Search

Oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest by oncogene activation, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of aging and age-related diseases. Recent research indicates that OIS is driven by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). However, it is not apparent whether MAPK inhibition helps to recover senescence. In our previous study, we uncovered p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, as an effective agent to reduce reactive oxygen species and increase proliferation in premature senescent cells. In this study, we evaluated whether SB203580 could ameliorate senescence in normal senescent cells. The senescence-improving effect was observed in the results that SB203580 treatment restored lysosomal function, as evidenced by a decrease in lysosomal mass and an increase in autophagic vacuoles. Then, SB203580-mediated lysosomal function restoration triggered the clearance of damaged mitochondria, leading to metabolic reprogramming necessary for amelioration of senescence. Indeed, p38 MAPK inhibition by SB203580 improved key senescent phenotypes. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which modulation of p38 MAPK activity leads to senescence improvement through functional restoration of lysosome and mitochondria.

A new species, Nephelomilta vinhphuciensis sp. nov. is described from Vietnam (Vinh Phuc province) along with the nominate species, N. sumatrana (van Eecke, 1927) newly recorded from Thailand (Ranong province). Illustrations of adults and male genitalia of the examined species are presented.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the

An understanding of the knowledges, attitudes and perceptions of different populations is key for public health policy makers. Here, a survey was performed on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about malaria diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment. The 407 survey participants included both uninfected inhabitants and patients from 2 cities (Gimpo- and Paju-si) of Northern Gyeonggi-do, known as high-risk areas for vivax malaria. We used community-based study design and non-probability sampling method using the primary data. Association between variables were tested using χ2-tests. In general, the information on malaria reported by the participants in this study was unsystematic and included inaccurate details. The knowledge of malaria symptoms, identified as headache, chills and fever, was high, but the surveyed community lacks knowledge of the specific medications used for malaria treatment, with a large number of respondents having no knowledge of any form of medication. Survey questions with high correct answer rates included questions about easy treatment of malaria in Korea, the high daytime activity of malaria-borne mosquitoes, and the infection risk posed by outdoor activities. However, a large portion of the respondents was unable to provide simple medical and biological information about the disease. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of the surveyed community with respect to malaria and the implications reported here could be applicable to other malaria endemic areas in Korea.

A bioelectronic tongue (B-ET) mimicking insect taste systems is developed for the real-time detection and discrimination of natural and artificial sweeteners. Here, a carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNT-FET) was hybridized with nanovesicles including the honeybee sugar taste receptor, gustatory receptor 1 of

The digestion of food and absorption of nutrients occurs in the gut. The nutritional value of food and its nutrients is detected by enteroendocrine cells, and peptide hormones produced by the enteroendocrine cells are thought to be involved in metabolic homeostasis, but the specific mechanisms are still elusive. The enteroendocrine cells are scattered over the entire gastrointestinal tract and can be classified according to the hormones they produce. We followed the changes in combinatorial expression of regulatory peptides in the enteroendocrine cells during metamorphosis from the larva to the adult fruit fly, and re-confirmed the diverse composition of enteroendocrine cell populations. Drosophila enteroendocrine cells appear to differentially regulate peptide expression spatially and temporally depending on midgut region and developmental stage. In the late pupa, Notch activity is known to determine which peptides are expressed in mature enteroendocrine cells of the posterior midgut, and we found that the loss of Notch activity in the anterior midgut results in classes of enteroendocrine cells distinct from the posterior midgut. These results suggest that enteroendocrine cells that populate the fly midgut can differentiate into distinct subtypes that express different combinations of peptides, which likely leads to functional variety depending on specific needs.

