Evaluation of phosphorus adsorption capacity of sesame straw biochar on aqueous solution: influence of activation methods and pyrolysis temperatures

The phosphorus (P) adsorption characteristic of sesame straw biochar prepared with different activation agents and pyrolysis temperatures was evaluated. Between 0.109 and 0.300 mg L(-1) in the form of inorganic phosphate was released from raw sesame straw biochar in the first 1 h. The release of phosphate was significantly enhanced from 62.6 to 168.2 mg g(-1) as the pyrolysis temperature increased. Therefore, sesame straw biochar cannot be used as an adsorbent for P removal without change in the physicochemical characteristics. To increase the P adsorption of biochar in aqueous solution, various activation agents and pyrolysis temperatures were applied. The amount of P adsorbed from aqueous solution by biochar activated using different activation agents appeared in the order ZnCl2 (9.675 mg g(-1)) > MgO (8.669 mg g(-1)) ⋙ 0.1N-HCl > 0.1N-H2SO4 > K2SO4 ≥ KOH ≥ 0.1N-H3PO4, showing ZnCl2 to be the optimum activation agent. Higher P was adsorbed by the biochar activated using ZnCl2 under different pyrolysis temperatures in the order 600 °C > 500 °C > 400 °C > 300 °C. Finally, the amount of adsorbed P by activated biochar at different ratios of biochar to ZnCl2 appeared in the order 1:3 ≒ 1:1 > 3:1. As a result, the optimum ratio of biochar to ZnCl2 and pyrolysis temperature were found to be 1:1 and 600 °C for P adsorption, respectively. The maximum P adsorption capacity by activated biochar using ZnCl2 (15,460 mg kg(-1)) was higher than that of typical biochar, as determined by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Therefore, the ZnCl2 activation of sesame straw biochar was suitable for the preparation of activated biochar for P adsorption.

Influence of arm position on catheter placement during real-time ultrasound-guided right infraclavicular proximal axillary venous catheterization

BACKGROUND

Real-time ultrasound-guided infraclavicular proximal axillary venous catheterization is used in many clinical situations and provides the advantages of catheter stabilization, a reduced risk of catheter-related infection, and comfort for the patient without limitation of movement. However, unintended catheter tip dislocation and accidental arterial puncture occur occasionally. This study was designed to investigate the influence of arm position on catheter placement and complications.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to either the neutral group (n=240) or the abduction group (n=241). In the neutral group, patients were positioned with the head and shoulders placed in an anatomically neutral position and the arms kept by the side during catheterization. In the abduction group, the right upper arm was abducted at 90° from the trunk during catheterization. After real-time ultrasound-guided catheterization was carried out in the right infraclavicular proximal axillary vein, misplacement of the catheter and all complications were evaluated with ultrasound and chest radiography.

RESULTS

The success rate of complete catheterization before evaluating the placement of the catheter was high in both groups (97.1 vs 98.8%, P=not significant). The incidence of accidental arterial puncture was not different (1.7 vs 0%, P=not significant). The incidence of misplacement of the catheter was higher in the neutral group than in the abduction group (3.9 vs 0.4%, P=0.01). There were no complications, such as haemothorax, pneumothorax, or injury to the brachial plexus and phrenic nerve, in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Upper arm abduction may minimize the risk of misplacement of the catheter during real-time ultrasound-guided infraclavicular proximal axillary venous catheterization.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of Korea: https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index.jsp. Identifier: KCT0001417.

Multicentric Type 3 Gastric Neuroendocrine Tumors

A 50-year-old woman with incidentally detected multiple gastric polyps and biopsy-proven neuroendocrine tumor (NET) was referred to our hospital. More than 10 polypoid lesions (less than 15 mm) with normal gastric mucosa were detected from the gastric body to the fundus. The serum level of gastrin was within the normal limits. There was no evidence of atrophic changes on endoscopy and serologic marker as pepsinogen I/II ratio. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed no evidence of metastatic lesions. She refused surgery, and we performed endoscopic polypectomy for almost all the gastric polyps that were greater than 5 mm. Although the histological examination revealed that all the removed polys were diagnosed as NET G1, three of them extended to the lateral or vertical resection margins, while two exhibited lymphovascular invasion. A follow-up upper endoscopy that was performed 6 months after the diagnosis showed multiple remnant gastric polyps that were suggestive of remnant gastric NET.

