Effect of music on colonoscopy performance: A propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Music has been used to reduce stress and improve task performance during medical therapy.

AIM

To assess the effects of music on colonoscopy performance outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent colonoscopy performed by four endoscopists with popular music. Colonoscopy performance outcomes, such as insertion time, adenoma detection rate (ADR), and polyp detection rate (PDR), were compared between the music and non-music groups. To reduce selection bias, propensity score matching was used.

RESULTS

After one-to-one propensity score matching, 169 colonoscopies were selected from each group. No significant differences in insertion time (4.97 vs 5.17 min, P = 0.795) and ADR (39.1% vs 46.2%, P = 0.226) were found between the two groups. Subgroup analysis showed that the insertion time (3.6 vs 3.8 min, P = 0.852) and ADR (51.1% vs 44.7%, P = 0.488) did not significantly differ between the two groups in experts. However, in trainees, PDR (46.9% vs 66.7%, P = 0.016) and ADR (25.9% vs 47.6%, P = 0.006) were significantly lower in the music than in the non-music group.

CONCLUSION

The current study found that listening to music during colonoscopy did not affect procedure performance. Moreover, it suggested that music may distract trainees from appropriately detecting adenomas and polyps.

An Enhanced Tree Routing Based on Reinforcement Learning in Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, tree-based routing can achieve a low control overhead and high responsiveness by eliminating the path search and avoiding the use of extensive broadcast messages. However, existing approaches face difficulty in finding an optimal parent node, owing to conflicting performance metrics such as reliability, latency, and energy efficiency. To strike a balance between these multiple objectives, in this paper, we revisit a classic problem of finding an optimal parent node in a tree topology. Our key idea is to find the best parent node by utilizing empirical data about the network obtained through Q-learning. Specifically, we define a state space, action set, and reward function using multiple cognitive metrics, and then find the best parent node through trial and error. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed solution can achieve better performance regarding end-to-end delay, packet delivery ratio, and energy consumption compared with existing approaches.

Efficacy of a Restrictive Diet in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Dietary factors can aggravate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many IBS patients try restrictive diets to relieve their symptoms, but the types of diets with an exacerbating factor are unknown. Therefore, this paper reports the results of a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) reviewing the efficacy of food restriction diets in IBS.

METHODS

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched until July 21, 2021, to retrieve RCTs assessing the efficacy of restriction diets in adults with IBS. Two independent reviewers performed the eligibility assessment and data abstraction. RCTs that evaluated a restriction diet versus a control diet and assessed the improvement in global IBS symptoms were included. These trials reported a dichotomous assessment of the overall response to therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 1,949 citations were identified. After full-text screening, 14 RCTs were considered eligible for the systematic review and network meta-analysis. A starch- and sucrose-reduced diet and a diet with low-fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) showed significantly better results than a usual diet. Symptom flare-ups in patients on a gluten- free diet were also significantly lower than in those on high-gluten diets.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings showed that the starch- and sucrose-reduced, low FODMAP, and gluten-free diets had superior effects in reducing IBS symptoms. Further studies, including head-to-head trials will be needed to establish the effectiveness of dietary restrictions on IBS symptoms.

The Specific Gravity-Free Method for the Isolation of Circulating Tumor KRAS Mutant DNA and Exosome in Colorectal Cancer

Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and exosome have been widely researched in the field of medical technology and diagnosis platforms. The purpose of our study was to improve the capturing properties of ctDNA and exosome, which involved combining two beads using approaches that may provide a new method for cancer diagnoses. Methods: We present a dual isolation system including a polydopamine (PDA)–silica-coated alginate bead for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) capture and an anti-CD63 immobilized bead for exosome capture. We examined the ctDNA mutation in pre-operative plasma samples obtained from 91 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients using a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Results: The area under the curve (AUROC) of ctKRAS G12D mutation in the buffy coat was 0.718 (95% CI: 0.598−0.838; p = 0.001). Patients with CRC that had unmethylation of MLH1 and MSH2 showed significantly higher buffy coat ctKRAS G12D mutations, ascites ctKRAS G12D mutations, miR-31-5, and mixed scores than the patients with a methylation of MLH1 and MSH2. Conclusion: Our proposed alginate bead using the specific gravity-free method suggests that the screening of mutated ctKRAS DNA and miR-31-5 by liquid biopsy aids in identifying the patients, predicting a primary tumor, and monitoring in the early detection of a tumor.

Upper Critical Field Based on a Width of ΔH = ΔB region in a Superconductor

We studied a method of measuring upper critical field (H_c2) of a superconductor based on a width of ΔH = ΔB region, which appears in a superconductor that volume defects are many and dominant. Here we show basic concepts and details of the method. Although H_c2 of a superconductor is fixed according to a kind of superconductor, it is difficult to measure H_c2 experimentally. Thus, results are different depending on experimental conditions. H_c2 was otained by a theory on a width of ΔH = ΔB region, which is that pinned fluxes at volume defects are picked out and move into an inside of the superconductor when the distance between pinned fluxes is the same as that at H_c2 of the superconductor. H_c2 of MgB₂ obtained by the method was 65.4 Tesla at 0 K, which is quite same as that of Ginzburg-Landau theory. The reason that H_c2 obtained by the method is closer to ultimate H_c2 is based on that F_pinning/F_pickout is more than 4 when pinned fluxes at volume defects of 163 nm radius are depinned, which means that the H_c2 is less sensitive to fluctuation. The method will help to find the ultimate H_c2 of volume defect-dominating superconductors.

Epithelioid sarcoma associated with neurofibromatosis type I

In general, patients with neurofibromatosis type I have a higher risk than those with other types of neurofibromatosis of developing soft-tissue sarcomas related to the nervous system. We here present a 42-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type I who developed a protruding mass over only 2 weeks. The histopathological diagnosis was epithelioid sarcoma. Epithelioid sarcomas are rare and, to the best of our knowledge, no epithelioid sarcomas have been reported in patients with neurofibromatosis type I. Radical excision of the primary lesion was performed and postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy administered, as is recommended for epithelioid sarcoma. Our case emphasizes that patients with neurofibromatosis type I may develop malignant tumors

Malignant melanoma on a thermal burn scar

Chronic burn scars often cause various skin malignancies at rates of up to 2%. These lesions are usually squamous cell carcinomas, but rarely, malignant melanoma is reported. We report a 67-year-old male with a malignant melanoma on a burn scar with regional metastasis. This patient presented an ulcerative lesion only in 2 weeks. After histopathological diagnosis, we performed only palliative surgery on patient’s demand, and followed up the subsequent deterioration course. Our case reemphasizes the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment when suspect lesions are present on chronic burn scar. Also, physician should be in mind and inform the patient about malignant melanoma and its aggressive course.

New anthropometric data for preoperative planning in orbital wall fracture treatment: the use of eyelid drooping

Background

The presence of enophthalmos is an important determinant in the decision of orbital wall fracture surgery. We proposed eyelid drooping as a new anthropometric diagnostic measure and analyzed whether eyelid drooping is associated with enophthalmos.

Methods

This retrospective study was performed from January 2014 to December 2016. A total of 75 patients with blowout fractures were studied. One experimenter measured the degree of enophthalmos using a Hertel exophthalmometer at 1 week after trauma and at 3 months after surgery. The height change of the upper eyelid was measured using the marginal reflex distance (MRD) on both sides, and the degree of eyelid drooping was calculated by comparing the two lengths. We analyzed statistically the correlation between enophthalmos and eyelid drooping.

Results

We found a highly significant correlation between the degree of enophthalmos and the reduction rate of MRD (RRM, as an indicator of eyelid drooping) at 1 week after trauma (r = 0.845). Approximately 2.0 mm of enophthalmos was associated with a 30.8% reduction in MRD on the affected side as compared with the normal side. At 3 months after surgery, patients showed improved eyelid appearance, with a moderate association between enophthalmos and RRM.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that the degree of enophthalmos, measured using an exophthalmometer, is associated with a change in the height of the upper eyelid. Thus, upper eyelid drooping can be used as another indicator for orbital wall fracture surgery. Compared with conventional methods, measurements of eyelid drooping are easy to perform, offering a great advantage and understanding to the patient.

Validation of the Child Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory in Korean survivors of sexual violence

BACKGROUND

Dysfunctional cognitions related to trauma is an important factor in the development and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in children and adolescents. The Child Post-traumatic Cognitions Inventory (CPTCI) assesses such cognitions about trauma. We investigated the psychometric properties of the Korean version of CPTCI and its short form by surveying child and adolescent survivors of sexual violence.

METHODS

Children and adolescents aged 7-16 years (N = 237, M_age = 12.6, SD = 2.3, 222 [93.7%] were female) who were exposed to sexual violence were included in this survey. We assessed the factor structure, internal consistency, and validity of the CPTCI and its short form through data analysis.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis results supported the two-factor model presented in the original study. The total scale, its subscales, and the short form had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .96 for total scale and .91-.95 for the other scales). The CPTCI showed high correlations with scales measuring post-traumatic stress symptoms (r = .77-.80), anxiety (r = .69-.71), and depression (r = .74-.77); the correlation with post-traumatic stress symptoms was the highest. The differences in CPTCI scores per post-traumatic stress symptom levels were significant (all p < .001) Sex differences in CPTCI scores were not significant (p > .05 for all comparisons); however, the scores exhibited differences per age group (all p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the Korean version of the CPTCI is a valid and reliable scale; therefore, it may be a valuable tool for assessing maladaptive cognitions related to trauma in research and clinical settings.

