Investigating the hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates with salivary α-amylase.

Currently, little is known about how complex carbohydrates (maltodextrins) with varying degrees of polymerisation (DP) and molecular branching interact with α-amylase in human saliva and the associated amounts and structures of generated reducing sugars. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate salivary α-amylase and the subsequent reducing sugars generated with complex carbohydrate stimuli. A secondary aim was to investigate reducing sugar generation and complex carbohydrate taste sensitivity.

Metagenomic estimation of absolute bacterial biomass in the mammalian gut through host-derived read normalization.

Absolute bacterial biomass estimation in the human gut is crucial for understanding microbiome dynamics and host-microbe interactions. Current methods for quantifying bacterial biomass in stool, such as flow cytometry, qPCR, or spike-ins (i.e.

A triad of somatic mutagenesis converges in self-reactive B cells to cause a virus-induced autoimmune disease.

The unexplained association between infection and autoimmune disease is strongest for hepatitis C virus-induced cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (HCV-cryovas). To analyze its origins, we traced the evolution of pathogenic rheumatoid factor (RF) autoantibodies in four HCV-cryovas patients by deep single-cell multi-omic analysis, revealing three sources of B cell somatic mutation converged to drive the accumulation of a large disease-causing clone. A method for quantifying low-affinity binding revealed recurring antibody variable domain combinations created by V(D)J recombination that bound self-immunoglobulin G (IgG) but not viral E2 antigen.

Pharmacist perceptions of motivation and well-being using Self-Determination Theory: A qualitative study.

Background: Many US hospitals and health systems have implemented well-being programs to address the clinician well-being and burnout crisis. Most community pharmacists experience at least one symptom of burnout, yet they have been overlooked for inclusion in well-being initiatives.

Objective: To explore community pharmacists' perceptions of how motivation and burnout impact patient care and how fulfillment of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) impacts motivation and well-being.