Integrated Identification and Genetic Diversity of Potentially Invasive Clearwing Moths (Lepidoptera: Cossoidea: Sesiidae) in Korea.

The populations of clearwing moth borers in Korea have recently caused extensive and severe damage to pin oaks ( Munchh.). We conducted field monitoring and molecular analyses to identify them in an integrated manner.

Predictors for future development of systemic lupus erythematosus in Korean Sjögren's syndrome patients.

Objective: This study determined the impact of demographic factors, clinical manifestations, disease activity, and serological tests at baseline on future SLE development in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients.

Methods: This retrospective study assessed 1,082 SS patients without other autoimmune diseases at baseline who visited our hospital between January 2012 and March 2021. We analyzed demographic features, extra-glandular manifestations (EGMs), clinical indices, and laboratory values at baseline between the two groups divided per future SLE development (SS/SLE group vs SS group).

Changes in the cholesterol profile of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors.

Objective: To assess the effects of biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on lipid profiles in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: This retrospective single-center observational study included patients with RA taking a tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi), abatacept, tocilizumab, or a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) for at least 6 months. Changes in lipid profile were assessed at 6 months after the start of treatment, and associations between changes in lipid profiles and clinical efficacy, concomitant medications, and comorbidities were evaluated.

Inflammatory Cytokines in Psoriatic Arthritis: Understanding Pathogenesis and Implications for Treatment.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a persistent, inflammatory disease that affects individuals with psoriasis, arthritis, and enthesitis. Research has demonstrated that inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-23 (IL-23), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) play a pivotal role in both the onset and progression of PsA. These cytokines are generated by activated immune cells and stimulate the attraction of inflammatory cells to the synovium and joint tissues, resulting in the deterioration of cartilage and bone.

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell-Based Therapies in Systemic Rheumatic Disease: From Challenges to New Approaches for Overcoming Restrictions.

Systemic rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis, are chronic autoimmune diseases affecting multiple organs and tissues. Despite recent advances in treatment, patients still experience significant morbidity and disability. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC)-based therapy is promising for treating systemic rheumatic diseases due to the regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of MSCs.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Facet Joint Ankylosis in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of facet joint ankylosis in the whole spine in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), and to identify factors associated with facet joint ankylosis.

Methods: Whole spine LDCT images from 161 patients with axSpA were examined, and the presence of facet joint ankylosis was assessed (right and left, C2-S1) by 2 readers. Facet joint ankylosis was scored from 0 to 46.

Historical review and occurrence records of Semenov, 1899 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) in Gwangneung Forest, South Korea with suggestions for species conservation.

Biodiversity has been declining and extinction rates have been exponentially increasing because of land use changes, invasion of exotic species, nutrient enrichment and climate change. In this scenario, many international networks such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature have been making efforts to raise conservation awareness and preserve species and their habitats in many countries. The relict longhorn beetle Semenov, 1899 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is the largest coleopteran species in the Palearctic region and has a unique distribution compared to its congeneric species.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Roh and Byun, 2018 (Lepidoptera: Psychidae).

We, herein, report the complete mitochondrial genome of () This species' genome has a total length of 15,429 bp (GenBank accession number: MK890245), consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and an A + T rich control region. The nucleotide composition is 39.1% T, 42.

Flammable Substances in Korea Considering the Domino Effect: Assessment of Safety Distance.

Benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) are flammable substances used in a wide range of raw materials and products. Chemical accidents caused by flammable substances are different from leakage accidents of toxic materials. Initial explosions and fires may cause secondary or tertiary explosions, or fires with nearby flammable materials.

Survey research on the habitation and biological information of Semenov in Gwangneung forest, Korea and Ussurisky nature reserve, Russia (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Prioninae).

An investigation on the habitation of Semenov, 1899 in Gwangneung forest was carried out, where the Korea National Arboretum is located. In an investigation spanning the last eleven years (2007-2017), 22 emergence holes, nine pupal chambers, six adults, and two larvae of were identified. In this study, biological information about habitation of is provided by comparing and combining the results of this investigation with a survey conducted in Ussurisky Nature Reserve, Russia, in 2015.

Retrospective Genetic Analysis of 200 Cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Its Relationship with Long QT Syndrome in Korea.

Background: There has been a campaign by the National Education on Sleeping Habits and Living Environment, to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, more than 100 infants die suddenly and unexplainably before the age of 1 year in Korea. Long QT syndrome (LQTS), an inheritable cardiac disease, has been reported to likely be associated with up to 14% of SIDS cases.

Characteristics of sauna deaths in Korea in relation to different blood alcohol concentrations.

