Detection of sarcocystic infection in a wild rodent (Apodemus agrarius chejuensis) captured on Jeju island

Sarcocystis spp is a causative agent of sarcocystosis. They have a characteristic life cycle infecting both prey and predator. Sarcocystis can cause myositis, atrophy of the adjacent cells and abortion in cattle. In mice, sarcocystosis causes mild cellular reactions without clinical disease. Severe haemorrhage and abortion were also reported. For monitoring the disease in wild rodents of the Korean peninsula, we captured Apodemus agrarius chejuensis on Jeju island and examined the specimen histopathologically. Intramuscular cysts were found and diagnosed as Sarcocystis. Sarcocystic infection has been reported in worldwide. There have been many reported infections in cattle and pigs in Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Sarcocystis in Apodemus agrarius chejuensis captured in Korea

Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation by Metal-Doped Bismuth Vanadate Photoanode with Iron Oxyhydroxide Electrocatalyst

Intensive attention has been currently focused on the discovery of semiconductor and proficient cocatalysts for eventual applications to the photoelectrochemical water splitting system. A W-Mo-doped BiVO4 semiconductor was prepared by the surfactant-assisted thermal decomposition method on a fluorine-doped tin oxide conductive film. The W-Mo-doped BiVO4 films showed a porous morphology with the grain sizes of about 270 nm. Because the hole diffusion length of BiVO4 is about 100 nm, the W-Mo-doped BiVO4 film in this study is an ideal candidate for the photoelectrochemical water oxidation. Iron oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) electrocatalyst was chemically deposited on the W-Mo-doped BiVO4 to investigate the effect of the electrocatalyst on the semiconductor. The W-Mo-doped BiVO4/FeOOH composite electrode showed enhanced activity compared to the pristine W-Mo-doped BiVO4 electrode for water oxidation reaction. The chemical deposition is a promising method for the deposition of FeOOH on semiconductor

Retinoic acid modulation of granule cell activity and spatial discrimination in the adult hippocampus

Retinoic acid (RA), derived from vitamin A (retinol), plays a crucial role in modulating neuroplasticity within the adult brain. Perturbations in RA signaling have been associated with memory impairments, underscoring the necessity to elucidate RA’s influence on neuronal activity, particularly within the hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the cell type and sub-regional distribution of RA-responsive granule cells (GCs) in the mouse hippocampus and delineated their properties. We discovered that RA-responsive GCs tend to exhibit a muted response to environmental novelty, typically remaining inactive. Interestingly, chronic dietary depletion of RA leads to an abnormal increase in GC activation evoked by a novel environment, an effect that is replicated by the localized application of an RA receptor beta (RARβ) antagonist. Furthermore, our study shows that prolonged RA deficiency impairs spatial discrimination—a cognitive function reliant on the hippocampus—with such impairments being reversible with RA replenishment. In summary, our findings significantly contribute to a better understanding of RA’s role in regulating adult hippocampal neuroplasticity and cognitive functions

Effect of chitinase- 3- like protein 1 on glucose metabolism: In vitro skeletal muscle and human genetic association study

We investigated the effect of chitinase- 3- like protein 1 (CHI3L1) on glucose metabolism and its underlying mechanisms in skeletal muscle cells, and evaluated whether the observed effects are relevant in humans. CHI3L1 was associated with increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscles in an AMP- activated protein kinase (AMPK)- dependent manner, and with increased intracellular calcium levels via PAR2. The improvement in glucose metabolism observed in an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test on male C57BL/6J mice supported this association. Inhibition of the CaMKK was associated with suppression of CHI3L1- mediated glucose uptake. Additionally, CHI3L1 was found to influence glucose uptake through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Results suggested that CHI3L1 stimulated the phosphorylation of AS160 and p38 MAPK downstream of AMPK and AKT, and the resultant GLUT4 translocation. In primary myoblast cells, stimulation of AMPK and AKT was observed in response to CHI3L1, underscoring the biological relevance of CHI3L1. CHI3L1 levels were elevated in cells under conditions that mimic exercise in vitro and in exercised mice in vivo, indicating that CHI3L1 is secreted during muscle contraction. Finally, similar associations between CHI3L1 and metabolic parameters were observed in humans alongside genotype associations between CHI3L1 and diabetes at the population level. CHI3L1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162777/2/fsb220907.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162777/1/fsb220907_am.pd

CRISPR/Cas9-induced knockout and knock-in mutations in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Genome editing is crucial for genetic engineering of organisms for improved traits, particularly in microalgae due to the urgent necessity for the next generation biofuel production. The most advanced CRISPR/Cas9 system is simple, efficient and accurate in some organisms; however, it has proven extremely difficult in microalgae including the model alga Chlamydomonas. We solved this problem by delivering Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) comprising the Cas9 protein and sgRNAs to avoid cytotoxicity and off-targeting associated with vector-driven expression of Cas9. We obtained CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations at three loci including MAA7, CpSRP43 and ChlM, and targeted mutagenic efficiency was improved up to 100 fold compared to the first report of transgenic Cas9-induced mutagenesis. Interestingly, we found that unrelated vectors used for the selection purpose were predominantly integrated at the Cas9 cut site, indicative of NHEJ-mediated knock-in events. As expected with Cas9 RNPs, no off-targeting was found in one of the mutagenic screens. In conclusion, we improved the knockout efficiency by using Cas9 RNPs, which opens great opportunities not only for biological research but also industrial applications in Chlamydomonas and other microalgae. Findings of the NHEJ-mediated knock-in events will allow applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in microalgae, including safe harboring techniques shown in other organisms.

