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Cnidium officinale Makino, a perennial crop in the Umbeliperae family, is one of Korea’s representative forest medicinal plants. However, the growing area of C. officinale has been reduced by plant disease and soil sickness caused by fusarium wilt. This study isolated rhizosphere bacteria from C. officinale, and their antagonistic activity was evaluated against Fusarium solani. Particularly, four isolated strains, namely, PT1, ST7, ST8, and SP4, showed a significant antagonistic activity against F. solani. An in planta test showed that the mortality rates of shoots were significantly low in the PT1-inoculated group. The fresh and dry weights of the inoculated plants were also higher than that of the other groups. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the strain PT1 as Leclercia adecarboxylata, and downstream studies confirmed the production of antagonism-related enzymes such as siderophore and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase. The phosphorous solubilizing ability and secretion of related enzymes were also analyzed. The results showed that PT1 strain could be utilized as promising plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and biocontrol agents (BCAs).

Cnidium officinale Makino, a perennial crop in the Umbeliperae family, is harvested in the summer for medicinal purposes. The average temperature in Korea has recently increased, and consequently, the area used to cultivate C. officinale has been reduced, and plant disease and soil sickness have increased. In this study, rhizosphere bacteria were isolated from C. officinale, and their antagonistic activity evaluated against Fusarium solani, which is a major issue during repeated cultivation. Twenty-eight strains were isolated from the root and rhizosphere soil, of which seven showed antagonistic activity against F. solani and were further investigated. An in planta test found that the dead rate of shoots was significantly lower in the group inoculated with PT1 isolated from the root tissue and that the fresh and dry weights were also higher, when compared with the other groups. PT1 was thus considered to have antagonistic activity against F. solani. The 16S rRNA analysis identified the PT1 as Leclercia adecarboxylata, and downstream studies confirmed the production of enzymes related to antagonism, such as siderophore and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase. The phosphorous solubilizing ability and secretion of related enzymes were also confirmed. The results indicate that PT1 could be utilized as a PGPR to help control fusarium wilt.

We developed and validated an optimized method for quantifying lignans using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and performs correlation analysis of growth characteristics and contents of lignans. The methods for determining lignans were validated by measuring the linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, and precision using UPLC. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r2 ≥ 0.9998) within the tested ranges. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.003–0.02 µg/mL and 0.01–0.07 µg/mL, respectively. The precision of analysis was less than 3%. The recoveries of quantified compounds ranged from 98.4 to 101.68%. Growth characteristics of fruits were negatively correlated with content of total marker compounds. The results of this study can be used to quality-control of S. chinensis fruits used as medicinal raw materials.

Background/Aims To investigate whether parapapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD) is associated with progressive retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thinning in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and disc haemorrhage (DH). Methods Parapapillary microvasculature was evaluated by swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA) in 50 eyes with POAG and DH, 1 year before, at the time of and 1 year after the detection of DH. MvD was defined as an area in the parapapillary deep layer of focal sectoral dropout with no visible microvascular network. Progressive changes in OCT RNFL thickness were compared in groups of eyes with and without MvD. Results Cumulative prevalence of MvD was 76.0% (38 eyes) at 1 year after detection of DH. All MvDs were detected in the same sectoral locations as DH. In eyes with MvD, global RNFL thickness and sectoral RNFL thickness at the location of DH were significantly reduced, both from 1 year before to the time of DH detection (both p Conclusion In eyes with POAG, RNFL thinning was spatially consistent and progressive at the location of MvD accompanied by subsequent DH and continued to progress after the occurrence of DH. When DH was not accompanied by MvD, progressive RNFL thinning was more likely to occur after the detection of DH.

