Oat Kilning and Its Effects on Liquid Oat-Base Production.

The aim of this study was to give insights on the effects of an industrially relevant kilning method, with a focus on lipase inactivation and oat-base production. Storage of non-kilned, dehulled oat kernels in either room temperature or at 37 °C for up to 64 days led to increasing lipase activity with time, despite a decrease in moisture content and water activity, demonstrating the importance of kilning before storage. It was shown that the temperature and relative humidity used during the kilning had a major impact on both protein solubility and lipase inactivation.

Telehealth vs In-Person Early Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: A Multisite Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Numerous studies show that early palliative care improves quality of life and other key outcomes in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers, although most lack access to this evidence-based model of care.

Objective: To evaluate whether delivering early palliative care via secure video vs in-person visits has an equivalent effect on quality of life in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Design, Setting, And Participants: Randomized, multisite, comparative effectiveness trial from June 14, 2018, to May 4, 2023, at 22 US cancer centers among 1250 patients within 12 weeks of diagnosis of advanced NSCLC and 548 caregivers.

Inter domain linker region affects properties of CBM6 in GH5_34 arabinoxylanases and alters oligosaccharide product profile.

Understanding the relation between enzyme domain structure and catalytic activity is crucial for optimal engineering of novel enzymes for lignocellulose bioconversion. Xylanases with varying specificities are commonly used to valorise the hemicellulose arabinoxylan (AX), yet characterization of specific arabinoxylanases remain limited. Two homologous GH5_34 arabinoxylanases, HhXyn5A and CtXyn5A, in which the two domains are connected by a 40-residue linker, exhibit distinct activity on AX, yielding different reaction product patterns, despite high sequence identity, conserved active sites and similar domain composition.

Xylanases and high-degree wet milling improve soluble dietary fibre content in liquid oat base.

The growth of plant-based food and drink substitutes has led to increased interest in oat-based milk substitute as a dairy milk alternative. Conventional liquid oat base (LOB) production results in a fibre-rich insoluble by-product and loss of valuable macronutrients. This study investigates the use of xylanase enzymes to release insoluble arabinoxylan (AX) fibre and employs different degrees of milling in the LOB manufacturing process, with the aim to reduce insoluble waste and simultaneously increase soluble dietary fibre in oat-based milk substitutes.

Clinician Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators for Delivering Early Integrated Palliative Care via Telehealth.

Early integrated palliative care (EIPC) significantly improves clinical outcomes for patients with advanced cancer. Telehealth may be a useful tool to deliver EIPC sustainably and equitably. Palliative care clinicians completed a survey regarding their perceptions of the barriers, facilitators, and benefits of using telehealth video visits for delivering EIPC for patients with advanced lung cancer.

Immobilization techniques improve volumetric hydrogen productivity of Caldicellulosiruptor species in a modified continuous stirred tank reactor.

Background: Co-cultures and cell immobilization have been used for retaining biomass in a bioreactor, with the aim to improve the volumetric hydrogen productivity (Q). Caldicellulosiruptor kronotskyensis is a strong cellulolytic species that possesses tāpirin proteins for attaching on lignocellulosic materials. C.

Novel thermostable GH5_34 arabinoxylanase with an atypical CBM6 displays activity on oat fiber xylan for prebiotic production.

Carbohydrate active enzymes are valuable tools in cereal processing to valorize underutilized side streams. By solubilizing hemicellulose and modifying the fiber structure, novel food products with increased nutritional value can be created. In this study, a novel GH5_34 subfamily arabinoxylanase from Herbinix hemicellulosilytica, HhXyn5A, was identified, produced and extensively characterized, for the intended exploitation in cereal processing to solubilize potential prebiotic fibers: arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides.

Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for production of the capsaicinoid nonivamide.

