Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Effects of a Single Ingestion of Trehalose during Prolonged Exercise

Trehalose (TRE), a disaccharide, is absorbed slowly and gradually increases the blood glucose (GLU) level along with reducing insulin secretion. The aim of this study was twofold. First, we examined exercise performance following ingestions of either GLU, TRE, or water (WAT). The second purpose was to investigate the effects of TRE energy metabolism during prolonged exercise. We examined exercise performance using the Wingate test, with 30-min constant load exercise at 40% VO2peak after exercising for 60 min at 40% VO2peak, by using an electromagnetic brake-type bicycle ergometer (Part 1). The power values, blood glucose and lactate, and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured. In addition, we investigated the energy metabolism after a single ingestion of TRE, by measuring the RER and estimating the lipid oxidation for 60 min at 40% VO2peak (Part 2). Healthy college male students performed three trials—(1) placebo (WAT), (2) GLU, and (3) TRE. Repeated two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for a comparison of the data among the three trial groups. A multiple comparison test was performed using post hoc Bonferroni correction. The TRE ingestion significantly increased the average and maximum power values (p < 0.01). The TRE ingestion showed significantly higher lipid utilization than the GLU lipid oxidation values the in TRE, 12.5 ± 6.1 g/h; GLU, 9.3 ± 4.7 g/h; and WAT, 15.0 ± 4.4 g/h; (p < 0.01). In conclusion, we provide novel data that a single TRE ingestion was effective in improving prolonged exercise performance by effective use of glucose and lipids

Effects of Trehalose Solutions at Different Concentrations on High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise Performance

Trehalose solution ingested during exercise induces gradual increases in blood glucose levels and the insulin response compared with glucose solution. Trehalose solution aids in the maintenance of performance in the later stages of prolonged exercise. The purpose of this study was to identify the lowest concentration at which the properties of trehalose could be exploited. Groups of 12 healthy men (21.3 ± 1.3 years) and 10 healthy men (21.1 ± 0.7 years) with recreational training were included in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Both experiments followed the same protocol. After fasting for 12 h, the participants performed a 60 min constant-load exercise at 40% V˙O2 peak using a bicycle ergometer and ingested 500 mL of a trial drink (experiment 1: water, 8% glucose, and 6 or 8% trehalose; experiment 2: 4 or 6% trehalose). They performed four sets of the Wingate test combined with a 30 min constant-load exercise at 40% V˙O2 peak. The experiment was conducted using a randomized cross-over design; trial drink experiments were conducted over intervals of 7 to 12 days. The exercise performance was evaluated based on mean power in the Wingate test. Blood was collected from the fingertip at 12 points during each experiment to measure blood glucose levels. During the high-intensity 5 h intermittent exercise, no differences were found between the groups in exercise performance in the later stages with concentrations of 8, 6, and 4% trehalose solution. The results suggest that trehalose could be useful for making a new type of mixed carbohydrate solution. Further studies to determine the trehalose response of individual athletes during endurance exercise are needed

Single Ingestion of Trehalose Enhances Prolonged Exercise Performance by Effective Use of Glucose and Lipid in Healthy Men

Trehalose increases blood glucose levels slowly and induces a slight insulin response. The present study aimed to study the effect of trehalose on prolonged exercise performance. The participants were 12 healthy men (age: 21.3 ± 0.9 y). After an overnight fast (12 h), they first exercised with a constant load (intensity: 40% V˙O2peak) for 60 min using a bicycle ergometer. They continued to exercise with a constant load (40% V˙O2peak) for 30 min between four sets of the 30-s Wingate test. After the 1st set, each participant ingested 500 mL water (control), 8% glucose, or 8% trehalose in three trials. These three trials were at least one week apart and were conducted in a double-blind and randomized crossover manner. Blood was collected for seven biochemical parameters at 12 time points during the experiment. The area under the curve of adrenaline after ingestion of trehalose was significantly lower than that for water and tended to be lower than that for glucose in the later stage of the exercise. Lower secretion of adrenaline after a single dose of 8% trehalose during prolonged exercise reflected the preservation of carbohydrates in the body in the later stage of the exercise. In conclusion, a single ingestion of trehalose helped to maintain prolonged exercise performance