A 40-year-old G1 P0 L0 A1 woman was referred to our clinic with 6-year history of infertility. Before visiting the clinic, she had 3 cycles of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures (2 cycles of Controlled Ovarian Stimulation-IVF and 1 cycle of frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer (ET)) at other clinic. She had medical history of abortion at early gestation following FET (frozen-thawed-ET). The patient had complete type of septate uterus, double cervix and longitudinal vaginal septum. Vaginal septotomy was done first and 1 month later, hysteroscopic septoplasty was followed using ballooning filled with dye. After septoplasty, we inserted ballooning and left for several days to compress septal endometrium on the septectomy area. All procedures were done in the ambulatory operating room without laparoscopy or admission. 3 months later, she had in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and FET procedures in our clinic. She had successful pregnancy and now is at 22 weeks of gestation. New ambulatory septoplasty using dye-filled ballooning is easy, safe and minimally invasive surgery for treatment of complete septate uterus.

Wearable robots are receiving great attention from the public, as well as researchers, because its motivation is to improve the quality of lives of people. Above all, complete paraplegic patients due to spinal cord injury (SCI) might be the most adequate target users of the wearable robots, because they definitely need physical assistance due to the complete loss of muscular strength and sensory functions. Furthermore, the medical care of complete paraplegics by using the wearable robots have significantly reduced the mortality rate and improved the life expectancy. The requirements of the wearable robot for complete paraplegics are actuation torque, locomotion speed, wearing sensation, robust gait stability, safety, and practicality (i.e., size, volume, weight, and energy efficiency). A WalkON Suit is the wearable robot that has satisfied the requirements of the wearable robot for complete paraplegics and participated in the powered exoskeleton race of Cybathlon 2016. In this paper, configuration of the WalkON Suit, human-machine interface, gait pattern, control algorithm, and evaluation results are introduced.

Background : The P. ginseng breeding line G07006, was selected for salt tolerance through salinity screening of mature leaves at the NIHHS of the RDA in 2014-2016. However, it is difficult to maintain a genetically stable breeding line of cross-pollinating crop in the field. Therefore molecular marker required to identify and maintain breeding line G07006. Methods and Results : DNA was extracted following the CTAB DNA extraction protocol (Doyle and Doyle, 1987) with modifications. A pair-end (PE) library was constructed and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform by Lab Genomics, Inc. (Seongnam, Korea). Approximately 4.0 Gb of sequencing data were obtained, and de novo assembled by a CLC genome assembler(v. beta 4.6, CLC Inc., Rarhus, Denmark). The complete chloroplast(CP) genome size is 156,356 bp, including two inverted repeats (IRs) of 52,060 bp, separated by the large single-copy (LSC 86,174 bp) and small single-copy (SSC 18,122 bp) regions. This CP genome encodes 114 unigenes (80 protein-coding genes, four rRNA genes, and 30 tRNA genes), in which 18 are duplicated in the IR regions. Conclusion : This complete chloroplast DNA sequence will provide conducive to discriminate line G070006 (salt-tolerant) and further enhancing genetic improvement program of this important medical plant.

The complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of two Miscanthus species, M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus, were sequenced and investigated for genes, genome size variation, and polymorphisms. There are 154 genes in both cp genomes, consisting of 122 coding genes, 40 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The cp genome contains two inverted repeat (IR) regions, separated by large single copy (LSC) region and small single copy (SSC) region. 112bp indels in M. sinensis and 152bp in M. sacchariflorus were found mainly in LSC and SSC, which are responsible for 40 bp-difference in cp genome size in two species. Likewise, out of 94bp of SNPs, 88bp were found in LSC and SSC regions. Although gene number and sequence structure were quite well conserved, indel distribution and size were different in these two Miscanthus species.

