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Effective antihypertensive therapy is essential for achieving optimal blood pressure (BP) control and reducing cardiovascular events. This double-blind, multicenter, randomized trial aimed to compare the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of a combination of amlodipine (AML) and candesartan cilexetil (CC) versus AML monotherapy in patients with essential hypertension (HTN). After a 4-week run-in period with AML 5 mg, patients whose HTN remained uncontrolled (diastolic BP [DBP]) ≥ 90 mmHg and < 120 mmHg) were randomized to receive either AML + CC or AML alone for 8 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by measuring changes in DBP and systolic BP (SBP). The primary safety measure was the incidence of adverse events (AEs). A total of 174 participants were included in the efficacy analysis. After 8 weeks, DBP decreased by -9.92 ± 0.86 mmHg in the AML + CC arm and - 2.08 ± 0.86 mmHg in the AML arm (p < 0.0001). SBP decreased by -14.27 ± 1.39 mmHg in the AML + CC arm versus - 2.77 ± 1.39 mmHg in the AML arm (p < 0.0001). AEs occurred in 11.24% of the AML + CC group and 5.62% of the AML group (p = 0.1773). AML + CC combination therapy demonstrated superior efficacy with good tolerance, making it a promising option for patients with inadequately controlled hypertension on amlodipine alone., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The formation of shoots plays a pivotal role in plant organogenesis and productivity. Despite its significance, the underlying molecular mechanism of de novo regeneration has not been extensively elucidated in Capsicum annuum 'Dempsey', a bell pepper cultivar. To address this, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis focusing on the differential expression in C. annuum 'Dempsey' shoot, callus, and leaf tissue. We further investigated phytohormone-related biological processes and their interacting genes in the C. annuum 'Dempsey' transcriptome based on comparative transcriptomic analysis across five species., Results: We provided a comprehensive view of the gene networks regulating shoot formation on the callus, revealing a strong involvement of hypoxia responses and oxidative stress. Our comparative transcriptome analysis revealed a significant conservation in the increase of gene expression patterns related to auxin and defense mechanisms in both callus and shoot tissues. Consequently, hypoxia response and defense mechanism emerged as critical regulators in callus and shoot formation in C. annuum 'Dempsey'. Current transcriptome data also indicated a substantial decline in gene expression linked to photosynthesis within regenerative tissues, implying a deactivation of the regulatory system governing photosynthesis in C. annuum 'Dempsey'., Conclusion: Coupled with defense mechanisms, we thus considered spatial redistribution of auxin to play a critical role in the shoot morphogenesis via primordia outgrowth. Our findings shed light on shoot formation mechanisms in C. annuum 'Dempsey' explants, important information for regeneration programs, and have broader implications for precise molecular breeding in recalcitrant crops., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The present study aimed to identify microorganisms in follicular fluids and to investigate their association with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes., Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a prospective study of 49 infertile females undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles between 2013 and 2016. Paired follicular fluid and vaginal secretions were collected on the day of ovum pick up and were cultured to detect microorganisms., Results: Fifteen women (30.6%) had no microorganisms in follicular fluid or vaginal swabs, 23 (46.9%) had microorganisms on vaginal swab alone, 3 (6.1%) had microorganisms in follicular fluid alone, and 8 (16.3%) had microorganisms in both follicular fluid and vaginal swabs. The same microorganisms were detected in both the follicular fluid and vaginal swabs of three women, while different microorganisms were detected between follicular fluid and vaginal swabs in five women. Follicular fluid microorganisms were not associated with embryo quality or clinical pregnancy rates during IVF cycles. However, significantly decreased implantation rates (9.1% vs. 29.4%, p =0.031) and clinical pregnancy rates on embryo transfer day 5 (0% vs. 83.3%, p =0.048) were observed in the group that was positive for vaginal pathogens., Conclusion: Follicular fluid contains microorganisms that can differ from those in the vagina of the same women; however, they do not appear to be associated with embryo quality or clinical pregnancy rates in IVF cycles. In contrast, vaginal pathogens were found to be associated with worse implantation rates and clinical pregnancy rates in IVF cycles., Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (© Copyright: Yonsei University College of Medicine 2022.)

Background: DNA-free, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based genome editing is a simple, convincing, and promising tool for precision crop breeding. The efficacy of designed CRISPR-based genome editing tools is a critical prerequisite for successful precision gene editing in crops., Results: This study demonstrates that soil-grown leaf- or callus-derived pepper protoplasts are a useful system for screening of efficient guide RNAs for CRISPR/Cas9 or CRISPR/Cas12a (Cpf1). CRISPR/Cas9 or Cpf1 were delivered as CRISPR/RNP complexes of purified endonucleases mixed with the designed single guide RNA, which can edit the target gene, CaMLO2 in two pepper cultivars with whole genome sequenced, Capsicum annuum 'CM334' and C. annuum 'Dempsey'. The designed guide RNAs (sgRNAs for Cas9 or crRNAs for Cpf1) are conserved for CaMLO2 in both CM334 and Dempsey and cleave CaMLO2 in vitro. CRISPR/Cas9- or /Cpf1-RNP complexes were transfected into purely isolated protoplasts of the hot pepper CM334 and sweet pepper Dempsey by PEG-mediated delivery. Targeted deep sequencing analysis indicated that the targeted CaMLO2 gene was differentially edited in both cultivars, depending on the applied CRISPR/RNPs., Conclusions: Pepper protoplast-based CRISPR guide-RNA selection is a robust method to check the efficacy of designed CRISPR tools and is a prerequisite for regenerating edited plants, which is a critical time-limiting procedure. The rapid and convincing selection of guide RNA against a target genome reduces the laborious efforts for tissue culture and facilitates effective gene editing for pepper improvement.