Antibacterial activities of penicillic acid isolated from Aspergillus persii against various plant pathogenic bacteria

The emergence of pathogenic bacterial strains resistant to agrochemicals and the increasing demand for organic foods have led to the discovery of new antibacterial metabolites that can be used either directly or as a lead molecule for development of synthetic bactericides. During the screening of antibacterial fungal cultures, we found that one fungal strain, Aspergillus persii EML-HPB1-11, showed strong in vitro antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10% of fermentation broth filtrate. The active compound was identified as penicillic acid (PA: 3-methoxy-5-methyl-4-oxo-2,5-hexadienoic acid) by mass and NMR spectroscopy. The in vitro antibacterial activity of PA was tested against 12 phytopathogenic bacteria. All of the bacterial pathogens tested were highly inhibited by PA with MIC values of 12·3-111·1 μg ml(-1) . It also effectively suppressed the development of bacterial spot disease in detached peach leaves, showing control values of 82·4 and 94·1% at concentrations of 111·1 and 333·3 μg ml(-1) respectively. This is the first report on the production of PA by A. persii. This study suggests that PA can be used as a lead molecule for development of synthetic bactericides for control of various plant diseases.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Penicillic acid (PA) produced by the seed-borne fungus Aspergillus persii EML-HPB1-11 showed antibacterial activity against various plant pathogenic bacteria. The compound effectively inhibited the growth of 12 plant pathogenic bacteria and successfully controlled bacterial spot disease on peach leaf. These results suggest that PA can be used as a lead molecule for development of synthetic agrochemicals to control plant bacterial diseases.

Systematic review of type-specific pathophysiological symptoms of Sasang typology

Previous studies on the Sasang typology have focused on the differential diagnosis of each Sasang type with type-specific pathophysiological symptoms (TSPS). The purpose of this study was to elucidate the latent physiological mechanism related to these clinical indicators. We searched six electronic databases for articles published from 1990 to 2015 using the Sasang typology-related keywords, and found and analyzed 35 such articles. The results were summarized into six TSPS categories: perspiration, temperature preference, sleep, defecation, urination, and susceptibility to stress. The Tae-Eum and So-Eum types showed contrasting features with TSPS, and the So-Yang type was in the middle. The Tae-Eum type has good digestive function, regular bowel movement and defecation, high sleep quality, and low susceptibility to stress and cold. The Tae-Eum type has relatively large volumes of sweat and feels fresh after sweating; however, the urine is highly concentrated. These clinical features might be related to the biopsychological traits of the Tae-Eum type, including a low trait anxiety level and high ponderal and body mass indices. This study used the autonomic reactivity hypothesis for explaining the pathophysiological predispositions in the Sasang typology. The Tae-Eum and So-Eum Sasang types have a low threshold in parasympathetic and sympathetic activation, respectively. This study provides a foundation for integrating traditional Korean personalized medicine and Western biomedicine.

Delirium diagnosis methodology used in research: a survey-based study

OBJECTIVE

To describe methodology used to diagnose delirium in research studies evaluating delirium detection tools.

METHODS

The authors used a survey to address reference rater methodology for delirium diagnosis, including rater characteristics, sources of patient information, and diagnostic process, completed via web or telephone interview according to respondent preference. Participants were authors of 39 studies included in three recent systematic reviews of delirium detection instruments in hospitalized patients.

RESULTS

Authors from 85% (N = 33) of the 39 eligible studies responded to the survey. The median number of raters per study was 2.5 (interquartile range: 2-3); 79% were physicians. The raters' median duration of clinical experience with delirium diagnosis was 7 years (interquartile range: 4-10), with 5% having no prior clinical experience. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated in 70% of studies. Cognitive tests and delirium detection tools were used in the delirium reference rating process in 61% (N = 21) and 45% (N = 15) of studies, respectively, with 33% (N = 11) using both and 27% (N = 9) using neither. When patients were too drowsy or declined to participate in delirium evaluation, 70% of studies (N = 23) used all available information for delirium diagnosis, whereas 15% excluded such patients.

CONCLUSION

Significant variability exists in reference standard methods for delirium diagnosis in published research. Increasing standardization by documenting inter-rater reliability, using standardized cognitive and delirium detection tools, incorporating diagnostic expert consensus panels, and using all available information in patients declining or unable to participate with formal testing may help advance delirium research by increasing consistency of case detection and improving generalizability of research results.

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata) Caused by Podosphaera xanthii in Korea

Spanish needles (Bidens bipinnata L.) is an annual herb that belongs to a genus of flowering plants in family Asteraceae native to United States, and tropical regions around world. The plant produces important flavonoid compounds quercitin and hyperoside that function as anti-allergens, anti-inflammatories, anti-microbials, and anti-cancer agents. Between July and October 2011 and 2012, white superficial mycelia were observed initially on leaf and stem portions, but later progressed to the flower head. Surveys showed that the disease was widespread in Gwangju and most areas of South Korea. Abundant, necrotic, dark brown spots showing chasmothecia were frequently observed in October and were abundant on the adaxial surface of leaves. Chasmothecia were blackish brown to yellow without typical appendages. They ranged from 51.2 to 71.1 (mean 66.8) μm in diameter. Conidia were formed singly and the primary conidia were ellipsoid, rounded at the apex, truncated base, and ranged from 25.4 to 33.2 (mean 27.3) μm long × 10.2 to 12.2 (mean 11.3) μm wide. Conidiophores were erect, 60.1 to 101.3 (mean 98.3) μm long × 6.2 to 9.2 (mean 7.3) μm wide. From extracted genomic DNA, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region inclusive of 5.8S and 28S rDNA was amplified with ITS1F (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3') and LR5F (5'-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3'), and LROR (5'-ACCCGCTGAACTTAAGC-3') and LR5F primer sets, respectively. rDNA ITS (GenBank Accession No. JX512555) and 28S (JX512556) homologies of the fungus (EML-BBPW1) represented 99.6% (532/534) and 100% (661/661) identity values with Podosphaera xanthii (syn. P. fusca) AB040349 and P. xanthii (syn. P. fusca) AB462798, respectively. The rDNA sequence analysis revealed that the causal fungus matched P. xanthii (syn. P. fusca), forming a xanthii/fusca group (3,4). A pathogenicity test was performed on three plants in a greenhouse. The treated leaves were sealed in vinyl pack in humid condition for 2 days. Seven days after inoculation, similar symptoms were observed on the inoculated Spanish needles plant leaves. No symptoms were observed on control plants treated with distilled water. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re-observing the fungal pathogen on the inoculated leaves. Podosphaera (syn. Sphaerotheca) xanthii (or fusca) has been known as an ubiquitous species with a broad host range. So far, five records regarding P. xanthii (=P. fusca) have been found in plants of genus Bidens. P. xanthii has been reported to occur on B. cernua in Belarus and Switzerland. In addition, the powdery mildew species was reported to occur on B. frondosa and B. tripartita in Korea, Russia, and Switzerland (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by P. xanthii on Spanish needles (B. bipinnata) in Korea. References: (1) U. Braun et al. Schlechtendalia 10:91, 2003. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , 2012. (3) H. B. Lee. J. Microbiol. 51:1075, 2012. (4) S. Takamatsu, et al. Persoonia 24:38, 2010.

Stem cell therapy for stress urinary incontinence: a systematic review in human subjects

PURPOSE

To systematically evaluate the current evidence on the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy (SCT) in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) to allow objective comparison with existing surgical techniques.

METHODS

Systematic literature search of Medline from years 1946-2012 using terms: "stem", "cell", "stress", "urinary", and "incontinence". Included studies presented empirical data on the treatment of SUI using SCT.

OUTCOMES

adverse events, incontinence, quality of life, urodynamic, transurethral ultrasound and urethral EMG findings.

RESULTS

Eight studies met inclusion criteria (seven observational and one randomized). Quality score: median 10.75 of 20 (range 2-12.5). Adverse events: one patient had bladder perforation and two procedures could not be completed due to pain. Temporary urinary retention and cystitis were also reported. Incontinence score: Four studies describe significant improvement. Quality of life: significant improvement in four studies. Urodynamic outcomes: four studies show significant improvement in contractility of urethral sphincter; three studies demonstrate no change in bladder capacity and significant reduction in residual volume; significant improvement in urinary flow three studies, although two found no difference; increase in leak point pressure and detrusor pressure in three studies. Urethral ultrasound: three studies found significant increases in rhabdosphincter thickness and contractility. Urethral EMG: two studies found significant increases in the EMG at rest and at contraction.

CONCLUSION

Data suggest that SC treatment for SUI is safe and effective in the short term. However, the quality and maturity of the data are limited. Robust data from better quality studies comparing this to current surgical techniques are needed.

