Optimization of Culture Conditions for High Cell Productivity and Astaxanthin Accumulation in Vietnam's Green Microalgae HB and a Neuroprotective Activity of Its Astaxanthin.

Background: , a green microalga, is a rich source of natural astaxanthin and a potent antioxidant with high commercial value. This study investigates the biological characteristics and potential of HB isolated from Hoa Binh, Vietnam, for growth and astaxanthin accumulation using a two-phase culture method.

Methods: HB was cultured in a C/RM medium at 25 °C, and morphological characteristics were examined.

Modifies Chronic Airway Infection Risk in Cystic Fibrosis.

Rationale: Chronic () airway infection is common and a key contributor to diminished lung function and early mortality in persons with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). Risk factors for chronic among PwCF include cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator genotype, genetic modifiers, and environmental factors. Intensive antibiotic therapy and highly effective modulators do not eradicate in most adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis.

Long G4-rich enhancers target promoters via a G4 DNA-based mechanism.

Several studies have now described instances where G-rich sequences in promoters and enhancers regulate gene expression through forming G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Relatedly, our group recently identified 301 long genomic stretches significantly enriched for minimal G4 motifs (LG4s) in humans and found the majority of these overlap annotated enhancers, and furthermore, that the promoters regulated by these LG4 enhancers are similarly enriched with G4-capable sequences. While the generally accepted model for enhancer:promoter specificity maintains that interactions are dictated by enhancer- and promoter-bound transcriptional activator proteins, the current study tested an alternative hypothesis: that LG4 enhancers interact with cognate promoters via a direct G4:G4 DNA-based mechanism.

Leukocyte kinetics and bacterial clearance during pneumonia and contributions of ICAM-1.

is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is an adhesion molecule that is highly expressed on the pulmonary capillary endothelium, alveolar epithelium, and other cell types within the lung. ICAM-1 plays important roles in leukocyte adhesion, migration, and motility.

Promoter Deletion Leading to Allele Specific Expression in a Genetically Unsolved Case of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

Variation in the non-coding genome represents an understudied mechanism of disease and it remains challenging to predict if single nucleotide variants, small insertions and deletions, or structural variants in non-coding genomic regions will be detrimental. Our approach using complementary RNA-seq and targeted long-read DNA sequencing can prioritize identification of non-coding variants that lead to disease via alteration of gene splicing or expression. We have identified a patient with primary ciliary dyskinesia with a pathogenic coding variant on one allele of the SPAG1 gene, while the second allele appears normal by whole exome sequencing despite an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.

Bistable response and quasi-periodicity excitation of the internal dynamics of soliton molecules.

Soliton molecules, a frequently observed phenomenon in most mode-locked lasers, have intriguing characteristics comparable to their matter molecule counterparts. However, there are rare explorations of the deterministic control of the underlying physics within soliton molecules. Here, we demonstrate the bistable response of intramolecular motion to external stimuli and identify a general approach to excite their quasi-periodic oscillations.

Recessively Inherited Deficiency of Secreted WFDC2 (HE4) Causes Nasal Polyposis and Bronchiectasis.

Bronchiectasis is a pathological dilatation of the bronchi in the respiratory airways associated with environmental or genetic causes (e.g., cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, and primary immunodeficiency disorders), but most cases remain idiopathic.

SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern fitness and adaptation in primary human airway epithelia.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic is characterized by the emergence of novel variants of concern (VOCs) that replace ancestral strains. Here, we dissect the complex selective pressures by evaluating variant fitness and adaptation in human respiratory tissues. We evaluate viral properties and host responses to reconstruct forces behind D614G through Omicron (BA.

RSPSSL: A novel high-fidelity Raman spectral preprocessing scheme to enhance biomedical applications and chemical resolution visualization.

Raman spectroscopy has tremendous potential for material analysis with its molecular fingerprinting capability in many branches of science and technology. It is also an emerging omics technique for metabolic profiling to shape precision medicine. However, precisely attributing vibration peaks coupled with specific environmental, instrumental, and specimen noise is problematic.

Prolonged airway explant culture enables study of health, disease, and viral pathogenesis.

In vitro models play a major role in studying airway physiology and disease. However, the native lung's complex tissue architecture and non-epithelial cell lineages are not preserved in these models. Ex vivo tissue models could overcome in vitro limitations, but methods for long-term maintenance of ex vivo tissue has not been established.

Characterization of the MT-2 Treg-like cell line in the presence and absence of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3).

CD4 forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential in maintaining immune tolerance and suppressing excessive immune responses. Tregs also contribute to tissue repair processes distinct from their roles in immune suppression. For these reasons, Tregs are candidates for targeted therapies for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and in diseases where tissue damage occurs.

SNR enhancement of quasi-distributed weak acoustic signal detection by elastomers and MMF integrated Φ-OTDR.

We have proposed and demonstrated a weak acoustic signal detection technology based on phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR). Non-contact acoustic signals transmitting through air gap between the sound source and the receiver are difficult to detect due to fast attenuation. In order to improve the detection ability of non-contact weak acoustic signals, we demonstrate that multi-mode fiber (MMF) is a better solution than single-mode fiber (SMF) benefiting from its larger core and higher Rayleigh backscattering (RBS) capture coefficient.

Proximal and Distal Bronchioles Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) may originate in bronchiolar regions of the lung. Accordingly, there is a need to characterize the morphology and molecular characteristics of NCFB bronchioles. Test the hypothesis that NCFB exhibits a major component of bronchiolar disease manifest by mucus plugging and ectasia.

AGC kinase inhibitors regulate STING signaling through SGK-dependent and SGK-independent mechanisms.

Type 1 IFN expression is critical in the innate immune response, but aberrant expression is associated with autoimmunity and cancer. Here, we identify N-[4-(1H46 pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyrazin-6-yl)-phenyl]-sulfonamide (Sanofi-14h), a compound with preference for inhibition of the AGC family kinase SGK3, as an inhibitor of Ifnb1 gene expression in response to STING stimulation of macrophages. Sanofi-14h abrogated SGK activity and also impaired activation of the critical TBK1/IRF3 pathway downstream of STING activation, blocking interaction of STING with TBK1.

Isolation of Fucoxanthin from Montagne, 1845 Seaweed in Vietnam and Its Neuroprotective Activity.

Fucoxanthin extracted and purified from Vietnamese Montagne, 1845 exhibits various biological activities. In this study, the ability of fucoxanthin to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the antioxidant activities, and the expression of antioxidant enzymes were investigated. Fucoxanthin isolated from Vietnamese showed no cytotoxic effects; moreover, it exhibited AChE inhibitory activity (with an IC value of 130.

Impact of semen oxidative stress on sperm quality: initial results from Vietnam.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between oxidative stress (OS) measured by the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and the results of semen analysis among men from infertile couples.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 166 men from infertile couples, determined according to the World Health Organization guidelines. The general characteristics, semen analysis, sperm chromatin dispersion assay, and ORP of all subjects were evaluated and analyzed statistically.

Genetic regulators of sputum mucin concentration and their associations with COPD phenotypes.

Hyper-secretion and/or hyper-concentration of mucus is a defining feature of multiple obstructive lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mucus itself is composed of a mixture of water, ions, salt and proteins, of which the gel-forming mucins, MUC5AC and MUC5B, are the most abundant. Recent studies have linked the concentrations of these proteins in sputum to COPD phenotypes, including chronic bronchitis (CB) and acute exacerbations (AE).