Consumers have started to become aware of the negative aspects of conventional meat, including concerns about environmental issues, animal welfare, and consumer health. Alternative meats (i.e., cultured meat and plant-based meat alternatives) have been introduced recently to address these problems, and the rapid growth of the alternative meat market could pose a threat to the conventional meat market. It is necessary to identify the features of alternative meat that affect consumers’ purchasing intentions. Thus, we aimed to: (1) explore the positive and negative feelings toward alternative meat and (2) compare the differences in factors influencing alternative meat buying intentions. This study conducted an online survey with Korean participants in two separate sections (cultured meat: n = 513; plant-based meat alternatives: n = 504), and relationships between the variables and willingness to buy were analyzed using the partial least squares method. The results showed that sustainability and food neophobia are two of the different factors, and food curiosity, unnaturalness, and distrust of biotechnology are the common factors affecting consumers’ purchasing choice. The results of this study provide useful guidelines for effective promotional messages about cultured meat, plant-based meat alternatives, and conventional meat marketers focusing on the positive and negative aspects of significant factors.

Aims Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9), a molecular determinant of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) fate, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. However, the precise mechanism by which PCSK9 regulates the internalization and lysosomal degradation of LDLR is unknown. Recently, we identified adenylyl cyclase-associated protein 1 (CAP1) as a receptor for human resistin whose globular C-terminus is structurally similar to the C-terminal cysteine-rich domain (CRD) of PCSK9. Herein, we investigated the role of CAP1 in PCSK9-mediated lysosomal degradation of LDLR and plasma LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Methods and results The direct binding between PCSK9 and CAP1 was confirmed by immunoprecipitation assay, far-western blot, biomolecular fluorescence complementation, and surface plasmon resonance assay. Fine mapping revealed that the CRD of PCSK9 binds with the Src homology 3 binding domain (SH3BD) of CAP1. Two loss-of-function polymorphisms found in human PCSK9 (S668R and G670E in CRD) were attributed to a defective interaction with CAP1. siRNA against CAP1 reduced the PCSK9-mediated degradation of LDLR in vitro. We generated CAP1 knock-out mice and found that the viable heterozygous CAP1 knock-out mice had higher protein levels of LDLR and lower LDL-C levels in the liver and plasma, respectively, than the control mice. Mechanistic analysis revealed that PCSK9-induced endocytosis and lysosomal degradation of LDLR were mediated by caveolin but not by clathrin, and they were dependent on binding between CAP1 and caveolin-1. Conclusion We identified CAP1 as a new binding partner of PCSK9 and a key mediator of caveolae-dependent endocytosis and lysosomal degradation of LDLR.

Virus-associated Rhabdomyolysis in Children Purpose: Virus-associated rhabdomyolysis is very rare. We report 15 patients with rhabdomyolysis caused by various viruses. Methods: Fifteen patients who were diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and a viral infection were included in this study. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings were evaluated through retrospective chart reviews. Results: Chief complaints were severe bilateral lower leg pain and leg weakness. The median age was 5.7 years. The male:female ratio was 2:5. The viral infections were caused by influenza virus B, parainfluenza virus, and rhinovirus. One patient with influenza virus B had coinfection with coronavirus. Median initial laboratory values and ranges were as follows: serum creatinine, 0.4 (0.1-0.5) mg/dL; serum aspartate transaminase, 124 (48-1,098) IU/L; serum alanine transaminase, 30 (16-1,455) IU/L; serum creatine kinase, 2,965 (672-16,594) IU; serum lactate dehydrogenase, 400 (269-7,394) IU/L; serum myoglobin, 644 (314-3,867) ng/mL; urine myoglobin, 3 (3-10,431) ng/mL. All patients recovered without complications. Conclusion: This is the first report of the simultaneous occurrence of rhabdomyolysis caused by various viruses. This is also the first report of rhinovirus-associated rhabdomyolysis.

No abstract