Atypical Development of Children from Multicultural Families in Korean Rural Areas

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore overall developmental status of young children from multicultural families. 290 kindergarten children were involved (147 from multicultural families and 143 from typical Korean families). The result indicated significantly lower levels of performance on overall development of children from multicultural families than children from typical Korean families. It also suggested that delayed language development of children from multicultural families negatively affected their cognitive development, which then influenced higher aggression indirectly through their low self-respect and low self-control. These findings indicated latent atypical development of children from multicultural families

Analysis of volatile compounds from three species of Atractylodes by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

A total of 99 different volatile compounds were detected through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) from three species of Atractylodes, namely Atractylodes lancea, Atractylodes japonica, and Atractylodes chinensis. Thirteen-volatile flavor compounds i.e., acid, alcohol, aldehyde, alkane, alkene, alkyne, ester, ketone, monoterpene, oxygenated monoterpene, sesquiterpene, oxygenated sesquiterpene, and oxygenated triterpenoid detected from different species of Atractylodes. It was observed that all the species contained 38 common compounds, while A. lancea contained 7 unique compounds, A. japonica has 4 unique compounds, and A. chinensis hold 6 compounds not detected in the other extracts. In addition, essential oils from A. lancea and A. japonica possessed 11 compounds in common, and A. lancea and A. chinensis possessed 19 compounds in common. The remaining 14 compounds were detected only in A. japonica and A. chinensis. The total content of all components in the species was comparable, with 82.528%, 81.766%, and 81.799% of volatile components being detected for A. lancea, A. japonica, and A. chinensis, respectively. Curzerene was found to be the most predominant compound in both A. lancea (14.1%) and A. chinensis (16.7%), while murolan-3,9(11)-diene-10-peroxy was found predominantly in A. japonica (16.8%). The present study suggests that the identified volatile compounds may possess important biological properties, and could be suitable for application in both oriental medicines and the pharmaceutical industry

Avifauna of Bangtaesan Mountain, Gangwon-do, Korea

AbstractAn investigation on avifauna of the Bangtaesan Mountain was carried out from February until November, 2010 and it drew the results as follow. The number of birds observed in the whole Bangtaesan Mountain region was 989 individuals of 51 species (Maximum counts). Considering the results from literature research in addition, at least 90 species 1,000 individuals are thought to live in this region. In result, dominant species proved to be Yellow-throated Bunting (Emberiza elegans), Marsh Tit (Parus palustris), Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana), Eastern Crowned Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus coronatus), Varied Tit (Parus varius), and more. Most of birds breeding in the forest of Korea were found to constitute these dominant bird species. Entire species diversity index appeared to be 3.35 relatively a high level; 3.34 in the south slopes while 3.22 in the north slopes showing relatively a high level in the south. Of them, 12 species including Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) were the Protected Birds species nominated and protected by the Cultural Heritage Administration or the Ministry of Environment, while 10 and 6 species were the natural monument species and endangered species level, respectively. Should further consistent surveys be carried out, a broader range of species would be found to breed, and therefore the Bangtaesan Mountain region including the area where the protected species are observed is believed to need a conservation and management through protected area designation

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation and Pathologic-Radiologic Correlation Between Multiple Lung Nodules with Ground-Glass Opacity Differentiates Multicentric Origin from Intrapulmonary Spread

