Effect of adenovirus and influenza virus infection on obesity

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the effects of adenovirus and influenza virus infections on obesity in various experimental models. We reviewed studies that were conducted within the past 10 years and were related to virus infection and obesity prevalence. Here, we discuss a different causal relationship between adenovirus and influenza infections with obesity. Adenovirus infection can cause obesity, whereas obesity can be a risk factor for increasing influenza virus infection and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of obesity due to adenovirus infections may be due to an increase in glucose uptake and reduction in lipolysis caused by an increase in corticosterone secretion. Adenovirus infections may lead to increases in appetite by decreasing norepinephrine and leptin levels and also cause immune dysfunction. The relationship between obesity and influenza virus infection could be summarized by the following features: decreases in memory T-cell functionality and interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-β, and IFN-γ mRNA expression, increases in viral titer and infiltration, and impaired dendritic cell function in obese individuals. Moreover, leptin resistance may play an important role in increasing influenza virus infections in obese individuals. In conclusion, prevention of adenovirus infections could be a good approach for reducing obesity prevalence, and prevention of obesity could reduce influenza virus infections from the point of view of viral infections and obesity.     

Microdischarge‐Based Direct Current Triboelectric Nanogenerator via Accumulation of Triboelectric Charge in Atmospheric Condition

Direct conversion of mechanical energy into direct current (DC) by triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) is one of the desired features in terms of energy conversion efficiency. Although promising applications have been reported using the triboelectric effect, effective DC generating TENGs must be developed for practical purposes. Here, it is reported that continuous DC generation within a TENG itself, without any circuitry, can be achieved by triggering air breakdown via triboelectrification. It is demonstrated that DC generation occurs in combination with i) charge accumulation to generate air breakdown, ii) incident discharge (microdischarge), and iii) conveyance of charges to make the device sustainable. 10.5 mA m^?2 of output current and 10.6 W m^?2 of output power at 33 MΩ load resistance are achieved. Compared to the best DC generating TENGs ever reported, the TENG in this present study generates about 20 times larger root‐mean square current density.     

2D Metal Zn Nanostructure Electrodes for High‐Performance Zn Ion Supercapacitors

Recent supercapacitors show a high power density with long‐term cycle life time in energy‐powering applications. A supercapacitor based on a single metal electrode accompanying multivalent cations, multiple charging/discharging kinetics, and high electrical conductivity is a promising energy‐storing system that replaces conventionally used oxide and sulfide materials. Here, a hierarchically nanostructured 2D‐Zn metal electrode‐ion supercapacitor (ZIC) is reported which significantly enhances the ion diffusion ability and overall energy storage performance. Those nanostructures can also be successfully plated on various flat‐type and fiber‐type current collectors by a controlled electroplating method. The ZIC exhibits excellent pseudocapacitive performance with a high energy density of 208 W h kg^?1 and a power density from 500 W kg^?1, which are significantly higher than those of previously reported supercapacitors with oxide and sulfide materials. Furthermore, the fiber‐type ZIC also shows high energy‐storing performance, outstanding mechanical flexibility, and waterproof characteristics, without any significant capacitance degradation during bending tests. These results highlight the promising possibility of nanostructured 2D Zn metal electrodes with the controlled electroplating method for future energy storage applications.     

Study of the independent gametophytes found on Jeju Island in South Korea and the first record of the obligate independent gametophyte of Antrophyum obovatum Baker