Comparison of negative pressure wound therapy and secondary intention healing after excision of acral lentiginous melanoma on the foot

BACKGROUND

Melanoma in dark-skinned individuals often develops in an acral lentiginous fashion on the foot and wide excision usually results in a substantial defect. Various repair methods, including free flap, full-thickness skin graft and secondary intention healing (SIH), are used to repair these defects. Recently, use of negative pressure wound treatment (NPWT) has been shown to accelerate wound healing in different types of wound.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the functional and cosmetic results of NPWT and SIH in patients who underwent wide excision of melanomas on the foot.

METHODS

The wound defects of 22 patients after wide excision of melanoma on the foot were treated using SIH (n = 13) or NPWT (n = 9).

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in time to complete wound healing between the two groups. However, evaluation using the Vancouver Burn Scar Assessment Scale at the time of complete healing showed that the mean score of the NPWT group was significantly lower than that of the SIH group. The NPWT group also had significantly better results than the SIH group in terms of total score, vascularity and height of the scars. As for complications, no wound infection was encountered in the NPWT group, whereas eight of the 13 patients in SIH group had wound infections during the course of treatment despite frequent and meticulous aseptic dressing changes.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that, despite the drawback of rather prolonged healing time, NPWT is an excellent therapeutic option for wounds after wide excision of melanoma on the foot, with acceptable functional and cosmetic outcomes.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe platani on Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) in South Korea

Platanus occidentalis L. (sycamore) is an important shade tree distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and in South Korea. It has been widely used as an ornamental tree, especially in urban regions and by roadsides. The average rate of roadside planting throughout South Korea covers about 5.7% (up to 38% in Seoul), equivalent to 0.36 million trees. In early July 2012, after a rainy spell in summer, an outbreak of powdery mildew on sycamore was first observed on roadside trees in Gwangju, a southern province of South Korea. A more extensive nationwide survey revealed no powdery mildew in northern or central regions of South Korea. The disease has spread rapidly within Gwangju, even though fungicide applications were carried out after the rainy spell. Major symptoms included white, superficial mycelia, grey to brown lesions on the surface of the leaves due to the presence of a hyperparasite (tentatively identified as Ampelomyces sp.), a slight chlorosis, and severe leaf distortion followed by defoliation. Conidiophores were produced singly, straight, and unbranched, with lengths of 35.2 to 315.2 μm (average 170.4 μm). Conidia were ellipsoid or doliiform, ranging in size from 34.9 to 47.4 μm (average 38.2 μm) long × 16.5 to 26.8 μm (average 23.9 μm) wide. Primary conidia had a truncate base and rounded apex; secondary conidia had both a truncate base and apex. The conidial outer surface had a reticulated wrinkling. Cleistothecia (i.e., sexual spore structures) were not found during the survey, which extended from July to October. These characteristics and the host species match those of Microsphaera platani (syn. Erysiphe platani), which was described on P. occidentalis in Washington State (2). Fungal rDNA was amplified using primers ITS1 and LR5F (4) for one sample (EML-PLA1, GenBank JX485651). BLASTn searches of GenBank revealed high sequence identity to E. platani (99.5% to JQ365943 and 99.3% to JQ365940). Recently, Liang et al. (3) reported the first occurrence of powdery mildew by E. platani on P. orientalis in China based only on its morphology. Thus, in this study, author could only use ITS sequence data from the United States and Europe to characterize the isolate. To date, nine records of powdery mildews of Platanus spp. have been reported worldwide: on P. hispanica from Brazil, Japan, Hungary, and Slovakia; P. orientalis from Israel; P. racemosa from the United States; P. × acerifolia from the United Kingdom and Germany; and Platanus sp. from Argentina and Australia (1). Interestingly, the hyperparasite, Ampelomyces sp., was found with E. platani, suggesting that there may be some level of biocontrol in nature. Pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing diseased leaves onto six leaves of healthy sycamore plants in the field in September. The treated leaves were sealed in sterilized vinyl pack to maintain humid condition for 2 days. Similar symptoms were observed on the inoculated leaves 10 days after inoculation. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re-observing the fungal pathogen. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by E. platani on sycamore in South Korea. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , 2012. (2) D. A. Glawe. Plant Health Progress, doi:10.1094/PHP-2003-0818-01-HN, 2003. (3) C. Liang et al. Plant Pathol. 57:375, 2008. (4) T. J White et al., pp. 315-322 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., ed. Academic Press, New York, 1990.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera xanthii (syn. P. fusca) on Cocklebur in Korea

Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L., Asteraceae) is an annual broadleaf weed native to the Americas and eastern Asia. The plant is known as one of the worst competitive weeds in soybean fields and also is known to have some phytopharmacological or toxicological properties. In October 2011, a powdery mildew disease was observed on cocklebur growing in a natural landscape at Geomun Oreum located in Jeju Island, South Korea. Initial signs appeared as thin white colonies, which subsequently developed abundant growth on adaxial leaf surfaces. As the disease progressed, brown discoloration extended down infected leaves which withered. Conidia were formed singly and terminally on conidiophores. Primary conidia (20.3 to 28.6 [average 25.1] μm long × 11.1 to 15.2 [14.3] μm wide, n = 30) were ellipsoid with a round apex and truncate base. Conidiophores were straight or slightly curved and 60.1 to 101.7 (97.3) μm long × 8.2 to 13.2 (11.3) μm wide. Chasmothecia were not observed. No fibrosin bodies were observed in the conidia. Morphological characteristics were consistent with descriptions of Podosphaera xanthii (syn. P. fusca) (2,4). To confirm the identity of the causal fungus, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region inclusive of 5.8S and 28S rDNA was amplified from white patches consisting of mycelia and conidia on one leaf using ITS1 (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3') and LR5F (5'-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3'), and LROR (5'-ACCCGCTGAACTTAAGC-3') and LR5F primer sets, respectively. The resulting sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. JX502022 and JX964999). A NCBI BLASTn search revealed that the rDNA ITS (JX502022) and 28S (JX964999) homologies of isolate EML-XSPW1 represented 99.6% (512/514) and 100% (803/803) identity values with those of P. xanthii (AB040330 and AB462792, respectively). The rDNA ITS and 28S sequence analysis revealed that the causal fungus clustered with P. xanthii (syn. P. fusca), falling into the Xanthii/Fusca phylogenetic group (2,4). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculations made by gently pressing infected leaves onto mature leaves of healthy cocklebur plants in the field in August. The six inoculated leaves were sealed in sterilized vinyl bags to maintain humid conditions for 2 days. Seven days after inoculation, symptoms similar to those observed under natural infection were observed on the inoculated plant leaves. No symptoms developed on the uninoculated control plants. A fungal pathogen that was morphologically identical to the fungus originally observed on diseased plants was also observed on inoculated plants. Erysiphe cichoracearum, E. communis, Oidium asteris-punicei, O. xanthimi, P. xanthii, and P. fuliginea have all been reported to cause powdery mildew on cocklebur (1). P. xanthii was first reported on X. strumarium in Russia (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew on cocklebur caused by P. xanthii in Korea. The powdery mildew pathogen may represent an option for biocontrol of the noxious weed in the near future. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases , December 11, 2012. (2) H. B. Lee. J. Microbiol. 51:1075, 2012. (3) V. A. Rusanov and T. S. Bulgakov. Mikol. Fitopatol. 42:314, 2008. (4) S. Takamatsu et al. Persoonia 24:38, 2010.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe heraclei on Curled Dock (Rumex crispus) in South Korea

Curled dock (Rumex crispus L.) is a perennial flowering plant in family Polygonaceae, native to Europe and western Asia. Curled dock is a widespread naturalized species throughout the temperate world that has become a serious invasive species as a weed in many areas. In contrast, the plant has been widely used as a folk medicine for treatment of indigestion and dermatoses in Asia countries. The plant roots are known to have an antifungal effect against barley powdery mildew pathogens. In late October 2010 to 2011, plants showing typical symptoms of powdery mildew disease were observed in a river bank area located in Gwangju, South Korea. Symptoms included generally white, superficial mycelia and abundant necrotic black spots showing superficial chasmothecia. Mycelia were ectophytic with lobed appressoria. Conidiophores were cylindrical, straight, or slightly flexuous in foot cells and bore single conidia. The foot cell of the fungus had a greater range of size than Erysiphe polygoni. Conidia and conidiophores were 25.4 to 45.4 (36.5) μm long × 10.5 to 18.6 (15.0) μm wide and 34.7 to 126.0 (91.4) μm long × 8 to 10 (8.7) μm wide, respectively. The teleomorph included spherical to subspherical ascocarps that were (blackish) brown to yellow and formed hyphoid appendages. Appendages were slightly flexuous and 62.0 to 128.1 (71.6) μm wide. Mature chasmothecia were 75.1 to 140.9 (105) μm. The ascocarps contained multiple asci that were saccate, ellipsoidal and papillate in apices, bore 3 to 5 ascospores, and were 59.4 to 66.1 (60.9) μm long × 32.6 to 43.9 (38.3) μm wide. Ascospores were subhyaline, oval to ellipsoid, and 17.9 to 24.8 (21.1) μm long × 10.9 to 15.2 (13.3) μm wide. From extracted genomic DNA, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region inclusive of 5.8S and 28S rDNA were amplified with ITS1F (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3') and LR5F (5'-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3'), and LROR (5'-ACCCGCTGAACTTAAGC-3') and LR5F primer sets, respectively. rDNA ITS (JX499184) and 28S (JX888470) homologies of the fungal strain (EML-RCPW1) via NCBI BLASTn search represented 99.7% (618/620) and 100% (667/667) identity values with E. heraclei AB104510 and AB103366, respectively. The identification of the fungus as E. heraclei was based on morphological data combined with the results of sequence analysis. Although there were no 28S sequence data from E. polygoni in GenBank, the phylogenetic tree based on ITS sequence data showed that our strain was differentiated from E. polygoni, forming a separate clade consisting of E. heraclei. So far, 26 records with respect to powdery mildews on curled dock represent those caused by only E. polygoni worldwide (1). E. heraclei has been reported to occur on various herbaceous plants including Angelica spp., Daucus spp., and Torilis japonica, and a woody plant such as Quercus myrsinaefolia in China, Japan, and Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf powdery mildew caused by E. heraclei on curled dock in Korea or elsewhere in the world, although the fungus causes powdery mildew on various species of families Polygonaceae and Apiaceae with wide host range (2,3,4). References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , June 22, 2012. (2) D. A. Glawe et al. Online. Plant Health Progress. PHP-2005-0114-01-HN, 2005. (3) M. J. Park et al. New Dis. Rep. 21:14, 2010. (4) G. Rodríguez-Alvarado et al. Plant Dis. 94:483, 2010.