Nematic Liquid Crystal on a Two Dimensional Hexagonal Lattice and its Application

We have studied the alignment of liquid crystal adsorbed onto graphene and hexagonal boron nitride by using a polarized optical microscope. From the experimental data, it was found that there were 6 different alignment orientations of the liquid crystal molecules on a single crystal substrate. This result has never been reported and is quite different from other previous results. As the hexagonal lattice has a threefold rotational symmetry, three different alignment orientations were expected, but our result seems counter-intuitive. We explain this result considering the bending of the tail of the liquid crystal molecules. Using this anchoring effect with six accurate discrete angles, a novel non-volatile display can be developed with micron-scale pixel size, due to the molecular level accuracy of the alignment.

TMEM165 Deficiency: Postnatal Changes in Glycosylation

Congenital disorders of glycosylation form a rapidly growing group of inherited metabolic diseases. As glycosylation affects proteins all over the organism, a mutation in a single gene leads to a multisystemic disorder. We describe a patient with TMEM165-CDG with facial dysmorphism, nephrotic syndrome, cardiac defects, enlarged cerebral ventricles, feeding problems, and neurological involvement. Having confirmed the diagnosis via prenatal diagnostics, we were able to observe the glycosylation right from birth, finding a pathological pattern already on the first day of life. Within the next few weeks, hypoglycosylation progressed to less sialylated and then also to hypogalactosylated isoforms. On the whole, there has not been much published evidence concerning postnatal glycosylation and its adaptational process. This is the first paper reporting changes in glycosylation patterns over the first postnatal weeks in TMEM165-CDG.

Early intervention in thyroidectomy scars: demographics, symptoms, and prevention

OBJECTIVE

Although hypertrophic scars are cosmetically problematic for patients following thyroidectomy, the associated risk factors are not well defined. Our objective was to determine the factors associated with hypertrophic scar development following thyroidectomy.

METHOD

A retrospective chart review was performed collecting data on sex, age, body mass index (BMI), operation site, skin characteristics (pigmentation, erythema, elasticity, and hydration), and clinical scar characteristics (itching, tightening, induration, adhesion, and oedema). It was also noted if the patient had early scar intervention with intralesional steroid injection or non-ablative fractional laser irradiation, and preventive topical treatment agents. The effects of these factors were analysed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Data from 1141 patients showed the incidence of hypertrophic scars was 13.9%. Significant variables in univariate analysis were combined for multivariate analysis. Young age, high BMI, itching, tightening, induration, and adhesion were associated with hypertrophic scar formation. Early scar intervention, as well as the use of preventive topical agents, were associated with decreased hypertrophic scar formation.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, we suggest that dermatologists consider using non-ablative fractional laser, intralesional steroid injection, and topical preventive agents to lower the incidence of hypertrophic scars, especially in young patients or those with high BMI and/or clinical symptoms such as itching, tightening, induration, and adhesion.

Interleukin-1β increases Angptl4 (FIAF) expression via the JNK signaling pathway in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4), also known as fasting-induced adiopogenic factor (FIAF), has recently been reported to influence bone metabolism. However, there have been few studies on regulatory factors other than hypoxia for Angptl4 in bone, and particularly in osteoblasts. Expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine, is increased in serum or bone microenvironments in inflammatory bone diseases or estrogen deficient-conditions. The present study was conducted to determine whether Angptl4 expression in osteoblasts is affected by IL-1β and investigate its involvement in MAP kinase signaling pathways. Angptl4 RNA levels were increased by IL-1β treatment in murine MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining showed a corresponding increase in Angptl4 protein. IL-1β treatment of osteoblasts induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including extracellular regulated kinases (ERKs), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Furthermore, SP600125, an inhibitor of JNK, significantly blocked the upregulation of Angptl4 by IL-1β. In contrast, treatment with an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase (SB203580) or an ERK inhibitor (PD98059) produced responses similar to those seen with the DMSO control. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-1β increases Angptl4 expression through a mechanism dependent on the JNK-MAPK signaling pathway in MC3T3-E1 cells.

