New recorded diatoms in Holocene sediment cores from the Gonggeom-ji Wetland in Korea.

The Gonggeom-ji reservoir is an agricultural one built for rice farming during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period and was designated as Gyeongsangbuk-do monument No. 121 because of its high historical value. The Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources has been conducting paleontological and paleoenvironmental studies on major wetlands from Korea since 2016, as well as diatom, geological, and depth distribution analyses on the sedimentary soil of Gonggeom-ji. This study summarized the description and ecological characteristics of six newly recorded diatoms (Gomphonema lacusrankala, Pinnularia diandae, P. gibba var. hyaline, P. lacunarum, Sellaphora labda var. nipponica, Stauroneis angustilancea) found in samples collected through drilling in Gonggeom-ji in 2019.

Asynchronous multi-decadal time-scale series of biotic and abiotic responses to precipitation during the last 1300 years.

East Asian summer monsoon (EASM)-driven rapid hydroclimatic variation is a crucial factor with major socioeconomic impacts. Nevertheless, decadal- to centennial-scale EASM variability over the last two millennia is still poorly understood. Pollen-based quantitative annual precipitation (PqPann) and annual precipitation reconstructed by artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the period 650-1940 CE were reconstructed from a paleo-reservoir in South Korea. ANNs reconstruction was performed to compensate for a hiatus section. On a decadal timescale, 10 high-precipitation periods were identified, and PqPann and ANNs reconstructions were comparable to local instrumental rainfall and historic drought records. Biotic lags to rapid climatic changes ranging from 25 to 100 years were recognized by asynchronous pollen and speleothem responses to precipitation. We suggest that PqPann-based decadal- to centennial-scale climatic change reconstruction should take biotic lags into account, although the lags can be ignored on the millennial scale. The position of the EASM rainband influenced rainfall magnitude.

A large and distinct skin impression on the cast of a sauropod dinosaur footprint from Early Cretaceous floodplain deposits, Korea.

The occurrence and features of skin impressions in a sauropod footprint, the largest (>50 cm in diameter) reported to date for this taxon, from the Lower Cretaceous Haman Formation (Albian) in Korea are described, and its preservation and paleoenvironmental implications are interpreted. The skin impression-bearing deposits are floodplain sediments formed by sheetflood processes. The large impression is preserved in silty mudstone with microbial lenses and wisps overlying a planar- to cross-laminated and fine-grained sandstone to siltstone bed. The paleoenvironment of the skin impression-bearing deposits is interpreted as a saline sandflat to mudflat where microbial mats can form around lakes or ponds under semi-arid paleoclimatic conditions with alternating wetting and drying intervals. These paleoenvironmental conditions would have permitted the distinct preservation of skin impressions in a dinosaur footprint. The observations here suggest that some sauropod dinosaurs in the Cretaceous had a well-developed polygonal skin texture covering nearly the whole of their foot pads, as seen in modern elephants, which would increase stability when walking on muddy and wet ground.

Effect of γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Producing Bacteria on In vitro Rumen Fermentation, Biogenic Amine Production and Anti-oxidation Using Corn Meal as Substrate.

The effects and significance of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) producing bacteria (GPB) on in vitro rumen fermentation and reduction of biogenic amines (histamine, methylamine, ethylamine, and tyramine) using corn meal as a substrate were determined. Ruminal samples collected from ruminally fistulated Holstein cows served as inoculum and corn was used as substrate at 2% dry matter (DM). Different inclusion rates of GPB and GABA were evaluated. After incubation, addition of GPB had no significant effect on in vitro fermentation pH and total gas production, but significantly increased the ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration and reduced the total biogenic amines production (p<0.05). Furthermore, antioxidation activity was improved as indicated by the significantly higher concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) among treated samples when compared to the control (p<0.05). Additionally, 0.2% GPB was established as the optimum inclusion level. Taken together, these results suggest the potential of utilizing GPB as feed additives to improve growth performance in ruminants by reducing biogenic amines and increasing anti-oxidation.

Choosing an operation for weight control, and the transected banded gastric bypass.