Traditional cell line development is based on random genomic integration of transgenes. Random integration leads to unpredictable expression and results in clonal heterogeneity requiring a tedious screening procedure. Therefore, a new strategy is needed to establish clones that exhibit stable transgene expression. Here, we performed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated site-specific integration (SSI) to incorporate a landing pad (LP; containing mCherry) at a genomic hotspot (Fer1L4) allowing stable and strong expression. Site-specific integration of LP on Fer1L4 was demonstrated by sequencing results representing the swapped sequences in mCherry-expressing cells. We then performed Cre/Lox-based recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) to exchange LP with a targeting vector (TV; containing GFP) in clones established by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated SSI. The success of Cre/Lox-based RMCE was evidenced by sequencing results representing the swapped sequences in GFP-expressing cells. Furthermore, the swapped clones expressing GFP was enriched up to 80%, indicating that the efficiency of Cre/Lox-based RMCE would be sufficient to swap pre-existing cassettes with gene-of-interest (GOI). Taken together, our study provides a new platform for Cre/Lox-based RMCE to iteratively establish stable clones from existing ones previously established by SSI at a genomic hotspot.

In this article, we present the results of the genetic analysis of

Apis cerana and Apis mellifera, are very important honey species for agriculture in Asian countries. In recent decades, A. cerana populations have sharply declined in all Asian countries as a result of Sacbrood Virus infection and have now recovered to their original size. It can change the genetic structure of local populations of A. cerana. We used the nuclear gene Vitellogenin VG to assess the genetic structure of local populations of A. cerana and the signature of adaptive selection. We performed a population genetic analysis of the honey bees A. cerana from South Korea in comparison with A. cerana samples from Russia, Japan, Nepal, and China. The sequences of the gene VG of a closely related honey bee species, A. mellifera, from India and Poland were used as outgroup samples. A comparative analysis of northern and southern A. cerana populations was performed. The signatures of positive adaptive selection were found in the local population of A. cerana. We performed the Tajima's neutrality D test for A. cerana populations from different local populations based on the gene VG exon sequences. All A. cerana populations showed signs of population size expansion following the possible recent decline in population sizes. The local populations of A. c. koreana were subdivided according to their geographical distribution into southern, northern, and central Korean clusters. The gene VG exon sequences can be used as informative markers for monitoring the changes in genetic structure and adaptation to the environment processes in A. cerana populations.

The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium spp. is a diagnostic antigen and useful biomarker for monitoring short-term/seasonal changes to malaria transmission. Using P. vivax CSP antibody ELISA, epidemiological characteristics were analyzed in the residents of Ganghwa, Cheorwon, Paju, and Goseong from 2017 to 2018. In Ganghwa and Cheorwon, 1.6% and 1.2% of residents, respectively, were PvCSP-antibody-positive in 2018, which indicates a decrease of 0.4% in the positive rate compared to 2017. The annual parasite incidence (API) in Ganghwa and Cheorwon was 24.9 and 10.5 in 2017 and 20.3 and 10.7 in 2018, respectively. Although the changes were not significant, the API in Ganghwa decreased slightly by 4.5 in 2018 compared to the previous year. In Paju and Goseong, 3.9% and 2.0% of residents were positive for the PvCSP antibody. The API in Paju was 13.1 in 2017 and 16.0 in 2018, although no malaria patients were reported for the 2 years. Therefore, the results suggest that PvCSP is a useful antigen for confirming initial malaria infection. Additionally, considering that the antibody is relatively transient, it can be employed for sero-epidemiological studies to determine the extent of malaria transmission in the current year.

This study aimed to characterize the seasonal abundance of hard ticks that transmit severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus from April to November 2019 and 2020 on Ganghwa-do, Incheon Metropolitan City, Korea. The ticks were collected at grassland, grave site, copse and mountain road using a collection trap method. The ixodid hard ticks comprising three species (Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, and Ixodes nipponensis) collected were 6,622 in 2019 and 3,811 in 2020. H. longicornis was the most frequent (97.9% in 2019 and 96.0% in 2020), followed by H. flava (2.0% and 3.0% in 2019 and 2020, respectively) and I. nipponensis (less than 0.1%). Our study demonstrated that seasonal patterns of the tick populations examined for two years were totally unsimilar. The hard ticks tested using RT-qPCR were all negative for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus.

