Trends in the incidence of cryptorchidism and hypospadias of registry-based data in Korea: a comparison between industrialized areas of petrochemical estates and a non-industrialized area

This study aimed to represent the recent trends in the nationwide incidence of cryptorchidism and hypospadias in Korea, and to determine whether there is evidence of spatial heterogeneity in the incidence. The incidence was calculated as the number of newly diagnosed patients (males) during the first 4 years after a live birth in a population, nationally and regionally (a non-industrialized area (Chuncheon) and petrochemical estates (Yeocheon and Ulsan)), between 2000 and 2005. The data (numerator) for new patients were acquired from the National Health Insurance Review Agency, and the data (denominator) for the resident registration population were from the National Statistical Office. Between 2000 and 2005, the national incidence of cryptorchidism and hypospadias had an increased tendency from 5.01 to 17.43 per 10 000 persons and from 1.40 to 3.28 per 10 000 persons, respectively. The incidence of cryptorchidism was significantly higher in Yeocheon (throughout the study period) and in Ulsan (2001Ulsan ( , 2002Ulsan ( , 2004Ulsan ( and 2005 than the national incidence, whereas the incidence in Chuncheon was significantly lower in 2001 and 2002. It was difficult to compare the rates of hypospadias yearly and regionally because of the small number of cases. In conclusion, the incidence of cryptorchidism has recently increased in Korea. The petrochemical estates, Yeocheon and Ulsan, had a significantly higher incidence of cyptorchidism than the national incidence, which suggests that further study is needed to obtain a more precise estimation of the trends in the incidence of the anomalies and to confirm the association between petrochemicals and the anomalies

Inhibitory Effect of Inflexinol on Nitric Oxide Generation and iNOS Expression via Inhibition of NF-κB Activation

Inflexinol, an ent-kaurane diterpenoid, was isolated from the leaves of Isodon excisus. Many diterpenoids isolated from the genus Isodon (Labiatae) have antitumor and antiinflammatory activities. We investigated the antiinflammatory effect of inflexinol in RAW 264.7 cells and astrocytes. As a result, we found that inflexinol (1, 5, 10 μM) suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) as well as the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and astrocytes. Consistent with the inhibitory effect on iNOS and COX-2 expression, inflexinol also inhibited transcriptional and DNA binding activity of NF-κB via inhibition of IκB degradation as well as p50 and p65 translocation into nucleus. These results suggest that inflexinol inhibits iNOS and COX-2 expression through inhibition of NF-κB activation, thereby inhibits generation of inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells and astrocytes, and may be useful for treatment of inflammatory diseases

Pregnancy outcomes in twin pregnancies over 10 years

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in twin pregnancy outcomes between 2007 and 2016 in a Korean population. Methods The data for this nationwide population-based study was obtained from the national birth registry of the Korean National Statistical Office and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service of Korea. Women with twin pregnancies who gave birth between 2007 and 2016 were included. Results From 2007 to 2016, the rate of twin pregnancies increased (1.37% vs. 1.91%, respectively, P<0.0001). The risk of preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66–1.89) also increased; however, the risk of twin growth discordance (aOR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82–0.99) decreased. The risks of cesarean section (aOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03–1.29), gestational diabetes mellitus (aOR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.83–2.39), and postpartum hemorrhage (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.14–1.41) all increased from 2007 to 2016. Conclusion Twin pregnancy outcomes have changed significantly in Korea over a recent 10-year period

Sequenced BAC anchored reference genetic map that reconciles the ten individual chromosomes of Brassica rapa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In view of the immense value of <it>Brassica rapa </it>in the fields of agriculture and molecular biology, the multinational <it>Brassica rapa </it>Genome Sequencing Project (BrGSP) was launched in 2003 by five countries. The developing BrGSP has valuable resources for the community, including a reference genetic map and seed BAC sequences. Although the initial <it>B. rapa </it>linkage map served as a reference for the BrGSP, there was ambiguity in reconciling the linkage groups with the ten chromosomes of <it>B. rapa</it>. Consequently, the BrGSP assigned each of the linkage groups to the project members as chromosome substitutes for sequencing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs in the <it>B. rapa </it>genome with the sequences of seed BACs used for the BrGSP. By testing 749 amplicons containing SSR motifs, we identified polymorphisms that enabled the anchoring of 188 BACs onto the <it>B. rapa </it>reference linkage map consisting of 719 loci in the 10 linkage groups with an average distance of 1.6 cM between adjacent loci. The anchored BAC sequences enabled the identification of 30 blocks of conserved synteny, totaling 534.9 cM in length, between the genomes of <it>B. rapa </it>and <it>Arabidopsis thaliana</it>. Most of these were consistent with previously reported duplication and rearrangement events that differentiate these genomes. However, we were able to identify the collinear regions for seven additional previously uncharacterized sections of the A genome. Integration of the linkage map with the <it>B. rapa </it>cytogenetic map was accomplished by FISH with probes representing 20 BAC clones, along with probes for rDNA and centromeric repeat sequences. This integration enabled unambiguous alignment and orientation of the maps representing the 10 <it>B. rapa </it>chromosomes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We developed a second generation reference linkage map for <it>B. rapa</it>, which was aligned unambiguously to the <it>B. rapa </it>cytogenetic map. Furthermore, using our data, we confirmed and extended the comparative genome analysis between <it>B. rapa </it>and <it>A. thaliana</it>. This work will serve as a basis for integrating the genetic, physical, and chromosome maps of the BrGSP, as well as for studies on polyploidization, speciation, and genome duplication in the genus <it>Brassica</it>.</p