First Report of Oidium anamorph of Erysiphe hypophylla Causing Powdery Mildew on Leafy Lespedeza (Lespedeza cyrtobotrya) in Korea

Leafy lespedeza (Lespedeza cyrtobotrya Miq.) is a deciduous shrub in the pea family (Fabaceae) that occurs in areas of East Asia including Korea, China, and Japan. It has been commonly used as a fence plant and for sand control in Korea. In late October 2011, a powdery mildew disease was observed on leafy lespedeza in several areas near Gwangju River, Gwangju, Korea. Symptoms appeared late in October when temperature fluctuation was high. Major symptoms included scattered white powdery to cottony colonies on both surfaces of the leaves which spread to stems, causing a minor chlorosis and distortion. Conidia were formed singly on conidiophores with 2 to 4 (commonly 3) septa including basal septum, primary conidia ellipsoid, apex rounded to subtruncate, base truncate; and secondary conidia subcylindrical to oblong when mature, and ends truncate. The size was 26.4 to 43.2 (av. 35.1) × 11.2 to 13.2 (av. 11.3) μm. Conidiophores were erect, cylindrical, wider at apex than foot cell, and straight or slightly flexuous in foot cells. The size was 60.1 to 81.3 (av. 78.1) × 6.2 to 12.1 (av. 8.3) μm. Chasmothecia were not observed. Morphologically, the conidia and conidiophores of our strain (EML-LCPW1) were very similar to those of Erysiphe hypophylla (syn. Microsphaera hypophylla) (4). From extracted genomic DNA, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region inclusive of 5.8S and 28S rDNA were amplified with ITS1 (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3'), LR5F (5'-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3'), LROR (5'-ACCCGCTGAACTTAAGC-3'), and LR5F primer sets, respectively. Based on the morphology and ITS rDNA sequence analysis, the fungus was identified as E. hypophylla. rDNA ITS and 28S homologies of the fungus (EML-LCPW1, GenBank Accession Nos. JX512557 and JX512558) represented 100% (771/771) and 100% (775/775) identity values with E. hypophylla (AB292712 and AB292716, respectively) via NCBI BLASTn search of each isolate. The rDNA ITS (JX512557) and 28S (JX512558) sequence analysis revealed that the causal fungus matched E. hypophylla, forming a HypophyllaAlphitoides clade as Takamatsu et al. suggested that E. hypophylla is conspecific to E. alphitoides (3). So far, it has been known that E. communis, E. glycines var. lespedezae, and E. lespedezae cause powdery mildews on Lespedeza plants in the world (1). In Korea, only one Erysiphe species, E. lespedezae (= E. pisi), has been reported to cause powdery mildew on Lespedeza plants including L. bicolor and L. cyrtobotrya (2). In addition, 10 records with respect to Oidium sp. have been found on Lespedeza spp., including L. cyrtobotrya from Japan and L. chinensis from China (1). However, powdery mildew on Lespedeza plants, including leafy lespedeza caused by E. hypophylla, has not been reported in Korea or elsewhere in the world. This fungus has been reported in association with numerous oak (Quercus) species in nearby countries such as China and Russia (Far East), showing that it may be a potential source of inoculum in Korea as well. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Oidium anamorph of E. hypophylla on leafy lespedeza (L. cyrtobotrya) in Korea. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , October 9, 2012. (2) H. D. Shin. Page 320 in: Erysiphaceae of Korea. National Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology, Suwon, Korea, 2000. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycoscience 47:367, 2006. (4) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 111:809, 2007.

Usefulness of (18)f-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in management of cervical dystonia

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) in the management of cervical dystonia (CD) with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection.

Method

Thirty two subjects with CD were included. A BoNT-A injection was provided either by clinically targeting method (group 1) or by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT-assisted, clinically targeting method (group 2). In group 2, selection of target muscles and dosage of BoNT-A were determined according to the increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake, in addition to physical examination and functional anatomy. The outcomes of BoNT-A injection was compared between the two groups, in terms of the number of subjects who had reinjection before and after 6 months, the number of reinjections, the interval of reinjections, the duration to the minimal Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS), the number of adverse events, the reduction rate of TWSTRS at 1-3 months and 3-6 months after injection, and the probability of reinjection-free living.

Results

The number of subjects who had reinjection within 6 months was significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1 (10 in group 1 vs. 3 in group 2). The reduction rate of TWSTRS after 3-6 months (37.8±15.7% of group 1 vs. 63.3±28.0% of group 2) and the probability of reinjection-free living were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT study could be useful in management of CD in terms of the identification of dystonic muscles if there is an increase in the ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in the cervical muscle of the images.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe arcuata on Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) in Korea

Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata L.) is a plant species of the genus Coreopsis in Asteraceae native to the USA. This plant is a bushy perennial species with finely cut foliage and showy round flowers and is increasing as plants used in landscaping in the world. The invasive plant is also planted very commonly along roadsides in Korea. In late October 2011 and August 2012, signs and symptoms of a powdery mildew disease were observed on lanceleaf coreopsis in several land areas near Gwangju-river, Gwangju, Korea. Symptoms included typical white superficial mycelia. The conidia of the powdery mildew fungus occurred on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Chasmothecia were not observed. Single conidia formed terminally on conidiophores. Conidial morphology was subcylindrical to oblong. Dimension of conidia was 23.6 to 41.4 (avg. 35.1) μm long × 11.3 to 18.2 (avg. 14.8) μm wide. Conidiophores were composed of five to six (up to seven) cells, ranged from 45.7 to 131.2 (avg. 98.1) μm long × 8.2 to 11.1 (avg. 8.3) μm wide with foot-cells straight to slightly flexuous. Oidium anamorph of this fungus matched that of E. arcuata U. Braun, Heluta and S. Takam. described by Pastircakova et al. (3). From extracted genomic DNA, the rDNA ITS was amplified with ITS1F (5'-CTTGGTCATTTAGAGGAAGT-3') and LR5F (5'-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3') primer set. The rDNA ITS homology of the fungus (EML-CDPW1, GenBank Accession No. JX485650) showed 100% (590/590) identity value with E. arcuata (GenBank Accession No. AB252459). The identification of the fungus as E. arcuata was based on morphological data combined with the results of sequence analysis. Until recently, E. arcuata has been known to widespread on Carpinus species of the family Betulaceae including European hornbeam (C. betulus L.) and Chonowski's hornbeam (C. tschonoskii Maxim.) in Asia and Europe since Braun et al. first reported it as a new species in 2006 (1). In Korea, Podosphaera fusca (= Sphaerotheca fusca) and P. fuliginea (= S. fuliginea) were reported to cause powdery mildews on Coreopsis lanceolata. E. cichoracearum (= Golovinomyces cichoracearum), Leveillula taurica, P. fusca (= S. fusca), and Oidium spp. have been reported on Coreopsis spp. in the world (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by Oidium anamorph of E. arcuata on lanceleaf coreopsis (C. lanceolata) in Korea or elsewhere in the world. References: (1) U. Braun et al. Mycol. Prog. 5:139, 2006. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , 2012. (3) K. Pastircakova et al. J. Phytopathol. 156:597, 2008.

Magnetic resonance imaging as a determinant for surgical release of congenital muscular torticollis: correlation with the histopathologic findings

OBJECTIVE

(1) To present the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) of subjects who underwent surgical release and subjects who showed a good prognosis with stretching exercises and (2) to correlate the MRI findings with the histopathologic findings of CMT for subjects who underwent surgical release in order to examine the hypothesis that the MRI findings of CMT can be used as a determinant to perform surgical release of CMT.

METHOD

The neck MRI findings of 33 subjects who underwent surgical release for CMT were compared with those of 18 subjects who were successfully managed only with conservative management. The MRI findings were correlated with the histopathologic sections of the CMT mass.

