Development of a Mobile Application, "Wild Flowers of Bukhansan National Park (version 1.0)", for Identification of Plants in Bukhansan National Park

Kim, Sang-Tae,Lee, Seung-Yeon,Kim, Seung-Chul,Byun, Hye-Won,Lee, Sang-Tae,Kim, Mu-Yeal,Hong, Seok-Pyo,Chung, Young-Jae,Park, Ki-Ryong,Lee, Chung-Hee,Lee, Joong-Ku,Heo, Kyeong-In,Lee, Ji-Ye,Lee, Eun-Je National Science Museum of Korea 2011 Journal of Korean nature Vol.4 No.3

We developed the educational purpose mobile application, named "Wild Flowers of Bukhansan National Park (version 1.0)", aiming for easy identification of wild flowers for students and visitors in the park. When visitors find a flower or part of plant in the park, visitors can search for its name utilizing the pictures and characters provided in their own smartphone mobile devices or tablet PCs. The application provides pictures of wild flowers in the park and character-based searching system based on 12 diagnostic features (e.g., growth form, leaf arrangement, flower symmetry, petal color, petal number, sepal number, etc). We adopted the complete floristic survey of Chung and Lee (1962) and added species that we confirmed their distribution in the park during the development of this application. In summary, number of vascular plants in this park was estimated to be 428 taxa including 100 families, 280 genera, 327 species, 1 subspecies, 50 varieties, and 5 formas. We provided a total of 588 pictures representing 358 taxa and each taxon includes multiple pictures in many cases. Included identification quizzes can be an efficient educational tool as well as fun activity for students and visitors who are learning plant species in Korea. Our next step will include GPS function in the application for indicating visitor's location and for providing previously reported sites of the species that we interested in the map of the park. The future application which includes GPS function will be a valuable tool for the monitoring of rare plants, plant researches related to the climate changes, etc. We currently provide Korean iPhone version only, and English version and both of android versions will be serviced soon.

The critical warning sign of real-time brainstem auditory evoked potentials during microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm

Park, Sang-Ku,Joo, Byung-Euk,Lee, Seunghoon,Lee, Jeong-A.,Hwang, Jeong-Ho,Kong, Doo-Sik,Seo, Dae-Won,Park, Kwan,Lee, Hoon-Taek Elsevier 2018 CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY - Vol.129 No.5

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P><B>Objective</B></P> <P>The aim of this study was to define the critical warning sign of real-time brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) for predicting hearing loss (HL) after microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS).</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>Nine hundred and thirty-two patients with HFS who underwent MVD with intraoperative monitoring (IOM) of BAEP were analyzed. We used a 43.9 Hz/s stimulation rate and 400 averaging trials to obtain BAEP. To evaluate HL, pure-tone audiometry and speech discrimination scoring were performed before and one week after surgery. We analyzed the incidence for postoperative HL according to BAEP changes and calculated the diagnostic accuracy of significant warning criteria.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>Only 11 (1.2%) patients experienced postoperative HL. The group showing permanent loss of wave V showed the largest percentage of postoperative HL (<I>p</I> < 0.001). No patient who experienced only latency prolongation (≥1 ms) had postoperative HL. Loss of wave V and latency prolongation (≥1 ms) with amplitude decrement (≥50%) were highly associated with postoperative HL.</P> <P><B>Conclusions</B></P> <P>Loss of wave V and latency prolongation of 1 ms with amplitude decrement ≥50% were the critical warning signs of BAEP for predicting postoperative HL.</P> <P><B>Significance</B></P> <P>These findings elucidate the critical warning sign of real-time BAEP.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Critical warning sign of real-time BAEP during MVD for hemifacial spasm have been studied. </LI> <LI> Loss of wave V and the significant change of both latency and amplitude are the critical signs. </LI> <LI> Isolated wave V latency prolongation of >1 ms without amplitude loss >50% is not saaociated with postoperative hearing loss. </LI> </UL> </P>

$Ca^{2+}$ is a Regulator of the WNK/OSR1/NKCC Pathway in a Human Salivary Gland Cell Line

