Large DNA deletions occur during DNA repair at 20-fold lower frequency for base editors and prime editors than for Cas9 nucleases.

When used to edit genomes, Cas9 nucleases produce targeted double-strand breaks in DNA. Subsequent DNA-repair pathways can induce large genomic deletions (larger than 100 bp), which constrains the applicability of genome editing. Here we show that Cas9-mediated double-strand breaks induce large deletions at varying frequencies in cancer cell lines, human embryonic stem cells and human primary T cells, and that most deletions are produced by two repair pathways: end resection and DNA-polymerase theta-mediated end joining.

Discovery of novel disease-causing mutation in and its correction using adenine base editor to improve mitochondrial function.

Mutations in nuclear genes regulating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication are associated with mtDNA depletion syndromes. Using whole-genome sequencing, we identified a heterozygous mutation (c.272G>A:p.

Home Meal Replacement Fortified with Eggshell Powder and Vitamin D Prevents Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study.

Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies have been ongoing problems in Koreans due to a lack of food sources of calcium and vitamin D. Postmenopausal women aged 50 to 64 years ( = 25) were randomly assigned to consume three home meal replacements (HMRs)/week with (treatment) and without (control) eggshell powder and vitamin D for 6 months. Additionally, subjects who agreed to continue the study consumed the same three HMRs/week for an additional 6 months in this randomized double-blind study.

Short-term Changes in Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Level after Body Fat Reduction via Partial Meal Replacement.

Background: Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels change during body weight reduction. However, the changes that occur during short-term body weight control interventions remain controversial. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the changes in TSH levels according to body fat reduction.

Enhancement of Gene Editing and Base Editing with Therapeutic Ribonucleoproteins through In Vivo Delivery Based on Absorptive Silica Nanoconstruct.

Key to the widespread and secure application of genome editing tools is the safe and effective delivery of multiple components of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) into single cells, which remains a biological barrier to their clinical application. To overcome this issue, a robust RNP delivery platform based on a biocompatible sponge-like silica nanoconstruct (SN) for storing and directly delivering therapeutic RNPs, including Cas9 nuclease RNP (Cas9-RNP) and base editor RNP (BE-RNP) is designed. Compared with commercialized material such as lipid-based methods, up to 50-fold gene deletion and 10-fold base substitution efficiency is obtained with a low off-target efficiency by targeting various cells and genes.

Effects of narrowband ultraviolet B exposure on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations: A pilot study.

It is known that ultraviolet B exposure increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25(OH)D) concentrations. However, little is known about the influence of narrowband ultraviolet B exposure from a light-emitting diode (NBUVB-LED) on serum 25(OH)D levels. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of NBUVB-LED exposure on serum 25(OH)D concentrations.

Adenine base editor engineering reduces editing of bystander cytosines.

Adenine base editors (ABEs) catalyze specific A-to-G conversions at genomic sites of interest. However, ABEs also induce cytosine deamination at the target site. To reduce the cytosine editing activity, we engineered a commonly used adenosine deaminase, TadA7.

Effect of eradicating hydrogen-forming small intestinal bacterial overgrowth with rifaximin on body weight change.

Hydrogen formed by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome has an inverse relationship with obesity. However, the effect of eradicating small intestinal hydrogen-producing bacterial overgrowth on the body weight of these patients has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate body weight changes after eradicating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth with rifaximin treatment in patients with non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome.

The Therapeutic Effect of a Multistrain Probiotic on Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Study.

Backgrounds: Recent studies suggest that diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with intestinal bacterial microflora, colonic inflammation, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multistrain probiotic intake on these associated factors in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS.

Methods: The recruited volunteers were adults who were diagnosed with diarrhea-predominant IBS according to the Rome III criteria.

Changes in Fecal Calprotectin After Rifaximin Treatment in Patients With Nonconstipated Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background: Fecal calprotectin, an indicator of colonic inflammation, is associated with nonconstipated irritable bowel syndrome. Rifaximin is an antibiotic used to treat nonconstipated irritable bowel syndrome. We performed a retrospective review of patient charts to investigate the changes in fecal calprotectin levels and intestinal symptoms following treatment with rifaximin in patients with nonconstipated irritable bowel syndrome with elevated fecal calprotectin.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Synbiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Dose-Dependent Effects on Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Fatigue.

Background: This double-blind, randomized controlled design study aimed to assess the dose-dependent effects of synbiotics on gastrointestinal symptoms of and fatigue in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods: Thirty subjects with IBS were randomly assigned into the following three groups and received 2 capsules a day for 8 weeks: (1) high-dose (2 capsules of synbiotics); (2) low-dose (1 capsule of synbiotics and 1 capsule of placebo); and (3) placebo (2 capsules of placebo). At baseline and 8 weeks, they completed the study questionnaires.

Enzymatic susceptibility of wheat gluten after subcritical water treatment.

Subcritical water (SCW) hydrolysis is an alternative to traditional methods of protein hydrolysis that uses water as a reaction medium. In this study, the effect of SCW treatment on heat-induced conformational changes in wheat gluten and its relation to enzymatic susceptibility were investigated. The degree of deamidation increased rapidly from 12.

Dietary Calcium Intake May Contribute to the HOMA-IR Score in Korean Females with Vitamin D Deficiency (2008-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey).

Background: Vitamin D and calcium are important factors involved in the regulation of blood glucose and insulin secretion. The Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) score is a useful variable for evaluating insulin resistance, and therefore we cross-sectionally compared HOMA-IR scores according to serum vitamin D levels and dietary calcium intake.

Methods: We selected data from healthy males (n=5,163) and females (n=7,506) analyzed over 5 years (2008-2012) via the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

The Cut-off Value of Blood Mercury Concentration in Relation to Insulin Resistance.

Background: Increased blood mercury concentration is associated with inflammation, and chronic inflammation can cause insulin resistance. We examined the cut-off value of blood mercury in relation to an increased score on the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Methods: We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2010).

Combined effect of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid on incidence of diabetes mellitus: A longitudinal study.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and uric acid (UA) are novel diabetes risk factors. However, little is known about the combined effects of GGT and UA on the development of diabetes. Here, we assessed the combined effects of GGT and UA on the development of diabetes in a Korean population.

Sol-gel phase transitions in a photochromic spiropyran-modified material by incorporation in a hydrogel.

Photochromic spiropyran-modified material 1 and hydrogelator 2 bearing sugar and D-alanine moieties were prepared and their thermal- and photo-responsive properties in aqueous solution were investigated by NMR, CD, PXRD, DSC, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The xerogels [1 + 2] (1:1-20 wt%) with various ratios obtained from water showed well-developed fibril structures with diameters of 50-100 nm and length of several hundred micrometers. Interestingly, after irradiation with UV light, these aggregates were destroyed because the closed form (SP) of spiropyran unit of 1 changes to the corresponding merocyanine form (MC).

Creation of double silica nanotubes by using crown-appended cholesterol nanotubes.

New crown-appended cholesterol-based organogelators 1-3, which have one or two cholesterol skeletons as a chiral aggregate-forming site, two amino groups as an acidic proton binding site, and one crown moiety as a cation binding site, were synthesized, and the gelation ability was evaluated in organic solvents. These gelators could gelatinize several organic solvents under 1.0 wt %, indicating that 1-3 act as a versatile gelator of various organic solvents.