Search

Cuticle micromorphology of all eight species of Fagus and an outgroup were examined in the present study. The genus Trigonobalanus was selected as the outgroup. Thirteen characteristics of the inner surface and five of the outer surface of the cuticle were described. Some characteristics, such as the subsidiary cell shape, size of stomata, arrangement of subsidiary cell, shape of anticlinal and periclinal cell walls, texture of periclinal cell wall, development epicuticular wax, and presence of papillae, were considered important for infrageneric classification. The topology was obtained from the analysis using two major lineages: (1) Fagus engleriana + Fagus japonica + Fagus longipetiolata and (2) Fagus sylvatica + Fagus crenata + Fagus lucida + Fagus hayatae + Fagus grandifolia. The first clade supported a bootstrap value of 98% and the second clade a bootstrap value of 97%. Based on the cuticle morphology, our results support the previous study, by revealing F. engleriana, F. japonica, and F. longipetiolata with long peduncles in one group and the remaining extant species of short- to medium-length peduncles in another group. In addition, molecular phylogenetic study of Fagus based on ribosomal DNA ITS and chloroplast DNA sequences data supports this assemblage. This study shows that cuticle micromorphological characteristics provide useful and important information for analyzing the evolutionary aspects of Fagus.

Research on Hanwoo cattle has focused on the pleomorphic adenoma gene (PLAG) family, vital for traits like growth and carcass quality. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within this gene family profoundly impact economic traits. At the cellular level, energy and protein sources, notably glucose and lysine, crucially regulate muscle satellite cell (MSC) growth and differentiation.This study delved into how varied glucose and lysine levels affect gene expression patterns in Hanwoo MSC. MSC from 9 Hanwoo, aged 29–36 months, categorized into 3 PLAG1 genotypes (GG, GC, CC), were treated with six combinations of glucose (5.5 and 25 mM) and lysine (2, 4, and 8 mM). Analysis of myogenic and adipogenic genes linked to meat quality and quantity ensued.The GG genotype displayed superior dressed percentage, yield grade, and marbling score, hinting at genotype-associated carcass characteristic disparities. In cell culture, gene expression generally rose with lysine addition to high glucose in the GG group. Contrarily, significant differences across all treatments in the GC genotype suggested distinct responses. Significant effects of genotype, glucose, and lysine on cell proliferation-related gene expression were noted. Highest mRNA expression for MyoD, MyoG, and FASN occurred in the CC genotype, while Myf5 and Pax7 expression peaked in the GG genotype. Glucose significantly influenced Pax7 and FASN expression, while lysine positively impacted MyoD and MyoG genes. Notable interactions, especially in Genotype × Lysine, influenced MyoD, Myf5, and Pax7 expression, highlighting complex relationships in cell proliferation. Regarding cell differentiation, Pax7 expression was highest in PLAG1 GG type. High glucose prompted wider myotubes, while lower lysine concentrations slightly favored cell differentiation. Correspondingly, MyoG expression decreased with higher lysine levels.This study furnishes insights into lysine and glucose supplementation effects on bovine MSC proliferation and differentiation, considering PLAG1 genotype influence. It offers valuable data for beef production system establishment and optimizing cell-based food production.

This study compared the cellular and genetic characteristics of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) from Hanwoo (a Korean native cattle breed), including calves and mature cattle. SMSCs were isolated using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) from tissue samples of six Hanwoo (three calves and three mature cattle) using the CD29 antibody. Calves’ SMSCs exhibited significantly faster growth rates than did those from cattle (P

Background: The aim of this study is to clarify the prognostic influence of venous resection of the portal vein (PV) or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) on long-term outcomes in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) of the head with suspected vascular invasion. Methods: From May 1995 to December 2014, a total of 557 patients underwent surgery with curative intent for pancreatic cancer of the head. Results: Among 557 patients, 106 (19%) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with PV-SMV resection and 89 (75.5%) of these patients were confirmed to have true pathological invasion. The 5-year overall survival rate in patients underwent PV-SMV resection was significantly lower compared with those who did not (18.7% versus 24.3%; p = 0.002). Patients with negative resection margins who underwent PV-SMV resection had a better prognosis than those with positive resection margins who did not undergo PV-SMV resection with positive resection margins (17% versus 6.3% in 5-year overall survival rate; p = 0.003). The overall morbidity rate was not significantly different between PV-SMV resection group and no PV-SMV resection group (p = 0.064). On multivariate analysis, margin status, advanced T stage (3 or 4), lymph node metastasis, and adjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors for survival. Conclusion: PV-SMV resection was related to lower overall survival. However, on multivariate analysis, margin status was a more important prognostic factor than PV-SMV resection and true pathological invasion for survival. Therefore, en bloc PV-SMV resection should be performed when PV-SMV invasion is suspected to achieve R0 resection.

A study on the flora of Geomun Oreum, designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, was surveyed in 2019. Vascular plants in this area revealed 310 taxa belonging to 90 families, 210 genera, 279 species, one subspecies, 27 varieties, and three formas. The Geomun Oreum showed low mean annual temperature, but it was confirmed that the emergence of warm-temperate plant species and evergreen broad-leaved forests was prominent. These results were interpreted to be due to a great deal of precipitation, many frost-free days, and the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures depending on the geographical characteristics of Geomun Oreum. Geomun Oreum is evaluated as a relatively natural habitat given the limited access of visitors and management, but it was confirmed that Sedum tosaense, a critically endangered species of the rare plants designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, requires conservation plans in the area.