Obesity and particularly morbid obesity is a lifelong problem that currently cannot be cured but can be controlled. Attempted control of obesity non-surgically results in 98% recividism. Weight loss is readily attainable, but weight loss maintenance is recalcitrant. Surgery currently provides the only long-term control of obesity. Surgery at best is a tool that the patient can use to effect the weight loss and weight loss maintenance. We have celebrated the golden anniversary of bariatric surgery in 2004. Obesity surgery is thus a relatively young field which is evolving. Operations currently used for the treatment of obesity fall into 3 categories: 1) restrictive operations such as vertical banded gastroplasty, silastic ring gastroplasty and gastric banding; 2) malabsorptive operations which include all the variations of the intestinal bypass; and 3) combined operations which utilize both restriction and malabsorption which include all the variations of short-limb gastric bypass, long-limb or distal gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion. The choice of the operation will be guided by the extent of the patient's obesity, the age of the patient, other co-morbid conditions of the patient, the cost of the operation, the patient's choice, and the surgeon's choice based on training, experience and geographical location. First and foremost, the operation chosen should be effective in causing weight loss and providing long-term weight loss maintenance with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Recommendations are made for choosing an operation for weight control based on effectiveness and safety.

Fifty consecutive patients with the GaBP ring system used in the banded gastric bypass operation for obesity with follow up of at least 1 year.

BACKGROUND: The premanufactured GaBP ring system can be used in the banded gastric bypass operation instead of a surgeon-fashioned ring or band in current use. METHODS: The GaBP ring system was used in 50 consecutive patients, and the outcomes were reviewed after 1 year of follow-up. Data were kept prospectively. RESULTS: The GaBP ring system was used in 50 patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery, 9 with an open procedure and 41 with a laparoscopic approach. Placement took an average of < 5 minutes, and there were no GaBP ring system-related complications at the 1-year follow-up. The outcomes in terms of weight loss and resolution of comorbidities are similar to those previously reported for banded gastric bypass. CONCLUSION: The GaBP ring system provides a premanufactured standardized ring for use in the banded gastric bypass operation.

Prophylactic cholecystectomy with gastric bypass operation: incidence of gallbladder disease.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is one of the major risk factors for gallbladder disease, and this risk is even greater following rapid weight loss. Because of this, prophylactic cholecystectomy has been offered to our patients undergoing the transected silastic ring vertical Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (TSRVRYGBP). A study was undertaken to determine the incidence of pathologic gallbladders in patients undergoing this prophylactic cholecystectomy. METHOD: The records of all patients who underwent TSRVRYGBP from June 1999 through December 2000 were reviewed. Pathologic findings of the gallbladder were documented as cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, cholesterolosis, polyps or normal. RESULTS: 761 patients underwent the operation. 178 patients (23%) had cholecystectomy before the surgery. 154 (20%) had gallstones documented by ultrasound and had cholecystectomy at the time of the surgery. 324 of the 429 patients with negative preoperative findings by ultrasound had pathologic evidence of gallbladder disease. CONCLUSION: Because of the high incidence of gallbladder disease even with negative preoperative findings in morbidly obese patients and the lack of significant morbidity with cholecystectomy in experienced hands, routine cholecystectomy at the time of the weight loss operation is justified.

Gastric bypass in patients with BMI < 40 but > 32 without life-threatening co-morbidities: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Surgical intervention is currently indicated for patients with BMI > 40 or > 35 with life-threatening comorbidities. Patients with BMI 32-40 without these comorbidities not only have the increased propensity to develop them but also suffer from similar psychosocioeconomic consequences. These patients may not respond to non-surgical treatment of obesity any better than those with BMI > 40. The question has been raised whether to offer them surgical intervention. METHODS: A study was carried out to determine outcome of surgery on patients with BMI > 32 but < 40 without life-threatening comorbidities but with either psychological, economic or social impairments affecting their quality of life. The approval of our Hospital Internal Review Board was obtained. In addition to routine evaluation for surgical intervention, these patients were required to have the approval of their primary care physician, be seen pre-operatively by a psychiatrist, and have a member of the family or a very close friend present at the time of discussion of operative risks and follow-up requirements. Patients committed to at least a 5-year follow-up. They were to be self-paying patients. The transected silastic ring vertical gastric bypass with a temporary gastrostomy was used. RESULTS: 50 patients, 49 women and one man, were entered into the study between May 1, 1999 and April 30, 2000. 50% were self-pay, and the other 50% were able to obtain coverage through their insurance companies. There were few peri-operative complications and no deaths. The late complications include incisional hernias, dumping and transient alopecia. Hospital stay averaged 3.7 days. Follow-up has been 18-27 months. Weight loss has been excellent. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results of surgical intervention extended to patients with BMI 32-40 without life-threatening comorbidities but with psychosocioeconomic ramifications are very promising. Long term follow-up and comparison with other bariatric patients are planned.