The species of genus Varroa mites parasitize on the honey bees of genus Apis. Unlike the well-studied V. destructor and V. jacobsoni mites, V. underwoodi remain less known. According to English language publications, the proven V. underwoodi distribution area of A. cerana colonies covers Nepal, South Korea, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam and China, but not Russia even though it had been described morphometrically in Russian language publications in Russia's Primorsky Territory. According to Vavilov's law (1920) of a homologous series, all the species of V. underwoodi, V. destructor and V. jacobsoni have the ability to spill over onto new hosts. Thus, V. underwoodi is a potential parasite of A. mellifera that should be carefully studied. In this study, V. underwoodi mites in colonies of honey bee subspecies A. c. ussuriensis native to Russia's Primorsky Territory are first proven using both morphometry and mitochondrial COX1 gene sequencing. The genetic divergence and p-distances between V. underwoodi and other Varroa species ranged from 7 to 10% and from 0.072 to 0.099, respectively, which matched the intraspecific level of differences. Two identical northernmost V. underwoodi samples from Russia's Primorsky Territory and China's Jilin province with GenBank accession number MH205176 were assigned as COX1 haplotype China 1 MH205176. The first discovery of V. underwoodi in the Primorsky Territory in northern Asia outlined the northern border of its range.

The sequences of the complete mitochondrial genome of the honey bee Apis mellifera L. subspecies Apis mellifera caucasia Pollmann, 1889 (AP018404, 16 341 bp) and Apis mellifera carpathica Foti et al., 1965 (AP018403, 16 336 bp) are sequenced for the first time. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of both subspecies contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one AT-rich regulatory region. The ratio of transitions to transversions (tr/tv) in complete mtDNA between A. m. caucasia and A. m. carpathica was 2.05, which reflects the formation of adaptations to changing environmental conditions. Genes with the highest GC content—COX1 (24%), COX2 (19.6%), CYTB (19.1%), COX3 (17.2%), and ND1 (17.2%)—can be highly polymorphic and can be used in phylogenetic and population studies of bees. The majority of mtDNA genes of both subspecies are located on the heavy strand (9 protein-coding genes and 14 tRNA genes), while other genes (4 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 8 tRNA genes) are located on the light strand. Cluster analysis of the complete mtDNA sequence and assessment of the structure of the tRNA-Leu(UUR)–COX2 intergenic region with a single Q element 192 bp in length showed that both subspecies A. m. caucasia and A. m. carpathica are representatives of the line C with haplotypes C2 and C2j, respectively. Honey bee subspecies A. m. caucasia and A. m. carpathica can be differentiated from each other by 34 unique SNPs in 11 mtDNA genes and the XbaI restriction marker in the ND5 gene. These genetic markers can contribute to the preservation of purebred gene pools of honey bee subspecies A. m. caucasia and A. m. carpathica within their natural range.

One of the biggest obstacles in cancer treatment is the development of chemoresistance. To overcome this, attempts have been made to screen novel anticancer substances derived from natural products. The purpose of this study is to find new anticancer candidates in the mycelium culture extract of mushrooms belonging to

The purpose of this study is to ascertain the morphological characteristics of the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon variation using larger-scale dissection of Korean cadavers and to classify the types of variation along with incidence. A total of 158 feet from adult formalin-fixed cadavers (50 males, 29 females) were dissected. The morphological characteristics and measurements of the EHL tendon variants were evaluated. Three types of the EHL tendon variation were classified, wherein the most common type was Type 2 (106 feet, 67.1%), Type 3 (3 feet, 1.9%) was the rarest type, and Type 1 without accessory tendon was found in 49 feet (31.0%). Type 2K (11 feet, 7%) and Type 3K (1 foot, 0.6%) were described as new subtypes. The present study suggests morphological characteristics of the EHL tendon variation in Korean populations and high morphological variability of the EHL tendon along with the possibility of differences according to race or ethnicity and gender. Furthermore, a newly updated classification complemented by new subtypes of variation will help foot and ankle surgeons in diagnosis and surgical planning with hallux problems.

