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We estimated the heritabilities (h 2) and genetic and phenotypic correlations among individual and groups of fatty acids, as well as their correlations with six important carcass and meat-quality traits in Korean Hanwoo cattle. Meat samples were collected from the longissimus dorsi muscles of 1000 Hanwoo steers that were 30-month-old (progeny of 85 proven Hanwoo bulls) to determine intramuscular fatty acid profiles. Phenotypic data on carcass weight (CWT), eye muscle area (EMA), back fat thickness (BFT), marbling score (MS), Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and intramuscular fat content (IMF) were also investigated using this half-sib population. Variance and covari.ance components were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood procedures under univariate and pairwise bivariate animal models. Oleic acid (C18:1n-9) was the most abundant fatty acid, accounting for 50.69% of all investigated fatty acids, followed by palmitic (C16:0; 27.33%) and stearic acid (C18:0; 10.96%). The contents of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were 41.64%, 56.24% and 2.10%, respectively, and the MUFA/SFA ratio, PUFA/SFA ratio, desaturation index (DI) and elongation index (EI) were 1.36, 0.05, 0.59 and 0.66, respectively. The h 2 estimates for individual fatty acids ranged from very low to high (0.03±0.14 to 0.63±0.14). The h 2 estimates for SFAs, MUFAs, PUFAs, DI and EI were 0.53±0.14, 0.49±0.14, 0.23±0.10, 0.51±0.13 and 0.53±0.13, respectively. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among individual fatty acids and fatty acid classes varied widely (−0.99 to 0.99). Notably, C18:1n-9 had favourable (negative) genetic correlations with two detrimental fatty acids, C14:0 (−0.76) and C16:0 (−0.92). Genetic correlations of individual and group fatty acids with CWT, EMA, BFT, MS, WBSF and IMF ranged from low to moderate (both positive and negative) with the exception of low-concentration PUFAs. Low or near-zero phenotypic correlations reflected potential non-genetic contributions. This study provides insights on genetic variability and correlations among intramuscular fatty acids as well as correlations between fatty acids and carcass and meat-quality traits, which could be used in Hanwoo breeding programmes to improve fatty acid compositions in meat.

Objective: Few studies have investigated the relationships between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and coronary stenosis and noncalcified plaques at the subclinical stage. The aim of this study was to investigate relationship between VAT and coronary lesions assessed by coronary computed tomography (CT) in an apparently healthy population. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Subjects: One thousand six hundred and fifty-eight subjects free of cardiovascular disease underwent coronary CT and abdominal fat CT as part of a routine medical examination. Measurement: VAT area was measured at the level of the umbilicus using CT. Coronary stenoses and plaques were evaluated using coronary CT. Results: The mean age of the study population was 55.9±8.0 years, and 1198 (72.3%) subjects were men. There were 201 subjects (12.1%) with coronary stenosis <50% and 144 (8.7%) had significant stenosis. Noncalcified plaques were observed in 108 (6.5%) subjects. Coronary stenosis <50% and noncalcified plaques increased steadily as the VAT area increased ( P <0.001). The 4th quartile of VAT area was significantly associated with prevalence of coronary stenosis <50% and the presence of noncalcified plaques when compared with the first through third VAT quartiles in the cardiovascular risk factor-adjusted model (odds ratio (OR): 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–2.30 and OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.02–2.68, respectively). Conclusion: Excess VAT area was associated with coronary stenosis <50% and noncalcified plaques, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, in an asymptomatic population without a history of coronary artery disease.

