The first record of leucism in the Rhabdophis tigrinus (Boie, 1826) (Squamata, Colubridae) in South Korea.

Leucism, in which pigmentation is lost over part or the entire body of an animal, has a range of possible genetic causes. Here, we report leucism in an individual tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus) found on Jeung Island, Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea, during a survey of the distribution of reptiles in the area. The individual was observed sunbathing in the bushes next to a pond. This individual exhibited ecdysis, thus it considered that have normal feeding activity. Our report represents the first observation of leucism in R. tigrinus, and thus, further analysis is needed of this phenotype to more clearly understand its impact on the species and its natural history.

Intercalation Pseudocapacitance of Cation-Exchanged Molybdenum-Based Polyoxometalate for the Fast and Stable Zinc-Ion Storage.

Recently, intercalation pseudocapacitance has received significant interest as an abnormal charge storage mechanism owing to the battery-like intercalation energy storage into the bulk electrodes and the fast charge storage kinetics of electrochemical capacitors. However, intercalation pseudocapacitance of molybdenum-based polyoxometalates (POMs) for high-performance Zn ion battery (ZIB) cathodes is yet to be exploited. Herein, we demonstrate the fast and reversible intercalation pseudocapacitance of vanadium-substituted Keggin-type molybdenum-based POMs (XPMoV), where H of HPMoV is replaced by X cations (X = Li, Na, K, or Rb). This cation exchange allows cation-exchanged XPMoV to exhibit the morphological evolution into an anisotropic rodlike structure and to achieve a pillar effect on the improved chemical and structural integrity. Despite the micron-size rod morphology and the contracted lattice of (100) plane, the intercalation pseudocapacitance kinetics of XPMoV was dominated by the fast surface-confined electrochemistry and became highly reversible after the 1st cycle activation process by co-intercalation of Li+ and Zn2+ ions. Therefore, the ZIB with the KPMoV cathode delivered a high rate capability of 74.0 mAh g-1 at 20,000 mA g-1 and 87% capacity retention over 2000 cycles at 1000 mA g-1, far exceeding HPMoV and other Mo-based cathodes. This study paves the way to design the fast and reversible intercalation pseudocapacitance of POMs and the cation exchange chemistry into the improved (electro)chemical and structural integrity.

Factors affecting the infection control behaviours of Korean dental hygienists in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the prevention of cross-infection with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) among Korean dental hygienists. METHODS: The level of knowledge about COVID-19 (KNWCO ), level of awareness of infection control (AWRIC ), degree of performance for infection control (PRFIC ), and organizational factors for infection control (OFWIC ) of clinical dental hygienists in Korea to prevent COVID-19 transmission were investigated. A self-written online questionnaire was administered to dental hygienists currently working in dental clinics or hospitals, and the survey results of 263 participants were analysed. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated for relationships between the KNWCO , AWRIC , PRFIC , and OFWIC . Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting the PRFIC . Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Knowledge about COVID-19, AWRIC , PRFIC , and OFWIC were significantly correlated with each other. OFWIC (ß = 0.491, p < 0.001), followed by AWRIC (ß = 0.428, p < 0.001) and KNWCO (ß = 0.095, p = 0.013), had the greatest impact on PRFIC with regard to the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Organizational factors for infection control and AWRIC should be strengthened to improve PRFIC and prevent COVID-19 transmission during dental care.

Positive short term effects of an integrative korean medicine treatment package for low back pain caused by motor vehicle accidents: A retrospective chart review of real - world practice data.

Backgrounds No standard treatment exist for reducing symptoms related to sequelae of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). In Korea, comprehensive Korean Medicine (KM) treatment that includes botanical drugs (herbal medicine), acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, tuina, moxibustion, and cupping is covered by automobile insurance and increasingly used to help alleviate such pain. This study aimed to analyze real-world data and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of comprehensive KM treatment for low back pain caused by MVAs. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who received KM treatment during hospitalization. Records that lacked follow-up outcome assessments were excluded. The Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS), the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI) and the Korean version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (K-RMDQ) were evaluated at admission and discharge. Adverse events were also analyzed. A paired t-test was used to identify the effectiveness of KM treatment. Results A total of 50 patients, 30 males and 20 females, were included in the analysis. The mean age of the patients was 40.72 ± 13.31 years and the average treatment period was 7.22 ± 3.84 days. After treatment, VNRS, K-ODI and K-RMDQ were significantly improved (p < 0.001). There was a decrease from 5.06 ± 1.60 to 3.40 ± 1.81 in VNRS, 33.38 ± 16.88 to 24.54 ± 13.63 in K-ODI, and 6.84 ± 6.27 to 4.14 ± 4.38 in K-RMDQ. During this period, a total of two adverse events were reported. Discussion Although this retrospective chart review looked into the short term effects only, comprehensive KM treatment might be an effective and safe therapeutic option to reduce acute low back pain especially after MVA. Prospective research data is needed to support this hypothesis.

Risk assessment for the native anurans from an alien invasive species, American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), in South Korea.

The invasive species are of global concern, and the Invasive American Bullfrog (IAB; Lithobates catesbeianus) is one of the worst invasive amphibian species worldwide. Like other countries, South Korea is also facing challenges from IAB. Although many studies indicated impacts of IAB on native anurans in Korea, the actual risk at the specific level is yet to evaluate. Considering the putative invasiveness of IAB, it is hypothesized that any species with the possibility of physical contact or habitat sharing with them, will have a potential risk. Thus, we estimated and observed their home range, preferred habitats, morphology, behavior, and ecology. Then, comparing with existing knowledge, we assessed risks to the native anurans. We found a home range of 3474.2 ± 5872.5 m2 and identified three types of habitats for IAB. The analyses showed at least 84% of native anurans (frogs and toads) were at moderate to extreme risks, which included all frogs but only 33% of toads. Finally, we recommended immediate actions to conserve the native anurans based on our results. As this study is the first initiative to assess the specific risk level from the invasiveness of L. catesbeianus, it will help the managers to set conservation priorities and strategies.