Background : Studies have proposed an inverse association between allergic diseases and cancer risk, but few studies to date have specifically investigated the risk of primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC; intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, ICC) in patients with or without allergic diseases. Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between allergic diseases and risk of developing liver cancer.Methods: A retrospective cohort study of the Korean National Health Insurance Service database was performed to study 405,512 South Korean adults ages 40 and above who underwent routine health screening after January 1st, 2005. All participants were followed for liver cancer diagnosis or death until December 31st, 2013. Those who died before the index date, had pre-diagnosed cancer, or did not undergo health screening were excluded. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to determine the adjusted hazard ratios(aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk of developing liver cancer according presence or absence of atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis.Results: The aHR (95% CI) for overall liver cancer among allergic patients was 0.72 (0.64-0.81). Allergic patients had significantly reduced risk of HCC (aHR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.61-0.81) but not ICC (aHR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.71-1.08). Presence of allergic diseases was associated with significantly lower risk of liver cancer in both patients with (aHR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.47-0.8) or without (aHR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.65-0.85) chronic Hepatitis B/C infections. Presence of allergic diseases was associated with significantly lower risk of liver cancer in patients without cirrhosis (aHR: 0.72, 95% CI 0.63-0.82), but not in those with cirrhosis (aHR: 0.98, 95% CI 0.68-1.41). Patients with multiple allergies had even lower risk of liver cancer compared to patients with single allergy. Conclusion: Patients with allergic diseases have significantly lower risk of developing liver cancer compared to those without allergic diseases, which supports the rationale for immunotherapy as an effective treatment of liver cancer.

A number of studies have proposed an inverse association between allergic diseases and risk of cancer, but only a few studies have specifically investigated the risk of primary liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of allergic diseases with risk of primary liver cancer. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of the Korean National Health Insurance Service database consisted of 405,512 Korean adults ages 40 and above who underwent health screening before January 1st, 2005. All participants were followed up until the date of liver cancer, death, or December 31st, 2013, whichever happened earliest. Those who died before the index date or had pre-diagnosed cancer were excluded from the analyses. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk of primary liver cancer according to the presence of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The aHR (95% CI) for overall liver cancer among allergic patients was 0.77 (0.68–0.87) compared to those without allergic disease. Allergic patients had significantly reduced risk of HCC (aHR, 0.72; 95% CI 0.62–0.85) but not ICC (aHR, 0.95; 95% CI 0.73–1.22). The presence of allergies was associated with significantly lower risk of liver cancer among patients whose systolic blood pressure is lower than 140 mmHg (aHR, 0.64; 95% CI 0.62–0.78 for overall liver cancer; aHR, 0.64; 95% CI 0.52–0.78 for HCC) but this effect was not observed among patients whose systolic blood pressure is higher than 140 mmHg (aHR, 0.91; 95% CI 0.71–1.18 for overall liver cancer; aHR, 0.91; 95% CI 0.71–1.18 for HCC) The aHR (95% CI) for overall liver cancer of allergic patients with and without chronic hepatitis virus infection were 0.60 (95% CI 0.44–0.81) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.64–0.93), respectively. In addition, allergic patients without cirrhosis showed significantly lower risk of overall liver cancer (aHR, 0.73; 95% CI 0.63–0.83). Patients with allergic diseases have significantly lower risk of primary liver cancer compared to those without allergic diseases, which supports the rationale for immunotherapy as an effective treatment for liver cancer.

An efficient protocol for multiple shoot induction and plant regeneration from axillary bud culture of Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ was developed in the present study. Primary shoots were obtained from axillary bud explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). To induce multiple shoots effectively, primary shoot tips were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BA and zeatin at 0, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L. Of these treatments, the MS medium with 0.5 mg/L BA resulted in the highest number of shoots per explant with an average value of 5.9, and it produced the greatest shoot height at 4.8 cm after 12 weeks of culturing. In the rooting of in vitro produced shoots, the greatest percentage of explants forming roots (91.3%), number of roots per explant (9.7), and root length (2.8 cm) were obtained in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 6.0 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized and hardened off inside the culture room with 87.5% survival rate. Plants were transferred to a greenhouse with a 97.2% survival rate. The highly efficient shoot multiplication and plant regeneration system reported herein can be used for large-scale clonal propagation of valuable Magnolia species or cultivars.

