Pear is one of the main fruits with thousands of years of cultivation history in China. There are more than 2000 varieties of pear cultivars around the world, including more than 1200 varieties or cultivars in China (Legrand et al., 2016). Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is an important pear production region in China with 30 of varieties or cultivars. Pyrus sinkiangensis is the most popular variety, which is mainly distributed in Xinjiang (Zhou et al., 2018). Chlorogenic acid (CGA), p-coumaric acid, and arbutin are the main polyphenols in pear fruit, and their levels show great differences among different varieties (Li et al., 2014). CGA is a potential chemo-preventive agent, which possesses many important bioactivities including antioxidant, diabetes attenuating, and anti-obesity (Wang et al., 2021). Therefore, the specific CGA content of a variety is considered the embodiment of the functional nutritional value of pears.
Chlorogenic Acid ; Fruit ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Pyrus/genetics* ; Transcriptome

The general secretory (Sec) pathway represents a common mechanism by which bacteria secrete proteins, including virulence factors, into the extracytoplasmic milieu. However, there is little information about this system, as well as its associated secretory proteins, in relation to the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora. In this study, data mining revealed that E. amylovora harbors all of the essential components of the Sec system. Based on this information, we identified putative Sec-dependent secretory proteases in E. amylovora on a genome-wide scale. Using the programs SignalP, LipoP, and Phobius, a total of 15 putative proteases were predicted to contain the N-terminal signal peptides (SPs) that might link them to the Sec-dependent pathway. The activities of the predicted SPs were further validated using an Escherichia coli-based alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) gene fusion system that confirmed their extracytoplasmic property. Transcriptional analyses showed that the expression of 11 of the 15 extracytoplasmic protease genes increased significantly when E. amylovora was used to inoculate immature pears, suggesting their potential roles in plant infection. The results of this study support the suggestion that E. amylovora might employ the Sec system to secrete a suite of proteases to enable successful infection of plants, and shed new light on the interaction of E. amylovora with host plants.
Erwinia amylovora/metabolism* ; Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Peptide Hydrolases/genetics* ; Plant Diseases/microbiology* ; Pyrus/microbiology*

Scab disease caused by Venturia nashicola is of agroeconomic importance in cultivation of Asian pear. However, little is known about the degree of genetic diversity in the populations of this pathogen. In this study, we collected 55 isolates from pear scab lesions in 13 major cultivation areas in Korea and examined the diversity using sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, β-tubulin (TUB2), and translation elongation factor-1α (TEF-1α) genes as molecular markers. Despite a low level of overall sequence variation, we found three distinctive subgroups from phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, TUB2, and TEF-1α sequences. Among the three subgroups, subgroup 1 (60% of isolates collected) was predominant compared to subgroup 2 (23.6%) or subgroup 3 (16.4%) and was distributed throughout Korea. To understand the genetic diversity among the subgroups, RAPD analysis was performed. The isolates yielded highly diverse amplicon patterns and none of the defined subgroups within the dendrogram were supported by bootstrap values greater than 30%. Moreover, there is no significant correlation between the geographical distribution and the subgroups defined by molecular phylogeny. Our data suggest a low level of genetic diversification among the populations of V. nashicola in Korea.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Fungi ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Korea ; Phylogeny ; Pyrus

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The anti-diabetic activity of pear through inhibition of α-glucosidase has been demonstrated. However, little has been reported about the effect of pear on insulin signaling pathway in obesity. The aims of this study are to establish pear pomace 50% ethanol extract (PPE)-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity and characterize its action mechanism in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Lipid accumulation, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion and glucose uptake were measure in 3T3-L1 cells. Mice were fed HFD (60% kcal from fat) and orally ingested PPE once daily for 8 weeks and body weight, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum lipids were measured. The expression of proteins involved in insulin signaling pathway was evaluated by western blot assay in 3T3-L1 cells and adipose tissue of mice. RESULTS: In 3T3-L1 cells, without affecting cell viability and lipid accumulation, PPE inhibited MCP-1 secretion, improved glucose uptake, and increased protein expression of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 [p-IRS-1, (Tyr⁶³²)], p-Akt, and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). Additionally, in HFD-fed mice, PPE reduced body weight, HOMA-IR, and serum lipids including triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol. Furthermore, in adipose tissue, PPE up-regulated GLUT4 expression and expression ratio of p-IRS-1 (Tyr⁶³²)/IRS, whereas, down-regulated p-IRS-1 (Ser³⁰⁷)/IRS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results collectively show that PPE improves glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells and insulin sensitivity in mice fed a HFD through stimulation of the insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, PPE-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity was not accompanied with lipid accumulation.
3T3-L1 Cells ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Body Weight ; Cell Survival ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Diet, High-Fat ; Ethanol* ; Glucose ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; Homeostasis ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Mice ; Obesity ; Pyrus* ; Triglycerides

