This study aimed to analyze difference in clinical findings, including coronary artery complications, in patients with Kawasaki disease and respiratory symptoms with several respiratory infections. We studied 182 pediatric patients diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. Examinations for respiratory viral polymerase chain reaction were conducted in the group of patients with respiratory symptoms. Echocardiography was perfomed by a pediatric cardiologist, and laboratory findings were evaluated. Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings based on medical records were compared. There were no differences between patients with and without respiratory viral infections with respect to age, male-female ratio, coronary artery complications, Kawasaki disease-specific clinical manifestations, duration of fever, duration of hospitalization, or recurrence rate. There was a significant difference in C-reactive protein levels (55.6 vs. 73.9 mg/L) between the two groups, but the other laboratory findings. The rate of respiratory infections in pediatric patients with Kawasaki disease was similar to those reported in previous studies, and clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were not significantly different between the groups.

This study was conducted to analyze the muscle activity in the right forearm and shoulderwhile doing the sowing activity by muscle type and work section, and to find the possibility of the utilization of sowing as a muscle exercise and rehabilitative activity based on the results of the analysis. The results showed that the activity of 7 muscles including the upper trapezius near the neck, the upper trapezius near the shoulder, the middle deltoid, the biceps brachii, the triceps brachii, the brachioradialis, and the flexor carpi ulnaris were significantly higher than the stable state. In addition, the muscle activity in the sections of mixing the soil, filling the tray with the soil, sowing, writing the label, and watering was significantly higher than the stable state. In particular, the muscle activity of the biceps brachii and the triceps brachii was statistically significantly high in the section of filling the tray with the soil, which indicates that the task of filling the tray with the soil can be utilized as an exercise to activate the biceps brachii and the triceps brachii. In addition, the muscle activity of the brachioradialis was significantly high in all the work sections, which indicates that the sowing process can be utilized to exercise the brachioradialis in particular. These results can be used as the basic data about the activated muscle types and degrees throughout the sowing process. These results can be also used to induce the activation of specific muscles, and the overall exercise and rehabilitation of the forearms.

Background : Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain. Especially, MRSA is developing resistance to available antibacterial agents and causing complications in the treatment of infections related to skin, soft tissue, respiratory, bone, joint, and endovascular disorders. Therefore, antibacterial agent combination therapy appears to be a useful option, particularly in developing countries where antibiotic availability is limited. (+)-Usnic acid (UA) is uniquely found in lichens, and is especially abundant in genera such as Usnea and Cladonia. UA has antimicrobial activity against human and plant pathogens. Therefore, UA may be a good antibacterial drug candidate for clinical development. Methods and Results : In search of a natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug-resistant bacteria, we have investigated the antimicrobial activity of UA against MRSA. In this study, the effects of a combination of UA and permeable agents against MRSA were investigated. For the measurement of cell wall permeability, UA with concentration of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was used. In the other hand, Sodium azide (NaN3) was used as inhibitors of ATPase. These results suggest that the antibacterial effect of UA was potentiated by membrane-binding agents and ABC transporter-inhibiting agents, implying that antibacterial activity is associated with damage of the cell wall and inhibition of ATPase function by UA. Conclusion : UA and in combination with EDTA and NaN3 could lead to the development of new combination antibiotics against MRSA infection. The results of this study appear to be promising, and they are expected to enhance the use of natural products as drugs.

Background : The geographical origin of Panax ginseng Meyer, a valuable medicinal plant, is important to both ginseng producers and consumers in the context of economic profit and human health benefits. We therefore aimed to discriminate between the cultivation regions of ginseng using the stable isotope ratios of C, N, O, and S, which are abundant bio-elements in living organisms. Methods and Results : The C, N, O, and S stable isotope ratios were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometer, and then these isotope ratios profiling was statistically analyzed with chemometrics. The various isotope ratios found in Panax ginseng roots were significantly influenced by region, cultivar, and the interactions between these two factors (P ≤ 0.0002). In particular, δ18O was lower in ginseng roots grown at high altitudes (r = −0.47), while δ34S was higher in ginseng roots grown close to coastal areas (r = −0.48). Chemometric results provided discrimination between the majorities of different cultivation regions. Conclusion : Our case study extends the understanding about the variation of C, N, O, and S stable isotope ratios in ginseng root depending on cultivation region. Hence, the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a suitable tool for discrimination between the regional origins of ginseng samples from Korea, with potential application to other countries.

