A green chemical oligomerization of phloroglucinol induced by plasma as novel α-glucosidase inhibitors.

A new facile method was developed for simple green synthesis of methylene-bridged phloroglucinol oligomers using nonthermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma in methanolic solution. The chemical structures of these newly generated oligomers 2-5 were determined by interpretation of the spectroscopic data, and the inhibitory activity toward α-glucosidase of all isolates was evaluated. The unusual phloroglcuinol pentamer 5 connected by four methylene linkages showed a much higher potential inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase than the other generated oligomers 2-4 and appeared to be a promising lead for development as a potential antidiabetic agent. Abbreviations: T2DM, type2 diabetes mellitus; DBD, dielectric barrier discharge; HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography; IC50, 50% inhibition concentration; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance; FABMS, fastatom bombardment mass spectrometry.

Anti-Melanogenic Effects of Cnidium monnieri Extract via p38 Signaling-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation of Tyrosinase.

Cnidium monnieri fructus is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for treating female genital disorders, male impotence, frigidity, and skin-related conditions in East Asia. However, the role of C. monnieri fructus extract (CMFE) in melanin synthesis is not well elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the anti-melanogenesis effect and mechanism of action of CMFE in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells. Intracellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity were measured in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells treated with various concentrations of CMFE (0.5-5 µg/mL). mRNA and protein levels of tyrosinase and MITF were evaluated using qRT-PCR and ting. CMFE's effect on the proteasomal degradation of tyrosinase was confirmed using a proteasomal degradation inhibitor, MG132. CMFE treatment activated p38, a protein associated with proteasomal degradation. Treatment with CMFE at up to 5 µg/mL showed no significant cytotoxicity. CMFE significantly reduced α-MSH-stimulated melanin production (43.29 ± 3.55% decrease, p < 0.05) and cellular tyrosinase activity (31.14 ± 3.15% decrease, p < 0.05). Although mRNA levels of MITF and tyrosinase increased, CMFE suppressed tyrosinase protein levels. The suppressive effect of CMFE on tyrosinase protein was blocked by MG132. CMFE inhibited melanogenesis by promoting the proteasome degradation of tyrosinase through p38 activation. These findings suggest that CMFE has the potential to be a natural whitening agent for inhibiting melanogenesis.

Helper virus-independent transcription and multimerization of a satellite RNA associated with cucumber mosaic virus.

Satellite RNAs are the smallest infectious agents whose replication is thought to be completely dependent on their helper virus (HV). Here we report that, when expressed autonomously in the absence of HV, a variant of satellite RNA (satRNA) associated with Cucumber mosaic virus strain Q (Q-satRNA) has a propensity to localize in the nucleus and be transcribed, generating genomic and antigenomic multimeric forms. The involvement of the nuclear phase of Q-satRNA was further confirmed by confocal microscopy employing in vivo RNA-tagging and double-stranded-RNA-labeling assays. Sequence analyses revealed that the Q-satRNA multimers formed in the absence of HV, compared to when HV is present, are distinguished by the addition of a template-independent heptanucleotide motif at the monomer junctions within the multimers. Collectively, the involvement of a nuclear phase in the replication cycle of Q-satRNA not only provides a valid explanation for its persistent survival in the absence of HV but also suggests a possible evolutionary relationship to viroids that replicate in the nucleus.

Clinical and laboratory predictors of all causes deaths and alcohol-attributable deaths among discharged alcohol-dependent patients.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol dependence is associated with increased mortality, but it is not clear whether certain laboratory abnormalities on admission predict premature death in discharged alcoholic patients. We examined total deaths and alcohol-attributable deaths among discharged alcohol-dependent patients in Korea, and the associated risk factors including laboratory abnormalities. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 442 patients who were admitted for alcohol dependence to a general hospital located in Seoul, Korea from January 1989 to December 2006. At the end of 2009, the risk of death among the discharged alcohol-dependent patients was compared with that of the general population of Korea by calculating standardized mortality ratios. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the risk factors for total deaths and alcohol-attributable deaths in these patients. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent (127/442) of the discharged alcoholic patients died during the study period. Mortality among these patients was 6.67 times higher than in the Korean population as a whole (7.12 times for men and 2.62 times for women). The most common causes of death were alcoholic liver disease and unspecified liver cirrhosis. Recurrent admission and low albumin level at admission were independently associated with both all causes and alcohol-attributable mortality. High bilirubin level at admission was independently associated with alcohol-attributable mortality. CONCLUSIONS: These observations indicate a high risk of death in discharged alcohol-dependent patients, particularly those who are repeatedly admitted to psychiatric wards or who yield abnormal laboratory findings.

