Characterization of transcription factor genes related to cold tolerance in Brassica napus

Brassica napus is the third most important oilseed crop in the world; however, in Korea, it is greatly affected by cold stress, limiting seed growth and production. Plants have developed specific stress responses that are generally divided into three categories: cold-stress signaling, transcriptional/post-transcriptional regulation, and stress-response mechanisms. Large numbers of functional and regulatory proteins are involved in these processes when triggered by cold stress. Here, our objective was to investigate the different genetic factors involved in the cold-stress responses of B. napus. Consequently, we treated the Korean B. napus cultivar Naehan at the 4-week stage in cold chambers under different conditions, and RNA and cDNA were obtained. An in silico analysis included 80 cold-responsive genes downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Expression levels were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and 14 cold-triggered genes were identified under cold-stress conditions. The most significant genes encoded zinc-finger proteins (33.7%), followed by MYB transcription factors (7.5%). In the future, we will select genes appropriate for improving the cold tolerance of B. napus.

The Protective Role of Resilience in Attenuating Emotional Distress and Aggression Associated with Early-life Stress in Young Enlisted Military Service Candidates

Early life stress (ELS) may induce long-lasting psychological complications in adulthood. The protective role of resilience against the development of psychopathology is also important. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among ELS, resilience, depression, anxiety, and aggression in young adults. Four hundred sixty-one army inductees gave written informed consent and participated in this study. We assessed psychopathology using the Korea Military Personality Test, ELS using the Childhood Abuse Experience Scale, and resilience with the resilience scale. Analyses of variance, correlation analyses, and hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted for statistical analyses. The regression model explained 35.8%, 41.0%, and 23.3% of the total variance in the depression, anxiety, and aggression indices, respectively. We can find that even though ELS experience is positively associated with depression, anxiety, and aggression, resilience may have significant attenuating effect against the ELS effect on severity of these psychopathologies. Emotion regulation showed the most beneficial effect among resilience factors on reducing severity of psychopathologies. To improve mental health for young adults, ELS assessment and resilience enhancement program should be considered.

Comparison of Three-Level Triage Versus Five-Level Emergency Severity Index for Prediction of Hospital Outcome of Emergency Patient

PURPOSE: This study compared the performance for the prediction of three-level versus five level triage tool (Emergency Severity Index version 4, ESI) on the hospital outcome of emergency patients. METHODS: This was an observational study that included all patients >15-year-of-age visiting an urban tertiary hospital emergency department (ED) in Korea from July 2007 to December 2008. We collected data from the electronic medical records, which included demographic factors, hospital outcome including admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality, and result of triage at arrival to ED. A three-level triage tool was used in the first year (July 2007 to June 2008), divided in four 3-month periods (threelevel phase). For 5 weeks, the three-level tool and ESI were used simultaneously (test phase). For the last 4 months, ESI was used for triage (five-level phase). We described the demographic findings of each study phase and compared the performance for the prediction of admission to ICU as well as hospital mortality, using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: A total of 34,342 patients during three-level phase, 3,371 during the test phase, and 11,048 during five-level phase were involved. Demographic findings about gender, age, week and time of visiting to ED, use of ambulance service, injury or illness, and results after ED management were similar without significant difference. Proportion of admission to ICU and hospital mortality at ED and on the ward was 6.1% in period 1, 6.1% in period 2, and 5.6% in period 3 of the three-level phase, 5.8% in the test phase, and 5.8% in the five-level phase. The calculated AUC of the three periods in the three-level phase was 0.747 (95% Confidence Interval, CI, 0.729~0.765), 0.786 (95% CI, 0.769~0.804), and 0.786 (95% CI, 0.769~0.804). During the test phase, the AUC of the three-level was 0.820 (95% CI, 0.786~0.854) and that of the five-level was 0.842 (95% CI, 0.809~0.874). During five-level phase using ESI, AUC of ESI was 0.826 (95% CI, 0.809~0.844). CONCLUSION: ESI showed greater ability to predict hospital mortality than the three-level triage tool of emergency patients in a Korean ED, where the emergency care system and insurance coverage differs from North America.

