Effect of media and gelling agents on shoot organogenesis of Liriope platyphylla

Liriope platyphylla can be multiplied either by planting seeds or dividing its tuberous roots. In this study, a method for L. platyphylla plant shoot organogenesis from meristem explants was developed employing medium and gelling agents. For the selection of optimal medium conditions for shoot organogenesis, the effects of full- and half-strength B5, SH, and MS media were examined. Different concentrations of the gelling agents such as phytagar (6, 7, 8, and 9 g L-1) and gellan gum (2, 3, 4, and 5 g L-1) were examined for efficient shoot formation. The results revealed the superiority of half-strength MS basal medium in shoot organogenesis and growth of Liriope platyphylla. But the half-strength B5 media performed poorly. Compared to plant agar, gellan gum performed well in terms of shoot regeneration and shoot length. When gellan gum was used at 3 g L-1 the maximum number of shoots explant-1 (5.8) and longest shoot (45.8 mm) was observed but the lowest number of shoots explant-1 (3.2) and shortest shoot (21.4 mm) was registered with 5 g L-1. It is proposed from our study that half-strength MS media and gellan gun gelling agent at 3 g/l could be applied in shoot organogenesis and growth of L. platyphylla

How lessons learned from the 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak affected the response to coronavirus disease 2019 in the Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korea (ROK) experienced a public health crisis due to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2015 and is currently going through the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Lessons learned from the disastrous MERS outbreak were reflected in the preparedness system, and the readiness capabilities that were subsequently developed enabled the country to successfully flatten the epidemic curve of COVID-19 in late February and March 2020. In this review, we summarize and compare the epidemiology and response of the ROK to the 2015 MERS outbreak and the COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020. We emphasize that, because further COVID-19 waves seem inevitable, it is urgent to develop comprehensive preparedness and response plans for the worst-case scenarios of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously strengthening healthcare capacity to endure the peak demand and implementing smart strategies to sustain social distancing and public hygiene are necessary until safe and effective therapeutics and vaccines against COVID-19 are available.Peer reviewe

Ability of Stratus OCT to identify localized retinal nerve fiber layer defects in patients with normal standard automated perimetry results

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) with its internal normative database to discriminate between healthy eyes and eyes with a localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect not accompanied by a perimetric defect according to standard automated perimetry (SAP) (i.e., a preperimetric localized RNFL defect). METHODS: Data were retrospectively reviewed from 49 eyes of 49 subjects with preperimetric localized RNFL defects, and 49 healthy control eyes of 49 age-matched subjects, with classification into each group based primarily on red-free fundus photography RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of various OCT RNFL thickness parameters for identifying subjects with preperimetric localized RNFL defects was determined. In addition, the topographic relationship between the OCT-measured RNFL thickness and the localized RNFL defect location according to red-free fundus photography (i.e., the red-free RNFL defect) was examined. results. The sensitivity of the Stratus OCT RNFL thickness parameters ranged from 2.0% to 40.8%. The highest sensitivity was yielded using a criterion of > or =1 clock hour that were abnormal at the 5% level, which had a specificity of 85.7%. The OCT-measured RNFL thickness showed excellent topographic agreement with the red-free RNFL defect location. CONCLUSIONS: Although the sensitivity of current Stratus OCT RNFL thickness parameters is low for preperimetric localized RNFL defects, it appears that OCT has the potential to recognize such defects. Further study is needed to develop new analytical methods that will increase OCT sensitivity for identifying preperimetric localized RNFL damage

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase expression and pyranocoumarin accumulation in Angelica gigas plantlets exposed to light-emitting diodes

Angelica gigas (Dang Gui) is an important medicinal plant. In this study, we examined the accumulation of pyranocoumarin (decursin and decursinol angelate) and the expression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in Korean angelica plantlet grown under different light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (red, orange, green, blue, and white). Three weeks after LED exposure (WAE), the transcript levels of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase mRNA in seedlings grown under orange LEDs were 4-, 18-, and 7-fold higher than those in seedlings grown under green, blue, and white LEDs, respectively. The decursinol angelate content was almost double than the decursin content. The highest levels of decursin (3.2 mg/g dry weight) and decursinol angelate (6 mg/g dry weight) were detected in plants grown under orange LEDs, at 2 WAE. Therefore, we suggest that orange LEDs may affect decursin and decursinol angelate accumulation. The findings of this study could help to determine an effective strategy for producing secondary metabolites in A. gigas using LED technology

Epidural Pneumatic Pseudocyst with Lumbar Radiculopathy: Two Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Intradiscal vacuum phenomenon is commonly shown in radiographic studies of the degenerative spine. In terms of pathophysiology, intradiscal gas migrates to the epidural space, and then it could compress neural tissues and lead to severe radicular pain and/or neurologic deficits. Herein, we report two patients with lumbar radiculopathy resulting from gas-containing pseudocysts at the L5-S1 space, including our treatment and literature review. One patient had been underwent L5-S1 partial laminectomy and removal of the gas-containing pseudocyst, and the other underwent right selective L5 root block. After the procedures, they didn’t have any remarkable complaints. In the present study, we suggest that surgical decompression may be effective in patients who were untreatable with conservative treatment

