This study aims to identify the circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the liver of whitespotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) and to explore the effect of the overexpression of circRNAs on the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. We conducted high-throughput sequencing for prediction of the circRNAs and then designed forward and reverse primers to verify them. Further, we constructed overexpression vectors for transient transfection of circRNAs into HepG2 cells. Finally, we employed CCK-8 assay and scratch assay to measure the proliferation and migration of the treated HepG2 cells. A total of 4 558 circRNAs were predicted, among which 14 circRNAs were confirmed. The qRT-PCR showed that circRNA 13-566, circRNA 4-475, circRNA 5-402, circRNA 294-177, and circRNA 30-219 were transiently overexpressed in HepG2 cells. The overexpression of these five circRNAs inhibited the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells to varying degrees, and circRNA 4-475 and circRNA 294-177 had especially notable effect. This study provided a basic database of circRNA genes that particularly active in whitespotted bamboo shark liver and demonstrated with functional studies of these circRNAs potentially involved in normal and malignant liver cells.
Animals ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Liver ; RNA, Circular/genetics* ; Sharks/genetics* ; Sincalide/genetics*

Shark attacks are rare unique pathological processes. Some of them represent devastating injuries with a high morbidity and significant mortality. Related published articles are limited. The increased human interaction within the environment of sharks is the cause of rising incidence of such attacks. This study reported a case of level 4 shark injuries (shark-induced trauma scale) in a 33-year-old male patient, who presented with an extensive injury of the right lower limb with the characteristic features of shark bite. At admission the patient was in a state of shock with profuse bleeding that was controlled by tourniquet. The patient was resuscitated according to the advanced trauma life support. Clinical examination showed hard signs of vascular injury with absent pedal pulse, associated neurological deficits and severance at the knee joint. Prompt vascular intervention after resuscitation was performed to manage the major vascular injuries, together with proper washout and debridement of all the necrotic tissues under strong antibiotic coverage to prevent infection. After that, the patient underwent sequenced plastic, orthopedic, and neurological interventions. Strict follow-up was conducted, which showed that the patient was saved and achieved a functioning limb. This study aims to highlight the management of level 4 shark injuries, which are considered serious and challenging with a high fatality rate and a great risk of amputation due to the associated major vascular injuries. Immediate well organized management plan is crucial. Prompt resuscitation and surgical intervention by a highly-skilled medical team are required to improve the chance of patient survival and limb salvage.
Adult ; Animals ; Bites and Stings/complications* ; Humans ; Limb Salvage ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sharks ; Vascular System Injuries/surgery*

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) is an important biological macromolecule and widely used in immune detection, in vitro diagnostics, and drug discovery. However, the inherent properties of mAb restrict its further development, such as high molecular weight and complex structure. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop alternatives for mAb. Various types of miniaturized antibodies have been developed, among which the variable domain of immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (VNAR) is very attractive. The shark single-domain antibody, also known as shark VNAR, is an antigen-binding domain obtained by genetic engineering technology based on the immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (IgNAR) that naturally exists in selachimorpha. It has a molecular weight of 12 kDa, which is the smallest antigen-binding domain found in the known vertebrates at present. Compared with mAb, the shark VNAR exhibits various superiorities, such as low molecular weight, high affinity, tolerance to the harsh environment, good water solubility, strong tissue penetration, and recognition of the hidden epitopes. It has attracted wide attention in the fields of immunochemical reagents and drug discovery. In this review, various aspects of shark VNAR are elaborated, including the structural and functional characteristics, generating and humanization techniques, affinity maturation strategies, application fields, advantages and disadvantages, and prospects.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; immunology ; Antigens ; Epitopes ; metabolism ; Protein Domains ; immunology ; Receptors, Antigen ; chemistry ; immunology ; Sharks

Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Korea ; Meat ; Methods ; Sharks

Although uncommon, shark attacks can lead to devastating outcomes for victims. Surgeons also face unique challenges during operative management such as exsanguination, shock, specific injury patterns and infections. This case report presents the management of a 39-year-old previously healthy female attacked by a shark while on vacation in Mexico. The patient sustained severe injuries to her left arm and her left thigh. She was transferred to a Canadian institution after ambiguous operative management in Mexico and presented with no clear antibiotic coverage and a Volkman's contracture of the left upper extremity. In total, the patient underwent four washouts of wounds, two split-thickness skin grafts, one free anterolateral thigh flap, and one free transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap for the reconstruction and salvage of the left lower extremity. This article highlights the specifics of this case and describes important points in managing these devastating injuries.
Adult ; Arm ; Contracture ; Exsanguination ; Female ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Mexico ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Sharks ; Shock ; Skin ; Surgeons ; Tertiary Healthcare ; Thigh ; Transplants ; Upper Extremity ; Wounds and Injuries ; Wounds, Penetrating

