Pogonini Laporte, 1834 is one of the tribes in Trechinae Bonelli, 1810 (Coleoptera: Carabidae). This tribe is morphologically similar to Trechini, Benbidiini, Zolini and Patrobini of the subfamily. However, Pogonini can be distinguished from the other tribes by having a combination of the following characters: apical maxillary palpomere fusiform; umbilical series of setae on elytron more or less contiguous (though sparse in middle); each tarsomeres with a median sulcus on dorsal side. Pogonini includes about 85 species of 12 genera worldwide and is found in all zoogeographical regions of the world. Many species inhabit along the sea coasts or near salt lakes, and are recognized as halobiont. In Korea, Paik (1998) reported Pogonus (Pogonus) itoshimaensis Habu, 1954. However, he added only the species name in the checklist without description or illustration although few specimens were examined. After Paik’s study, any studies on taxonomic status and distribution of Korean Pogonini have not been carried out. The genus Pogonus Dejean is the largest group in Pogonini with two subgenera: P. (Pogonoidius Carret, 1903) and P. (Pogonus Dejean, 1821). These two subgenera share very similar external morphological characters; Pogonoidius has setae on anterior angles of pronotum and setae at 7th interval of elytra while Pogonus does not have them. In the present study, two species, Pogonus (Pogonus) japonicus Putzeys, 1875 and P. (Pogonoidius) punctulatus Dejean, 1828, are newly recognized from Korea. A key to the Korean Pogonini species, redescription, distribution, photos of diagnostic characters, and illustrations of male and female genitalia are provided.

Multiple starters consisting of two Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains (MJ1-4 and EMD17), Pichiafarinosa SY80, and Rhizopus oryzae were used for Doenjang making. Bacillus strains were selected based on their abilities to inhibit toxinogenic fungi and Bacillus cereus, fibrinolytic activity, and their ability to confer good flavor to Cheonggukjang. P. farinosa SY80 and R. oryzae, previously isolated from soy sauce, were selected because they were not inhibited by two bacilli. Doenjang was prepared by inoculation of multiple starters (A1 Doenjang). Control Doenjang was prepared by inoculation of B. subtilis KACC 16750 (Natto strain) and Aspergillus oryzae KCCM 60166 (A2 Doenjang). Another control (A3 Doenjang) was prepared by inoculation of microorganisms present in rice straw. Doenjang samples were fermented for 70 days at 20℃. pH of 3 samples decreased from the initial value of 6.4 to 5.8~6.0 and titratable acidity (TA) increased from 0.6 to 1.1~1.3. The amount of amino-type nitrogen increased during fermentation. There were slight differences in moisture, crude-protein, and crude-fat contents after 70 days. Contamination of fungi was observed only in A3 Doenjang and B. cereus was not detected from all 3 samples. A1 Doenjang showed the highest fibrinolytic activity and A2 Doenjang the second. These results indicate that Doenjang made with carefully selected starters was functionally improved and microbially more safe.

Despite that porcine spermatogonial stem cells (pSSCs) have been regarded as a practical tool for preserving eternally genetic backgrounds derived from pigs with high performance in the economic traits or phenotypes of specific human diseases, there were no reports about precise definition of niche conditions promoting proliferation and maintenance of pSSCs. Accordingly, we tried to determine niche conditions supporting proliferation and maintenance of undifferentiated pSSCs for short-term. For these, undifferentiated pSSCs were progressively cultured in different composition of culture medium, seeding density of pSSCs, type of feeder cells and concentration of growth factors, and then total number of and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity of pSSCs were investigated at post-6 day culture. As the results, the culture of 4x105 pSSCs on mitotically in activated 2x105 STO cells in the mouse embryonic stem cell culture medium (mESCCM) supplemented with 30 ng/ml glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was identified as the best niche condition supporting effectively the short-term maintenance of undifferentiated pSSCs. Moreover, the optimized short-term culture system will be a basis for developing long-term culture system of pSSCs in the following researches.

2 week study was conducted to investigate the effects of Interferential Current(IC) and Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manual Therapy(KEOMT) on functional constipation. Interventions were applied to spinal segments between T9-L2 which provides innerva˗ tions to the gastrointestinal tract. Subjects(n=24) were randomly allo˗ cated to two treatment groups: the IC group or the KEOMT group. Results for the IC therapy demonstrated significant decrease with the colonic transit time(CTT) as well as scores on the constipation assessment scale(CAS). The frequency of defecations per week had increased significantly(p<0.05). The KEOMT displayed decreased CTT in the left colon region. The scores on the CAS were reduced and frequency of defecations per week had increased significantly (p<0.05). This study not only showed that both modes of therapy improved symptoms of constipation, but also optimized gastrointesti˗ nal content movement, eventuating in a more normalized CTT. In conclusion, both the IC therapy and the Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manual Therapy have shown to be effective interventions for improving functional constipation.

Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration can cause serious health problems in individuals of all age groups and requires immediate diagnosis and intervention. Patients with psychiatric disorders can aspirate foreign objects that may pose a danger to their health. Herein, we report on a case of curtain clip aspiration in a 44-year-old man with mental retardation. Chest radiography and bronchoscopy showed a sharp, pointed, S-shaped curtain clip inversely lodged in his left main bronchus. The curtain clip was removed successfully using flexible bronchoscopy, and no complications were noted.