RESULTS

All 33 subjects (100%) who underwent surgical release showed one or more low signal intensities within the involved sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) on the T1- and T2-weighted images of neck MRI. The eighteen non-surgical candidates showed only enlargement of the SCM without low signal intensity within the SCM. The histopathologic findings showed interstitial fibrosis and/or the presence of aberrant tendon-like excessive dense connective tissue that was either well-arranged or disorganized.

CONCLUSION

The histopathologic findings and MRI findings showed good correlation in terms of the amount of fibrosis and aberrant dense connective tissue within the SCM. If multiple or large low signal intensities within the SCM are noted, we think that surgical release should be considered.

Comparison of clinical severity of congenital muscular torticollis based on the method of child birth

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical severity of congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) based on the method of child birth.

METHOD

Children diagnosed with CMT and who were < 6-years-of-age at the time of their first visit at the Center for Torticollis, Ajou Medical Center, were included in this study. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed with reference to the method of child birth and the clinical severity of CMT. The clinical severity of CMT was determined either by whether stretching exercises were needed for the children <6-month-of-age or whether surgical release was required for the children ≥6-months-of-age at the time of the first visit.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy eight subjects with CMT were enrolled. There was no significant difference in the rate of surgical release according to the method of child birth. For 132 patients <6-month-of-age there was also no significant difference in the rate of stretching exercises.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in the clinical severity of CMT based on the method of child birth. This finding suggests that prenatal factors alone could be a cause of CMT and that the clinical severity of CMT in children delivered by Cesarean section is not different when compared with the severity of CMT in children born through vaginal delivery.

Rapid identification of cyclic tetrapyrrolic photosensitisers for photodynamic therapy using on-line hyphenated LC-PDA-MS coupled with photo-cytotoxicity assay

INTRODUCTION

Photodynamic therapy is a treatment modality that involves site-directed generation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species by light-activated photosensitisers.

OBJECTIVE

In order to rapidly identify new photosensitisers from natural extracts, we developed a liquid chromatography-photodiode array-mass spectrometry (LC-PDA-MS) method to rapidly identify plant extracts that contain photosensitisers, particularly those possessing a cyclic tetrapyrrole structure.

METHOD

Six previously isolated compounds (1-6) were identified in bioactive fractions derived from 15 plant extracts on the basis of their chromatographic retention times, UV-visible profiles, accurate mass and fragmentation patterns.

RESULTS

Samples containing uncommon photosensitisers were rapidly identified using this method, and subsequent scale-up isolation efforts led to two new compounds (7 and 8) which were confirmed to be active photosensitisers in a photo-cytotoxicity assay.

CONCLUSION

This method serves as a useful tool in prioritising samples that may contain new photosensitisers out of a larger group of photo-cytotoxic natural products extracts.

First Report of Crown Rot on Gypsophila (Gypsophila paniculata) Caused by Fusarium proliferatum in Korea

Gypsophilas commonly cultivated are Gypsophila elegans B. and G. paniculata L. In September of 2009 and 2010, a severe wilt symptom due to crown rot was observed on G. paniculata (cv. Bristol Fairy) in greenhouses in Yeosu, South Korea. The area of cultivation (~8 ha) in Yeosu covers 90% of production in the Jeonnam Province. Disease outbreak was 20 to 30% in affected greenhouses. Early symptoms included brown discoloration surrounding basal stems and slight wilting. Late symptoms included a sunken stem rot next to the roots, root rot, severe wilting, and dying plants. The causal fungus appeared to invade plants through the basal stem, causing a crown rot that prevented the plant from taking up water and nutrients. Crown rot occurred on young and mature plants. Ten fungal isolates were recovered from basal stems and roots of wilted plants. Microconidia were abundantly produced on potato dextrose agar (PDA), V8 juice agar (VA), carnation leaf agar (CLA), and oatmeal agar (OA). Microconidia were single celled, variable, oval-ellipsoid cylindrical, straight to curved, club-to-kidney shaped or spindle shaped on OA, more slender on VA. Macroconidia were not found on any media used. Microconidia on PDA were 5.9 to 15.1 (9.9) × 2.7 to 4.3 (3.5) μm. Germinated conidia (or false conidia) were often formed on CLA. Conidiophores as phialides were singly formed but often branched. Length of conidiophores was up to 31.1 μm on CLA. Small-sized chlamydospores were rarely found. Fusarium isolates (EML-GYP1, 2, and 3) were selected and identified. From extracted genomic DNA, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region including 5.8S rDNA was amplified using ITS1F (5'-CTTGGTCATTTAGAGGAAGT-3') and LR5F (5'-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3') primers. Sequence analyses by BLAST indicated that the isolates (GenBank HM560019, HM560020, and HM560021) were most similar to F. proliferatum (EF4534150) with sequence identity values of 99.3, 99.4, and 99.1%, respectively. The causal fungus was determined to be F. proliferatum based on morphological data and ITS rDNA sequences. Pathogenicity tests with the three isolates were performed on 10 plants of G. paniculata using the dipping method. Healthy roots and basal stems were soaked in a conidial suspension adjusted to ~1.2 × 10⁶ conidia/ml (distilled water) for 15 min. Plants were potted in sterile soil, kept in a humid chamber for 72 h, and moved to a greenhouse. The experiment was carried out in duplicate and repeated two times. Similar symptoms to those observed in the greenhouses were seen 7 days after inoculation. The causal fungus was reisolated from the artificially inoculated basal stems, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Control plants whose basal stems and roots were dipped in sterile water showed no crown rot and wilt symptoms. EML-GYP2 was determined to be the most pathogenic. Ten records of disease caused by three Fusarium species (Fusarium sp., F. oxysporum, and F. udum) have been found on gypsophilas (1), but only F. oxysporum has been reported to cause wilt on G. elgans in Korea (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of crown rot on gypsophila caused by F. proliferatum in Korea as well as the world. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , October 27, 2010, (2) W.-G. Kim and H.-M. Koo. Page 381 in: List of Plant Diseases in Korea. The Korean Society of Plant Pathology, 2009.

Unexpected synchronous follicular lymphoma of paraaortic and pelvic lymph nodes in a patient with endometrial carcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND

Multiple neoplasms in a patient occur rarely. There has only been one case report about synchronous endometrial carcinoma and follicular lymphoma of the paraaortic and pelvic lymph node (LN) until now.

CASE REPORT

The patient was 64 years old and had vaginal spotting for four months. She was diagnosed with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma by endometrial biopsy. In intraoperative inspection, the whole paraaortic and pelvic LN had formed into a massive tumor bundle following the aorta and iliac vessels. The diagnosis was endometrial carcinoma FIGO Stage IB with synchronous follicular lymphoma Stage III. We performed adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Currently, the patient has no evidence of recurrence for either carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Lymph node dissection was included in the staging and debulking operation of the endometrial carcinoma. An inaccurate result of the frozen section can not rule out metastasis of endometrial carcinoma and surgeons can fall into a dilemma regarding treatment.

First Report of Erysiphe quercicola Causing Powdery Mildew on Ubame Oak in Korea

Ubame oak (Quercus phillyraeoides A. Gray) is native to eastern Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. In 2009 and 2010, a powdery mildew on Q. phillyraeoides growing in clusters and singly was observed in three locations on the campus of Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea. White superficial conidia of the powdery mildew fungus occurred on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. However, the white powdery growth was more abundant on the adaxial surface. Leaf symptoms commonly appeared white from May to October. Along with the typical white powdery mildew, spot and/or necrotic symptoms with irregular violet-to-wine red surfaces were also frequently observed on overwintered leaves. A voucher specimen has been deposited in EML (Environmental Microbiology Laboratory) herbarium collection, Chonnam National University (EML-QUP1). Conidia were commonly formed singly but also occurred in chains. Primary conidia were obovoid to ellipsoid, with a rounded apex and subtruncate base. Secondary conidia were generally obovoid to ellipsoid or sometimes cylindrical but dolioform when mature. The size was 30.1 to 43.2 (average 37.7) × 14.1 to 21.1 (average 18.1) μm with length/width ratio of 1.8 to 2.4 (average 2.1). Conidiophores were erect and up to 102.2 μm long. No chasmothecia were found. From extracted genomic DNA, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region inclusive of 5.8S rDNA was amplified with ITS1F (5'-CTTGGT CATTTAGAGGAAGT-3') and LR5F (5'-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3') primers (4). Sequence analysis by BLASTN search indicated that EML-QUP1 (GenBank Accession No. HQ328834) was closest to E. quercicola (GenBank Accession No. AB292691) with >99% identity (478 of 480), forming a monophyletic quercicola clade in the resulting phylogenetic analysis. The causal fungus was determined to be Erysiphe quercicola on the basis of morphology and sequence data analysis. Major genera including Cystotheca, Erysiphe, Microsphaera, and Phyllactinia have been reported to cause powdery mildews on Quercus plants. Until now, 22 Erysiphe species including E. abbreviata, E. alphitoides, E. calocladophora, E. gracilis, E. polygoni, and E. quercicola have been reported to cause powdery mildews on Quercus spp. (1). Of these, four Erysiphe species including E. alphitoides, E. gracilis, E. quercicola, and an unidentified Erysiphe sp. have been found on Q. phillyraeoides from Japan (1-3). E. quercicola was reported to occur on five Quercus species: Q. crispula, Q. phillyraeoides, and Q. serrata in Japan, Q. robur in Australia, and Quercus sp. in Australia, Iran, and Thailand (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf powdery mildew caused by E. quercicola on Q. phillyraeoides in Korea. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved October 7, 2010, from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , 2010. (2) S. Limkaisang et al. Mycoscience 47:327, 2006. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 111:809, 2007. (4) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, 1990.

