Simultaneous site-directed mutagenesis for soybean ß-amyrin synthase genes via DNA-free CRISPR/Cas9 system using a single gRNA.

We generated soybean mutants related to two ß-amyrin synthase genes using DNA-free site-directed mutagenesis system. Our results suggested that one of the genes is predominant in the soyasaponin biosynthesis. Soyasaponins, which are triterpenoid saponins contained in soybean [Glycine max (L.

Total synthesis of jamaicamide B.

Jamaicamide B was isolated from the cyanobacterium in Jamaica and shows neurotoxicity. This unique mixed peptide-polyketide structure contains a pyrrolinone ring, a β-methoxy enone, an ()-olefin, an undetermined stereocenter at C9, an ()-chloroolefin, and a terminal alkyne. We report herein the first total synthesis and structural confirmation of the marine natural product (9)-jamaicamide B.

Effects of Lutein Supplementation in Japanese Patients with Unilateral Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Sakai Lutein Study.

This prospective randomized double-masked study investigated the effects of 20 mg lutein supplementation with two different capsules (beeswax or glycerol fatty acid esters) for 6 months on the fellow eyes of 39 Japanese patients with unilateral age-related macular degeneration, and assessed the factors associated with baseline plasma lutein concentration via lifestyle interviews. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), determined with the two-wavelength autofluorescence method, increased over time in the beeswax group (ANOVA, p = 0.0451), although the increase from 3 months to 6 months was only marginally significant.

Efficacy of therapeutic soft contact lens in the management of gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy.

Background/aims: To investigate the efficacy of therapeutic soft contact lenses (SCLs) in gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy (GDLD) management.

Methods: This was a retrospective, consecutive, observational case series, including 20 patients (40 eyes) with GDLD treated in Osaka University Hospital within the last 15 years. We tested the effects of therapeutic SCL on clinical features, visual acuity and surgical interventions.

Mammary Analogue Secretory Carcinoma Arising in the Parotid Gland of Child.

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) of salivary glands is a newly recognized tumor entity. We report a child who was initially diagnosed with lymphangioma and referred to our institute for sclerotherapy, only to find out that the tumor was in fact MASC after excision. This case of MASC is in a 7-year-old boy, the youngest case so far reported.