Suspected Human-to-Cat Spillover of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in South Korea.

This retrospective study reports the isolation and characterization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from a household cat in South Korea. The cat, which was presented with respiratory symptoms, was identified during a retrospective analysis of samples collected between April 2021 and March 2022. Genomic sequencing revealed that the isolated virus belonged to the Omicron variant (BA.

Radiosynthesis automation, non-human primate biodistribution and dosimetry of K channel tracer [C]3MeO4AP.

Background: 4-Aminopyridine (4AP) is a medication for the symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis. Several 4AP-based PET tracers have been developed for imaging demyelination. In preclinical studies, [C]3MeO4AP has shown promise due to its high brain permeability, high metabolic stability, high plasma availability, and high in vivo binding affinity.

PET imaging of M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in rhesus macaques using [C]MK-6884: Quantification with kinetic modeling and receptor occupancy by CVL-231 (emraclidine), a novel positive allosteric modulator.

Stimulation of the M muscarinic acetylcholine receptor reduces striatal hyperdopaminergia, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for schizophrenia. Emraclidine (CVL-231) is a novel, highly selective, positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors i.e.

Demonstration of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Korean Native Cattle and Korean Native Black Goats in Korea.

The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 virus. A wide range of animals that interact with humans have been investigated to identify potential infections. As the extent of infection became more apparent, extensive animal monitoring became necessary to assess their susceptibility.

Evaluation of - and -4-[F]fluorogabapentin for brain PET imaging.

Gabapentin, a selective ligand for the α2δ subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels, is an anticonvulsant medication used in the treatment of neuropathic pain, epilepsy and other neurological conditions. We recently described two radiofluorinated derivatives of gabapentin (4-[F]fluorogabapentin, [F]tGBP4F, and 4-[F]fluorogabapentin, [F]cGBP4F) and showed that these compounds accumulate in the injured nerves in a rodent model of neuropathic pain. Given the use of gabapentin in brain diseases, here we investigate whether these radiofluorinated derivatives of gabapentin can be used for imaging α2δ receptors in the brain.

Fully Automated Radiosynthesis of [F]mG4P027 for mGluR4 Imaging.

Fluorine-18 labeled N-(4-chloro-3-(((fluoro-F)methyl-d)thio)phenyl)picolinamide, [F] is a potent positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4). Our previous in vitro and in vivo evaluations have demonstrated that this tracer is promising for further translational studies. To automate the radiosynthesis of [F], significant modifications were made to the manual process by carefully examining this process and addressing the root causes of the challenges associated with its automation.

Development of Effective PEDV Vaccine Candidates Based on Viral Culture and Protease Activity.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a highly contagious disease that has been reported annually in several Asian countries, causing significant economic losses to the swine livestock industry. Although vaccines against the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) are available, their efficacy remains questionable due to limitations such as viral genome mutation and insufficient intestinal mucosal immunity. Therefore, the development of a safe and effective vaccine is necessary.

Alteration of the Gut Microbiota in Pigs Infected with African Swine Fever Virus.

The factors that influence the pathogenicity of African swine fever (ASF) are still poorly understood, and the host's immune response has been indicated as crucial. Although an increasing number of studies have shown that gut microbiota can control the progression of diseases caused by viral infections, it has not been characterized how the ASF virus (ASFV) changes a pig's gut microbiome. This study analyzed the dynamic changes in the intestinal microbiome of pigs experimentally infected with the high-virulence ASFV genotype II strain (N = 4) or mock strain (N = 3).

Radiosynthesis automation, non-human primate biodistribution and dosimetry of K channel tracer [ C]3MeO4AP.

Purpose: 4-Aminopyridine (4AP) is a medication for the symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis. Several 4AP-based PET tracers have been developed for imaging demyelination. In preclinical studies, [ C]3MeO4AP has shown promise due to its high brain permeability, high metabolic stability, high plasma availability, and high binding affinity.

Measurement of Cerebral Perfusion Indices from the Early Phase of [F]MK6240 Dynamic Tau PET Imaging.