Park, Soonhong,Ku, Sang Kyun,Ji, Hye Won,Choi, Jong-Hoon,Shin, Dong Min The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2015 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.19 No.3

Wnk kinase maintains cell volume, regulating various transporters such as sodium-chloride cotransporter, potassium-chloride cotransporter, and sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) through the phosphorylation of oxidative stress responsive kinase 1 (OSR1) and STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK). However, the activating mechanism of Wnk kinase in specific tissues and specific conditions is broadly unclear. In the present study, we used a human salivary gland (HSG) cell line as a model and showed that $Ca^{2+}$ may have a role in regulating Wnk kinase in the HSG cell line. Through this study, we found that the HSG cell line expressed molecules participating in the WNK-OSR1-NKCC pathway, such as Wnk1, Wnk4, OSR1, SPAK, and NKCC1. The HSG cell line showed an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) increase in response to hypotonic stimulation, and the response was synchronized with the phosphorylation of OSR1. Interestingly, when we inhibited the hypotonically induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase with nonspecific $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers such as 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, gadolinium, and lanthanum, the phosphorylated OSR1 level was also diminished. Moreover, a cyclopiazonic acid-induced passive $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ elevation was evoked by the phosphorylation of OSR1, and the amount of phosphorylated OSR1 decreased when the cells were treated with BAPTA, a $Ca^{2+}$ chelator. Finally, through that process, NKCC1 activity also decreased to maintain the cell volume in the HSG cell line. These results indicate that $Ca^{2+}$ may regulate the WNK-OSR1 pathway and NKCC1 activity in the HSG cell line. This is the first demonstration that indicates upstream $Ca^{2+}$ regulation of the WNK-OSR1 pathway in intact cells.

Internet-based Control Recruitment for a Case–Control Study of Major Risk Factors for Stroke in Korea: Lessons from the Experience

Park, Jong-Moo,Cho, Yong-Jin,Lee, Kyung Bok,Park, Tai Hwan,Lee, Soo Joo,Han, Moon-Ku,Ko, Youngchai,Lee, Jun,Cha, Jae-Kwan,Lee, Byung-Chul,Yu, Kyung-Ho,Oh, Mi-Sun,Lee, Ji Sung,Lee, Juneyoung,Bae, Hee-J Elsevier 2014 Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases Vol.23 No.10

<P><B>Background</B></P> <P>This study aimed to estimate the population-attributable risks (PARs) of 9 major risk factors for stroke in Korea through a case–control study and to test the feasibility and validity of internet-based control recruitment.</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>From April 2008 to September 2009, controls were enrolled via internet after providing consent for participation through a web-based survey. The cases included patients who were admitted to the participating centers due to acute stroke or transient ischemic attack within 7 days of onset during the study period. Each control was age- and sex-matched with 2 cases. Adjusted odd ratios, age-standardized prevalence, and PARs were estimated for the 9 major risk factors using the prevalence of risk factors in the control group and the age and sex characteristics from Korea's national census data.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>In total, 1041 controls were matched to 2082 stroke cases. Because of a shortage of elderly controls in the internet-based recruitment, 248 controls were recruited off-line. The PARs were 23.44%, 10.95%, 51.32%, and 6.35% for hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and stroke history, respectively. Hypercholesterolemia, atrial fibrillation, obesity, coronary heart disease, and a family history of stroke were not associated with stroke. Comparison with education and religion of the control group with that mentioned in the national census data showed a notable difference.</P> <P><B>Conclusions</B></P> <P>The study results imply that internet-based control recruitment for a case–control study requires careful selection of risk factors with high self-awareness and effective strategies to facilitate the recruitment of elderly participants.</P>

Increased HoxB4 Inhibits Apoptotic Cell Death in Pro-B Cells

Park, Sung-Won,Won, Kyung-Jong,Lee, Yong-Soo,Kim, Hye-Sun,Kim, Yu-Kyung,Lee, Hyeon-Woo,Kim, Bo-Kyung,Lee, Byeong-Han,Kim, Jin-Hoi,Kim, Dong-Ku The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2012 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.16 No.4

