Background : Cellular oxidative stress as reactive oxygen species (ROS), whether produced endogenously as a consequence of normal cell functions or derived from external sources, pose a constant threat to cells living in an aerobic environment as they can result in severe damage to DNA, protein, and lipids. The effects of Valeriana fauriei extract and fractions on hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal cell damage are studied. Methods and Results : Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathological process of neurodegenerative diseases. Valeriana fauriei extract (VFE) and EA fractions (VFEA) was investigated total phenolic contents using method. VFE of total phenolic contents had 2.54 ± 0.01 mg/g, also, VFEA had a 18.78 ± 0.03 mg/g. High phenolic content of the VFEA is expected to better the inhibition of oxidative stress. VFE and VFEA were experimented to inhibit ROS induced 200 μM 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1). VFE of inhibit SIN-1 induced-ROS dose dependently and signficantly. In addition, VFEA inhibition was also dose dependant and significant. Moreover, The treatment of SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells with VFEA significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced generation of intercellular ROS. Conclusion : From the above results, we may suggest that VFEA might have useful as a material for functional food and pharmaceutics for the pathological process of neurodegenerative diseases.

Background : Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau is a widely used medicinal perennial woody plant. Obtaining information about the genetic diversity of plant populations is highly important for conservation and germplasm utilization. In this study, we developed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers derived from chloroplast genomic sequences to identify distinct Korean-specific ecotypes of C. tricuspidata via amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR analyses. We performed molecular authentication of twelve C. tricuspidata ecotypes from different regions using DNA sequences in the chloroplast TrnL-F intergenic region. Methods and Results : SNPs were identified based on the results of nucleotide sequence for the intergenic region of TrnL-TrnF gene (chloroplast). Molecular markers were designed for those SNPs with additional mutations on the second base from SNPs for amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). HRM pattern analyses were performed using the Mx3005P QPCR System (Agilent Technologies, CA, USA). Conclusion : We collected 12 individual lines of C. tricuspidata from various region in South Korea and China. Based on the nucleotide sequence in the trnL-trnF intergenic region of these lines, six SNPs and a deletion of 12 bps were identified and 12 individual lines were able to be grouped in one Korean ecotype and two different ecotypes of chinese lines, chinese line 1 and 2. The SNP markers developed in this study are useful for rapidly identifying these specific C. tricuspidata ecotypes collected from different regions.

경피적 추체 성형술은 최소 침습적 척추 수술로 골다공증성 압박골절, 골수종 그리고 암에 의한 척추 전 이 등에 치료방법으로 많이 사용되어 왔다. 이러한 최소침습적 시술은 환자에게 작은 수술 흉터, 통증, 출혈, 짧은 회복시간등 여러가지 장점이 많으나, 환자와 시술자가 방사선의 위험으로부터 벗어날 수 없다. 이에 본 연구의 목적은 경피적 추체 성형술을 하는 동안 방사선 조사시간의 측정과 함께 시술자와 환자의 방사선 피폭선량을 측정해 보았다. 본원에 내원한 경피적 추체 성형술 시행 대상인 환자를 3명의 마취통증의 학과 전문의가 동일한 방법으로 총 20명의 환자에게 경피적 추체 성형술을 실시하였다. 방사선 조사시간을 측정하고 전자선량측정계를 이용하여 총 6군데의 방사선 피폭량을 측정해 보았다. 환자는 직접 엑스선을 측정하였으며, 전 후면과 옆면 부위에 전자선량측정계를 위치하였고, 시술자는 환자로부터 산란되는 산란선을 측정하였으며, 납가운 바깥쪽에 위치한 갑상선, 왼쪽 가슴, 왼쪽 허벅지 그리고 납가운 안쪽에 위치한 왼쪽 가슴부위에 전자선량측정계를 위치하였다. 총 시술 시간은 19.3±3.88 min이며, 방사선에 의한 노출 시 간은 3.6±0.71 min 이었다. 환자의 피폭선량은 전후면 일 때 121.4±48.15 μSv 였으며, 측면일 때 피폭선량 은 614.7±177.14 μSv 이다. 시술자가 받은 피폭선량은 납가운 바깥쪽의 갑상선 부분이 33.7±7.30 μSv 이고, 왼쪽 가슴 부위가 49.2±15.09 μSv 이고, 왼쪽 허벅지 부위가 12.8±3.80 μSv 이며, 납가운의 안쪽 가슴에 위치한 부위의 선량계는 4.2±1.44 Sv 이였다. 경피적 추체 성형술 시행 시 방사선의 위험으로부터 벗어나기 위해 C-arm 튜브에서 환자에게 엑스선이 도달하여 산란되는 거리를 최대한 멀게 유지하여야 하며, 방사선이 조사되는 시간을 줄이고, 납가운등 보호장구를 적절히 착용하여 방사선 피폭을 줄임으로써 시술자와 환자 모두 안전한 시술이 되도록 노력하여야 할 것이다.

