Ecological and Biological Studies of Two Larval Parasitoids on Two Vectors of the Pinewood Nematode in South Korea.

Pine wilt disease, caused by the pinewood nematode, affects , Siebold and Zucc., and Parl. in South Korea.

A new Korean species of Pararhabdepyris Gorbatovsky (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) with an updated world key.

Pararhabdepyris Gorbatovsky is a small genus within Bethylidae, currently comprising only six valid species worldwide. A new species, Pararhabdepyris directus Lim sp. nov.

Microplastic exposure linked to accelerated aging and impaired adipogenesis in fat cells.

Our research explores the detrimental effects of microplastic (MP) exposure on adipose tissue aging and function, emphasizing the potential health risks associated with environmental pollutants. Utilizing both in vivo and in vitro models, we discovered that MPs accumulate in adipose tissues, leading to cellular senescence, inflammation, and hindered adipogenic differentiation. Notably, our findings demonstrate that MPs prompt an aging response in both epididymal and inguinal white adipose tissue, increase senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, and upregulate key senescence and inflammatory markers.

The mitochondrial genome of a social wasp, (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).

For an ongoing systematic study of Korean Vespidae, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of a social wasp, (Linnaeus 1758), from the South Korea. The mitogenome is 17,521 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The nucleotide composition is 40.

A 70% Ethanol Extract Attenuates RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Activation and HO-Induced Osteoblast Apoptosis In Vitro.

The rapid aging of the population worldwide presents a significant social and economic challenge, particularly due to osteoporotic fractures, primarily resulting from an imbalance between osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation. While conventional therapies offer benefits, they also present limitations and a range of adverse effects. This study explores the protective impact of ethanol extract (EN) on osteoporosis by modulating critical pathways in osteoclastogenesis and apoptosis.

Enhanced Osteocyte Differentiation: Cathepsin D and L Secretion by Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have the potential to differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, and neural cells and promote tissue regeneration and healing. It is known that they can have variable responses to hypoxic conditions. In the present study, we aimed to explore diverse changes in the cells and secretome of ASCs under a hypoxic environment over time and to present the possibility of ASCs as therapeutic agents from a different perspective.

Exploration for Asian longhorned beetle parasitoids in Korea using an improved sentinel log trap.

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a destructive invasive woodboring insect pest, and efforts are being made to find parasitoids for ALB biological control. Through a four-year survey in Korea using a sentinel log trap associated with host chemical cues potentially important for host finding by parasitoids, two parasitoid species were discovered attacking ALB. One species is Spathius ibarakius Belokobylskij & Maetô, which is known to also parasitize citrus longhorned beetle, Anoplophora chinensis (Forster).

Structure-based functional analysis of a novel NADPH-producing glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Corynebacterium glutamicum is an industrial workhorse applied in the production of valuable biochemicals. In the process of bio-based chemical production, improving cofactor recycling and mitigating cofactor imbalance are considered major solutions for enhancing the production yield and efficiency. Although, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GapDH), a glycolytic enzyme, can be a promising candidate for a sufficient NADPH cofactor supply, however, most microorganisms have only NAD-dependent GapDHs.

Structure-Guided Protein Engineering of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase from for Dual NAD/NADP Cofactor Specificity.

Since the discovery of l-glutamate-producing , it has evolved to be an industrial workhorse. For biobased chemical production, suppling sufficient amounts of the NADPH cofactor is crucial. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a glycolytic enzyme that converts glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate and produces NADH, is a major prospective solution for the cofactor imbalance issue.

Structural and Biochemical Studies on Product Inhibition of S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase from .

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) acts as a methyl donor in living organisms, and S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (MetK) is an essential enzyme for cells, as it synthesizes SAM from methionine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This study determined the crystal structures of the apo form and adenosine/triphosphate complex form of MetK from (MetK). Results showed that MetK has an allosteric inhibitor binding site for the SAM product in the vicinity of the active site and is inhibited by SAM both competitively and noncompetitively.

Crystal Structures of 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase from .

() has been considered a very important and meaningful industrial microorganism for the production of amino acids worldwide. To produce amino acids, cells require nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which is a biological reducing agent. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) can supply NADPH in cells via the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) enzyme, which is an oxidoreductase that converts 6-phosphogluconate (6PG) to ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P), to produce NADPH.

Crystal Structure and Functional Characterization of Acetylornithine Aminotransferase from .

The amino acids l-arginine and l-ornithine are widely used in animal feed and as health supplements and pharmaceutical compounds. In arginine biosynthesis, acetylornithine aminotransferase (AcOAT) uses pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor for amino group transfer. Here, we determined the crystal structures of the apo and PLP complex forms of AcOAT from (AcOAT).

The Role of Epicardial Adipose Tissue-Derived MicroRNAs in the Regulation of Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review.

Cardiovascular diseases have been leading cause of death worldwide for many decades, and obesity has been acknowledged as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In the present review, human epicardial adipose tissue-derived miRNAs reported to be differentially expressed under pathologic conditions are discussed and summarized. The results of the literature review indicate that some of the epicardial adipose tissue-derived miRNAs are believed to be cardioprotective, while some others show quite the opposite effects depending on the underlying pathologic conditions.

