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Background Muscle quality, represented by myosteatosis, is recognized as an important factor in sarcopenia. In this study, we aimed to determine the associations between myosteatosis, muscle strength and physical performance among the elderly South Korean population. Methods We included 1440 participants (mean age 62.7 ± 6.2 years) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). Based on the computed tomography attenuation of mid‐thigh imaging, the total muscle area (TMA), normal‐attenuation muscle area (NAMA), low‐attenuation muscle area (LAMA) and inter‐intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and its indices were used to evaluate myosteatosis. Muscle strength was evaluated using hand grip strength, whereas physical performance was evaluated through 4‐m gait speed, a 30‐s sit‐to‐stand test and 2‐min walking test. Results Of the 1440 patients, 51.5% were women, and 37.2% had diabetes. With aging, the LAMA index gradually increased, and the NAMA index gradually decreased in both men and women (p for trend < 0.001). The NAMA index was positively associated, whereas the LAMA and IMAT indices were negatively associated with muscle strength and physical performance after adjusting for age and sex. Higher tertiles of the NAMA index were consistently associated with improved physical performance across all appendicular skeletal muscle tertiles. The relationship between the NAMA index or LAMA index and muscle strength and physical performance did not differ according to diabetic status. Regular exercise was associated with a higher NAMA index and a lower LAMA index in the non‐diabetic group; however, no significant difference in muscle quality was observed in the diabetic group in relation to exercise. Conclusions Reduced myosteatosis was positively associated with greater muscle strength and better physical performance in both men and women, regardless of muscle mass or diabetes status; improving myosteatosis may be a therapeutic target for the prevention of sarcopenia.

Although glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have demonstrated considerable efficacy in the treatment of diabetes and obesity, it is essential to recognize that their use is associated with certain intrinsic risks that must not be disregarded. The incidence of adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal complications, psychiatric disorders, and ocular problems, highlights the critical need for thorough patient assessment and continuous monitoring to ensure both the safety and effectiveness of treatment. Despite the possibility of adverse events, GLP-1 RAs continue to represent a crucial therapeutic modality for metabolic disturbances. This highlights the significance of ongoing research initiatives aimed at optimizing their safe utilization and refining current treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes. This review summarizes updated research findings regarding the adverse effects of GLP-1 RAs, their mechanisms of action, and guidelines for clinical application.

Lichens are known to produce many novel bioactive metabolites. To date, approximately 1,000 secondary metabolites have been discovered, which are predominantly produced by the lichen mycobionts. However, despite the extensive studies on production of lichen secondary metabolites, little is known about the responsible biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Here, we identified a putative BGC that is implicated in production of a red pigment, cristazarin (a naphthazarin derivative), in Cladonia metacorallifera . Previously, cristazarin was shown to be specifically induced in growth media containing fructose as a sole carbon source. Thus, we performed transcriptome analysis of C . metacorallifera growing on different carbon sources including fructose to identify the BGC for cristazarin. Among 39 polyketide synthase (PKS) genes found in the genome of C . metacorallifera , a non-reducing PKS (coined crz7 ) was highly expressed in growth media containing either fructose or glucose. The borders of a cristazarin gene cluster were delimited by co-expression patterns of neighboring genes of the crz7 . BGCs highly conserved to the cristazarin BGC were also found in C . borealis and C . macilenta , indicating that these related species also have metabolic potentials to produce cristazarin. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Crz7 is sister to fungal PKSs that biosynthesize an acetylated tetrahydoxynaphthalene as a precursor of melanin pigment. Based on the phylogenetic placement of the Crz7 and putative functions of its neighboring genes, we proposed a plausible biosynthetic route for cristazarin. In this study, we identified a lichen-specific BGC that is likely involved in the biosynthesis of a naphthazarin derivative, cristazarin, and confirmed that transcriptome profiling under inducing and non-inducing conditions is an effective strategy for linking metabolites of interest to biosynthetic genes.