Background : Undulatum Rhubarb, commonly produced in domestic, is rhizome of Rheum undulatum L. that belongs to the family Polygonaceae. It also can be used as a substitute of R. palmatum L., R. tanguticum Maximowicz ex Balf., and R. officinale Baillon which completely depend on import system. However, there should be clear clarification among Undulatum Rhubarb and Rhubarb, because Undulatum Rhubarb contains rhaponticin as marker compound that is not indicated at Rhubarb. Some of the recently imported Undulatum Rhubarbs have been found to be Rhubarb. Also, it is known that only Undulatum Rhubarb is cultivated at domestic environment. But some plant origins of Rhubarb are grown in Korea, too. Further study are needed to clarify clear origin between Undulatum Rhubarb and Rhubarb. Thus, we collected some domestically cultivated samples and identified them. Methods and Reseults : Rheum undulatum L., Rhubarb, Rheum tanguticum Maximowicz ex Balf. which were cultivated in Gangwondo Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Cheorwon were collected and anayzed the DNA sequences. We also compared DNA sequences in Rhubarb collected from England and R. rhabarbarum L., R. undulatum L., and R. franzenbachii on NCBI. As a result, two kinds of rhubarb cultivated in the test plantation were identified as R. rhabarbarum and R. officinale. In addition, R. undulatum (plant origin of Undulatum Rhubarb) was identified as Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) in England with 99 - 100% identical in nuclear ITS gene region. Conclusion : R. undulatum, plant origin of Undulatum Rhubarb, is reported as synonym of R. rhabarbarum, R. franzenbachii. Rheum speices which are cultivated as tester in Gangwondo Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Cheorwon are estimated as R. undulatum and R. officinale. Therefore, not only Undulatum Rhubarb but Rhubarb could be grown in Korea.

Background : Corrosion is one of the most devastating problems faced by most industries. Mild steel has played a vital role in various fields due to the excellent mechanical properties of mild steel such as low density, high strength-to-weight ratios, good environmental stability, high thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Methods and Results : The total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of the methanolic extract of C. grandiflora and R. verniciflua leaf have been examined, and its corrosion inhibition performance was investigated by weight loss and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization measurements. The surface morphology of mild steel was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The percentage composition of polyphenolic compounds was found to be higher in C. grandiflora and R. verniciflua plant extracts, and it was proved to be a superior, eco-friendly, and anti-corrosive inhibitor for mild steel in 1M of H2SO4. The Tafel polarization studies indicate that the plant extract is a mixed-type inhibitor. Scanning electron microscopy/energy -dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies confirmed the formation of a protective film on the metal surface. The corrosion inhibition of the C. grandiflora and R. verniciflua plant extracts was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-visible spectra, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies; these show the strong interaction between the metal surface and the inhibitor. Conclusion : The methanolic extract was prepared the two different plants like C. grandiflora, and R. verniciflua was studied the corrosion inhibition on the mild steel specimen in acidic medium through various methods involving weight loss measurements, EIS, and potentiodynamic polarization. The results shows that the C. grandiflora, and R. verniciflua plant extracts illustrate an effective corrosion inhibitor for mild steel with good anticorrosion properties in acidic environmen

This study aims to present direction for management of Korea Garden Show based on a survey of 105 experts in garden from a variety of backgrounds. Considerations for improving management of Korea Garden Show are as follows. First, when inviting applications for Garden Show, presenting a specific theme such as existing management method can encourage people to present more ideas from limited diversity. Second, it is the greatest time to hold the Garden Show from April to May in consideration of the diversity of plants and flowering time, and two week period is considered to be sufficient for the show according to the matters of operation and management of the show garden and requests of experts. Third, the show should be held in a designated place and after promoting sustainability and improving public awareness of the show. It should be also developed to show extended base of a garden and a variety of local characteristics, and held in provincial and municipal areas. Forth, industry-linked contents should be strengthened in the process of organizing the garden show. A symposium should be organized to introduce materials of garden industry including high-tech materials and new plant varieties and provide information about garden trends, and the show should perform its role as a platform for establishing garden culture.

