Elucidation and engineering of Sphingolipid biosynthesis pathway in Yarrowia lipolytica for enhanced production of human-type sphingoid bases and glucosylceramides.

Sphingolipids are vital membrane components in in mammalian cells, plants, and various microbes. We aimed to explore and exploit the sphingolipid biosynthesis pathways in an oleaginous and dimorphic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica by constructing and characterizing mutant strains with specific gene deletions and integrating exogenous genes to enhance the production of long-chain bases (LCBs) and glucosylceramides (GlcCers). To block the fungal/plant-specific phytosphingosine (PHS) pathway, we deleted the SUR2 gene encoding a sphinganine C4-hydroxylase, resulting in a remarkably elevated secretory production of dihydrosphingosine (DHS) and sphingosine (So) without acetylation.

Improved super-elastic Ti-Ni alloy wire for treating adult skeletal class III with facial asymmetry: A case report.

Background: Correcting severe skeletal class III malocclusion with facial asymmetry in adults through orthodontic treatment alone is difficult.

Case Summary: In this case report, we describe orthodontic treatment and lower incisor extraction without orthognathic surgery for a 27-year-old man with a transverse discrepancy. The extraction sites were closed using an elastic chain.

Improved super-elastic Ti-Ni alloy wire intrusion arch for skeletal class II malocclusion combined with deep overbite: A case report.

Background: Treatment for deep overbite cases can be difficult. This case report presents some techniques with improved super-elastic Ti-Ni alloy wire (ISW) for deep overbite correction.

Case Summary: A 21-year-old woman had a chief complaint of flaring maxillary teeth.

Adaptive laboratory evolution of Escherichia coli W enhances gamma-aminobutyric acid production using glycerol as the carbon source.

The microbial conversion of glycerol into value-added commodity products has emerged as an attractive means to meet the demands of biosustainability. However, glycerol is a non-preferential carbon source for productive fermentation because of its low energy density. We employed evolutionary and metabolic engineering in tandem to construct an Escherichia coli strain with improved GABA production using glycerol as the feedstock carbon.

Bacterial tRNase-Based Gene Therapy with Poly(β-Amino Ester) Nanoparticles for Suppressing Melanoma Tumor Growth and Relapse.

Here, a novel anticancer gene therapy with a bacterial tRNase gene, colicin D or virulence associated protein C (VapC), is suggested using biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, such as poly(β-amino esters) (PBAEs) as carriers. These genes are meticulously selected, aiming at inhibiting translation in the recipients by hydrolyzing specific tRNA species. In terms of nanoparticles, out of 9 PBAE formulations, a leading polymer, (polyethylene oxide) -bis-amine end-capped poly(1,4-butanediol diacrylate-co-5-amino-1-pentanol) (B4S5E5), is identified that displays higher gene delivery efficacy to cancer cells compared with the leading commercial reagent Lipofectamine 2000.

Detection and purification of backbone-cyclized proteins using a bacterially expressed anti-myc-tag single chain antibody.

A myc-tag and of which recognition by an antibody 9E10 has long been used for the detection and purification of recombinant proteins. We have previously expanded the application of the tag to the specific detection and purification of backbone-cyclized proteins. Here we sought a more practical way to using the 9E10 antibody by expressing its single chain antibody (scAb) form in Escherichia coli.

Changes in mandibular border movements in adult patients after correction of functional anterior crossbite.

Background/purpose: An effective approach for assessing masticatory function is necessary. The goal of this study was to establish an efficient method for evaluating mandibular border movements in patients after functional anterior crossbite was corrected.

Materials And Methods: Five patients with functional anterior crossbite were included in this study.

Genetic Code Expansion by Degeneracy Reprogramming of Arginyl Codons.

The genetic code in most organisms codes for 20 proteinogenic amino acids or translation stop. In order to encode more than 20 amino acids in the coding system, one of stop codons is usually reprogrammed to encode a non-proteinogenic amino acid. Although this approach works, usually only one amino acid is added to the amino acid repertoire.

Expanding the active pH range of Escherichia coli glutamate decarboxylase by breaking the cooperativeness.

Bacterial glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) transforms glutamate into γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with the consumption of a proton. The enzyme is active under acidic environments only and sharply loses its activity as pH approaches neutrality with concomitant structural deformation. In an attempt to understand better the role of this cooperative loss of activity upon pH shifts, we prepared and studied a series of GAD site-specific mutants.

Root contact during insertion of miniscrews for orthodontic anchorage increases the failure rate: an animal study.

Objectives: Miniscrews and miniplates are increasingly being used for absolute anchorage during orthodontic treatment. However, potential problems of damaging adjacent roots and their consequences during mini-implant placement in the alveolar process have not been clearly described.

Materials And Methods: Animal experiments were used to evaluate the stability of miniscrews placed with intentional root contact.

Removal torque of miniscrews used for orthodontic anchorage--a preliminary report.

Purpose: Implant anchors such as miniscrews and miniplates have been loaded immediately for anchorage during orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to measure the removal torque of immediately loaded miniscrews after clinical usage and to determine the possible factors associated with this value.

Materials And Methods: From 29 patients with malocclusions, 46 miniscrews were removed, and removal torque was measured with a torque gauge.

The effects of distraction osteogenesis on mandibular growth in growing minipigs: a report on three-dimensional morphologic changes.

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the morphologic changes of distraction osteogenesis performed on the mandible in growing minipigs.

Methods: Eighteen piglets were divided into four groups. In group A (n = 6), animals received unilateral osteotomy and the distractor device was activated for 2 weeks after a 1-week latency period.