Genomic profile of metastatic breast cancer patient-derived xenografts established using percutaneous biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is a complex and life-threatening disease and although it is difficult to cure, patients can benefit from sequential anticancer treatment, including endocrine therapy, targeted therapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy. The patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model is suggested as a practical tool to predict the clinical outcome of this disease as well as to screen novel drugs. This study aimed to establish PDX models in Korean patients and analyze their genomic profiles and utility for translational research. METHODS: Percutaneous core needle biopsy or punch biopsy samples were used for xenotransplantation. Whole exome sequencing and transcriptome analysis were performed to assess the genomic and RNA expression profiles, respectively. Copy number variation and mutational burden were analyzed and compared with other metastatic breast cancer genomic results. Mutational signatures were also analyzed. The antitumor effect of an ATR inhibitor was tested in the relevant PDX model. RESULTS: Of the 151 cases studied, 40 (26%) PDX models were established. Notably, the take rate of all subtypes, including the hormone receptor-positive (HR +) subtype, exceeded 20%. The PDX model had genomic fidelity and copy number variation that represented the pattern of its donor sample. TP53, PIK3CA, ESR1, and GATA3 mutations were frequently found in our samples, with TP53 being the most frequently mutated, and the somatic mutations in these genes strengthened their frequency in the PDX model. The ESR1 mutation, CCND1 amplification, and the APOBEC signature were significant features in our HR + HER2- PDX model. Fulvestrant in combination with palbociclib showed a partial response to the relevant patient\u27s tumor harboring the ESR1 mutation, and CCND1 amplification was found in the PDX model. AZD6738, an ATR inhibitor, delayed tumor growth in a relevant PDX model. CONCLUSIONS: Our PDX model was established using core needle biopsy samples from primary and metastatic tissues. Genomic profiles of the samples reflected their original tissue characteristics and could be used for the interpretation of clinical outcomes

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn Associated with Anti-Jr(a) Alloimmunization in a Twin Pregnancy: The First Case Report in Korea

Jr(a) is a high-frequency antigen found in all ethnic groups. However, the clinical significance of the anti-Jr(a) antibody has remained controversial. Most studies have reported mild hemolytic disease of the newborn and fetus (HDNF) in Jr(a)-positive patients. Recently, fatal cases of HDNF have also been reported. We report the first case of HDNF caused by anti-Jr(a) alloimmunization in twins in Korea. A 33-yr-old nulliparous woman with no history of transfusion or amniocentesis was admitted at the 32nd week of gestation because of vaginal bleeding caused by placenta previa. Anti-Jr(a) antibodies were detected in a routine laboratory examination. An emergency cesarean section was performed at the 34th week of gestation, and 2 premature infant twins were delivered. Laboratory examination showed positive direct antiglobulin test and Jr(a+) phenotype in the red blood cells and the presence of anti-Jr(a) antibodies in the serum in both neonates. The infants underwent phototherapy for neonatal jaundice; this was followed by conservative management. They showed no further complications and were discharged on the 19th postpartum day. Preparative management to ensure the availability of Jr(a-) blood, via autologous donation, and close fetal monitoring must be performed even in cases of first pregnancy in Jr(a-) women. (Korean J Lab Med 2010;30:511-5)Arriaga F, 2009, TRANSFUSION, V49, P813, DOI 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2009.02118.xPeyrard T, 2008, TRANSFUSION, V48, P1906, DOI 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2008.01787.xROBACK JD, 2008, TECHNICAL MANUAL, P411CHUNG HJ, 2007, KOREAN J BLOOD TRANS, V18, P111Ishihara Y, 2006, FETAL DIAGN THER, V21, P269, DOI 10.1159/000091354Daniels GL, 2004, VOX SANG, V87, P304Kwon MY, 2004, TRANSFUSION, V44, P197Bellver-Pradas J, 2001, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V184, P75STROUP M, 1970, P 23 ANN M AM ASS BL, P86KIM DW, 1995, ELS APPL ELECT MAT, V6, P185MIYAZAKI T, 1994, VOX SANG, V66, P51OGASAWARA K, 1990, ACTA HAEMATOL JAPON, V53, P1131GARRATTY G, 1990, TRANSFUS MED REV, V4, P297NANCE SJ, 1987, TRANSFUSION, V27, P449BACON J, 1986, TRANSFUSION, V26, P543LEVENE C, 1986, TRANSFUSION, V26, P119TAKABAYASHI T, 1985, TOHOKU J EXP MED, V145, P97TOY P, 1981, VOX SANG, V41, P40ORRICK LR, 1980, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V137, P135NAKAJIMA H, 1978, VOX SANG, V35, P265VEDO M, 1978, TRANSFUSION, V18, P569TRITCHLER JE, 1977, TRANSFUSION, V17, P177KENDALL AG, 1976, TRANSFUSION, V16, P646