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of uterine myoma is a non-invasive procedure that uses high intensity, focused ultrasound to heat and destroy the tissue of uterine myoma. The history of using therapeutic ultrasound dates back to the early 20th century, and since, the technique has been continuously improved to an extent that the breadth of its clinical applications, both diagnostic and therapeutic, justify the integral role it plays in medicine today. HIFU treatment requires that ultrasound beams be focused on targeted uterine myoma. Due to significant energy dissipation at the focus, temperatures within tissues increase to more than 65℃, and destroy diseased tissue. This technology can achieve precise "ablation" of myoma tissue, and because it destroys diseased tissue non-invasively, it is also known as "Non-invasive HIFU surgery". Development of this technology significantly broadened the range of treatment options for patients suffering from uterine myoma. Furthermore, in contrast to surgery, HIFU requires only a short period of hospitalization and has a low complication rate. Today, HIFU is being used more frequently to treat adenomyosis, but its increased use has led to the reporting of more complications. Here, the authors report a case of uterine perforation after HIFU ablation for adenomyosis.

Background : Ginseng widely cultivated as a major medicinal herb in Korea, is economically important crop for farmer. Ginseng root disease caused by soil borne pathogens is main factors restricting the quantity and quality of ginseng. The disease can result in harvest loss of up to 20~70% and limits the replanting of ginseng under same field for long time. The traditional control method of agrochemical use is not recommend to control soil borne disease because of difficulty in use and unstable effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of several antagonistic microbes for developing biological control method of ginseng root rot. Methods and Results : To select biocontrol agents against ginseng soil borne disease, several bacteria were isolated from ginseng root and rhizosphere soil evaluated in vitro screening of antifungal bacterial against ginseng root pathogens. Two antagonistic bacteria, ES17 and CJ4, showed the strongest inhibition effect against ginseng root pathogen. In the pot experiment under greenhouse conditions, ginseng seedling dipped in bacterial suspension at inoculum density of 106 cfu/ml for 1 hour were planted in pot containing inoculum. Control effect was examined depend on disease severity index at 30 days after inoculation. Ginseng root treated with CJ4 and ES17 isolate reduced root rot disease development on the ginseng root with degrees of control efficacy of 85% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion : Two biocontrol agent, Burkholderia ambifaria CJ4 and Paenibacillus strain ES17, had strong antifungal efficacy against ginseng soil borne pathogens. These results obtained from in vitro test and pot experiment suggest the potential applicability of the biocontrol agent to control ginseng root rot caused by various soil borne pathogens.

Background : Perilla frutescens L. is valuable as a medicinal plant as well as a natural medicine and functional food. Limonene perilla collected from various places showed 60% limonene compounds. However biological activity of these accession has not been reported before. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the biological activity of limonene perilla. Methods and Results : Fractional solvent extracts were obtained by using organic solvents such as n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-BuOH, and aqueous solvent from different parts of limonene perilla extracted initially in 70% EtOH. We investigated the effects of limonene perilla on total phenol and flavonoid contents, FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), total saponin contents and tyrosinase inhibition activity. Leaves of limonene perilla produced the highest total phenolic contents (29.88 mg·CAE/g), flavonoid (8.39 mg·QE/g) and saponin contents (47.77 mg·GIE/g) than stems and roots of limonene perilla. FRAP of leaves was 823.00±3.58 μM·FeSO4·E/mg. Tyrosinase inhibition activity rate was 40.31% in 70% ethanol extracts from leaves of limonene perilla. Conclusion : This results suggest that leaf of limonene perilla fractions has significant antioxidant activity. Also, limonene perilla could be used as a functional biomaterial in developing cosmetics and functional foods.