Spatiotemporal parameters from instrumented motion analysis represent clinical measurement of upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: There are various tools that measure upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy(CP) clinically, but these measurement methods are examiner-dependent and scale values are not proportional to the upper limb function which makes it difficult to quantify the function. RESEARCH QUESTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the new parameters derived from 3D motion analysis reflect the upper limb function which measured by Melbourne Assessment 2 (MA2) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) compared to the clinical measurements. METHODS: Forty children with CP (24 boys, 16 girls; mean [SD] age, 6 years 11 months [3 years 5 months]) were recruited. Motion capture was conducted during phases T1-T4 of Reach and Grasp Cycles. New parameters (movement time, number of movement units, index of curvature) were derived from wrist marker data. Range of motion (ROM), accuracy, dexterity, and fluency of unilateral upper limb function were assessed using MA2. Spearman rank coefficients were determined to evaluate correlations between MA2 and the new parameters. RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Index of curvature correlated negatively with MA2 accuracy scores during T1 (rs -0.347, p < 0.05), T2 (rs -0.471, p < 0.01), and T3 (rs -0.660, p < 0.01). Number of movement units correlated negatively with MA2 ROM, accuracy, and fluency scores during T1 (ROM rs -0.334; accuracy rs -0.331; fluency rs -0.375; p < 0.05) and T3 (ROM rs -0.499; accuracy rs -0.531; fluency rs -0.515; p < 0.01). Index of curvature and number of movement units are objective, simple parameters showing fair to good correlation with MA2 accuracy and fluency of upper limb function.

Physicochemical and sensory properties of protein-fortified cookies according to the ratio of isolated soy protein to whey protein.

A high-protein diet has a variety of beneficial effects and mixing isolated soybean protein (ISP) with whey protein (WP) reported to increases health and functional advantages. The objective of this study was to determine an adequate ratio for mixing these two proteins by evaluating the physical and sensory properties of protein-fortified samples. Samples with 5 different ratios of ISP to WP ranging from 100:0 to 0:100 were prepared. Proximate composition, density, spread factor, hardness and color values of five samples were measured and consumer acceptance test were conducted by 117 panelists to evaluate physicochemical and sensory properties of protein-fortified cookies. In a consumer acceptance test, the combination of ISP and WP increased consumer acceptance, and the highest overall acceptance was obtained when ISP and WP were used in a one to one ratio. As the ISP content increased, the density was higher, and the spreadability was the lowest. On the other hand, as WP increased, hardness increased significantly, and L*, a* and b* values increased (p < 0.05).The result of this study may facilitate the development of protein-enriched foods, which have various health benefits.

Paeoniflorin Enhances Endometrial Receptivity through Leukemia Inhibitory Factor.

Despite advances in assisted reproductive technology, treatment for deficient endometrial receptivity is a major clinical unmet need. In our previous study, the water extract of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. enhanced endometrial receptivity in vitro and in vivo via induction of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), an interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokine. In the present study, we found that paeoniflorin, a monoterpene glycoside, is the major active compound of P. lactiflora. Paeoniflorin significantly improved the embryo implantation rate in a murine model of mifepristone (RU486)-induced implantation failure. In addition, paeoniflorin increased the adhesion of human trophectoderm-derived JAr cells to endometrial Ishikawa cells through the expression of LIF in vitro. Moreover, using the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database of the human endometrium, we confirmed that LIF signaling is a key regulator for improving human endometrial receptivity. Therefore, these results suggest that paeoniflorin might be a potent drug candidate for the treatment of endometrial implantation failure by enhancing endometrial receptivity.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the American bullfrog in Korea, Lithobates catesbeianus (Anura: Ranidae).

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Lithobates catesbeianus was sequenced and characterized. The circular mt genome was constituted of of 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and 2 ribosomal RNAs) and a non-coding region (NCR). Phylogenetic analysis based on the full mt genome sequences confirmed that among the genus Lithobates, L. catesbeianus Korea is included in a monophyletic group with L. catesbeianus China, but not with either L. catesbeianus Japan or L. catesbeianus Canada. This is the first completed mt genome from L. catesbeianus Korea, which provide data for further study of phylogeny in Lithobates spp. that have been introduced into a number of different countries originally from North America.

Cangfu daotan decoction for polycystic ovary syndrome: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUNDS: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is common endocrine disorder in women and can lead to serious social burdens associated with various reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. Existing therapy is controversial in its effectiveness including side effects. In traditional Korean Medicine, Cangfu Daotan Decoction (CDD), also known as Changbudodam-tang, is used for PCOS patients who are in the type of stagnation of phlegm and dampness. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CDD for PCOS as alternative treatment. METHODS: Two researchers will search the following databases from their inception to February 2019 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs): The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), and 5 Korean medical databases (Korean Studies Information Service System, KoreaMed, DBPIA, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, and Research Information Service System). The primary outcome will be the scales that assessed drug efficacy including total response rate, sex hormone level (LH, FSH, Testosterone, LH/FSH ratio), BMI, ovulation rate, and pregnancy rate. Adverse events will be assessed as the secondary outcome. Study selection, data extraction, and assessment of risk of bias will be conducted by 2 researchers independently. Statistical analysis will be performed by using the Cochrane Review Manager (RevMan 5.3) software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This review will provide the latest knowledge and evidence on the efficacy and safety of CDD for PCOS women through the analysis of various evaluation scales. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review does not require ethical approval and will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019134270.