Background and Purpose: The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is the ratio of blood pressure in the lower legs to that in the arms. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of extracranial carotid arteries determined by B-mode ultrasound is a measurable index of the presence of atherosclerosis. A low ABI and a high carotid IMT are independently related to increased risk of cardiovascular events. This study examined the association between carotid IMT and ABI in patients with ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively, 116 hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke were recruited. Using a pulse wave velocity ABI device along with carotid duplex sonography, we measured carotid IMT and ABI and investigated the correlation between average values. Results: There was a significant difference in carotid IMT between the normal and abnormal ABI groups (P=0.0262). The group with an abnormal ABI was more than five times as likely to have increased carotid IMT as the group with a normal ABI (age, sex-adjusted OR 5.67 (95% CI 1.85~17.38)). The ABI and carotid IMT showed a weak inverse linear correlation in patients with ischemic stroke (correlation coefficient −0.378 after adjusting for age and sex). Conclusion: Our study suggests that an abnormal ABI is associated with a high carotid IMT in patients with ischemic stroke.

This study was undertaken to develop PCR primers for the identification and detection of Streptococcus anginosus using species-specific forward and reverse primers. These primers targeted the variable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA coding gene(rDNA). The primer specificity was tested against 12 S. anginosus strains and 6 different species(10 strains) of oral bacteria. The primer sensitivity was determined by testing serial dilutions of the purified genomic DNA of S. anginosus ATCC 33397T. The data showed that species-specific amplicons were obtained from all the S. anginosus strains tested, but not in the six other species. The PCR could detect as little as 0.4pg of the chromosomal DNA from S. anginosus. This suggests that the PCR primers are highly sensitive and applicable to the detection and identification of S. anginosus.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Plaisir D'Amour' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2006. The cross was made in 2003 between '01B1-355', a breeding line of NHRI and `01B1-440', a breeding line of NHRI. After evaluation for the characteristics including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in spring between 2004 and 2006, final selection was made. The natural flowering time of 'Plaisir D'Amour' is late October, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has single type flowers with mixed color by dark pink and white edged. It shows excellent flower setting and early blooming with multi-floret. The diameter of flower is 5.4 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 15.5 and number of petals per flower is 21.5. The days to flower under short day treatment is about 56 and its vase life is 21 days in autumn season.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Pink PangPang' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2006. The cross between 'Restone' and 'Lollipop' was made in 2003. After evaluation for the characteristics including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in spring between 2004 and 2006, final selection was made. The natural flowering time of "Pink PangPang" is late October, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has pompon type flowers with light pink petals and resistance to white rust. The diameter of flower is 4.3 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 13 and the days to flower under the short day treatment is about 44 in summer season.