Influence of History of Brain Disease or Brain Trauma on Psychopathological Abnormality in Young Male in Korea : Analysis of Multiphasic Personal Inventory Test

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to confirm whether brain disease or brain trauma actually affect psychopathology in young male group in Korea. METHODS: The authors manually reviewed the result of Korean military multiphasic personal inventory (KMPI) in the examination of conscription in Korea from January 2008 to May 2010. There were total 237 young males in this review. Normal volunteers group (n=150) was composed of those who do not have history of brain disease or brain trauma. Brain disease group (n=33) was consisted of those with history of brain disease. Brain trauma group (n=54) was consisted of those with history of brain trauma. The results of KMPI in each group were compared. RESULTS: Abnormal results of KMPI were found in both brain disease and trauma groups. In the brain disease group, higher tendencies of faking bad response, anxiety, depression, somatization, personality disorder, schizophrenic and paranoid psychopathy was observed and compared to the normal volunteers group. In the brain trauma group, higher tendencies of faking-good, depression, somatization and personality disorder was observed and compared to the normal volunteers group. CONCLUSION: Young male with history of brain disease or brain trauma may have higher tendencies to have abnormal results of multiphasic personal inventory test compared to young male without history of brain disease or brain trauma, suggesting that damaged brain may cause psychopathology in young male group in Korea.

Epidemiology of Patients Using the Resuscitation Room in an Emergency Department

PURPOSE: The resuscitation room is the hub of intensive care and focused management within the emergency department (ED). For patients with life-threatening conditions, immediate triage and proper treatment using the resuscitation room is important. This study was conducted to assess the epidemiology of patients using the resuscitation room in an emergency department. METHODS:This was a retrospective observational study. Eligible subjects were enrolled through the National Emergency Department Information System from July 2007 to September 2008. All subjects came through a single regional emergency center that logs more than 45,000 patients annually. Pediatric patients less than 15 years of age and those who were dead on arrival at the ED were excluded. The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) version IV was used as a triage tool, and characteristics and ESI levels of patients using or not using resuscitation rooms were compared. RESULTS: The total number of eligible subjects was 40,926 and the male-female ratio was 1:0.92. The numbers of patients using the resuscitation room was 1,050 (2.99%). Patients using the resuscitation room were older than the patients not using the resuscitation room, were more likely to have used an ambulance to visit the ED, and had a higher mortality rate and a higher admission rate. A majority of staff members had the authority to put patients in the resuscitation room. Among them were professors 18.19%, emergency residents 11.43%, certified emergency nurses 40.57%, emergency nurses 19.43%, emergency medical technicians 2.86%, and paramedics 6.19%. Critical care was done in the resuscitation room for cardiopulmonary resuscitation 11.66%, intubation 26.33%, ventilation 1.71%, defibrillation 5.73%, and other 54.57%. The most frequent ESI levels of patients using the resuscitation room was 1 (57.89%); an ESI score of 3 (72.01%) was the most frequent value for patients not using the resuscitation room. CONCLUSION: Patient using the resuscitation room were older, more likely to have used an ambulance, and had a higher mortality rate, admission rate and ESI level.

Survivin, Possible Marker and Prognostic Factor in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Survivin is a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) family that have been known to inhibit activated caspases in apoptosis. In contrast to most IAP family members, survivin mRNA is expressed during fetal development, is not found in normal adult tissues and is overexpressed again in the cancer. Though survivin expression has been documented in most human cancers, little is known about its expression in OSCC and its potential value as a predictor of cancer survival. The purpose of this study was to investigate survivin expression in OSCC and to evaluate its value as a prognostic marker. We evaluated survivin expressions in cancer lines and OSCC samples and investigated the relationships between survivin expressions and clinico-pathological parameters including stage, differentiation, proliferation, lymph node metastasis, blood vessel density, and gelatinolytic activity. With immunohistochemistry, we analyzed survivin expression in 38 OSCCs. Patients' clinico-pathological parameters and their survival rate were analyzed to reveal their correlations with Survivin expressions. We cultured oral cancer cell lines and evaluated the correlation between gelatinolytic activities and survivin expressions of them. Survivin protein was observed both in nuclei and cytoplasm of tumor specimens while little or not observed in normal gingival mucosal tissues. Additionally, survivin expressions were correlated with lymph node metastasis, tumor proliferation and survival rate. Survivin expression was observed in 100% of 38 samples of OSCC and its expression levels are statistically associated with the proliferative activity of the tumors, lymph node metastasis and the survival of the patients. Based on these results, survivin is commonly expressed in OSCC and may thus provide valuable prognostic information related with lymph node metastasis, proliferation and survival rate as well as a potential therapeutic target in OSCC.