Background : Despite the presence of various bioactive compounds in ginseng, there is lack of study on the variations of bioactive compounds in ginseng according to the cultivation of soil and the applied fertilizer types (or amount). Therefore, this study aims to examine the variations of 37 fatty acids (FA) and 8 vitamin E (Vit-E) vitamers in 6-year-old ginseng root cultivated in different soil types with different fertilizers regimes. Methods and Results : The profiling of 37 FAs and 8 Vit-E vitamers in 6-year-old ginseng roots was measured by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector, and then these results were statistically analyzed with chemometrics. The FA and Vit-E content in ginseng roots varied significantly with respect to soil cultivation conditions due to organic fertilizer types and amounts used. Unsaturated FA in ginseng is approximately 2.7 fold higher than the saturated FA. Linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids were the most abundant FAs found in the ginseng roots. Also, the major Vit-E vitamer found in ginseng root is α -tocopherol. In particular, the application of rice straw compost or food waste fertilizer was increased to create nutritionally-desirable FAs and bioactive Vit-E in ginseng root. In addition, phytonutrient profiling coupled with chemometrics can be used to discriminate the cultivation conditions of ginseng. Conclusion : This preliminary study extends our understanding about the variations of FA and Vit-E in ginseng root depending on cultivation conditions. Hence, these results can be useful as basic information for reliable ginseng production containing high amounts of phytonutrients in a paddy-converted field.

Background : The objective of this study was to investigate antioxidant activities, inhibitory activities against heme induced colonic epithelial cell proliferations, anti-inflammatory activities and anthocyanin profiles in the anthocyanin rich fraction (ARFAM) from fruits of Aronia melanocarpa, where these are considered functional substances and available food coloring agents in Korea. Methods and Results : Anthocyanins were identified by reversed-phase C18 column chromatography and HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis. To compare the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory capacity of Aronia melanocarpa berries, recognized for their high content of anthocyanins, isolation method was developed to obtain high-purity anthocyanins in the extract. Anthocyanin-rich fractions (ARFAM) enriched in anthocyanins were found to be potent strong inhibitory activity towards heme induced colonic epithelial cell proliferations are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer than acidic ethanol extract (AME). The immunomodulation properties were assessed in growth of both human B and T cells, its cytokines secretion such as IL-6 (interleukin-6) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha). AME enhanced interleukin-6 and reduced tumor necrosis factor-a production, whereas ARFAM only had a effect in increasing of IL-6 expression. Conclusion : These results demonstrated that there was no major relationship between the antioxidative and immunomodulation capacities of AME and ARFAM.

Background : Despite the presence of various bioactive compounds in ginseng, there is lack of study about the phenolic metabolites in ginseng especially depending on the cultivation soil and the fertilizer types. Therefore, this study aims to develop an (-)ESI-LC-MS/MS analytical method for the measurement of selected phenolic compounds in the ginseng root. Methods and Results : Total phenol content in ginseng root was measured with the Folin-Ciocalteau method using UV/Vis spectrophotometer. Then, the 56 selected phenolic metabolites in ginseng root were measured with the (-)ESI-LC-MS/MS. The brief LC-MS/MS analytical conditions were as follows; Thermo Scientific Syncronis C18 HPLC Column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used. Optimized instrument settings were as follows: Curtain gas 20 psi, collision gas 2 psi, ion spray voltage –4500 V, nebulizer gas 40 psi, heating gas 70 psi, and its temperature 350℃. Total phenol content was higher in the ginseng cultivated in the paddy-converted field than that in upland. In particular, the total phenol content was about 6% decreased in the ginseng root cultivated with the food waste fertilizer compared to the control (p < 0.05). Six phenolic constituents including caffeic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, ferulic, gentisic, and salicylic acids were found in the ginseng root by using the LC-MS/MS in MRM (multiple reaction monitoring) Mode. These six phenolic compounds occupied approximately 20% of the total phenol content measured in the corresponding ginseng root. The chlorogenic acid was the most abundant phenolic metabolite found in the ginseng root, accounting for ≥ 95% of the sum of six phenolic compounds, in this study. Conclusion : This preliminary study can be useful for the study on content and composition of phenolic metabolites in ginseng root with the aspect of metabolomics. We plan to further optimize the LC-MS/MS analytical method and then provide the extended understanding on the phenolic metabolism in the ginseng root with respect to the ginseng cultivation conditions.