Fern gametophytes have often been neglected in research; however, studies on gametophytes are crucial for a better understanding of the evolution of ferns. During their life cycle, some gametophytes produce large and long‐lived populations without producing sporophytes and reproduce independently through asexual means, such as through the formation of gemmae. In this study, we investigated independent gametophytes on the Jeju Island of Korea, which was located on the land bridge between East China and Japan during the glacial periods. Fourteen gametophyte populations were collected from seven sites, of which 13 populations were clearly identified as belonging to four fern species known to occur in Jeju Island with BLAST searches using rbcL and trnL‐F sequences. Surprisingly, the last remaining population constituted undescribed taxa in Korea. We presented the first report of the independent gametophytes of Antrophyum obovatum Baker which has not been previously recorded in Korea. It has been supposed that many ferns sought suitable habitat throughout the land bridge between China and Japan. However, Jeju Island might be unsuitable for vittarioid ferns that prefer a tropical or subtropical environment. Consequently, only two species of vittariod ferns (A. obovatum and Haplopteris flexuosa (Fée) E.H. Crane) in the form of a gametophyte and sporophyte, respectively, exist on Jeju Island. Therefore, this gametophyte population must be protected and managed from a conservation perspective. In the case of the independent gametophyte of Hymenophyllum wrightii Bosch, haplotype analysis was conducted based on the rbcL sequences and the result supported that the North American populations were migrated from Japan through land bridge during the glacial periods and Jeju populations were recently established by long‐distance dispersal of the Japanese populations.     

Effects of thermal history on the responses to thermal stress of a large benthic foraminifera,Calcarina gaudichaudii

Marine ecosystems, particularly coastal environments, are rapidly changing due to anthropogenic impacts resulting in increased global climate change (ocean warming), ocean acidification, hypoxia, and eutrophication. On coral reefs, symbiont-bearing large benthic foraminifera (LBFs) can play a key role as reef constituents and carbonate producers, contributing up to 5% of reef-scale carbonate budgets. However, projected climate change, particularly ocean warming, has the potential to significantly alter the conditions in which marine organisms persist. While the response of LBFs to elevated thermal stress is well documented in laboratory studies, the potential influence of adaptation or acclimatization through prior environmental thermal history on this response remains largely unknown. In this study, specimens of Calcarina gaudichaudii, an LBF from the Penghu Islands, Taiwan, were collected from thermally variable intertidal and thermally stable subtidal (~ 6 m depth) environments representing thermal history. LBFs were then acclimated to laboratory conditions at ambient (25 °C) and elevated (28 °C) temperatures for three weeks, and subsequently exposed to control and heat stress treatments (25 °C, 28 °C, 30 °C, 33 °C) for an additional one week. Photosynthetic rates (determined through oxygen flux measurements) of C. gaudichaudii significantly decreased in specimens collected at subtidal depths acclimated at 25 °C when compared to those acclimated at 28 °C, whereas there was no effect of thermal history on respiration, indicating that symbiont and holobiont responses may differ in LBFs. Additionally, maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) significantly decreased as a result of heat stress, although bleaching was not visually observed after one week. These results highlight the plastic responses of the algal microbiome and indicate that thermal history, acclimatization temperature, and heat stress interact to affect the physiological status of C. gaudichaudii. This study adds to the growing literature which highlights the larger implications of understanding thermal history as an important factor to consider to better understand how ecosystem processes (e.g., carbonate production) are altered on modern coral reefs.

     

The anti-influenza virus effect of Phellinus igniarius extract

Herbal medicine has been used in the orient for thousands of years to treat large and small ailments, including microbial infections. Although there are treatments for influenza virus infection, there is no treatment for drug-resistant viruses. It is time that we explored and exploited the multi-component nature of herbal extracts as multi-drug combination therapies. Here, we present data on the anti-influenza virus effect of a medicinal mushroom, Phellinus igniarius. The P. igniarius water extract was effective against influenza A and B viruses, including 2009 pandemic H1N1, human H3N2, avian H9N2, and oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 viruses. Virological assays revealed that the extract may interfere with one or more early events in the influenza virus replication cycle, including viral attachment to the target cell. Therefore, our results provide new insights into the use of P. igniarius as an anti-influenza medicine.     