Being a rare form of sentence formation, not many languages seem to have Tag question constructions as English does (Culicover 1992:193). Besides, Cuenca (1997:4) notes that the English Tag question construction has received less and less attention in the later period of generative syntax, due to the colloquial characteristics of the construction. Of the two major distinct approaches to English Tag question constructions including Mono-clausal approaches such as Klima (1964), Arbini (1969), and den Dikkien (1995), and bi-clausal approaches such as Huddleston (1969), Culicover (1992), McCawley (1998), and Sailor (2009), the current paper proposes a Minimalist approach to Tag Question Construction using a series of Head movement, Focalization of vP, a Polarity reversing functional projection, PolP, which contains an abstract morpheme [NEG], and adjunction mechanism. Through these thorough and meticulous steps, the English Tag question construction receives a Minimalist facelift.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease characterized by the presence of retroperitoneal tissue marked by chronic inflammation and prominent fibrosis. A 67-year-old man presented with general weakness and oliguria. Laboratory findings showed blood urea nitrogen 77.7 mg/dL, serum creatinine 9.24 mg/dL, and an IgG4 level within the normal range. Computed tomography (CT) findings showed bilateral hydronephrosis and distal ureteral obstruction due to fibrotic adhesion to a presacral mass. Laparoscopic biopsy was performed. The authors report a case of acute kidney injury caused by non-IgG4 related focal retroperitoneal fibrosis in the pelvis that was successfully treated using prednisolone and tamoxifen… non-IgG4 related focal retroperitoneal fibrosis caused byacute kidney injury.

본 연구는 X-선관 각도 변경에 따른 경사효과(Anode Heel Effect)의 변화를 알아보고자 실시하였다. 실험조건은 70 kV, 30 mAs, 초점-검출기간의 거리 100 cm, 조사야는 35×43 ㎠, 측정점은 조사야의 정중앙점에서 좌우 3.5 cm 간격으로 나누어 양극쪽으로 A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 점을 설정하고 음극쪽으로 C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 점으로 설정하였다. X-선관을 수직으로 하여 측정점인 A6에서 C6까지 각각 입사표면선량을 측정하였다. 다음에 X-선관을 양극쪽으로 15도 30도로 변경 하면서 각각 측정하고 같은 방법으로 음극쪽으로 15도 30도로 변화시켜 측정하였다. 결과로 X-선관이 수직인 경우 A5보다 C5점이 3배정도 입사표면선량이 높게 나타나 수직 촬영 시 방사선감수성이 높은 장기가 위치해 있는 쪽으로 양극을 위치시키면 피폭을 줄일 수 있었다. X-선관의 각도를 주고 촬영할 경우에는 음극측으로 각도를 주는 것이 양극과 음극측의 입사표면선량 차이를 줄일 수 있으며 상, 하 두께 차이가 있는 부위를 촬영할 경우에는 음극측이 두꺼운 부위를 향하게 각도를 주는 것이 입사표면선량의 차이를 줄여 좀 더 균일한 영상을 만들 수 있었다.