Purpose: Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are known to effectively reduce not only low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level but also death and nonfatal myocardial infarction due to coronary heart disease. The risk for CVD from atherogenic dyslipidemia persists when elevated triglyceride (TG) and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are not controlled with statin therapy. Therefore, statin/fenofibrate combination therapy is more effective in reducing CVD risk. Here, we assessed the efficacy and tolerability of pitavastatin/fenofibrate combination therapy in patients with mixed dyslipidemia and a high risk for CVD., Methods: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, therapeutic-confirmatory clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of fixed-dose combination therapy with pitavastatin/fenofibrate 2/160 mg in Korean patients with a high risk for CVD and a controlled LDL-C level (<100 mg/dL) and a TG level of 150-500 mg/dL after a run-in period with pitavastatin 2 mg alone. In the 8-week main study, 347 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive pitavastatin 2 mg with or without fenofibrate 160 mg after a run-in period. In the extension study, patients with controlled LDL-C and non-HDL-C (<130 mg/dL) levels were included after the completion of the main study. All participants in the extension study received the pitavastatin/fenofibrate combination therapy for 16 weeks for the assessment of the tolerability of long-term treatment., Findings: The difference in the mean percentage change in non-HDL-C from baseline to week 8 between the combination therapy and monotherapy groups was -12.45% (95% CI, -17.18 to -7.72), and the combination therapy was associated with a greater reduction in non-HDL-C. The changes in lipid profile, including apolipoproteins, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein from baseline to weeks 4 and 8 were statistically significant with combination therapy compared to monotherapy at all time points. Furthermore, the rates of achievement of non-HDL-C and apolipoprotein B targets at week 8 in the combination therapy and monotherapy groups were 88.30% versus 77.98% (P = 0.0110) and 78.94% versus 68.45% (P = 0.0021), respectively. The combination therapy was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of statin monotherapy., Implications: In these Korean patients with mixed dyslipidemia and a high risk for CVD, combination therapy with pitavastatin/fenofibrate was associated with a greater reduction in non-HDL-C compared with that with pitavastatin monotherapy, and a significantly improvement in other lipid levels. Moreover, the combination therapy was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of statin monotherapy. Therefore, pitavastatin/fenofibrate combination therapy could be effective and well tolerated in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03618797., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Eukaryotes transport biomolecules between intracellular organelles and between cells and the environment via vesicle trafficking. Soluble N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNARE proteins) play pivotal roles in vesicle and membrane trafficking. These proteins are categorized as Qa, Qb, Qc, and R SNAREs and form a complex that induces vesicle fusion for targeting of vesicle cargos. As the core components of the SNARE complex, the SNAP25 Qbc SNAREs perform various functions related to cellular homeostasis. The Arabidopsis thaliana SNAP25 homolog AtSNAP33 interacts with Qa and R SNAREs and plays a key role in cytokinesis and in triggering innate immune responses. However, other Arabidopsis SNAP25 homologs, such as AtSNAP29 and AtSNAP30, are not well studied; this includes their localization, interactions, structures, and functions. Here, we discuss three biological functions of plant SNAP25 orthologs in the context of AtSNAP33 and highlight recent findings on SNAP25 orthologs in various plants. We propose future directions for determining the roles of the less well-characterized AtSNAP29 and AtSNAP30 proteins.

Objective: The Jeju native pig (JNP) found on the Jeju Island of Korea is a unique black pig known for high-quality meat. To investigate the genetic uniqueness of JNP, we analyzed the selection signature of the JNP in comparison to commercial pigs such as Berkshire and Yorkshire pigs., Methods: We surveyed the genetic diversity to identify the genetic stability of the JNP, using the linkage disequilibrium method. A selective sweep of the JNP was performed to identify the selection signatures. To do so, the population differentiation measure, Weir-Cockerham's Fst was utilized. This statistic directly measures the population differentiation at the variant level. Additionally, we investigated the gene ontologies (GOs) and genetic features., Results: Compared to the Berkshire and Yorkshire pigs, the JNP had lower genetic diversity in terms of linkage disequilibrium decays. We summarized the selection signatures of the JNP as GO. In the JNP and Berkshire pigs, the most enriched GO terms were epithelium development and neuron-related. Considering the JNP and Yorkshire pigs, cellular response to oxygen-containing compound and generation of neurons were the most enriched GO., Conclusion: The selection signatures of the JNP were identified through the population differentiation statistic. The genes with possible selection signatures are expected to play a role in JNP's unique pork quality.

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines identified four statin benefit groups on the basis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk reduction and proposed statin therapy by evidence-based intensity. Although these guidelines used randomized controlled trials with hard outcomes as exclusive evidence for its recommendations, a limited number of studies conducted in Asian countries makes its application of treatment strategy, intensity, and statin doses uncertain in these population. This prospective, multicenter study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of rosuvastatin 10 mg in the four statin benefit groups requiring high- or moderate-intensity statin therapy according to the ACC/AHA guidelines in the Korean population. The primary endpoint was percentage reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Secondary endpoints were percentage reduction in other lipids and achievement of ≥50% reduction in LDL cholesterol. Rosuvastatin 10 mg lowered LDL cholesterol by 61.4 mg/dL, a 44.9% decrease from baseline after eight weeks. Reduction of LDL cholesterol ≥50% was achieved in 46.3% of patients. Rosuvastatin 10 mg was generally well tolerated. In the Korean population, rosuvastatin 10 mg was favorable and tolerant in lowering LDL cholesterol in the four statin benefit groups requiring high- or moderate-intensity statin therapy according to the ACC/AHA guidelines.

Background: Cardiovascular risk remains increased despite optimal low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level induced by intensive statin therapy. Therefore, recent guidelines recommend non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) as a secondary target for preventing cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of omega-3 fatty acids (OM3-FAs) in combination with atorvastatin compared to atorvastatin alone in patients with mixed dyslipidemia., Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, and phase III multicenter study included adults with fasting triglyceride (TG) levels ≥200 and <500 mg/dL and LDL-C levels <110 mg/dL. Eligible subjects were randomized to ATOMEGA (OM3-FAs 4,000 mg plus atorvastatin calcium 20 mg) or atorvastatin 20 mg plus placebo groups. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in TG and non-HDL-C levels from baseline at the end of treatment., Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, the percent changes from baseline in TG (-29.8% vs. 3.6%, P <0.001) and non-HDL-C (-10.1% vs. 4.9%, P <0.001) levels were significantly greater in the ATOMEGA group ( n =97) than in the atorvastatin group ( n =103). Moreover, the proportion of total subjects reaching TG target of <200 mg/dL in the ATOMEGA group was significantly higher than that in the atorvastatin group (62.9% vs. 22.3%, P <0.001). The incidence of adverse events did not differ between the two groups., Conclusion: The addition of OM3-FAs to atorvastatin improved TG and non-HDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to atorvastatin alone in subjects with residual hypertriglyceridemia., Competing Interests: This work was financially supported by the Kuhnil Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Seoul, Republic of Korea). The company funder had no role in the study design, in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to submit the article for publication., (Copyright © 2020 Korean Diabetes Association.)