Purpose To determine the prognostic significance of choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD) to predict the future rate of progressive retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Design Prospective, longitudinal case series. Participants This study enrolled 101 eyes of 101 patients with POAG who underwent OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging of the optic nerve head at baseline and were followed up for at least 2 years thereafter, during which RNFL thickness was measured by serial spectral-domain OCT. Methods The peripapillary microvasculature was evaluated by examining en face OCTA images. Choroidal MvD was defined as a focal sectoral capillary dropout with no visible microvascular network in the choroidal layer. The rate of RNFL thinning was determined by linear regression of serial OCT RNFL thickness measurements. Main Outcome Measures Influence of the presence of an MvD on the rate of subsequent RNFL thinning. Results Microvasculature dropout was identified in 48 eyes (47.5%). The rate of global RNFL thinning was significantly faster in eyes with MvD than eyes without MvD (−1.6±0.8 vs. −1.2±0.9 μm/year, P = 0.018). Eyes with MvD in the inferior hemisphere (n = 41) showed a faster rate of inferior RNFL thinning than eyes without MvD (P = 0.036). Eyes with MvD in both the superior and inferior hemispheres (n = 5) showed faster rates of superior (P = 0.027) and inferior (P = 0.016) RNFL thinning than eyes without MvD. Multivariate regression analysis showed that MvD at baseline (P = 0.003) and the presence of disc hemorrhage during follow-up (P = 0.001) were independently associated with a faster rate of global RNFL thinning. Conclusions Microvasculature dropout was an independent predictor of a faster rate of progressive RNFL thinning in patients with POAG. Microvasculature dropout location was topographically associated with the location of faster RNFL thinning.

International audience; PurposeTo compare regional variations in lamina cribrosa (LC) curvature and depth between healthy eyes (group 1) and naïve eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) having superior (group 2), inferior (group 3), and both (group 4) hemifield retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects.DesignCross-sectional study.ParticipantsEach group consisted of 39 eyes of 39 Korean patients who were matched for age, sex, and axial length.MethodsThe LC curvature index (LCCI) and LC depth (LCD) were measured in B-scan images obtained using enhanced depth imaging OCT at 7 locations spaced equidistantly across the vertical optic disc diameter. Superior and inferior LCCI and LCD were compared by calculating the superior-to-inferior (Sup/Inf) ratios.Main Outcome MeasuresComparisons of LCCI, LCD, and Sup/Inf ratio among the 4 groups.ResultsCompared with healthy eyes (group 1), LCCIs were larger at the superior and middle planes in group 2, at the inferior and middle planes in group 3, and at all planes in group 4 (P ≤ 0.003). The LCD showed similar results, but there was no difference in superior planes between groups 1 and 2. The Sup/Inf ratio of LCCI differed significantly between groups 1 (1.03) and 2 (1.20), groups 1 and 3 (0.79), groups 2 and 3, groups 2 and 4 (0.96), and groups 3 and 4 (all P < 0.001), but not between groups 1 and 4 (P = 0.273). The Sup/Inf ratio of LCD differed only between groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.002).ConclusionsEyes with POAG showed regional differences in LC morphology, corresponding with the location of RNFL defects. The regional variations in LCCI suggest that LC morphology in POAG would be better assessed on a regional basis than by a global index.

PURPOSE To document the development of disc torsion. METHODS Consecutive disc photographs obtained at an interval of at least 1 year were reviewed retrospectively in 173 eyes of 173 Korean children. The angle of the vertical disc axis (AVDA) was measured in each fundus photograph with the fovea-disc center axis set at 0°. The associated change in the morphology of the optic disc was assessed by measuring the ratio of the horizontal to vertical disc diameters and the ratio of the maximum parapapillary atrophy width to vertical disc diameter. Eyes were divided into two groups with respect to the development of disc torsion: torsion and non-torsion group. Progressive torsion was defined as a change in AVDA between baseline and follow-up photographs beyond the coefficient of intraobserver repeatab ility. Factors associated with optic disc torsion were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Mean subject age and refractive error at the time of baseline fundus examination were 6.8 ± 1.7 (range, 2 to 11) years and 0.2 ± 2.6 (range, -6.0 to +5.5) diopters, respectively. Mean follow-up period was 44.8 ± 21.1 (range, 12 to 103) months. Forty-two eyes (24%) were classified as torsion group who showed changes in AVDA that were greater than the intraobserver measurement variability (4.5°) during the follow-up period. The development of optic disc torsion was associated with greater myopic shift, a decrease in horizontal to vertical disc diameters, and an increase in parapapillary atrophy width to vertical disc diameter. CONCLUSIONS Progressive optic disc torsion was a common phenomenon in the children included in this study. Torsion occurred as the result of optic disc tilt in an oblique axis in most cases. The findings provide a framework for understanding torsion-related glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