Although the benefits of sauna bathing have been demonstrated in epidemiological studies, sauna deaths have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and forensic characteristics associated with different blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) in sauna deaths in Korea. In this retrospective analysis, data were collected from a nationwide pool in Korea between January 2008 and December 2015 to determine the role of alcohol intoxication in sauna deaths based on the subjects' BAC and to evaluate the demographic and forensic characteristics associated with different BACs.

A comparative synteny analysis tool for target-gene SNP marker discovery: connecting genomics data to breeding in Solanaceae.

It is necessary for molecular breeders to overcome the difficulties in applying abundant genomic information to crop breeding. Candidate orthologs would be discovered more efficiently in less-studied crops if the information gained from studies of related crops were used. We developed a comparative analysis tool and web-based genome viewer to identify orthologous genes based synteny as well as sequence similarity between tomato, pepper and potato.

Two new species of the genus Enderlein (Lepidoptera, Psychidae) from Korea.

The genus Enderlein, 1912 is reported for the first time from Korea with two new species: Dahlica (Dahlica) somae Roh & Byun, and Dahlica (Dahlica) ochrostigma Roh & Byun, Adults and genitalia are illustrated, and DNA barcodes for precise identification of the species are also provided.

Transient midventricular ballooning syndrome with thrombus post pericardiocentesis in a patient with malignant breast cancer.

One day after pericardiocentesis for pericardial effusion in a patient with malignant breast cancer, the clinical and echocardiographic examination for recurrent dyspnea suggested stress cardiomyopathy with mid left ventricular ballooning and thrombus rather than pericardial decompression syndrome. Physicians should therefore pay attention to the possibility of ventricular dysfunction with thrombus post pericardiocentesis and to differences between stress cardiomyopathy and pericardial decompression syndrome. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Endoscopic Electrosurgery in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices.

Background/aims: Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) undergoing endoscopic electrosurgery (EE) are at a risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI). We aimed to analyze the effects of EE in CIED patients.

Methods: Patients with CIED who underwent EE procedures such as snare polypectomy, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) were retrospectively analyzed.

Investigation of bleeding focus in the intracranial vertebral artery with the use of posterior neck dissection method in traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by minor blunt trauma to the head or neck can lead to rapid collapse and death. The vertebral arteries are the vessels most commonly involved in such cases, but it is very difficult to find the bleeding focus in the vertebral arteries in routine autopsy because of the location of these vessels. Using the posterior neck dissection method, which is relatively easy and avoids artificial damage to the intracranial portion of the vertebral arteries, authors have identified tear sites in the intracranial artery in four out of five consecutive traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage cases.

Small RNA and transcriptome deep sequencing proffers insight into floral gene regulation in Rosa cultivars.

Background: Roses (Rosa sp.), which belong to the family Rosaceae, are the most economically important ornamental plants--making up 30% of the floriculture market. However, given high demand for roses, rose breeding programs are limited in molecular resources which can greatly enhance and speed breeding efforts.

A genome-wide comparison of NB-LRR type of resistance gene analogs (RGA) in the plant kingdom.

Plants express resistance (R) genes to recognize invaders and prevent the spread of pathogens. To analyze nucleotide binding site, leucine-rich repeat (NB-LRR) genes, we constructed a fast pipeline to predict and classify the R gene analogs (RGAs) by applying in-house matrices. With predicted ~37,000 RGAs, we can directly compare RGA contents across entire plant lineages, from green algae to flowering plants.

Forged seal detection based on the seal overlay metric.

This paper describes a method for verifying the authenticity of a seal impression imprinted on a document based on the seal overlay metric, which refers to the ratio of an effective seal impression pattern and the noise in the neighborhood of the reference impression region. A reference seal pattern is obtained by taking the average of a number of high-quality impressions of a genuine seal. A target seal impression to be examined, often on paper with some background texts and lines, is segmented out from the background by an adaptive threshold applied to the histogram of color components.

In silico identification and characterization of microRNAs and their putative target genes in Solanaceae plants.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, single-stranded, noncoding RNAs ranging from 19 to 25 nucleotides. The miRNA control various cellular functions by negatively regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The miRNA regulation over their target genes has a central role in regulating plant growth and development; however, only a few reports have been published on the function of miRNAs in the family Solanaceae.

Utility of postmortem autopsy via whole-body imaging: initial observations comparing MDCT and 3.0 T MRI findings with autopsy findings.

Objective: We prospectively compared whole-body multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and 3.0 T magnetic resonance (MR) images with autopsy findings.

Materials And Methods: Five cadavers were subjected to whole-body, 16-channel MDCT and 3.