ABSTRACT
The species within the family Cunninghamellaceae during an investigation of soil microfungi in Korea, in which three strains were isolated from Gangwon, Chungbuk, and Gyeongbuk provinces, designated as KNUF-22-121A, KNUF-22-126A, and KNUF-22-316, respectively. Because the morphological and molecular analyses of these three strains were identical, KNUF-22-316 underwent further detailed study. Phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region and the large subunit 28S rRNA gene revealed that the strain belonged to the genus Absidia, but occupied a distinct phylogenetic position. The strain KNUF-22-316 was compared with closely related species Absidia radiata CGMCC 3.16257T and Absidia yunnanensis CGMCC 3.16259T, morphologically different with shorter sporangiophores, smaller sporangia and columellae, and the consistent presence of collars. Here, we provide a detailed description and images of this proposed new species, which we have named Absidia microsporangia sp. nov.
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Our study aimed to examine preoperative differences in strength and balance between dominant foot (DF) and nondominant foot (non-DF) of individuals undergoing ligament stabilization surgery in the general population. Patients with records of preoperative evaluation, including isokinetic dynamometric strength evaluation, Y-balance test (YBT), and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), were included in the study. The DF was the preferred leg for accurately kicking a ball through a goal. Statistical analysis determined the differences between DF and non-DF and the correlations between muscle strength, balance, and FAOS. There was no statistically significant difference between DF and non-DF regarding evertor and invertor muscle strength (p=0.082-0.951). The YBT revealed no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.082-0.951). There was a significant correlation between the evertor peak torque and total work deficits at 30°/s (p=0.022), as well as the evertor peak torque deficit at 120°/s (p=0.048). No significant differences in muscle strength and balance were found between DF and non-DF in nonathletes with chronic ankle instability. Peroneal muscle strength deficit was associated with functional impairment. Tailored interventions are needed to address limb dominance and muscle strength deficits in CAI management.
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The fungal strain designated as KNUF-21-020, belonging to the genus Triangularia, was isolated from a soil sample collected in the Chungnam province, Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences of internal transcribed spacer regions and partial sequences of large subunit rRNA, beta-tubulin, and RNA polymerase II subunit genes revealed that the strain was grouped in a clade with Triangularia species. However, it occupied a distinct phylogenetic position. We also observed morphological differences between strain KNUF-21-020 and closely related species. Here, we provided detailed descriptions, illustrations, and discussions regarding the morphological and phylogenetic analyses of the closely related species to support the novelty of this isolated species. The phylogenetic analyses and morphological observations indicate that the strain KNUF-21-020 represents a novel species in the genus Triangularia (family: Podosporaceae). We have designated this species as Triangularia manubriata sp. nov.
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Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) is the gold standard for assessing hearing loss. However, traditional PTA tests require specialized equipment, trained personnel, and a soundproof environment. Recently, smartphone-based PTA tests have been developed as an alternative method for hearing assessment. The aim of this study was to validate the accuracy and reliability of a smartphone application-based audiometry test. This study was conducted to assess the performance of application-based audiometry from November 2021 to January 2022. Pure-tone thresholds were measured using a smartphone application-based PTA test and compared with results obtained using a traditional audiometer in a sound-treated booth. The smartphone application used in this study was the "Care4Ear (Care4ear, version 1.0.6, MIJ Co., Ltd.)". Hearing thresholds less than 35 dB HL were classified as group A, 35-64 dB HL as group B, and 65 dB HL or greater as group C for the classification of hearing levels. We evaluated the accuracy of smartphone audiometry for each group and compared the results of frequency-specific hearing tests. Additionally, we examined the results of smartphone audiometry in individuals (n = 27) with asymmetric hearing loss. Seventy subjects completed both conventional audiometry and smartphone application-based hearing tests. Among the ears assessed, 55.7% were classified as group A, while 25.7% and 18.6% were classified as group B and group C, respectively. The average hearing threshold obtained from conventional pure-tone audiometry was 37.7 ± 25.2 dB HL, whereas the application-based hearing test yielded thresholds of 21.0 ± 23.0 dB HL. A significant correlation (r = 0.69, p < 0.01) was found between the average hearing thresholds obtained from the application-based and conventional pure-tone audiometry tests. The application-based test achieved a 97.4% hit rate for classifying hearing thresholds as class A, but lower rates of 22.2% for class B and 38.5% for class C. Notably, a discrepancy was observed between the hearing threshold measured by the application and the conventional audiometry for the worse ear with asymmetric hearing. The smartphone-based audiometry is a feasible method for hearing evaluation especially in persons with normal hearing. In cases of hearing loss or asymmetric hearing loss, the results of the application-based audiometry may be inaccurate, limiting its diagnostic utility.
