Complete genome sequence of pectin-degrading Flavobacteriaceae bacterium GSB9.

Pectic oligosaccharides, which are considered to be potential prebiotics, may be generated by pectin-degrading enzymes. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the pectin-degrading marine bacterium, Flavobacteriaceae bacterium GSB9, which was isolated from seawater of South Korea. The complete genome sequence revealed that the chromosome was 3,630,376 bp in size, had a G + C content of 36.

Social media for early characterization of pandemic symptoms: A qualitative analysis of patient-reported COVID-19 experiences.

Background: Patients use social media forums to discuss their medical history and healthcare experiences, providing early insight into real-world patient experiences. We analyzed COVID-19 patient experiences from Reddit social media posts.

Methods: We extracted Reddit Application Programming Interface data for the subreddit/COVID-19 positive from March to August 2020 and selected users tagged as "Tested Positive" or "Tested Positive- Me" flair and who posted at least thirty times in any calendar month, excluding users who explicitly stated location outside of the U.

Enhanced tumor targeting and timely viral release of mesenchymal stem cells/oncolytic virus complex due to GRP78 and inducible E1B55K expressions greatly increase the antitumor effect of systemic treatment.

Systemic delivery of oncolytic viruses has been widely regarded as an impractical option for antitumor treatment. Here, we selected two target genes as leading components, and significant therapeutic effects were obtained by simultaneously reducing the expression of transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF-β1) and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in various cancer cell types. Downregulation of HSP27 reduced the cellular levels of tumor progression-related proteins, and the simultaneous downregulation of HSP27 and TGF-β1 increased tumor cell death beyond that observed with TGF-β1 downregulation alone.

7S,15R-Dihydroxy-16S,17S-Epoxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid, a Novel DHA Epoxy Derivative, Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Stemness through Repolarization of Tumor-Associated Macrophage Functions and the ROS/STAT3 Signaling Pathway.

Colorectal cancer is a highly malignant cancer that is inherently resistant to many chemotherapeutic drugs owing to the complicated tumor-supportive microenvironment (TME). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are known to mediate colorectal cancer metastasis and relapse and are therefore a promising therapeutic target. In the current study, we first confirmed the anti-inflammatory effect of 7S,15R-dihydroxy-16S,17S-epoxy-docosapentaenoic acid (diHEP-DPA), a novel DHA dihydroxy derivative synthesized in our previous work.

Exploratory fall risk and preventive intervention in acute vestibular neuritis.

Objective: To analyze recovery from dizziness in patients with acute vestibular neuritis (AVN) after applying the "Dizziness & Fall Risk Assessment and Intervention (DFRAI)".

Methods: This prospective study involved patients with AVN who underwent a survey of dizziness and fall risk. The patients received medical treatment and customized vestibular rehabilitation, and vestibular function was evaluated at the initial attack and 3 months later.

Marivivens aquimaris sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium, designated GSB7, was isolated from seawater collected at the Yellow Sea coast of South Korea. Catalase and oxidase activities were positive. Growth occurred at pH 6.

Enhanced oncolytic adenoviral production by downregulation of death-domain associated protein and overexpression of precursor terminal protein.

Adequate viral replication in tumor cells is the key to improving the anti-cancer effects of oncolytic adenovirus therapy. In this study, we introduced short hairpin RNAs against death-domain associated protein (Daxx), a repressor of adenoviral replication, and precursor terminal protein (pTP), an initiator of adenoviral genome replication, into adenoviral constructs to determine their contributions to viral replication. Both Daxx downregulation and pTP overexpression increased viral production in variety of human cancer cell lines, and the enhanced production of virus progeny resulted in more cell lysis in vitro, and tumor regression in vivo.

Is postural dysfunction related to sarcopenia? A population-based study.

Postural dysfunction is one of the most common community health symptoms and frequent chief complaints in hospitals. Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass, muscle quality, and muscle strength, and is the main contributor to musculoskeletal impairment in the elderly. Previous studies reported that loss of muscle mass is associated with a loss of diverse functional abilities.

High levels of Daxx due to low cellular levels of HSP25 in murine cancer cells result in inefficient adenovirus replication.

When the adenoviral protein E1B55K binds death domain-associated protein (Daxx), the proteasome-dependent degradation of Daxx is initiated, and adenoviral replication is effectively maintained. Here, we show that the cellular levels of Daxx differ between human and mouse cancer cell lines. Specifically, we observed higher cellular Daxx levels and the diminished replication of oncolytic adenovirus in mouse cancer cell lines, suggesting that cellular Daxx levels limit the replication of oncolytic adenoviruses that lack E1B55K in murine cells.

TGF-β downregulation-induced cancer cell death is finely regulated by the SAPK signaling cascade.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling is increasingly recognized as a key driver in cancer. In progressive cancer tissues, TGF-β promotes tumor formation, and its increased expression often correlates with cancer malignancy. In this study, we utilized adenoviruses expressing short hairpin RNAs against TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 to investigate the role of TGF-β downregulation in cancer cell death.

Enhanced production of gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) in recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum strains from empty fruit bunch biosugar solution.

Background: Recent interest has been focused on the production of platform chemicals from renewable biomass due to increasing concerns on global warming and depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Microbial production of platform chemicals in biorefineries has been suggested to be a promising solution for these problems. Gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA), a versatile bulk chemical used in food and pharmaceutical industry, is also used as a key monomer for nylon 4.

One-Stage Complete Resection of Cholesteatoma With Labyrinthine Fistula: Hearing Changes and Clinical Outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate long-term hearing changes and surgical outcomes for middle ear cholesteatoma with labyrinthine fistula following complete surgical removal of the cholesteatoma matrix.