Descending necrotizing Mediastinitis caused by Kocuria rosea: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Kocuria species are gram-positive, non-pathogenic commensals. However, in immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients, cancer patients, or patients with chronic medical conditions, they can cause opportunistic infections. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the first case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis in a 58-year-old, relatively healthy woman caused by Kocuria rosea. CONCLUSION: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis due to Kocuria rosea can be successfully treated with prompt surgical drainage combined with antimicrobial therapy.

Anti-influenza A virus activity by Agrimonia pilosa and Galla rhois extract mixture.

Influenza A virus (IAV) continues to threaten human health. To date, two classes of antiviral drugs have been approved to treat IAV infection, but the continuous emergence of the drug-resistant IAV mutant reinforces the need to develop new antiviral drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-IAV activity of an aqueous mixture of Agrimonia pilosa and Galla rhois extracts (APRG64). We demonstrated that APRG64 significantly reduced the IAV-induced cytopathic effect, the transcription/expression of viral proteins, and the production of infectious viral particles. Among nine major components of APRG64, apigenin was identified as the main ingredient responsible for the anti-IAV activity. Interestingly, APRG64 and apigenin inhibited the cell attachment and entry of virus and polymerase activity. Importantly, intranasal administration of APRG64 or apigenin strongly reduced viral loads in the lungs of IAV-infected mice. Furthermore, oral administration of APRG64 significantly reduced the level of viral RNAs and the expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs, which protected mice from IAV-induced mortality. In conclusion, APRG64 could be an attractive antiviral drug to treat IAV infection.

Proximal risk factors and suicide methods among suicide completers from national suicide mortality data 2004-2006 in Korea.

This study was conducted to examine differences in proximal risk factors and suicide methods by sex and age in the national suicide mortality data in Korea. Data were collected from the National Police Agency and the National Statistical Office of Korea on suicide completers from 2004 to 2006. The 31,711 suicide case records were used to analyze suicide rates, methods, and proximal risk factors by sex and age. Suicide rate increased with age, especially in men. The most common proximal risk factor for suicide was medical illness in both sexes. The most common proximal risk factor for subjects younger than 30 years was found to be a conflict in relationships with family members, partner, or friends. Medical illness was found to increase in prevalence as a risk factor with age. Hanging/Suffocation was the most common suicide method used by both sexes. The use of drug/pesticide poisoning to suicide increased with age. A fall from height or hanging/suffocation was more popular in the younger age groups. Because proximal risk factors and suicide methods varied with sex and age, different suicide prevention measures are required after consideration of both of these parameters.

Open-label study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole and haloperidol in the treatment of pediatric tic disorders.

Due to its unique pharmacodynamic properties of dopamine partial agonist activity, and its association with few and mild side effects, aripiprazole is a candidate atypical antipsychotic for patients with tic disorders. This open-label study compared the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole with haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic widely used to treat patients with tic disorders. Forty-eight children and adolescents with tic disorders were recruited from the outpatient clinic at South Korea and treated with aripiprazole (initial dose, 5.0 mg/d; maximum dose 20 mg/d) or haloperidol (initial dose, 0.75 mg/d; maximum dose, 4.5 mg/d) for 8 weeks. Treatment efficacy was measured using the yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS), and tolerability was measured using the extrapyramidal symptom rating scale (ESRS) and an adverse effects checklist. Total tic scores as measured by the YGTSS decreased over time in both groups (p < 0.001) without any significant differences between groups. ESRS scores were significantly higher in the haloperidol group during the 4 weeks after commencement of medication (p < 0.05). These results indicate that aripiprazole may be a promising drug in the treatment of children and adolescents with tic disorders. Further controlled studies are needed to determine the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole in these patients.

Innovative flat-plate solar collector (FPC) with coloured water flowing through a transparent tube.

