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Solution‐processed phosphorescence organic light‐emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) are an increasingly attractive option as compared with vacuum‐processed PHOLEDs due to their lower costs, large areas, and flexible production. Currently, the majority of reported solution‐processed PHOLEDs are produced using red and green triplet emitters. The earlier reports on blue solution‐processed PHOLEDs describe poor Commission International de l'Éclairage color coordinates (CIE(x, y)) and low external quantum efficiencies (EQEs). It is difficult to produce efficient solution‐processed deep‐blue PHOLEDs that meet high EQE and CIE y color coordinate ≤ 0.15 requirements. The authors design and synthesize three new carbenic homoleptic deep‐blue emitting Ir(III) complexes for solution‐processed PHOLEDs. The introduction of bulky tert‐butyl and trifluoromethyl (CF3) substituents at a suitable position on the benzylated pyridoimidazole moiety effectively improves solution‐processed device performance without compromising CIE(x, y) color purity. The deep‐blue PHOLEDs exhibit remarkable maximum EQE (EQEmax) of 25.3% and excellent CIE(x, y) color of (0.16, 0.10) at a mer‐Ir(ptbbp)3 doping ratio of 50 wt%. In particular, deep‐blue PHOLEDs containing mer‐Ir(CF3pbp)3 as dopant exhibit excellent CIE(x, y) color coordinates of (0.16, 0.05) and an EQEmax of 21.2%. This is the first report of deep‐blue solution‐processed PHOLEDs containing carbene‐based Ir(III) complexes with extremely high EQE values and CIE y coordinate requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Techniques such as direct sequencing and PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) are widely used to analyze the genotypes of livestock. However, these conventional methods have the disadvantage of taking a lot of time and incurring considerable cost. The allele-specific PCR method performs PCR using two primers, and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype can be identified through electrophoresis, saving time and cost. Highly accurate results can be obtained by designing specific primers according to the allele of the SNP under study, utilizing primer binding to a complementary matching sequence. In this study, we established a genotyping system with the AS-PCR technique, using SNPs related to the improvement of the meat quality and meat mass of Korean cattle. Using the PRIMER1 program, we designed specific primers for SNPs located at the 3 ' end, with one SNP marker in the HSPB1 gene related to meat quantity and two SNP markers in the ADH1C and FASN genes related to meat quality in cattle. AS-PCR was performed on 10 Korean cattle using the primers designed with this system, and the genotypes could be identified by the size of the PCR product amplified as a result of electrophoresis. In the case of the HSPB1 g.2352T  >  C SNP, the T allele was amplified to 148 bp, and the C allele was amplified to 222 bp. The ADH1C c.-64T  >  C SNP was amplified to 492 bp at the T allele and 330 bp at the C allele. The FASN g.17924G  >  A SNP A allele was amplified to 377 bp and the G allele to 507 bp. The results for each SNP genotype were verified using direct sequencing, which showed that the genotypes identified by direct sequencing and the genotypes identified by the AS-PCR method matched exactly. The AS-PCR method therefore appears to be valuable for use in a genotyping system., Competing Interests: The contact author has declared that neither they nor their co-authors have any competing interests., (Copyright: © 2022 Wonhee Lee et al.)

The Jeju horse is a native Korean species that has been breeding on Jeju Island since the 13th century. Their shape has a distinct appearance from the representative species, Thoroughbred. Here, we performed a comparison of the Jeju horse and Thoroughbred horse for the identification of genome-wide structure variation by using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique. We generated an average of 95.59 Gb of the DNA sequence, resulting in an average of 33.74 X sequence coverage from five Jeju horses. In addition, reads obtained from WGRS data almost covered the horse reference genome (mapped reads 98.4%). Based on our results, we identified 1,244,064 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 113,498 genomic insertions, and 114,751 deletions through bioinformatics analysis. Interestingly, the results of the WGRS comparison indicated that the eqCD1a6 gene contains signatures of positive natural selection in Jeju horses. The eqCD1a6 gene is known to be involved in immunity. The eqCD1a6 gene of Jeju horses commonly contained 296 variants (275 SNPs and 21 INDELs) that were compared with its counterpart of two Thoroughbred horses. In addition, we used LOAA, digital PCR, to confirm the possibility of developing a molecular marker for species identification using variant sites. As a result, it was possible to confirm the result of the molecular marker with high accuracy. Nevertheless, eqCD1a6 was shown to be functionally intact. Taken together, we have found significant genomic variation in these two different horse species.

