Background: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) causes neurological symptoms by compression of the dura mater and nerve roots. Due to the changed in proprioception inputs that can result in abnormal postural pattern, delayed reaction time, and changed in deep tendon reflex. Objective: To investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises on motor neuron excitability and neurological symptoms in patients with LDH. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (single blind) Methods: Thirty patients with LDH were recruited; they were randomly divided into the balance center stabilization resistance exercise group (n=15) and the Nordic walking group (n=15). Each group underwent their corresponding 20- minute intervention once a day, four times a week, for four weeks. Participants’ motor neuron excitability and low back pain were assessed before and after the four-week intervention. Results: There were significant differences in all variables within each group (p<.05). There were significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the changes of upper motor neuron excitability and pain (p<.05), but not in the changes of lower motor neuron excitability and Korean Oswestry Disability Index. Conclusion: Lumbar stabilization exercises utilizing concurrent contraction of deep and superficial muscles improved low back function in patients with LDH by lowering upper motor neuron excitability than compared to exercises actively moving the limbs. Lumbar stabilization exercises without pain have a positive impact on improving motor neuron excitability.

A case of caseous lymphadenitis (CL) was detected in a native Korean goat without manifestation of superficial nodules but with pulmonary abscesses that were characterized microscopically by granulomatous inflammation consisting of a central necrotic region, peripheral fibrous capsule, and numerous cellular infiltrates with epithelioid macrophages, giant cells, and lymphocytes. Presence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was identified by using bacterial isolation and multiplex PCR. In addition, a 43% seropositivity to C. pseudotuberculosis was observed in goats from the same farm. This case highlights the risk of exposure of farmers to the causative agent and the urgent need for national monitoring for CL, a potential zoonotic.

Melatonin is a neurotransmitter that modulates various physiological phenomena including regulation and maintenance of the circadian rhythm. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in oral functions including orofacial muscle contraction, salivary secretion, and tooth development. However, knowledge regarding physiological crosstalk between melatonin and nAChRs is limited. In the present study, the melatoninmediated modulation of nAChR functions using bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, a representative model for the study of nAChRs, was investigated. Melatonin inhibited the nicotinic agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) iodide-induced cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) increase and norepinephrine secretion in a concentrationdependent manner. The inhibitory effect of melatonin on the DMPP-induced [Ca2+]i increase was observed when the melatonin treatment was performed simultaneously with DMPP. The results indicate that melatonin inhibits nAChR functions in both peripheral and central nervous systems.

Chamaecyparis obtusa is one of the economical conifers planted in Korea due to its good quality timber and wood characteristics. Individuals of C. obtusa containing high terpenes (HT) and low terpenes (LT) were selected for by colorimetric method. The HT of C. obtusa was delayed in wilting against various abiotic stresses compared to the LT plants. The HT group exposed to UV did not significant influence the chlorophyll content, and the chlorophyll value was higher in the HT group than the LT group. Also, chilling treatment (5℃) did not significant influence on the chlorophyll content. However treatment at -4℃ showed relatively low chlorophyll content in the LT group than the HT group. Plants exposure to high temperature was not a difference between the HT and the LT group. However, treatment at 38℃ influenced the chlorophyll content that was increased exposure time-dependently. In salt treatments, chlorophyll in the HT group was lower at high concentrations (300 and 500 mM) of NaCl. However, chlorophyll content increased to slightly in treatment time-dependently, which is 6.7% to 40%. H2O2 treatment has been a negative effect on the chlorophyll content in the HT group. All concentration of H2O2 decreased the chlorophyll content of 5% to 35%. Plants containing high terpenoids were resisted against some abiotic stress such as salt and H2O2. Our results implied that terpenoids could cause various abiotic stress resistance. These results could be utilized for efficient management and biomass production during forest silvicultures.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated and analysed its fermentation ability in triticale powder at different moisture levels. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of fermented silage extract against cattle pathogens was also studied. The isolated strains were P. pentosaceus (TC48) and L. brevis (TC50) that confirmed based on biochemical and 16srRNA sequences methods. Extract from LAB fermented silage showed higher antibacterial activity (inhibition zone diameters: 18~24.2 mm) against E. coli P. aeruoginosa, S. aureus and E. Fecalis than the non-inoculated silage extract. TC48 and TC52 strains exhibited high tolerance to artificial gastric, duodenal and intestinal fluids. In summary, lactic acid bacteria mediated fermentation of triticale silage extract showed great antibacterial activity with significant probiotic characteristics might be an effective and safe way to provide new strategies for reducing the incidence of pathogenic bacteria associated diseases in animals.

Korean sliced rice cakes, or tteokguk, are conventionally dried and rehydrated during their preparation. In this study, the effects of the perforation process and various drying methods (e.g., hot-air drying, vacuum drying, low temperature drying, and freeze drying) on the quality characteristics of tteokguk (rice cake soup) were evaluated. In the experiment, the rehydration capacity and lightness increased as the pore number increased. The hardness, redness, and yellowness of tteokguk, in contrast, tended to decrease as perforations increased. The texture, taste, and overall acceptability scores of tteokguk increased as perforations increased. With respect to drying methods, the rehydration capacity was greatest for vacuum drying. The hardness of tteokguk was lowest for vacuum drying. The redness, yellowness, pH, and sensory characteristics did not differ significantly among tteokguk samples treated through various drying methods. These results suggest that high-quality ready-to-eat Korean sliced rice cakes could be created by perforation and vacuum drying.

Stem and root of elm trees have used as traditional medical materials, but there is little information on the distribution and resources of habitats. Korean native growing Ulmus spp. (U. davidiana var. Japonica, U. parvifolia, U. davidiana, and U. macrocarpa) genetic resources studied through The National Forest Inventory of Korea data and field survey. The distributions of U. davidiana var. japonica according to elevation distributed evenly. Both U. parvifolia and U. davidiana were inhabited mostly at less than 200 m of altitude. Each Ulmaceae species widely were distributed nationwide, but a dominant species was different depending on locals. It observed that Ulmaceae inhabits mainly in steep slopes of 31-45 degrees. Most of the habitats regenerated by natural seeding and the most abundant species were a codominant tree. Distribution of trees in U davidiana var. japonica was 7 m-13 m, and in young U. parvifolia and U. macrocarpa, more than 25% of young trees less than 7 m observed. The distribution of the diameter of breast height of the U. davidiana var. japonica was 46.4% for 11-20 cm, 52.6% for 11-20 cm in U. parvifolia. The average T/R ratio was 0.83, and the mean weight ratio of root bark was 62%. As the results of this study, the domestic Ulmaceae biomassare very small. It is difficult to harvest in that the habitat on the slope. Thus, it is too hard to develop functional materials using biomass at present. Therefore, it is necessary to develop technology for the selection and propagation of elite trees of Ulmaceae.