Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are ubiquitous short tandem duplications found within eukaryotic genomes. Their length variability and abundance throughout the genome has led them to be widely used as molecular markers for crop-breeding programs, facilitating the use of marker-assisted selection as well as estimation of genetic population structure. Here, we report a software application, "SSR-Primer Generator" for SSR discovery, SSR-primer design, and homology-based search of in silico amplicons from a DNA sequence dataset. On submission of multiple FASTA-format DNA sequences, those analyses are batch processed in a Java runtime environment (JRE) platform, in a pipeline, and the resulting data are visualized in HTML tabular format. This application will be a useful tool for reducing the time and costs associated with the development and application of SSR markers.
Base Sequence ; Computer Simulation ; Genome ; Indonesia ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Among dental traumas, horizontal root fractures are relatively uncommon injuries. Proper initial management and periodical evaluation is essential for the successful treatment of a root-fractured tooth. If pulpal necrosis develops, endodontic treatment is indicated, exclusively for the coronal fragment. Fragment diastases exert a great influence on healing at the fracture line and on pulpal necrosis. An adequately treated root-fractured tooth has a good prognosis. This case report describes the treatment and 2-yr follow up of 3 maxillary central incisors, first with horizontal root fracture, second with horizontal root fracture and avulsion, and third with horizontal root fracture and lateral luxation. All three cases were treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (ProRoot, Dentsply). During 2 yr of follow-up evaluation, the root-fractured teeth of the present patients were well retained in the arch, showing periodontal healing, even after endodontic treatment.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Incisor ; Necrosis ; Prognosis ; Tooth ; Tooth Fractures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental data to develop an educational program for the development of nurses' core competences, and to improve the curriculum in nursing education institutions. METHODS: This study, based on a descriptive survey, was conducted with 1,019 nurses working in a tertiary hospital in Seoul. Among 47 core nursing practice items, core nursing practices as perceived by the participants and relevant educational requirements were measured on a four-point scale. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for the mean and standard deviation, one way ANOVA, and Duncan test as post-hoc test. RESULTS: Regarding the core nursing practice perceived as by the nurses, there were statistically significant differences in 43 out of 47 items according to nursing unit, and in 15 items according to clinical career. Regarding the educational requirements for core nursing practice, there were also statistically significant difference for the same items as perception differences according to nursing unit and clinical career. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest further study on the development of educational programs to advance the clinical expertise of nurses and for the development of curriculum reflecting the actual conditions and requirements in clinical nursing practice fields.
Curriculum ; Education, Nursing ; Needs Assessment ; Nursing Stations ; Nursing* ; Nursing, Private Duty ; Seoul ; Tertiary Care Centers*

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been though to be multipotent cells that can replicate that have the potential to differentiate into lineages of mesenchymal tissue including the bone, cartilage, fat, tendon, muscle, and marrow stroma. Especially, scaffolds to support cell-based tissue engineering are critical determinants of clinical efforts to regenerate and repair the body. Selection of a matrix carrier imvolves consideration of the matrix's role as a scaffold for physical support and host tissue integration as well as its ability to support of synergize the osteoinductive program of the implanted mesenchymal stem cell. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of autobone and Bio-Oss(R) to adherent mesenchymal stem cells as scaffolds on sinus augmentation with fibrin glue mixture in a rabbit model. 16 New Zealand White rabbits were divided randomly into 4 groups based on their time of sacrifice (1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks). First, mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from iliac crest marrow of rabbits and expanded in vitro. Cell culture was performed in accordance with the technique described by Tsutsumi et al. In the present study, the animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation, and the bone formation ability of each sides was evaluated clinically, radiologically, histologically and histomorphologically. According to the histological observations, autobone scaffolds group showed integrated graft bone with host bone from sinus wall. At 2 and 4 weeks, it showed active newly formed bone and neovascularization. At 8 weeks, lamellae bone was observed in sinus graft material area. Radiologically, autobone with stem cell showed more radiopaque than Bio-Oss(R) scaffolds group. there were significant differences in bone volume between 4 and 8 weeks (p<0.05).
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cartilage ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Osteogenesis ; Rabbits ; Stem Cells ; Tendons ; Tissue Engineering ; Transplants*