Cortical Information Transmission during Tic Suppression in Boys with Tourette's Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Tourette's Disorder (TD) is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by multiple motor and vocal tics with onset in childhood. The aim of this study was to ascertain the increased cortical information transmission in frontal area during tic suppression in drug naive boys with TD using new nonlinear analysis of EEGs, be called Transfer Entropy (TE) which can detect the directed exchange of information between two systems. METHODS: Subjects were 11 drug naive boys with DSM-IV diagnosis of TD and 10 control boys. Clinical assessments were performed, and EEGs were recorded from 19 scalp loci of the international 10-20 systems. TE was estimated by EEG timeseries data after noise reduction. TE difference between TD and control during resting state and between tic suppression and resting state in TD were investigated. RESULTS: Elevated TE was found in extensive channels, including frontal, central and temporal channels (F7, Fz, F8,Cz, C3, P3, T3, and T4) in resting state of Tourette's disorder compared to normal controls. During tic suppression elevated TE was found in more extensive and asymmetrical channels especially prefrontal area (Fp1, Fp2, F3, Fz, F7, F8, Cz, C4, C5, T3, and T4). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that pathogenesis of Tourette's disorder involve impaired cortical neuronal modulation in subcortical neural circuits. EEG analysis of TE may be a useful tool to investigation of cortical mechanism of psychiatric illness.

In Utero Shunting for Fetal Hydrothorax, Ascites and Obstructive Uropathy: A Review of 7 Cases / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of intrauterine shunting and to investigate the complication and outcome of these procedures for different fetal indications. METHODS: 7 fetuses who underwent 13 intrauterine catheter shunting from 1992 to 1997 were reviwed. The indications were uni-or bilateral hydrothorax in 4 cases, ascites in one case, and obstructive uropathy in 2 cases. RESULTS: Catheter migration occurred 6 times out of the 13 shunts (46%). Procedure related death rate was 23% (3/13); within 48 hours of pleuroamniotic shunting, amniorrhexis and coincidental abruptio placenta resulting in one fetal death and each one of amniorrhexis and premature labor resulting in 2 neonatal deaths. Pregnancy was terminated after shunting in one case of urethral atresia. Postnatal survival rate was 50% (3/6). CONCLUSION: A high complication rate requires the selection of cases for shunting. A large prospective controlled trial is needed to determine its value.

Classification of Primary Non-refluxing Megaureter Depending on Disease Progress / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We report on the standards for determining the obstructive type and the non-obstructive type of primary non-refluxing megaureter, and we also report on the diagnostic and therapeutic approach for such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 28 children diagnosed with primary non-refluxing megaureter from Jan 2000 to Feb 2003. We assessed the changes in hydronephrosis and dilated ureteral diameter at 2 and 6 months after surgery (the surgery group) and on the diagnosed 'wait and see' group. RESULTS: Out of 28 children, 14 children underwent ureteroneocystostomy. The mean diameter of the dilated ureter was decreased significantly from 20.3mm at initial presentation to 9.3mm and 3.4mm at 2 and 6 months, respectively, after surgery in the surgery group (p=0.0063, 0.0027), and from 21.1mm to 6.7mm and 4.8mm at 2 and 6 months, respectively, after diagnosis in the 'wait and see' group (p=0.0247, 0.0154). The mean grade of hydronephrosis was decreased significantly from 3.6 to 2.7 and 2.13, respectively, in the surgery group (p=0.0044, 0.0003), and from 2.35 to 1.53 and 1.12, respectively, in the 'wait and see' group (p=0.0026, 0.0006). However, the difference in the percentage of decrease in the mean ureteral diameter and the grade of hydronephrosis compared to the values at the initial presentation was not significant between the two groups (p=0.4168, 0.8999). When diuretic renography (DRG) was done in the surgery group, only 15 ureters (20%) showed an obstructive pattern with T1/2 above 20 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The discrimination of obstruction and non-obstruction is the most important factor for the prognosis and treatment plan of primary non-refluxing megaureter. It is possible to correctly evaluate this condition by comparison of the change in the pattern of disease through continuous, periodic evaluation and follow-up. Surgical treatment such as ureteroneocystostomy must be considered when breakthrough urinary tract infection (UTI), aggravation of hydronephrosis or marked decrease of renal function is present during conservative treatment or observation.