First Report of Leaf Blight Caused by Pantoea agglomerans on Rice in Korea

In September 2009, leaf blights were observed on rice (Oryza sativa L., variety Dongjin 1 and Hopyeong) in paddy fields located in Gwangyang and Naju, Jeonnam Province, Korea. Lesions appeared first as water-soaked stripes or light brown-to-slightly reddish spots on the upper blades of the leaves, ultimately causing leaf blight and stalk rot. Ten strains of bacteria were isolated from the blighted leaf samples and four isolates (EML-ORY1, -ORY2, -ORY3, and -ORY4) suspected to be Pantoea spp. were selected on the basis of colony types and sampling sites. The isolates readily grew at 27 to 32°C but growth was significantly lower at 35°C. Using the API 20E system, EML-ORY1, 2, and 3 showed the same reaction patterns and gave 15 positive reactions whereas EML-ORY4 gave 11 positive reactions, but results were negative for arginine dihydrolase, citrate utilization, sorbitol fermentation, and rhamnose fermentation. All strains were considerably different from Pantoea agglomerans ATCC27155, which produced nine positive reactions. The strains were identified based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. A neighbor-joining tree was generated for the four isolates using PHYLIP with the following known bacterial strains: P. agglomerans DSM3493; P. vagans LMG24199; P. eucalypti LMG24197; P. ananatis ATCC19321; and Kluyvera georgiana ATCC51603. The four isolates from rice formed a monophyletic cluster and were most closely related to P. agglomerans DSM3493 (GenBank AJ2334231) with an average 16S rRNA sequence similarity of 99.0%. GenBank Accession numbers for the four isolates are: EML-ORY1, HM854282; -ORY2, HM854283; -ORY3, HM854284; and -ORY4, HM854285. On the basis of molecular phylogenetic analyses and API 20E test, we determined that the causal pathogen might be a subspecies of P. agglomerans. Pathogenicity tests were performed on 2-week-old rice seedlings (variety Hopyeong) in duplicate with bacterial suspensions containing 1.5 × 10⁹ CFU/ml with 0.001% Tween 20. Of the isolates, EML-ORY3 demonstrated the strongest pathogenicity to rice seedlings when evaluated by five scoring systems on the basis of symptom development and severity levels. Disease symptoms appeared 3 days after artificial inoculation. Symptoms on the inoculated leaves were similar to those of natural infection and included water-soaked stems with a light brown color, blighted leaves, and stalk rot, with no symptoms found on water-treated controls. P. agglomerans, formerly called Enterobacter agglomerans (or Erwinia herbicola), is a group of gram-negative bacteria that belong to the family Enterobacteriaceae (3). Pantoea spp. are known to cause different diseases on a broad range of host plants including gypsophila, cotton, pineapple, maize, barley, onion, melons, and eucalyptus and also have been implicated as opportunistic pathogens in humans (1,2). P. agglomerans has been widely found in nature on leaves, fruits, and the seeds of many crops and is a known endophyte (1,2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of rice leaf blight caused by a putative subspecies of P. agglomerans in Korea. The importance of this pathogen to rice production in Korea is unknown. References: (1) Y. Feng et al. J. Appl. Microbiol. 100:938, 2006. (2) S. Manulis and I. Barash. Mol. Plant Pathol. 4:307, 2003. (3) M. P. Starr. The genus Erwinia. Page 1260 in: The Prokaryotes: A Handbook on Habitats, Isolation and Identification of Bacteria. Springer-Verlag, NewYork, 1981.

Beta-glycosidase of Thermus thermophilus KNOUC202: gene and biochemical properties of the enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli

The beta-glycosidase gene of Thermus thermophilus KNOUC202 was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli JM109(DE3), and the enzyme was purified and characterized. The gene (KNOUC202/beta-gly) was composed of 1296 bp encoding a beta-glycosidase (KNOUC202beta-glycosidase) of 431 a.a., belonging to the family 1 of glycosyl hydrolase. The gene was expressed as monomer of 430 a.a. with amino terminal methionine excised in E. coli JM109(DE3). The enzyme hydrolyzed beta-glycosides whose glycone are galactose, glucose and fucose well, however showed no or very low activity on beta-D-glycosides whose glycone are disaccharides and xylose. kcat of the enzyme for the hydrolysis of p-Nph-beta-D-Glcp was lower than those for p-Nph-beta-D-Galp and ONPG, however K(m) for p-Nph-beta-D-Glcp was highly lower than those for p-Nph-beta-D-Galp and ONPG resulting in the catalytic efficiency(k(cat)/K(m)) for the hydrolysis of p-Nph-beta-D-Glcp much higher than those for p-Nph-beta-D-Galp and ONPG. Optimum pH and optimum temperature of the enzyme were pH 5.4 and 90 degrees C. The enzyme has high thermostability, not losing its activity at 80 degrees C for 2 h in 0.05 M Na-phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 with T(m) of 100.0 +/- 0.031 degrees C in 0.02 M Tris-HCl buffer of pH 8.2. The beta-glycosidase produced a disaccharide composed of galactose as transglycosylation byproduct during hydrolysis of lactose.

Use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on growth performance and microbiota of weaned pigs during Salmonella infection

Anaerobically fermented yeast products are a rich source of nutritional metabolites, mannanoligosaccharides, and β-glucans that may optimize gut health and immunity, which can translate into better growth performance and a reduced risk of foodborne pathogens. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (Diamond V Original XPC) inclusion in nursery diets on pig performance and gastrointestinal microbial ecology before, during, and after an oral challenge with Salmonella. Pigs (n = 40) were weaned at 21 d of age, blocked by BW, and assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of diet (control or 0.2% XPC) and inoculation (sterile broth or Salmonella). Pigs were fed a 3-phase nursery diet (0 to 7 d, 7 to 21 d, and 21 to 35 d) with ad libitum access to water and feed. On d 14, pigs were orally inoculated with 10(9) cfu of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104 or sterile broth. During d 17 to 20, all pigs were treated with a 5 mg/kg of BW intramuscular injection of ceftiofur-HCl. Growth performance and alterations in the gastrointestinal microbial ecology were measured during preinoculation (PRE; 0 to 14 d), sick (SCK; 14 to 21 d), and postinoculation (POST; 21 to 35 d). Body weight and ADG were measured weekly. Rectal temperature (RT) was measured weekly during PRE and POST, and every 12 h during SCK. Diet had no effect on BW, ADG, or RT during any period (P = 0.12 to 0.95). Inclusion of XPC tended (P < 0.10) to increase Salmonella shedding in feces during SCK. Consumption of XPC altered the composition of the gastrointestinal microbial community, resulting in increased (P < 0.05) populations of Bacteroidetes and Lactobacillus after Salmonella infection. Pigs inoculated with Salmonella had decreased ADG and BW, and increased RT during SCK (P < 0.001). Furthermore, fecal Salmonella cfu (log(10)) was modestly correlated (P = 0.002) with BW (r = -0.22), ADFI (r = -0.27), ADG (r = -0.36), G:F (r = -0.18), and RT (r = 0.52) during SCK. After antibiotic administration, all Salmonella-infected pigs stopped shedding. During POST, an interaction between diet and inoculation (P = 0.009) on ADG indicated that pigs infected with Salmonella grew better when eating XPC than the control diet. The addition of XPC to the diets of weanling pigs resulted in greater compensatory BW gains after infection with Salmonella than in pigs fed conventional nursery diets. This increase in BW gain is likely associated with an increase in beneficial bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract.