RCARE: RNA Sequence Comparison and Annotation for RNA Editing

The post-transcriptional sequence modification of transcripts through RNA editing is an important mechanism for regulating protein function and is associated with human disease phenotypes. The identification of RNA editing or RNA-DNA difference (RDD) sites is a fundamental step in the study of RNA editing. However, a substantial number of false-positive RDD sites have been identified recently. A major challenge in identifying RDD sites is to distinguish between the true RNA editing sites and the false positives. Furthermore, determining the location of condition-specific RDD sites and elucidating their functional roles will help toward understanding various biological phenomena that are mediated by RNA editing. The present study developed RNA-sequence comparison and annotation for RNA editing (RCARE) for searching, annotating, and visualizing RDD sites using thousands of previously known editing sites, which can be used for comparative analyses between multiple samples. RCARE also provides evidence for improving the reliability of identified RDD sites. RCARE is a web-based comparison, annotation, and visualization tool, which provides rich biological annotations and useful summary plots. The developers of previous tools that identify or annotate RNA-editing sites seldom mention the reliability of their respective tools. In order to address the issue, RCARE utilizes a number of scientific publications and databases to find specific documentations respective to a particular RNA-editing site, which generates evidence levels to convey the reliability of RCARE. Sequence-based alignment files can be converted into VCF files using a Python script and uploaded to the RCARE server for further analysis. RCARE is available for free at http://www.snubi.org/software/rcare/.

Successful salvage treatment of myxoid liposarcoma with multiple peritoneal seeding using helical tomotherapy-based intraperitoneal radiotherapy: a case report

Background

Myxoid liposarcoma is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma that metastasizes to the peritoneal cavity. Recently, an advanced intensity-modulated radiotherapy, known as helical tomotherapy, has been introduced to improve target coverage, while reducing normal tissue radiation. Here, we report a case of myxoid liposarcoma with multiple peritoneal seeding that was chemotherapy-refractory, but was successfully salvaged by helical tomotherapy-based intraperitoneal radiotherapy.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old East-Asian male was initially diagnosed with myxoid liposarcoma in his left thigh by excision. Six years later, the patient underwent a left pneumonectomy for metastatic myxoid liposarcoma in the left lung. Since then, the patient was treated with two segmental resections, and multiple lines of chemotherapy, for repeated recurrences in the peritoneal cavity. The patient underwent intraperitoneal radiotherapy followed by tumor boost radiotherapy, as salvage treatment for chemotherapy-resistant metastatic peritoneal myxoid liposarcoma. The prescribed dose was 24 Gy delivered in 15 fractions of 1.6 Gy over 3 weeks, followed by a 16 Gy boost dose administered in eight fractions of 2 Gy, to multifocal peritoneal lesions. A positron emission tomography scan obtained 8 weeks after completion of radiotherapy, showed a complete metabolic response of metastatic peritoneal lesions. Radiotherapy was well tolerated, without any side effects. In a computed tomography scan obtained 20 weeks after completion of radiotherapy, most of the peritoneal metastatic lesions had disappeared, except for two small residual nodules.

Conclusion

This case suggests that low fraction-sized intraperitoneal radiotherapy (1.6 Gy administered once daily), followed by a focal boost using helical tomotherapy, is a feasible treatment without side effects. It produced an excellent tumor response, and durable intraperitoneal control for metastatic peritoneal myxoid liposarcoma.

Attenuated SAG expression exacerbates 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-induced apoptosis and hypertrophy of H9c2 cardiomyocytes

Oxidative stress, associated with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), results in numerous and detrimental effects on the myocardium such as the induction of apoptotic cell death, hypertrophy, fibrosis, dysfunction, and dilatation. The product of sensitive to apoptosis gene (SAG) is a RING finger protein that has been shown to have a protective effect against apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in various cell types. The major reactive aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), is believed to be largely responsible for cytopathological effects observed during oxidative stress. In the present study, we showed that the transfection of H9c2 clonal myoblastic cells with small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for SAG markedly attenuated SAG expression and exacerbates HNE-induced apoptosis and hypertrophy. The knockdown of SAG expression resulted in the modulation of cellular redox status, mitochondrial function, and cellular oxidative damage. Taken together, our results showed that the suppression of SAG expression by siRNA enhanced HNE-induced apoptosis and hypertrophy of cultured cardiomyocytes via the disruption of the cellular redox balance. Given the importance of the SAG protein in the regulation of the redox status of cardiomyocytes, we conclude that this protein may be a potential new target in the development of therapeutic agents for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of age, sex, and menopausal status on blood cholesterol profile in the korean population

Background and Objectives

To investigate age-specific and sex-specific distributions of blood cholesterol in the general Korean population.

