Genomic selection for growth characteristics in Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora Seibold & Zucc.).

Traditionally, selective breeding has been used to improve tree growth. However, traditional selection methods are time-consuming and limit annual genetic gain. Genomic selection (GS) offers an alternative to progeny testing by estimating the genotype-based breeding values of individuals based on genomic information using molecular markers. In the present study, we introduced GS to an open-pollinated breeding population of Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora), which is in high demand in South Korea, to shorten the breeding cycle. We compared the prediction accuracies of GS for growth characteristics (diameter at breast height [DBH], height, straightness, and volume) in Korean red pines under various conditions (marker set, model, and training set) and evaluated the selection efficiency of GS compared to traditional selection methods. Training the GS model to include individuals from various environments using genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and markers with a minor allele frequency larger than 0.05 was effective. The optimized model had an accuracy of 0.164-0.498 and a predictive ability of 0.018-0.441. The predictive ability of GBLUP against that of additive best linear unbiased prediction (ABLUP) was 0.86-5.10, and against the square root of heritability was 0.19-0.76, indicating that GS for Korean red pine was as efficient as in previous studies on forest trees. Moreover, the response to GS was higher than that to traditional selection regarding the annual genetic gain. Therefore, we conclude that the trained GS model is more effective than the traditional breeding methods for Korean red pines. We anticipate that the next generation of trees selected by GS will lay the foundation for the accelerated breeding of Korean red pine.

Comparative transcriptome analysis during developmental stages of direct somatic embryogenesis in Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Tilia species are valuable woody species due to their beautiful shape and role as honey trees. Somatic embryogenesis can be an alternative method for mass propagation of T. amurensis. However, the molecular mechanisms of T. amurensis somatic embryogenesis are yet to be known. Here, we conducted comparative transcriptional analysis during somatic embryogenesis of T. amurensis. RNA-Seq identified 1505 differentially expressed genes, including developmental regulatory genes. Auxin related genes such as YUC, AUX/IAA and ARF and signal transduction pathway related genes including LEA and SERK were differentially regulated during somatic embryogenesis. Also, B3 domain family (LEC2, FUS3), VAL and PKL, the regulatory transcription factors, were differentially expressed by somatic embryo developmental stages. Our results could provide plausible pathway of signaling somatic embryogenesis of T. amurensis, and serve an important resource for further studies in direct somatic embryogenesis in woody plants.

Does Thyroidectomy Impact Quality of Life: Retrospective Case-Control Study of Post-Thyroidectomy Patients and Matched Individuals from the General Population.

Background and objectives: The study assesses quality of life (QoL) in patients who underwent thyroidectomy compared to the general population. Materials and Methods: QoL data from post-thyroidectomy patients and individuals with no subjective health concerns, who had attended a routine health screening visit, were evaluated. QoL was assessed using the modified version of Korean Short Form 12 questionnaire (SF-12). Patients and controls were matched using the propensity score approach and a ratio of 1:4. Results: Data from a total of 105 patients and 420 controls were analyzed. For five SF-12 items, lower QoL was found in patients (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that a follow-up duration of <1-year, female sex, and an age of >50 years were independent risk factors. No significant difference was found between controls and patients who were >1-year post-surgery. Conclusions: For specific SF-12 items, QoL was lower in post-thyroidectomy patients than in controls. No intergroup difference in QoL was found >1-year post-surgery.

Gender, reproductive output covariation and their role on gene diversity of Pinus koraiensis seed orchard crops.

BACKGROUND: Gender and fertility variation have an impact on mating dynamics in a population because they affect the gene exchange among parental members and the genetic composition of the resultant seed crops. Fertility is the proportional gametic contribution of parents to their progeny. An effective number of parents, derivative of effective population size, is the probability that two alleles randomly chosen from the gamete gene pool originated from the same parent. The effective number of parents is directly related to the fertility variation among parents, which should be monitored for manipulating gene diversity of seed crops. We formulated a fundamental equation of estimating the effective number of parents and applied it to a seed production population. RESULTS: Effective number of parents (Np) was derived from fertility variation (Ψ) considering covariance (correlation coefficient, r) between maternal and paternal fertility. The Ψ was calculated from the coefficient of variation in reproductive outputs and divided into female (ψf) and male (ψm) fertility variation in the population under study. The Np was estimated from the parental Ψ estimated by the fertility variation of maternal (ψf) and paternal (ψm) parents. The gene diversity of seed crops was monitored by Ψ and Np. in a 1.5 generation Pinus koraiensis seed orchard as a case of monoecious species. A large variation of female and male strobili production was observed among the studied 52 parents over four consecutive years, showing statistically significant differences across all studied years. Parental balance curve showed greater distortion in paternal than maternal parents. The Ψ ranged from 1.879 to 4.035 with greater ψm than ψf, and the Np varied from 14.8 to 36.8. When pooled, the relative effective number of parents was improved as 80.0% of the census number. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the use of fertility variation (i.e., CV, Ψ), Person's product-moment correlation (r), and effective number of parents (Np) as tools for gauging gene diversity of seed crops in production populations. For increasing Np and gene diversity, additional management options such as mixing seed-lots, equal cone harvest and application of supplemental-mass-pollination are recommended.