Subject(s)
Deafness , Hearing Loss , Humans , Reproducibility of Results , Auditory Threshold , Hearing Loss/diagnosis , Hearing , Audiometry, Pure-Tone/methodsABSTRACT
In October 2022, typical symptoms of anthracnose were observed on apple (Malus â ¹ domestica cv. Fuji) fruits collected from Pocheon in Gyeonggi province, South Korea (N37.98074°, E127.33995°). In the surveyed orchard, the incidence rate of apple anthracnose was less than 1%. The initial symptoms were brown-to-dark brown lesions, and with disease progression, they enlarged and the pulp became soft, forming a brown band. In total 29 apple fruits were collected, and the causal agent was isolated by removing the peel, and the diseased tissues were directly transferred onto potato dextrose agar (PDA), followed by incubation for 7 days at 25°C. As the results, two isolates (GgPc22-1-11 and GgPc22-1-13) were obtained. For describing morphological and cultural characteristics, isolate GgPc22-1-11 was cultured on PDA and synthetic nutrient-poor agar (SNA) at 25°C under near-UV light with a 12-h photoperiod for 10 days. The colonies of GgPc22-1-11 on PDA were initially white and subsequently appeared light gray to olivaceous with white margins. The reverse side of the plates were dark brown and slate blue (Supplementary Fig. S1). Colonies on SNA were flat with an entire margin and short sparse white aerial mycelium. No setae were observed. Conidia on PDA were hyaline, straight, aseptate with a rounded apex, clavate to cylindrical, and measured 16.4 ± 2.4 (10.8-23.8) × 5.5 ± 0.7 (3.6-7.7) µm (n = 200). Appressoria were medium-to-dark brown, aseptate, solitary or in groups with irregular outlines, and lobate or having undulate margins (Supplementary Fig. S1). These morphological and cultural characteristics of GgPc22-1-11 were consistent with those of Colletotrichum grevilleae F. Liu, Damm, L. Cai & Crous, pathogens of Proteaceae and Punica granatum (Liu et al. 2013; Huang et al. 2023). DNA was extracted from GgPc22-1-11, PCR was performed and Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated partial sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA, ß-tubulin (TUB2), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), chitin synthase 1 (CHS-1), and actin (ACT) genes was conducted (Weir et al. 2012). The resulting sequences were deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers LC773710-LC773714. A nucleotide BLAST search revealed that the ITS sequences of the isolates were 98.95% identical to those of C. grossum CAUG7 (KP890165.1). The TUB2, GAPDH, CHS-1, and ACT sequences of the isolates were 99.79%, 99.24%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, identical to those of C. grevilleae WP4. GgPc22-1-11 was clustered with C. grevilleae WP4 using neighbor joining analysis conducted with MEGA X software (Kumar et al. 2018) (Supplementary Fig. S2). Pathogenicity tests were conducted using GgPc22-1-11 and repeated three times. A total of 12 symptomless apples of each variety were selected, including Fuji, Hongro, Tsugaru, and RubyS. The apples were surface-sterilized with 70% ethanol and wounded using a sterile needle. Both wounded and unwounded apples were inoculated with mycelium plugs and paper disks containing a conidial suspension (1 × 106 conidia/ml) and placed in a plastic box with moist paper towels (>90% relative humidity) at 25°C in dark. At 5 days after inoculation, all artificially wounded fruits exhibited symptoms and 30% (4 out of 12) of unwounded inoculated fruits showed symptoms in each apple variety while control fruits were asymptomatic both the unwounded and wounded inoculations (Supplementary Fig. S1). To fulfill Koch's postulates, the fungi were reisolated from symptomatic tissues and were identical to GgPc22-1-11 confirmed by morphological and molecular analysis. To the best of our knowledge, C. grevilleae has been reported in Protea sp. and pomegranate (Liu et al. 2013; Huang et al. 2023) but not in apples to date, and this is the first report of C. grevilleae causing anthracnose in apple fruits. This research of the newly emerged unreported Colletotrichum species can offer valuable information for development of an effective fungicide spray program to control apple anthracnose.