Classification of Primary Non-refluxing Megaureter Depending on Disease Progress / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We report on the standards for determining the obstructive type and the non-obstructive type of primary non-refluxing megaureter, and we also report on the diagnostic and therapeutic approach for such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 28 children diagnosed with primary non-refluxing megaureter from Jan 2000 to Feb 2003. We assessed the changes in hydronephrosis and dilated ureteral diameter at 2 and 6 months after surgery (the surgery group) and on the diagnosed 'wait and see' group. RESULTS: Out of 28 children, 14 children underwent ureteroneocystostomy. The mean diameter of the dilated ureter was decreased significantly from 20.3mm at initial presentation to 9.3mm and 3.4mm at 2 and 6 months, respectively, after surgery in the surgery group (p=0.0063, 0.0027), and from 21.1mm to 6.7mm and 4.8mm at 2 and 6 months, respectively, after diagnosis in the 'wait and see' group (p=0.0247, 0.0154). The mean grade of hydronephrosis was decreased significantly from 3.6 to 2.7 and 2.13, respectively, in the surgery group (p=0.0044, 0.0003), and from 2.35 to 1.53 and 1.12, respectively, in the 'wait and see' group (p=0.0026, 0.0006). However, the difference in the percentage of decrease in the mean ureteral diameter and the grade of hydronephrosis compared to the values at the initial presentation was not significant between the two groups (p=0.4168, 0.8999). When diuretic renography (DRG) was done in the surgery group, only 15 ureters (20%) showed an obstructive pattern with T1/2 above 20 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The discrimination of obstruction and non-obstruction is the most important factor for the prognosis and treatment plan of primary non-refluxing megaureter. It is possible to correctly evaluate this condition by comparison of the change in the pattern of disease through continuous, periodic evaluation and follow-up. Surgical treatment such as ureteroneocystostomy must be considered when breakthrough urinary tract infection (UTI), aggravation of hydronephrosis or marked decrease of renal function is present during conservative treatment or observation.

The Postoperative Prognosis of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction according to the Appearance of the Ureter of Preoperative Retrograde Pyelography / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Controversy still exists about the necessity for a preoperative RGP (retrograde pyelography) in UPJO (ureteropelvic junction obstruction), but no standard has been established. Therefore, to define the role of preoperative RGP in UPJO, the postoperative prognosis, using the appearance of the ureter in preoperative RGP, was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between Jan. 1996 and Oct. 2001, the radiological studies of 38 children (mean age: 10.66 months), out of 77 diagnosed with UPJO followed by pyeloplasty, were available for a retrospective review. The subjects were divided into three groups: -group A; UPJ (ureteropelvic junction) narrowing only, group B; multiple narrowing, and group C; a hypoplastic ureter, based on the findings of the preoperative RGP. The improvements in the hydronephrosis, according to the comparison between the preoperative and postoperative U/S (ultrasonography), performed at 6 and 12 months after the operation, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The number of patients in the groups A, B and C were 15 (16 renal units, one bilateral UPJO), 11 and 12 (13 renal units, one bilateral UPJO), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the degree of preoperative hydronephrosis (mean+/-S.D., p>0.5). The degree of hydronephrosis (mean+/-S.D.) found at the U/S 6 and 12 month follow ups were 2.00+/-0.63 and 1.63+/-0.50, 1.91+/-0.70, and 1.45+/-0.52 and 2.92+/-0.76 and 2.62+/-0.77 in groups A, B and C, respectively, with all showing improvements. There were statistically significant differences in the degree of improvement in group C compared to groups A and B (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The current study has shown that hydronephrosis, with a hypoplastic ureter, has a tendency to improve more slowly than other types of ureteral narrowing. Therefore, if the long-term follow-up data show the same results, a preoperative RGP may play an important role in evaluating the postoperative prognosis of UPJO.

Correlation between Ultrasonography and Diuretic Renography in Infants with Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Although ultrasonography and diuretic renography are routinely performed for evaluation of ureteropelvic junction obstruction, no reported studies have systemically investigated the correlation of the two methods. We investigated the correlation and values of the two methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 44 patients who presented with unilateral hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction from 1994 to 1999. Patients were evaluated with ultrasound and nuclear renograms with furosemide. Hydronephrosis grade on ultrasonography and the severity of obstruction on diuretic renography were in accordance with the SFU (Society for Fetal Urology) system and "The Well Tempered Renogram", respectively. RESULTS: 27 patients showed grade III hydronephrosis and the remaining 17 patients showed grade IV hydronephrosis on ultrasonography. Kidneys of grade IV hydronephrosis had poorer washout patterns on diuretic renography than those of grade III hydronephrosis (p 0.05). In 37.0% (10/27) and 47.1% (8/17) of patients with grade III and grade IV hydronephrosis, hydronephrotic kidney had a differential function greater than 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that diuretic renography is not always indicated in the patients with grade IV hydronephrosis, but, must be performed to confirm the severity of obstruction in the patients with grade III hydronephrosis.