For the stimulation solutions for oil and gas wells, the creation of multiple fractures that extend deep into surrounding rock formation is important to improve productivity or injectivity. For this purpose, the application of “not too slow but not too fast dynamic loading rate (hereafter intermediate dynamic loading rate)” has been proposed in the literature, which utilizes solid propellants. While previous researchers have experimentally demonstrated their applicability, our understanding of the detailed mechanism of rock fracturing for such an intermediate dynamic loading rate has not been mature enough. We have self-developed a state-of-the-art 3D combined finite-discrete element simulator that can model the complex dynamic fracture process of rocks. This paper applied the developed code to investigate its applicability to this class of problem characterized by the intermediate dynamic loading rate. NRC (new rock cracker) based on the water vaporized pressure due to the thermit reaction of the non-explosive ingredients was used. Based on the measured pressure as an input to the developed code, the 3D dynamic fracture process analysis (DFPA) was conducted. The involving dynamic fracture process and resultant fracture pattern were discussed. In addition, the required future tasks for more reasonable numerical simulation were also pointed out.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds have long been clinically used in Korea to promote bone formation and prevent osteoporosis. However, the beneficial effect has not been scientifically evaluated. Thus, in the present study we investigated whether phytoestrogen rich safflower seeds reduce bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy or sham surgery. One week after the operation, ovariectomized rats were either fed a diet containing defatted safflower seeds or injected with 17b-estradiol (E2) for 4 weeks. As expected, ovariectomy resulted in a dramatic reduction in trabecular bone mass of the proximal tibia, increase in deposition of marrow fat, and in uterine atrophy. E2 treatment almost completely prevented bone loss as well as marrow adiposity, as examined by scanning electron microscopy and histomorphometry. Safflower seeds partially prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss and slightly reduced marrow adiposity. Safflower seeds, in contrast to E2, exerted very weak uterotrophic action. In an attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, effect of polyphenolic compounds extracted from safflower seeds on proliferation of osteoblast-like cells was also assessed in vitro. The mixed polyphenolic compounds stimulated growth of ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells in a dose-dependent manner (5-100 mg/ml), as potently as E2 and genistein. The present data provide the first direct in vivo evidence that safflower seeds have a protecting effect on bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency, without substantial effect on the uterus. The beneficial effect of safflower seeds may be mediated, at least in part, by the stimulating effect of polyphenolic compounds on proliferation of osteoblasts.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition triggered by the body’s extreme response to an infection, leading to widespread inflammation, organ dysfunction, and potentially fatal complications. While lupeol, a significant phytosterol found in various herbal plants, has been considered as a potential anti-cancer agent, its anti-septic activities and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of lupeol on a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic mouse model. Animals were categorized into six groups: control, CLP-operated, CLP plus maslinic acid, and CLP plus lupeol (0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg). The assessment included survival rate, body weight changes, inflammatory cytokines, and histological analyses. Additionally, human endothelial cells were stimulated with high mobility group box1 (HMGB1) protein and lupeol, with cell viability determined. Inflammatory markers and gene expression were evaluated through enzymelinked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. After CLP surgery, the group treated with lupeol showed improved survival rates and body weight compared to the untreated control group. Lupeol treatment also decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-1β, nitric oxide, and cytokines associated with kidney inflammation. When administered to HMGB1-activated cells, lupeol reduced the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 and TNF-α, while simultaneously activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT signaling to enhance cell survival. In conclusion, lupeol demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties and conferred protective effects against CLP-induced sepsis, reinforcing cell survival in the face of septic responses.

We show in bryophytes that abscisic acid (ABA) pretreatment of moss (Physcomitrella patens) cells confers desiccation tolerance. In angiosperms, both ABA and the transcriptional regulator ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 3 (ABI3) are required to protect the seed during desiccation. ABA was not able to protect moss cells in stable deletion lines of ABI3 (ΔPpabi3). Hence, moss has the same functional link between ABA, ABI3, and the desiccation tolerance phenotype that is found in angiosperms. Furthermore, we identified 22 genes that were induced during ABA pretreatment in wild-type lines. When their expression was compared with that of ΔPpabi3 during ABA pretreatment and immediately after desiccation, a new target of ABI3 action appears to be in the recovery period.