Objective: To investigate the differences of spinal curvature, thoracic sagittal mobility, and respiratory strength between patients with chronic neck pain (CNP) and people without cervical pain, and to determine the correlation between respiratory strength and thoracic mobility in CNP patients., Methods: A total of 78 participants were finally included in this study, of whom 30 had no cervical pain and 48 had CNP. The Neck Disability Index (NDI), cervical lordotic curvature, thoracic kyphotic curvature, thoracic sagittal range of motion (ROM), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured and analyzed., Results: In males, thoracic sagittal ROMMEP-MIP and MEP showed a significant difference between the no cervical pain group and the CNP group. In females, thoracic kyphotic curvature, thoracic sagittal ROMMEP-MIP, MIP, and MEP were significantly different between the no cervical pain group and the CNP group. Thoracic kyphotic curvature was significantly correlated with MEP and MIP in all population groups, and significantly correlated with NDI in the female group. Thoracic sagittal ROMMEP-MIP had a significant linear relationship with NDI, MEP, and MIP in all population groups., Conclusion: The thoracic mobility during forced respiration was reduced in patients with CNP and was correlated with respiratory strength. Changes in the biomechanics of the cervicothoracic spine and rib cage due to CNP may contribute to impairment of respiratory strength.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positivity frequently presents in patients with nodal angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). However, the presence of EBV in skin lesions and its clinicopathologic significance have not been evaluated., Objective: To analyze the clinical and histopathologic features of cutaneous AITL and evaluate EBV positivity in skin tissue and its effects on clinicopathologic features of AITL., Methods: Clinicopathologic variables in patients with cutaneous AITL were analyzed and compared depending on EBV in situ hybridization status in skin lesions by using patients' medical records., Results: Of the 86 patients with AITL, 42 had a cutaneous presentation. In situ hybridizations positive for EBV were noted in 19 of 42 patients with cutaneous AITL. EBV positivity was more common in papular and nodular skin lesions than other cutaneous morphologies, such as nonspecific rash or purpuric patches. An EBV-positive in situ hybridization was associated with a pattern of dense, superficial and deep infiltrates of pleomorphic, large-sized, atypical lymphocytes. EBV positivity in skin lesions was an independent negative prognostic factor in patients with AITL., Limitations: Retrospective study at a single institution., Conclusion: EBV-positive cutaneous AITL is associated with distinctive clinicopathologic features., (Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We sought the novel concept, transcript capacity (TC) and analyzed TC. Our approach to estimate TC was through an in silico method. TC refers to the capacity that a transcript exerts in a cell as enzyme or protein function after translation. We used the genome-wide association study (GWAS) beta effect and transcription level in RNA-sequencing to estimate TC. The trait was body fat percent and the transcript reads were obtained from the human protein atlas. The assumption was that the GWAS beta effect is the gene's effect and TC was related to the corresponding gene effect and transcript reads. Further, we surveyed gene ontology (GO) in the highest TC and the lowest TC genes. The most frequent GOs with the highest TC were neuronal-related and cell projection organization related. The most frequent GOs with the lowest TC were wound-healing related and embryo development related. We expect that our analysis contributes to estimating TC in the diverse species and playing a benevolent role to the new bioinformatic analysis.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated THG-SD5.5 T , was isolated from a soil sample collected in a tangerine field, Republic of Korea. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Chitinophaga and to be closely related to Chitinophaga ginsengihumi KACC 17604 T (97.9%) and Chitinophaga rupis KACC 14521 T (97.5%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with other species of the genus Chitinophaga were in the range 92.8-95.5%. Catalase test was positive. Oxidase test was negative. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 46.1 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-SD5.5 T and C. ginsengihumi KACC 17604 T and C. rupis KACC 14521 T were 45.1% and 15.6%, respectively. Strain THG-SD5.5 T was also found to be able to grow at 24-33 °C, at 0-5% NaCl and at pH 5.5-9.0. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C 15:0 , C 16:0 , anteiso-C 17:0 and C 18:0 . The dominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified lipids. Based on these phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characterisations, strain THG-SD5.5 T (= KACC 19338 T  = CGMCC 1.16304 T ) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga, for which the name Chitinophaga aurantiaca sp. nov. is proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and coccus-shaped bacterium (THG-3.7 T ) was isolated from seawater. Growth occurred at 10-30 °C (optimum 25 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum 7) and in the presence of 1-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 4 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-3.7 T were identified as Paraglaciecola mesophila DSM 15026 T (95.3 % similarity), Glaciecola pallidula DSM 14239 T (95.2 %), Paraglaciecola aquimarina KCTC 32108 T (95.1 %), Paraglaciecola arctica KACC 14537 T (94.9 %), Glaciecola nitratireducens KCTC 12276 T (94.7 %) and Paraglaciecola psychrophila CGMCC 1.6130 T (94.7 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities among strain THG-3.7 T and other species were lower than 94.7 %. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified lipid and one unidentified aminolipid. The quinone system was composed of Q-8. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-3.7 T was 47.9 mol%. On the basis of the data presented, strain THG-3.7 T represents a novel species of the genus Glaciecola, for which the name Glaciecola amylolytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-3.7 T (=KACC 19478 T =CCTCC AB 2017258 T ).

Objective: Pigs share many physiological, anatomical and genomic similarities with humans, which make them suitable models for biomedical researches. Understanding the genetic status of Yucatan miniature pigs (YMPs) and their association with human diseases will help to assess their potential as biomedical model animals. This study was performed to identify non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in selective sweep regions of the genome of YMPs and present the genetic nsSNP distributions that are potentially associated with disease occurrence in humans., Methods: nsSNPs in whole genome resequencing data from 12 YMPs were identified and annotated to predict their possible effects on protein function. Sorting intolerant from tolerant (SIFT) and polymorphism phenotyping v2 analyses were used, and gene ontology (GO) network and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed., Results: The results showed that 8,462 genes, encompassing 72,067 nsSNPs were identified, and 118 nsSNPs in 46 genes were predicted as deleterious. GO network analysis classified 13 genes into 5 GO terms (p<0.05) that were associated with kidney development and metabolic processes. Seven genes encompassing nsSNPs were classified into the term associated with Alzheimer's disease by referencing the genetic association database. The KEGG pathway analysis identified only one significantly enriched pathway (p<0.05), hsa04080: Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, among the transcripts., Conclusion: The number of deleterious nsSNPs in YMPs was identified and then these variants-containing genes in YMPs data were adopted as the putative human diseases-related genes. The results revealed that many genes encompassing nsSNPs in YMPs were related to the various human genes which are potentially associated with kidney development and metabolic processes as well as human disease occurrence.

Objective: The aim of this study was to discover the functional impact of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) that were found in selective sweep regions of the Landrace genome., Methods: Whole-genome re-sequencing data were obtained from 40 pigs, including 14 Landrace, 16 Yorkshire, and 10 wild boars, which were generated with the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. The nsSNPs in the selective sweep regions of the Landrace genome were identified, and the impacts of these variations on protein function were predicted to reveal their potential association with traits of the Landrace breed, such as reproductive capacity., Results: Total of 53,998 nsSNPs in the mapped regions of pigs were identified, and among them, 345 nsSNPs were found in the selective sweep regions of the Landrace genome which were reported previously. The genes featuring these nsSNPs fell into various functional categories, such as reproductive capacity or growth and development during the perinatal period. The impacts of amino acid sequence changes by nsSNPs on protein function were predicted using two in silico SNP prediction algorithms, i.e., sorting intolerant from tolerant and polymorphism phenotyping v2, to reveal their potential roles in biological processes that might be associated with the reproductive capacity of the Landrace breed., Conclusion: The findings elucidated the domestication history of the Landrace breed and illustrated how Landrace domestication led to patterns of genetic variation related to superior reproductive capacity. Our novel findings will help understand the process of Landrace domestication at the genome level and provide SNPs that are informative for breeding.