IntroductionNo standard guidelines detailing recommendations for the selection and treatment for multiple lung nodules with ground-glass opacity (GGO) have been established. For treatment decision, we analyzed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/K-ras somatic aberrations and pathologic-radiologic correlation in multiple lung nodules presented as GGO to differentiate multifocal lesions from intrapulmonary spread.MethodsTwenty-four patients with multiple lung nodules presented as GGO were identified to investigate somatic mutations of EGFR (exon 18–21) and K-ras (codons 2, 13, and 61). This series included 18 atypical adenomatous hyperplasias (AAH), 15 bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (BAC), and 23 adenocarcinomas (ADC) obtained from 24 patients.ResultsHigh frequency of discordant EGFR mutations (17 of 24, 70.8%) could discriminate tumor clonality (18 of 24, 75%) of multiple lung neoplastic nodules presented as GGO. EGFR mutations were common in AAH (38.9%), BAC (46.7%), and ADC (39.1%). In case 4, AAH and BAC had different mutational changes, and in case 10, the BAC lesion contains EGFR mutation that is not in the invasive ADC. In case 17, the BAC had more mutational changes than the carcinoma. The pure GGO appearance in the radiologic examination corresponded preinvasive pathologic change.ConclusionsThis study showed that synchronous BAC and/or ADC can have different EGFR or K-ras mutational profiles suggesting these lesions arise as independent events rather than intrapulmonary spread or systemic metastasis. This has significant implication in staging and treatment. These findings might be a clue to establish guidelines of the multiple neoplastic lung nodules with GGO

Otologic Manifestation in IgG4-Related Systemic Disease

IgG4-related systemic disease, including autoimmune pancreatitis, is a multi-organ disorder characterized by elevated serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) concentration and IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration. We report a case of a 66-year-old woman with IgG4-related hearing disorder, presenting with fluctuating mixed hearing loss with middle ear effusion. The serum IgG4 level was elevated and pathological examination revealed dense infiltration of IgG4-positive lymphocyte in the renal parenchyma, lung tissue and lacrimal gland. With intravenous methylprednisolone at a dose of 60 mg daily, improvement of hearing loss were observed. No recurrence was observed for 6 months with mainternance of prednisolone and methotrexate

High adaptability of the omega loop underlies the substrate-spectrum-extension evolution of a class A β-lactamase, PenL

The omega loop in β-lactamases plays a pivotal role in substrate recognition and catalysis, and some mutations in this loop affect the adaptability of the enzymes to new antibiotics. Various mutations, including substitutions, deletions, and intragenic duplications resulting in tandem repeats (TRs), have been associated with β-lactamase substrate spectrum extension. TRs are unique among the mutations as they cause severe structural perturbations in the enzymes. We explored the process by which TRs are accommodated in order to test the adaptability of the omega loop. Structures of the mutant enzymes showed that the extra amino acid residues in the omega loop were freed outward from the enzyme, thereby maintaining the overall enzyme integrity. This structural adjustment was accompanied by disruptions of the internal α-helix and hydrogen bonds that originally maintained the conformation of the omega loop and the active site. Consequently, the mutant enzymes had a relaxed binding cavity, allowing for access of new substrates, which regrouped upon substrate binding in an induced-fit manner for subsequent hydrolytic reactions. Together, the data demonstrate that the design of the binding cavity, including the omega loop with its enormous adaptive capacity, is the foundation of the continuous evolution of β-lactamases against new drugs

Relation between preoperative hyperopia and surgical outcome in infantile esotropia

AIM: To evaluate the relation between preoperative hyperopia and surgical outcomes of infantile esotropia in patients younger than 24 months of age. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent bilateral medial rectus muscle recession for infantile esotropia between November 1, 2002 and December 1, 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of preoperative hyperopia. Group I had less than +3.0 diopter (D) of hyperopia and group II had between +3.0 and +5.0 D of hyperopia. Postoperative alignments were evaluated 1wk, 3, 6mo, and 1y after surgery. Following the 1-year postoperative visit, patients were monitored yearly. Relationships between preoperative factors including hyperopia and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were included, with 33 patients in group I and 13 patients in group II. The preoperative mean refractive error was +0.88 D in group I and +3.45 D in group II. Surgical outcomes were not significantly different between groups at any postoperative time point examined. Cumulative probability of surgical success, prevalence of inferior oblique overaction, dissociated vertical deviation, and re-operation rate were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative moderate hyperopia (less than +5.0 D) did not affect the surgical outcome of infantile esotropia. Therefore, the surgical correction of esotropia should be considered when the angle of esodeviation is unchanged following hyperopia correction, even in children with moderate hyperopia