An isolate, designated MBLB2552

Background: Microbiome in the mosquito plays an important role in their behavior and vector competence. The composition of their microbiome is strongly influenced by the environment, especially their habitat. Method: Using 16s rRNA Illumina sequencing, we here compare the microbial profiles in the adult female Anopheles sinensis from malaria hyperendemic and hypoendemic regions in the Republic of Korea. The microbiome analysis was performed using EzBioCloud and R software programs.Results: The major bacterial phylum was Proteobacteria. Most abundant microbiome of hyperendemic mosquito is from the genera Staphylococcus, Erwinia, Serratia, Pantoea. Especially, Pseudomonas synxantha group was prevalent in the hypoendemic area. The beta diversity analysis showed significant difference. The Cheorwon region (hyperendemic area 1) showed a specific microbiome profile among hyperendemic areas.Conclusion: This suggests that there may be a correlation between the microbiome profile and the incidence of malaria cases.

Varroa destructor is a well-known ectoparasite of the honey bee Apis mellifera. Amitraz and fluvalinate are highly effective miticides used against V. destructor infestation in colonies of honey bee A. mellifera. Though honey bees more resistant to miticides, there are side effects of these chemicals on the reproduction, olfaction, and honey production of honey bees. We showed a negative impact of miticides amitraz and fluvalinate on honey production and reproduction of honey bee colonies. Also, we assumed the reduction of olfaction of honey bees by fluvalinate due to changes of expression of olfactory related neuropeptide genes short neuropeptide F sNPF, tachykinin TK, short neuropeptide F receptor sNPFR. The external treatment of honey bee colonies by miticides amitraz and fluvalinate along with a positive effect of pest control harms reproductivity, honey productivity, and, probably, can reduce learning and memory, gustation and olfaction of honey bees. When used for a short time and with care, miticides can be less harmful to honey bees. Breeding varroa-resistant honey bees allow to reduce the use of miticides and produce organic honey. Therefore, the further development of beekeeping should be in the direction of selection for disease and Varroa resistance and adaptation to the environment., Varroa, bal arısı Apis mellifera'nın iyi bilinen bir ektoparazitidir. Amitraz ve fluvalinat, bal arısı A. mellifera kolonilerinde V. destructor istilasına karşı kullanılan oldukça yüksek etkili akarisitlerdir. Bal arıları, akarisitlere karşı daha dirençli olsalar da, bu kimyasalların bal arılarının üreme, koku alma ve bal üretimi üzerinde yan etkileri vardır. Bu çalışma ile Akarisitler olan amitraz ve fluvalinatın bal üretimi ve bal arısı kolonilerinin üremesi üzerinde olumsuz bir etkisi olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, bal arılarının Fluvalinat’a bağlı olarak koku alma duyusunun azalması durumunu ilgili nöropeptid genlerinin kısa nöropeptid F sNPF, taşikinin TK, kısa nöropeptid F reseptörü sNPFR ifadesindeki değişiklik olduğunu varsaydık. Bal arısı kolonilerinin akarisitler olan amitraz ve fluvalinate ile kontrol edilmesi, haşere kontrolünün olumlu etkisiyle birlikte üremeye, bal verimliliğine zarar verir ve muhtemelen bal arılarının öğrenmesini ve hafızasını, lezzetini ve kokusunu muhtemelen azaltabilir. Kısa bir süre ve özenle kullanıldığında, akarisit kullanımı bal arılarına daha az zarar verebilir. Varroaya dirençli bal arılarının yetiştirilmesi, akarisit kullanımını azaltmaya ve organik bal üretmeye izin verir. Bu nedenle, arıcılığın daha da geliştirilmesi için seçim; hastalıklara, Varroa’ya dirençli ve çevreye uyum yönünde olmalıdır.