Background/AimsTo investigate the influence of peripapillary retinoschisis (PRS) on visual field (VF) test results in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).MethodsThirty eyes of 30 patients with POAG who had PRS at least once were included. All eyes were followed-up for a minimum 5 years at 4–6-month intervals. The occurrence of PRS was determined by circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer B-scan on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). The global and regional VF deviations just prior to and immediately after PRS formation, or just prior to and immediately after PRS resolution (if it occurred), were compared. VF sensitivity within the region corresponding to the OCT sector where PRS occurred was determined according to the Garway-Heath map.ResultsGlobal MD (p=0.345) and regional VF deviations (p=0.255) did not differ significantly between immediately after and just prior to PRS formation. Global MD (p=0.846) and regional VF deviations (p=0.758) were also similar between immediately after and just prior to PRS resolution.ConclusionPRS has no short-term effect on the VF sensitivity. Therefore, VF test can still be useful for evaluating glaucomatous damage even in the presence of PRS compared with OCT.

To investigate peripapillary microvascularity of the retina and choriocapillaris in uninvolved fellow eyes of patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (RVO) compared with that of healthy controls.Peripapillary optical coherence tomography angiography bilateral eye scans of 46 patients with unilateral RVO and 46 age-matched control eyes were reviewed. Microvascular density in radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP), superficial capillary plexus, and deep capillary plexus and signal void parameters in choriocapillaris were assessed. Data were statistically adjusted for hypertension.Microvascular densities in the RPCP and superficial capillary plexus were lower in the fellow eyes of patients with RVO than in the controls (RPCP, P = 0.021; superficial capillary plexus, P = 0.040). There were fewer choriocapillaris signal voids in the fellow eyes than in the control (P = 0.043). In patients with a duration of RVO onset12 months (n = 27), all signal void parameters were lower in the fellow eyes than in the control eyes (size, P = 0.03; number, P = 0.046; proportion of the total area, P = 0.029).Uninvolved fellow eyes of patients with unilateral RVO showed microvascular impairment in the retina and choriocapillaris, even after adjusting for age and hypertension, suggesting that an unknown systemic factor might affect both the affected and unaffected eyes.

Purpose To characterize the choroidal microvasculature in glaucomatous eyes with parapapillary intrachoroidal cavitation (PICC) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and its association with parapapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD). Methods This study included 47 glaucomatous eyes with PICC, as identified by color fundus photography and optical coherence tomography scanning of the optic nerve head area. Peripapillary choroidal microvasculature was evaluated on en-face OCTA images. Choroidal MvD was defined as a focal sectoral capillary dropout with no visible microvascular network. Results PICC was visible as a well-demarcated area with homogeneously reduced vessel density in en-face OCTA images of the choroidal layer. MvD was detected in 42 eyes (89.4%). Although located in the juxtapapillary area adjacent to the PICC, MvD was confined to the area of parapapillary atrophy. MvD observed in OCTA en-face images was distinguished from the area of PICC by the absence of vascular signal. Of the 50 PICCs, 49 (98.0%) had hemifield visual field defects at the location corresponding to the hemispheric location of PICC. Conclusions PICC was found to have a characteristic microvascular feature in choroidal en-face OCTA images, and to be topographically associated with glaucomatous visual field defect. PICC was frequently accompanied by MvD and was located adjacent to the area of MvD, suggesting that PICC and MvD have similar pathogenesis.

AimTo determine the relationship between corneal refractive surgery and the prevalence of glaucoma in the Korean population.MethodsData were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a population-based cross-sectional study using a complex, stratified, multistage, probability-cluster survey. This study included 604 eyes that had undergone myopic corneal refractive surgery, and 3389 control eyes without a history of any ocular surgery and having a spherical equivalent (SE) ResultsGlaucoma prevalence did not differ between eyes that had and had not undergone corneal refractive surgery (p=0.675). After adjusting for age, sex, SE, and intraocular pressure, multivariate logistic regression analysis found that corneal refractive surgery was significantly associated with an increased risk of glaucoma (OR 9.14, p=0.002; 95% CI 2.22 to 37.69). Subgroup analysis that only included control eyes with a refraction cut-off ConclusionsHistory of corneal refractive surgery was associated with a higher prevalence of glaucoma in the Korean population. However, this association was not observed in eyes with a higher degree of myopia.