OBJECTIVES: Children are one of the most vulnerable populations to the impact of disasters. We aimed to examine children's mental health in the area affected by the Hebei Spirit oil spill accident on December 7, 2007. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted using the Korean versions of the Children's Depression Inventory and State Anxiety Inventory for Children on 1,362 children attending elementary schools in the affected area. The information on distances between the nearest contaminated coastline to the child's residential house or attending school were obtained using a web-based map by inputting two address points. The symptom risks of depression and state anxiety were estimated by multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, and other covariates. RESULTS: Children with the closest distance (in the fourth quartile) to the school from the contaminated coastline showed a significantly higher symptom risk of depression compared to those with the farthest distance (first quartile)(odds ratio, 2.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-5.33), while there was no significant association between anxiety symptoms and distance. CONCLUSIONS: Children, a vulnerable population for mental health impact by the oil spill accident, should be included in mental health programs in the community along with their family as victims of the disaster.
Anxiety ; Child ; Depression ; Disasters ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mental Health* ; Petroleum Pollution* ; Vulnerable Populations ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is an uncommon benign neoplasm of unknown etiology presenting as an incidental mass, fever, malaise, anemia, and weight loss. Generally, IPT in the lung is asymptomatic. A case of pulmonary IPT presenting as prolonged fever in a 59 year old man is presented with clinicopathological findings. The patient had been febrile for three months before admission. Five months before admission, a chest X-ray showed a small left pulmonary mass which was regarded as old tuberculosis. An chest X-ray taken on admission revealed a left pulmonary mass two times the size of the one on the first x-ray. Percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy were performed, and the microscopic examination revealed a plasma cell reaction with myofibroblastic proliferation, consistent with IPT. As prolonged unexplained fever is a frequent symptom in patients with IPTs, this disease entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin.
Anemia ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fever of Unknown Origin* ; Fever* ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Humans ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Myofibroblasts ; Needles ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary* ; Plasma Cells ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Weight Loss

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is an uncommon benign neoplasm of unknown etiology presenting as an incidental mass, fever, malaise, anemia, and weight loss. Generally, IPT in the lung is asymptomatic. A case of pulmonary IPT presenting as prolonged fever in a 59 year old man is presented with clinicopathological findings. The patient had been febrile for three months before admission. Five months before admission, a chest X-ray showed a small left pulmonary mass which was regarded as old tuberculosis. An chest X-ray taken on admission revealed a left pulmonary mass two times the size of the one on the first x-ray. Percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy were performed, and the microscopic examination revealed a plasma cell reaction with myofibroblastic proliferation, consistent with IPT. As prolonged unexplained fever is a frequent symptom in patients with IPTs, this disease entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin.
Anemia ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fever of Unknown Origin* ; Fever* ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Humans ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Myofibroblasts ; Needles ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary* ; Plasma Cells ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Weight Loss

Baker cyst is an enlargement of the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa. Neuropathy can occur due to either direct compression from the cyst itself or indirectly after cyst rupture. We report a unique case of a 49-year-old man with left sole pain and paresthesia who was diagnosed with posterior tibial neuropathy at the lower calf area, which was found to be caused by a ruptured Baker cyst. The patient's symptoms resembled those of lumbosacral radiculopathy and tarsal tunnel syndrome. Posterior tibial neuropathy from direct pressure of ruptured Baker cyst at the calf level has not been previously reported. Ruptured Baker cyst with resultant compression of the posterior tibial nerve at the lower leg should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who complain of calf and sole pain. Electrodiagnostic examination and imaging studies such as ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging should be considered in the differential diagnosis of isolated paresthesia of the lower leg.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Paresthesia ; Popliteal Cyst ; Radiculopathy ; Rupture ; Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome ; Tibial Nerve ; Tibial Neuropathy

The cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) influences endothelial cell survival, proliferation, inflammatory response, and angiogenesis in response to various angiogenic stimuli. In this study, we investigate the involvement of HO-1 in the angiogenic activity of orexin-A. We showed that orexin-A stimulates expression and activity of HO-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, we showed that inhibition of HO-1 by tin (Sn) protoporphryin-IX (SnPP) reduced orexin-A-induced angiogenesis in vivo and ex vivo. Orexin-A-stimulated endothelial tube formation and chemotactic activity were also blocked in SnPP-treated vascular endothelial cells. Orexin-A treatment increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and antioxidant response element (ARE) luciferase activity, leading to induction of HO-1. Collectively, these findings indicate that HO-1 plays a role as an important mediator of orexin-A-induced angiogenesis, and provide new possibilities for therapeutic approaches in pathophysiological conditions associated with angiogenesis.
Antioxidant Response Elements ; Endothelial Cells* ; Heme Oxygenase-1* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Luciferases ; Tin ; Orexins

Exercise training is highly correlated with the reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), although it enhanced insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake and glucose transporter expression to reduce severity of diabetic symptoms. This study investigated the impact of short-term swimming exercise on insulin regulation in the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat as a non-obese model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Wistar (W/S) and GK rats were trained 2 hours daily with the swimming exercise for 4 weeks, and then the changes in the metabolism of insulin and glucose were assessed. Body weight was markedly decreased in the exercised GK rats compare to their non-exercised counterpart, while W/S rats did not show any exercise-related changes. Glucose concentration was not changed by exercise, although impaired glucose tolerance was improved in GK rats 120 min after glucose injection. However, insulin concentration was decreased by swimming exercise as in the decrease of GSIS after running exercise. To identify the other cause for exercise-induced insulin down-regulation, the changes in the levels of key factors involved in insulin production (C-peptide) and clearance (insulin-degrading enzyme; IDE) were measured in W/S and GK rats. The C-peptide level was maintained while IDE expression increased markedly. Therefore, these results showed that insulin down-regulation induced by short-term swimming exercise likely attributes to enhanced insulin clearance via IDE over-expression than by altered insulin production.
Animals ; Body Weight ; C-Peptide ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Down-Regulation ; Glucose ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulysin ; Rats ; Running ; Swimming