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The metal-insulator-metal (MIM) plasmonic waveguide has been highly anticipated for confining and guiding surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on the subwavelength scale. However, perennial drawbacks such as a short propagation length and an unbounded transverse field have set limits on the use of the MIM waveguide in various applications. Herein, diffraction- and dispersion-free MIM modes are synthesized by using space-time wave packets (STWPs) and are therefore referred to as space-time MIM (ST-MIM) waveguide modes. Compared to a Gaussian pulse of the same duration and spectral bandwidth, the ST-MIM demonstrates enhanced propagation lengths of about 2.4 times for the symmetric mode and about 6.3 times for the antisymmetric mode. In the simulations, the ST-MIMs are confined in all transverse dimensions, thereby overriding the diffraction limits. In addition, the group velocities of the ST-MIMs can be arbitrarily designed, which makes it possible to synchronize the pulse propagation speeds of the symmetric and antisymmetric MIM modes.
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This study aimed to compare radiographic outcomes of open and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in patients with hallux valgus. We reviewed data of patients with hallux valgus who underwent open or minimally invasive distal chevron osteotomy at our institution. Radiographic assessment was completed preoperatively, immediate postoperatively, and one year postoperatively using eight weight bearing parameters . The classic distal chevron osteotomy method was used for open surgery and a modified method that added percutaneous K-wire fixation to the minimal invasive Chevron-Akin (third-generation MIS) was used for correction of the distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA). A total of 65 feet (33 open surgeries and 32 MIS) were included. The HVA, IMA, and DMAA improved significantly following surgery regardless of surgical method (p<0.001). Other radiographic indicators showed no statistically significant differences after surgery. DMAA improved by 71.0±14.2% after surgery, and the open surgery group showed less significant reduction in DMAA (49.7±25.7%, p<0.001). Other parameters showed no difference between the two groups regarding relative postoperative changes. The MIS group showed shorter operation time (p<0.001) and hospitalization period (p=0.034) than did the open surgery group. Therefore, the MIS group is expected to be cost-effective. Radiographic measurements revealed comparable outcomes of MIS compared with open surgery. Additionally, adding percutaneous K-wire fixation during MIS had an advantage in correcting DMAA compared with open surgery. Furthermore, the correction of DMAA could reduce recurrence of valgus deformity of the hallux.
Subject(s)
Hallux Valgus , Metatarsal Bones , Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures , Osteotomy , Radiography , Humans , Hallux Valgus/surgery , Hallux Valgus/diagnostic imaging , Osteotomy/methods , Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Metatarsal Bones/surgery , Metatarsal Bones/diagnostic imaging , Retrospective Studies , Adult , Treatment Outcome , Aged , Bone Wires , Operative TimeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the swallowing outcomes after transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) and compare them with those of conventional transcervical thyroidectomy. METHOD: We enrolled 146 patients who underwent thyroidectomy (73 TORT; 73 conventional approach). We prospectively analyzed swallowing outcomes using the Swallowing Impairment Index-6 (SIS-6) questionnaire, a patient-reported measure, before and 1, 3, and 6 days; 1, 3, and 6 months; and 1 year after surgery. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed using three covariates: age, sex, and extent of thyroidectomy. RESULTS: SIS-6 scores worsened significantly immediately after surgery and progressively recovered 1 year postoperatively in both groups. Propensity score matching generated two matched groups of 22 patients each. In the propensity score-matched samples, the SIS-6 scores did not differ between the TORT and conventional groups, except at 1 day postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Patient-reported swallowing outcomes of TORT were comparable to those of the conventional transcervical procedure.
Subject(s)
Robotic Surgical Procedures , Thyroid Neoplasms , Humans , Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery , Robotic Surgical Procedures/adverse effects , Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods , Deglutition , Thyroidectomy/adverse effects , Thyroidectomy/methods , Retrospective Studies , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Postoperative Complications/surgeryABSTRACT
Rapid apple decline (RAD) is a complex phenomenon affecting cultivated apple trees and particularly dwarf rootstocks on grafted young apple trees. Since its first appearance in the United States, RAD has been reported worldwide, for example in Canada, South America, Africa, and Asia. The phenomenon has also been observed in apple orchards in Korea, and it presented similar symptoms regardless of apple cultivar and cultivation period. Most previous reports have suggested that RAD may be associated with multiple factors, including plant pathogenic infections, abiotic stresses, environmental conditions, and the susceptibility of trees to cold injury during winter. However, RAD was observed to be more severe and affect more frequently apple trees on the Malling series dwarf rootstock. In this study, we reviewed the current status of RAD worldwide and surveyed biotic and abiotic factors that are potentially closely related to it in Korea.