A Novel RET D898Y Germline Mutation in a Patient with Pheochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are tumors of neuroectoderm origin. Up to 40% of patients with these tumors have germline mutations in known susceptibility genes. We report a novel RET germline mutation (exon 15; c.2692G>T (D898Y)) in a pheochromocytoma patient, as well as in her two asymptomatic sons and older sister. A 49-year-old female came to our clinic presenting with a right adrenal gland mass detected during a healthcare examination. Her mother and two sisters had previously undergone thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinomas. The levels of vanillylmandelic acid and other catecholamines were elevated in 24-hour urine, and an imaging study revealed a right adrenal mass. She underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy and the final pathologic diagnosis was pheochromocytoma. Mutation screening detected a RET p.D898Y mutation, both in the patient and in the patient's two sons and older sister. This is the first description of a RET D898Y mutation in a pheochromocytoma patient and her family. The mutation should be categorized as a variant of unknown significance because no RET gene related disorders were detected in this family. Long term follow-up will be required to determine the clinical significance of the RET D898Y mutation.

Determination of glutaraldehyde in water samples by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after derivatization with 2,2,2-trifluoroethylhydrazine.

A simple and convenient headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was described for the determination of glutaraldehyde in water. Glutaraldehyde in water reacted with 2,2,2-trifluoroethylhydrazine (TFEH) in a headspace vial and the formed TFEH derivatives were vaporized and adsorbed onto a fiber. The optimal HS-SPME conditions were achieved with a 50/30µm-divinylbenzene-carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane fiber, 0.06% 2,2,2-TFEH, 25% salt, an extraction/derivatization temperature of 80°C, a heating time of 30min, and a pH of 6.5. The desorption was performed for 1min at 240°C. Under the established conditions, the lowest limits of detection were 0.3µg/L and 0.1µg/L in 6.0mL of surface water and drinking water, respectively, and the intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation was less than 9.1% at concentrations of 50, 100 and 500µg/L. The calibration curve showed good linearity with R=0.9995 and R=0.9993 in surface water and drinking water, respectively. This method is simple, amenable to automation and environmentally friendly.

Derivatization method of free cyanide including cyanogen chloride for the sensitive analysis of cyanide in chlorinated drinking water by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A novel derivatization method of free cyanide (HCN + CN(-)) including cyanogen chloride in chlorinated drinking water was developed with d-cysteine and hypochlorite. The optimum conditions (0.5 mM D-cysteine, 0.5 mM hypochlorite, pH 4.5, and a reaction time of 10 min at room temperature) were established by the variation of parameters. Cyanide (C(13)N(15)) was chosen as an internal standard. The formed ß-thiocyanoalanine was directly injected into a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer without any additional extraction or purification procedures. Under the established conditions, the limits of detection and the limits of quantification were 0.07 and 0.2 µg/L, respectively, and the interday relative standard deviation was less than 4% at concentrations of 4.0, 20.0, and 100.0 µg/L. The method was successfully applied to determine CN(-) in chlorinated water samples. The detected concentration range and detection frequency of CN(-) were 0.20-8.42 µg/L (14/24) in source drinking water and 0.21-1.03 µg/L (18/24) in chlorinated drinking water.

Ultra-sensitive determination of cyanide in surface water by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry after derivatization with 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol.

A gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (GC-MS/MS) method has been established for the determination of cyanide in surface water. This method is based on the derivatization of cyanide with 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol in surface water. The following optimum reaction conditions were established: reagent dosage, 0.7 g L(-1) of 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol; pH 6; reaction carried out for 20 min at 60°C. The organic derivative was extracted with 3 mL of ethyl acetate, and then measured by using GC-MS/MS. Under the established conditions, the detection and quantification limits were 0.02 µg L(-1) and 0.07 µg L(-1) in 10-mL of surface water, respectively. The calibration curve had a linear relationship relationship with y=0.7140x+0.1997 and r(2)=0.9963 (for a working range of 0.07-10 µg L(-1)) and the accuracy was in a range of 98-102%; the precision of the assay was less than 7% in surface water. The common ions Cl(-), F(-), Br(-), NO3(-), SO4(2-), PO4(3-), K(+), Na(+), NH4(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Ba(2+), Mn(4+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Fe(2+) and sea water did not interfere in cyanide detection, even when present in 1000-fold excess over the species. Cyanide was detected in a concentration range of 0.07-0.11 µg L(-1) in 6 of 10 surface water samples.

Effects of storage temperature and time on the biogenic amine content and microflora in Korean turbid rice wine, Makgeolli.

We examined biogenic amine (BA) content and the diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population in Korean rice wine, Makgeolli, stored at 4 and 20°C. Among 8 BAs examined by HPLC, only putrescine was detected in low levels during 30days of storage at 4°C. However, at 20°C, several BAs were detected and total BA concentration increased during storage. The numbers of LAB in 4°C Makgeolli remained constant while those in 20°C Makgeolli were markedly changed. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis shows the major LAB population in 4°C Makgeolli to be Pediococcus acidilactici while that in 20°C Makgeolli to be Lactobacillus plantarum, which has been known to produce BAs. The present study suggests that if Makgeolli is stored at an improper temperature, the diversity of LAB populations and BA formation can be markedly increased. Thus, low temperature storage and transport of the products are required to maintain a BA-free state.