CRISPR/Cas9-induced knockout and knock-in mutations in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Genome editing is crucial for genetic engineering of organisms for improved traits, particularly in microalgae due to the urgent necessity for the next generation biofuel production. The most advanced CRISPR/Cas9 system is simple, efficient and accurate in some organisms; however, it has proven extremely difficult in microalgae including the model alga Chlamydomonas. We solved this problem by delivering Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) comprising the Cas9 protein and sgRNAs to avoid cytotoxicity and off-targeting associated with vector-driven expression of Cas9. We obtained CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations at three loci including MAA7, CpSRP43 and ChlM, and targeted mutagenic efficiency was improved up to 100 fold compared to the first report of transgenic Cas9-induced mutagenesis. Interestingly, we found that unrelated vectors used for the selection purpose were predominantly integrated at the Cas9 cut site, indicative of NHEJ-mediated knock-in events. As expected with Cas9 RNPs, no off-targeting was found in one of the mutagenic screens. In conclusion, we improved the knockout efficiency by using Cas9 RNPs, which opens great opportunities not only for biological research but also industrial applications in Chlamydomonas and other microalgae. Findings of the NHEJ-mediated knock-in events will allow applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in microalgae, including "safe harboring" techniques shown in other organisms142561sciescopu

Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on major cardiovascular outcomes: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE: Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly used as a lipid-lowering agent or dietary supplement for the purpose of prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, even large-scale clinical trials have not shown significant results demonstrating clear clinical benefits in cardiovascular diseases. Thus, this umbrella review aims to summarize and evaluate the evidence of clinical effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes through comprehensive analyses of previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational cohort studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted relevant publication search in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. We retrieved and analyzed 3,298 articles published until August 28th, 2019. RESULTS: We identified 29 relevant articles and analyzed 83 meta-analyses of RCTs or cohort studies therefrom. As a result, we identified 12 cardiovascular outcomes that are related to omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. Among them, total mortality from major cardiovascular causes (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.98) had significant inverse associations, and moreover, statistical significances were maintained even in subgroup analysis of large-scale RCTs including more than 1,000 patients (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Our umbrella review study shows that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation have a clinical benefit in reducing mortality from cardiovascular causes. However, many studies still have shown conflicting results, and therefore, further studies will be needed to verify the clinical benefit of omega-3 supplementation

Amplifying the Output of a Triboelectric Nanogenerator Using an Intermediary Layer of Gallium-Based Liquid Metal Particles

The production of energy has become a major issue in today’s world. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are promising devices that can harvest mechanical energy and convert it into electrical energy. This study explored the use of Galinstan particles in the production of TENGs, which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. During the curing process, the evaporation of the hexane solvent resulted in a film with varying concentrations of Galinstan particles. The addition of n-hexane during ultrasonication reduced the viscosity of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) solution, allowing for the liquid metal (LM) particles to be physically pulverized into smaller pieces. The particle size distribution of the film with a Galinstan concentration of 23.08 wt.% was measured to be within a few micrometers through ultrasonic crushing. As the amount of LM particles in the PDMS film increased, the capacitance of the film also increased, with the LM/PDMS film with a 23.08% weight percentage exhibiting the highest capacitance value. TENGs were created using LM/PDMS films with different weight percentages and tested for open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and charge amount Q. The TENG with an LM/PDMS film with a 23.08% weight percentage had the highest relative permittivity, resulting in the greatest voltage, current, and charge amount. The use of Galinstan particles in PDMS films has potential applications in wearable devices, sensors, and biomedical fields

Risk Factors for Non-Union after Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in Patients with Distal Humerus Fractures

Background: Only a few studies have reported on the risk factors for non-union after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in distal humerus fractures. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 155 patients who underwent ORIF for distal humerus fractures from January 2008 to June 2020. Various patient factors, including body mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus (DM), and combined fracture, as well as surgical factors, including fixation methods (e.g., orthogonal plate/parallel plate/single plate/tension bend wiring [TBW]) and combined fracture operations, were evaluated as risk factors for non-unions. Results: Among the patient factors, BMI (25.0 ± 3.4 vs. 22.7 ± 3.4, p = 0.032), DM (5/13 [38.5%] vs. 20/142 [14.1%], p = 0.038) and combined fracture (5/13 [38.5%] vs. 16/142 [11.3%], p = 0.018) were significantly different between groups with non-union and union. Among the surgical factors, combined fracture operation (5 [38.5%] vs. 9 [6.3%], p = 0.002) and the fixation method (3 [23.1%]/1 [7.7%]/4 [30.8%]/5 [38.5%] vs. 84 [59.2%]/7 [4.9%]/40 [28.2%]/11 [7.7%], p = 0.005) showed a significant difference between groups with non-union and union. Multivariate regression analysis showed that combined fracture operation (OR 10.467; 95% CI 1.880–58.257; p = 0.007) and TBW (OR 9.176; 95% CI 1.474–57.135; p = 0.018) among the fixation methods posed as a significant risk factor for non-union. Conclusions: The risk of non-union increased in patients who underwent surgery for another fracture combined with distal humerus fracture and in patients who underwent ORIF with TBW

Interactive NLI Agent For Multi-Agent Web Search Model

An internet search in a multi-agent environment can most naturally be defined as an interactive query refinment process where users can modify previous queries to satisfy an information need. In this paper, we present an NLI agent that supports KQML-based agent communication and interactive query refinement using natural language discourse processing technique. The NLI agent supports natural language queries and commands along with a search history so that users can refine their queries based on previous search results. Users communicate with the NLI agent using natural language and the web search agent receives users' requests through compiled KQML/KIF messages. The web search agent automatically generates standard boolean queries that can interface with many currently available standard web search engines. The NLI agent employs natural language semantic and discourse processing techniques enabling users to use anaphoric terms and elided expressions freely. Currently, large amount of ..