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Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) has been proven effective in improving gait function in not only patients with central nervous system damage, but also in patients who have undergone musculoskeletal surgery. Nevertheless, evidence supporting the efficacy of such training in burn patients remains insufficient. This report aimed to evaluate the effect of RAGT in burn patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) caused by electrical trauma. We reported a case of two patients. The total duration of each session was about 1 h 30 min. This included 10 min to put on the exoskeleton, 30 min of robot-assisted training using SUBAR®, 10 min to remove the exoskeleton, 10 min to observe whether complications such as skin abrasion, ulcer, or pain occur in the scar area after RAGT, and 30 min of conventional physiotherapy, at a rate of 5 days a week for 12 weeks. All measurements were assessed before training (0 week) and after training (12 weeks). The American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) lower extremity motor score (LEMS), passive range of motions (ROMs) of different joints (hip, knee, and ankle), ambulatory motor index (AMI), functional ambulation categories (FAC), and 6 min walking (6 MWT) distances were evaluated to measure the degree of gait function through training. In both patients, manual muscle test measurement and joint ROM in the lower extremities improved after 12 weeks training. The first patient scored 0 in the FAC before training. After 12 weeks of training, he could walk independently indoors, improving to an FAC score of 4. He also reached 92.16 m in the 6 MWT. LEMS improved from 22 before training to 30 after training, and AMI score improved from 12 before training to 16 after training. In the second patient, an independent walking function was not acquired. LEMS improved from 10 before training to 26 after training. AMI scores were the same at 10 points before and after training. The results suggested the possibility of achieving clinical effects in terms of improving lower extremity muscle strength, joint ROMs, and gait performance in patients with SCI caused by electrical trauma.
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Background One-stage reconstruction with "thin perforator flaps" has been attempted to salvage limbs and restore function. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is a commonly utilized flap in breast reconstruction (BR). The purpose of this study is to present the versatility of DIEP flaps for the reconstruction of large defects of the extremities. Methods Patients with large tissue defects on extremities who were treated with thin DIEP flaps from January 2016 to January 2018 were included. They were minimally followed up for 36 months. We analyzed the etiology and location of the soft tissue defect, flap design, anastomosis type, outcome, and complications. We also considered the technical differences in the DIEP flap between breast and extremity reconstruction. Results Overall, six free DIEP flaps were included in the study. The flap size ranged from 15 × 12 to 30 × 16 cm 2 . All flaps were transversely designed similar to a traditional BR design. Three flaps were elevated with two perforators. Primary closure of the donor site was possible in all cases. Five flaps survived with no complications. However, partial necrosis occurred in one flap. Conclusion A DIEP flap is not the first choice for soft tissue defects, but it should be considered for one-stage reconstruction of large defects when the circulation zone of the DIEP flap is considered. In addition, this flap has many advantages over other flaps such as provision of the largest skin paddle, low donor site morbidity with a concealed scar, versatile supercharging technique, and a long pedicle.
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In this study, we introduce a novel approach for synthesizing lignin-incorporated castor-oil-based cationic waterborne polyurethane (CWPU-LX), diverging significantly from conventional waterborne polyurethane dispersion synthesis methods. Our innovative method efficiently reduces the required solvent quantity for CWPU-LX synthesis to approximately 50% of that employed in traditional WBPU experimental procedures. By incorporating lignin into the polyurethane matrix using this efficient and reduced-solvent method, CWPU-LX demonstrates enhanced properties, rendering it a promising material for diverse applications. Dynamic interactions between lignin and polyurethane molecules contribute to improved mechanical properties, enhanced thermal stability, and increased solvent resistance. Dynamic interactions between lignin and polyurethane molecules contribute to improved tensile strength, up to 250% compared to CWPU samples. Furthermore, the inclusion of lignin enhanced thermal stability, showcasing a 4.6% increase in thermal decomposition temperature compared to conventional samples and increased solvent resistance to ethanol. Moreover, CWPU-LX exhibits desirable characteristics such as protection against ultraviolet light and antibacterial properties. These unique properties can be attributed to the presence of the polyphenolic group and the three-dimensional structure of lignin, further highlighting the versatility and potential of this material in various application domains. The integration of lignin, a renewable and abundant resource, into CWPU-LX exemplifies the commitment to environmentally conscious practices and underscores the significance of greener materials in achieving a more sustainable future.