Background : The natural stable isotope ratio of common bio-elements like carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), or sulfur (S) varies with diverse isotope fractionation processes in nature. Therefore, measuring the variation of these stable isotope ratios in ginseng roots can be a feasible tool to discriminate the geographical origins of ginseng in Korea. Methods and Results : The 3-year-old six Korean ginseng cultivars were cultivated at the five regions in Korea, and then used for measuring the stable isotope ratios of C, N, O, and S by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The mean C, N, O, and S stable isotope ratio values in the ginseng roots significantly differed according to the cultivation regions (p < 0.05). However, these isotope ratios in ginseng roots had relatively weak discriminative power against to the ginseng cultivars at each cultivation region. The interaction of the cultivation region and ginseng cultivar type also significantly affected to the C, N, O, and S stable isotope ratio in ginseng roots (p < 0.0001). The two-dimensional plots associated with the N stable isotope ratio can effectively separate the ginseng roots in Jinan compared to those in the other regions. The partial least squares-discriminant analysis showed more significant separation between ginseng geographical origins compared to the principal component analysis. Conclusion : Our findings improve our understanding of how the isotope composition of ginseng roots varies with respect to cultivation regions and cultivars, and suggest that the analysis of the stable isotope ratios combined with chemometrics can be used as a feasible tool to discriminate geographical origin of ginseng in Korea.

With the object of examining the effects of horticultural therapy based on structural recall by developmental stage on cognitive, emotional, and hand functions of institutionalized elderly, this study executed a horticultural therapy program once a week and through a total of 14 sessions during the period from May 2 to December 5, 2013. The subjects of this study were 34 elders admitted to S Geriatric hospital for geriatric diseases, and they were divided into a control group and an experimental group. Because the program was designed for institutionalized elders who were able to do only indoor activities, it provided various seasonal horticultural activities that could be done even in a limited space by giving materials and subjects that could be recalled by developmental stage. The results of this study are as follows. As to changes in cognitive functions (MSQ) after the horticultural therapy program, the control group showed a decrease as having more negative ranks, and the experimental group showed an increase as having more positive ranks, but such changes in the control and experimental groups were not significant. As to changes in emotional functions after the horticultural therapy program, the control group showed a decrease but without significance in ego integrity as having more negative ranks, and the experimental group showed an increase with significance as having more positive ranks (P=0.020). As to the experimental group’s changes in the sub factors of ego integrity, positive ranks increased in all the sub-factors and the increase was particularly significant in satisfaction with present life (P=0.038). As to changes in life satisfaction, the control group showed increased positive ranks but without significance, and the experimental group showed significantly increased positive ranks (P=0.022). As to the experimental group’s changes in the sub-factors of life satisfaction, changes in denial of the past (P=0.029) and denial of the future (P=0.016) were particularly significant. As to changes in hand functions, both the control and experimental groups showed some improvement in pinch after the horticultural therapy program but the changes were not significant. Grip strength did not change in the control group, and in the experimental group right-hand grip strength was improved slightly more than left-hand one, the difference was not significant. The results of this study suggest that horticultural therapy based on structural recall by developmental stage is effective in improving institutionalized elders’ emotional functions and, consequently, can contribute to higher quality of life, which is the ultimate goal of elders.

