Improved insulin sensitivity and adiponectin level after exercise training in obese Korean youth

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association among adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers [high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), interleukin (IL)‐6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α] and adiponectin and to study the effects of exercise training on adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers among obese male Korean adolescents. Research Methods and Procedures: Twenty‐six obese and 14 lean age‐matched male adolescents were studied. We divided the obese subjects into two groups: obese exercise group (N = 14) and obese control group (N = 12). The obese exercise group underwent 6 weeks of jump rope exercise training (40 min/d, 5 d/wk). Adiposity, insulin resistance, lipid profile, hs‐CRP, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and adiponectin were measured before and after the completion of exercise training. Results: The current study demonstrated higher insulin resistance, total cholesterol, LDL‐C levels, triglyceride, and inflammatory markers and lower adiponectin and HDL‐C in obese Korean male adolescents. Six weeks of increased physical activity improved body composition, insulin sensitivity, and adiponectin levels in obese Korean male adolescents without changes in TNF‐α, IL‐6, and hs‐CRP. Discussion: Obese Korean male adolescents showed reduced adiponectin levels and increased inflammatory cytokines. Six weeks of jump rope exercise improved triglyceride and insulin sensitivity and increased adiponectin levels.     

Proposal of 28 GHz In Vitro Exposure System Based on Field Uniformity for Three‐Dimensional Cell Culture Experiments

This paper proposes a novel in vitro exposure system operating at millimeter‐wave (mmWave) 28 GHz, one of the frequency bands under consideration for fifth generation (5G) communication. We employed the field uniformity concept along cross‐sectional observation planes at shorter distances from the radiation antenna for better efficiency and a small‐size system. A choke‐ring antenna was designed for this purpose in consideration of a wider beamwidth (BW) and a symmetric far‐field pattern across three principal planes. The permittivity of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium solution was measured to examine the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the skin cell layer inside a Petri dish model for a three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture in vitro experiment. The best deployment of Petri dishes, taking into account a geometrical field symmetry, was proposed. Local SAR values within the cell layer among the Petri dishes were determined with different polarization angles. It was determined that this polarization effect should be considered when the actual exposure and deployment were conducted. We finally proposed an in vitro exposure system based on the field uniformity including downward exposure from an antenna for 3D cell culture experiments. A small‐size chamber system was obtained, and the size was estimated using the planar near‐field chamber design rule. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:445–457. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society     

Comparative genomic analysis of Lactobacillus mucosae LM1 identifies potential niche-specific genes and pathways for gastrointestinal adaptation

Lactobacillus mucosae is currently of interest as putative probiotics due to their metabolic capabilities and ability to colonize host mucosal niches. L. mucosae LM1 has been studied in its functions in cell adhesion and pathogen inhibition, etc. It demonstrated unique abilities to use energy from carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate sources. Due to these functions, we report the first complete genome sequence of an L. mucosae strain, L. mucosae LM1. Analysis of the pan-genome in comparison with closely-related Lactobacillus species identified a complete glycogen metabolism pathway, as well as folate biosynthesis, complementing previous proteomic data on the LM1 strain. It also revealed common and unique niche-adaptation genes among the various L. mucosae strains. The aim of this study was to derive genomic information that would reveal the probable mechanisms underlying the probiotic effect of L. mucosae LM1, and provide a better understanding of the nature of L. mucosae sp.     

BRL1 and BRL3 are novel brassinosteroid receptors that function in vascular differentiation in Arabidopsis

Plant steroid hormones, brassinosteroids (BRs), are perceived by the plasma membrane-localized leucine-rich-repeat-receptor kinase BRI1. Based on sequence similarity, we have identified three members of the BRI1 family, named BRL1, BRL2 and BRL3. BRL1 and BRL3, but not BRL2, encode functional BR receptors that bind brassinolide, the most active BR, with high affinity. In agreement, only BRL1 and BRL3 can rescue bri1 mutants when expressed under the control of the BRI1 promoter. While BRI1 is ubiquitously expressed in growing cells, the expression of BRL1 and BRL3 is restricted to non-overlapping subsets of vascular cells. Loss-of-function of brl1 causes abnormal phloem:xylem differentiation ratios and enhances the vascular defects of a weak bri1 mutant. bri1 brl1 brl3 triple mutants enhance bri1 dwarfism and also exhibit abnormal vascular differentiation. Thus, Arabidopsis contains a small number of BR receptors that have specific functions in cell growth and vascular differentiation.     

