A destructive stem rot of wild aster (Aster koraiensis) occurred sporadically some farmers' fields in Guman-myon, Kosong-gun, Kyongsangnam-do in 2000. One of the most severely infected field in Kosong showed 28.6 percent of infection rate. The fungus also caused stem or crown rot and systemic wilt or blight of the plants. White mycelium spread over stems and petioles of infected plants and sclerotia formed on the old lesions and near the soil surface. The fungus showed maximum mycelial growth around 30degrees C and did not grow under 5degrees C and over 45degrees C and mycelial width were 4.3~10.2 microm. Colony was white, usually many narrow mycelial stand in the aerial mycelium and formed clamp connection. Numerous sclerotia were formed on PDA at 30degrees C. The shape sclerotia were globoid and 0.8~3.0x0.9~3.4 mm in size. The fungus was isolated repeatedly from the infected tissues and confirmed its pathogenecity to wild aster and identified as Sclerotium rolfsii. This is the first report on the stem rot of wild aster caused by S. rolfsii in Korea.
Crowns ; Fungi ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Korea* ; Mycelium ; Soil

Objective To investigate the mRNA and protein expression levels of interferon(IFN)-?in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),to analyze the relationship between IFN-?and disease activity,and to evaluate the role of IFN-?in the pathogenesis of lupus.Methods SYBR green dyeⅠbased real-time quantatives PCR method was used to compare the mRNA expression levels of IFN-?in the peripheral blood leucocyte of SLE patients and healthy controls.Surum levels of IFN-?were measured with ELISA method.Results IFNA1 mRNA expression level in SLE patients(2.8?3.5)was signifi- cantly lower than that of normal controls(12.7?10.7,P=0.000).There was no significant difference between patients treated with glucocorticoid and those without in the expression level of IFNA1(P=0.549).Serum levels of IFN-?in SLE patients was significantly higher than that of normal controls(P=0.003).The SLEDAI score and anti-dsDNA antibody correlated positively,and complement components C3,C4 and leukocytes correlated negatively with serum concentration of IFN-?.IFN-?level correlated with the presence of fever and rash. Conclusion The close relationship between IFN-?serum level and disease activity in SLE patients suggests that IFN-?might be of importance in the disease process.

Soft rot on banana fruit caused by Rhizopus oryzae was identified for the first time in Korea. Colonies were white to light brown and formed numerous sporangiospores. Optimum temperature for mycelial growth was 30degrees C. Sporangia were globose and 30~200 microm. Sporangiophores were usually straight, 8~20 microm, and rhizoids usually in groups of 3~5. Columella were globose to sub-globose and 90~110 microm. Sporangiospores were sub-globose or oval and 4~10 microm. Based on its mycological characteristics, molecular analysis, and pathogenicity to host plants, this fungus was identified as Rhizopus oryzae Went & Prisen Geerligs. This is the first report of soft rot on banana caused by Rhizopus oryzae in Korea.
Fruit ; Fungi ; Humans ; Korea ; Light ; Musa ; Oryza ; Rhizopus ; Sporangia

BACKGROUNDNasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients have a 19%-56% locoregional recurrence rate after primary therapy. For those recurrent NPC (rNPC) patients, re-irradiation may cause some complications. In recent years, endoscopic endonasal nasopharyngectomy (EEN) has become a surgical option for rNPC patients. Here we introduce the concept of en bloc excision (EBE) technique for EEN, including the surgical technique and clinical outcomes.

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted covering September 2009 to May 2013, involving the collection of locoregional rNPC cases from two institutions (Kuang-Tien General Hospital (KTGH) in Taiwan and National University Health System (NUHS) in Singapore). These patients failed prior therapy and then underwent EEN. We reported the 2-year overall survival rate, the 2-year disease-free survival rate, and related complications.

RESULTSNine patients (five from KTGH and four from NUHS) completed this study, with five, two, and two patients of recurrence tumors (rT1), rT2, and rT3, respectively. The mean age was 46.4 years (range 32-63); the mean follow-up period was 24.9 months (range 10-45). The 2-year survival rate and the 2-year disease-free rate were 100% and 80%, respectively, in five patients. No significant complications or cases of mortality occurred.

CONCLUSIONSThe EBE concept of EEN is suitable for early rT1 and has relatively encouraging short-term outcomes. In selected rT2, careful EBE can be performed by expanding the surgical field. A clear view of the internal carotid artery-related anatomy is indispensable. In the future, more series may be needed to determine the role of EEN in rNPC patients.

Adult ; Carcinoma ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome