Complete mitochondrial genome of the southern painted turtle (Chrysemys dorsalis, Testudines: Emydidae) in Korea.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Chrysemys dorsalis in Korea was sequenced and characterized. The mitochondrial genome is 17,258 bp in length and the GC content is 39%. It is constituted of 37 genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a noncoding region. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that C. dorsalis forms a monophyletic group with C. picta turtles but is distinctly separated from them, aligning with previous findings. In Korea, C. dorsalis forms a discrete clade, separate from both native and invasive turtle species. No evidence of genetic disturbance or intermingling is observed. This is the first case of a complete mitochondrial genome from C. dorsalis and provides crucial data for understanding C. dorsalis and managing invasive species effectively, emphasizing the need for continued mitochondrial genome data accumulation.

Efficacy of a Horticultural Therapy Program Designed for Emotional Stability and Career Exploration among Adolescents in Juvenile Detention Centers.

We aimed to develop a horticultural therapy program to prepare adolescents at the Dae san juvenile detention center (D-JDC) for their return to society. The effects of the program on emotional stability and career exploration were investigated. Adolescents who wished to participate in the horticultural therapy program were recruited from the D-JDC. Data were collected using various questionnaires before and after the program was implemented. Thirty-five (mean age, 15.74 ± 1.65 years; 11 males, 24 females) students were enrolled. The program mainly consisted of plant cultivation activities, such as seeding, transplanting plants, cutting, harvesting, and post-harvest utilization. To evaluate emotional health, the ego-resiliency scale was used. To evaluate social behavior, the inventory of parent and peer attachment, peer attachment scale, and social skills scale were used. Career exploration was assessed using the career preparation behavior scale and the career decision-making self-efficacy-short form. Peer attachment, social skills, and career preparation behavior showed significant improvements after the program, with the students responding positively in the post-program surveys. Our horticultural therapy program helped improve the career exploration and social skills of D-JDC students and positively affected their emotional stability. Based on our findings, horticultural therapy can be used as a correctional program for adolescents in D-JDC to help them return to society.

Lower antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) and trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe And Se) status in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

The management of antioxidant micronutrient status in patients with chronic diseases may be an important step in controlling disease progression and preventing deterioration in patient quality of life. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant micronutrient status and lipid profiles of cerebrovascular disease (CbVD) patients and to compare this information with an evaluation of normal healthy subjects. A total of 57 male subjects (26 patients with CbVD and 31 healthy subjects) and 65 female subjects (32 patients with CbVD and 33 healthy subjects) were included in this cross-sectional study. Plasma lipid profiles, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), fasting plasma concentration of antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E) and trace minerals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Se) were measured. Compared to healthy subjects, male but not female CbVD patients showed a lower energy intake (p < 0.01) which was largely due to a lower intake of dietary carbohydrate. They also consumed a diet containing a higher level of vitamins A and C. Plasma vitamin C (p < 0.01, in women) and vitamin E (p < 0.05, both in men and women) concentrations were prominently lower in the patients compared to healthy subjects. Plasma levels of the two antioxidant minerals Zn and Se were found to be markedly lower in the patients with CbVD, both in men and women (p < 0.05). Despite consuming less energy and food with a higher vitamin A and C level than healthy subjects, antioxidant micronutrient status, lipid peroxidation levels and the atherogenic index of male CbVD patients suggested that their antioxidant micronutrient intake was in some respects nutritionally inadequate. A similar conclusion could be made regarding the nutritional inadequacy of female CbVD patient diets. Expert dietary advice and intervention should be given to CbVD patients in order to optimize micronutrient intake and status.

Transitional cell metaplasia and ectopic prostatic tissue in the uterine cervix and vagina in a patient with adrenogenital syndrome: report of a case suggesting a possible role of androgen in the histogenesis.

A case of extensive transitional cell metaplasia (TCM) and ectopic prostatic tissue was encountered in the uterine cervix and vagina of a 23-year-old woman with the adrenogenital syndrome. A previously described case of ectopic prostatic tissue in the cervix in a patient with female pseudohermaphroditism and our case suggest that prolonged androgen stimulation plays a role in the development of prostatic tissue. Similarly, the occurrence of TCM in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods when the ovaries secrete androgens, in female transsexuals treated with androgens, and in our patient with high endogenous androgen levels suggest that androgen has a major role in the histogenesis of TCM. Significantly decreased Ki-67 immunopositivity in TCM compared with the normal cervical mucosa of women in the reproductive age indicates that TCM is a mild form of epithelial atrophy, presumably caused by the neutralizing effect of androgens.