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Taxonomic Importance of Leaf Domatia of the Five Species of the Genus Cornus in Korea

  • Kim, Bong-Gyu;Ngondya, Issakwisa Bernard
    • Journal of agriculture & life science
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    • v.44 no.6
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    • pp.79-82
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    • 2010
  • Three types of leaf domatia; Pocket (P), Tufts (T) and Tufts-Pocket (TP) were observed in the five species of Cornus namely; Cornus kousa, C. controversa, C. officinalis, C. walteri and C. alba. In C. walteri no tufts were observed, the domatia was just a well developed pocket one. In C. officinalis and C. kousa, tufts domatia of brownish color were observed but C. officinalis developed denser tufts than those observed in C. kousa. Unlike in C. kousa where the domatia covered about only 1/2 of the axil, in the C. officinalis tufts covered almost 3/4 of the axil. In both species the tufts domatia were located in the inner side of the leaf axil. In C. controversa and C. alba whitish colored tufts were observed covering Pockets and hence the Tuft Pocket domatia. In C. controversa the tufts were more than in C. alba but in both species the tufts were short and were located in the inner sides of the axil. Thus, based on these physiological features it was concluded that C. officinalis and C. kousa are sister species likewise C. controversa and C. alba while C. walteri belong to another lineage. The advancement of domatia (absence of tufts) in C. walteri suggests that they are the most advanced while C. officinalis and C. kousa the most primitive due to their possession of highly developed tufts and C. controversa and C. alba the intermediates.

Influence of Deletions in the Apoemulsan Gene Cluster on Acinetobacter venetian us RAG-l Polysaccharide Biosynthesis

  • Hanna, Dams-Kozlowska;Mercaldi, Michael P.;Ramjeawan, Aruranie;Kaplanl, David L
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.18 no.12
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    • pp.1890-1894
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    • 2008
  • Apoemulsan is a biopolymer with potent emulsification activity, produced by Acinetobacter venetian us RAG-1 (RAG-1). The wee gene cluster is responsible for apoemulsan biosynthesis. The analysis of (i) a putative polysaccharide copolymerase mutant (${\Delta}wzc$), (ii) a putative polymerase mutant (${\Delta}wzy$), and (iii) an apoemulsan-deficient variant (${\Delta}2$) indicated that the wee gene cluster controls the synthesis of two polysaccharides: high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW). LMW polysaccharide of wee origin was present in LPS isolated from RAG-1 cells, suggesting a link to the Lipid A-core of LPS molecules. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that apoemulsan is copurified with LPS polysaccharide, with implications in the emulsification activity of RAG-1 polymer.

Bioavailability of plant pigment phytochemicals in Angelica keiskei in older adults: A pilot absorption kinetic study

  • Correa, Camila R.;Chen, C.Y. Oliver;Aldini, Giancarlo;Rasmussen, Helen;Ronchi, Carlos F.;Berchieri-Ronchi, Carolina;Cho, Soo-Muk;Blumberg, Jeffrey B.;Yeum, Kyung-Jin
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • v.8 no.5
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    • pp.550-557
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    • 2014
  • BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Angelica keiskei is a green leafy vegetable rich in plant pigment phytochemicals such as flavonoids and carotenoids. This study examined bioavailability of flavonoids and carotenoids in Angelica keiskei and the alteration of the antioxidant performance in vivo. SUBJECTS AND MATERIALS: Absorption kinetics of phytochemicals in Angelica keiskei were determined in healthy older adults (> 60 y, n = 5) and subjects with metabolic syndrome (n = 5). Subjects consumed 5 g dry Angelica keiskei powder encapsulated in gelatin capsules with a low flavonoid and carotenoid liquid meal. Plasma samples were collected at baseline, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 h. Samples were analyzed for flavonoids and carotenoids using HPLC systems with electrochemical and UV detection, respectively, and for total antioxidant performance by fluorometry. RESULTS: After ingestion of Angelica keiskei increases in plasma quercetin concentrations were observed at 1-3 and 6-8 hr in the healthy group and at all time points in the metabolic syndrome group compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Plasma lutein concentrations were significantly elevated in both the healthy and metabolic syndrome groups at 8 hr (P < 0.05). Significant increases in total antioxidant performance were also observed in both the healthy and the metabolic syndrome groups compared to baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study clearly demonstrate the bioavailability of phytonutrients of Angelica keiskei and their ability to increase antioxidant status in humans.