Background: Capsaicinoids are produced by plants in the Capsicum genus and are the main reason for the pungency of chili pepper fruits. They are strong agonists of TRPV1 (the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1) and used as active ingredients in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pain. The use of bioengineered microorganisms in a fermentation process may be an efficient route for their preparation, as well as for the discovery of (bio-)synthetic capsaicinoids with improved or novel bioactivities.

Towards engineered yeast as production platform for capsaicinoids.

Capsaicinoids are bioactive alkaloids produced by the chili pepper fruit and are known to be the most potent agonists of the human pain receptor TRPV1 (Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily V Member 1). They are currently produced by extraction from chili pepper fruit or by chemical synthesis. Transfer of the biosynthetic route to a microbial host could enable more efficient capsaicinoid production by fermentation and may also enable the use of synthetic biology to create a diversity of new compounds with potentially improved properties.

Team-Based Hospice Referrals: A Potential Quality Metric for Lung Cancer in the Immunotherapy Era.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can lead to durable responses in patients with lung cancer but may delay transitions to hospice at the end of life (EOL). We aimed to test the association of continuity of care with EOL outcomes in the ICI era.

Methods: We collected retrospective data on all patients with lung cancer who started ICI treatment at a single comprehensive cancer center in the United States (1/1/14-5/1/18) and subsequently died.

Non-aqueous reversed phase liquid chromatography with charged aerosol detection for quantitative lipid analysis with improved accuracy.

There is a great need for efficient analysis of the composition of vegetable oils and fats, since it affects the physical and technical properties. However, due to the complex nature of these kind of samples, it is often difficult and costly. In the present study, we developed a Non-Aqueous Reversed-Phase HPLC method that can be used to separate and quantify different free fatty acids, fatty acid esters, monoacylglycerides, diacylglycerides and triacylglycerides, including regioisomers such as SOS/SSO and 1,2- and 1,3-diolein.

Shared decision-making in hemodialysis vascular access practice.

Shared decision-making (SDM) is a process of collaborative deliberation in the dyadic patient-physician interaction whereby physicians inform the patients about the pros and cons of all available treatment options and reach an agreement with the patients on their preferred treatment plan. In hemodialysis vascular access practice, SDM advocates a deliberative approach based on the existence of reasonable alternatives-that is, arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous graft, and central venous catheter-so that patients are able to form and share preferences about access options. In spite of its ethical imperative, SDM is not broadly applied in hemodialysis vascular access planning.

Characterization of simultaneous uptake of xylose and glucose in Caldicellulosiruptor kronotskyensis for optimal hydrogen production.

Background: Caldicellulosiruptor kronotskyensis has gained interest for its ability to grow on various lignocellulosic biomass. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth profiles of C. kronotskyensis in the presence of mixtures of glucose-xylose.

Synthesis of novel oligomeric anionic alkyl glycosides using laccase/TEMPO oxidation and cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase)-catalyzed transglycosylation.

Modification of alkyl glycosides, to alter their properties and widen the scope of potential applications, is of considerable interest. Here, we report the synthesis of new anionic alkyl glycosides with long carbohydrate chains, using two different approaches: laccase/2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidation of a long-carbohydrate-chain alkyl glycoside and cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase)-catalyzed elongation of anionic alkyl glycosides. The laccase/TEMPO oxidation of dodecyl β- d-maltooctaoside proceeded efficiently with the formation of aldehyde and acid products.

Risky Behavior: Hospital Transfers Associated with Early Mortality and Rates of Goals of Care Discussions.

Introduction: Inter-hospital transfer (IHT) patients have higher in-hospital mortality, higher healthcare costs, and worse outcomes compared to non-transferred patients. Goals of care (GoC) discussions prior to transfer are necessary in patients at high risk for decline to ensure that the intended outcome of transfer is goal concordant. However, the frequency of these discussions is not well understood.

Exploring the Enzymatic and Antibacterial Activities of Novel Mycobacteriophage Lysin B Enzymes.

