Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and homogeneity in the Korean population

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup data provide valuable information for inferring patterns of variation and population structure of maternal lineages. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of mtDNA haplogroup variation using a 20-plex SNaPshot assay for determination of the major East Asian haplogroups to evaluate the possible genetic structure and differentiation from 708 unrelated individuals residing in six major provinces in Korea. The most common mtDNA haplogroups were found to be D4 and B4, followed by A, D4a, and M7, which are prevalent in East Asian populations. All provinces exhibited high haplogroup diversities, ranging from 0.8957 in Jeju Island to 0.9284 in Gyeongsang. Pair-wise F _ST distances and AMOVA of the studied Korean provinces reflected no maternal subpopulation heterogeneity present within the population group, except for Jeju Island, showing small, but statistically significant differences between the populations (p < 0.01). This result indicates that the Jeju Island may point to the need for creating a local mtDNA database, to avoid bias in forensic parameters estimates caused by genetic heterogeneity of the population. However, since there is no geographic pattern to suggest this result represents any population heterogeneity on a peninsular level in Korea, the present data could be useful in serving as a basis for comprehensive Korean population and forensic mtDNA database.     

Inter- and intra-population genetic divergence of East Asian cattle populations: focusing on Korean cattle

In order to facilitate the on-going cattle conservation and improvement programs in Korea, we examined genetic relationships among East Asian cattle, focusing on Korean native cattle, using complete mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. In total, 67 haplotypes were discriminated by 97 variable sites in East Asian cattle. Of the variable sites, 35 represented singleton variable sites and 62 were parsimony informative sites. For Korean cattle, 30 haplotypes were discriminated by 40 variable sites. The variable sites identified in this study correspond to transition or transversion point mutations. Inter-populations genetic distance varied from 0.004 to 0.052 for East Asian cattle populations. The genetic divergence observed between Korean Brown and Jeju Black (0.004) was among the lowest. The Mongolian cattle were slightly divergent from other East Asian cattle populations studied. The network analysis uncovered that Jeju Black and Yunbian samples represented the possible ancestral Haplotype within T3 Bos taurus main lineage. Thus, we hypothesized that the Jeju and Yunbian cattle may represent one of the original native North East Asian cattle in the region.     

Effect of different training mode on Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients

[Purpose]

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different training modes on IL-6 and CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

[Methods]

The subjects consisted of 16 middle-aged women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), all of whom had no other complications. The 16 subjects were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: the circuit training group (CTG, n = 8) and aerobic training group (ATG, n = 8). Based on measured THR (target heart rate) for maximum oxygen consumption rate, the circuit training group (CTG) exercised at 60% intensity, 60 min/day, 5 sets, 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Based on measured THR (target heart rate) for maximum oxygen consumption rate, the aerobic training group (ATG) exercised at 60% intensity (which was increased gradually in weeks 4, 7, and 10) 60 min/day, 3 days/week for 12 weeks.

[Results]

The results are as follows. Significant decreases in the post training values of weight, % Fat, BMI, IL-6 and CRP (p < .05) were observed in the CTG compared to pre-training. However, there were no differences in the physical characteristic and blood inflammatory factors between the groups (ATG & CTG).

[Conclusion]

In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that circuit training (CT) may be considered as an effective training mode for helping to decrease the blood inflammatory factors (IL-6 and CRP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).     

Effects of combined exercise on cardiovascular risk factors and serum BDNF level in mid-aged women

[Purpose]

The purposes of this study is first to examine a positive effect of long term combined exercise including aerobic and resistance exercise on increasing level of serum BDNF, and investigate how aerobic exercise is related to improving BDNF circulation and resistance exercise improves fat oxidation in mid-aged women.

[Methods]

Initially, 30 mid-aged women, according to their exercise preference, was randomly assigned as a non-exercise group (n=7, control group; CG) and exercise group (n=23). Then, 23 exercise participants were divided by aerobic exercise group (n=15, AEG) and combination of aerobic and resistance exercise group (n=8, CEG). Prior to the experiment, all participants’maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), body composition, and blood factors were measured. Changes (Δ delta value) in body composition, fitness level, and serum BDNF level of the different groups were tested through one way ANOVA.

[Results]

For AEG and CG after 24 weeks, VO₂max and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly increased. During this period, CEG had significant increase in muscular strength and decrease in triglyceride (TG) total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C (p=0.013). Continuously, serum BDNF concentration of both AEG and CEG was significantly increased (F=6.328, p=0.001) compared to CG. There, however, was no significant between-group difference.

[Conclusion]

Although there was no difference in serum BDNF level between AEG and CEG, we confirmed that CEG may have a possibility of positive changes in increase of serum BDNF level in mid-aged women.     

