Characterization of inulolytic enzymes from the Jerusalem artichoke-derived Glutamicibacter mishrai NJAU-1.

The rhizosphere context of inulin-accumulating plants, such as Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), is an ideal starting basis for the discovery of inulolytic enzymes with potential for bio fructose production. We isolated a Glutamicibacter mishrai NJAU-1 strain from this context, showing exo-inulinase activity, releasing fructose from fructans. The growth conditions (pH 9.

Leveraging autocatalytic reactions for chemical domain image classification.

Autocatalysis is fundamental to many biological processes, and kinetic models of autocatalytic reactions have mathematical forms similar to activation functions used in artificial neural networks. Inspired by these similarities, we use an autocatalytic reaction, the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, to perform digital image recognition tasks. Images are encoded in the concentration of a catalyst across an array of liquid samples, and the classification is performed with a sequence of automated fluid transfers.

Complementary Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy Improves Survival in Patients With Pemphigus: A Retrospective Study From a Taiwan-Based Registry.

Pemphigus is a life-threatening and skin-specific inflammatory autoimmune disease, characterized by intraepidermal blistering between the mucous membranes and skin. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used as an adjunct therapy for treating many diseases, including pemphigus. However, there are still limited studies in effects of CHM treatment in pemphigus, especially in Taiwan.

Characterization of Pingliang xiaoheidou (ZDD 11047), a soybean variety with resistance to soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines.

A novel QTL (qSCN-PL10) for SCN resistance and related candidate genes were identified in the soybean variety Pingliang xiaoheidou, and plant basal immunity seems to contribute to the SCN resistance. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is one of the most devastating soybean pests worldwide. The development of host plant resistance represents an effective strategy to control SCN.

Principles of Information Storage in Small-Molecule Mixtures.

Molecular data systems have the potential to store information at dramatically higher density than existing electronic media. Some of the first experimental demonstrations of this idea have used DNA, but nature also uses a wide diversity of smaller non-polymeric molecules to preserve, process, and transmit information. In this paper, we present a general framework for quantifying chemical memory, which is not limited to polymers and extends to mixtures of molecules of all types.

Conventional Western Treatment Combined With Chinese Herbal Medicine Alleviates the Progressive Risk of Lung Cancer in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study.

Lung cancer has high global incidence and mortality rates. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is strongly associated with lung cancer and is an independent risk factor for lung cancer with or without smoking. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) are used to treat COPD.

RNA-Seq analysis of nodule development at five different developmental stages of soybean (Glycine max) inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 113-2.

Nodule development directly affects nitrogen fixation efficiency during soybean growth. Although abundant genome-based information related to nodule development has been released and some studies have reported the molecular mechanisms that regulate nodule development, information on the way nodule genes operate in nodule development at different developmental stages of soybean is limited. In this report, notably different nodulation phenotypes in soybean roots inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 113-2 at five developmental stages (branching stage, flowering stage, fruiting stage, pod stage and harvest stage) were shown, and the expression of nodule genes at these five stages was assessed quantitatively using RNA-Seq.

Spirocyclic acylphloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum pyramidatum.

Five spirocyclic acylphloroglucinol derivatives (1-5) have been isolated from a hexanes extract of the leaves of Hypericum pyramidatum. Pyramidatones A-D (1-3, 5) are new, and chipericumin C (4) has been previously reported. The acylphloroglucinols were characterized based on spectroscopic (NMR, IR, UV-VIS) and mass spectrometric data.

Genome-wide transcriptional analysis of two soybean genotypes under dehydration and rehydration conditions.

Background: Soybean is an important crop that provides valuable proteins and oils for human use. Because soybean growth and development is extremely sensitive to water deficit, quality and crop yields are severely impacted by drought stress. In the face of limited water resources, drought-responsive genes are therefore of interest.

Identification of genes associated with nitrogen-use efficiency by genome-wide transcriptional analysis of two soybean genotypes.