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A single Pectobacterium-like strain named 13-115T was isolated from a specimen of diseased cucumber stem tissue collected on Jeju Island, South Korea. The strain presented a rod-like shape and was negative for Gram staining. When grown on R2A medium at 25 °C, strain 13-115T formed round, convex and white colonies. This strain showed growth at temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 °C and tolerated a pH range of 6-9. The strain could also tolerate NaCl concentrations up to 5%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain 13-115T exhibited similarity of over 99% with Pectobacterium brasiliense, P. carotovorum, P. polaris, and P. parvum. By conducting multilocus sequence analyses using dnaX, leuS, and recA genes, a separate phylogenetic lineage was discovered between strain 13-115T and other members of the genus Pectobacterium. Moreover, the strain showed relatively low in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (<60.6%) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) (<94.9%) values with recognized Pectobacterium species. The isolate has a genome size of 5,069,478 bp and a genomic G + C content of 52.04 mol%. Major fatty acids identified in the strain included C16:0 (28.99%), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c; 28.85%), and C18:1 ω7c (19.01%). Pathogenicity assay confirmed that the novel strain induced soft rot symptoms in cucumber plants and Koch's postulates were fulfilled. Molecular analysis and phenotypic data indicated that strain 13-115T could be classified as a new species within the Pectobacterium genus, which has been named Pectobacterium jejuense. The type strain is 13-115T (= KCTC 92800T = JCM 35940T).
Subject(s)
Cucumis sativus , Pectobacterium , Phylogeny , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Fatty Acids/chemistry , Pectobacterium/genetics , DNA , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , DNA, Bacterial/chemistry , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Bacterial Typing Techniques , Phospholipids/chemistry , Nucleic Acid HybridizationABSTRACT
The fungal strain KNUF-22-18B, belonging to Cucurbitariaceae, was discovered from a stink bug (Hygia lativentris) during the investigation of insect microbiota in Chungnam Province, South Korea. The colonies of the strain KNUF-22-18B were wooly floccose, white to brown in the center on oatmeal agar (OA), and the colonies were buff, margin even, and colorless, reverse white to yellowish toward the center on malt extract agar (MEA). The strain KNUF-22-18B produced pycnidia after 60 days of culturing on potato dextrose agar, but pycnidia were not observed on OA. On the contrary, N. keratinophila CBS 121759T abundantly formed superficial pycnidia on OA and MEA after a few days. The strain KNUF-22-18B produced chlamydospores subglobose to globose, mainly in the chain, with a small diameter of 4.4-8.8 µm. At the same time, N. keratinophila CBS 121759T displayed a globose terminal with a diameter of 8-10 µm. A multilocus phylogeny using the internal transcribed spacer regions, 28S rDNA large subunit, ß-tubulin, and RNA polymerase II large subunit genes further validated the uniqueness of the strain. The detailed description and illustration of the proposed species as Neocucurbitaria chlamydospora sp. nov. from Korea was strongly supported by molecular phylogeny.
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OBJECTIVE: To determine correlations of alternation motor rate (AMR), sequential motor rate (SMR), and maximum phonation time (MPT) with the severity of dysphagia in subacute stroke patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review study. Data of 171 subacute stroke patients were analyzed. Patient's AMR, SMR, and MPT data were collected from their language evaluations. Video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was done. Data of dysphagia scales including penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcomes Measurement System (ASHA-NOMS) scale, clinical dysphagia scale (CDS), and videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) were obtained. AMR, SMR, and MPT were compared between a non-aspirator group and an aspirator group. Correlations of AMR, SMR, and MPT with dysphagia scales were analyzed. RESULTS: AMR ("ka"), SMR, and modified Rankin Scale were significant associated factors between non-aspirator group and aspirator group, while AMR ("pa"), AMR ("ta"), and MPT were not. AMR, SMR, and MPT showed significant correlations with PAS score, ASHA-NOMS scale, CDS, VDS oral, and VDS pharyngeal scores. The cut-off value for distinguishing non-aspirator group and aspiration group was 18.5 for AMR ("ka") (sensitivity of 74.4%, specificity of 70.8%) and 7.5 for SMR (sensitivity of 89.9%, specificity of 61.0%). AMR and SMR were significantly lower in before-swallow aspiration group. CONCLUSION: Articulatory diadochokinetic tasks that can be easily performed at the bedside would be particularly helpful in determining the oral feeding possibility of subacute stroke patients who cannot undergo VFSS, which is the gold standard for dysphagia assessment.
