Leuconostoc spp. are generally utilized as kimchi starters, because these strains are expected to have beneficial effects on kimchi fermentation, including improvement of sensory characteristics. Here, we developed a detection method for verifying the presence of the kimchi starter Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim33, which is used for control of kimchi fermentation. A primer set for multiplex polymerase chain reaction was designed based on the nucleotide sequence of the plasmids in strain WiKim33, and their specificity was validated against 45 different strains of Leuconostoc spp. and 30 other strains. Furthermore, the starter strain consistently tested positive, regardless of the presence of other bacterial species in starter kimchi during the fermentation period. Our findings showed that application of a strain-specific primer set for strain WiKim33 presented a rapid, sensitive, and specific method for detection of this kimchi starter strain during natural kimchi fermentation.

This study was conducted to investigate the influences of a horticultural activity program applying REBT group counseling on female marriage immigrants’ self-expression and the degree of depression. The subjects that applied for the program are 14 persons. With them, 10 sessions in total were carried out for two hours per time on every Wednesday at the J. gun (County) Social Welfare Center from December 17, 2013 through February 25, 2014. To look into a result of a pre-test on homogeneity between the control group and the experimental group. For self-expression as a result of a t-test in the control group, there was no significant difference in the average (p=.825), t=0.42 (p>.05). For depression, in the control group, as a result of a t-test, there was no significant difference in the average (p=.142), t=-1.145 (p>.05). To look into the change of self-expression according to the process the program. As a result of a T-test in the control group, there was a very significant decrease, t=-7.675 (p<.001), it turned out that self-expression decreased during the program . As a result of a T-test in the experimental group there was a very significant increase, t=9.899 (p<.001), it turned out that self-expression increased during the program. To look into the change of self-expression according to the process the program. To look into the change of depression. As a result of Wilcoxon signed-rank test in the control, there was a significant increase (p=.016), z=-2.410 (p<.05), it turned out that their depression increased during the progress of the program. As a result of a T-test in the experimental group there was a very significant decrease, t=-7.175 (p<.001), it turned out that their depression decreased during the process of the program. As a result of a Pearson Correlation analysis on the factors of self-expression and factors of depression, their score of self-expression after the program had a significantly negative (-) correlation with their depression score (r=-0.705) after the program. Like the above results of the study, the horticultural activity applying REBT group counseling is effective for improving female marriage immigrants’ self-expression and reducing their depression.

Background: We evaluated the effect of ulinastatin on paw withdrawal threshold (PWT), IL-6, and IL-10 in SD rats after spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Methods: Group C received N/S and Group E received ulinastatin IV for three days following SNL. PWT, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th day. Results: Group E showed higher PWT compared to group C. IL-6 was lower in group E than in group C. No differences in IL-10 were observed between group C and group E. Conclusion: Ulinastatin increased the PWT and its effect appears to be involved with IL-6, not IL-10.