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Trident Maple Caused by Sawadaea nankinensis in Korea

Trident maple (Acer buergerianum Miq.) is widely grown in Korea as an ornamental tree as well as for the art of bonsai. During 2008 and 2009, a powdery mildew was observed on trident maple plants at the campus of Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea. Further surveys revealed the disease to be widespread on this species in other areas including Jeonbuk and Chungnam provinces in Korea. White, superficial mycelia were observed on young shoots and leaves early in spring. Both macroconidia and microconidia were produced beginning in May and conidial production continued through the summer into September and October. Production of chasmothecia was observed starting in September and continued into October. Macroconidia were produced in chains that were sinuate in outline. Individual macroconidia were barrel shaped and 23.4 to 30.0 (26.6) × 15.6 to 21.1 (18.1) μm. Foot cells of macroconidial conidiophores were 26.7 to 110.7 (48) × 7.1 to 11.2 (8.8) μm with one to five following cells. Microconidia were broadly ellipsoidal to subglobose and 8.9 to 12.5 (10.5) × 4.3 to 5.8 (5.1) μm. Chasmothecia typically were formed on adaxial leaf surfaces and 193.2 to 238.1 (216.8) μm in diameter. Appendages bore uncinate to circinate apices and were 176.8 to 267.7 (211.5) × 4.3 to 8.0 (6.2) μm. From extracted genomic DNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region inclusive of 5.8S rDNA was amplified with ITS1F (5'-CTTGGTCATTTAGAGGAAGT-3') and LR5F (5'-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3') primers. The causal fungus was determined to be Sawadaea nankinensis (F.L. Tai) S. Takam. & U. Braun (2) on the basis of morphological data and ITS rDNA sequences. A BLAST search of GenBank with an ITS sequence from this fungus determined that the five sequences exhibiting the highest max score values (1,811 to 2,004) were from S. nankinensis; these sequences produced max ident values from 94% to 99%. In contrast, max score and max ident values from sequences of other Sawadaea spp. were lower, including scores of 1,063 and 98% similarity for S. polyfida var. japonica, 915 and 97% for S. tulasnei, and 913 and 97% for S. bicornis. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on field-grown plants in two replicates. These plants were inoculated with a paintbrush to apply conidia (~5 × 10⁶/ml) collected from powdery-mildew-infected leaves. Inoculated plants developed powdery mildew symptoms within 5 days of inoculation and resembled those observed on naturally infected plants. S. nankinensis (synonym Uncinula nankinensis) was first reported on A. buergerianum from China in 1930 (2). Recently, S. nankinensis (F.L. Tai) S. Takam & U. Braun was reported to occur on A. buergerianum in Japan (3). Until now, three Sawadaea spp. (S. bicornis (Wallr.) Homma, S. negundinis Homma, and S. tulasnei (Fuckel) Homma) have been reported to cause powdery mildew on A. ginnala, but only S. bicornis (= U. circinata Cooke & Peck) has been reported to cause powdery mildew on A. ginnala in Korea (1). However, no Sawadaea sp. previously was reported to cause powdery mildew on A. buergerianum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew on trident maple (A. buergerianum) caused by S. nankinensis in Korea. References: (1) H. D. Shin. Erysiphaceae of Korea. National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, 2000. (2) F. L. Tai. Page 1517 in: Sylloge Fungorum Sinicorum. Science Press, Academia Sinica, Peking, 1979. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycoscience 49:161, 2008.

First Report of Stem Blight on Perilla (Perilla frutescens) Caused by Corynespora cassiicola in Korea

Perilla or kkaennip (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton), an annual herb of the mint family, Lamiaceae, is used in salads and kimchi and for wrapping sliced raw fish. In September 2007, a disease occurred on greenhouse-produced perilla (cv. Manchu) in Gwangyang and Jeonnam provinces, Korea. Symptoms included leaf blight and irregularly shaped stem lesions approximately 1 to 3 cm long. Plants eventually died. In some greenhouses, 10 to 30%, and occasionally as much as 70%, of the plants were affected. Isolations on potato dextrose agar yielded a fungus with single conidiophores (439 to 656 [average 524] μm long × 6.2 to 11.6 [average 9.2] μm wide) with three to eight septa. Conidia were fusiform, obclavate to subcylindrical, straight or curved, and 30.4 to 180.1 (average 98.2) μm long × 6.7 to 18.1 (average 10.5) μm wide with 5 to 16 (commonly 13) distosepta. On the basis of morphological data and ITS rDNA sequences, the fungus was identified as Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. & Curt.) Wei. (1,2). Sequences of one isolate, EML-COR1, were more than 99% identical to sequences of C. cassiicola ATCC64204 (GenBank Accession No. AY238606) and C. cassiicola (GenBank Accession No. EF490450). In pathogenicity tests, the stems and leaves of two 2-month-old wounded and nonwounded potted plants (cv. Manchu) were sprayed until runoff with a conidial suspension of 5 × 10⁴ conidia per ml. The plants were maintained for 48 h in a humid chamber and then moved to a greenhouse. Symptoms similar to those observed in the commercial greenhouse developed on wounded stems within 10 days. On nonwounded plants, symptoms developed 3 to 4 weeks after inoculation. C. cassiicola was reisolated from these lesions. Control plants (sprayed with distilled water) remained symptomless. The experiment was repeated with similar results. Although C. cassiicola causes blight of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), and other crops, to our knowledge, this is the first report of C. cassiicola on perilla. References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Page 372 in: Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. 1971. (2) J. L. D. Silva et al. Plant Pathol. 55:580, 2006.

Restless Legs Syndrome and the five-factor model of personality: results from a community sample

OBJECTIVE

To examine personality characteristics as potential mediators of the association between Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and psychiatric disorders.

METHOD

Revised NEO Personality Inventory traits are compared in respondents with (n=42) versus without (n=982) a diagnosis of RLS in a general population sample.

RESULTS

RLS was associated with higher neuroticism after adjusting for potential confounders, including current psychopathology. Further analysis showed that the association between RLS and neuroticism contributes to, but does not fully explain, the relationship between RLS and either panic disorder or major depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroticism may mediate part of the relationship between RLS and depression or panic, but the mechanisms of these associations need further exploration.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors: a novel class of therapeutic agents in diabetic nephropathy

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are currently being tested as anticancer agents in clinical trials. Chromatin remodeling, such as through histone acetylation, is a fundamental phenomenon in eukaryotic cell biology, bearing implications to numerous physiological and pathological phenomena. Here, we discuss recent data from our own laboratory and those of others demonstrating antifibrotic and renoprotective effect of HDAC inhibitors in diabetic kidneys, and the possible mechanisms including the role of reactive oxygen species. HDAC inhibitors may prove to be a novel class of multitarget agents in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Diagnosis and treatment of depression in Alzheimer's disease: impact on mood and cognition

Depression, a common neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with lower quality of life (QOL), higher mortality, and higher caregiver burden, is estimated to occur in 20-50% of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Recent research suggests that depression in AD (dAD) may differ from major depression phenomenologically and etiologically. Treatment options for dAD include behavioral modifications, pharmacotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. Successful treatment of dAD has been reported to improve patients' mood and QOL, as well as lower caregiver burden. Further research is needed in therapeutics of dAD to enhance treatment options and effectiveness.

Radical approach to diabetic nephropathy

There is increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in the development of diabetic complications. Oxidative stress is increased in diabetes and in chronic kidney disease (CKD). High glucose upregulates transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and angiotensin II (Ang II) in renal cells and high glucose, TGF-beta1, and Ang II all generate and signal through ROS. ROS mediate high glucose-induced activation of protein kinase C and nuclear factor-kappaB in renal cells. Intensive glycemic control and inhibition of Ang II delay the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy, in part, through antioxidant activity. Conventional and catalytic antioxidants were shown to prevent or delay the onset of diabetic nephropathy. Transketolase activators and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors were shown to block major biochemical pathways of hyperglycemic damage. Combination of strategies to prevent overproduction of ROS, to increase the removal of preformed ROS, and to block ROS-induced activation of biochemical pathways leading to cellular damage may prove to the effective in preventing the development and progression of CKD in diabetes.

Some fungal endophytes from vegetable crops and their anti-oomycete activities against tomato late blight

AIMS

To isolate endophytic fungi from vegetable plants and examine their in vivo anti-oomycete activity against Phytophthora infestans in tomato plants.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Endophytic fungi were isolated from surface-sterilized plant tissues and anti-oomycete activity was measured by in vivo assay using tomato seedlings. Endophytic fungi showing potent anti-oomycete activity were identified by morphological characteristics and nuclear ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequence analysis. A total of 152 isolates were obtained from 66 healthy tissue samples of cucumber, red pepper, tomato, pumpkin and Chinese cabbage and the fermentation broths of 23 isolates showed potent in vivo anti-oomycete activity against tomato late blight with control values over 90%. The Fusarium oxysporum strain EF119, which was isolated from roots of red pepper, showed the most potent disease control efficacy against tomato late blight. In dual-culture tests, it inhibited the growth of Pythium ultimum, P. infestans and Phytophthora capsici.

CONCLUSIONS

Among endophytic fungi isolated from healthy tissues of vegetable plants, F. oxysporum EF119 showed the most potent in vivo anti-oomycete activity against tomato late blight and in vitro anti-oomycete activity against several oomycete pathogens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Endophytic fungi showing anti-oomycete activity in vitro and in vivo may be used as biocontrol agents particularly of tomato late blight.

Oxidative stress during peritoneal dialysis: implications in functional and structural changes in the membrane

Progressive peritoneal fibrosis, membrane hyperpermeability, and ultrafiltration failure have been observed in patients on long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). The present study tested the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by conventional PD solution (PDS) mediate functional and structural alterations of peritoneal membrane in vivo. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to control, PDS, PDS with an antioxidant, and PDS with an angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor blocker. Commercial PDS containing 3.86% glucose (20-30 ml) with or without N-acetylcystein (NAC) 10 mM or losartan 5 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally twice a day for 12 weeks. Control rats received sham injection. Rats treated with PDS had significantly lower drain volume and D(4)/D(0) glucose, but higher D(4)/P(4) creatinine and increased membrane thickness and endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression compared to control rats. Omental transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), collagen I, and heat-shock protein (hsp) 47 expression and lipid peroxide levels and dialysate VEGF and Ang II concentrations were significantly increased in rats treated with PDS compared to control. All of these changes were prevented by both NAC and losartan. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that ROS generated by conventional PDS are, in large part, responsible for peritoneal fibrosis and membrane hyperpermeability. We suggest that antioxidants or Ang II receptor blockers may allow better preservation of the structural and functional integrity of the peritoneal membrane during long-term PD.