Asterales are dicotyledonous flowering plants and are one of the Asterid clade, incuding many species as well as Codonopsis and Platycodon. Here, we have determined the complete chloroplast genome sequences of C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus by using the targeted denovo assembly method of short reads derived from whole genome resequencing. The total lengths of each chloroplast genome sequence are 156,180 bp for C. lanceolata and 155,453 bp for P. grandiflorus. In their chloroplast genomes, 106 genes (75 protein-coding genes, 4 rRNA genes, 23 tRNA genes, and 4 hypothetical chloroplast open reading frames [ycfs]) exhibited the relatively similar positions. Also, 7 protein-coding genes commonly showed to contain introns in both C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus chloroplast genome, while psaA gene contain intragenic regions only in P. grandiflorus chloroplast genome. In further analysis, we identified the codon usage bias to A or T and found the different simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci of each chloroplast genome (18 SSR loci of C. lanceolata and 16 SSR loci of P. grandiflorus). In the phylogenetic trees based on 72 protein-coding genes, C. lanceolata is more closely related to P. grandiflorus than the other plant species order Asterales. Also, we found the highest sequence diversities of 12 protein-coding genes in small single copy (SSC) region than in the inverted repeat (IRs) and large single copy (LSC) region, and 3 genes such as rpoC2 (LSC region), ndhB (IRs region), and ndhF (SSC region) showed the highest number of segregating sites in each region. Additionally, we developed the molecular markers for phylogenetic applications of C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus chloroplast genome.

The chloroplast (cp) is an organelle with its own genome encoding a number of cp-specific components. The membrane-bound organelles are mainly involved in the photosynthetic conversion of atmospheric CO2 into carbohydrates in which light energy is stored as chemical energy. Resequencing technology via next-generation sequencing has recently been successfully applied which results the field of cp genome characterization is growing fast. Here, we report the complete sequence of the chloroplast genome of Capsicum frutescens, a species of chili pepper. The total length of the genome is 156,817 bp, and the overall GC content is 37.7%. A pair of 51,584-bp inverted repeats (IRs) is separated by a small (17,853 bp) and a large (87,380 bp) single-copy region. The C. frutescens chloroplast genome encodes 103 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 20 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Of these, 19 genes are duplicated in the IRs and 18 genes contain one or two introns. Comparative analysis with reference cp genome revealed 125 simple sequence repeat (SSR) motif and 34 variants, mostly located in the non-coding regions. These microsatellite markers will facilitate the studies of genetic diversity, population genetic structure, and sustainable conservation for C. frutescens.

Chloroplast (cp) genome sequences provide a valuable source for DNA barcoding. Molecular phylogenetic studies have concentrated on DNA sequencing of conserved gene loci. However, this approach is time consuming and more difficult to implement when gene organization differs among species. Here we report the complete re-sequencing of the cp genome of Capsicum pepper (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) using the Illumina platform. The total length of the cp genome is 156,817 bp with a 37.7% overall GC content. A pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 50,284 bp were separated by a small single copy (SSC; 18,948 bp) and a large single copy (LSC; 87,446 bp). The number of cp genes in C. annuum var. glabriusculum is the same as that in other Capsicum species. Variations in the lengths of LSC, SSC and IR regions were the main contributors to the size variation in the cp genome of this species. A total of 125 simple sequence repeat (SSR) and 48 insertions or deletions variants were found by sequence alignment of Capsicum cp genome. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation of cp genome evolution in Capsicum and other higher plants.

Chloroplast DNA sequences are a versatile tool for species identification and phylogenetic reconstruction of land plants. Different chloroplast loci have been utilized for phylogenetic classification of plant species. However, there is no evidence for a short sequence that can distinguish all plant species from each other. Molecular markers derived from the complete chloroplast genome can provide effective tools for species identification and phylogenetic resolution. Thus, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Korean landrace “Subicho” pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum) has been determined here. The total length of the chloroplast genome is 156,878 bp, with 37.7% overall GC content. A pair of IRs (inverted repeats) of 25,801 bp was separated by a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,929 bp and a large single copy (LSC) region of 87,347 bp. The chloroplast genome harbors 132 known genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. A total of seven of these genes are duplicated in the inverted repeat regions, nine genes and six tRNA genes contain one intron, while two genes and a ycf have two introns. Analysis revealed 144 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci and 96 variants, mostly located in the non-coding regions. The types and abundances of repeat units in Capsicum species were relatively conserved and these loci will be useful for developing molecular markers.

