Immune modulation and desensitization is a growing field of research and clinical investigation that requires precise delivery of antigens to immune system cells. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as excellent candidates for antigen delivery, particularly in immune desensitization applications. NP-encapsulated protein antigens enable the delivery of protein and co-encapsulated adjuvant to antigen-presenting cells without systemic exposure and allergic response. Here, we show a method for producing poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) NPs in an efficient, high-yield, and large-scale inhomogeneous precipitation process. The process enables the production of compositionally complex PLG NPs containing protein while also incorporating DNA and E. coli phospholipids as integral adjuvants in the NP vehicle. Orally delivered PLG NPs activate the murine immune system, and encapsulated peanut allergen protein elicits approximately 10-fold lower levels of basophil activation than does unencapsulated protein in basophils isolated from peanut-allergic patients. This efficacy and safety evidence makes these PLG NPs excellent candidates for clinical applications.

Improvement of quantitative traits in livestock is an essential goal of animal breeding. For the achievement of this goal, an accurate breeding value estimation is needed. The genetic relationship between reference and test groups is a key factor in determining the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) thus, the structure of the reference population is crucial for efficient genomic selection. By the number of sharing parents, the population structure can be divided into half-sibling and full-sibling families. Also, the population structure of Hanwoo cattle primarily consists of half-sibling families because of the production system. Therefore, comparing half-sibling and full-sibling families is challenging in the Hanwoo cattle population, yet an important issue in the direction of breeding strategy in Korea. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of GEBV between different family structures and investigate efficient family size in the reference population using simulated data. 6 different populations were simulated using QMSim software, and the individuals in the last generations were separated into reference and test groups. The GEBV was calculated using BLUPF90 software. Practical accuracy was between 0.36-0.52 in half-sibling families and 0.55-0.77 in full-sibling families. The increase rate of accuracy was highest at the sibling size of 20, with practical accuracy of 0.52 in half-sibling families and 0.77 in full-sibling families. As a result, the most efficient population structure for genomic prediction was a sibling size of 20 in a full-sibling family.

Obesity is characterized by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from precursor cells, preadipocytes. Recently, increased ROS production in 3T3‐L1 adipocyte facilitates adipocyte differentiation and fat development. This study was to investigate whether reduced ROS production by Sargassum micracanthum extract could protect the development of obesity through inhibition of adipogenesis. The extent of differentiation reflected by amount of lipid accumulation and ROS production was determined by Oil red O staining and NBT assay. Treatment of Sargassum micracanthum extract significantly inhibited ROS production and adipocyte differentiation that is depend on NADPH oxidase (NOX4), a major ROS generator, and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), a key adipogenic transcription factor. These results indicate that Sargassum micracanthum extract can inhibit adipogenesis through a reduced ROS level that involves down‐regulation of NOX4 expression or via modulation of adipogenic transcription factor.

Genetic associations of nucleotide sequence variants with carcass traits in beef cattle were investigated using a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay. Three hundred and thirteen Korean cattle were genotyped with the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip, and 39,129 SNPs from 311 animals were analysed for each carcass phenotype after filtering by quality assurance. Five sequence markers were associated with one of the meat quantity or quality traits; rs109593638 on chromosome 3 with marbling score, rs109821175 on chromosome 11 and rs110862496 on chromosome 13 with backfat thickness (BFT), and rs110228023 on chromosome 6 and rs110201414 on chromosome 16 with eye muscle area (EMA) (P < 1.27 × 10(-6) , Bonferonni P < 0.05). The ss96319521 SNP, located within a gene with functions of muscle development, dishevelled homolog 1 (DVL1), would be a desirable candidate marker. Individuals with genotype CC at this gene appeared to have increased both EMA and carcass weight. Fine-mapping would be required to refine each of the five association signals shown in the current study for future application in marker-assisted selection for genetic improvement of beef quality and quantity.