Objective: We aimed to characterize linkage disequilibrium (LD) and effective population size (Ne) in a Korean Yorkshire population using genomic data from thousands of individuals., Methods: We genotyped 2,470 Yorkshire individuals from four major Grand-Grand-Parent farms in Korea using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 version2 BeadChip, which covers >61,565 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located across all chromosomes and mitochondria. We estimated the expected LD and inferred current Ne as well as ancestral Ne., Results: We identified 61,565 SNP from autosomes, mitochondria, and sex chromosomes and characterized the LD of the Yorkshire population, which was relatively high between closely linked markers (>0.55 at 50 kb) and declined with increasing genetic distance. The current Ne of this Korean Yorkshire population was 122.87 (106.90; 138.84), while the historical Ne of Yorkshire pigs suggests that the ancestor Ne has decreased by 99.6% over the last 10,000 generations., Conclusion: To maintain genetic diversity of a domesticated animal population, we must carefully consider appropriate breed management methods to avoid inbreeding. Although attenuated selection can affect short-term genetic gain, it is essential for maintaining the long-term genetic variability of the Korean Yorkshire population. Continuous and long-term monitoring would also be needed to maintain the pig population to avoid an unintended reduction of Ne. The best way to preserve a sustainable population is to maintain a sufficient Ne.

Objective: Non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) were identified in Berkshire selective sweep regions and then were investigated to discover genetic nsSNP mechanisms that were potentially associated with Berkshire domestication and meat quality. We further used bioinformatics tools to predict damaging amino-acid substitutions in Berkshire-related nsSNPs., Methods: nsSNPs were examined in whole genome resequencing data of 110 pigs, including 14 Berkshire pigs, generated using the Illumina Hiseq2000 platform to identify variations that might affect meat quality in Berkshire pigs., Results: Total 65,550 nsSNPs were identified in the mapped regions; among these, 319 were found in Berkshire selective-sweep regions reported in a previous study. Genes encompassing these nsSNPs were involved in lipid metabolism, intramuscular fatty-acid deposition, and muscle development. The effects of amino acid change by nsSNPs on protein functions were predicted using sorting intolerant from tolerant and polymorphism phenotyping V2 to reveal their potential roles in biological processes that may correlate with the unique Berkshire meat-quality traits., Conclusion: Our nsSNP findings confirmed the history of Berkshire pigs and illustrated the effects of domestication on generic-variation patterns. Our novel findings, which are generally consistent with those of previous studies, facilitated a better understanding of Berkshire domestication. In summary, we extensively investigated the relationship between genomic composition and phenotypic traits by scanning for nsSNPs in large-scale whole-genome sequencing data.

Purpose: In traditional Korean medicine, Artemisia apiacea H. (ART) and Scutellaria baicalensis G. (SCU) are combined for the treatment of malaria and other malaria-like diseases. Because SCU is well-known as an antibacterial agent, the antimicrobial effect of a mixture of ART and SCU was investigated., Methodology: Plant samples were purchased from Kyungdong mart and extracted with 70 % ethanol. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of ART and SCU against pathogenic fungi (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) was evaluated using a broth microdilution assay, modified-disc diffusion and agar dilution methods with further CH2Cl2-fractionated ART, SCU and a mixture of ART/SCU (at a ratio of 3 : 5) (THAN-1)., Results: ART and SCU were effective against A. niger, C. albicans, B. subtilis and S. aureus. The range of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values was 0.03125 to 4 mg ml -1 in the ART and SCU treatments. ART exhibited stronger activity than SCU. Interestingly, a 3 : 5 ratio mixture of ART and SCU (THAN-1) showed stronger antimicrobial activity than ART or SCU used individually., Conclusion: A treatment using a mixture of herbs such as THAN-1 would be useful in the suppression of the growth of pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive bacteria (THG-T61 T ), was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus. Growth occurred at 10-37 °C (optimum 25-30 °C), at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum 7.0) and in the presence of 0-2.0 % NaCl (optimum without NaCl supplement). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T61 T were identified as Sphingomonas ginsengisoli KCTC 12630 T (97.9 %), Sphingomonas jaspsi DSM 18422 T (97.8 %), Sphingomonas astaxanthinifaciens NBRC 102146 T (97.4 %), Sphingomonassediminicola KCTC 12629 T (97.2 %), 'Sphingomonas swuensis' KCTC 12336 (97.1 %) and Sphingomonas daechungensis KCTC 23718 T (96.9 %). The isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω6c, summed feature 4 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and summed feature 7 (C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 1ω9t and/or C18 : 1ω12t). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified glycolipid and one unidentified phosphoglycolipid. The polyamine was homospermidine. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T61 T was 65.6 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain THG-T61 T and its closest reference strains were less than 49.2 %, which is lower than the threshold value of 70 %. Therefore, strain THG-T61 T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas rhizophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T61 T (=KACC 19189 T =CCTCC AB 2016245 T ).