The effect of dietary intake of the acidic protein fraction of bovine colostrum on influenza A (H1N1) virus infection

Acidic protein levels in the milk decrease markedly as lactation progresses, suggesting that it is an important part of the colostrum. However, little attention has been paid to their biological function. In this study, we isolated the acidic protein fraction of bovine colostrum (AFC, isoelectric point <5) by anion-exchange chromatography, and investigated the effect of its dietary intake on influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. 100% of mice infected with 1 LD₅₀ of the virus survived when administered AFC for 14 days prior to infection, compared with 33% survival when administered phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Moreover, consumption of AFC reduced the weight loss associated with infection. We propose that dietary intake of AFC has a prophylactic effect on influenza A virus infection.     

Effects of an electric pulse on variation of bacterial community and metabolite production in kimchi-making culture

Three, six, nine, and twelve V of electric pulse (EP) was applied to a culture of Weissella cibaria SKkimchi1 in MRS medium and kimchi-making culture (KMC). Viable cell number of SKkimchi1 in MRS medium was decreased in proportion to pulse intensity but that of bacteria in KMC was not. Lactic acid and ethanol produced by SKkimchi1 tended to be decreased in proportion to EP intensity but acetic acid was proportionally increased to EP intensity. Lactic acid, ethanol, and propionic acid produced in KMC were proportionally decreased, but acetic acid was proportionally increased to the EP intensity. Bacterial community and diversity in KMC were analyzed based on culture time by a temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) technique. Most bacterial communities grown in freshly prepared kimchi belonged to Bacillus genus. Lactic acid bacteria responsible for kimchi fermentation began to grow on day 4, and were completely substituted for Bacillus genus on day 8, but some Bacillus genus began to grow again on day 12. However, bacterial community diversities were not different based on varying EP intensity.     

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Albuminuria in the Korean Adult Population: The 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background

Microalbuminuria is associated with increased risk of renal disease and cardiovascular diseases even in non-diabetic subjects. High incidence rates of microalbuminuria have been found in a number of population-based studies. However, the prevalence and risk factors associated with microalbuminuria in the general population in Korea are unclear.

Objectives

The present study was performed to estimate the prevalence of microalbuminuria and investigate the associated risk factors in the general adult population using the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-2) data from 2011.

Methods

A total of 5,202 participants (mean age, 45.6 years; men, 2,337; women, 2,865) were included in the analysis. Microalbuminuria was evaluated in participants of KNHANES V-2 based on the urine albumin–creatinine ratio. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation.

Results

The weighted prevalence of microalbuminuria was 5.2% (95% CI, 4.4–6.1) in the general population. The prevalence of albuminuria is increased with age. After adjustment for age and sex, the presence of albuminuria was associated with increased waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose, and the presence of hypertension and diabetes. In logistic regression analyses, older age, female sex, diabetes, hypertension, and serum aspartate aminotransferase were independently associated with the presence of albuminuria.

Conclusion

The prevalence of microalbuminuria was found to be 5.2%, and conventional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are closely related to the presence of microalbuminuria in Korea. Microalbuminuria may be a useful marker to identify individuals with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.     

dTULP,the Drosophila melanogaster Homolog of Tubby,Regulates Transient Receptor Potential Channel Localization in Cilia

Mechanically gated ion channels convert sound into an electrical signal for the sense of hearing. In Drosophila melanogaster, several transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been implicated to be involved in this process. TRPN (NompC) and TRPV (Inactive) channels are localized in the distal and proximal ciliary zones of auditory receptor neurons, respectively. This segregated ciliary localization suggests distinct roles in auditory transduction. However, the regulation of this localization is not fully understood. Here we show that the Drosophila Tubby homolog, King tubby (hereafter called dTULP) regulates ciliary localization of TRPs. dTULP-deficient flies show uncoordinated movement and complete loss of sound-evoked action potentials. Inactive and NompC are mislocalized in the cilia of auditory receptor neurons in the dTulp mutants, indicating that dTULP is required for proper cilia membrane protein localization. This is the first demonstration that dTULP regulates TRP channel localization in cilia, and suggests that dTULP is a protein that regulates ciliary neurosensory functions.