The musculoskeletal system is mainly composed of the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, in addition to nerves and blood vessels. The greatest difficulty in an ultrasonographic freeze-frame created by the examiner is recognition of the targeted structures without indicators, since an elephant's trunk may not be easily distinguished from its leg. It is not difficult to find descriptive ultrasonographic terms used for educational purposes, which help in distinguishing features of these structures either in a normal or abnormal anatomic condition. However, the terms sometimes create confusion when describing common objects, for example, in Western countries, pears have a triangular shape, but in Asia they are round. Skilled experts in musculoskeletal ultrasound have tried to express certain distinguishing features of anatomic landmarks using terms taken from everyday objects which may be reminiscent of that particular feature. This pictorial review introduces known signature patterns of distinguishing features in musculoskeletal ultrasound in a normal or abnormal condition, and may stir the beginners' interest to play a treasure-hunt game among unfamiliar images within a boundless ocean.
Anatomic Landmarks ; Anisotropy ; Asia ; Blood Vessels ; Education ; Leg ; Ligaments ; Muscles ; Musculoskeletal System ; Peripheral Nerves ; Pyrus ; Tendons ; Ultrasonography* ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

The musculoskeletal system is mainly composed of the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, in addition to nerves and blood vessels. The greatest difficulty in an ultrasonographic freeze-frame created by the examiner is recognition of the targeted structures without indicators, since an elephant's trunk may not be easily distinguished from its leg. It is not difficult to find descriptive ultrasonographic terms used for educational purposes, which help in distinguishing features of these structures either in a normal or abnormal anatomic condition. However, the terms sometimes create confusion when describing common objects, for example, in Western countries, pears have a triangular shape, but in Asia they are round. Skilled experts in musculoskeletal ultrasound have tried to express certain distinguishing features of anatomic landmarks using terms taken from everyday objects which may be reminiscent of that particular feature. This pictorial review introduces known signature patterns of distinguishing features in musculoskeletal ultrasound in a normal or abnormal condition, and may stir the beginners' interest to play a treasure-hunt game among unfamiliar images within a boundless ocean.
Anatomic Landmarks ; Anisotropy ; Asia ; Blood Vessels ; Education ; Leg ; Ligaments ; Muscles ; Musculoskeletal System ; Peripheral Nerves ; Pyrus ; Tendons ; Ultrasonography* ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of upper extremity musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) among Korean farmers. METHODS: The study was carried out from June 2013 to August 2015 on 850 farmers and 203 non-farmers (controls) in Gyeongnam Province. Physical examinations were performed by rheumatologists, orthopedists, and rehabilitation specialists. Plain radiography, a nerve conduction examination, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used to assess upper extremity function. RESULTS: Thirty-four different types of upper extremity MSDs were detected in the 1,053 study subjects. The prevalence of any MSD in farmers was 8.96-fold higher than in control (p<0.001). The most obvious difference in prevalence between farmers and non-farmers was hand osteoarthritis (48.2% vs. 4.9%). Mean total DASH score was higher for farmers than non-farmers (14.29+/-13.66 vs. 10.03+/-10.85, p<0.001). Among farmers, myofascial pain syndrome, rotator cuff tear, and epicondylitis were more prevalent among overhead workers (growing persimmons, pears, and grapes) than in non-overhead workers (growing rice and upland crops). The following factors were associated with a rotator cuff tear; older age, overhead work, high waist circumference, and lower level of education. Hand osteoarthritis was found to be associated with older age, a female gender, high waist circumference, and longer total work time. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of upper extremity MSDs is much higher in farmers than non-farmers and greater still for farmers doing overhead work. Various factors contribute to the occurrence of upper extremity MSDs, and thus, the authors suggest an efficient preventive strategy, which involves consideration of type of work and risk factors, be established for farmers to reduce upper extremity MSDs.
Arm ; Diospyros ; Education ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Musculoskeletal Diseases* ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; Neural Conduction ; Osteoarthritis ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence* ; Pyrus ; Radiography ; Rehabilitation ; Risk Factors* ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder ; Specialization ; Tears ; Upper Extremity* ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVES: Intake of fruits and vegetables has protective effects against stroke attack. This study intended to examine the status of consuming fruits and vegetables and to find out which factors may influence the frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables in individuals with a history of stroke. METHODS: The data of 208 subjects from 5th (2010, 2011) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) who reported a stroke diagnosis was used for analysis. To identify major factors influencing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, a classification-tree analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Among those who reported a stroke diagnosis, the frequencies of consumption of fruits and vegetables were influenced by their age, place of residence (urban or rural), economic status, educational level, occupation, number of family members, frequency of eating out, and having meals (breakfast or lunch) with family members. Two factors from fruits and three factors from vegetables were generated by exploratory factor analyses. Urban residents ate fruits and vegetables more frequently in all factors than rural residents. Eating frequencies of 'seasonal fruits (orange, apple, strawberry, melon, pear and watermelon)', 'easily-accessible fruits (persimmon, tangerine, grape, peach, banana)', and 'Western-style vegetables (cabbage, mushroom, carrot, tomato, spinach)' were influenced by the socioeconomic status. Eating frequencies of 'Korean-style vegetables (bean sprout, radish leaves, pumpkin/squash, sea weed)', 'preserved vegetables (Korean cabbage, radish, laver, cucumber)' were influenced by having breakfast with amily members. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested that by eating more fruits and vegetables, more preventive effects against secondary stroke attack are expected in stroke patients who live in the rural areas and who do not eat breakfast with family members. In addition, more outreach and education programs are needed for them.
Agaricales ; Brassica ; Breakfast ; Cucurbitaceae ; Daucus carota ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Education ; Educational Status ; Fragaria ; Fruit* ; Humans ; Korea ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; Meals ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Occupations ; Prunus persica ; Pyrus ; Raphanus ; Social Class ; Stroke* ; Vegetables* ; Vitis

