Isolation and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">polyfermenticus</Emphasis> isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meju,</Emphasis> Korean soybean fermentation starter

Bacteria of the Bacillus species have been reported as an important microorganism in fermented soybean products. In the present study, thirty Bacillus isolates were screened from Meju, a Korean soybean fermentation starter. The comparative analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer sequences, phenotypic, and biochemical characterizations revealed three phylogenetically distinct groups namely Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus polyfermenticus and Bacillus subtilis. The isolates were assayed for poly-γ-glutamate production and fibrinolytic activity. Among the isolates, B. polyfermenticus exhibited maximum poly-γ-glutamate production and fibrinolytic activity. Moreover, the soybean products fermented by B. polyfermenticus have increased the time taken for coagulation and hemorrhage in mice. The results of the present study clearly indicate the functional role of B. polyfermenticus in fermented soybean products.     

Testing of divergent patterns of butterfly niche breadth in a peninsula

The butterfly fauna on the Korean peninsula are comprised of both the Palearctic and Oriental species. We hypothesized that the Oriental species (immigrated across the sea) tend to have a wider niche breadth compared with the Palearctic species (immigrated from the continent) since the former migrates long distances across the sea and has to adapt to new environments. We tested this hypothesis using Korean butterfly data on distribution, habitat, food and life history traits. The distribution and ecological traits such as habitat breadth, overwintering stage, and voltinism of the Oriental species were found to be significantly different from the Palearctic species. However, the diet breadth and food plant type were not different. These results partly confirm the peninsula niche breadth hypothesis, which predicted that Oriental species have a broader niche breadth than Palearctic species.     

Protective role of cytosolic NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, IDH1, in ischemic pre-conditioned kidney in mice

Ischemic pre-conditioning protects the kidney against subsequent ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). This study investigated the role of cytosolic NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1), a producer of NADPH, in the ischemic pre-conditioning. Mice were pre-conditioned by 30 min of renal ischemia and 8 days of reperfusion. In non-pre-conditioned mice 30 min of ischemia had significantly increased the levels of plasma creatinine, BUN, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide in kidneys, whereas in pre-conditioned mice, the ischemia did not increase them. The reductions of reduced glutathione and NADPH after I/R were greater in non-pre-conditioned mice than in pre-conditioned mice. Ischemic pre-conditioning prevented the I/R-induced decreases in IDH1 activity and expression, but not in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In conclusion, protection of the kidney afforded by ischemic pre-conditioning may be associated with increased activity of IDH1 which relates to increased levels of NADPH, increased ratios of GSH/total glutathione, less oxidative stress and less kidney injury induced by subsequent I/R insult.     

LSGermOPA,a custom OPA of 384 EST-derived SNPs for high-throughput lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca sativa</Emphasis> L.) germplasm fingerprinting

To deploy a high-throughput genotyping platform in germplasm management, we designed and tested a custom OPA (Oligo Pool All), LSGermOPA, for assessing the genetic diversity and population structure of the USDA cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) germplasm collection using Illumina’s GoldenGate assay. This OPA contains 384 EST (expressed sequence tag)-derived SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers selected from a large set of SNP markers experimentally validated and mapped by the Compositae Genome Project. Used for genotyping were DNA samples prepared from bulked leaves of five randomly-selected seedlings from each of 380 lettuce accessions. High-quality genotype data were obtained from 354 of the 384 SNPs. The reproducibility of automatic genotype calls was 99.8% as calculated from the four pairs of duplicated DNA samples in the assay. An unexpectedly high percentage of heterozygous genotypes at the polymorphic loci for most accessions indicated a high level of heterogeneity within accessions. Only 148 homogenous accessions, collectively comprising all five horticultural types, were used in subsequent analyses to demonstrate the usefulness of LSGermOPA. The results of phylogenetic relationship, population structure and genetic differentiation analyses were consistent with previous reports using other marker systems. This suggests that LSGermOPA is capable of revealing sufficient levels of polymorphism among lettuce cultivars and is appropriate for rapid assessment of genetic diversity and population structure in the lettuce germplasm collection. Challenges and strategies for effective genotyping and managing lettuce germplasm are discussed.     