Subjects and Methods

We analyzed data for 8284 men and 9246 women aged ≥10 years who participated in the fifth (2010-2012) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Age-specific means, medians, and selected percentiles were calculated for men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women.

Results

Median total cholesterol (TC) level increased with age across all age groups, from 147 to 196 mg/dL in males and from 159 to 210 mg/dL in females. Triglyceride (TG) levels increased with age in females; however, in males, TG levels rapidly increased during young adulthood, peaked at 50-54 years, and then decreased. High density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were higher in females than in males and decreased with increasing age in both males and females. Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels increased with age across all age groups, from 89 to 127 mg/dL in males and from 82 to 113 mg/dL in females. Lipoprotein-cholesterol fraction (TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, non-HDL-C) levels increased with age in females, but increased more rapidly in males during young adulthood and decreased after middle age.

Conclusion

Blood cholesterol levels and lipoprotein-cholesterol fractions present different distributions by age, sex, and menopausal status.

First report of external ophthalmomyiasis caused by Lucilia sericata Meigen in a healthy patient without predisposing risk factors

A 72-year-old man with no medical history initially presented to the emergency room with severe tearing, redness, foreign body sensation, and pain in the left eye. He reported no previous history of any periocular trauma, malignancy, surgery, or systemic illness. On presentation, the patient only showed left periorbital edema and erythema in the left eyelid with no evidence of any skin malignancy. On slit lamp examination, multiple small whitish motile organisms were observed on the left conjunctival fornices. The organisms were removed, preserved, and identified as the third-stage larvae of Lucilia sericata (green bottle fly). The patient was treated with topical antibiotic and steroid eye drops and the inflammation resolved 1 week after treatment initiation. This is the first report of external ophthalmomyiasis caused by facultative parasite, L. sericata maggots in a healthy patient without any predisposing factors.

Effect of dietary marine microalgae (schizochytrium) powder on egg production, blood lipid profiles, egg quality, and Fatty Acid composition of egg yolk in layers

Two hundred and sixteen Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA) brown layers (40 wks of age) were studied for 6 wks to examine the effect of microalgae powder (MAP) on egg production, egg quality, blood lipid profile, and fatty acid concentration of egg yolk. Dietary treatments were as follows: i) CON (basal diet), ii) 0.5% MAP (CON+0.5% Schizochytrium powder), and iii) 1.0% MAP (CON+1.0% Schizochytrium powder). From 44 to 46 wks, egg production was higher in 1.0% MAP treatment than in control treatment (linear, p = 0.034); however, there was no difference on the egg production from 40 to 43 wks (p>0.05). Serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were significantly reduced in the groups fed with MAP, compared to those in groups fed with control diets (Quadratic, p = 0.034 and p = 0.039, respectively). Inclusion of 0.5% MAP in the diet of layers improved egg yolk color, compared with hens fed with basal diet at 46 wks (quadratic, p = 0.044). Eggshell thickness was linearly increased in MAP-fed treatments at 46th wk (p<0.05). Concentration of yolk docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3) was increased in treatment groups fed with MAP (linear, p<0.05). The n-6 fatty acids, n-6/n-3 fatty acid, and unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid were decreased in treatment groups fed with MAP (linear, p<0.05). These results suggest that MAP improved the egg production and egg quality, and may affect serum lipid metabolites in the layers. In addition, MAP increases yolk DHA levels, and deceases n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio.

Macrophage activation syndrome in a newborn infant born to a mother with autoimmune disease

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a complication of rheumatic disorders characterized by cytopenia, multiple organ dysfunction and coagulopathy associated with an inappropriate activation of macrophage. In neonatal lupus erythematosus, MAS is rare but fatal, requiring early diagnosis and treatment for optimal outcome. We report a case of MAS in a neonate born to a mother with autoimmune disease, improved by treatment with steroid, intravenous immunoglobulin and cyclosporine.

Intraocular pharmacokinetics of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor-Trap in a rabbit model

PURPOSE

To determine intraocular pharmacokinetic properties of intravitreally injected vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-Trap in a rabbit model.