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Oriental melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a popular Korean, Japanese, and Chinese fruit (Shin et al. 2017). In April 2022, abnormal fruit (n=20) that were collected in Sangju in Gyeongbuk Province (36°27'54.6"N, 128°10'49.7"E), Korea showed approximately 5% disease incidence with severity of 10-15%. Initial symptoms included shriveling, soaking, softening, dark discoloration, and sunken lesions. Internally, a rot extended to flesh, darkening from brown to black, and producing black mycelial masses. Two fungal strains (OM-rot-01 and OM-rot-02) were isolated and exhibited similar culture characteristics: aerial mycelium that was flat and pale grey to olivaceous on potato dextrose (PDA), malt extract (MEA), and oatmeal agar (OA) after seven days at 25°C and produced abundant buff-colored pycnidial ascomata on OA. Asci were bitunicate, clavate to cylindrical, 48.4 to 69.0 × 6.1 to 6.9 µm (n=10), and ascospores were biseriate, sparse, ellipsoidal, straight to slightly curved, hyaline, smooth, apex obtuse, 1-septate, 11.1 to 14.9 × 3.8 to 5.4 µm (n=20). Conidiomata were pycnidial, mostly solitary, irregular, pale brown to black, semi-immersed, 150 to 220 × 120 to 200 µm. Conidia were oblong or ovoid, smooth, thin-walled, hyaline, aseptate, 4.4 to 6.7 × 2.0 to 2.8 µm (n=35), with 1-3 guttules per conidium. The morphological characteristics corresponded to those of Stagonosporopsis cucumeris (Hou et al. 2020). For molecular identification, genomic DNA was extracted from strains (OM-rot-01 and OM-rot-02), and the ITS regions, partial 28S rDNA (LSU), beta-tubulin (TUB2), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes were amplified and sequenced (White et al. 1990; Woudenberg et al. 2009; Vilgalys & Hester 1990; Liu et al. 1999). The obtained sequences revealed 99-100% homology with S. cucumeris accessions (MH858625, MH870265, MT005554, and MT018021). The sequences were deposited in GenBank with accession nos. for ITS regions (OP788058, OP788059), 28S rDNA (OP788094, OP788095), TUB2 (OP810568, OP810569), and RPB2 (OP810570, OP810571). Phylogenetic analysis combined with ITS, LSU, TUB2, and RPB2 concatenated sequences using neighbor-joining method revealed that the strains were S. cucumeris. To confirm pathogenicity, OM-rot-01 was inoculated onto ripe, asymptomatic Oriental melon fruit (n=6). After they were surface sterilized with 70% alcohol, fruit were wounded using a sterilized needle and corkborer, and 5-mm-diameter mycelial plugs were attached to the wound sites, followed by covering of the fruit with aluminum foil and maintenance in a plastic box (>90% relative humidity) at 25°C. Non-wounded fruit were inoculated and incubated in a similar manner, and fruit that were inoculated with PDA plugs served as controls (n=3). The aluminum foil was removed after three days of inoculation, and other conditions were kept constant. After six days, typical internal fruit rot symptoms were observed in both wounded and non-wounded fruit; brown to black rot extended into flesh, whereas control fruit remained asymptomatic. Fungi reisolated from lesions were morphologically identical to OM-rot-01; identity was confirmed by molecular analysis, fulfilling Koch's postulates, and the pathogenicity test was conducted three times. S. cucumeris was found as a canker on Cucumis sativus in the Netherlands (Hou et al. 2020), but has not been reported elsewhere as a pathogen on Cucumis spp. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. cucumeris causing internal fruit rot on Oriental melon in Korea. This disease poses a threat to melon production, so accurate identification of the pathogen is a key starting point for development of sustainable management practices.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Femoral torsion is primarily measured by computed tomography (CT), which has cost and radiation exposure concerns. Recently, femoral anteversion measurement by a simple radiograph-based mobile application was developed for patients with cerebral palsy. This study aimed to validate the use of a mobile application that can reconstruct a three-dimensional model of the femur from conventional radiographs for adults. METHODS: Medical records of 76 patients undergoing conventional femur anteroposterior/lateral radiography and femur CT were reviewed. To measure femoral anteversion on the reconstructed 3-dimensional images from both the mobile application and CT, we drew a line which connects the posterior margins of each femoral condyle and another line which passes through the center of the femoral head and the midpoint of the femoral neck. After the reliability test, a single examiner measured femoral anteversion on the mobile application and CT. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between anteversion on the mobile application and CT. RESULTS: Femoral anteversion measured on both CT and the mobile application showed excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.808-0.910). The correlation coefficient between femoral anteversion measured using CT and the mobile application was 0.933 (p < 0.001). The correlation of femoral anteversion between CT and the mobile application was relatively higher in the absence of metallic implants (correlation coefficient: 0.963, p < 0.001) than in the presence of metallic implants (correlation coefficient: 0.878, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Using two simple radiographs, the mobile application showed excellent validity and reliability for femoral anteversion measurement in adults as compared to CT. With the high accessibility and cost-effectiveness of this mobile application, femoral torsion measurement might be easily performed with simple radiography in clinical settings in the near future.