An Introduction of Robotics Education in Tufts University -Workshops at CEEO- (Tufts University의 로봇활용교육 사례 소개 -CEEO의 Workshop을 중심으로-)

  • Hong, Kicheon
    • Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.171-178
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    • 2016
  • I will introduce robotics education, Novel Engineering, STOMP have hosted in CEEO at Tufts University. CEEO is a leading center for Robotics Education in all over the USA. So far lots of universities and centers have adopted these programs. CEEO have hosted many workshops for students and teachers every summer vacation. And Simple Robotics course is required for every Engineering department freshmen. Novel Engineering(NE) is not familiar to us. I think that NE will be a good tool for integrating reading literacy and engineering. When teachers design a engineering class, members of STOMP help teachers achieve the goals of class. Software Education has been widely spreaded for last several years in South Korea. If our country adopts these programs government-widely. I think that It will be able to contribute to foster SW-talented persons.

The Clinical Impact of Advanced Age on the Postoperative Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Analysis Across US Hospitals Between 2011-2017

  • Lee, David Uihwan;Fan, Gregory Hongyuan;Chang, Kevin;Lee, Ki Jung;Han, John;Jung, Daniel;Kwon, Jean;Karagozian, Raffi
    • Journal of Gastric Cancer
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    • v.22 no.3
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    • pp.197-209
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    • 2022
  • Purpose: This study systematically evaluated the implications of advanced age on post-surgical outcomes following gastrectomy for gastric cancer using a national database. Materials and Methods: The 2011-2017 National Inpatient Sample was used to isolate patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. From this, the population was stratified into those belonging to the younger age cohort (18-59 years), sexagenarians, septuagenarians, and octogenarians. The younger cohort and each advanced age category were compared in terms of the following endpoints: mortality following surgery, length of hospital stay, charges, and surgical complications. Results: This study included a total of 5,213 patients: 1,366 sexagenarians, 1,490 septuagenarians, 743 octogenarians, and 1,614 under 60 years of age. Between the younger cohort and sexagenarians, there was no difference in mortality (2.27 vs. 1.67%; P=0.30; odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-2.30), length of stay (11.0 vs. 11.1 days; P=0.86), or charges ($123,557 vs. $124,425; P=0.79). Compared to the younger cohort, septuagenarians had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (4.30% vs. 1.67%; P<0.01; OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.67-4.16), length of stay (12.1 vs. 11.1 days; P<0.01), and charges ($139,200 vs. $124,425; P<0.01). In the multivariate analysis, septuagenarians had higher mortality (P=0.01; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.01; 95% CI, 1.18-3.43). Similarly, compared to the younger cohort, octogenarians had a higher rate of mortality (7.67% vs. 1.67%; P<0.001; OR, 4.88; 95% CI, 3.06-7.79), length of stay (12.3 vs. 11.1 days; P<0.01), and charges ($131,330 vs. $124,425; P<0.01). In the multivariate analysis, octogenarians had higher mortality (P<0.001; aOR, 4.03; 95% CI, 2.28-7.11). Conclusions: Advanced age (>70 years) is an independent risk factor for postoperative death in patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy.

