Early recurrence in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a decisive factor in determining a patient's prognosis. We determined in our current study whether circulating tumour cells (CTCs) exist in the blood of PDAC patients and can be used as a predictor of recurrence patterns (i.e. time and site) after surgical resection. Between December 2017 and November 2018, the mononuclear cell layer was obtained from the peripheral blood of 36 patients diagnosed with PDAC. CTCs were then isolated using the CD-PRIME™ platform and detected via immunostaining. The patient records were analyzed to correlate these data with survival and recurrence patterns. Twelve patients were CTC-positive (33.3%) and showed a significantly frequent rate of systemic recurrence (distant metastases and peritoneal dissemination) (p = 0.025). On multi-variable logistic regression analysis, CTC positivity was an independent risk factor for early recurrence (p = 0.027) and for systemic recurrence (p = 0.033). In summary, the presence or absence of CTC in the blood of the patients with PDAC could help predict the recurrence pattern after surgery. PDAC patients with CTC positivity at tumour diagnosis should therefore undergo a comprehensive strategy for systemic therapy and active monitoring to detect possible early recurrence.

To elucidate the role of silicon in biotic stress such as pests and diseases, standard chrysanthemum was grown in pots filled with soil without application of pesticide and fungicide. Si treatment was largely composed of three groups: K2SiO3 (50, 100, and 200 mg･L-1), three brands of silicate fertilizer (SiF1, SiF2, and SiF3) and tap water as a control. Si sources were constantly drenched into pots for 14 weeks. Application high concentration K2SiO3 (200 mg･L-1) and three commercial Si fertilizers for 14 weeks improved growth parameters such as plant height and the number of leaves. In the assessment of disease after 4 weeks of Si treatment, percentage of infected leaves was not significantly different from that of control. After 14 weeks of Si treatment, however, the infected leaves were significantly reduced with a 20-50% decrease in high concentration (200 mg･L-1) of potassium silicate and all commercial silicate fertilizers. Colonies of aphid insect (Macrosiphoniellas anborni) were also reduced in Si-treated chrysanthemum, showing 40-57% lower than those of control plants. Accumulation of silicon (approximately 5.4-7.1 mg･g-1 dry weight) in shoots of the plants was higher in Si-supplemented chrysanthemum compared to control plants (3.3 mg･g-1 dry weight). These results indicate that using potassium silicate or silicate fertilizer may be a useful for management of disease and aphid insect in soil-cultivated chrysanthemum.

Abstract. During summer in Korea, the excessively high temperature causes growth retardation and quality reduction in cut roses grown in greenhouse. Mist treatments were conducted to reduce the temperature and avoid quality reduction of cut roses. The temperature change in the greenhouse, growth and quality of cut roses, and injuries caused by insects or fungi were investigated during mist treatment. Daily maximum temperature reduced as the number of mist treatment increased, resulting in 6°C reduction by mist treatment for 10 seconds at 5 min interval. This temperature reduction occurred only when maximum temperature was over 40°C in greenhouse, and not when it was less than 40°C or rainy and/or cloudy day. Plant height and fresh weight of the cut roses were increased at the range of 10-20% by mist treatment. As frequency of mist treatment increased, however, malformed flowers increased and vase life of cut rose was largely shortened. The injuries by insects like as beet armyworm larvae and scale insect increased as well. In conclusion, it is recommended that mist treatment must be used when the daily maximum temperature in a green house is over 40°C and forecasting for disease or insects should be conducted as well.