Development of the Kranz structure during leaf growth in C4 Euphorbia maculate

The development of the Kranz structure was investigated in leaves of C₄ Euphorbia maculata using electron microscopy. Four leaf stages, i.e., primordial, immature, young, and mature, were examined, based on the photosynthetic tissue that surrounded the veins. The examination revealed how cells differentiated into distinct bundle sheath cells (BSCs) and mesophyll cells (MCs). Specialization of the BSCs was invariably associated with the development of the veins as well as the MCs. Precursors for BSC and MC were recognizable fairly early, at the immature stage, according to their position and differential enlargement Once these precursors were delimited from the procambial area, differentiation into each cell type occurred synchronously, in a coordinated manner. All cells enlarged as they were displaced from the Kranz precursor area, but the BSC precursors were initially larger and remained relatively larger than the other cell types throughout leaf development The developmental changes sharply distinguished BSCs from the adjacent MCs at the onset of Kranz formation and continued until maturity. Chloroplast enlargement also occurred during cell displacement, but the rate of enlargement was greater in BSCs, resulting in larger chloroplasts at later stages. However, no significant structural differences were detected among the chloroplasts of BSC and MC in the early stages. Most of the specialized features appeared at the young-leaf stage; structural dimorphism became prominent at the later stages. This enhanced development of the BSC chloroplasts was correlated with asymmetric distribution of cellular components. In addition, the BSC formed thin primary pit fields with numerous plasmodesmata. Peripheral reticulum was present, but generally was not conspicuous. We also discuss the characteristics of leaf anatomy and ultrastructure inE. maculata as they relate to the C₄ photosynthetic pathway.     

Ligand binding inhibitors of A1 adenosine receptor from Rana rugosa are phospholipase A2s.

Inhibitors of the A1 adenosine receptor were isolated from the skin extract of Korean frog, Rana rugosa. The frog-skin extract was prepared by an electrical shock and fractionated with C4 followed by C18 reverse-phase HPLC. Two A1 receptor inhibitors were isolated using a filter binding assay and the molecular masses of the proteins were estimated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to be 15 347 and 15 404 Da, respectively. The inhibitory activity was also measured against other membrane receptors, such as the A2 adenosine receptor, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and capsaicin receptor. Ligand binding to the A2 and muscarinic receptors was also severely inhibited by these proteins. However, they did not inhibit the functional activation of the capsaicin receptor by its ligand, capsaicin, suggesting that inhibition of ligand-receptor binding occurs specifically. Their N-terminal sequences were determined by Edman degradation. Surprisingly, they showed sequence similarity to the secretory protein, phospholipase A2 from various organisms. The phospholipase A2 activity of both proteins was tested using Dole's assay technique. Both proteins showed phospholipase A2 activity, and therefore, they were designated as PLA2-R1 and PLA2-R2, respectively. In addition, their ligand-binding inhibitory activity depended on their phospholipase A2 activity. This is the first finding that the frog secretes a phospholipase A2 similar to that of snake venoms, which posess inhibitory activity against the adenosine A1, adenosine A2 and muscarinic receptors.     

The role of YKL-40 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases: a comprehensive review

YKL-40, a chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) or human cartilage glycoprotein 39 (HC gp-39), is expressed and secreted by various cell-types including macrophages, chondrocytes, fibroblast-like synovial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Its biological function is not well elucidated, but it is speculated to have some connection with inflammatory reactions and autoimmune diseases. Although having important biological roles in autoimmunity, there were only attempts to elucidate relationships of YKL-40 with a single or couple of diseases in the literature. Therefore, in order to analyze the relationship between YKL-40 and the overall diseases, we reviewed 51 articles that discussed the association of YKL-40 with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Several studies showed that YKL-40 could be assumed as a marker for disease diagnosis, prognosis, disease activity and severity. It is also shown to be involved in response to disease treatment. However, other studies showed controversial results particularly in the case of Behçet disease activity. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of YKL-40 in autoimmunity and to investigate its potential in therapeutics.     

Designing a Biomimetic Ornithopter Capable of Sustained and Controlled Flight

We describe the design of four ornithopters ranging in wing span from 10 cm to 40 cm, and in weight from 5 g to 45 g. The controllability and power supply are two major considerations, so we compare the efficiency and characteristics between different types of subsystems such as gearbox and tail shape. Our current omithopter is radio-controlled with inbuilt visual sensing and capable of takeoff and landing. We also concentrate on its wing efficiency based on design inspired by a real insect wing and consider that aspects of insect flight such as delayed stall and wake capture are essential at such small size. Most importantly, the advance ratio, controlled either by enlarging the wing beat amplitude or raising the wing beat frequency, is the most significant factor in an ornithopter which mimics an insect.     

IL‐23 plays a significant role in the augmentation of particulate matter‐mediated allergic airway inflammation

It has been recently that particulate matter (PM) exposure increases the risk and exacerbation of allergic asthma. However, the underlying mechanisms and factors associated with increased allergic responses remain elusive. We evaluated IL‐23 and IL‐23R (receptor) expression, as well as changes in the asthmatic phenotype in mice administered PM and a low dose of house dust mite (HDM). Next, changes in the phenotype and immune responses were evaluated after intranasal administration of anti‐IL‐23 antibody during co‐exposure to PM and low‐dose HDM. We also performed in vitro experiments to investigate the effect of IL‐23. IL‐23 expression was significantly increased in Epcam+CD45− and CD11c+ cells, while that of IL‐23R was increased in Epcam+CD45− cells only in mice administered PM and low‐dose HDM. Administration of anti‐IL‐23 antibody led to decreased airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophils, and activation of dendritic cells, reduced populations of Th2 Th17, ILC2, the level of IL‐33 and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF). Inhibition of IL‐23 in PM and low‐dose HDM stimulated airway epithelial cell line resulted in decreased IL‐33, GM‐CSF and affected ILC2 and the activation of BMDCs. PM augmented the phenotypes and immunologic responses of asthma even at low doses of HDM. Interestingly, IL‐23 affected immunological changes in airway epithelial cells.