Purpose To compare lamina cribrosa (LC) morphology in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and autosomal-dominant optic atrophy (ADOA). Methods This cross-sectional study matched 24 patients diagnosed with ADOA (24 eyes) by age and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness with 48 patients diagnosed with NTG (48 eyes) by age with 48 healthy controls (48 eyes). Optic nerve heads were scanned by enhanced-depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT). The LC curvature index (LCCI) and LC depth (LCD) on B-scan images obtained using EDI-OCT were measured at seven locations spaced equidistantly across the vertical optic disc diameter and compared among the NTG, ADOA, and control groups. Results Mean LCCI and LCD were significantly greater in NTG than in ADOA and healthy eyes (P < 0.001 each) but did not differ significantly in ADOA and healthy eyes. Conclusions NTG eyes have a more posteriorly curved and deeper LC than ADOA and healthy eyes. This finding provides insight into the role of LC morphology in NTG and provides a clinical clue to distinguish between NTG and ADOA.

In Latin America the forestry of exotic species such as teak has been increasing in recent decades, due to their advantages in wood quality, rapid growth; and the relative ease of producing clones and their multiplication with respect to native species. Therefore, there is great interest in developing larger-scale propagation strategies that reduce costs and intensive manual labor. Culture in liquid media with temporary immersion and the semi-automation of the system has raised expectations for large-scale micropropagation. We report a protocol for teak, which reuses the primary explants in several culture cycles in semi-solid medium to produce nodal explants for the multiplication phase in temporary immersion bioreactors (RITA® ). The control of factors such as cytokinin concentration, explants density, immersion frequencies and culture duration was analyzed. The number of shoots increased with 0.5 mg·l-1 of BA (6-Benzyladenine), alone or in combination with 0.5 mg·l-1 of Kinetin, with 2 daily immersions of 1 minute each; however, these shoots showed a high degree of hyperhydricity. When 0.05 mg·l-1 of BA was used with 1 immersion of 1 minute every 2 days, the hyperhydricity decreased. Although the number of shoots was lower, they showed good length to be used during multiplication and rooting ex vitro. Our results suggest that teak micropropagation can be simplified in two phases in vitro, the establishment and multiplication; followed by rooting ex vitro and acclimatization. This would imply a reduction in production costs, since most of the multiplication would take place in RITA® containers.

In this experiment, we investigated the effects of various carbon sources and concentrations on the microtuber induction and acclimatization of the yam (Dioscorea cayenensis). First, the effects of the in vitro carbon sources and concentrations on the microtuber induction were examined. The highest efficiency of the microtuber induction was obtained in the 7% sucrose treatment, whereas the glucose treatment shows no effect on the microtuber formation. Secondly, the effects of the survival rate and the microtuber formation rate after the acclimatization were examined. The diameter (6.1 mm) and fresh weight (0.5g) of the tuberous root are the highest in the pretreatment of the 7% sucrose. Although the survival rate of the pretreatment of the low concentration sucrose (3% sucrose) is 100 %, the growth and development were inhibited. These results suggest the 7% sucrose treatment is appropriate for the yam microtuber formation and acclimatization. In addition, this protocol could be used for the propagation of virus- or disease-free clones and the multiplication of elite yam cultivars.

This study investigated the effect of lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) on the infectivity and viral replication of norovirus. Murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1), a surrogate of human norovirus, was preincubated with LGEO and then used to infect RAW 264.7 cells in a plaque reduction assay. LGEO exhibited a significant reduction in MNV-1 plaque formation in both time- and dose-dependent manners. The quantification of viral genome by quantitative real-time PCR showed similar results in line with those of the plaque reduction assay. It was revealed that citral, a single compound in LGEO, showed dramatic reduction in MNV-1 infectivity (-73.09% when using a treatment of 0.02%, v/v). The inhibitory activity of LGEO on viral replication was further investigated in HG23 cells that harbored a human norovirus replicon. LGEO treatment significantly reduced viral replication in HG23 cells, which suggests that LGEO may have dual inhibitory activities that inactivate viral coat proteins required for viral infection and suppress norovirus genome replication in host cells. In animal experiments, oral administration of murine norovirus preincubated with LGEO significantly suppressed virus infectivity in vivo. Collectively, these results suggest that LGEO, in particular the LGEO component citral, inactivates the norovirus and its subsequent replication in host cells. Thus, LGEO shows promise as a method of inhibiting norovirus within the food industry.