Mycobacteriophages possess different sets of lytic enzymes for disruption of the complex cell envelope of the mycobacteria host cells and release of the viral progeny. Lysin B (LysB) enzymes are mycolylarabinogalactan esterases that cleave the ester bond between the arabinogalactan and mycolic acids in the mycolylarabinogalactan-peptidoglycan (mAGP) complex in the cell envelope of mycobacteria. In the present study, four LysB enzymes were produced recombinantly and characterized with respect to their enzymatic and antibacterial activities.

Efficient laccase/TEMPO oxidation of alkyl glycosides: Effects of carbohydrate group and alkyl chain length.

Alkyl glycosides with long hydrophobic chains have attractive surfactant properties, but their wider application is hampered by their low solubility in water. Here, a route to increased solubility by introduction of carboxyl groups via laccase/TEMPO oxidation is presented. The oxidation pathways for dodecyl β-maltoside and hexadecyl β-maltoside were studied in detail.

Self-Assembly in Ganglioside‒Phospholipid Systems: The Co-Existence of Vesicles, Micelles, and Discs.

Ganglioside lipids have been associated with several physiological processes, including cell signaling. They have also been associated with amyloid aggregation in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. In biological systems, gangliosides are present in a mix with other lipid species, and the structure and properties of these mixtures strongly depend on the proportions of the different components.

Advance care planning for vulnerable older adults within an Accountable Care Organization: study protocol for the IMPACT randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Patients with multimorbidity plus additional impairments (eg, mobility limitations, disability, cognitive impairments or frailty) are at the highest risk for poor healthcare outcomes. Advanced care planning (ACP) provides patients and their surrogates the opportunity to discuss their goals, values and priorities for healthcare-particularly in the context of end-of-life care. ACP discussions promote more person-centred care; however, it is currently underused.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the pH responsive surfactant octyl β-D-glucopyranoside uronic acid.

Methodology was developed to expand the range of benign alkyl glycoside surfactants to include also anionic types. This was demonstrated possible through conversion of the glycoside to its carboxyl derivative. Specifically, octyl β-D-glucopyranoside (OG) was oxidised to the corresponding uronic acid (octyl β-D-glucopyranoside uronic acid, OG-COOH) using the catalyst system T.

Early Integrated Telehealth versus In-Person Palliative Care for Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer: A Study Protocol.

Early palliative care (PC) integrated with oncology care improves quality of life (QOL), depression symptoms, illness understanding, and end-of-life (EOL) care for patients with advanced lung cancer. The aims of this trial are to compare the effect of delivering early integrated PC through telehealth versus in-person on patient and caregiver outcomes. We hypothesize that both modalities for delivering early PC would be equivalent for improving patient QOL, communication about EOL care preferences with their oncologist, and length of stay in hospice.

Therapeutic nihilism of neurological diseases: A comparative qualitative study.

Objective: The notion of therapeutic nihilism may lead to early removal of care based upon perceived poor prognosis. The goal of this study was to examine if differences for nihilism perspectives exist between professions and within professions at the different levels of experience and exposure to neurological conditions.

Method: Survey methods was used to assess perception of care futility and therapeutic nihilism using six case-based scenarios followed by five questions regarding practitioner care choices and perspective.

Data on saponins, xylan and cellulose yield obtained from quinoa stalks after pressurized hot water extraction.

The data we present below are linked to our research paper "Integrated process for sequential extraction of saponins, xylan and cellulose from quinoa stalks ( Willd.)" (Gil-Ramírez et al., 2018) [1].

Implementing a Universal Well-Being Assessment to Mitigate Barriers to Resident Utilization of Mental Health Resources.

Background: Physician utilization of well-being resources remains low despite efforts to promote use of these resources.

Objective: We implemented a well-being assessment for internal medicine residents to improve access and use of mental health services.

Methods: We scheduled all postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) and PGY-2 residents at West Virginia University for the assessment at our faculty and staff assistance program (FSAP).