Agarum clathratum, a brown macroalgae species, has recently become a serious environmental problem on the coasts of Korea. In an effort to solve this problem, fungal diversity associated with decaying A. clathratum was investigated and related β-glucosidase and endoglucanase activities were described. A total of 233 fungal strains were isolated from A. clathratum at 15 sites and identified 89 species based on morphology and a multigene analysis using the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and protein-coding genes including actin (act), β-tubulin (benA), calmodulin (CaM), and translation elongation factor (tef1). Acremonium, Corollospora, and Penicillium were the dominant genera, and Acremonium fuci and Corollospora gracilis were the dominant species. Fifty-one species exhibited cellulase activity, with A. fuci, Alfaria terrestris, Hypoxylon perforatum, P. madriti, and Pleosporales sp. Five showing the highest enzyme activities. Further enzyme quantification confirmed that these species had higher cellulase activity than P. crysogenum, a fungal species described in previous studies. This study lays the groundwork for bioremediation using fungi to remove decaying seaweed from populated areas and provides important background for potential industrial applications of environmentally friendly processes.
Acremonium ; Actins ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Calmodulin ; Cellulase ; Fungi ; Korea ; Penicillium ; Peptide Elongation Factors ; Seaweed

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) presenting as bilateral vocal cord paralysis is extremely rare. We report an unusual case of GBS in which the patient manifested hoarseness resulting from bilateral vocal cord paralysis. In conclusion, GBS needs to be considered as possible causes of new onset bilateral vocal cord paralysis. We emphasize that early recognition of atypical presentations of GBS warrants further evaluation and appropriate management.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; Vocal Cords

Amyloidosis is a condition of abnormal deposition of extracellular insoluble fibrillar proteins, termed amyloid, in tissue and organs throughout the body. Systemic amyloidosis, consisting of light amyloid protein (AL protein), the spectrum of multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma, is categorized as a primary amyloidosis; secondary amyloidosis consists of an acute phase reactant serum amyloid A protein (AA protein), which is associated with neoplasm. Amyloid involvement of the tongue is almost always secondary to systemic AL amyloidosis. Macroglossia due to amyloid depositions can lead to serious airway obstruction. We report a case of a 68-year-old woman suffering from dyspnea due to macroglossia. She was diagnosed with amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma.
Airway Obstruction ; Amyloid ; Amyloidosis ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Light ; Macroglossia ; Multiple Myeloma ; Plaque, Amyloid ; Plasmacytoma ; Proteins ; Serum Amyloid A Protein ; Stress, Psychological ; Tongue

Leiomyoma is a benign neoplasm that are thought to originate from the vascular smooth muscle. Leiomyoma more commonly found in the uterus, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. The nasal cavity is an uncommon site for a leiomyoma. We experienced a case of leiomyoma originating in the left nasal vestibule in a 64-year-old female. It was successfully removed by endoscopic surgery, and we report this case with a review of the related literatures.
Angiomyoma* ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Nasal Cavity ; Skin ; Uterus

We present a case of huge nasal polyp with metaplastic ossification, which obstructed left nasal cavity and nasopharynx, and provoked both nasal obstruction and sleep apnea. The patient had a history of previous sinus surgery at local hospital 30 years ago. Nasal polyp with metaplstic ossification was removed by endoscopic sinus surgery. This case highlights the importance of including metaplastic ossification of nasal polyp in the differential diagnosis of nasal cavity mass.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Metaplasia ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nasal Polyps* ; Nasopharynx* ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes

We present a case of huge nasal polyp with metaplastic ossification, which obstructed left nasal cavity and nasopharynx, and provoked both nasal obstruction and sleep apnea. The patient had a history of previous sinus surgery at local hospital 30 years ago. Nasal polyp with metaplstic ossification was removed by endoscopic sinus surgery. This case highlights the importance of including metaplastic ossification of nasal polyp in the differential diagnosis of nasal cavity mass.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Metaplasia ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nasal Polyps* ; Nasopharynx* ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes

Mucoceles are relatively common cystic lesions of the paranasal sinuses. However, mucocele of the nasal septum is extremely rare. We report a case of a mucocele present in this unusual location. Mucocele of the nasal septum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mass of the nasal septum and/or median canthal region. Nasal septal mucocele can be effectively treated with endoscopic marsupialization or complete excision.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Mucocele* ; Nasal Septum* ; Paranasal Sinuses

The wood decay fungi are a diverse taxonomic group that plays a pivotal role in forest carbon cycling. Wood decay fungi use various enzymatic pathways to digest dead or living wood in order to obtain carbon and other nutrients and these enzymatic systems have been exploited for both industrial and medical applications. Over 600 wood decay fungi species have been described in Korea; however, the recent application of molecular markers has dramatically altered the taxonomy of many of these wood decay fungi at both the genus and species levels. By combining molecular methods, specifically sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region, with traditional morphological characters, this study identified five new species records for Korea in five genera: Aurantiporus, Favolus, Neofavolus, Loweomyces, and Hymenochaetopsis. Three of these genera (Aurantiporus, Favolus, and Loweomyces) were previously unknown in Korea. The relatively simple morphology of the wood decay fungi often leads to ambiguous taxonomic assignment. Therefore, molecular markers are a necessary component of any taxonomic or evolutionary study of wood decay fungi. Our study highlights the need for a more robust and multifaceted approach in investigating new wood decay fungi in Korea.
Carbon ; Classification ; Forests ; Fungi* ; Korea* ; Polyporales ; Wood*

Most known species in the Strophariaceae are decomposers and grow on various kind of organic matter. Approximately 18 genera and 1,316 species in the Strophariaceae have been reported worldwide. Through an ongoing survey of indigenous fungi in Korea, 29 specimens belonging to the Strophariaceae were collected from 2012 to 2016. These specimens were identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer sequences. Fifteen taxa were confirmed, with eight species matching those previously recorded. Seven species in five genera were shown to be new records in Korea: Galerina marginata, Gymnopilus crociphyllus, Gymnopilus picreus, Hebeloma birrus, Hebeloma cavipes, Pholiota multicingulata, and Psilocybe thaizapoteca. In this study, we provide detailed morphological descriptions of these species and investigate their evolutionary relationships by constructing phylogenetic trees.
Fungi ; Hebeloma ; Korea* ; Pholiota ; Psilocybe ; Trees