Chaga mushroom extract inhibits oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes as assessed by comet assay

The Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is claimed to have beneficial properties for human health, such as anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The antioxidant effects of the mushroom may be partly explained by protection of cell components against free radicals. We evaluated the effect of aqueous Chaga mushroom extracts for their potential for protecting against oxidative damage to DNA in human lymphocytes. Cells were pretreated with various concentrations (10, 50, 100 and 500 microg/mL) of the extract for 1 h at 37 degrees C. Cells were then treated with 100 microM of H2O2 for 5 min as an oxidative stress. Evaluation of oxidative damage was performed using single-cell gel electrophoresis for DNA fragmentation (Comet assay). Using image analysis, the degree of DNA damage was evaluated as the DNA tail moment. Cells pretreated with Chaga extract showed over 40% reduction in DNA fragmentation compared with the positive control (100 micromol H2O2 treatment). Thus, Chaga mushroom treatment affords cellular protection against endogenous DNA damage produced by H2O2.     

Green vegetable drink consumption protects peripheral lymphocytes DNA damage in Korean smokers

Smoking increases indices of free radical-mediated damage of DNA which are potential underlying processes in the pathogenesis of many diseases. In this study, we evaluated whether 8 weeks of green vegetable drink (Angelica keiskei based juice) supplementation to smokers can be protective against lymphocytic DNA damage. Twenty smokers were given 240 ml of commercially available green vegetable drink every day for 8 weeks. The DNA damage was determined using single cell gel electrophoresis (COMET assay) and the damage was quantified by measuring tail length (TL), tail moment (TM), and percent DNA in tail. Eight weeks of green vegetable drink consumption resulted in a significant in lymphocytes DNA damage in all three measurements; TL, TM and % DNA in tail. These results support the hypothesis that green vegetable drink exerts a cancer-protective effect via a decrease in oxidative damage to DNA in humans.     

Enhanced immunodetection of cell-free synthesized erythropoietin under denaturing conditions

A monoclonal antibody produced by hydridoma cell line, ATCC HB8209, was used to detect and purify erythropoietin synthesized in a cell-free system. The antibody was raised against the N-terminal 20 residues of erythropoietin. It retained anti-erythropoietin activity in 6 M urea in which most of the cell-free synthesized erythropoietin became soluble and gave an enhanced activity of the antibody.     

Ring-shaped architecture of RecR: implications for its role in homologous recombinational DNA repair

RecR, together with RecF and RecO, facilitates RecA loading in the RecF pathway of homologous recombinational DNA repair in procaryotes. The human Rad52 protein is a functional counterpart of RecFOR. We present here the crystal structure of RecR from Deinococcus radiodurans (DR RecR). A monomer of DR RecR has a two-domain structure: the N-terminal domain with a helix-hairpin-helix (HhH) motif and the C-terminal domain with a Cys4 zinc-finger motif, a Toprim domain and a Walker B motif. Four such monomers form a ring-shaped tetramer of 222 symmetry with a central hole of 30-35 angstroms diameter. In the crystal, two tetramers are concatenated, implying that the RecR tetramer is capable of opening and closing. We also show that DR RecR binds to both dsDNA and ssDNA, and that its HhH motif is essential for DNA binding.     

Synthesis and biological activity of N-aryl-2-aminothiazoles: potent pan inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases

N-Aryl aminothiazoles 6-9 were prepared from 2-bromothiazole 5 and found to be CDK inhibitors. In cells they act as potent cytotoxic agents. Selectivity for CDK1, CDK2, and CDK4 was dependent of the nature of the N-aryl group and distinct from the CDK2 selective N-acyl analogues. The N-2-pyridyl analogues 7 and 19 showed pan CDK inhibitory activity. Elaborated analogues 19 and 23 exhibited anticancer activity in mice against P388 murine leukemia. The solid-state structure of 7 bound to CDK2 shows a similar binding mode to the N-acyl analogues.     

A Rapid and Simple PCR-based Method for Analysis of Transgenic Fish using a Restricted Amount of Fin Tissue

The protocol described in this paper offers a simple and rapid method for PCR analysis of transgenes using a restricted amount of fin tissue from small-sized transgenic fish. A simple preparation of fin lysate using a buffer containing a low concentration of an ionic detergent, SDS (0.01%), followed by neutralization with a second buffer containing higher concentrations of non-ionic detergents NP40 (2%) and Tween 20 (2%) consistently provides a reliable quantity of high-quality DNA template for PCR amplification of transgenes. Based on this protocol, transgenic fish can be clearly distinguished from non-transgenic fish using PCR in a rapid and reproducible manner. Tedious DNA purifications are avoided while fidelity of amplification and efficient identification of transgenic fish are maintained.