Synthesis of 7,2'-Dihydroxy-4',5'-Dimethoxyisoflavanone, a Phytoestrogen with Derma Papilla Cell Proliferative Activity.

This paper reports a concise and scalable method for the synthesis of the phytoestrogen 7,2'-dihydroxy-4',5'-dimethoxyisoflavanone 1 via an optimized synthetic route. Compound 1 was readily obtained in 11 steps and 11% overall yield on a gram scale from commercially available 3,4-dimethoxyphenol. The key features of the synthesis include the construction of the deoxybenzoin unit through a sequence of Claisen rearrangement, oxidative cleavage, and aryllithium addition and the efficient synthesis of the isoflavanone architecture from highly functionalized 2-hydroxyketone.

Effects of Forest Therapy on Psychological Improvement in Middle-aged Women in Korea.

OBJECTIVES: Women experience more stress in middle age than in other periods of their lives. Therefore, health management programs that enable middle-aged women to cope with and manage stress are needed. This study investigated the psychological effects of a meditation-focused forest therapy program among 53 middle-aged women living in urban areas in Korea. METHODS: Participants were divided into 2 groups: one group underwent the program for 3 days in a forest, followed by 3 days in an urban environment, and the other group underwent the program for 3 days in the urban environment, followed by 3 days in the forest. The psychological effects of the forest therapy program were evaluated using the Profile of Mood States-Brief (POMS-B). Differences in mood state before and after the program conducted in the forest (experimental group) and in the urban environment (control group) were evaluated using the paired-samples t-test. RESULTS: The program in the forest significantly reduced tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion among the domains of the POMS-B. The program in the urban area significantly reduced tension, but not depression, anger, fatigue, or confusion. CONCLUSIONS: Meditation-focused forest therapy programs are expected to contribute to promoting psychological health and enhancing the quality of life of middle-aged women.

Effects of Forest Therapy on Health Promotion among Middle-Aged Women: Focusing on Physiological Indicators.

Women experience more stress in middle age than in other life stages, and health in middle age is vital, because it influences the quality of life in old age. In this study, the effects of a forest therapy program on physiological changes in 53 middle-aged women (divided into two groups) who lived in the city were examined. One group participated in a three-day program in the forest, followed by three days in the city; the other group participated in a three-day program in the city, followed by three days in the forest. Forest experiments were conducted in a "healing forest," and urban experiments were conducted near a university campus. Blood tests were performed to evaluate the physiological effects of forest therapy. Differences in serotonin levels and vitamin D levels were verified before and after the forest (experimental group) and urban (control group) programs through paired t-tests. Statistically significant increases in serotonin levels were noted for participants in the forest program; vitamin D levels also increased, but not by statistically significant values. The findings of this study verify that forest therapy programs promote health among middle-aged women, and may prevent disease and improve quality of life.

Six-Step Model of Nature-Based Therapy Process.

Several studies have confirmed that the natural environment has psychophysiological healing effects. However, few studies have investigated the healing process involved in the effect of the natural environment. To date, no theoretical model on the nature-based therapy process has been clearly established. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a theoretical model of the nature-based therapy process by analyzing individual empirical data. Research materials were 180 self-reported essays on "Forest Therapy Experiences" submitted to the Korea Forest Service. This study was conducted based on grounded theory. Data were analyzed through open coding. A total of 82 concepts, 21 subcategories, and six categories were derived. Results revealed that the nature-based therapy process contained six categories: Stimulation, acceptance, purification, insight, recharging, and change. When in the natural environment, participants first experienced positive emotional change, followed by cognitive and behavioral changes. Based on these results, a nature-based therapy process model was derived. This study revealed that the nature-based therapy process did not consist of just a single element or step, but involved an integrated way of healing with emotional and cognitive changes. This study is significant in that it derives a theoretical model of the nature-based therapy process with comprehensive mechanisms. Further research is needed to establish more systematic theoretical model.

Identification and Molecular Characterization of Recombinant Potato Virus Y (PVY) in Potato from South Korea, PVYNTN Strain.

Potato is an important source of food in South Korea, and viruses represent a significant threat to sustainable and profitable potato production. However, information about viruses affecting the potato crop in South Korea is limited. In 2017, potato plants of five cultivars exhibiting foliar mosaic, crinkling, and mottle were collected in two seed potato production areas, in Gangwon-do and Jeollabuk-do Provinces, and subjected to virus testing and characterization. Potato virus Y (PVY) was found associated with mosaic symptoms, and samples were characterized using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and whole genome sequencing. All analyzed PVY-positive samples were found to represent the same recombinant PVY strain: PVYNTN. Three PVY isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing using overlapping RT-PCR fragments and Sanger methodology, and all three were confirmed to represent strain PVYNTNa after a recombination analysis of the complete genomes. In phylogenetic analysis, the three South Korean isolates were placed most closely to several PVYNTNa isolates reported from Japan and Vietnam, suggesting a common source of infection. This is the first report and complete molecular characterization of a PVYNTN strain present in the country, and because this strain induces tuber necrotic ringspot disease in susceptible cultivars of potato, appropriate management tools need to be implemented to mitigate potential tuber quality losses.

Spinal epidural abscess associated with moxibustion-related infection of the finger.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a spinal epidural abscess that originated from cellulitis after moxibustion. METHODS: Case report. FINDINGS: A 78-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus was diagnosed with tetraplegia due to a cervical spinal epidural abscess extending to the thoracic spinal epidural space. The abscess was caused by osteomyelitis and cellulitis of the right third finger, which had been cauterized repeatedly with moxa. After surgical decompression and drainage of the spinal epidural abscess and comprehensive rehabilitation, motor strength and functional level improved. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates the risk of spinal epidural abscess in persons with diabetes mellitus who present with focal cellulitis and osteomyelitis.