Of all types of solar collector, the flat-plate collector (FPC) has the lowest performance, but is the most widely used because of its low cost and easy maintenance. To effectively collect solar light in the conventional FPCs, metal tubes with a high thermal conductivity are installed under an absorption plate. However, in this study, in order to take advantage of the sunlight absorption capacity of coloured water flowing through a tube, a transparent tube was installed on the absorbing plate. The resulting new FPC suggested in this study is a direct absorption solar collector (DASC). To investigate its performance as a function of the colours of the working fluid, four colours of water were supplied to the FPC: transparent (pure water), red, violet and black. From the experimental results, the new FPC suggested in this study was found to have about 5% higher performance than those of the conventional types of FPC, which means that the new concept of FPC can profitably replace the conventional FPCs.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after coronary artery bypass and valve replacement for post-infarction mitral regurgitation.

Most left ventricular inferior wall aneurysms are classified as false, and they have a narrow neck and exhibit rapid flow. Inferior wall pseudoaneurysms that develop soon after primary percutaneous intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting for acute myocardial infarction are rare. We report the case of a 64-year-old man who had a wide-necked left ventricular inferior wall pseudoaneurysm that developed soon after surgery for an acute myocardial infarction and post-infarction mitral regurgitation that occurred as a mechanical complication. The surgery consisted of coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve replacement. After the surgery, congestive heart failure developed. At reoperation, we found a large pseudoaneurysm that had caused tearing of the chordae tendineae of the posterior mitral leaflet and scarring around the inferior wall defect. The inferior wall defect had formed the wide neck of the left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. We excised the pseudoaneurysm and the scar tissue and attached a small patch to the defect such that it decreased the left ventricular dimension. Our patient survived the surgery and recovered completely. In patients with acute myocardial infarction, left ventricular pseudoaneurysms can occur soon after coronary artery bypass grafting and surgery for a complication such as mitral valve regurgitation. When a large portion of the left ventricular wall is infarcted and its removal would create a smaller cavity with compromised output, we recommend ventricular reconstruction by patch placement.

PPI1: a novel pathogen-induced basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor from pepper.

We have isolated a full-length cDNA, PPI1 (pepper-PMMV interaction 1), encoding a novel basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA-binding protein, from expressed sequence tags differentially expressed in Capsicum chinense P1257284 infected with Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMV). PPI1 encodes a predicted protein of 170 amino acids and contains a putative DNA-binding domain that shares significant amino acid identity with ACGT-binding domains of members of the bZIP DNA-binding protein family. PPI1 was localized in the nucleus and had transcriptional activation activity in yeast. Transcripts of the PPI1 gene were preferentially induced during an incompatible interaction by inoculation with PMMV, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae 61, and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria race 3. However, the PPII gene was not induced by abiotic stressors that activate the plant defense-signaling pathway. Our data provide the first evidence that a bZIP transcription factor is preferentially induced by pathogen attack, suggesting that PPI1 may play a specific functional role in the regulation of expression of plant defense-related genes.

Floating thrombus in the proximal aortic arch.

Floating thrombus in the aortic arch is an unusual source of systemic embolism. Surgical removal of the thrombus is a therapeutic option, because thrombolytic therapy carries the risk of partial lysis and repeat embolization. We report a case involving a large floating thrombus that originated in the proximal aortic arch and extended into the left subclavian artery and the descending aorta, and we discuss the surgical management.

Behavior of particulate matter during high concentration episodes in Seoul.

The behavior of particulate matter (PM) during high-concentration episodes was investigated using monitoring data from Guui station, a comprehensive air monitoring station in Seoul, Korea, from January 2008 to March 2010. Five non-Asian dust (ND) episodes and two Asian dust (AD) episodes of high PM concentrations were selected for the study. During the ND episode, primary air pollutants accumulated due to low wind speeds, and PM2.5 increased along with most other air pollutants. Particles larger than PM2.5 were also high since these particles were generated by vehicular traffic rather than wind erosion. During strong AD episodes, PM10-2.5 primarily increased and gaseous primary air pollutants decreased under high wind speeds. However, even during the AD episode, PM2.5 and gaseous primary air pollutants increased when the effects of AD were weak and wind speeds were low. This study corroborates that accumulation of air pollutants due to a drop in surface wind speed plays an important role in short-term high-concentration occurrences. However, low wind speeds could not be directly linked to local emissions because a significant portion of accumulated air pollutants resulted from long-range transport.

