Glycine synthesis from nitrate and glyoxylate mediated by ferroan brucite: An integrated pathway for prebiotic amine synthesis.

Amino acids are present in all known life, so identifying the environmental conditions under which they can be synthesized constrains where life on Earth might have formed and where life might be found on other planetary bodies. All known abiotic amino acid syntheses require ammonia, which is only produced in reducing and neutral atmospheres. Here, we demonstrate that the Fe-bearing hydroxide mineral ferroan brucite [Fe,Mg(OH)] can mediate the reaction of nitrate and glyoxylate to form glycine, the simplest amino acid used in life.

Isotopic evidence of acetate turnover in Precambrian continental fracture fluids.

The deep continental crust represents a vast potential habitat for microbial life where its activity remains poorly constrained. Organic acids like acetate are common in these ecosystems, but their role in the subsurface carbon cycle - including the mechanism and rate of their turnover - is still unclear. Here, we develop an isotope-exchange 'clock' based on the abiotic equilibration of H-isotopes between acetate and water, which can be used to define the maximum in situ acetate residence time.

Biosynthetic and catabolic pathways control amino acid δH values in aerobic heterotrophs.

The hydrogen isotope ratios (δH values) of amino acids in all organisms are substantially fractionated relative to growth water. In addition, they exhibit large variations within microbial biomass, animals, and human tissues, hinting at rich biochemical information encoded in such signals. In lipids, such δH variations are thought to primarily reflect NADPH metabolism.

Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Medication Refill Protocol.

Introduction: Primary care clinicians spend significant time managing nonvisit activities, including processing of requests for prescription renewal. Delays in processing refills may lead to patient dissatisfaction and impact provider productivity. Having nonclinicians process refills can be more efficient and time-saving.