HoxB4, a homeodomain-containing transcription factor, is involved in the expansion of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells in vivo and in vitro, and plays a key role in regulating the balance between hematopoietic stem cell renewal and cell differentiation. However, the biological activity of HoxB4 in other cells has not been reported. In this study, we investigated the effect of overexpressed HoxB4 on cell survival under various conditions that induce death, using the Ba/F3 cell line. Analysis of phenotypical characteristics showed that HoxB4 overexpression in Ba/F3 cells reduced cell size, death, and proliferation rate. Moreover, the progression from early to late apoptotic stages was inhibited in Ba/F3 cells subjected to HoxB4 overexpression under removal of interleukin-3-mediated signal, leading to the induction of cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and attenuated cell death by Fas protein stimulation in vitro. Furthermore, apoptotic cell death induced by doxorubicin-treated G2/M phase cell-cycle arrest also decreased with HoxB4 overexpression in Ba/F3 cells. From these data, we suggest that HoxB4 may play an important role in the regulation of pro-B cell survival under various apoptotic death environments.

Subretinal transplantation of putative retinal pigment epithelial cells derived from human embryonic stem cells in rat retinal degeneration model

Park, Un-Chul,Cho, Myung-Soo,Park, Jung-Hyun,Kim, Sang-Jin,Ku, Seung-Yup,Choi, Young-Min,Moon, Shin-Yong,Yu, Hyeong-Gon The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2011 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.38 No.4

Objective: To differentiate the human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the defined culture condition and determine its therapeutic potential for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. Methods: The embryoid bodies were formed from hESCs and attached on the matrigel coated culture dishes. The neural structures consisting neural precursors were selected and expanded to form rosette structures. The mechanically isolated neural rosettes were differentiated into pigmented cells in the media comprised of N2 and B27. Expression profiles of markers related to RPE development were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining. Dissociated putative RPE cells ($10^5$ cells/5 ${\mu}L$) were transplanted into the subretinal space of rat retinal degeneration model induced by intravenous sodium iodate injection. Animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after transplantation, and immnohistochemistry study was performed to verify the survival of the transplanted cells. Results: The putative RPE cells derived from hESC showed characteristics of the human RPE cells morphologically and expressed molecular markers and associated with RPE fate. Grafted RPE cells were found to survive in the subretinal space up to 4 weeks after transplantation, and the expression of RPE markers was confirmed with immunohistochemistry. Conclusion: Transplanted RPE cells derived from hESC in the defined culture condition successfully survived and migrated within subretinal space of rat retinal degeneration model. These results support the feasibility of the hESC derived RPE cells for cell-based therapies for retinal degenerative disease.

Successful birth with preimplantation genetic diagnosis using single-cell allele-specific PCR and sequencing in a woman with hypochondroplasia due to FGFR3 mutation (c.1620C>A, p.N540K)

Park, Kyung Eui,Kim, Sung Ah,Kang, Moon Joo,Kim, Hee Sun,Cho, Sung Im,Yoo, Kyoung Won,Kim, So Yeon,Lee, Hye Jun,Oh, Sun Kyung,Seong, Moon-Woo,Ku, Seung-Yup,Jun, Jong Kwan,Park, Sung Sup,Choi, Young Mi The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2013 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.40 No.1

Hypochondroplasia (HCH) is an autosomal dominant inherited skeletal dysplasia, usually caused by a heterozygous mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3). A 27-year-old HCH woman with a history of two consecutive abortions of HCH-affected fetuses visited our clinic for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). We confirmed the mutation in the proband (FGFR3:c.1620C>A, p.N540K), and established a nested allele-specific PCR and sequence analysis for PGD using single lymphocyte cells. We performed this molecular genetic analysis to detect the presence of mutation among 20 blastomeres from 18 different embryos, and selected 9 embryos with the wild-type sequence (FGFR3:c.1620C). A successful pregnancy was achieved through a frozen-thawed cycle and resulted in the full-term birth of a normal neonate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a successful pregnancy and birth using single-cell allele-specific PCR and sequencing for PGD in an HCH patient.