Intramuscular fat deposition in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) of Korean cattle steer is regulated by several genes related to lipid metabolism. One of these genes encodes the enzyme bovine glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, mitochondrial ( GPAM ), which is located on the mitochondrial outer membrane and catalyzes the initial and committed step of glycerolipid synthesis in lipid metabolism of cattle. Previous studies have shown that the 3 ' -untranslated region (UTR) of the GPAM is quite extended and contains a polyadenylation signal site, erythroid 15-lipoxygenase differentiation control elements (15-LOX-DICEs), and cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) that affect the regulation of triacylglycerol synthesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to the regulation of glycerolipid synthesis in the 3 ' -UTR of GPAM and to verify the function of SNPs affecting the deposition of intramuscular fat in Korean cattle steer. In the present study, 11 SNPs were discovered in the 3 ' -UTR of GPAM . Among these SNPs, g.54853A > G, g.55441A > G, and g.55930C > T were significantly associated with marbling score in a Korean cattle steer population and were strongly correlated with each other within the GPAM gene. Furthermore, based on the results predicted by the RNAhybrid program, four putative microRNAs (miRNAs) were identified, and the above SNPs were found to present in the seed region of these miRNAs. These miRNAs have a differential binding affinity for each allele of SNPs g.54853A > G, g.55441A > G, and g.55930C > T. The in vivo evidence of intramuscular fat deposition in the LM tissue showed that these SNPs affected the regulation of intramuscular fat deposition in Korean cattle steer. Thus, the g.54853A > G, g.55441A > G, and g.55930C > T could be considered as causal mutations regulating intramuscular fat deposition in Korean cattle steer., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Hyeongrok Kim et al.)

Bovine embryonic development is closely associated with mitochondrial biogenesis, which is regulated by the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Resveratrol, which is a type of natural phenol produced by several plants and used as a dietary supplement, is the activator of SIRT1. Although it has been reported that resveratrol increased SIRT1 level in in vitro bovine blastocysts, there are no in vivo reports on the change in the plasma SIRT1 level in cows. Therefore, we investigated the change in the level of plasma SIRT1 by injecting different concentrations of resveratrol into the uterus of Korean cattle heifer. The level of plasma SIRT1 in the 1.0 μM resveratrol-injected group was the highest among all groups ( P < 0.05). Although the level of plasma SIRT1 increased on days 7, 9, and 14 in the resveratrol-injected group, the level of plasma SIRT1 in the control group decreased. When 1.0 µM resveratrol was directly injected into the uterus of cows during artificial insemination, a pregnancy rate was 21.0% higher than that in the control group. In conclusion, our results identified that the level of plasma SIRT1 was increased by direct injection of resveratrol and improved conception rate by injection into uterus of cow during artificial insemination., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

The fatty acid composition of adipose tissue in livestock has been recognized as an important carcass trait that affects meat quality. To determine the overall positive effect on fatty acid synthesis, we investigated PPARγ, SREBPs, FABP4, SCD, and FASN genes because SNP and/or SNP combinations were strongly affecting each fatty acid synthesis pathway. We screened their SNPs, SNP combinations, and genotype. Furthermore, we studied the economic traits C18:1, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and marbling score (MS). To enhance the accuracy of the predictive genetic effect, we applied a statistical adjustment model excluding environmental factors. We also selected superior genes, gene combinations, and genotypes for each economic trait by using multifactor dimensionality reduction. Based on the results, g.3977-325 T>C (CC) was selected as the best genotype of the SNP and the combination (g.10153 A>G, g.3977-325 T>C) (AACC, AGCC, GGCC), (g.3690 G>A, g.3977-325 T>C) (GGCC, GACC), (g.3977-325 T>C, g.25670 C>T) (CCCC, CCCT, CCTT) (genotypes of the best SNP combination) was selected as the best gene combination for C18:1 and MUFA. In addition, g.3977-325 T>C (CC) was selected as the best genotype of the SNP and the combination (g.3977-325 T>C, g.6974 G>A) (TTAA, CTAA, CCAA, CCGA, CCGG) as the best SNP combination for MS. We integrated genes that were selected as excellent SNP and SNP combinations affecting two main routes of the fatty acid synthesis pathway and identified the best and final SNP, SNP combination, and superior genotype.