Purpose To characterize peripapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD) in patients with compressive optic neuropathy (CON) as compared with those with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) using OCT angiography (OCTA). Design Cross-sectional, observational study. Participants Eighty-eight eyes of 44 patients with CON; 88 eyes of 88 patients with OAG matched by age, spherical error, and OCT-determined retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT); and 88 eyes of 44 control participants matched by age and spherical error. Methods Peripapillary microvasculature was evaluated, and peripapillary vessel density was measured in en face images segmented into inner-retinal and choroidal layers using swept-source OCTA. An MvD was defined as a focal sectoral capillary dropout with no visible microvascular network in the choroidal layer. Main Outcome Measures Comparative characteristics of MvD in eyes with CON and OAG. Results Microvasculature dropout was observed in 30 eyes (34.1%) of 22 patients (50.0%) with CON, and in 48 eyes of 48 patients (54.5%) with OAG (P = 0.011). All MvDs in the CON group were located in the temporal parapapillary sector, whereas MvDs in the OAG group were located in the temporal-inferior (n = 36) and temporal-superior (n = 4) sectors. At their locations, MvDs in the CON group were accompanied by significant reductions in retinal vessel density and RNFLT, but this was not observed in the OAG group. The presence of MvD was associated significantly with female gender (P = 0.020) and thinner global retinal nerve fiber layer (P = 0.006) in the CON group, but not in the OAG group. Conclusions OCT angiography of the peripapillary area showed retinal and choroidal microvasculature impairment in patients with both CON and OAG. However, the features and associated characteristics of MvD differed between these groups, suggesting that the pathogenesis of peripapillary microvascular impairment may be diverse.

Kalopanax septemlobus is a deciduous medicinal tree species belonging to the family Araliaceae. It contains a number of triterpenoid saponins primarily constituted of hederagenin aglycones. Here, we presented de novo comparative transcriptome analysis using 454 pyrosequencing technology between embryogenic (EC) and nonembryogenic callus (NEC) of K. septemlobus. A total of 372,229 high-quality reads were generated by combining 168,065 EC reads and 204,164 NEC reads, which were then assembled into 80,280 and 63,128 unigenes, respectively. A comparative analysis of transcription profiles showed that 13,766 genes were differentially expressed between EC and NEC. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis revealed that a number of genes involved in the proteolysis and embryogenesis were highly expressed in EC, whereas oxidative stress-responsible genes were overpresented in NEC. Interestingly, the expression levels of genes involved in saponin biosynthesis, such as squalene epoxidase, cytochrome P450s, and glycosyl transferase, were also higher in NEC than in EC, suggesting that their expression is stress-inducible. In this study, we characterized the K. septemlobus transcriptome profiles involved in somatic embryogenesis (SE), which might enhance knowledge of SE process and provide a useful molecular resource for further study of K. septemlobus.

To determine the prognostic significance of choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD) to predict the future rate of progressive retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Prospective, longitudinal case series.This study enrolled 101 eyes of 101 patients with POAG who underwent OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging of the optic nerve head at baseline and were followed up for at least 2 years thereafter, during which RNFL thickness was measured by serial spectral-domain OCT.The peripapillary microvasculature was evaluated by examining en face OCTA images. Choroidal MvD was defined as a focal sectoral capillary dropout with no visible microvascular network in the choroidal layer. The rate of RNFL thinning was determined by linear regression of serial OCT RNFL thickness measurements.Influence of the presence of an MvD on the rate of subsequent RNFL thinning.Microvasculature dropout was identified in 48 eyes (47.5%). The rate of global RNFL thinning was significantly faster in eyes with MvD than eyes without MvD (-1.6±0.8 vs. -1.2±0.9 μm/year, P = 0.018). Eyes with MvD in the inferior hemisphere (n = 41) showed a faster rate of inferior RNFL thinning than eyes without MvD (P = 0.036). Eyes with MvD in both the superior and inferior hemispheres (n = 5) showed faster rates of superior (P = 0.027) and inferior (P = 0.016) RNFL thinning than eyes without MvD. Multivariate regression analysis showed that MvD at baseline (P = 0.003) and the presence of disc hemorrhage during follow-up (P = 0.001) were independently associated with a faster rate of global RNFL thinning.Microvasculature dropout was an independent predictor of a faster rate of progressive RNFL thinning in patients with POAG. Microvasculature dropout location was topographically associated with the location of faster RNFL thinning.

