Plants Utilize a Protection/Deprotection Strategy in Limonoid Biosynthesis: A "Missing Link" Carboxylesterase Boosts Yields and Provides Insights into Furan Formation.

The furan ring is a defining feature of limonoids, a class of highly rearranged and bioactive plant tetranortriterpenoids. We recently reported an apparent complete biosynthetic pathway to these important natural furanoids. Herein, we disclose the subsequent discovery of a yield-boosting "missing link" carboxylesterase that selectively deprotects a late-stage intermediate, so triggering more efficient furan biosynthesis.

Unlocking saponin biosynthesis in soapwort.

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is a flowering plant from the Caryophyllaceae family with a long history of human use as a traditional source of soap. Its detergent properties are because of the production of polar compounds (saponins), of which the oleanane-based triterpenoid saponins, saponariosides A and B, are the major components. Soapwort saponins have anticancer properties and are also of interest as endosomal escape enhancers for targeted tumor therapies.

Reliability of anthropometric measurements of a digi-board in comparison to an analog height board in Namibian children under 5 years.

Poor measurement quality has set back the utility of anthropometry in defining childhood malnutrition, prompting calls for alternative measurement techniques. This study aimed to assess the reliability of anthropometric measurements using a digital height board in comparison to an analog height board in Namibian children under 5 years of age. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted (n = 425) between the age of 6 and 59 months, using anthropometric measurements of weight, height and mid-upper arm circumference.

Occupational therapy practice for post-acute COVID-19 inpatients requiring rehabilitation.

Introduction: COVID-19 caused significant occupational disruption to people's life roles, with some people requiring an inpatient rehabilitation admission. Occupational therapists assessed and treated these patients using previous knowledge of similar conditions due to limited specificity in available guidelines to inform practice. The aim of this study was to investigate current practice with post-acute COVID-19 (PAC) patients within an inpatient rehabilitation setting in Australia, to better understand the role and impact of occupational therapy.