Complete genome sequence of bacterium Peribacillus simplex strain IMGN11 from soil.

We report the complete genome sequence of Peribacillus simplex, a spore-forming bacterium originally classified within the Bacillus genus. Peribacillus simplex exhibits antibiotic, plant growth-promoting, and xenobiotic-degrading activities and resistance to environmental contamination. The genome sequence of Peribacillus simplex will provide insights into its capabilities and potential as a biocontrol agent.

The Development of a Quantitative Disability Assessment Tool in Patients with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease.

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop a novel quantitative disability assessment tool for patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). Methods: A total of 47 patients with IPD were recruited from two hospitals. A specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine utilized the modified Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale (mSEADL) as a reference, conducting a comprehensive medical chart review and an in-depth interview. The novel-developed disability measurement was calculated as ((mSEADL during the on-state) × (time of on-state)) + ((mSEADL during the off-state) × (time of off-state))/(waking time). Additionally, the degree of disability was assessed using the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index during the on-state. Results: Twenty-four participants (51.1%) exhibited the off-state during waking hours. In patients exhibiting an off-state, the mSEADL score was significantly lower during the off-state than during the on-state (p < 0.05). The novel-developed disability measurement demonstrated a higher correlation coefficient with the reference mSEADL (0.960) than with the K-MBI (0.808), with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results demonstrated that larger IPD patients exhibited an on-off phenomenon with greater dependency during the off-state. Therefore, the on-off phenomenon should be considered when evaluating disability in patients with IPD, with methods such as the novel-developed disability measurement tool in this study.

Complete genome sequence of Pseudomonas fluorescens IMGN2 isolated from undisturbed soil.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Pseudomonas fluorescens IMGN2, highlighting its biocontrol and plant growth-promoting capabilities. The genome analysis reveals genetic features that contribute to its potential in agricultural biotechnology, including genes related to secondary metabolite synthesis and plant-microbe interactions.

Efficacy of personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation based on functional reserve to enhance ambulatory function in patients with Parkinson's disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is one of the non-invasive brain stimulations that modulate cortical excitability through magnetic pulses. However, the effects of rTMS on Parkinson's disease (PD) have yielded mixed results, influenced by factors including various rTMS stimulation parameters as well as the clinical characteristics of patients with PD. There is no clear evidence regarding which patients should be applied with which parameters of rTMS. The study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of personalized rTMS in patients with PD, focusing on individual functional reserves to improve ambulatory function. METHODS: This is a prospective, exploratory, multi-center, single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients with PD will be recruited for this study. This study comprises two sub-studies, each structured as a two-arm trial. Participants are classified into sub-studies based on their functional reserves for ambulatory function, into either the motor or cognitive priority group. The Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test is employed under both single and cognitive dual-task conditions (serial 3 subtraction). The motor dual-task effect, using stride length, and the cognitive dual-task effect, using the correct response rate of subtraction, are calculated. In the motor priority group, high-frequency rTMS targets the primary motor cortex of the lower limb, whereas the cognitive priority group receives rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The active comparator for each sub-study is bilateral rTMS of the primary motor cortex of the upper limb. Over 4 weeks, the participants will undergo 10 rTMS sessions, with evaluations conducted pre-intervention, mid-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at 2-month follow-up. The primary outcome is a change in TUG time between the pre- and immediate post-intervention evaluations. The secondary outcome variables are the TUG under cognitive dual-task conditions, Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III, New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire, Digit Span, trail-making test, transcranial magnetic stimulation-induced motor-evoked potentials, diffusion tensor imaging, and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. DISCUSSION: The study will reveal the effect of personalized rTMS based on functional reserve compared to the conventional rTMS approach in PD. Furthermore, the findings of this study may provide empirical evidence for an rTMS protocol tailored to individual functional reserves to enhance ambulatory function in patients with PD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06350617. Registered on 5 April 2024.

Draft genome sequence of Priestia megaterium strain IMGN3 derived from soil.

Priestia megaterium sp. strain IMGN3 was isolated from the soil in South Korea. Here, we report its draft genome sequence, comprising 12 contigs with a total sequence length of 5.64 Mbp. This genome will provide valuable resources for future genomic studies, particularly focusing on plant growth promotion and biocontrol.

No Additional Effects of Sequential Facilitatory Cerebral and Cerebellar rTMS in Subacute Stroke Patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the additional effects of cerebellar rTMS on the motor recovery of facilitatory rTMS over affected primary motor cortex (M1) in subacute stroke patients. Twenty-eight subacute stroke patients were recruited in this single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. The Cr-Cbll group received Cr-Cbll rTMS stimulation consisting of high-frequency rTMS over affected M1 (10 min), motor training (10 min), and high-frequency rTMS over contralesional Cbll (10 min). The Cr-sham group received sham rTMS instead of high-frequency rTMS over the cerebellum. Ten daily sessions were performed for 2 weeks. A Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was measured before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 2 months after the intervention (T2). A total of 20 participants (10 in the Cr-Cbll group and 10 in the Cr-sham group) completed the intervention. There was no significant difference in clinical characteristics between the two groups at T0. FMA was significantly improved after the intervention in both Cr-Cbll and Cr-sham groups (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant interaction in FMA between time and group. In conclusion, these results could not demonstrate that rTMS over the contralesional cerebellum has additional effects to facilitatory rTMS over the affected M1 for improving motor function in subacute stroke patients.

Medial Rectus Disinsertion for the Management of Large-Angle Sensory Esotropia.

Background and Objectives: The aim of the report is to report the outcomes of the medial rectus (MR) disinsertion procedure for the management of large-angle esotropia (ET) patients. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective case series of patients with large-angle ET who underwent an MR disinsertion procedure between March 2012 to April 2022. The procedure happened accidentally during muscle surgery. The demographic and clinical data, including sex, age, visual acuity, pre- and postoperative angle of strabismus, duction limitations, results of intraoperative forced duction tests, and follow-up duration were collected from medical records. Results: Five patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 62.2 ± 9.8 years, and the mean follow-up was 24.8 ± 8.7 months. The ET at the primary position of gaze was 92.0 ± 17.9 prism diopters (PD) before MR disinsertion and 38.0 ± 29.5 PD after MR disinsertion only. Abduction deficiency was -4 before after MR disinsertion, which improved to -1 at the last follow-up. Conclusions: The results of MR disinsertion were not as frustrating as anticipated. MR disinsertion may be considered in patients with large-angle sensory ET who refuse surgery on the opposite eye.

Draft genome for Pseudomonas alkylphenolica IMGN1, isolated from soil.

Biocontrol using organisms like Pseudomonas alkylphenolica offers a viable alternative to chemical pesticides, enhancing plant growth and reducing environmental impact. This study details the genome of Pseudomonas alkylphenolica IMGN1, a strain known for promoting plant growth, advancing our understanding of biocontrol mechanisms.

Complete genome sequence of Bacillus paramobilis sp. strain IMGN7 from soil.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Bacillus paramobilis sp. strain IMGN7, which was isolated from soil in South Korea. Its complete genome size is 5.28 Mbp. This genome will provide various insights for further studies about their function as biocontrol agents, such as bioremediation and antibiosis.

Draft genome sequence of bacterium Bacillus proteolyticus strain IMGN4 from soil.

Here, we present the draft genome of Bacillus proteolyticus IMGN4, the gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacterium discovered in mountain Maemi, Republic of Korea in May 2019. The assembly resulted in 7 contigs, comprising a total of 6,063,502 base pairs and have 6,115 coding sequences.