Utilization of Novel Perilla SSR Markers to Assess the Genetic Diversity of Native Perilla Germplasm Accessions Collected from South Korea.

The Perilla crop is highly regarded in South Korea, both as a health food and traditional food. However, there is still a lack of Perilla SSR primer sets (PSPSs) for studying genetic variation among accessions of cultivated and weedy types of Perilla crop (CWTPC) from South Korea. In this study, 30 PSPSs were newly developed based on transcriptome contigs in P. frutescens, and 17 of these PSPSs were used to study the genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships and structure population among 90 accessions of the CWTPC collected from South Korea. A total of 100 alleles were detected from selected 17 PSPSs, with an average of 5.9 alleles per locus. The gene diversity (GD) ranged from 0.164 to 0.831, with an average of 0.549. The average GD values from the cultivated var. frutescens, weedy var. frutescens, and weedy var. crispa, were 0.331, 0.588, and 0.389 respectively. In addition, most variance shown by Perilla SSR markers was within a population (73%). An analysis of the population structure and phylogenetic relationships showed that the genetic relationship among accessions of the weedy var. frutescens and weedy var. crispa is closer than that for the accessions of the cultivated var. frutescens. Based on association analysis between 17 PSPSs and three seed traits in 90 Perilla accessions, we detected 11 PSPSs that together were associated with the seed size and seed hardness traits. Therefore, the newly developed PSPSs will be useful for analyzing genetic variation among accessions of the CWTPC, association mapping, and selection of important morphological traits in Perilla crop breeding programs.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Normal Maize Germplasm Collected in South Sudan Revealed by SSR Markers.

Maize is one of the leading global cereals, and in South Sudan maize cultivation occurs in nearly all of the country's agro-ecological zones. Despite its widespread cultivation, farmers in South Sudan depend on undeveloped varieties, which results in very low yields in the field. In the current study, 27 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to investigate genetic diversity and population structures among 37 landrace maize accessions collected from farmers' fields in South Sudan. In total, 200 alleles were revealed with an average of 7.4 alleles per locus and a range from 3.0 to 13.0 alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.06 to 0.91 with an average of 0.35. High polymorphic information content (PIC) values were identified with a mean of 0.69, which indicates the informativeness of the chosen SSR loci. Genetic structure analysis revealed a moderate genetic differentiation among the maize populations with a fixation index of 0.16, while there was very high genetic differentiation within the groups of populations of three regions with a mean fixation index (F) of 0.37. An unweighted pair group method with an arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram clustered the 37 maize accessions into three groups with 43% genetic similarity. The clustering pattern of the maize accessions was moderately consistent with their collection area. The findings of this study will provide maize breeders with a better understanding of maize diversification as well as a reserve of genetic resources for use in the selection of advantageous and useful resources for the development of maize varieties in South Sudan.

Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of SP-8356, a Novel (1S)-(-)-Verbenone Derivative, in Rats and Dogs and Its Implications in Humans.

(1S,5R)-4-((E)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxystryryl)-6,6-dimethylbicylco[3.1.1]hept-3-en-2-one (SP-8356) is a novel (1S)-(-)-verbenone derivative that is currently in preclinical development for the treatment of ischemic stroke and atherosclerosis. This report aimed at characterization of the metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties of SP-8356. Following intravenous dose in rats and dogs, plasma concentrations of SP-8356 declined rapidly with high clearance (CL) and short half-life; after oral administration in both species, its plasma levels were below the quantitation limit. Fourteen circulating metabolites, formed by mono-oxygenation, demethylation, glucuronidation, catechol O-methylation, sulfation and oxidation (bioactivation) followed by glutathione (GSH) conjugation, were tentatively identified in both species. Urinary excretion of SP-8356 appeared to be minimal in rats, compared to its metabolites. GSH conjugate of SP-8356 was also formed during incubation with rat liver S9 fraction consistent with oxidative bioactivation; this bioactivation was almost completely inhibited by the cofactors for glucuronidation, sulfation and methylation, indicating that it may be abolished by competing metabolic reactions in the body. The human pharmacokinetics of SP-8356 was predicted to be similar to that of the animals based on the current in vitro metabolic stability results. In summary, rapid phase II metabolism appears to be mainly responsible for its suboptimal pharmacokinetics, such as high CL and low oral absorption. Because of competing metabolic reactions, potential safety risks related to SP-8356 bioactivation may be low.

