The objective of this study was to determine whether inoculation with Bacillus licheniformis MH48 as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) could promote nutrient uptake of seedlings of the ornamental plant Camellia japonica in the Saemangeum reclaimed coastal land in Korea. B. licheniformis MH48 inoculation increased total nitrogen and phosphorus content in soils by 2.2 and 20.0 fold, respectively, compared to those without bacterial inoculation. In addition, B. licheniformis MH48 produced auxin, which promoted the formation of lateral roots and root hairs, decreased production of growth-inhibiting ethylene, and alleviated salt stress. Total nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of seedlings subjected to bacterial inoculation was 2.3 and 3.6 fold higher, respectively, than the control. However, B. licheniformis MH48 inoculation had no significant effect on the growth of seedlings. Our results suggest that inoculation with B. licheniformis MH48 can be used as a PGPR bio-enhancer to stimulate fine root development, promote nutrient uptake and alleviate salt stress in ornamental plant seedlings grown in the high-salinity conditions of reclaimed coastal land.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has revealed age-related changes in midbrain volume in normal subjects. Atrophy of the midbrain in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) has been demonstrated using conventional brain MRI, and it was recently reported that some patients with vascular dementia also have midbrain atrophy. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the patients with subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) have atrophic changes in the midbrain. MRIs of 23 SIVD patients, 18 probable PSP patients, and 96 controls were retrospectively analyzed. Differences in the distances between midbrain structures were compared across the patient groups and controls. We measured the anteroposterior diameter (AP), and the distance between the interpeduncular fossa and the aqueduct (IF–AQ), the aqueduct and posterior margin of the superior colliculi (AQ–SC), and the peduncular prominence and the interpeduncular fossa (PP–IF) of the midbrain. The AP diameter and IF–AQ were negatively correlated with age in normal controls (r = -0.21, p < 0.005 for AP; r = -0.14, p < 0.0001 for IF–AQ). In SIVD patients, the AP diameter and IF–AQ were both significantly smaller than in controls (p < 0.001). Changes in the midbrain found for SIVD patients were similar to those seen in PSP patients. Our results suggest that the midbrain decreases in size with normal aging, especially around the tegmental region. This change is more pronounced in patients with SIVD and in patients with PSP. Prospective functional studies are needed to ascertain the clinical relevance of midbrain atrophy in SIVD.
Clonus is the rhythmic muscle contraction which usually occurs in patients with lesions involving descending motor pathways. Sometimes, rhythmic oscillation of action induced clonus could be confused to action tremor. We report a case of action induced clonus associated with cervical schwannoma which was misdiagnosed as essential tremor. The patient had spasticity in all limbs with exaggerated tendon reflexes, and passive stretch-induced clonus. Imaging and histological examinations revealed a schwannoma extending from C2 to C7. The lesion was partially removed by surgery. Even though essential tremor is a common disease, clinician have to do sufficient neurologic examination considering differential diagnosis.
Warmer and drier conditions in temperate regions are increasing the length of the wildfire season. Given the greater fire frequency and extent of burned areas under climate warming, greater focus has been placed on predicting post-fire tree mortality as a crucial component of sustainable forest management. This study evaluates the potential of logistic regression models to predict post-fire tree mortality in Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) stands, and we propose novel means of evaluating bark injury. In the Samcheok region of Korea, we measured topography (elevation, slope, and aspect), tree characteristics (tree/crown height and diameter at breast height (DBH)), and bark injuries (bark scorch height/proportion/index) at three sites subjected to a surface fire. We determined tree status (dead or live) over three years after the initial fire. The bark scorch index (BSI) produced the best univariate model, and by combining this index with the DBH produced the highest predictive capacity in multiple logistic regression models. A three-variable model (BSI, DBH, and slope) enhanced this predictive capacity to 87%. Our logistic regression analysis accurately predicted tree mortality three years post fire. Our three-variable model provides a useful and convenient decision-making tool for land managers to optimize salvage harvesting of post-fire stands.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.