Background : Gentinae Macrophyllae Radix is one of the traditional medicines originated from the roots of multiple plants, Gentiana macrophylla Pall., Gentiana straminea Maxim., Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burkill and Gentiana dahurica Fisch., in Gentianaceae. Multi-origin traditional medicine usually has adulteration problem based on the morphological similarity and/or misunderstanding the species. Therefore, accurate and reliable identification criteria to ensure drug safety and quality is necessary. Methods and Results : We collected four original species of Gentinae Macrophyllae Radix from plantations and markets in China and Korea. DNA barcoding with four barcoding markers (Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), rbcL, trnL intron, trnL-F intergenic sapcer) was performed. Intra-specific variation was observed in ITS nucleotide sequence however, successfully distinct four original species based on the nucleotide discrepancy while trnL intron has no difference. trnL-F intergenic spacer has two transitions(T→C and A→G) sites only in G. crassicaulis and rbcL shows one transition(C→T) site in G. dahurica and G. macrophylla. Phylogenetic relationship analysis of the Gentinae Macrophyllae Radix revealed two major clades – clade I including three groups, G. macrophylla, G. straminea and G. dahurica, and clade II including G. crassicaulis. This aspects was shown more clear with multi-region combined analysis. Conclusion : DNA barcoding will be accurate and powerful criteria for the analysis the origin of Gentinae Macrophyllae Radix. However, single region analysis might be deficient such as trnL intron, rbcL and trnL-F intergenic spacer results in this research. Multi-region combined analysis based on the multiregional DNA barcode markers will be overcome the disadvantage and also increase the precision.

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of CCK-producing cells and mucus-secreting goblet cells with respect to stomach fish and stomachless fish of the Gobiidae in order to provide a basis for understanding the digestive physiology. Hairychin goby (Sagamia geneionema), which is stomachless fish, the numbers of mucus-secreting goblet cells is highest in the posterior intestine portion (P<0.05), while CCK-producing cells are scattered throughout the intestine. Gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus), which is stomach fish, mucus-secreting goblet cells are most abundant in the mid intestine portion (P<0.05), whereas CCK-producing cells are observed only in the anterior and mid intestine portion. Trident goby (Tridentiger obscurus) which is stomach fish, mucus-secreting goblet cells were most abundant in the mid intestine portion (P<0.05). CCK-producing cells are found in the anterior and mid intestine portion. Giurine goby, Rhinogobius giurinus which is also stomach fish, the largest number of mucus-secreting goblet cells showed in anterior intestine portion except for esophagus (P<0.05). CCK-producing cells are present only in the anterior and mid intestine portion. In S. geneionema, digestive action occurs in the posterior intestine portion to protect and functions to activate digestion. In contrast, in C. gulosus, T. obscurus and R. giurinus, their digestive action occurs in the anterior and mid intestine portion to protect and functions to activate digestion. Further studies of the modes of food ingestion by these fish, the contents of their digestive tracts, and the staining characteristics of the goblet cells need to be carried out.

Micrococcus lutus is common gram-positive aerobic cocci present in soil, water, dust, and the skin of humans and animals. A 72-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with a complaint of abdominal pain and a turbid peritoneal dialysate. He was empirically treated with intraperitoneal (IP) cefazolin and ceftazidime. Seven day after admission, Gaffkya species was identified from the peritoneal effluent. He was treated with same organism one month ago and discharged with the dialysis catheter intact. So, we suspected that organism is true pathogen, and identified M. luteus by culture. We changed the antibiotics to cefoxitin, which were given for the total of 14 days. This is the first report of relapsing peritonitis by M. luteus and successful treatment without catheter removal.

High-rank coals are limited, while low-rank coals are abundant. However, the low-rank coals needs upgradation so as to improve their quality. If not, the utilization of low-rank coals will lead to many operational difficulties. As this study was made in South Korea, this article discusses the energy and coal scenario of South Korea. The critique discusses the concerns of utilizing low-grade coal and the need for upgrading low-grade coal. The article also briefly discusses the currently practiced low-rank coal upgradation techniques. Also, the review paper suggests some best upgradation techniques.

This paper proposes a new case-based approach to some facts observed in complement clauses in Korean. Its core lies in the following hierarchy: lexical/oblique case >> verbal case >> default case. This paper shows that among others, case conversion on the embedded subject in the ECM environment, i.e., from nominative to accusative, follows from the particular conception of nominative as the absence of case valuation advanced by Preminger and his co-workers (2014, 2015) according to which case is not contingent on agreement. This approach also deals with contrasts in ellipsis of complement clauses. In addition, this paper points out that a labeling system proposed by Cecchetto and Donati (2010) does not extend to Korean, and claimed that a moving element does not reproject a label.