Background: Soybean is a valuable crop that provides protein and oil. Soybean requires a large amount of nitrogen (N) to accumulate high levels of N in the seed. The yield and protein content of soybean seeds are directly affected by the N-use efficiency (NUE) of the plant, and improvements in NUE will improve yields and quality of soybean products.

Accumulation and remobilization of metals in superficial sediments in Tianjin, China.

The concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in superficial sediment samples collected from three representative sites (Yuqiao Reservoir, Haihe River, and Haihe River Estuary) in Tianjin, North China, were analyzed using various single extraction and sequential extraction procedures to determine their remobilization, extractability, and distribution patterns. Sediments from the Haihe River had higher metal concentrations and geo-accumulation indices, especially for Cd and Zn, than sediments from the other two sites, suggesting that the Haihe River has been heavily influenced by anthropogenic activities. In addition, over 31% and 28.

Ethnic-specific prevalence of hepatitis B/C virus infection in Pin-Jen, Taiwan.

Objectives: The study aimed to estimate prevalence rate of hepatitis B/C virus infection by three ethnic groups including Hakka, Minnan, and Mainlander in Taiwan where there was a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: We enrolled a total of 5007 people aged 30 years or older who participated in Li-Shin Out-Reaching Neighboring Screening (LIONS) project in 2004-2005 in Pin-Jen township of Taoyuan county. The ethnic group was classified in the current study by using the criteria on the basis of the ethnicity of mother of participants.

Effectiveness of recombinant human erythropoietin, vitamin D3 and iron therapy on long-term survival of patients with end-stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis: analysis of 702 patients after 10-year follow-up.

Objective: Few studies have been conducted to investigate the influence of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on the long-term prognosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: The largest regional hospital renowned for haemodialysis in northern Taiwan.

2-[3-Acetyl-5-(2-chloro-3-pyrid-yl)-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]-4-fluoro-phenyl acetate.

In the title compound, C(18)H(15)ClFN(3)O(4), the dihedral angle between the substituted pyridine ring and the oxadiazo-line ring is 9.73 (19)° and the acyl group is coplanar with the oxadiazo-line ring [O-C-N-C torsion angle = -2.1 (3)°].

Primary small cell malignant melanoma of the rectum: case report of a very rare tumor.

Rectal/anorectal malignant melanomas are highly aggressive tumors with a poor prognosis and low 5-year survival rate. They are also very rare. Of the well-known histological variants of malignant melanoma, the small cell subtype is also very uncommon; consequently, small cell anorectal malignant melanoma is an exceedingly rare occurrence.

Comparison of a community outreach service with opportunity screening for cervical cancer using Pap smears.

We sought to compare the take-up of cervical screening with Pap smears in a new outreach and pre-existing hospital-based setting (1) to assess the extent to which the two means of provision would overlap; (2) to establish how the utilization rate is influenced by demographic features and geographical distance from the point of provision; and (3) to access whether an outreach service would lead to increased utilization. We used a pre-test-post-test design and used multiple linear regression to assess the effect an outreach service has on utilization after adjusting for participants age, education and martial status. We found that the outreach service independently provided screening to 89% of eligible women and that coverage was inversely associated with distance from the pre-existing hospital provision.

Histological types and significance of bronchial epithelial dysplasia.

Pulmonary epithelium is known to undergo a preneoplastic process prior to the development of lung carcinoma. Squamous dysplasia and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia have been identified and classified as preinvasive lesions of squamous cell carcinoma and peripheral pulmonary adenocarcinoma, respectively. However, these commonly recognized preinvasive lesions do not completely explain the development of all histological types of lung carcinoma.

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a thermostable lipase from Bacillus stearothermophilus P1.

The gene encoding a thermostable lipase secreted by Bacillus stearothermophilus P1 has been cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant lipase was purified to homogeneity using ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion-exchange chromatography (Poros 20 HQ) and Sephacryl S-200HR. The molecular mass was shown to be 43 209 Da by mass spectrometry.