The chloroplast (cp) is an organelle with its own genome that encodes a number of cp-specific components. Resequencing technology via next-generation sequencing has recently been successfully applied to cp genome characterization. The field of cp characterization is rapidly growing due to its wide versatility and two complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequences of Capsicum species have been reported. We herein report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Capsicum baccatum var. baccatum, a wild Capsicum species. The total length of the chloroplast genome is 157,145 bp with 37.7% overall GC content. One pair of inverted repeats, 25,910 bp in length, was separated by a small single-copy region (17,974 bp) and large single-copy region (87,351 bp). This region contains 86 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Eleven genes contain one or two introns. Pair-wise alignments of cp genome were performed for genome-wide comparison. Analysis revealed a total of 134 simple sequence repeat (SSR) motif and 282 insertions or deletions variants in the C. baccatum var. baccatum cp genome.

Common buckwheat (F. esculentum) and tartaryan buckwheat, also called as bitter buckwheat (F. tartarycum) grain and leaves (buds) are used in various dietary preparations and as leafy vegetable. The cultivated area of buckwheat is increased based on its nutritional value. Particularly bitter buckwheat is a rich source of rutin compared to common buckwheat which helps in reducing intra-vascular cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and is also reported to have a crucial role in pharmaceutical research. With this functional characteristics of bitter buckwheat, the cultivation is now highly increased. But a few genetic and genomic research of tartari buckwheat are published until now. Here we described the complete full chloroplast genome sequence with NGS. Tartary buckwheat complete chloroplast genome is composed of a total sequence length of 159,272 bp which is 327 bp lesser than common buckwheat genome of 159,599 bp. Large single copy region (LSC) is comprised of 84,398 bp in tartary and 84,888 bp in common buckwheat whereas small single copy region (SSC) is 13,292 bp and 13,343 bp and the size of inverted repeat region (IR) is 61,532 bp and 61,368 bp in tartary and common buckwheat respectively. Total RNA bases were 11942 and 11950 and overall GC-content in tartary and common buckwheat is almost similar which is 37.9% and 38% with a GC skew of -0.016 and 0.02 respectively. Total repeat bases accounted for 1,056 bp and 804 bp with an average repeat length of 48 bp and 45 bp and the length of an average intergenic distance was 495 bp and 502 bp in tartary and common buckwheat respectively. F. tarataticum cp genome has a total of 104 genes including 82 protein coding genes, 29 transfer RNA genes and 4 ribosomal RNA genes. Protein coding genes include photosynthesis related genes majorly in addition to transcription and translation related genes. LSC region has 62 protein coding genes and 22 tRNA genes whereas SSC region contains 11 protein coding genes and one tRNA gene. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of protein coding genes in LSC, SSC and inverted repeat regions in F.tartaricum and F.esculentum are highly similar with a total average identity of 98.8 and 98.3% respectively.

Chloroplasts are plant-specific organelles, which have their own genome. Most of the plant chloroplast genomes (CP genome) are highly conserved in terms of its gene contents and genome structures, and they exist in cells with abundant copy numbers. Because of numerous copy numbers, the complete chloroplast sequence assembly pipeline with small amount of whole genome resequencing data, produced by NGS technique, was established in our laboratory. From 14 accessions of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) resequencing data produced by Illumina Hi-seq 2000, CP genomes were assembled and compared to each other. 18 sequence variance regions were detected, and 6 HRM(High Resolution Melting curves) markers were developed. Approximately 1 Gb of whole genome sequencing data of 10 Brassica rapa and 2 Brassica napus were also obtained from Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science. With these resequencing data, all CP genomes from these accessions were assembled. Total 27 complete CP genomes of B.oleracea, B.rapa, B.napus, and brassico-raphanus which is a novel allotetraploid species between B.rapa and Raphanus sativus, were compared in sequence level. Phylogenetic analysis based on the comparison revealed that B.rapa could be the maternal species when rapeseeds and brassico-raphanus became allotetraploid species. Additionally, CP genome of B.napus cv.M083 is closer to B.rapa accessions than the other B.napus accessions, thus B.napus could have several different origins.