6-(fluoro-F)-3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-1-yl)isoquinolin-5-amine ([F]MK6240) has high affinity and selectivity for hyperphosphorylated tau and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. This study investigated whether the early phase of [F]MK6240 can be used to provide a surrogate index of cerebral perfusion. Forty-nine subjects who were cognitively normal (CN), had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or had Alzheimer's disease (AD) underwent paired dynamic [F]MK6240 and [C]Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET, as well as structural MRI to obtain anatomic information.

Detailed radiosynthesis of [ F]mG4P027 as a positron emission tomography radiotracer for mGluR4.

We report here the detailed radiosynthesis of [ F]mG4P027, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) PET radiotracer, which showed superior properties to the currently reported mGluR4 radiotracers. The radiosynthesis in the automated system has been challenging, therefore we disclose here the major limiting factors for the synthesis via step-by-step examination. And we hope this thorough study will help its automation for human use in the future.

Radiochemical Synthesis and Evaluation of 3-[C]Methyl-4-aminopyridine in Rodents and Nonhuman Primates for Imaging Potassium Channels in the CNS.

Demyelination, the loss of the insulating sheath of neurons, causes failed or slowed neuronal conduction and contributes to the neurological symptoms in multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, stroke, and dementia. In demyelinated neurons, the axonal potassium channels K1.1 and K1.

Evidence of Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in Dogs and Cats from Households and Animal Shelters in Korea.

The COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the zoonotic SARS-CoV-2. A variety of animals involved in human life worldwide have been investigated for infection. As the degree of infection increased, extensive monitoring in animals became necessary to determine the degree of infection in animals.

PET imaging studies to investigate functional expression of mGluR2 using [C]mG2P001.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) has been extensively studied for the treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Understanding of the mGluR2 function is pivotal in supporting the drug discovery targeting mGluR2. Herein, the positive allosteric modulation of mGluR2 was investigated via the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using 2-((4-(2-[C]methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methyl)-1-methyl-1-imidazo[4,5-]pyridine ([C]mG2P001).

Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of [F]mG2P026 as a High-Contrast PET Imaging Ligand for Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 2.

An array of triazolopyridines based on JNJ-46356479 () were synthesized as potential positron emission tomography radiotracers for metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2). The selected candidates featured enhanced positive allosteric modulator (PAM) activity (20-fold max.) and mGluR2 agonist activity (25-fold max.

Molecular characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis isolated from skin abscesses of native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae).

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the molecular characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis from skin abscesses of Korean native black goats (KNBG, Capra hircus coreanae) in South Korea.

Methods And Results: A total of 83 isolates were recovered from skin abscesses of KNBG. Of these isolates, 74 isolates were identified as C.

PET imaging of mitochondrial function in acute doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: a proof-of-principle study.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC). In this proof-of-principle study, we investigated whether PET mapping of cardiac membrane potential, an indicator of mitochondrial function, could detect an acute cardiotoxic effect of doxorubicin (DOX) in a large animal model. Eight Yucatan pigs were imaged dynamically with [F](4-Fluorophenyl)triphenylphosphonium ([F]FTPP) PET/CT.

Synthesis and Characterization of 5-(2-Fluoro-4-[C]methoxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2-pyrano[2,3-]pyridine-7-carboxamide as a PET Imaging Ligand for Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 2.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) is a therapeutic target for several neuropsychiatric disorders. An mGluR2 function in etiology could be unveiled by positron emission tomography (PET). In this regard, 5-(2-fluoro-4-[C]methoxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2-pyrano[2,3-]pyridine-7-carboxamide ([C], [C]mG2N001), a potent negative allosteric modulator (NAM), was developed to support this endeavor.

Akkermansia muciniphila secretes a glucagon-like peptide-1-inducing protein that improves glucose homeostasis and ameliorates metabolic disease in mice.

The gut microbiota, which includes Akkermansia muciniphila, is known to modulate energy metabolism, glucose tolerance, immune system maturation and function in humans. Although A. muciniphila is correlated with metabolic diseases and its beneficial causal effects were reported on host metabolism, the molecular mechanisms involved have not been identified.