Purpose: Combination therapy with ezetimibe and statins is recommended in cases of statin intolerance or insufficiency. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with ezetimibe and rosuvastatin versus those of rosuvastatin monotherapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia., Methods: I-ROSETTE (Ildong ROSuvastatin & ezETimibe for hypercholesTElolemia) was an 8-week, double-blind, multicenter, Phase III randomized controlled trial conducted at 20 hospitals in the Republic of Korea. Patients with hypercholesterolemia who required medical treatment according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines were eligible for participation in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive ezetimibe 10 mg/rosuvastatin 20 mg, ezetimibe 10 mg/rosuvastatin 10 mg, ezetimibe 10 mg/rosuvastatin 5 mg, rosuvastatin 20 mg, rosuvastatin 10 mg, or rosuvastatin 5 mg in a 1:1:1:1:1:1 ratio. The primary end point was the difference in the mean percent change from baseline in LDL-C level after 8 weeks of treatment between the ezetimibe/rosuvastatin and rosuvastatin treatment groups. All patients were assessed for adverse events (AEs), clinical laboratory data, and vital signs., Findings: Of 396 patients, 389 with efficacy data were analyzed. Baseline characteristics among 6 groups were similar. After 8 weeks of double-blind treatment, the percent changes in adjusted mean LDL-C levels at week 8 compared with baseline values were -57.0% (2.1%) and -44.4% (2.1%) in the total ezetimibe/rosuvastatin and total rosuvastatin groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The LDL-C-lowering efficacy of each of the ezetimibe/rosuvastatin combinations was superior to that of each of the respective doses of rosuvastatin. The mean percent change in LDL-C level in all ezetimibe/rosuvastatin combination groups was >50%. The number of patients who achieved target LDL-C levels at week 8 was significantly greater in the ezetimibe/rosuvastatin group (180 [92.3%] of 195 patients) than in the rosuvastatin monotherapy group (155 [79.9%] of 194 patients) (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of overall AEs, adverse drug reactions, and serious AEs; laboratory findings, including liver function test results and creatinine kinase levels, were comparable between groups., Implications: Fixed-dose combinations of ezetimibe/rosuvastatin significantly improved lipid profiles in patients with hypercholesterolemia compared with rosuvastatin monotherapy. All groups treated with rosuvastatin and ezetimibe reported a decrease in mean LDL-C level >50%. The safety and tolerability of ezetimibe/rosuvastatin therapy were comparable with those of rosuvastatin monotherapy. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02749994., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This 8-week study in Korea aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a telmisartan/amlodipine + hydrochlorothiazide (TAH) combination versus telmisartan/amlodipine (TA) combination in patients with essential hypertension that did not respond appropriately to 4-week treatment with TA., Methods: All patients who met the inclusion criteria received TA (40/5 mg) during a 4-week run-in period (period 1). Patients who met the criteria for essential hypertension (mean sitting systolic blood pressure [MSSBP], ≥140 and <200 mm Hg, or ≥130 and<200 mm Hg in those with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease) after period 1 were randomly assigned to receive TA 40/5 mg + hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg (test group) or TA only (control group). The test and control drugs were administered in each group for 2 weeks (period 2). Patients who completed period 2 underwent 6-week treatment (period 3) with a TAH and TA dose twice that in period 2. The primary end point was the change in MSSBP at week 8 of treatment. Secondary end points were the change in MSSBP at week 2 and MS diastolic BP, BP control rate, and BP response rate at weeks 2 and 8. Treatment tolerability was assessed based on adverse events (AEs), laboratory evaluations (chemistry, hematology, and urinalysis), 12-lead ECG, and physical examination including vital sign measurements., Findings: We randomized 310 patients to the treatment groups. The mean (SD) ages of the TAH and TA groups were 62.0 (10.8) and 63.4 (10.4) years, respectively. The least squares mean change in MSSBP was significantly greater in the TAH group than in the TA group after 8 weeks (-18.7 vs -12.2 mm Hg; P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained on changes in MSSBP after 2 weeks and changes in sitting diastolic BP, BP control rate, and BP response rate at weeks 2 and 8 compared with the respective baseline values. The prevalences of treatment-emergent AEs (29.0% vs 16.3%; P = 0.008) and adverse drug reactions (20.0% vs 10.5%; P = 0.020) were significantly greater in the TAH group than in the TA group. Most treatment-emergent AEs were mild or moderate; none were severe. The most frequently reported AEs were dizziness and headache., Implication: TAH triple therapy was more effective than was TA double therapy in reducing BP in these patients in Korea with essential hypertension that did not adequately respond to TA. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02738632., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, yellow and rod-shaped bacterial strain was isolated from forest mud located at Kyung Hee University, South Korea. Strain THG-AG6.4 T grew at 10-35 °C, pH 6.0-9.5 and in the presence of 0-1.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, showed that strain THG-AG6.4 T was most closely related to Flavobacterium gyeonganense HME 7524 T (97.66 %), Flavobacterium defluvii EMB 117 T (96.93 %) and Flavobacterium arsenitoxidans S2-3H T (96.80 %). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-AG6.4 T was 30.2 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain THG-AG6.4 T and its closest phylogenetic neighbour, F. gyeonganense HME 7524 T , were below 61.0 %. The predominant quinone of strain THG-AG6.4 T was MK-6. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, five unidentified glycolipids, phosphatidylserine, an unidentified lipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified aminoglycolipids. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 0 10-methyl, summed feature 3 and C18 : 1ω9c. The major polyamine was homospermidine. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characterization of strain THG-AG6.4 T , it is concluded that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium limi sp. nov. is proposed, with THG-AG6.4 T as the type strain (=KACC 18851 T =CGMCC 1.16060 T ).

Purpose: The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose combinations of amlodipine/losartan potassium/chlorthalidone (A/L/C) and A/L in Korean patients with stage 2 hypertension inadequately controlled by A/L., Methods: This study was an 8-week, randomized double-blind, multicenter, phase III clinical trial. Three hundred forty volunteer patients with stage 2 hypertension were randomized to receive A/L/C or A/L. The primary end point was a change in sitting systolic blood pressure (SitSBP) after 8 weeks of treatment. As secondary end points, the change in SitSBP after 2 weeks of treatment and the change in sitting diastolic blood pressure (SitDBP) were compared between treatment groups. All patients were assessed for adverse events, clinical laboratory data, and vital signs., Findings: Of 330 patients from 33 medical centers, 328 patients who had available efficacy data were analyzed. After 8 weeks of double-blind treatment, the mean (SD) changes in SitSBP at 8 weeks were -16.4 (0.9) mm Hg and -6.9 (1.0) mm Hg in the A/L/C and A/L groups, respectively. A/L/C had a statistically superior blood pressure-lowering effect compared with that of A/L (mean [SD] difference, 9.5 [1.3] mm Hg; P < 0.001). The mean (SD) change in SitDBP at 8 weeks was significantly greater with A/L/C (-8.0 [0.6] mm Hg) than with A/L (-3.6 [0.6] mm Hg) (P < .001). In terms of the mean (SD) change in SitDBP at 2 weeks compared with baseline, A/L/C (-5.9 [0.5] mm Hg) was statistically different from A/L (-2.9 [0.5] mm Hg) (P < .001). Mean (SD) SitSBP change from baseline to week 2 was -13.2 (0.9) and -5.5 (0.9) in the A/L/C and A/L groups, respectively, with a statistically significant blood pressure-lowering effect (P < 0.001). The number of participants who achieved target blood pressure at week 8 was significantly higher in the A/L/C group (93 patients [55.7%]) than in the A/L group (48 [29.8%]) (P < 0.001). Adverse drug reactions were observed in 23 patients (7.0%), and the incidence of dizziness was significantly higher in the A/L/C group than in the A/L group (4.8% vs 0.6%, P = 0.037) There were no serious adverse events associated with the study drugs., Implications: The results of this study suggest that A/L/C had a significantly increased blood pressure-lowering efficacy compared with that of A/L and had a good safety profile. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02916602., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved.)

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium (THG-S3 T ), was isolated from desert soil. Growth occurred at 15-35 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 5-10 (optimum 7) and at 0-4 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-S3 T were identified as Altererythrobacter rigui KCTC 42620 T (99.0 %), Altererythrobacter dongtanensis KCTC 22672 T (97.1 %), Altererythrobacter xinjiangensis CCTCC AB 207166 T (96.9 %), Altererythrobacter troitsensis KCTC 12303 T (96.9 %). Levels of relatedness among strain THG-S3 T and other Altererythrobacter species were lower than 96.0 %. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-S3 T and A. rigui KCTC 42620 T , A. dongtanensis KCTC 22672 T , A. xinjiangensis CCTCC AB 207166 T and A. troitsensis KCTC 12303 T were 59.7 % (42.8 %, reciprocal analysis), 45.1 % (36.3 %), 34.7 % (25.1 %) and 15.1 % (12.3 %), respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-S3 T was 69 mol%. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and three unidentified lipids The quinone was ubiquinone-10. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω6c, C18 : 1 ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-S3 T represents a novel species of the genus Altererythrobacter, for which the name Altererythrobacter deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-S3 T (=KACC 19190 T =CGMCC 1.15959 T ).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short-rod shaped actinobacterium, designated THG-T2.14T, was isolated from soil sampled from the rhizosphere of mugunghwa. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0-7.0 % NaCl (optimum 3.0 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T2.14T were identified as Microbacterium yannicii DSM 23203T (98.8 %), Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum DSM 8608T (98.8 %), Microbacterium arthrosphaerae DSM 22421T (98.7 %) and Microbacterium jejuense KACC 17124T (98.4 %). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified lipid, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified phosphoglycolipids. The menaquinones were MK-12, and MK-13. The major polyamine was spermidine. The peptidoglycan contained ornithine, alanine, glycine, homoserine and glutamic acid. The diagnostic diamino acid was ornithine. The acyl type of the muramic acid was glycolyl. The whole-cell sugars were rhamnose, ribose, galactose, arabinose, xylose and glucose. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T2.14T was 71.2 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain THG-T2.14T and its closest reference strains were significantly lower than the threshold value of 70 %. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T2.14T represents a novel species of the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium hibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T2.14T (=KACC 18931T=CCTCC AB 2016180T).