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to analyze the dietary habits and food intake status according to the prevalence of depression in adults. METHODS: A total of 496 subjects, 224 men and 272 women aged 50 to 100 years were recruited from more than 13 cities in Korea. The questionnaires consisted of general characteristics, dietary life status, food intakes, the mean mini dietary assessment and satisfaction with food-related life questionnaire of the subjects to ask according to the degree of depression. Depression status was evaluated according to the Korean form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (K-GDS). RESULTS: All subjects were divided into depression or normal groups; the prevalence of depression was 13.8% (male) and 23.9% (female). People aged 65 or older were more likely to have higher prevalence of depression and to be bereaved. People in the depression group had poor appetite, almost never dined-out, and ate alone. The food intake of miscellaneous cereals, beans, tofu, chicken/duck meat, cabbage, carrot/amber, fungi, apple, pear, strawberry, grapes, and banana was significantly higher in the normal group compared with the depression group. In particular, significantly higher intake of vegetables and fruits was observed in the normal group. In addition, subjects in the depression group ate more fatty meat and were more dissatisfied with food-related life than those in the normal group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study imply that the prevalence of depression may affect the dietary habits, food intake, and dietary behaviors in the older adult population.
Adult* ; Appetite ; Brassica ; Edible Grain ; Depression* ; Eating ; Fabaceae ; Female ; Food Habits* ; Fragaria ; Fruit ; Fungi ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Meat ; Musa ; Prevalence ; Pyrus ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Soy Foods ; Vegetables ; Vitis

PURPOSE: This study investigated the question of whether the addition of natural ingredients (pear fermented solution, celery powder, vitamin C) in curing agents may influence antioxidant activities and nutritional characteristics of smoked duck. METHODS: Smoked duck samples with general or natural curing agent containing three additive ingredients were examined to determine total polyphenol contents, antioxidant activities, pH, TBARS, and food additives residue (nitrite ion, antioxidant, sodium glutamate). RESULTS: Smoked duck with natural curing agent showed a higher level of total polyphenol content and antioxidant activities than smoked duck using general curing agent (p < 0.05). The pH and TBARS of smoked duck were significantly decreased by the addition of natural curing ingredients compared to those of smoked duck using general curing agent (p < 0.05). The residues of food additives were not detected in smoked duck using natural curing agent. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the addition of pear fermented solution, celery powder, and vitamin C in natural duck curing agent may improve the antioxidant activities and nutritional characteristics of smoked duck and provides health benefits.
Apium graveolens ; Ascorbic Acid ; Ducks* ; Food Additives ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Insurance Benefits ; Pyrus ; Smoke* ; Sodium ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Vitamins