Red Ginseng-containing diet helps to protect mice and ferrets from the lethal infection by highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus

Park, Eun Hye,Yum, Jung,Ku, Keun Bon,Kim, Heui Man,Kang, Young Myong,Kim, Jeong Cheol,Kim, Ji An,Kang, Yoo Kyung,Seo, Sang Heui The Korean Society of Ginseng 2014 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.38 No.1

The highly pathogenic (HP) H5N1 influenza virus is endemic in many countries and has a great potential for a pandemic in humans. The immune-enhancing prowess of ginseng has been known for millennia. We aimed to study whether mice and ferrets fed with Red Ginseng could be better protected from the lethal infections of HP H5N1 influenza virus than the infected unfed mice and ferrets. We fed mice and ferrets with Red Ginseng prior to when they were infected with HP H5N1 influenza virus. The mice and ferrets fed with a 60-day diet containing Red Ginseng could be protected from lethal infections by HP H5N1 influenza virus (survival rate of up to 45% and 40%, respectively). Interferon-${\alpha}$ and -${\gamma}$ antiviral cytokines were significantly induced in the lungs of mice fed Red Ginseng, compared to mice fed an unsupplemented diet. These data suggest that the diet with the immune-enhancing Red Ginseng could help humans to overcome the infections by HP H5N1 influenza virus.

Is Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Necessary for Patients with Initially Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases in the Era of Effective Chemotherapy?

Sang-Yong Son,Nam-Joon Yi,Geun Hong,Hyeyoung Kim,Min Su Park,Young Rok Choi,Kwang-Woong Lee,Kyung-Suk Suh,Sae-Won Han,Do-Youn Oh,Tae-You Kim,Duck-Woo Kim,Seung-Yong Jeong,Kyu-Joo Park,Jae-Gahb Park,Ku 대한종양외과학회 2011 대한임상종양학회 학술대회지 Vol.2011 No.9

Palladium-Assisted Reaction of 2,2-Dialkylbenzimidazole and Its Implication on Organic Solar Cell Performances

Ku, Jamin,Song, Suhee,Park, Sung Heum,Lee, Kwanghee,Suh, Hongsuk,Lansac, Yves,Jang, Yun Hee American Chemical Society 2015 The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C Vol.119 No.25

<P>A 2,2-dimethyl-2H-benzimidazole (22MBI) pulling unit has been synthesized as a potential high-solubility substitute for benzothiadiazole and incorporated into a push pull-type copolymer used for decent-efficiency (3%) organic photovoltaic devices. We herein replace the two methyl side groups of 22MBI by longer alkyl (ethyl, butyl, and hexyl) side chains to further improve the solubility. However, the copolymers replaced by the new pulling units, 2,2-diethyl/dibutyl/dihexl-2H-benzimidazole (22EBI/22BBI/22HB1), lose favorable optical characteristics and exhibit negligible (<0.5%) power conversion efficiency. Intrigued by this anomalous side-group effect of 2,2-dialkyl-2H-benzimidazole (22BI), we carry out time-dependent density functional theory calculations on a series of 22BI-based copolymers with various lengths of 2,2-dialkyl side chains (methyl, ethyl, butyl, and hexyl), but no discernible difference in equilibrium structure nor in electronic structure is found between them. We hence formulate a hypothesis that 22BI may either isomerize into 1,2-dialkylbenzimidazole (12BI) or lose one of its alkyl (>= ethyl) chains as olefin to become 2-dialkylbenzimidazole (2BI) because these aromatic products, unlike the quinoid-type 22BI, would exhibit unfavorable electronic structure for organic photovoltaic (OPV) applications. Indeed, the absorption spectra measured for the 22BI-based copolymers with long dialkyl side chains are best reproduced by the calculations on 2BI- and 12BI-based copolymers, and the two side products are calculated to be more stable than 22BI, indicating the spontaneity of the proposed reactions. The activation barriers are prohibitively high (>29 kcal/mol) but could be reduced down to 8 kcal/mol in the presence of palladium-based polymerization catalysts. Indeed, the presence of the predicted 12BI-containing side products is confirmed by NMR spectra. A temperature-dependent polymerization experiment shows that 22MBI is in fact subject to the same type of isomerization when the temperature is raised to 150 degrees C above the original polymerization temperature (90-110 degrees C), further supporting the hypothesis from our calculations and explaining the observed anomalous side-group effect.</P>