Anatomical location and somatotopic organization of the corticospinal tract in the corona radiata of the normal human brain: a diffusion tensor tractography study.

The anatomical location and somatotopic organization of the corticospinal tract (CST) in the corona radiata (CR) of the normal human brain have not been studied using diffusion tensor tractography so far. In this study, the anatomical location and somatotopic organization of the CST in the CR were evaluated by determining the highest probabilistic locations and distances between the upper and lower extremities in the slices of upper and lower CR in the brain. In the mediolateral direction, the average of the highest probabilistic locations for the upper and lower extremities were 40.27 and 37.16% at the upper CR level and 38.19 and 37.14% at the lower CR level, respectively. In the anteroposterior direction, the average of the highest probabilistic locations for the upper and lower extremities were 62.52 and 75.65% at the upper CR level and 60.19 and 68.12% at the lower CR level, respectively. The average distances between upper and lower extremities for the mediolateral direction were 2.41 mm at the upper CR level and 1.21 mm at the lower CR level. The average distances between upper and lower extremities for the anteroposterior direction were 5.23 mm at the upper CR level and 4.47 mm at the lower CR level, respectively. Our findings suggest that the anatomical location and somatotopic organization for the upper extremity are located anterolaterally to the lower extremity in the CR of a normal human brain and distances between the upper and lower extremities become decreased as the CST descends from the upper to the lower CR level.

Functional significance of a hepta nucleotide motif present at the junction of Cucumber mosaic virus satellite RNA multimers in helper-virus dependent replication.

Satellite RNAs (satRNA) associated with Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) have been shown to generate multimers during replication. We have discovered that multimers of a CMV satRNA generated in the absence of its helper virus (HV) are characterized by the addition of a hepta nucleotide motif (HNM) at the monomer junctions. Here, we evaluated the functional significance of HNM in HV-dependent replication by ectopically expressing wild type and mutant forms of satRNA multimers in planta either in (+) or (-)-strand polarity. Comparative replication profiles revealed that (-)-strand multimers with complementary HNM (cHNM) are the preferred initial templates for HV-dependent replication than (-)-strand monomers and multimers lacking the cHNM. Further mutational analyses of the HNM accentuate that preservation of the sequence and native length of HNM is obligatory for efficient replication of satRNA. A model implicating the significance of HNM in HV-dependent production of monomeric and multimeric forms of satRNA is presented.

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the pleura.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma, a type of sarcoma, is a malignant neoplasm with uncertain origin that arises in both the soft tissues and the bone. The occurrence of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the pleura is extremely rare. We report a case of a 65-year-old Korean man who is being diagnosed with primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the pleura.

Gender ratio comparisons of the suicide rates and methods in Korea, Japan, Australia, and the United States.

BACKGROUND: The gender ratio (male/female) of suicide rates greatly differs by country and by age group. These differences are accompanied by differences in the use of violent methods of suicide. METHODS: The gender ratio of suicide rates and the methods used were calculated from the most recently available official electronic mortality data published by the four countries (two Eastern (Korea and Japan) and two Western (Australia and the United states) countries) and from the World Health Organization [WHO] mortality database. Suicide gender ratios based on 95% Confidence intervals (CIs) were used to compare the countries between age groups. RESULTS: The gender ratio of suicide rates was higher in the United States (3.9) and Australia (3.3), where gender differences in suicide methods were more prominent, than in Korea (1.8) and Japan (2.7). In the United States and Australia, the gender ratios greatly increased in the elderly (age 70 years and over), with a higher use of firearms by men. The gender ratio of suicide rates was lowest (1.0) in the young (age 20-29) in Korea, where hanging was a more common method in women than in men. LIMITATIONS: The study does not consider the various other factors that may have influenced gender differences of suicide rate. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that differences in suicide methods play a role in determining the differences in the gender ratio of suicide rates between countries. Because suicide methods varied with gender, age, and country and may play a role in the suicide rates of each group, these parameters should be taken into account in the design of suicide prevention measures.

Transgenic peppers that are highly tolerant to a new CMV pathotype.