Common features of F-18 FDG PET/CT findings in Scrub Typhus: prospective study before and after antibiotics therapy.

Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by obligate intracellular organism Orientia tsutsugamushi. While there have been many reports on the evaluation of disease activity and infectious diseases using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), the clinical value of FDG PET/CT in scrub typhus has not been fully investigated. We enrolled 17 patients who were 18 years of age or older and clinically suspected of having scrub typhus with eschar. Clinical assessments, blood samples, and FDG PET/CT images were obtained at enrolment and again after 3 weeks. The median age of the patients was 65 years; 9 (52.9%) patients were male. On initial FDG PET/CT, the eschars showed markedly increased FDG uptake on PET imaging that improved after treatment. Generalized lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly with high FDG uptake were observed in all patients. On follow-up FDG PET/CT after appropriate therapy, FDG uptake and sizes of eschar, lymph nodes, and spleen were markedly decreased. As far as we are aware, this is the first investigation with multiple patients of FDG PET/CT in scrub typhus and the demonstration of clinical utility. FDG PET/CT imaging of scrub typhus could provide useful information about the clinical features before and after antibiotic treatment.

Traumatic Atlanto-occipital Dislocation (AOD).

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) results from high energy trauma and is an uncommon and usually fatal injury due to an injury to the cervicomedullary junction. Recently, improved prehospital management, early diagnosis and effective treatment led to increasing reports of survival. This study of patients with AOD initial imaging modalities recognizes the clinical features and diagnostic considerations for a quick diagnosis. METHODS: In this article, five survived adult patients with traumatic AOD are presented and retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was made by lateral cervical spine x-ray, cervical computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Treatment consisted of early immobilization, respiratory support, and subsequent occipitocervical fusion. RESULTS: Four patients were male and the other one was female. Three were diagnosed early and the others were delayed in confirmations. One was type I AOD and four were type II AOD. All patients were applied occipitocervical fusion. Two cases were worse; neurological states and the other three that showed no change. Lateral X-ray film of all patients in the prevertebral soft tissue swelling at the C2 level was noted. The mean thickness of prevertebral soft tissue C2 level was 17.88 mm(15.18 to 20.17mm). Two were in the normal range of dens-basion index(DBI), three showed abnormalities, and Power's ratio was abnormal in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: As for damages caused by a strong external force in patients with severe prevertebral soft tissue swelling at C2 level abnormaly, the doctor determines whether more should be carefully AOD and considers 3D CT or MRI to confirm AOD in these patients.

Long-term Follow-up (Minimum 5 Years) Study of Single-level Posterior Dynamic Stabilization in Lumbar Degenerative Disease; 'Interspinous U' & 'DIAM'.

OBJECTIVES: Recently posterior dynamic stabilizations (PDS) are increased in degenerative lumbar disease. But, some previous studies had doubts its long term prognosis. Long term clinical and radiological results of PDS using interspinous device (Interspinous U, DIAM) were analyzed. METHODS: We have used the 'interspinous U' and 'DIAM' for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. We included single level lumbar spinal stenosis patients who completed minimum 60 months follow-up evaluation. All patients checked plain lateral and flexion-extension views at immediately after the surgery and each follow-up. The clinical outcome was measured by Odom's criteria. Complications including post operative infection, bony erosion, device fracture, device malformations, and instabilities were surveyed. RESULTS: We included 18 for 'Interspinous U' and 7 patients 'DIAM' groups. Mean follow-up durations for 'Interspinous U' and 'DIAM' were 74.6 and 62.6 months, respectively. Satisfactory groups were 50.0% and 42.9 % for 'Interspinous U' and 'DIAM' groups. In 'Interspinous U' group disc height ratio increased transiently in immediate postoperative period (from 0.18 to 0.21) and then, decreased significantly in last follow-up (0.18). In 'DIAM' group, disc height ratio increased transiently in immediate postoperative period (from 0.18 to 0.19), and then decreased significantly in the last follow-up (0.16). Three (16.7%) and two (28.6%) patients undergo on a re-operation due to severe back pain in 'Interspinous U' and 'DIAM' groups. CONCLUSION: Long term follow up 'Interspinous U' and 'DIAM' group showed low patient satisfaction and poor radiological outcomes. To ascertain the benefit of PDS compare with posterior screw fixation, prospective analysis with larger population and multi-center study will be needed.