Subject(s)
Bone Diseases , Mobile Applications , Humans , Adult , Reproducibility of Results , Femur/diagnostic imaging , Femur Neck , Femur HeadABSTRACT
In this study, fungal strains designated as KNUF-22-14A and KNUF-22-15A were isolated from soil samples in Korea. These two strains were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics as well as phylogenetic analyses and were found to be morphologically and phylogenetically identical. Upon their morphological comparison with closely related species, such as Tolypocladium album, T. amazonense, T. endophyticum, T. pustulatum, and T. tropicale, a difference in the size of short phialides [0.6-2.4(-9.3) × 0.8-1.4 µm] was observed. Meanwhile, these strains had larger conidia (1.2-3.0 × 1.2-3.0 µm) than T. album, T. amazonense, T. endophyticum, and T. tropicale and smaller conidia than T. pustulatum. Phylogenetic analyses using a multi-locus datasets based on ITS, LSU, and SSU showed that KNUF-22-14A and KNUF-22-15A formed a distinct cluster from previously identified Tolypocladium species. Thus, these fungal strains isolated from soil in Korea are proposed as a novel species according to their characteristics and are named Tolypocladium globosum sp. nov.
ABSTRACT
The fungal strain belonging to the genus Monochaetia of the family Sporocadaceae was isolated from hairy long-horned toad beetle (Moechotypa diphysis) during the screening of microfungi associated with insects from Gangwon Province, Korea. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced white, light brown to dirty black surface, and olivaceous green colonies with the higher growth, while the closest strain M. ilicis KUMCC 15-0520T were light brown to brown, and M. schimae SAUCC 212201T light brown to brown toward center. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced shorter (5.7-14.0 µm) apical appendages than M. ilicis (6.0-24.0 µm), but similar to M. schimae (7.0-12.5 µm). Three median cells of KNUF-6L2F were light brown to olivaceous green, whereas brown and olivaceous cells were observed from M. ilicis and M. schimae, respectively. And the strain KNUF-6L2F produced larger conidiogenous cells than M. ilicis and M. schimae. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses based on molecular datasets of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α), and ß-tubulin (TUB2) genes corroborated the strain's originality. Thus, the strain is different from other known Monochaetia species, according to molecular phylogeny and morophology, hence we suggested the new species Monochaetia mediana sp. nov. and provided a descriptive illustration.
ABSTRACT
In this study, a fungal strain KNUF-22-025 belonging to the genus Botryotrichum was isolated from the soil in Korea. The cultural and morphological characteristics of this strain differed from those of closely related species. On malt extract agar, strain KNUF-22-025 showed slower growth than most of the related species, except B. domesticum. The conidia size (9.6-21.1 × 9.9-18.4 µm) of strain KNUF-22-025 was larger than those of B. piluliferum, B. domesticum, and B. peruvianum but smaller than those of B. atrogriseum and B. iranicum. Conidiophores in strain KNUF-22-025 (137 µm) were longer than those in other closely related species but shorter than those in B. atrogriseum. Multi-locus analysis of molecular markers, such as ITS, 28S ribosomal DNA, RBP2, and TUB2 revealed that strain KNUF-22-025 was distinct from other Botryotrichum species. Thus, this strain is proposed as a novel species based on morphological characteristics along with molecular phylogeny and named Botryotrichum luteum sp. nov.