Carotenoids and total phenolic contents in plant foods commonly consumed in Korea

  • Yoon, Gun-Ae;Yeum, Kyung-Jin;Cho, Yoon-Suk;Chen, C.Y. Oliver;Tang, Guangwen;Blumberg, Jeffrey B.;Russell, Robert M.;Yoon, Sun;LeeKim, Yang Cha
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • v.6 no.6
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    • pp.481-490
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    • 2012
  • Phytochemicals are reported to provide various biological functions leading to the promotion of health as well as the reduced risk of chronic diseases. Fat-soluble plant pigments, carotenoids, are extensively studied micronutrient phytochemicals for their potential health benefits. It is noteworthy that specific carotenoids may be responsible for different protective effects against certain diseases. In addition, each carotenoid can be obtained from different types of plant foods. Considering the fact that the phytochemical content in foods can vary according to, but not limited to, the varieties and culture conditions, it is important to establish a database of phytochemicals in locally produced plant foods. Currently, information on individual carotenoid content in plant foods commonly consumed in Korea is lacking. As the first step to support the production and consumption of sustainable local plant foods, carotenoids and total phenolic contents of plant foods commonly consumed in Korea are presented and their potential biological functions are discussed in this review.

Ingestion and surgical retrieval of an endodontic file: a case report

  • Devon Marta Ptak;Elinor Alon;Robert Bruce Amato;Julia Tassinari;Adrian Velasquez
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.48 no.4
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    • pp.32.1-32.8
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    • 2023
  • Ingestions and aspirations of foreign bodies are rare, but do occasionally occur during dental treatment. Although reports exist, few include photos demonstrating the extensive surgical intervention that may be necessary to manage such events. Perhaps this lack of visualization, and associated lack of awareness, is one of the reasons some clinicians still provide nonsurgical root canal therapy (NSRCT) without a rubber dam. This case report outlines the medical treatment of a 30-year-old male who initially presented to a general dentist's office (not associated with the authors) for NSRCT of their mandibular right first molar. A rubber dam was not used for this procedure, during which the accidental ingestion of an endodontic K-file occurred. The patient was subsequently hospitalized for evaluation and treatment, consisting of numerous imaging studies, endoscopic evaluation, and surgical removal of the file from his small intestine. The ingestion of foreign bodies, and the associated complications, can be reduced through the routine use of a rubber dam, which is considered the standard of care for NSRCT. This case graphically illustrates the potential consequences associated with deviating from the standard of care and should remind clinicians that a rubber dam is necessary for all cases of NSRCT.

Flavonols, Flavones, Flavanoues and Human Health: Epidemiological Evidence

  • Graf Brigitte A.;Milbury Paul E.;Blumberg Jeffrey B.
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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    • 2004.11a
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    • pp.24-36
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    • 2004
  • Polyphenolic flavonoids are among a wide variety of phytochemicals present in the human diet. Basic research, animal model, and human studies suggest flavonoid intake may reduce the risk of several age-related chronic diseases. The vast number of flavonoids and mixtures of their subclasses, including flavonols, flavones and flavanones, and the variety of agricultural practices that affect their concentration in foods have presented a challenge to the development of adequate food composition databases for these com-pounds. Nonetheless, dietary assessments have been applied to cohort and case-control epidemiological studies and several reveal an inverse association with risk of some forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. Those observational studies that have examined these relationships with regard to flavonols, flavones, and flavanones are reviewed. The requirement for caution in interpreting these studies is discussed with regard to the limited information available on the bioavailability and biotransformation of these flavonoids. As the totality of the available evidence on these flavonoids suggests a role in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease, further research is warranted, particularly in controlled clinical trials.

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A Detrimental Role of Immunosuppressive Drug, Dexamethasone, During Clostridium difficile Infection in Association with a Gastrointestinal Microbial Shift

  • Kim, Hyeun Bum;Wang, Yuankai;Sun, Xingmin
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.26 no.3
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    • pp.567-571
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    • 2016
  • We investigated the increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) caused by the combined use of antibiotics and an immunosuppressive drug in a mouse model. Our data showed that an approximate return to pretreatment conditions of gut microbiota occurred within days after cessation of the antibiotic treatment, whereas the recovery of gut microbiota was delayed with the combined treatment of antibiotics and dexamethasone, leading to an increased severity of CDI. An alteration of gut microbiota is a key player in CDI. Therefore, our data implied that immunosuppressive drugs can increase the risk of CDI through the delayed recovery of altered gut microbiota.