Background: Although coronary angiography is still the technique most widely used to guide percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the appropriate angiographic indication of revascularization for intermediate coronary lesions remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare conservative versus aggressive strategies with angiographic guidance alone in patients with intermediate coronary lesions., Methods and Results: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter stenosis by quantitative coronary analysis were randomly assigned to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed using everolimus-eluting stents in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or any revascularization at 1year. The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p<0.001). The cumulative rate of the primary endpoint was 7.3% in the conservative group and 6.8% in the aggressive group (the upper limit of the one-sided 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4%; p=0.006 for non-inferiority with a predefined non-inferiority margin of 5.0%). The risk of death or myocardial infarction (hazard ratio [HR] 0.50; 95% CI, 0.19-1.33; p=0.17) and revascularization (HR 1.42; 95% CI, 0.80-2.52; p=0.23) was not significantly different between the 2 groups., Conclusions: Conservative revascularization was non-inferior to aggressive revascularization for intermediate coronary lesions. Revascularization of intermediate lesions can be safely deferred in patients undergoing PCI with angiographic guidance alone., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00743899., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

A Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, non-motile, short-rod-shaped bacterium (THG-T2.31T) was isolated from the rhizosphere of Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus). Growth occurred at 10-35 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0-4.0 % NaCl (optimum 1.0 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T2.31T were identified as Paracoccus marcusii DSM 11574T (98.4 %), Paracoccus haeundaensis BC74171T (98.3 %), Paracoccus carotinifaciens E-396T (98.3 %), Paracoccus aestuarii B7T (97.3 %) and Paracoccus seriniphilus MBT-A4T (97.0 %); levels of similarity with the type strains of other species of the genus Paracoccus were lower than 97.0 %. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified phospholipids. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C10 : 0 3-OH, and C18 : 1ω7c. The quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T2.31T was 69.1 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T2.31T and P. marcusii DSM 11574T, P. haeundaensis BC74171T, P. carotinifaciens E-396T, P. aestuarii B7T and P. seriniphilus MBT-A4T were 38.9 % (34.9 %, reciprocal analysis), 29.1 % (23.5 %), 28.0 % (19.7 %), 18.9 % (9.3) and 13.1 % (6.2 %). On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T2.31T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus hibiscisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T2.31T (=KACC 18933T=CCTCC AB 2016182T).

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain THG-DN6.14T, was isolated from a freshwater sample near Donghaksa temple in Daejeon, South Korea. On the basis of the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, THG-DN6.14T was found to be most closely related to Emticicia sediminis JBR12T (99.1 % sequence similarity), Emticicia oligotrophica DSM 17448T (97.6 %), Emticicia aquatica HMF2925T (96.5 %), and Emticicia ginsengisoliGsoil 085T (94.4 %). The DNA-DNA relatedness between THG-DN6.14T and its phylogenetically closest neighbours was below 65.0 %. The DNA G+C content was 43.3 mol%. The major polar lipids were found to be phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified aminoglycolipid. The major fatty acids were identified as C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. These data supported the affiliation of THG-DN6.14T to the genus Emticicia. THG-DN6.14Tcould be distinguished from related species of the genus Emticicia by physiological and biochemical tests. Therefore, the novel isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Emticicia aquatilis sp. nov. is proposed, with THG-DN6.14T (=KACC 18540T=CGMCC 1.15958T) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short-rod-shaped bacterium, motile by means of one flagellum (THG-T2.8T), was isolated from the rhizosphere of Mugunghwa flower. Growth occurred at 10-37 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum 7) and with 0-5 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). The major quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The major fatty acids were C10 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, C18 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid, two unknown phospholipids, one unknown glycolipid and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T2.8T was 65.5 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T2.8T were identified as Paracoccus tibetensis Tibet-S9a3T (98.6 %), Paracoccus aestuarii B7T (98.4 %), Paracoccus rhizosphaerae CC-CCM15-8T (98.3 %) and Paracoccus beibuensis JLT1284T (98.2 %). Levels of sequence similarity among strain THG-T2.8T and other species of the genus Paracoccus were lower than 98.0 %. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T2.8T and P. tibetensis Tibet-S9A3TT, P. aestuarii B7T, P. rhizosphaerae CC-CCM15-8T and P. beibuensisJLT1284T were 36.5 % (38.8 %, reciprocal analysis), 32.8 % (34.8 %), 31.6 % (33.8 %) and 15.3 % (24.8 %), respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T2.8T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus hibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T2.8T (=KACC 18932T=CCTCC AB 2016181T).

A Gram-stain-negative, smooth, opaque, white-pigmented, helical-shaped, catalase- and oxidase-positive bacterium that was motile by means of bipolar tufts of flagella and grew under microaerophilic conditions, was isolated from a soil sample of a reed pond in Shangqiu, Henan province, PR China. The strain, designated THG-SQE6T, grows well at 25-42 °C, pH 6.5-7.5 and in the presence of 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl. hylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain THG-SQE6T was most closely related to Aquaspirillum serpens IAM 13944T (97.23 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-SQE6T was 53.10 mol%. In DNA-DNA hybridization experiments, the DNA-DNA relatedness between strain THG-SQE6T and its closest phylogenetic neighbour was below 62.6 %. The predominant isoprenoid quinone detected in strain THG-SQE6T was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were identified as C12 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, C18 : 0, summed feature 3 and summed feature 8. These data support the affiliation of strain THG-SQE6T to the genus Aquaspirillum. Based on findings from the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characterization of strain THG-SQE6T, a novel species of the genus AquaspirillumnamedAquaspirillum soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-SQE6T (=KACC 18846T=CCTCC AB 2016081T).