A bag-valve-mask (BVM) is a first aid tool that can easily and quickly provide positive-pressure ventilation in patients with breathing difficulties. The most important aspect of BVM bagging is how closely the mask adheres to the patient’s face when the E–C technique is used. In particular, the greater the adhesion force at the apex of the mask, the greater the tidal volume. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of various weights applied to the mask’s apex and the pinch strength needed to perform the E–C technique, on tidal volume. In this prospective simulation study, quasi-experimental and equivalent time-series designs were used. A total of 72 undergraduate paramedic student from three universities were recruited using convenience sampling. The tidal volumes according to the weights (0 g, 100 g, 200 g, 300 g) applied to the apical area of the mask, handgrip strength, and pinch strength (tip pinch strength, key pinch strength, and tripod pinch strength) were measured. A linear mixed model analysis was performed. Linear mixed model analyses showed that tidal volume was significantly higher at 200 g (B = 43.38, p  = 0.022) and 300 g (B = 38.74, p  = 0.017) than at 0 g. Tripod pinch strength (B = 12.88, p  = 0.007) had a significant effect on mask adhesion for effective BVM ventilation. Adding weight to the apical area of the mask can help maintain the E–C technique and enable effective ventilation. Future studies are required to develop specific strategies to improve the ventilation skills, which can be an important first-aid activity.

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance. We evaluated the association of the TyG index with low muscle mass using a nationwide population-based representative data. This is a cross-sectional study that included 9477 participants aged ≥ 40 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2008 and 2011. The TyG index was calculated as ln[triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure appendicular lean mass (ALM). Low muscle mass was defined an ALM/weight of 2 standard deviations (SD) below of young participants. The overall prevalence of low muscle mass was 4.7%. The prevalence of low muscle mass increased linearly with the quartiles of the TyG index, 2.5%, 4.2%, 5.6%, and 6.7% in Q1–Q4, respectively. The TyG index was negatively associated with ALM/weight both in men ( r  = − 0.302) and women ( r  = − 0.230). The odds ratio (OR) for low muscle mass was 2.08 in the highest quartile compared to the lowest quartile. High TyG index was associated with an increased risk of low muscle mass (OR for 1SD increase: 1.13). Increased TyG index was associated with the risk of low muscle mass independent of confounding factors.

Angiopoietin (Angpt)-Tie receptor 2 (Tie2) plays key roles in vascular development and homeostasis as well as pathological vascular remodeling. Therefore, Tie2-agonistic antibody and engineered Angpt1 variants have been developed as potential therapeutics for ischemic and inflammatory vascular diseases. However, their underlying mechanisms for Tie2 clustering and activation remain elusive and the poor manufacturability and stability of Angpt1 variants limit their clinical application. Here, we develop a human Tie2-agonistic antibody (hTAAB), which targets the membrane proximal fibronectin type III domain of Tie2 distinct from the Angpt-binding site. Our Tie2/hTAAB complex structures reveal that hTAAB tethers the preformed Tie2 homodimers into polygonal assemblies through specific binding to Tie2 Fn3 domain. Notably, the polygonal Tie2 clustering induced by hTAAB is critical for Tie2 activation and are resistant to antagonism by Angpt2. Our results provide insight into the molecular mechanism of Tie2 clustering and activation mediated by hTAAB, and the structure-based humanization of hTAAB creates a potential clinical application. Angiopoietin (Angpt)-Tie receptor 2 (Tie2) regulates vascular stability and is thus a potential therapeutic target in vascular diseases. Here, the authors report a Tie2-agonistic antibody which targets a site distinct from the Angpt 1-binding site and which influences Tie2 clustering and activation in an Angpt2 inhibition-resistant manner.