OBJECTIVES: Heavy metals ingested through the consumption of aquatic products can accumulate in the human body over the long-term and cause various health problems. This study aims to present comprehensive data on the amount of heavy metals found in fish and shellfish in Korea using a systematic review of studies that report on that issue. METHODS: The study used the following databases: PubMed, Korean Studies Information Service System, and Research Information Sharing Service. The search terms for PubMed included fish OR shellfish OR seafood AND mercury OR cadmium OR lead OR heavy metal AND Korea. The search terms for Korean Studies Information Service System and Research Information Sharing Service included eoryu sueun, eoryu kadeumyum, eoryu nab, eoryu jung-geumsog, paeryu sueun, paeryu kadeumyum, paeryu nab, paeryu jung-geumsog, eopaeryu sueun, eopaeryu kadeumyum, eopaeryu nab, and eopaeryu jung-geumsog. RESULTS: A total of 32 articles were selected for review. The total mercury, lead, and cadmium concentrations in fish and shellfish reported in each of the articles are summarized, as are the species of fish and shellfish with relatively high concentrations of heavy metals. Total mercury concentrations tended to be higher in predatory fish species, such as sharks, billfishes, and tuna, while lead and cadmium concentrations tended to be higher in shellfish. CONCLUSION: This paper is the first to report a comprehensive summary of the concentrations of heavy metals in fish and shellfish. This data could be used as evidence to protect Koreans from exposure to heavy metals due to the consumption of highly polluted aquatic products.
Cadmium ; Fishes ; Human Body ; Information Dissemination ; Information Services ; Korea ; Metals, Heavy ; Seafood ; Sharks ; Shellfish ; Tuna

BACKGROUND: Shark meat is used as sacrificial food in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and is a major source of dietary mercury. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of shark meat intake or the ritual of Jesa on blood mercury levels within workers living in Gyeongsangbuk-do. METHODS: This study was conducted from September 2016 to October 2016 in two cities of Gyeongsangbuk-do. To compare the differences between urban and rural areas, two workplaces each in Daegu as the urban area and Yeongcheon as the rural area were selected. General characteristics and characteristics related to shark meat consumption of the workers were acquired by personal interviews during their health examination. Blood mercury concentrations were analyzed by the gold amalgamation method using a direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80; Milestone Inc., Shelton, CT, USA). RESULTS: The shark consumption group had a higher blood mercury concentration than the non-consumption group. The levels of blood mercury increased with the frequency, annual intake, as well as most recent date of shark meat consumption. Moreover, the levels of mercury in blood increased according to the annual frequency of participation in Jesa (times per year) and the annual frequency of shark meat consumption during Jesa (times per year). CONCLUSIONS: Shark meat intake and the ritual of Jesa contributed to an increase in the blood mercury levels of workers in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate dietary exposure, occupational as well as other factors that may influence blood mercury concentrations in workers during their health examination, particularly in regions with high mercury exposures.
Daegu ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Humans ; Meat* ; Methods ; Occupational Exposure ; Sharks*

Small molecule antibodies are naturally existed and well functioned but not structurally related to the conventional antibodies. They are only composed of heavy protein chains or light chains, much smaller than common antibody. The first small molecule antibody, called Nanobody was engineered from heavy-chain antibodies found in camelids. Cartilaginous fishes also have heavy-chain antibodies (IgNAR, "immunoglobulin new antigen receptor"), from which single-domain antibodies called Vnar fragments can be obtained. In addition, free light chain (FLC) antibodies in human bodies are being developed as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Comparing to intact antibodies, common advantages of small molecule antibodies are with better solubility, tissue penetration, stability towards heat and enzymes, and comparatively low production costs. This article reviews the structural characteristics and mechanism of action of the Nanobody, IgNAR and FLC.
Animals ; Camelids, New World ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains ; chemistry ; immunology ; Receptors, Antigen ; immunology ; Sharks ; immunology ; Single-Chain Antibodies ; chemistry ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Single-Domain Antibodies ; chemistry ; immunology ; therapeutic use

Mercury is atoxic, persistent pollutant that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies through food webs. People are exposed to methylmercury mainly through their diet, especially through the consumption of freshwater and marine fish and of other animals that consumefish (e.g., marinemammals). All humans are exposed to low levels of mercury. Dietary patterns can increase exposure toafish-eating population wherethefish and seafood arecontaminated with mercury. The primary toxicity targets of mercury and mercury compounds are the nervous system, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. It is generally accepted that developing organ systems are most sensitive to the toxic effects of mercury. The fetal-brain mercury levels appear to be significantly higherthan the maternal-blood mercury levels,and the developingcentralnervoussystem of the fetus is currently regarded as the main system of concern as it demonstrates the greatest sensitivity. The subpopulation that may be at greater risk for mercury toxicity are those exposed to higher levels of methylmercury due to carnivorous fish, including sharks.
Animals ; Cardiovascular System ; Diet ; Fetus ; Food Chain ; Fresh Water ; Humans ; Kidney ; Mercury Compounds ; Nervous System ; Seafood ; Sharks

Exogenous lipid pneumonia is a rare disease resulting from the aspiration or inhalation of vegetable, animal, or mineral oils. In Korea, the most frequently implicated agent is squalen, which can be obtained from shark liver oil. Lipid pneumonia by aspiration of the vegetable oil is very rare. We experienced a 77-year-old man with a history of ingestion of green perilla oil. His clinical course was favorable; after exposure to the oil was stopped, the patient's symptoms improved.
Aged ; alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Eating ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Korea ; Liver ; Mineral Oil ; Perilla ; Plant Oils ; Pneumonia, Lipid ; Rare Diseases ; Sharks ; Vegetables