METHODS

VEGF-Trap was intravitreally injected in 18 rabbit eyes. Eyes were enucleated 1 h and 1, 2, 5, 14, and 30 days after injections and immediately frozen at -80 °C. Concentration of VEGF-Trap in vitreous, aqueous humor, and retina/choroid was determined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed to obtain pharmacokinetic properties.

RESULTS

Maximum concentration of VEGF-Trap was achieved at 1 h in all three tissues. A one-compartment model of distribution was selected as the final model for all tissues studied. Estimated half-life of VEGF-Trap in vitreous, aqueous humor, and retinal/choroid was 87.1, 36.8, and 35.0 h, respectively, and estimated mean residence time was 125.7, 53.1, and 50.5 h, respectively. Area under the curve from time 0 to the end point was 10009.8, 3945.1, and 1189.3, respectively. Total exposure of the aqueous humor and retina/choroid to VEGF-Trap was 39.4% and 11.9% of vitreous exposure, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The vitreous half-life of VEGF-Trap is 3.63 days. This is shorter than that of bevacizumab (6.99 days) and longer than that of ranibizumab (2.51 days), as shown in studies using the same experimental settings. The concentration of VEGF-Trap peaked at 1 h after injections in all eye tissues studied.

Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and Meat Quality of Meat Type Ducks Fed with Dried Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) Powder

One-day-old Cherry valley meat-strain ducks were used to investigate the effect of supplemental dried oregano powder (DOP) in feed on the productivity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and breast meat quality. One hundred sixty five ducks were assigned to 5 dietary treatments for 42 days. The dietary treatment groups were control group (CON; no antibiotic, no DOP), antibiotic group (ANT; CON+0.1% Patrol), 0.1% DOP (CON+0.1% DOP), 0.5% DOP (CON+0.5% DOP), and 1.0% DOP (CON+1.0% DOP). Upon feeding, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of oregano extracts was higher than that of tocopherol, although it was less than that of ascorbic acid. As a result of in vivo study, DOP in the diet showed no effects on final body weight, feed intake, or feed conversion ratio. However, dietary 0.5% and 1% DOP supplementation caused a significant increase in the serum enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) compared with CON and ANT, while glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in tissue was increased as compared to ANT (p<0.05). Cooking loss from ducks fed with DOP decreased compared with the control ducks. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values of duck breast meat at 5 d post slaughter was found to be significantly reduced in ducks whose diets were supplemented with 0.5% and 1% DOP (p<0.05). These results suggest that diets containing 0.5% and 1% DOP may beneficially affect antioxidant enzyme activity of GPx and SOD, improve meat cooking loss, and reduce TBARS values in breast meat at 5 d of storage in ducks.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe heraclei on Peucedanum japonicum in Korea

Peucedanum japonicum Thunb., belonging to the family Apiaceae, is distributed in many Asian countries, including Korea. This plant was recently developed as an edible green and is cultivated under organic farming in Korea. In June 2013, plants showing typical symptoms of powdery mildew were found with approximately 50% disease incidence in polyethylene-film-covered greenhouses in Iksan City, Korea. Symptoms first appeared as circular white colonies, which subsequently showed abundant mycelial growth on the leaves, often covering the whole surface. Infected plants were unmarketable mainly due to signs of white fungal growths and reddish discoloration on the leaves. The same symptoms were found on P. japonicum in poly-tunnels in Iksan City and Jinan County of Korea in 2014. Voucher specimens (n = 3) were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Appressoria were lobed, and solitary or in opposite pairs. Conidiophores were cylindrical, 80 to 145 × 8 to 10 μm, and composed of three to four cells. Foot-cells of conidiophores were straight to substraight, cylindrical, and 25 to 63 μm long. Singly produced conidia were oblong-elliptical to oblong, occasionally ovate, 35 to 50 × 13 to 16 μm with a length/width ratio of 2.3:3.1, with angular/rectangular wrinkling of outer walls, and lacked distinct fibrosin bodies. Germ tubes were produced on the perihilar position of conidia. Primary conidia were apically conical, basally truncate, and generally smaller than the secondary conidia. No chasmothecia were found. These structures are typical of the powdery mildew Pseudoidium anamorph of the genus Erysiphe. The specific measurements and morphological characteristics were consistent with those of E. heraclei DC. (2). To confirm the identification, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA from KUS-F27872 was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced. The resulting 560-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KM491178). The obtained ITS sequence shared >99% similarity with those of E. heraclei from apiaceous hosts, e.g., Daucus carota (KC480605), Pimpinella affinis (AB104513), and Petroselinum crispum (KF931139). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently dusting conidia onto leaves of five healthy potted plants. Five non-inoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 6 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was identical in morphology to those observed in the field. Powdery mildew of P. japonicum caused by E. heraclei has been reported in Japan (4), and numerous reports of E. heraclei on various species of Peucedanum plants have been made in most part of Europe and East Asia (Japan and far eastern Russia) (1,3). However, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by E. heraclei on P. japonicum in Korea. Occurrence of powdery mildews is a threat to the quality and marketability of this plant, especially in organic farming. References: (1) K. Amano. Host Range and Geographical Distribution of the Powdery Mildew Fungi. Japan Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo, 1986. (2) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No.11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (3) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., online publication. ARS, USDA. Retrieved August 18, 2014. (4) S. Tanda and C. Nakashima. J. Agric. Sci., Tokyo Univ. Agric. 47:54, 2002.

