light and BG sentinel traps in Daegu and Gunwi from April through November. Chigger mites were investigated twice per month from wild rodents caught with Sherman live traps in Gunwi and Sangju from April through May and September through November. Results: A total of 2,361 female mosquitoes were collected. Cowshed (626 individuals, Trap index (TI) 44.7) and Kyungpook National University campus (846 individuals, TI 60.4) in Daegu had the highest number of mosquitoes in the black light and BG sentinel trap, respectively. The mosquitoes were collected more by BG sentinel trap than the black light trap. Nine mosquito species were trapped, and the Culex pipiens complex was the most commonly mosquito (1,397 individuals, 59.2%), followed by Anopheles sinensis (554 individuals, 23.5%). Anopheles sinensis (531 individuals, 51.9%) and Culex pipiens complex (1,142 individuals, 85.4%) were the most mosquitoes from black light and BG sentinel trap, respectively. In terms of seasonal prevalence, the highest abundance was in July, with 824 individuals collected. In chigger mites, eighty-one wild rodents of five species that are hosts of chigger mites were collected; among them, 53 and 25 individuals of Apodemus agrarius and Crocidura suaveolens, respectively were trapped. Leptotrombidium pallidum was a dominant species, with 2,467 individuals collected (67.8%). Conclusions: The mosquito was the dominant species in Culex pipiens complex and the highest in July and August. Apodemus agrarius was most abundant in wild rats and Leptotrombidium pallidum was dominant in the collected chigger mites.