Thymocyte Development of Humanized Mice Is Promoted by Interactions with Human-Derived Antigen Presenting Cells upon Immunization.

Immune responses in humanized mice are generally inefficient without co-transplantation of human thymus or HLA transgenes. Previously, we generated humanized mice via the intra-bone marrow injection of CD133+ cord blood cells into irradiated adult immunodeficient mice (IBMI-huNSG mice), which could mount functional immune responses against HTLV-1, although the underlying mechanisms were still unknown. Here, we investigated thymocyte development in IBMI-huNSG mice, focusing on the roles of human and mouse MHC restriction.

CPUE standardization for southern bluefin tuna () in the Korean tuna longline fishery, accounting for spatiotemporal variation in targeting through data exploration and clustering.

Accounting for spatial and temporal variation in targeting is a concern in many catch per unit effort (CPUE) standardization exercises. In this study we standardized southern bluefin tuna (, SBT) CPUE from the Korean tuna longline fishery (1996-2018) using generalized linear models (GLMs) with operational set by set data. Data were first explored to investigate the operational characteristics of Korean tuna longline vessels fishing for SBT, such as the spatial and temporal distributions of effort, and changes in the nominal catch rates among major species and species composition.

Effects of different and ratios on nutrient digestibility, fecal microflora, and gas emissions of growing pigs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different mixing ratios of and in diets on nutrient digestibility, fecal microflora, and odor gas emissions of growing pigs. A total of four crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) barrows with average body weight (BW) of 41.2 ± 0.

Shallow population structure of southern bluefin tuna, (Castelnau, 1872) between Indian and Atlantic Oceans inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Southern bluefin tuna ( Castelnau, 1872) is distributed across most of the southern temperate ocean and migrates extensively between 30°S and 50°S. Since has been continually and heavily exploited, it is necessary to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure and demographic history of for effective management and conservation. Thirty-seven gonad tissues of were sampled from two locations, which were in the eastern Indian Ocean and the eastern Atlantic Ocean, by scientific observers onboard Korean longline vessels in 2015.

Epigenetic Variation Induced by Gamma Rays, DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors, and Their Combination in Rice.

DNA methylation plays important roles in the regulation of gene expression and maintenance of genome stability in many organisms, including plants. In this study, we treated rice with gamma rays (GRs) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTis) to induce variations in DNA methylation and evaluated epigenetic diversity using methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) and transposon methylation display (TMD) marker systems. Comparative and integrated analyses of the data revealed that both GRs and DNMTis alone have epimutagenic effects and that combined treatment enhanced these effects.

Cytological variations and long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon diversities among diploids and B-chromosome aneuploids in Lilium amabile Palibin.

Background: B chromosomes are supernumerary chromosomes found in numerous plant species, including in the genus Lilium. Lilium amabile, an endemic Korean Lilium species, carries B chromosomes which are highly variable in terms of numbers and shape among the accessions collected throughout the Korea. Class 1 retrotransposons are highly abundant in the genome of Lilium species, but their biological functions are still obscure.

Induction of APOBEC3B cytidine deaminase in HTLV-1-infected humanized mice.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Following viral infection with HTLV-1, certain infected cells exhibit clonal proliferation. Additional genetic and epigenetic changes in these clonally proliferating cells provide them with the selective advantage of growth, which eventually results in ATL.

Characterization of chloroplast genomes of Alnus rubra and Betula cordifolia, and their use in phylogenetic analyses in Betulaceae.

Objective: Betulaceae is a relatively small birch family that comprises about 160 deciduous trees and shrubs. Chloroplast (cp) genome sequencing of Alnus rubra and Betula cordifolia was carried out to elucidate their molecular features and phylogenetic relationship among species in Betulaceae family.

Methods: Chloroplast genome sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing method.

Retrotransposons in Betula nana, and interspecific relationships in the Betuloideae, based on inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) markers.

The Betulaceae family comprises two subfamilies, Betuloideae and Corylaceae. The subfamily Betuloideae contains two genera, Alnus Mill. and Betula L.

Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposons in the Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai: characterization and use for species identification in the genus Haliotis.

Transposable elements are highly abundant elements that are present in all eukaryotic species. Here, we present a molecular description of abalone retrotransposon (Abret) elements. The genome of Haliotis discus hannai contains 130 Abret elements which were all Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposons.

Evaluation of the secretion and release of vascular endothelial growth factor from two-dimensional culture and three-dimensional cell spheroids formed with stem cells and osteoprecursor cells.

Background: Co-culture has been applied in cell therapy, including stem cells, and has been reported to give enhanced functionality.

Objectives: In this study, stem-cell spheroids were formed in concave micromolds at different ratios of stem cells to osteoprecursor cells, and the amount of secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was evaluated.

Material And Methods: Gingiva-derived stem cells and osteoprecursor cells in the amount of 6 × 105 were seeded on a 24-well culture plate or concave micromolds.

Enhanced Osteogenic Differentiation Potential of Stem-Cell Spheroids Created From a Coculture of Stem Cells and Endothelial Cells.

Purpose: This study was performed to fabricate stem-cell spheroids formed with human gingiva-derived stem cells and endothelial cells and to evaluate their viability and osteogenic differentiation potential.

Materials And Methods: Gingiva-derived stem cells were isolated, and stem cells and endothelial cells with a total of 6 × 10 cells were seeded into concave micromolds with different ratios of 6:0 (group 1), 4:2 (group 2), 3:3 (group 3), and 2:4 (group 4).

Results: Gingiva-derived stem cells and/or endothelia cells formed spheroids in concave microwells.