Methods: Consecutive samples of 43 patients who underwent 1-stage complete resection of the cholesteatoma matrix overlying a labyrinthine fistula were obtained. Immediate and long-term hearing changes were analyzed in association with fistula size.

Targeting mutant with CRISPR-Cas9 controls tumor growth.

is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human tumors, and its activating mutations represent important therapeutic targets. The combination of Cas9 and guide RNA from the CRISPR-Cas system recognizes a specific DNA sequence and makes a double-strand break, which enables editing of the relevant genes. Here, we harnessed CRISPR to specifically target mutant alleles in cancer cells.

Down-Regulation of TGF-β Expression Sensitizes the Resistance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Sorafenib.

Purpose: Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, is the standard therapy for patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, resistance develops to the treatment, therefore, we tried to unravel the underlying mechanism in the resistance of HCC cells to sorafenib via the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.

Materials And Methods: Various liver cancer cell lines were treated with either sorafenib only or with sorafenib after infection of adenovirus expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and p38 activity was examined using western blotting.

Anti-tumor activity of an immunotoxin (TGFα-PE38) delivered by attenuated Salmonella typhimurium.

The anticancer strategy underlying the use of immunotoxins is as follows: the cancer-binding domain delivers the toxin to a cancer cell, after which the toxin enters and kills the cell. TGFα-PE38 is an immunotoxin comprising transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα), a natural ligand of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and a modified Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE38) lacking N terminal cell-binding domain, a highly potent cytotoxic protein moiety. Tumor cells with high level of EGFR undergo apoptosis upon treatment with TGFα-PE38.

Prime-boost immunization by both DNA vaccine and oncolytic adenovirus expressing GM-CSF and shRNA of TGF-β2 induces anti-tumor immune activation.

A successful DNA vaccine for the treatment of tumors should break established immune tolerance to tumor antigen. However, due to the relatively low immunogenicity of DNA vaccines, compared to other kinds of vaccines using live virus or protein, a recombinant viral vector was used to enhance humoral and cellular immunity. In the current study, we sought to develop a novel anti-cancer agent as a complex of DNA and oncolytic adenovirus for the treatment of malignant melanoma in the C57BL/6 mouse model.

The suppressive effects of metformin on inflammatory response of otitis media model in human middle ear epithelial cells.

Objective: Metformin is a well-known anti-diabetic agent, but its mechanism is unclear. Recently, many reports have described the anti-inflammatory effects of metformin on various cell types, including human vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of metformin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in human middle ear epithelial cell lines (HMEECs).

Sarcopenia and Hearing Loss in Older Koreans: Findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010.

Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) is becoming a more significant issue as geriatric population increases. Sarcopenia in older people is known to have a diverse health problem in various circumstances in recent studies. We assessed whether the decrease in muscle mass is related to ARHI.

Analysis of audio-vestibular assessment in acute low-tone hearing loss.

Conclusion This study demonstrated excellent hearing recovery following the combined treatment of diuretic and oral steroid, and electrocochleography (ECoG) was significantly higher than normal side. This study reports characteristics of acute low-tone hearing loss (ALHL) that show the greater low-tone hearing loss, the higher ECoG, and excellent recovery, even-though low-tone hearing loss is worse, which can be different compared with sudden deafness. Objective To analyze ALHL without vertigo, this study compared the ALHL group with all patients exhibiting low-tone hearing loss and ear fullness.

Effect of Cadmium on Human Middle Ear Epithelial Cells.

Objective: Cadmium (Cd(2+)) exposure can occur through passive smoking, ambient air pollution, and food. Even low exposure can affect hearing and cause lung disease. Here we investigated whether cadmium causes cytotoxicity, induces inflammation, or increases mucin gene expression in immortalized human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEECs).

Analysis of Bacterial Biofilms on a Cochlear Implant Following Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection.

To demonstrate biofilm formations on a cochlear implant magnet of a pediatric patient suffering from a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. The appearance of biofilm colonies was analyzed on different magnet sections. The appearance of MRSA biofilms on the surface of an explanted cochlear implant was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focusing on the pattern of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) within the biofilms.

Itaconic acid production from glycerol using Escherichia coli harboring a random synonymous codon-substituted 5'-coding region variant of the cadA gene.

Aspergillus terreus cadA, encoding cis-aconitate decarboxylase, is an essential gene for itaconic acid (IA) biosynthesis, but it is primarily expressed as insoluble aggregates in most industrial hosts. This has been a hurdle for the development of recombinant strategies for IA production. Here, we created a library of synonymous codon variants (scv) of the cadA gene containing synonymous codons in the first 10 codons (except ATG) and screened it in Escherichia coli.

Survivin silencing and TRAIL expression using oncolytic adenovirus increase anti-tumorigenic activity in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells.

In this study, we demonstrated that survivin downregulation with TRAIL expression greatly enhanced the cytotoxic death of pancreatic cancer cells after gemcitabine treatment. Using real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed five survivin shRNAs to identify the best target sequence for suppression of human survivin, with the goal of treating gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. Survivin shRNA 5, corresponding to target 5, showed the greatest reduction in survivin mRNA levels.

Bacterial Cell Surface Display of a Multifunctional Cellulolytic Enzyme Screened from a Bovine Rumen Metagenomic Resource.

A cell surface display system for heterologous expression of the multifunctional cellulase, CelEx-BR12, in Escherichia coli was developed using truncated E. coli outer membrane protein C (OmpC) as an anchor motif. Cell surface expression of CelEx-BR12 cellulase in E.