Silicon improves growth and antioxidative defense system in salt-stressed Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), ‘Perfection’ and ‘Midnight’

After 400 mM of NaCl treatment, 0.1 and 1.0 mM of silicon (Si) were added to Kentucky bluegrass, ‘Perfection’ and ‘Midnight,’ to identify the effect of Si on the antioxidant defense mechanisms and inorganic ions as a parameter in the salt stress on grass. Compared to the control, the NaCl treatment caused a significant decrease in the shoot length and the fresh and dry weight of shoot and root of the both types of Kentucky bluegrass. Adding Si after the NaCl treatment increased the growth and dry and fresh weight of shoot and root in the grass. In both types, the Na+ concentration significantly increased after the NaCl-only treatment compared to control and decreased dramatically after 0.1 and 1.0 mM Si were added following the NaCl treatment compared to the NaCl-only treatment. K+ and Si concentrations remarkably increased in the shoot and root when Si was added after NaCl treatment. There was a significant reduction in the oxygen radical absorption capacity and the total phenolic compounds in the both types. Compared to the NaCl-only treatment, higher glutathione and lower proline concentrations were observed in the plant treated with Si after NaCl treatment. These results suggest that, even though Si is not generally classified as ‘essential element’, Si may have a significant involvement in the antioxidant defense mechanisms and inorganic ions in the salt stress on grass.Key words: diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic concentration, proline, salt stress

A Parametric Study on the Immunomodulatory Effects of Electroacupuncture in DNP-KLH Immunized Mice

This study was conducted to compare the effects of low frequency electroacupuncture (EA) and high frequency EA at acupoint ST36 on the production of IgE and Th1/Th2 cytokines in BALB/c mice that had been immunized with 2,4-dinitrophenylated keyhole limpet protein (DNP-KLH), as well as to investigate the difference in the immunomodulatory effects exerted by EA stimulations at acupoint ST36 and at a non-acupoint (tail). Female BALB/c mice were divided into seven groups: normal (no treatments), IM (immunization only), ST36-PA (IM + plain acupuncture at ST36), ST36-LEA (IM + low frequency (1 Hz) EA at ST36), ST36-HEA (IM + high frequency (120 Hz) EA at ST36), NA-LEA (IM + low frequency (1 Hz) EA at non-acupoint) and NA-HEA (IM + high frequency (120 Hz) EA at non-acupoint). EA stimulation was performed daily for two weeks, and total IgE, DNP-KLH specific IgE, IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were measured at the end of the experiment. The results of this study showed that the IgE and IL-4 levels were significantly suppressed in the ST36-LEA and ST36-HEA groups, but not in the NA-LEA and NA-HEA groups. However, there was little difference in the immunomodulatory effects observed in the ST36-LEA and ST36-HEA groups. Taken together, these results suggest that EA stimulation-induced immunomodulation is not frequency dependent, but that it is acupoint specific

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome as a cause of persistent neuromuscular weakness after a mediastinoscopic biopsy -A case report-

There are many causes of prolonged postoperative muscle weakness, including drugs, residual anesthetics, cerebrovascular events, electrolyte imbalance, hypothermia, and neuromuscular disease. Neuromuscular diseases are relatively rare, with the most common being myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). We report an unusual case in which a patient who was given a muscle relaxant during mediastinoscopy developed postoperative muscle weakness that was ultimately diagnosed as secondary to LEMS

Inter-arm arterial pressure difference caused by prone position in the thoracic outlet syndrome patient -A case report-

Thoracic outlet syndrome has neurologic symptoms caused by compression of brachial plexus, blood vessel symptoms are caused by compression of the artery or vein. The authors report a case of sudden decrease in blood pressure of the left arm after turning the patient from supine position to prone position. They confirmed that the patient had thoracic outlet syndrome after performing computed tomography

2018 Korean Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the management of hypertension: part II-diagnosis and treatment of hypertension

The standardized techniques of blood pressure (BP) measurement in the clinic are emphasized and it is recommended to replace the mercury sphygmomanometer by a non-mercury sphygmomanometer. Out-of-office BP measurement using home BP monitoring (HBPM) or ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and even automated office BP (AOBP) are recommended to correctly measure the patients genuine BP. Hypertension (HTN) treatment should be individualized based on cardiovascular (CV) risk and the level of BP. Based on the recent clinical study data proving benefits of intensive BP lowering in the high risk patients, the revised guideline recommends the more intensive BP lowering in high risk patients including the elderly population. Lifestyle modifications, mostly low salt diet and weight reduction, are strongly recommended in the population with elevated BP and prehypertension and all hypertensive patients. In patients with BP higher than 160/100 mmHg or more than 20/10 mmHg above the target BP, two drugs can be prescribed in combination to maximize the antihypertensive effect and to achieve rapid BP control. Especially, single pill combination drugs have multiple benefits, including maximizing reduction of BP, minimizing adverse effects, increasing adherence, and preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and target organ damage

2018 Korean society of hypertension guidelines for the management of hypertension: part III-hypertension in special situations

Treatment of hypertension improves cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular outcomes. However, the benefit of treatment may be different according to the patients characteristics. Additionally, the target blood pressure or initial drug choice should be customized according to the special conditions of the hypertensive patients. In this part III, we reviewed previous data and presented recommendations for some special populations such as diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, elderly people, and cardio-cerebrovascular disease

2018 Korean Society of Hypertension guidelines for the management of hypertension: part I-epidemiology of hypertension

The Korean Society of Hypertension guideline defines hypertension as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, where the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment has been established. It is confirmed that higher blood pressure levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality also in the Korean population. About one third of Korean adults aged 30 years or older are estimated to have hypertension, and the prevalence of hypertension gradually increases as the age increases. The awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension are generally improving in Korea, but more efforts are required to increase awareness and treatment among younger patients with hypertension and to improve lifestyle modification compliance at all ages. More studies are required to determine the magnitude and impact of white coat hypertension and masked hypertension in the Korean population