The Incidence of Contralateral Vesicoureteral Reflux after Endoscopic or Open Surgical Correction of Primary Unilateral Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children / 대한신장학회잡지

The incidence of contralateral reflux after unilateral reimplantation in children with primary unilateral vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) is reported to be 0.8-32%. We evaluated the characteristics of contralateral reflux after endoscopic or open surgical correction of primary unilateral VUR in children. 30 children who underwent unilateral reimplantation by Paquin (25pts) and submucosal Macroplastique injection(5pts) were evaluated. The association between postoperative contralateral reflux and age, sex, ipsilateral implant side, postoperative urinary tract infection, and surgical method were evaluated. There were 18 male and 12 female patients. Initial reflux was observed in the right in 18 and 12 in left. The initial reflux grades were II, III, IV, and V in 2, 11, 14, and 3 patients, respectively. Postoperative urinary tract infection was observed in 4 patients of whom 1 had contralateral reflux. In conclusion, there was no single factor that could predict the development of contralateral reflux after unilateral correction of unilateral primary VUR. Furthermore, the fact that contralateral reflux occurred even after submucosal Macroplastique injection suggests that the method of surgery is not related to the subsequent development of contralateral reflux.

Gross and Microscopic Findings of the Testes Ascended into abdomen During Neonatal and Prepubertal age in Rats / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Because cryptorchid testes are known to undergo histopathologic changes affecting development, maturation, and tertility, early surgical correction is usually recommended. However there are differing opinions concerning whether retractile testes are affected by similar changes and also whether there is a need for surgical treatment. We aimed to assess the histopathologic changes in retractile testis by studying the changes in testes artificially placed back in the abdomen after they have descended to scrotum in experimental rat models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups; a control group(controls), prepubertal ascent group (P) in which testis were placed back intraabdominally by bilateral inguinal canal obstruction at 6 weeks, a neonatal group(N) in which intraabdminal testis was induced by bilateral inguinal canal obstruction at birth. The relative weight of the testis, morphology of the seminiferous tubules including Leydig cells, tubular degeneration phase(TDP), spermatogonia per tubules(S/T), and Sertoli cell index (SCI) of these three groups were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The relative weight of testis was significantly decreased in the group of N(0.0016+/-0.001) and P(0.0015+/-0.0002) compared to controls(0.0037+/-0.0002) (p<0.05). The S/T value was also decreased in P(2.05+/-18.2) and N(73.2+/-32.4) when compared to controls (360.2+/-21.3). Similar changes were observed in SCI of both P(64.5+/-6.4) and N (91.2+/-14.2) when compared to controls (227.9+/-31.1). Only minority of N and P showed higher TDP values. However, although statistically insignificant, TDP was increased in both P and N when compared to controls. The Leydig cells in N and P showed cellular distortion and hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrate that prepubertal ascent, similar to that of innate cryptorchid testis, also can induce histopathologic changes such as changes in testicular seminiferous tubule, decrease in the S/T value and decrease in SCI value. Our findings supports that hypothesis that retractile testis may cause histological damage thus surgical correction may also be warranted similar to in case of genuine cryptorchism.

Structural Evidence Against Hormonal Theraphy in Cryptorchid Testis-Abnormal Gubernacular Attachment / 대한비뇨기과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Congenital Mesoblastic Nephroma Detected by Prenatal Ultrasonography in Premature Infant / 대한비뇨기과학회지

No abstract available.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the urinary bladder in a child

The inflammatory pseudotumor of the urinary bladder is rare, especially in children. It is a benign proliferative lesion of the submucosal stroma easily mistaken for a sarcoma clinically, so it should be differentiated from a malignant neoplasm. We report the case of bladder inflammatory pseudotumor in a 7-year-old girl.

Prognostic Factor and Survival Rate of Preoperative and Recurred CasesChemotherapy in Wilms' Tumor / 대한비뇨기과학회지

No abstract available.

Does Every Patient with Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Need Voiding Cystourethrography? / 대한비뇨기과학회지

No abstract available.

Prognostic Factor and Survival Rate of Preoperative and Recurred CasesChemotherapy in Wilms' Tumor / 대한비뇨기과학회지

No abstract available.