A Gram-stain-negative, smooth, bright-yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterial strain, slightly motile by gliding, catalase- and oxidase-positive and aerobic, but growing weakly under anaerobic conditions, was isolated from the rhizosphere of the flower mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus L.) located in Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Gyeonggi, South Korea. The strain named THG-HG1.4T grew at 15-35 °C, pH 6.5-9.0 and in the presence of 0-2.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain THG-HG1.4T was most closely related to Flavobacterium gyeonganense HME7524T (98.83 %) and Flavobacterium arsenitoxidans S2-3HT (97.28 %). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-HG1.4T was 41.2 mol%. In DNA-DNA hybridization, the DNA-DNA relatedness between strain THG-HG1.4T and its closest phylogenetic neighbour was below 64.1 %. The predominant isoprenoid quinone detected in strain THG-HG1.4T was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). The major polar lipids were found to be phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified lipids, two unidentified glycolipids and an unidentified aminolipid. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3. Thus, based on the report of the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characterization of strain THG-HG1.4T, it has been concluded that the novel isolate represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium.Flavobacterium hibisci sp. nov. is proposed, with THG-HG1.4T (=KACC 18852T=CCTCC AB 2016178T) as the type strain.

Several studies observed that adiponectin, an important adipokine that improves glucose metabolism by regulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, is dermatologically beneficial. In our recent microarray data, we found that adiponectin expression was lower in lesional skin than in non-lesional skin of melasma patients. Given that AMPK is a key adiponectin signaling mediator, we investigated the role of adiponectin and AICAR, a cell-permeable AMPK activator, in melanogenesis. We herein showed that adiponectin and AICAR downregulated MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and DCT expression and reduced melanin content in normal human and mouse melanocytes. The depigmenting effect of adiponectin was mediated via AMPK activation, which induced the inhibitory phosphorylation of CREB-regulated transcription co-activators (CRTCs) and subsequent suppression of the novel CRTC/CREB pathway in melanocytes. These findings suggest that adiponectin and its analogs are useful as a clinical strategy for treating hyperpigmentation disorders., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Laser toning using low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum laser (QSNY) has gained popularity in the treatment of photoaging-associated mottled pigmentation (PMP). However, hypopigmentation or lack of efficacy has been reported depending on the fluences used., Objective: To compare a novel fractional 1064-nm QSNY with conventional 1064-nm QSNY for the treatment of photoaging-associated mottled pigmentary lesions except epidermal lesions of lentigines and freckles through a randomized, split-face, double-blind study., Materials and Methods: Thirteen Asian women were treated every week for 6 weeks with fractional 1064-nm QSNY on one side of the face and conventional 1064-nm QSNY on the other side. We evaluated the pigmentation area and severity index (PSI), melanin index, erythema index, and the patient's global assessment of improvement., Results: At three months post-treatment, the PSI score improved compared with baseline, by 14.48% on the conventional 1064-nm QSNY side and 21.81% on the fractional 1064-nm QSNY side. Both groups showed improvements in the melanin index., Conclusion: Both fractional 1064-nm QSNY and strictly low-fluence conventional 1064-nm QSNY are moderately effective against PMP and other photoaging signs. Fractional laser toning shows better subjective outcomes than conventional toning.

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain THG-DN6.20T, was isolated from a lotus pond near Donghaksa temple in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain THG-DN6.20T was found to be most closely related to Novosphingobium rosa IFO 15208T (97.6 % sequence similarity), Novosphingobium sediminicola HU1-AH51T (97.5 %) and Novosphingobium barchaimii LL02T (96.9 %). The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain THG-DN6.20T and its phylogenetically closest neighbours was below 60.0 %. The respiratory quinone and polyamine detected in strain THG-DN6.20T were ubiquinone Q-10 and spermidine, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 63.1 mol%. The major polar lipids were found to be phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid and phosphatidylcholine. The major fatty acids were identified as C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C14 : 0 2-OH. These data supported the affiliation of strain THG-DN6.20T to the genus Novosphingobium. Strain THG-DN6.20T could be distinguished from related species of the genus Novosphingobium by physiological and biochemical characteristics. Therefore, the novel isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Novosphingobium lotistagni sp. nov. is proposed, with THG-DN6.20T as the type strain (=KACC 18541T=CCTCC AB 2015354T).

Café-au-lait macules (CALMs) are benign epidermal basilar hyperpigmentations that can be found in an isolated form or in association with neurocutaneous syndromes. Frequency-doubled Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser (532-nm QSNYL) does not penetrate deeply into the skin and is therefore suitable for epidermal pigmented lesion. Fractional photothermolysis (FP) targets only very small areas of the skin, without injuring adjacent areas of healthy, normal skin. Herein, we report a case of CALMs successfully treated with fractional 532-nm QSNYL. By applying FP to 532-nm QSNYL, we could treat CALMs safely with less downtime as compared to conventional laser treatments and expect more energy delivery for each microscopic hole, thereby allowing higher response rate.

Keratoacanthomas (KAs) are a well-known cutaneous side effect of BRAF inhibitors and multiple lesions continue to develop throughout the course of therapy. We present a case of an 81-year old women diagnosed with metastatic melanoma who underwent six weeks of vemurafenib therapy. She developed multiple vemurafenib-induced KAs and applied a 5% imiquimod cream three times a week. KAs successfully treated with topical application of imiquimod cream and clearance of these lesions was further confirmed by dermoscopic examination. Topical imiquimod can be an effective treatment option for the noninvasive management of multiple KAs induced by vemurafenib treatment.

Anethole and garlic have an immune modulatory effects on avian coccidiosis, and these effects are correlated with gene expression changes in intestinal epithelial lymphocytes (IELs). In this study, we integrated gene expression datasets from two independent experiments and investigated gene expression profile changes by anethole and garlic respectively, and identified gene expression signatures, which are common targets of these herbs as they might be used for the evaluation of the effect of plant herbs on immunity toward avian coccidiosis. We identified 4,382 and 371 genes, which were differentially expressed in IELs of chickens supplemented with garlic and anethole respectively. The gene ontology (GO) term of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from garlic treatment resulted in the biological processes (BPs) related to proteolysis, e.g., "modification-dependent protein catabolic process", "proteolysis involved in cellular protein catabolic process", "cellular protein catabolic process", "protein catabolic process", and "ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process". In GO analysis, one BP term, "Proteolysis", was obtained. Among DEGs, 300 genes were differentially regulated in response to both garlic and anethole, and 234 and 59 genes were either up- or down-regulated in supplementation with both herbs. Pathway analysis resulted in enrichment of the pathways related to digestion such as "Starch and sucrose metabolism" and "Insulin signaling pathway". Taken together, the results obtained in the present study could contribute to the effective development of evaluation system of plant herbs based on molecular signatures related with their immunological functions in chicken IELs.