First Report of Choanephora Rot Caused by Choanephora cucurbitarum on Hosta plantaginea in Korea

Hosta plantaginea (Lam.) Asch. is an herbaceous perennial plant with ornamental value. In August 2013, water-soaked spots and wet rot were found on flowers of H. plantaginea in a garden bedded out for landscaping in Hongcheon County, Korea. Symptoms initially appeared as water-soaked spots at the tips of flowers. Dark gray spots on flower petals often coalesced and led to rotting of flowers, with abundant sporulation. However, no symptoms were found on the leaves. Approximately 30% of the flowers were affected in the landscape bed. A fungal isolate was obtained by plating surface-disinfested diseased flower tissue on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Fungal colonies covering the plate (diam. 90 mm) in 48 h were white at first, with abundant aerial mycelia, but later turned pale yellow with abundant sporangiola. Sporangiophores bearing sporangiola were aseptate, hyaline, and usually arose from infected tissue. Sporangiola were ellipsoid to ovoid, indehiscent, brown to dark brown, pediculate, 7 to 12 μm wide and 9 to 20 μm high, and showed longitudinal striations at high magnification. Sporangia were few-spored to multispored, pale brown to brown, and 50 to 150 μm. Sporangiospores from sporangia were broadly ellipsoid, brown to pale brown, with hyaline polar appendages, 8 to 10 μm wide and 15 to 22 μm high. Zygospores were not observed. The morphological and cultural characteristics, especially based on shape and striation of sporangiola, were identical with those of Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk. & Ravenel) Thaxt. (2,3). A representative specimen was deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F27540). Genomic DNA was extracted using a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). The primers ITS1/ITS4 and NL1/LR3 were used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA and the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU), respectively (4). The PCR products were purified and directly sequenced. The resulting 594-bp ITS and 680-bp D1/D2 sequences were submitted to GenBank (Accession Nos. KM200034 and KM200035). A GenBank BLAST search of the fungal database showed that the sequences of ITS and D1/D2 regions matched those of C. cucurbitrarum (JN943006 and JN939195) with 100% similarity. A pathogenicity test was conducted by spraying three healthy potted plants (2 months old) with a sporangiola suspension (2 × 10⁴ conidia/ml). Another three potted plants of the same age were treated with sterile water and served as controls. The plants were kept in humid chambers for 2 days and placed in a greenhouse (28°C and 60 to 80% RH). After 4 to 5 days, water-soaked spots were evident on the flowers of inoculated plants. No symptoms were observed on control plants. A pathogenicity test was conducted twice with the same results, fulfilling Koch's postulates. C. cucurbitarum has a wide host range but has not been previously reported to cause disease on H. plantaginea (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. cucurbitarum on H. plantaginea globally as well as in Korea. Choanephora rot of flowers is an issue under high-moisture conditions, so allowing for adequate airflow and a dry plant canopy should aid in disease suppression. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab. Online publication, ARS, USDA, retrieved July 11, 2014. (2) P. M. Kirk. Mycol. Pap. 152:1, 1984. (3) A. Saroj et al. Plant Dis. 96:293, 2012. (4) G. Walther et al. Persoonia 30:11, 2013.