Differentiation of Scomber japonicus from Scomber scombrus by using a single locked nucleic acid probe.

Mackerel is marketed at prices according to the species type, Scomber japonicus and Scomber scombrus. Distinguishing these two species with the naked eye is difficult, and their differentiation becomes more difficult after they are processed by cooking, thereby leading to counterfeiting issues. Thus, in this study, we developed a method to differentiate S. japonicus from S. scombrus by detecting polymorphisms in mitochondrial 16 s rRNA gene by using fluorescence melting curve analysis and locked nucleic acid probes. Our method could distinguish S. japonicus from S. scombrus in a single experiment by using a single probe. The probes developed matched exactly with S. japonicus and had a melting temperature of 64 °C. However, the probes were mismatched with S. scombrus, resulting in a lower melting temperature of 46 °C. The high specificity of the locked nucleic acid probes resulted in this large difference in the melting temperatures.

Association analysis of toluene exposure time with high-throughput mRNA expressions and methylation patterns using in vivo samples.

The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) resulting from outdoor air pollution can contribute to major public health problems. However, there has been limited research on the health effects in humans from the inhalation of VOCs. Therefore, this study conducted an in vivo analysis of the effects of toluene, one of the most commonly used chemicals in many industries, on gene expression and methylation over time using the high-throughput technique of microarray analysis. We separated participants into three groups (control, short-term exposure, and long-term exposure) to investigate the influence of toluene exposure time on gene expression. We then comprehensively analyzed and investigated the correlation between variations in gene expression and the occurrence of methylation. Twenty-six genes were upregulated and hypomethylated, while 32 genes were downregulated and hypermethylated. The pathways of these genes were confirmed to be associated with cell survival and the immune system. Based on our findings, these genes can help predict the effects of time-dependent exposure to toluene on human health. Thus, observations from our data may have implications for the identification of biomarkers of toluene exposure.