Left ventricular (LV) thrombi may be caused by various conditions, particularly myocardial infarction. In most cases, LV thrombus occurs in patients with a significantly reduced ejection fraction. A LV thrombus is extremely rare in patients with normal LV function. We report a case of LV thrombus initially detected on transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with normal LV wall motion. We highlight the rarity of this condition and the usefulness of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of LV thrombus.

Small RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), play crucial roles in post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in eukaryotes. Small RNAs function cell-autonomously as well as non-cell-autonomously. It has been well characterized that pathogenic fungi secrete some effector molecules facilitating their infection into plants. However, it is unclear whether molecules produced in plant cells are able to move into fungal cells during infection. To test if small RNAs generated from plant cells can move to fungal cells during infection, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis and rice plants expressing siRNAs targeting GFP gene generated from double-stranded RNA interference (dsRNAi) constructs for GFP gene. And then these transgenic plants were inoculated with transgenic rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, expressing GFP transgene. Here, we showed that ectopic expression of siRNAs targeting GFP gene in transgenic plants significantly suppressed GFP expression in rice blast fungi inoculated, indicating that small RNA molecules generated in plant cells can move into infected fungal cells and efficiently degrade fungal GFP transcripts. Our results would provide a new small RNA-based strategy for the development of resistant crops against fungal pathogens.

To understand molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation of plant cells to saline stress and stress memory, we developed Arabidopsis callus suspension-cultured cells adapted to high salt. Adapted cells to high salt exhibited enhanced tolerance compared to control cells. Moreover, the salt tolerance of adapted cells was stably maintained even after the stress is relieved, indicating that the salt tolerance of adapted cells was memorized. Salt-adapted and stress memorized cells were densely aggregated and formed multi-layered cell lump. Cell morphology analysis using transmission electron microscopy indicated that cell wall thickness of salt-adapted cells was significantly induced compared to control cells. In order to characterize metabolic responses of plant cells during adaptation to high salt stress as well as stress memory, we compared metabolic profiles of salt-adapted and stress-memorized cells with control cells by using NMR spectroscopy. A principle component analysis showed clear metabolic discrimination among control, salt-adapted and stress-memorized cells. Compared with control cells, metabolites related to shikimate metabolism such as tyrosine, and flavonol glycosides, which are related to protective mechanism of plant against stresses were largely up-regulated in adapted cell lines. Moreover, coniferin, a precursor of lignin, was more abundant in salt-adapted cells than control cells. The results provide new insight into metabolic level mechanisms of plant adaptation to saline stress as well as stress memory.

To identify novel signaling components involved in regulation of plant responses to phosphate (Pi) starvation, we screened an Arabidopsis T-DNA activation tagging library for mutants with altered Pi-starvation responses. Here, we report the identification and characterization of novel activation-tagged mutant involved in Pi starvation signaling in Arabidopsis. The hpd (hypersensitive to Pi deficiency) mutant exhibits enhanced phosphate uptake and altered root architectural change under Pi starvation compared to wild type. Expression analysis of auxin-responsive DR5::GUS reporter gene in hpd mutant indicated that both auxin biosynthesis and auxin translocation under Pi starvation are suppressed in hpd mutant plants. Impaired auxin translocation in roots of hpd mutant was attributable to abnormal root architecture changes in Pi starvation conditions. Mis-regulation of auxin translocation in hpd mutant was further confirmed by analysis of expression patterns of auxin efflux carrier proteins, PIN-FORMED (PIN) 1, 2, and 3 fused with GFP. Not only expression levels but also expression domains of PIN proteins were altered in hpd mutant in response to Pi starvation. Molecular genetic analysis of hpd mutant revealed that the mutant phenotype is caused by the lesion in ENHANCED SILENCING PHENOTYPE4 (ESP4) gene whose function is proposed in mRNA 3’-end processing. The results propose that mRNA processing plays crucial roles in Pi homeostasis as well as developmental reprograming in response to Pi deprivation in Arabidopsis.