In Korean cattle, intramuscular fat (IMF), or marbling, of the longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) cross section is one of the most important indicators of beef quality and are influenced by environmental and genetic factors. This study was to evaluate the effect of SNPs on the beef quality in Korean cattle for functional studies, such as site-directed mutagenesis based on bovine adipocytes. The fatty acid synthase (FASN) gene plays an important role in lipogenesis. FASN is an essential metabolic and multifunctional enzyme in fatty acid synthesis. Several studies have reported that SNPs g.841G, g.16024A, g.16039T, and g.17924G have a significant impact on marbling scores in Korean cattle and Japanese Black cattle population. These SNPs are located in transcription factor binding sites, the beta-ketoacyl reductase, and thioesterase domains. Our results revealed that the g.17924 A>G SNP is located in the thioesterase domain of the FASN protein, and changes from polar, neutral, and hydrophilic to nonpolar, aliphatic, and hydrophobic, respectively. In in vivo LM tissue of Korean cattle, the g.17924A>G SNP has an effect on increasing fat deposition. Therefore, g.17924A>G SNP could be a causal mutation for increasing fat deposition in Korean cattle LM tissue.

Chicken is one of the most popular domesticated species worldwide, as it can serve an important role in agricultural as well as biomedical research fields. Because it inhabits almost every continent and presents diverse morphology and traits, the need of genetic markers for distinguishing each breed for various purposes has increased. The whole genome sequencing of three different breeds (White Leghorn, Korean domestic, and Araucana) that show similar coloring patterns, with the exception of the White Leghorn breed, have confirmed previously reported genomic alterations and identified many novel variants. Additionally, the Whole Genome Re-Sequencing (WGRS) approach identified an approximately 4 kb insert within SLCO1B3 responsible for blue egg shell color. Targeted investigation of pigment-related genes corroborated previously reported non-synonymous mutations, and provided deeper insight into chicken coloring, where not a single but a combination of non-synonymous mutations in the MC1R gene is likely to be responsible for altered feather coloring.

Oxaliplatin, a chemotherapeutic drug for colorectal cancer, induces severe peripheral neuropathy. Bee venom acupuncture (BVA) has been used to attenuate pain, and its effect is known to be mediated by spinal noradrenergic and serotonergic receptors. Morphine is a well-known opioid used to treat different types of pain. Here, we investigated whether treatment with a combination of these two agents has an additive effect on oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain in mice. To assess cold and mechanical allodynia, acetone and von Frey filament tests were used, respectively. Significant allodynia signs were observed three days after an oxaliplatin injection (6 mg/kg, i.p.). BVA (0.25, 1, and 2.5 mg/kg, s.c., ST36) or morphine (0.5, 2, and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) alone showed dose-dependent anti-allodynic effects. The combination of BVA and morphine at intermediate doses showed a greater and longer effect than either BVA or morphine alone at the highest dose. Intrathecal pretreatment with the opioidergic (naloxone, 20 μg) or 5-HT3 (MDL-72222, 15 μg) receptor antagonist, but not with α2 adrenergic (idazoxan, 10 μg) receptor antagonist, blocked this additive effect. Therefore, we suggest that the combination effect of BVA and morphine is mediated by spinal opioidergic and 5-HT3 receptors and this combination has a robust and enduring analgesic action against oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain.

Fat quality is determined by the composition of fatty acids. Genetic relationships between this composition and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 (SCD1) gene were examined using 513 Korean native cattle. Single and epistatic effects of 7 SNP genetic variations were investigated, and the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method was used to investigate gene interactions in terms of oleic acid (C18:1), mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and marbling score (MS). The g.6850+77 A>G and g.14047 C>T SNP interactions were identified as the statistically optimal combination (C18:1, MUFAs and MS permutation p-values were 0.000, 0.000 and 0.001 respectively) of two-way gene interactions. The interaction effects of g.6850+77 A>G, g.10213 T>C and g.14047 C>T reflected the highest training-balanced accuracy (63.76%, 64.70% and 61.85% respectively) and was better than the individual effects for C18:1, MUFAs and MS. In addition, the superior genotype groups were AATTCC, AGTTCC, GGTCCC, AGTCCT, GGCCCT and AGCCTT. These results suggest that the selected SNP combination of the SCD1 gene and superior genotype groups can provide useful inferences for the improvement of the fatty acid composition in Korean native cattle.