The present study compared the differential functions of two groups of adjuvants, Montanide incomplete Seppic adjuvant (ISA) series and Quil A, cholesterol, dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide, and Carbopol (QCDC) formulations, in chicken by analyzing published microarray data associated with each type of vaccine adjuvants. In the biological function analysis for differentially expressed genes altered by two different adjuvant groups, ISA series and QCDC formulations showed differential effects when chickens were immunized with a recombinant immunogenic protein of Eimeria. Among the biological functions, six categories were modified in both adjuvant types. However, with respect to "Response to stimulus", no biological process was modified by the two adjuvant groups at the same time. The QCDC adjuvants showed effects on the biological processes (BPs) including the innate immune response and the immune response to the external stimulus such as toxin and bacterium, while the ISA adjuvants modified the BPs to regulate cell movement and the response to stress. In pathway analysis, ISA adjuvants altered the genes involved in the functions related with cell junctions and the elimination of exogenous and endogenous macromolecules. The analysis in the present study could contribute to the development of precise adjuvants based on molecular signatures related with their immunological functions.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of falsely elevated risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) in a group of women with pathologically confirmed endometrioma and to investigate the associated factors., Methods: One hundred premenopausal women surgically diagnosed with ovarian endometrioma were selected. Preoperative clinical, laboratory, and surgical characteristics were compared between the elevated-risk group (ROMA-premenopausal value, ≥7.4%) and normal-risk group (ROMA-premenopausal value, <7.4%)., Results: Elevated ROMA was observed in 15 women (false positive rate, 15%). Excluding one woman with known chronic renal failure, we compared the characteristics of 99 women between the elevated-risk group (n=14) and the normalrisk group (n=85). None of the clinical and surgical variables distinguished the two groups. Serum level of CA 125 >82.3 U/mL and serum level of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) >46 pmol/L could predict an elevated ROMA test with a statistical significance. When serum level of HE4 ≤46 pmol/L, none of the women showed an elevated ROMA test, regardless of serum level of CA 125; however, 55.6% of the women showed an elevated ROMA test when serum level of HE4 >46 pmol/L and CA 125 ≤82.3 U/mL and all women showed an elevated ROMA test when serum level of HE4 >46 pmol/L and CA 125 >82.3 U/mL., Conclusion: The incidence of falsely elevated ROMA was 15% in the group of women with pathologically confirmed endometrioma. Interpretation of the ROMA results should be cautious when serum level of HE4 >46 pmol/L and CA 125 >82.3 U/mL in women with suspicious ovarian endometrioma.

Background and Objectives: When monotherapy is inadequate for blood pressure control, the next step is either to continue monotherapy in increased doses or to add another antihypertensive agent. However, direct comparison of double-dose monotherapy versus combination therapy has rarely been done. The objective of this study is to compare 10 mg of amlodipine with an amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg combination in patients whose blood pressure control is inadequate with amlodipine 5 mg., Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted as a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Men and women aged 20-80 who were diagnosed as having hypertension, who had been on amlodipine 5 mg monotherapy for at least 4 weeks, and whose daytime mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥135 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥85 mmHg on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were randomized to amlodipine (A) 10 mg or amlodipine/valsartan (AV) 5/160 mg group. Follow-up 24-hour ABPM was done at 8 weeks after randomization., Results: Baseline clinical characteristics did not differ between the 2 groups. Ambulatory blood pressure reduction was significantly greater in the AV group compared with the A group (daytime mean SBP change: -14±11 vs. -9±9 mmHg, p<0.001, 24-hour mean SBP change: -13±10 vs. -8±8 mmHg, p<0.0001). Drug-related adverse events also did not differ significantly (A:AV, 6.5 vs. 4.5 %, p=0.56)., Conclusion: Amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg combination was more efficacious than amlodipine 10 mg in hypertensive patients in whom monotherapy of amlodipine 5 mg had failed.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are associated with various adverse cutaneous reactions, including pigmentary changes. Radotinib is a novel and selective BCR-ABL1 TKI, which has shown activity and safety in the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia resistant or intolerant to imatinib. A 69-year-old Korean man presented with lentiginosis after taking radotinib for 6 months. On histopathological examination, the numbers of melanocytes and melanin pigment were found to be increased due to c-KIT activation, consequently upregulating microphthalmia-associated transcription factor. This finding is in contrast to previous reports analysing the mechanisms of previously reported tyrosine kinase inhibitors inhibiting c-KIT., (© 2015 British Association of Dermatologists.)

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be separated into 2 groups: nodal and extranodal disease. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical features of skin lesions and survival outcomes of cutaneous DLBCL according to the primary tumour site. A total of 44 patients with cutaneous DLBCL were classified as primary cutaneous DLBCL, leg type or cutaneous DLBCL secondary to primary disease. Although skin lesion characteristics did not differ significantly between groups, extensive cutaneous lesions were more often observed in secondary cutaneous DLBCL compared with DLBCL, leg type. Secondary cutaneous DLBCL was more commonly associated with an advanced stage and higher International Prognostic Index score than DLBCL, leg type. DLBCL, leg type demonstrated a better survival outcome than secondary cutaneous DLBCL. The multiplicity of skin lesions and time-point of cutaneous involvement were associated with prognosis in secondary cutaneous DLBCL. Survival outcomes and prognostic factors differ depending on the primary tumour site of cutaneous DLBCL.

A novel bacterial strain, designated THG-PC7(T), was isolated from fallow farmland soil in Yongin, South Korea. Cells of strain THG-PC7(T) were Gram-stain-negative, dark yellow, aerobic, rod-shaped and had gliding motility. Strain THG-PC7(T) grew optimally at 25-35 °C, at pH 7 and in the absence of NaCl. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis identified strain THG-PC7(T) as belonging to the genus Lysobacter, exhibiting highest sequence similarity with Lysobacter ximonensis KCTC 22336(T) (98.7%) followed by Lysobacter niastensis KACC 11588(T) (95.7%). In DNA-DNA hybridization tests, DNA relatedness between strain THG-PC7(T) and its closest phylogenetic neighbour L. ximonensis was below 25%. The DNA G+C content of the novel isolate was determined to be 62.5 mol%. Flexirubin-type pigments were found to be present. The major cellular fatty acids were determined to be iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The major respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquonone-8 (Q8). The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminophospolipid. On the basis of results from DNA-DNA hybridization and the polyphasic data, strain THG-PC7(T) represents a novel species of the genus Lysobacter, for which the name Lysobacter novalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-PC7(T)( = KACC 18276(T) = CCTCC AB 2014319(T)).

A Gram-negative, yellow-colored, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, motile bacterium was isolated from forest soil in Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The strain was designated as THG-DA2.1(T). Cells of strain THG-DA2.1(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0, at temperature 28 °C and in the presence of 0.5 % NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain THG-DA2.1(T) was shown to belong to the genus Pedobacter and shares highest sequence similarity with Pedobacter ginsengisoli KCTC 12576(T). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 42.3 mol %. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was identified as menaquinone MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids of strain THG-DA2.1(T) were iso-C15:0 and C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c (summed feature 3*). Strain THG-DA2.1(T) contains phosphatidylethanolamine as major polar lipid, but an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids were also detected. On the basis of the data obtained from polyphasic taxonomy in this study, strain THG-DA2.1(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter edaphicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-DA2.1(T) (=KCTC 42232(T) =JCM 30351(T)).