The CMV (cucumber mosaic virus) is the most frequently occurring virus in chili pepper farms. A variety of peppers that are resistant to CMVP0 were developed in the middle of 1990s through a breeding program, and commercial cultivars have since been able to control the spread of CMVP0. However, a new pathotype (CMVP1) that breaks the resistance of CMVP0-resistant peppers has recently appeared and caused a heavy loss in productivity. Since no genetic source of this new pathotype was available, a traditional breeding method cannot be used to generate a CMVP1-resistant pepper variety. Therefore, we set up a transformation system of pepper using Agrobacterium that had been transfected with the coat protein gene, CMVP0-CP, with the aim of developing a new CMVP1-resistant pepper line. A large number of transgenic peppers (T(1), T(2) and T(3)) were screened for CMVP1 tolerance using CMVP1 inoculation. Transgenic peppers tolerant to CMVP1 were selected in a plastic house as well as in the field. Three independent T(3) pepper lines highly tolerant to the CMVP1 pathogen were found to also be tolerant to the CMVP0 pathogen. These selected T(3) pepper lines were phenotypically identical or close to the non-transformed lines. However, after CMVP1 infection, the height and fruit size of the non-transformed lines became shorter and smaller, respectively, while the T(3) pepper lines maintained a normal phenotype.

BAC-derived markers converted from RFLP linked to Phytophthora capsici resistance in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

Phytophthora capsici Leonian, an oomycete pathogen, is a serious problem in pepper worldwide. Its resistance in pepper is controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTL). To detect QTL associated with P. capsici resistance, a molecular linkage map was constructed using 100 F(2) individuals from a cross between Capsicum annuum 'CM334' and C. annuum 'Chilsungcho'. This linkage map consisted of 202 restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), 6 WRKYs and 1 simple sequence repeat (SSR) covering 1482.3 cM, with an average interval marker distance of 7.09 cM. QTL mapping of Phytophthora root rot and damping-off resistance was performed in F(2:3) originated from a cross between resistant Mexican landrace C. annuum 'CM334' and susceptible Korean landrace C. annuum 'Chilsungcho' using composite interval mapping (CIM) analysis. Four QTL explained 66.3% of the total phenotypic variations for root rot resistance and three 44.9% for damping-off resistance. Of these QTL loci, two were located close to RFLP markers CDI25 on chromosome 5 (P5) and CT211A on P9. A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library from C. annuum 'CM334' was screened with these two RFLP probes to obtain sequence information around the RFLP marker loci for development of PCR-based markers. CDI25 and CT211 probes identified seven and eight BAC clones, respectively. Nine positive BAC clones containing probe regions were sequenced and used for cytogenetic analysis. One single-nucleotide amplified polymorphism (SNAP) for the CDI25 locus, and two SSRs and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) for CT211 were developed using sequences of the positive BAC clones. These markers will be valuable for rapid selection of genotypes and map-based cloning for resistance genes against P. capsici.

An open-label study of the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole for children and adolescents with tic disorders.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic with dual agonist and antagonist actions toward dopaminergic imbalance and partial serotonin-2A receptor antagonism, for treating children and adolescents with tic disorders. METHOD: Twenty-four outpatients aged 7 to 18 years with DSM-IV-diagnosed tic disorders were treated with aripiprazole using an open-label, flexible dosing schedule for 8 weeks from January 2005 to August 2006. The Korean versions of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I), and the CGI-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S) scores were used to measure the drug efficacy. Side effects were assessed using an adverse effect checklist, the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale, height and weight measurements, laboratory tests, and electrocardiograms. RESULTS: Aripiprazole was prematurely discontinued in 6 (25%) of the 24 subjects due to intolerable adverse effects. After a mean of 9.8 +/- 4.8 mg/day of aripiprazole for 8 weeks, there was a 52.8% reduction in the mean YGTSS Total Tic scores (from 26.7 +/- 5.5 to 12.6 +/- 7.6, p < .001). Nineteen patients (79.2%) showed either much improved or very much improved status according to the CGI-I. The CGI-S score was also reduced (from 5.5 +/- 0.5 to 3.0 +/- 1.4, p < .001). The initial dose of 5 mg/day aripiprazole for 2 weeks was also found to reduce tic symptoms significantly (Total Tic scores decreased from 26.7 +/- 5.5 to 17.9 +/- 8.7, p < .001). Fourteen subjects (58.3%) experienced unwanted side effects, the most common being hypersomnia (37.5%), nausea (20.8%), and headache (16.6%). CONCLUSION: This open-label study suggests that aripiprazole is an efficacious and safe treatment for children and adolescents with tic disorders.