Family-based genome-wide association analysis of novelty seeking in a Korean schizophrenic population: A pilot study.

Schizophrenia (SPR) is the most devastating mental illness that causes severe deterioration in social and occupational functioning, but, the etiology remains unknown. The objective of this study is to explore the genetic underpinnings of novelty seeking behavior in schizophrenic family within the Korean population. By conducting a family-based genome-wide association study, we aim to identify potential genetic markers and variations associated with novelty seeking traits in the context of SPR. We have recruited 27 probands (with SPR) with their parents and siblings whenever possible. DNA was extracted from blood sampling of 58 individuals in 27 families and analyzed in an Illumina core exome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. A family-based association test (qFAM) was used to derive SNP association values across all chromosomes. Although none of the final 800,000 SNPs reached the genome-wide significant threshold of 8.45 × 10-7, the most significant 4 SNPs were within the 10-5 to 10-7. This study identifies genetic associations between novelty seeking behavior and SPR within families. RAPGEF5 emerges as a significant gene, along with other neuropsychiatric-related genes. Noteworthy genes like DRD4 and COMT did not show associations, possibly due to the focus on schizophrenic family. While shedding light on this complex relationship, larger studies are needed for robust conclusions and deeper mechanistic insights.

Learning potential and visuospatial memory could predict amyloid-beta positron emission tomography positivity in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

We investigate the role of neuropsychological tests, including the learning potential, in predicting amyloid-beta positron emission tomography (Aß-PET) status in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). This cross-sectional study included 64 patients with aMCI (31 Aß-PET (-) and 33 (+)) who visited a memory impairment clinic at Pusan National University Hospital between 2014 and 2019. Patients underwent Aß-PET scans using 18F-florbetaben and the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery. Learning potential was determined based on the difference in scores between the first and third trials of the Seoul Verbal Learning test (SVLT). Binary logistic regression was used to demonstrate the association between Aß-PET status and cognitive tests. Predictive ability of cognitive tests for Aß deposition was investigated using receiver operating characteristic curves analysis. From logistic regression models, the SVLT learning potential and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) delayed recall were found to predict Aß-PET positivity. The areas under the curve (AUC) of the SVLT learning potential and RCFT delayed recall were significantly different from 0.5. Our findings of an association between Aß deposition status and learning potential and visuospatial memory suggest that these cognitive tests could be used to screen patients with aMCI for Aß deposition status.

Draft Genome Sequences of Chryseobacterium artocarpi UTM-3T and Chryseobacterium contaminans C26T, Isolated from Rhizospheres, and Chryseobacterium arthrosphaerae CC-VM-7T, Isolated from the Feces of a Pill Millipede.

Species of the genus Chryseobacterium belonging to the family Flavobacteriaceae are nonmotile, yellow-pigmented, and rod-shaped bacteria, some of which were frequently isolated from soil or plant-related materials. Here, we present draft genome sequences of three type strains of Chryseobacterium, which contain genes related to plant growth promotion, colonization, or stress adaptation.