Horticultural therapy (HT) is the engagement of a person in gardening related indoor activities by a trained professional to achieve specific treatment goals. It was effective as an alternative medicine and played an important role in rehabilitation of stroke patients, especially in psychological aspects. While the psychological benefit has been clearly demonstrated, the evidence of the physical benefit is insufficient. We report three stroke patients treated with HT and they were evaluated from the standpoint of physical, psychological, and cognitive outcomes. HT program consisted of 10 sessions during 2 weeks with 1 hour per session. The assessment of outcomes and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) were performed before and after treatment. Two patients showed improvements in physical and psychological aspects. But the other patient showed no outstanding outcome. These results suggest the possibility of HT as a complement to conventional occupational therapy.

This study was performed in order to provide basic data for predicting the usefulness of Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus) as a food raw material. The changes in the physicochemical properties of freeze-dried and hot air-dried Jicama were investigated and analyzed. The moisture content of raw Jicama was 81.84%. The crude protein, crude fat, crude ash and carbohydrate content of hot air-dried Jicama powder were 2.85, 0.79, 7.93 and 88.44%, while those of freeze-dried Jicama powder were 3.93, 0.83, 7.92 and 87.32%, respectively on dry basis. Regarding the color values, the lightness of freeze-dried Jicama (92.86) was higher than that of the hot air-dried Jicama (88.01), whereas the redness (-0.67) and yellowness (3.21) of freeze-dried Jicama were lower than those of the hot air-dried Jicama (0.43) and (11.96), respectively. The brown index was lower in the freeze-dried Jicama (0.029) than in hot air-dried Jicama (0.107). The total sugar content showed no significant differences between freeze (46.49 mg/g) and hot air-dried Jicama (45.11 mg/g). Finally, the amylose content was higher in freeze-dried Jicama (5.66%) than in hot air-dried Jicama (6.63%).

To overcome the risk of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to prepare emergency fertility preservation in patients undergoing anticancer treatment, several researchers have reported IVM of oocytes retrieved from ovaries exposed by only hCG priming. However, the maturation rate and the developmental potential of embryos from IVM oocytes are significantly lower than those of oocytes matured in vivo. Here, we investigated the optimal time point for immature oocyte collection at post hCG only injection for in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and blastocyst formation. Immature GV oocytes were collected from 25 days old B6D2F1 female mouse at 12 hr, 14 hr, 16 hr or 24 hr post hCG injection. Oocytes were collected from antral or late secondary follicle by puncturing with 26 G needle. Collected oocytes were cultured in G2 medium with 10% FBS, FSH, estradiol, and hCG for 16 hr in vitro and subjected in vitro fertilization and further embryonic development. To examine follicular maturation, we estimated the numbers of primordial, primary, secondary follicle and antral follicle on ovaries of each time point post hCG. To confirm the optimal time point post hCG injection for collecting immature oocytes, we recovered the oocytes from each time point. There is no difference in the number of oocytes per mice. Oocytes collected at 14 hr post hCG injection were shown higher maturation rate to MII stage and blastocyst formation compare to other three groups (p<0.01). However, there is no difference in the maturation rate on the other three groups. Also, apoptotic signal with TUNEL assay or anti-PARP staining was not change in ovaries from all experimental groups. Granulosa cell proliferation test with anti Ki-67 or anti AMH was not show any difference. According to these results, there are no significant differences in four different time points at 12 hr, 14 hr, 16 hr or 24 hr of collection of immature oocytes in hCG primed mouse. However, oocytes from 14 hr post hCG injection showed higher percentages of maturation rate, in vitro fertilization rate, blastocyst formation.