Background and Objective: Acupuncture is widely used in complementary and alternative medicine to reduce body weight. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess an effect of acupuncture has not yet been performed. Aim of this study is to critically assess evidence for reduction of body weight and to evaluate adverse events of acupuncture therapy based on the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate the effect of various types of acupuncture therapies. Data sources: A total of 19 electronic databases, including English, Korean, Japanese and Chinese databases, were systematically searched for RCTs of acupuncture for reduction of body weight or improvement in obesity up to March 2008 with no language restrictions. Methods: RCTs for acupuncture compared either with placebo controlled or with comparator intervention were considered. Studies' methodological qualities were assessed using the Jadad scale. If no evidence of heterogeneity existed across study results, statistical pooling of data was performed using a fixed effects model; otherwise, a random effects model was used. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Subgroup analyses were performed according to types of acupuncture. Results: A total of 31 studies, which comprised a total of 3013 individual cases, were systematically reviewed. Owing to insufficient data in 2 RCTs, 29 RCTs were used for meta-analysis. About two-thirds of the trials (20 out of 31) showed the lowest score of the Jadad. Compared to control of lifestyle, acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction of average body weight (95% confidence interval, CI) of 1.72 kg (0.50-2.93 kg) and associated with an improvement in obesity (relative risk=2.57; 95% CI, 1.98-3.34). Acupuncture significantly reduced a body weight of 1.56 kg (0.74-2.38 kg), on average, compared to placebo or sham treatments. Acupuncture also showed more improved outcomes for body weight (mean difference=1.90 kg; 1.66-2.13 kg), as well as for obesity (relative risk=1.13; 1.04-1.22), than conventional medication. Only four RCTs reported acupuncture-related adverse events, which were mostly minimal. Conclusions: Our review suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for obesity. However, the amount of evidence is not fully convincing because of the poor methodological quality of trials reviewed. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for well-planned, long-term studies to address the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating obesity.

Immunization using a plasmid to deliver an encoded protein for expression in situ as the antigen is a promising technology. A plasmid encoding the enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 fimbrial protein FaeG when injected into chickens stimulates the production of antibodies against the fimbrial protein, similar to what has been observed in mice. The efficacy of a genetic adjuvant on fimbrial antibody production was tested by introducing the gene for chicken interleukin-6 in tandem with the faeG gene. Expression of both the fimbrial FaeG protein and chicken interleukin-6 protein was confirmed in COS-M6 cells. Slightly higher antiFaeG antibody titer in chickens was obtained compared with immunization with the plasmid encoding FaeG alone, especially at 10 (19%, P < 0.05) and 12 (27%, P < 0.05) wk, respectively, after the secondary immunization. Elevated antiFaeG antibody titer induced by chicken interleukin-6 and FaeG proteins expressed jointly persisted longer than when induced by FaeG protein alone. This is the first report of an avian cytokine enhancing an immune response, and confirms that coexpression of the antigen and adjuvant from a plasmid delivered by DNA immunization is an effective protocol.

To investigate the molecular characteristics and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with diarrhea in Korea, 327 S. aureus strains were collected between 2007 and 2022. The presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) genes in S. aureus isolates was determined by PCR. The highest expression of the TSST-1 gene was found in the GIMNO type (43.1% of GIMNO type). GIMNO type (Type I) refers to each staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) gene gene (initials of genes): G =  seg ; I =  sei ; M =  selm ; N =  seln ; O =  selo . Moreover, Type I isolates showed a significantly higher resistance to most antibiotics. A total of 195 GIMNO-type S. aureus strains were analyzed using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and 18 unique sequence types (STs) were identified. The most frequent sequence type was ST72 (36.9%), followed by ST5 (22.1%) and ST30 (16.9%). Interestingly, ST72 strains showed a higher prevalence of MRSA than the other STs. In conclusion, our results were the first reported for S. aureus strains in Korea, which significantly expanded S. aureus genotype information for the surveillance of pathogenic S. aureus and may provide important epidemiological information to resolve several infectious diseases caused by S. aureus .