The effects of rice seed dressing with Paenibacillus yonginensis and silicon on crop development on South Korea’s reclaimed tidal land

A field trial to investigate the effects of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) Paenibacillus yonginensis (DCY84T) and/or SiO2 seed coating on rice growth (Oryza sativa L.) was carried out on reclaimed tidal land in Taean County in South Korea. The field test was performed twice between May–October 2014 and May–October 2015, in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. Treatments consisted of: Mock, DCY84T-treated seeds, SiO2-coated seeds and DCY84T-SiO2-treated seeds and each treatment area covered approximately 300 m2. During the early developmental period of rice seedlings, the SiO2 coating without DCY84T led to the most favorable 30 DAS rice seedling parameters. Moreover, the combination of DCY84T and SiO2 treatments resulted in 2-fold greater fresh and dry weights of 60 DAS rice seedlings compared to Mock seedlings. DCY84T and SiO2, both individually and together, produced a greater grain yield and a greater total yield; specifically, DCY84T and SiO2 treatments yielded a 73% and 70% increase in mass compared to Mock plants, respectively. Rice treated with both DCY84T and SiO2 treatment contained the highest amount of Al, Fe, Ca and Mg, which were 54%, 169%, 42% and 67% higher than the Mock rice, respectively. Remarkably, DCY84T treatment had the most phosphate [P], potassium [K] and total nitrogen [T–N]. DCY84T and/or SiO2 treatment highly increased the whole kernel percentage. Thus, lower its broken kernel percentage to 9.60–24.58%. The protein content of the grain with both treatments was 7.2%, which was greater than that of the Mock grain (6.0%). The content of chlorophyll a, b and carotinoid in the rice leaves which were treated with silica and DCY84 has increased more than the mock without treatment. After harvest, the GABA content of brown rice was increased to 1.9-fold (2014), 1.5 fold (2015) compared to mock grain, respectively. Overall, DCY84T treatment and SiO2 coating can be useful methods for promoting growth of rice under conditions of saline stress. Results from other laboratory trials and greenhouse experiments are also provided

Biportal Endoscopic Posterior Thoracic Laminectomy for Thoracic Spondylotic Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum: Technical Developments and Outcomes

Objective Advanced biportal endoscopic surgery techniques can be used to treat thoracic myelopathy secondary to ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF). This case series elaborates on a feasible biportal endoscopic technique for thoracic OLF removal and evaluates clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods A biportal endoscopic posterior thoracic laminectomy was performed to remove the thoracic OLF. Surgical techniques have evolved from inside-out piecemeal removal methods to outside-in en bloc removal methods. Preoperative computed tomography was performed to analyze dural ossification and OLF types. Intraoperative videos were reviewed to observe dural ossification and to determine the surgical method. Neurological outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Results Clinical symptoms and neurological function improved markedly after surgery (JOA score, preoperative: 12.6 ± 1.0, final follow-up: 15.6 ± 1.2). The mean operation time per segment was not short (106.6 ± 38 minutes). At early experience stages, inside-out piecemeal decompression was used and it caused intraoperative spinal cord injury. However, outside-in en bloc decompression technique did not induce neural complications. Postoperative segmental instability and correlated mechanical back pain were not observed. Conclusion The biportal endoscopic posterior thoracic approach is an attractive surgical option to treat thoracic spondylotic myelopathy secondary to OLF. Piecemeal inside-out decompression can induce irreversible spinal cord injury, especially in the early experience stages. Outside-in decompression is more efficient and safer than inside-out pattern procedures by minimizing dural manipulation. Nonetheless, this technique is technically demanding and should only be performed in selected patients after acquiring abundant experience with endoscopic spine surgeries