Importance Parapapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD) is considered one of pathophysiological manifestations of glaucomatous damage. Objective To evaluate the longitudinal change in the parapapillary choroidal MvD in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and to determine whether this change is associated with progressive retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective observational case series was conducted at a tertiary referral center in Korea and included 68 patients with POAG who exhibited parapapillary choroidal MvD in en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA) images who were enrolled from the ongoing Investigating Glaucoma Progression Study from January 1, 2016, through July 31, 2018. The mean (SD) follow-up period was 2.5 (0.2) years and observers were masked to the clinical characteristics of the participants for measurements. The OCTA images were obtained twice at an interval of at least 2 years, during which the RNFL thickness was measured at least 4 times in serial OCT examinations. Microvasculature dropout was defined as a focal sectoral capillary dropout with no visible microvascular network identified in the choroidal layer. The MvD area was measured in the OCTA images obtained at the baseline and the final follow-up. The significance of changes in the MvD area was defined using the 95% Bland-Altman limits of agreement. The rate of RNFL thinning was determined by linear regression of the serial OCT RNFL thickness measurements. Main Outcomes and Measures The association between the change in the MvD area and the rate of RNFL thinning. Results Of 68 Korean participants, 37 (54.5%) were women, and the mean (SD) age was 54.3 (13.1) years. Among 68 eyes, 22 (32.4%) showed increases in the MvD area during the follow-up. Faster global RNFL thinning was associated with a larger baseline parapapillary atrophy β-zone (β = −0.55; 95% CI, −0.96 to −0.14;P = .01), disc hemorrhage detection during the follow-up period (β = −0.75; 95% CI, −1.67 to −0.34;P = .001), and a larger increase in the MvD area (β = −4.74; 95% CI, −7.72 to −1.75;P = .002). The MvD area was not associated with the rate of RNFL thinning at baseline or the final follow-up. Conclusions and Relevance Microvasculature dropout enlargement was associated with progressive RNFL thinning in POAG.

Purpose To compare the microvasculature of the optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary tissues in eyes with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods Thirty-eight eyes with treatment-naïve NTG, 38 eyes with NAION matched for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in each superior and inferior quadrant, and 38 healthy eyes matched by age were included. ONH and peripapillary retinal microvasculature was evaluated in en face images obtained using OCTA. Vessel density (VD) was calculated as the percent area occupied by vessels in the measured region in each layer segmented into the prelaminar tissue (PLT), lamina cribrosa (LC), and peripapillary retina (PR). Results VDs in the PLT and LC were lower in NTG eyes than in both NAION and healthy eyes (P ≤ 0.008), and did not differ between the NAION and healthy eyes. VDs in the PR did not differ between the NTG and NAION eyes. In intersectoral comparisons, VDs in the PLT (P = 0.030) and LC (P = 0.028) were lower in the affected than in the unaffected sector of eyes with NTG, but the differences did not occur in eyes with NAION. VD in the PR was lower in the affected than in the unaffected sector in both NTG and NAION eyes (both P < 0.001). Conclusions Despite similar degrees of RNFL loss and VD decreases in the PR, VDs in the ONH differed between eyes with NTG and NAION, indicating different mechanisms of vascular impairment and ONH damage in each condition.