Cryopreservation has become a powerful method of the assisted reproduction technology and supports fertility preservation of cancer and other indication patients. After controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, surplus oocytes and embryos were recommended to store using cryopreservation. Recently, vitrification is replaced with traditional slow freezing protocol, because of improved survival rates and clinical outcomes. Vitrification requires a high concentration of CPAs that may induce significant osmotic and metabolic damage to cells including oocytes even in a short exposure of a few minutes. Generally, MPF plays a crucial role in the cell cycle regulation and maintaining the meiotic arrest of oocytes. In fact, it has been observed to decline in MII ovine oocytes after vitrification and would be suggested that one of the main causes of low fertilization rate and developmental competence derived from cryoinjury during vitrification. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of caffeine treatment on the activity of MPF, MAPK level in vitrified/warmed mouse mature eggs. Caffeine, Phosphataseinhibitor, may maintain active form of MPF. We evaluated their survival after warming procedure, fertilization, cleavage, and developmental rates. Ovulated MII eggs were retrieved from 6 weeks old B6D2F1 female mouse at 14hr post hCG injection. Collected MII eggs were maintained in HTF medium containing 10% KSR with or without caffeine for 1hr. Eggs were vitrified in 7.5%EG +7.5%DMSO equilibrium solution, 15%EG + 15%DMSO + 0.5M sucrose vitrification solution with or without caffeine. Also warming solution contained sucrose (0.5M, 0.25M, 0.125M, and 0M) with or without caffeine. After warming, eggs were cultured in HTF medium with or without caffeine for 2 hr then fertilized with epididymal sperm in vitro and cultured in KSOM for 5 days to analyze embryonic development. Survival rates were similar in all experimental groups. However, fertilization rate was higher in with caffeine group compare to without caffeine significantly (80% vs. 85%, p<0.05). 2-cell and blastocyst formation were increased in caffeine group (p<0.05). MPF activity and MAP kinase activity were recovered in with caffeine group after vitrification/warming process. In conclusion, Caffeine may maintain MPF and MAPK level in vitrified/warmed MII eggs, and enhance fertilization and further embryonic development.

The maize genome is complex with exceeding the levels of intra-specific variation, repetitive DNA content, and allelic content observed between many species. Because of tremendous diversity and variants, maize is considered as a forefront crop development and estimation of molecular markers for agricultural trait in genetics and breeding. Using quantitative trait loci (QTL) and marker assisted breeding (MAS), molecular breeders are able to development of drought tolerance and grain yield in maize genotype. To study QTL congruency, a meta QTL analysis including results from eight-teen QTL publications for grain yield and drought tolerance were considered. Among them, we assembled 420 QTLs for abscisic acid (ABA) concentration, anthesis silking interval (ASI), days to flower, days to silk, ear number, kernel number, grain number and grain yields, involved in drought tolerance and grain yield. The meta QTL analysis revealed significant evidence for linkage of these traits to 39 different segments as candidates regions on maize genome. A total of 571 marker was selected as QTL or integrated QTL markers for narrowing down the QTL region into specific functionally relevant candidates. The results of meta QTL analysis helped to refine the genomic regions of agricultural traits, interest described and provided the closest flanking markers.

Shoot-fresh-weight (SFW) is one of the parameters, used to estimate the total plant biomass yield in soybean. Understanding the genetic and molecular basis of SFW could help increase the total biomass production. In this particular study, we identified QTLs associated with SFW in a Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) population derived from interspecific cross of PI483463 and Hutcheson. A total of 551 (535 SNP and 16 SSR) markers, were found to be polymorphic between the parental lines and were used to screen the RILs to develop the genetic map. Linkage analysis and QTL mapping were performed using with the software QTL IciMapping version 4.0, with the minimum LOD score of 3.0 and estimating the likelihood of a QTL and its corresponding effects at every 1cM. QTLs with LOD value > threshold LOD, as determined by 1000 permutation tests at p > 0.05 were considered as significant QTLs. The analysis identified a total of 5 QTLs associated with shoot fresh weight over two environments, with the phenotypic variation (PV) ranging from 6.34 to 21.32%, and the additive effect from -0.54 to 0.33. Among these QTLs, qFW1314_19_1 had the largest LOD scores, with PV of 21.32%. Interestingly, three QTLs, qFW2013_19_1, qFW2014_19_1, and qFW1314_19_1 identified on chromosome 19(L), showed negative additive effects, indicating the contribution from the wild parent PI483463. The QTLs identified in this study can be the targets to identify the candidate genes for the SFW and can help in developing cultivars with increased biomass potential.