Mitochondria are essential organelles of eukaryotic cells and plant cells contain varying numbers of mitochondrial genome sequences. Sizes and shapes of mitochondria differ within a tissue or in the same cells. Previously sequenced complete mitochondrial genome (NC_016118) of Brassica oleracea size was 360,271 bp, where segmental duplication (repeat block) was 141,800 bp. In this study, we resequenced this whole mitochondrial genome by using WGS (whole genome sequencing) and assembled organelles genome method (unpublished). Newly sequenced mitochondrial genome length was 219,975 bp and circle form. A new sequence segment of approximately 4,800 bp was obtained compared to the previous genome sequence without any large repeat block. Newly obtained mitochondria genome sequence was compared with recently reported mitochondria genome sequences of various species (B. oleracea, B. juncea, B. rapa, B. napus and B. carinata) and subspecies (cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, broccoli and kale) by PCR using primers specifying different region of genome sequences. PCR analysis results have also confirmed the variation between previous and newly sequenced mitochondrial genome circles form. Thus, the results suggest new B. oleracea mitotype, including evolutionary events such as inheritance, rearrangement, genome compaction, and diversity

Solanum nigrum is one of useful sources for improving resistance to several diseases in potato (S. tuberosum). For enhancing late blight resistance, introgression of late blight resistance from S. nigrum was attempted into the cultivated potatoes using somatic hybridization due to their sexual incompatibility. Therefore, we sequenced the chloroplast genome of S nigrum and compared it with those of Nicotiana tabacum, S. bulbocastanum, S. tuberosum and S. lycopersicum. The complete sequence of the chloroplast genome of S. nigrum consists of 155,432 bp in length including a pair of inverted repeat regions (Ira, Irb) of 25,589 bp each, a small single copy region of 18,402 bp and a large single copy region of 85,852 bp. The genome contains 107 genes. A comparison of chloroplast genome of five solanaceous species revealed that the gene contents and their relative positions of S. nigrum are similar to the other four species. Detailed comparison identified 35 indels, including 22 insertion and 13 deletion, in the intergenic and intragenic regions. The phylogenetic tree of chloroplast sequences of five solanaceous species shows that S nigrum is located at a same node with N. tabacum and is secondly close to S. lycopersicum. A sister clade with S. bulbocastanum and S. tuberosum is the farthest. The results obtained in this study will facilitate the development of PCR-based markers to select somatic fusion products.

Complete closed-type carbon fiber reinforced polymer stirrups with a rectangular section (CFRPRS) were developed and tested in this research. The CFRPRS was intended to relieve stress concentration and to reduce the number of kinked fibers at the bent portion. A total of 16 B.5 specimens were tested regarding the bend strength of the CFRPRS and CFRP stirrups with circular section. Test results showed that CFRPRS improved the bend strength compared to its counterpart of conventional CFRP stirrups having a circular section, with the larger ratio of width to thickness being more effective for the same sectional area. The best correlation between the test results and predictions on CFRPRS bend strength was observed when the section of CFRPRS was modeled as a collection of transformed individual circular sections.

Regarding carotenoids content, the genetic basis, heritability and combining ability in six red pepper inbred lines were investigated using full diallel crosses. Both additive and non-additive gene actions govern inheritance of carotenoids content. The mean square of array through variance and covariance analysis (Wr-Vr) was insignificant, which suggest that inbred lines involved in diallel cross may have no epistatic effects. The Vr/Wr graph revealed the influence of partial dominant gene action towards low carotenoids content and the absence of non-allelic interaction. The H2 component was smaller than the H1 and the [H2/4H1] component was 0.187 less than 0.25, indicating unequal proportion of positive and negative alleles in the parents. The estimates of broad and narrow sense heritability for carotenoids content were 0.956 and 0.832, respectively. The variance of general combining ability (GCA) was relatively higher than that of specific combining ability (SCA), which implied that the additive gene effects were predominant as compared to both dominant and epistatic effects for the accumulation of carotenoids in this genetic population. The values of GCA of ‘62024L1’ and ‘62067L2’ were higher than those of the other parents. These 2 inbred lines, therefore, can be considered as useful breeding materials to enhance fruit carotenoids content in other red pepper varieties.