Apis cerana ussuriensis Ilyasov et al., 2019 is the northernmost subspecies of the Asian honey bee A. cerana Fabricius, 1793, common in the forests of Primorsky krai and Khabarovsk krai as far as 47°54′ N. Genetic studies of this subspecies are of great interest for science and apiculture, since all its adaptive traits were formed under the influence of the natural environment without human interference. We sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of bees of subspecies Apis cerana ussuriensis Ilyasov et al., 2019 (GenBank accession number AP018450) from Primorsky krai and Apis cerana koreana Ilyasov et al., 2019 (AP018431) from South Korea, as well as six exons of the nuclear DNA (nDNA) vitellogenin VG E2–E7 gene of bee subspecies A. c. ussuriensis, A. c. koreana, A. c. japonica Radoszkowski, 1887, A. c. cerana, and A. c. indica Fabricius, 1798. Cluster analysis of the mtDNA and the nDNA VG gene sequences showed the division of bees into two groups, the southern subspecies A. c. indica and the northern subspecies A. c. ussuriensis, A. c. koreana, A. c. japonica, and A. c. cerana. On the basis of the genetic divergence, we showed that subspecies A. c. ussuriensis was genetically closer to subspecies A. c. japonica, A. c. koreana, and A. c. cerana than to subspecies A. c. indica. Values of genetic divergence (0.80–8.00%) and Jukes–Cantor genetic distance (0.005–0.100) for mtDNA and nDNA VG gene between subspecies A. c. ussuriensis, A. c. koreana, A. c. japonica, A. c. cerana, and A. c. indica are within the range of intraspecific differences between insect subspecies. The estimated time of the emergence of the A. cerana subspecies is from two to one million years ago.

Mosquito-borne infectious diseases cause mortality and global infectious disease burden worldwide. There are several electronic mosquito repellents (EMRs) based on ultrasound have been developed and commercialized to reduce human-mosquito contacts. However, the efficacy of EMRs against mosquitoes is still unclear. In this study, we present experimental evidence that ultrasound of different frequency and sound pressure differentially affects the host-seeking behavior of Aedes aegypti females. Behavioral tests were accompanied by molecular experiments to check whether mosquitoes respond to ultrasound and are there any changes in specific mRNA expression. Experiments in bioassays revealed that the ultrasound of 100 kHz frequency and 90–110 dB pressure significantly disrupted CO₂-oriented olfactory behaviors and blocked indoor invasion. Furthermore, a long time (>24 h) exposure to 100 kHz frequency/90 dB pressure of ultrasound decreased attractive behaviors to human skin. At the molecular level, there was no change in expression of odorant receptor co-receptor (AaOrco) in ultrasound treated animals, while one of the CO2 receptor genes, AaGr3, and putative hearing-related gene, AAEL009258, were down-regulated and up-regulated, respectively. Our study indicates that high frequency (100 kHz) and pressure (90–110 dB) of the ultrasound has repellent effects to olfactory–driven behaviors of mosquitoes.

The taxonomy of honey bee A. mellifera contains a lot of issues due to the specificity of population structure, features of biology and resolutions of honey bee subspecies discrimination methods. There are a lot of transition zones between ranges of subspecies which led to the gradual changes of characteristics among neighbor subspecies. The modern taxonomic pattern of honey bee Apis mellifera is given in this paper. Thirty-three distinct honey bee subspecies are distributed across all Africa (11 subspecies), Western Asia and the Middle East (9 subspecies), and Europe (13 subspecies). All honey bee subspecies are subdivided into 5 evolutionary lineages: lineage A (10 subspecies) and its sublineage Z (3 subspecies), lineage M (3 subspecies), lineage C (10 subspecies), lineage O (3 subspecies), lineage Y (1 subspecies), lineage C or O (3 subspecies).