A Low Concentration of Citreoviridin Prevents Both Intracellular Calcium Deposition in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell and Osteoclast Activation In Vitro.

Vascular calcification (VC) and osteoporosis are age-related diseases and significant risk factors for the mortality of elderly. VC and osteoporosis may share common risk factors such as renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-related hypertension. In fact, inhibitors of RAS pathway, such as angiotensin type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs), improved both vascular calcification and hip fracture in elderly.

Organ-on-a-chip: Its use in cardiovascular research.

Organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) has attracted great attention during the last decade as a revolutionary alternative to conventional animal models. This cutting-edge technology has also brought constructive changes to the field of cardiovascular research. The cardiovascular system, especially the heart as a well-protected vital organ, is virtually impossible to replicate in vitro with conventional approaches.

Nidus vespae Built by an Invasive Alien Hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, Inhibits Adipose Tissue Expansion in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

, commonly known as the wasp nest, has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumor properties. However, the anti-obesity effects of extract (NV) have not yet been reported. This study aimed to elucidate the potential anti-obesity effects of NV in vivo and in vitro, using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, respectively.

The mitochondrial genome of Nagel (Coleoptera: Lucanidae), a carnivorous lucanid from South Korea.

The complete mitochondrial genome of carnivorous was analyzed prior to a study on evolution of carnivorous pathway within the family. This species' genome had a total length of 18,462 bp (GenBank accession number: OL597607), comprising 36 genes along with 13 protein-coding genes, 21 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and an A + T rich region. The nucleotide composition was 37.

Brite Adipocyte FGF21 Attenuates Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rat Hearts by Modulating NRF2.

Although the optimal therapy for myocardial infarction includes reperfusion to restore blood flow to the ischemic area, myocardial injury after ischemia/reperfusion usually leads to an inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In this study, rat adipose-derived stem cells were differentiated into low-thermogenic beige adipocytes (LBACs) and high-thermogenic beige adipocytes (HBACs) to study the different cardioprotective effects of heterogeneous expression of brown adipocytes. We found that antioxidant and antiapoptotic factors in H9c2 cardiomyocytes were upregulated by high levels of secreted FGF21 in HBAC conditioned medium (HBAC-CM), whereas FGF21 in HBAC-CM did not affect antioxidative or antiapoptotic cell death in H9c2 cardiomyocytes with knockdown.

Rational Engineering of Homoserine O-Succinyltransferase from for Reduced Feedback Inhibition by Methionine.

Methionine is an essential amino acid in all living organisms and has been used in various industrial applications such as food and feed additives. However, inhibition of enzymes involved in methionine biosynthesis is considered to be a crucial bottleneck for an efficient bio-based methionine production process. Homoserine O-succinyltransferase from (HST) has been reported to be feedback inhibited by the final product methionine.

Structural insight into a molecular mechanism of methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1.

Bioconversion of the C1 compounds into value-added products is one of the CO-reducing strategies. In particular, because CO can be easily converted into formate, the efficient and direct bioconversion of CO through formate assimilation is attracting attention. The tetrahydrofolate (THF) cycle is the highly efficient reconstructed formate assimilation pathway, and 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase (FchA) is an essential enzyme involved in the THF cycle.

Temporal Variation Dominates in Local Carabid Beetle Communities in Korean Mountains.

Spatial and temporal variation in ecological environments may result in spatial and temporal variation in communities. Temporal studies of biodiversity are essential for forecasting future changes in community structure and ecosystem function. Therefore, determining the mechanisms that drive temporal change in communities remains an important and interesting challenge in ecology.

Crystal Structure and Functional Characterization of the Bifunctional -(5'-Phosphoribosyl)anthranilate Isomerase-indole-3-glycerol-phosphate Synthase from .

L-Tryptophan is known as an aromatic amino acid and one of the essential amino acids that must be ingested through various additives or food. TrpCF is a bifunctional enzyme that has indole-glycerol-phosphate synthase (IGPS) and phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase (PRAI) activity. In this report, we identified the crystal structure of TrpCF from (TrpCF) and successfully elucidated the active site by attaching rCdRP similar to the substrate and product of the TrpCF reaction.

ADSC-Based Cell Therapies for Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review of Recent Clinical Trials.

Recently published clinical trials involving the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) indicated that approximately one-third of the studies were conducted on musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). MSD refers to a wide range of degenerative conditions of joints, bones, and muscles, and these conditions are the most common causes of chronic disability worldwide, being a major burden to the society. Conventional treatment modalities for MSD are not sufficient to correct the underlying structural abnormalities.

Recent advances in stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative disease: Three dimensional tracing and its emerging use.

Neurodegenerative disease is a brain disorder caused by the loss of structure and function of neurons that lowers the quality of human life. Apart from the limited potential for endogenous regeneration, stem cell-based therapies hold considerable promise for maintaining homeostatic tissue regeneration and enhancing plasticity. Despite many studies, there remains insufficient evidence for stem cell tracing and its correlation with endogenous neural cells in brain tissue with three-dimensional structures.