Additive Effect between IL-13 Polymorphism and Cesarean Section Delivery/Prenatal Antibiotics Use on Atopic Dermatitis: A Birth Cohort Study (COCOA)

Background

Although cesarean delivery and prenatal exposure to antibiotics are likely to affect the gut microbiome in infancy, their effect on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) in infancy is unclear. The influence of individual genotypes on these relationships is also unclear. To evaluate with a prospective birth cohort study whether cesarean section, prenatal exposure to antibiotics, and susceptible genotypes act additively to promote the development of AD in infancy.

Methods

The Cohort for Childhood of Asthma and Allergic Diseases (COCOA) was selected from the general Korean population. A pediatric allergist assessed 412 infants for the presence of AD at 1 year of age. Their cord blood DNA was subjected to interleukin (IL)-13 (rs20541) and cluster-of-differentiation (CD)14 (rs2569190) genotype analysis.

Results

The combination of cesarean delivery and prenatal exposure to antibiotics associated significantly and positively with AD (adjusted odds ratio, 5.70; 95% CI, 1.19–27.3). The association between cesarean delivery and AD was significantly modified by parental history of allergic diseases or risk-associated IL-13 (rs20541) and CD14 (rs2569190) genotypes. There was a trend of interaction between IL-13 (rs20541) and delivery mode with respect to the subsequent risk of AD. (P for interaction = 0.039) Infants who were exposed prenatally to antibiotics and were born by cesarean delivery had a lower total microbiota diversity in stool samples at 6 months of age than the control group. As the number of these risk factors increased, the AD risk rose (trend p<0.05).

Conclusion

Cesarean delivery and prenatal antibiotic exposure may affect the gut microbiota, which may in turn influence the risk of AD in infants. These relationships may be shaped by the genetic predisposition.     

Moxibustion Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multi-Centre,Non-Blinded,Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness and Safety of the Moxibustion Treatment versus Usual Care in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Introduction

This study tested the effectiveness of moxibustion on pain and function in chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and evaluated safety.

Methods

A multi-centre, non-blinded, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial compared moxibustion with usual care (UC) in KOA. 212 South Korean patients aged 40–70 were recruited from 2011–12, stratified by mild (Kellgren/Lawrence scale grades 0/1) and moderate-severe KOA (grades 2/3/4), and randomly allocated to moxibustion or UC for four weeks. Moxibustion involved burning mugwort devices over acupuncture and Ashi points in affected knee(s). UC was allowed. Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Questionnaire (K-WOMAC), Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36v2), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), physical performance test, pain numeric rating scale (NRS) and adverse events were evaluated at 5 and 13 weeks. K-WOMAC global score at 5 weeks was the primary outcome.

Results

102 patients (73 mild, 29 moderate-severe) were allocated to moxibustion, 110 (77 mild, 33 moderate-severe) to UC. K-WOMAC global score (moxibustion 25.42+/−SD 19.26, UC 33.60+/−17.91, p<0.01, effect size  = 0.0477), NRS (moxibustion 44.77+/−22.73, UC 56.23+/−17.71, p<0.01, effect size  = 0.0073) and timed-stand test (moxibustion 24.79+/−9.76, UC 25.24+/−8.84, p = 0.0486, effect size  = 0.0021) were improved by moxibustion at 5 weeks. The primary outcome improved for mild but not moderate-severe KOA. At 13 weeks, moxibustion significantly improved the K-WOMAC global score and NRS. Moxibustion improved SF-36 physical component summary (p = 0.0299), bodily pain (p = 0.0003), physical functioning (p = 0.0025) and social functioning (p = 0.0418) at 5 weeks, with no difference in mental component summary at 5 and 13 weeks. BDI showed no difference (p = 0.34) at 5 weeks. After 1158 moxibustion treatments, 121 adverse events included first (n = 6) and second degree (n = 113) burns, pruritus and fatigue (n = 2).

Conclusions

Moxibustion may improve pain, function and quality of life in KOA patients, but adverse events are common. Limitations included no sham control or blinding.

Trial Registration

Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) KCT0000130