Biodegradation of oxidized low density polyethylene by Pelosinus fermentans lipase.

Polyethylene (PE) exhibits high resistance to degradation, contributing to plastic pollution. PE discarded into the environment is photo-oxidized by sunlight and oxygen. In this study, a key enzyme capable of degrading oxidized PE is reported for the first time.

Biotechnological Plastic Degradation and Valorization Using Systems Metabolic Engineering.

Various kinds of plastics have been developed over the past century, vastly improving the quality of life. However, the indiscriminate production and irresponsible management of plastics have led to the accumulation of plastic waste, emerging as a pressing environmental concern. To establish a clean and sustainable plastic economy, plastic recycling becomes imperative to mitigate resource depletion and replace non-eco-friendly processes, such as incineration.

A Versatile Strategy for Screening Custom-Designed Warhead-Armed Cyclic Peptide Inhibitors.

Demand for peptide-based pharmaceuticals has been steadily increasing, but only limited success has been achieved to date. To expedite peptide-based drug discovery, we developed a general scheme for cell-based screening of cyclic peptide inhibitors armed with a user-designed warhead. We combined unnatural amino acid incorporation and split intein-mediated peptide cyclization techniques and integrated a yeast-based colorimetric screening assay to generate a new scheme that we call the custom-designed warhead-armed cyclic peptide screening platform (CWCPS).

Prediction of breast cancer-related lymphedema risk after postoperative radiotherapy multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Purpose: We identified novel clinical and dosimetric prognostic factors affecting breast cancer-related lymphedema after postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and developed a multivariable logistic regression model to predict lymphedema in these patients.

Methods And Materials: In total, 580 patients with unilateral breast cancer were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent breast surgery and postoperative RT with or without systemic treatment in 2015.

Scleral Fixation of a Hydrophobic Acrylic Intraocular Lens with Eyelets Using 8-0 Polypropylene Suture.

Purpose: To report clinical outcomes of a scleral fixation technique of a hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens with eyelets using 8-0 polypropylene suture.

Methods: Nine eyes of nine patients who underwent combined pars plana vitrectomy and sclera fixation of an intraocular lens using this technique were analyzed.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 7.

Spontaneous Rib Fractures After Breast Cancer Treatment Based on Bone Scans: Comparison Of Conventional Versus Hypofractionated Radiotherapy.

Background: Spontaneous rib fractures (SRFs) are defined as fractures without apparent blunt force trauma. This study evaluated the incidence and risk factors of SRFs after treatment of patients with breast cancer based on bone scans. In addition, we analyzed radiation-associated SRFs and identified radiotherapy (RT) factors related to SRF.

Cyclic Peptides: Promising Scaffolds for Biopharmaceuticals.

To date, small molecules and macromolecules, including antibodies, have been the most pursued substances in drug screening and development efforts. Despite numerous favorable features as a drug, these molecules still have limitations and are not complementary in many regards. Recently, peptide-based chemical structures that lie between these two categories in terms of both structural and functional properties have gained increasing attention as potential alternatives.

INTRAVITREAL RANIBIZUMAB THERAPY FOR NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AND THE RISK OF STROKE: A National Sample Cohort Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the risk of stroke after ranibizumab treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: National registry data for 1,025,340 random subjects in the year 2002 were used. The ranibizumab group comprised patients diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and treated with ranibizumab between 2009 and 2013 (n = 467).

Effect of Co-Implantation of a Capsular Tension Ring on Clinical Outcomes after Cataract Surgery with Monofocal Intraocular Lens Implantation.

Purpose: The objective was to evaluate the effect of co-implantation of a preloaded capsular tension ring (CTR) and aberration-free monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) on clinical outcomes and visual quality after cataract surgery.

Materials And Methods: Patients who underwent cataract surgery were randomized into two groups that were implanted with a CTR and IOL (group 1, 26 eyes) or an IOL only (group 2, 26 eyes). At 1 and 3 months after surgery, visual acuity, refractive errors, refractive prediction errors, ocular aberrations, and modulation transfer function (MTF) were analyzed.

Optic Atrophy in a Patient With Atypical Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is an autosomal recessive neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation and characterized by extrapyramidal signs, vision loss, and intellectual decline. PKAN is caused by mutations in the PANK2 gene, which codes for a mitochondrial enzyme that phosphorylates vitamin B5 in the first reaction of the coenzyme A biosynthetic pathway. Visual failure in this disorder is typically due to pigmentary retinopathy.

Effect of trabeculectomy on the accuracy of intraocular lens calculations in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Background: The objective of the study is to examine the effect of trabeculectomy on intraocular lens power calculations in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) undergoing cataract surgery.

Design: The design is retrospective data analysis.

Participants: There are a total of 55 eyes of 55 patients with OAG who had a cataract surgery alone or in combination with trabeculectomy.