Interspecific hybridization occurs among birds, and closely related sister taxa tend to hybridize at a high rate. Genomic hybridization markers are useful for understanding the patterns and processes of hybridization and for conserving endangered species in captivity and the wild. In this study, we developed genomic hybridization markers for the F1 progeny of the sister taxa feral pigeons ( Columba livia var . domestica ) and endangered hill pigeons ( Columba rupestris ) (family Columbidae). Using whole-genome re-sequencing data, we performed genome-wide analysis for insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphisms and validated using primers. We conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis to identify species-specific InDels. We produced eight F1 hybrids of hill and feral pigeons, and their samples were tested by re-performing analyses and sequencing using 11 species-specific InDel polymorphisms. Eight InDel markers simultaneously amplified two DNA fragments from all F1 hybrids, and there was no abnormality in the sequencing results. The application of genomic tools to detect hybrids can play a crucial role in the assessment of hybridization frequency in the wild. Moreover, systematic captive propagation efforts with hybrids can help control the population decline of hill pigeons.

Possible links between periodontitis and various cardiometabolic and autoimmune diseases have been advocated on the basis of chronic inflammation or oxidative stress. However, the association between periodontitis and thyroid dysfunction is under-researched. Participants without previous thyroid disease or ongoing thyroid-related medication were included from a nationwide population-level survey. Participants were categorized into tertiles of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (first tertile < 1.76 mIU/L; second tertile 1.76–2.83 mIU/L; third tertile > 2.83 mIU/L), and periodontal condition was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index. Of the total of 5468 participants, 1423 had periodontitis (26%). A significant difference in the weighted prevalence of periodontitis according to TSH tertiles was observed, with the highest prevalence in the first tertile (26.5%) and the lowest prevalence in the third tertile (20.9%, p  = 0.003). Subjects in the first TSH tertile had higher odds for periodontitis than those in the third tertile (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.10–1.68; p for trend = 0.005) after adjusting for covariates. This association was consistent across subgroups and within sensitivity analyses among subjects without specific factors affecting thyroid function or diseases reported to be related to periodontitis. The present study demonstrated that low TSH levels were associated with significantly higher odds for periodontitis.

Background Birds of prey (raptors) are dominant apex predators in terrestrial communities, with hawks (Accipitriformes) and falcons (Falconiformes) hunting by day and owls (Strigiformes) hunting by night. Results Here, we report new genomes and transcriptomes for 20 species of birds, including 16 species of birds of prey, and high-quality reference genomes for the Eurasian eagle-owl ( Bubo bubo ), oriental scops owl ( Otus sunia ), eastern buzzard ( Buteo japonicus ), and common kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus ). Our extensive genomic analysis and comparisons with non-raptor genomes identify common molecular signatures that underpin anatomical structure and sensory, muscle, circulatory, and respiratory systems related to a predatory lifestyle. Compared with diurnal birds, owls exhibit striking adaptations to the nocturnal environment, including functional trade-offs in the sensory systems, such as loss of color vision genes and selection for enhancement of nocturnal vision and other sensory systems that are convergent with other nocturnal avian orders. Additionally, we find that a suite of genes associated with vision and circadian rhythm are differentially expressed in blood tissue between nocturnal and diurnal raptors, possibly indicating adaptive expression change during the transition to nocturnality. Conclusions Overall, raptor genomes show genomic signatures associated with the origin and maintenance of several specialized physiological and morphological features essential to be apex predators.

The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning of the suffering experience of Korean ALS family caregivers. This is a descriptive phenomenological study that included ten participants using convenience sampling with maximum variation in a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Colaizzi’s data analysis method was used to inductively determine themes and formulate meanings. The three main themes derived from analysis were: “frustration with seeing a patient suffering”, “burnout at the cost of a life of dedication”, and “desperate need for help”. Caregivers experience high levels of suffering, which can come in various forms depending on the circumstances of the particular patient and family. Especially, distress from seeing a loved one suffering was another aspect of suffering in Korean ALS caregivers, reflecting strong family ties. At the same time, patients are in desperate need of help and support from their families. Thus, it is essential to provide care to lessen the causes of distress and meet the needs of not only patients, but also caregivers through family-centered care to improve overall quality of life for all involved.