Background To describe factors affecting the prognosis after operation for recurrent intermittent exotropia (X[T]) in children. Methods Clinical records of 50 patients who underwent operation for recurrent X(T) by a single surgeon were reviewed. The age at diagnosis of X(T), and first and second operations, deviation angle at distance and near, surgical method, concurrent vertical strabismus, stereoacuity, and Worth's Four Dot (W4D) examination before reoperation were analyzed, along with the postoperative deviation angle. A successful surgical outcome was defined as orthophoria, esodeviation ≤ 5 prism diopters, or exodeviation ≤ 10 prism diopters at distance. Results Among the 50 recurrent exotropes who underwent surgery and were followed up for more than 1 year postoperatively, 13 showed recurrent exotropia and 1 showed consecutive esotropia. The mean age at reoperation was 8.49 ± 2.19 years, and the mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 27.78 ± 12.02 months. Good near fusion before reoperation was a significant factor in the success of surgery (P = 0.006). Smaller postoperative deviation angle measured immediately and 2 months after surgery were related to smaller final deviation angle (P = 0.027 and P = 0.022, respectively). Conclusion Peripheral suppression lowers the success rate of operation for recurrent X(T) in children. Overcorrection rather than orthotropia should be the target of immediate postoperative deviation angle. Peripheral suppression status and immediate and 2-month postoperative deviation angle may be important clues for predicting the final result of operation for recurrent X(T)., Graphical Abstract

Purpose To characterize differences in the lamina cribrosa (LC) morphology between healthy, ocular hypertension (OHT), and naive normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) eyes. Methods Each group consisted of 80 eyes of 80 participants who were matched for age, sex, and axial length. The participants underwent enhanced-depth-imaging volume scanning of the optic nerve head using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The lamina cribrosa curvature index (LCCI) and lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) were measured in horizontal B-scan images spaced equidistantly across the vertical diameter of the optic disc. Results The LCCIs in all seven planes were smaller in both OHT and healthy eyes than in NTG eyes (all P < 0.001), and did not differ significantly between the OHT and healthy eyes. The LCTs in all three planes were greatest in OHT eyes followed by healthy and then NTG eyes (all P < 0.001). Overall, the larger LCCI was associated with smaller LCT (P < 0.001). Conclusions The LC was thin and steeply curved in NTG eyes than in healthy and OHT eyes. In OHT eyes, the LC was thick, and its curvature was comparable to healthy eyes. Longitudinal studies are required to examine whether the straight and thickened LCs in OHT eyes precede the onset of OHT or are a protective response to elevated intraocular pressure.

The degree of visual field (VF) loss can vary widely at a given level of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. The cause of this variability is not fully understood. This cross-sectional study investigated whether the presence of choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD) influences on the structure-function relationship among glaucomatous eyes. Seventy-one primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with choroidal MvD as determined by optical coherence tomography angiography (MvD+ group), and 71 age- and inferotemporal (IT) RNFL thickness-matched POAG patients without MvD (MvD– group) were included. VF sensitivity within the region corresponding to the IT RNFL sector was averaged using the total and pattern deviation fields. The slope of log-scale RNFL thickness versus VF defect was significantly steeper for the MvD+ than the MvD– group, as determined by both total and pattern deviation maps (P = 0.004 and P = 0.002 and 0.007, respectively). Same results were obtained in subgroup analyses for eyes with thick and thin RNFL thickness (all P ≤ 0.027). These data suggest that parapapillary MvD is associated with poorer function of the remaining axons in eyes with POAG.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different types and concentrations of organic nitrogen sources (-Glutamine and casein hydrolysate, CH) and plant growth regulators (auxins and cytokinins) on embryogenic tissue proliferation and somatic embryo production in L. kaempferi. Overall, the highest tissue fresh weight was obtained at either 2 or 4 weeks in culture when 1,000 mg/L -Glutamine was added to the culture medium, which showed similar results with other treatments. In experiments with different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators on somatic embryo production, the highest production (426.3/90 mg tissue) was found when 0.2 mg/L IBA was added; however, no somatic embryos were induced following treatment with 0.2 mg/L BA or Kinetin. The effect of various concentrations of IBA on somatic embryo production was also tested. The best result (303/90 mg tissue) was obtained when plants were treated with 0.2 mg/L IBA; 1.0 mg/L IBA was also effective (281/90 mg tissue). The lowest result (109.3/90 mg tissue) was obtained with 5.0 mg/L IBA.