Chloroplast genomes of Lilium lancifolium, L. amabile, L. callosum, and L. philadelphicum: Molecular characterization and their use in phylogenetic analysis in the genus Lilium and other allied genera in the order Liliales.

Chloroplast (cp) genomes of Lilium amabile, L. callosum, L. lancifolium, and L.

Evaluation of the osteogenic differentiation of gingiva-derived stem cells grown on culture plates or in stem cell spheroids: Comparison of two- and three-dimensional cultures.

Three-dimensional cell culture systems provide a convenient model for the study of complex cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in the absence of exogenous substrates. The current study aimed to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation potential of gingiva-derived stem cells cultured in two-dimensional or three-dimensional systems. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to compare the growth of gingiva-derived stem cells in monolayer culture to a three-dimensional culture system with microwells.

Development of CACTA transposon derived SCAR markers and their use in population structure analysis in Zea mays.

Molecular marker technologies have proven to be an important breakthrough for genetic studies, construction of linkage maps and population genetics analysis. Transposable elements (TEs) constitute major fractions of repetitive sequences in plants and offer a wide range of possible areas to be explored as molecular markers. Sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker development provides us with a simple and time saving alternative approach for marker development.

Evaluation of the shape, viability, stemness and osteogenic differentiation of cell spheroids formed from human gingiva-derived stem cells and osteoprecursor cells.

The present study was performed to create stem cell spheroids from human gingiva-derived stem cells and osteoprecursor cells and to evaluate the maintenance of the stemness, the viability and osteogenic differentiation of the cell spheroids. Gingiva-derived stem cells were isolated, and a total of 6×10 stem cells and osteoprecursor cells were seeded into concave micromolds at various ratios. Gingiva-derived stem cells and/or osteoprecursor cells formed spheroids in concave microwells.

Evaluation of the maintenance of stemness, viability, and differentiation potential of gingiva-derived stem-cell spheroids.

Gingiva-derived stem cells have been applied for tissue-engineering purposes and may be considered a favorable source of mesenchymal stem cells as harvesting stem cells from the mandible or maxilla may be performed with ease under local anesthesia. The present study was performed to fabricate stem-cell spheroids using concave microwells and to evaluate the maintenance of stemness, viability, and differentiation potential. Gingiva-derived stem cells were isolated, and the stem cells of 4×10 (group A) or 8×10 (group B) cells were seeded into polydimethylsiloxane-based, concave micromolds with 600 µm diameters.

Ribosomal DNA locus variation and REMAP analysis of the diploid and triploid complexes of Lilium lancifolium.

Lilium lancifolium Thunb. (2n = 2x = 24) is a cytologically conspicuous species with both diploids and triploids in nature. Cytological and molecular genetic analyses were carried out in both diploids and triploids that were collected from 55 geographical locations in Korea, Japan, and China.

Formation of size-controllable spheroids using gingiva-derived stem cells and concave microwells: Morphology and viability tests.

Human mesenchymal stem cells have previously been isolated and characterized from the gingiva, and gingiva-derived stem cells have been applied for tissue engineering purposes. The present study was performed to generate size-controllable stem cell spheroids using concave microwells. Gingiva-derived stem cells were isolated, and the stem cells of 1×10 (group A) or 2×10 (group B) cells were seeded in polydimethylsiloxane-based, concave micromolds with 600 µm diameters.

LTR-retrotransposons and inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) analysis in Lilium species.

LTR-retrotransposons are ubiquitous and highly abundant in plant genomes. Moreover, LTR-retrotransposons can often cause genome obesity in plants. Although Lilium species have been known carrying large genomes among flowering plants, reports on the LTR-retrotransposons in Lilium species are rather limited.

Highly enantioselective catalytic 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of α-alkyl diazoacetates: efficient synthesis of functionalized 2-pyrazolines.

Highly enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of α-substituted diazoacetates are accomplished by catalysis of the chiral oxazaborolidinium ion. Functionalized 2-pyrazolines are synthesized in high to excellent enantiomeric ratios (up to >99 : 1). The synthetic utility of 2-pyrazoline was expanded via preparation of 2,4-diamino ester compounds bearing a chiral quaternary carbon center.

Transposable elements and genome size variations in plants.

Although the number of protein-coding genes is not highly variable between plant taxa, the DNA content in their genomes is highly variable, by as much as 2,056-fold from a 1C amount of 0.0648 pg to 132.5 pg.

Isolation and characterization of novel Ty1-copia-like retrotransposons from lily.

Species of the genus Lilium are well known for their large genomes. Although expansion of noncoding repeated DNA is believed to account for this genome size, retroelement del Ty3-gypsy is the only one described so far in the genus Lilium. We isolated Ty1-copia elements from Lilium longiflorum and named them LIREs (lily retrotransposons).

Catalytic enantioselective carbon insertion into the β-vinyl C-H bond of cyclic enones.

Chiral oxazaborolidinium ion-catalyzed Csp(2)-H functionalization of enones using diazoacetate has been developed. Various β-substituted cyclic enones were synthesized in high yield (up to 99%) with high to excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). The synthetic utility of this reaction was demonstrated by the formal synthesis of (+)-epijuvabione.

Catalytic carbon insertion into the β-vinyl C-H bond of cyclic enones with alkyl diazoacetates.

The first example of the boron Lewis acid catalyzed C(sp2)-H functionalization of cyclic enones was achieved using diazoacetates. The insertion of the carbon atom of diazoacetates utilizes BF3•Et2O or a newly designed oxazaborolidinium ion as a catalyst to afford β-functionalized cyclic enones from simple cyclic enones in a single step and high yields. The reaction mechanism was investigated with deuterium labeled 2-cyclohexen-1-one.