An open-label study of escitalopram (Lexapro) for the treatment of 'Depression of Alzheimer's disease' (dAD)

BACKGROUND

Depression is a frequent neuropsychiatric complication of Alzheimer's Disease.

METHODS

This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of escitalopram (LEXAPRO) for depression in AD (dAD) as defined by the NIMH consensus criteria in an 8-week, open-label treatment study.

CONCLUSION

Escitalopram was efficacious and safe for the treatment of dAD in this study. Larger, controlled studies are warranted to further assess the efficacy for mood and behavioral disturbances in this medically fragile population.

Activity of some aminoglycoside antibiotics against true fungi, Phytophthora and Pythium species

AIMS

To investigate the in vitro antifungal and antioomycete activities of some aminoglycosides against true fungi and Phytophthora and Pythium species and to evaluate the potential of the antibiotics against Phytophthora late blight on plants.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Antifungal and antioomycete activities of aminoglycoside antibiotics (neomycin, paromomycin, ribostamycin and streptomycin) and a paromomycin-producing strain (Streptomyces sp. AMG-P1) against Phytophthora and Pythium species and 10 common fungi were measured in potato dextrose broth (PDB) and on seedlings in pots. Paromomycin was the most active against Phytophthora and Pythium species with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 1-10 microg ml(-1) in PDB, but displayed low to moderate activities towards other common fungi at the same concentration. Paromomycin also showed potent in vivo activity against red pepper and tomato late blight diseases with 80 and 99% control value, respectively, at 100 microg ml(-1). In addition, culture broth of Streptomyces sp. AMG-P1 as a paromomycin producer exhibited high in vivo activity against late blight at 500 microg freeze-dried weight per millilitre.

CONCLUSIONS

Among tested aminoglycoside antibiotics, paromomycin was the most active against oomycetes both in vitro and in vivo.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Data from this study show that aminoglycoside antibiotics have in vitro and in vivo activities against oomycetes, suggesting that Streptomyces sp. AMG-P1 may be used as a biocontrol agent against oomycete diseases.

p53 Status does not affect photodynamic cell killing induced by hypericin

PURPOSE

Given that p53 is a tumor suppressor that plays a central role in the cellular response to DNA damage and that more than 50% of all cancers have mutated p53, the wider utility of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of cancer will depend on an understanding of whether p53 status modulates response to PDT. In this study, we investigated the photosensitivity of isogenic cell lines that differ only in their p53 status to PDT using hypericin as the photosensitizer.

METHODS

Acute (MTT) and chronic (clonogenic) cytotoxic assays were performed on two osteosarcoma cell-lines (U2OS and U2OS+p53DD) that are isogenic except that the latter expresses dominant negative p53. The inducible expression of p53 was determined on western blots. Uptake of hypericin, cell cycle profile analysis, measurement of membrane phosphatidylserine externalization and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were investigated using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Hypericin uptake was observed to be equivalent in U2OS and U2OS+p53DD cells. There were no significant differences in cell killing between these cell-lines in both the MTT and clonogenic assays (IC(50) of 0.4 microg/ml from MTT assay). p53 expression did not increase up to 24 h after PDT treatment in both cell lines. There were also no significant differences in the cell-cycle arrest profiles and timing of onset of apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these results suggest that the status of p53 may not be important in PDT-mediated cell killing or induction of apoptosis. By extension, these results imply that PDT may be used with equal efficacy for the treatment of p53-positive and -negative tumors.

A new Hypocrea strain producing harzianum A cytotoxic to tumour cell lines

AIMS

To identify a new fungal strain, Hypocrea sp. F000527 producing a trichothecene metabolite, harzianum A, and to evaluate its cytotoxicity to tumour cell lines.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A fungal strain, F000527, with cytotoxic activity was identified as a new Hypocrea strain based on morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacers rDNA sequence data. Harzianum A was isolated from wheat bran culture by 50% acetone extraction, silica gel chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and HPLC. The chemical structures were determined by ESI- or HRFAB-MS and (1)H and (13)C-NMR analyses. Harzianum A showed cytotoxicity to HT1080 and HeLa cell lines with IC(50) value of 0.65 and 5.07 Łg ml(-1) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Harzianum A with a chemical formula of C(23)H(28)O(6) was isolated from a new Hypocrea strain and showed moderate to strong cytotoxicity to human cancer cell lines.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report of the production of cytotoxic harzianum A by a new Hypocrea strain.

Self-reported prevalence and risk factors of asthma among Korean adolescents: 5-year follow-up study, 1995-2000

OBJECTIVES

The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires have shown that the prevalence of childhood asthma is increasing worldwide. Although Asian countries used to have lower prevalence rates of allergic disease than Western countries, this prevalence is increasing in several Asian countries. To determine whether the prevalence of childhood asthma is changing in Korean adolescents, we compared findings from nationwide cross-sectional surveys in 1995 and 2000 on populations of middle-school children using the Korean version of the ISAAC questionnaire.

METHODS

We developed Korean versions of the ISAAC written (WQ) and video (AVQ) questionnaires for allergic diseases. In 1995, the enrolled population consisted of 15,481 children, ages 12-15, and encompassing all three grades in middle school, selected from 34 schools across the nation; the response rate was 97.3%. In 2000, 15,894 children were selected from 31 of the same schools, and the response rate was 96.4%. The SAS system version 8.0 was utilized for all statistical analyses.

RESULTS

The WQ showed that the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of wheeze did not change from 1995 to 2000. While the 12-month prevalence rates of sleep disturbed by wheezing and night cough increased, the rates of severe attack of wheezing and exercise-induced wheeze did not change, over this period of time. The lifetime prevalence of asthma diagnosis, however, increased significantly, from 2.7% in 1995 to 5.3% in 2000, as did the 12-month prevalence of asthma treatment, from 1.0% in 1995 to 1.9% in 2000. The AVQ also showed increases in the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of wheeze at rest, exercise-induced wheeze, nocturnal wheeze, nocturnal cough, and severe wheeze over this period of time. These were especially because of significant increases in the Provincial cities of Korea. Interestingly, the 12-month prevalence of wheeze was consistently high in Cheju with low air pollution indices, whereas this rate was low in Ulsan and Ansan with very high air pollution indices. Risk factor analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), passive smoking, and living with a dog or cat, but not air pollution, were associated with higher risk of wheeze.

CONCLUSIONS

In the 5-year period from 1995 to 2000, the prevalence of asthma symptoms has increased in Korean adolescents, much of it because of increases in Provincial Centers. BMI, passive smoking, and living with a dog or cat are important risk factors. Environmental factors other than air pollution may be associated with increases in asthma, especially in Provincial Centers.

Improved production of teicoplanin using adsorbent resin in fermentations

AIMS

To use adsorbent resins in fermentations to eliminate toxic effects on growth, reduce feedback repression of production and assist in recovery of teicoplanin.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An adsorbent resin was added to the culture broth for the adsorption of teicoplanin. Amberlite XAD-16, Diaion HP-20, charcoal and silica gel were investigated as adsorbent resins. The adsorbed teicoplanin was extracted from the resin by 80% methanol after fermentation. Antibiotic activity was quantified by the disc-agar diffusion assay against Bacillus substilis, and qualitative evaluations were based on HPLC using YMC-Pack ODS-A column. Diaion HP-20 was the most effective adsorbent resin when added at a concentration of 5% (w/v) in the inoculation stage.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of Diaion HP-20 in fermentations eliminated toxic effects on growth and reduced feedback repression of teicoplanin by adsorption. There was a 4.2-fold increase in the quantities of teicoplanin. Addition of adsorbent assisted in the recovery of teicoplanin by reducing the recovery steps.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results of this study provide useful information for the production of teicoplanin, a glycopeptide antibiotic produced by Actinoplanes teicomyceticus. Addition of adsorbent in fermentation increased productivity of teicoplanin by more than five times.

Study on in vitro release patterns of fentanyl-loaded PLGA microspheres

In order to study the development of the delivery device of long-acting local anaesthetics for post-operative analgesia and control of chronic pain of cancer patient, fentanyl loaded poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA, molecular weight; 5000, 8000, 20,000, and 33,000 g/mole) microspheres (FMS) were studied. FMS were prepared by an emulsion solvent-evaporation method. The influence of several preparation parameters such as initial drug loading, PLGA concentrations, emulsifier concentrations, oil phase volume and mole ratio and molecular weight has been investigated on the fentanyl release patterns. Generally, the drug showed the biphasic release patterns, with an initial diffusion followed by a lag period before the onset of the degradation phase, but there were no lag times in the device. Fentanyl was slowly released from FMS over 10 days in vitro, with a quasi-zero order property. The release rate increased with increasing drug loading as well as increasing polymer concentration with a relatively small initial burst effect. From the results, FMS may be a good formulation to deliver the anaesthesia for the treatment of chronic pain.