Multi-institutional validation of a modified scheme for subcategorizing salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP).

Background: The salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP) category in the Milan System is diagnostically challenging. This study aims to validate a modified scheme for subcategorizing SUMP in a large multi-institutional cohort.

Methods: Retrospective review of salivary gland fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) from 10 institutions were classified based on the Milan System.

The Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytology: A retrospective analysis of 1384 cases in a tertiary Southeast Asian institution.

Background: The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) aims to provide a common language for risk stratification and management. We examine the incidence of MSRSGC categories and the corresponding risk of malignancy (ROM) within a tertiary referral centre in Southeast Asia.

Methods: Salivary gland fine needle aspirations (FNAs) performed within a 10-year period were classified retrospectively according to the MSRSGC.

Eco-friendly and biodegradable cellulose hydrogels produced from low cost okara: towards non-toxic flexible electronics.

With increasing resource shortage and environmental pollution, it is preferable to utilize materials which are sustainable and biodegradable. Side-streams products generated from the food processing industry is one potential avenue that can be used in a wide range of applications. In this study, the food by-product okara was effectively reused for the extraction of cellulose.

A metabolomic approach to understand the solid-state fermentation of okara using Bacillus subtilis WX-17 for enhanced nutritional profile.

Okara is a major agro-waste produced from the soybean industry. To hydrolyze the okara and enable nutrient release, a strategy to valorize okara using solid-state fermentation with food grade Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) WX-17 was carried out.

Potential Natural Food Preservatives and Their Sustainable Production in Yeast: Terpenoids and Polyphenols.

Terpenoids and polyphenols are high-valued plant secondary metabolites. Their high antimicrobial activities demonstrate their huge potential as natural preservatives in the food industry. With the rapid development of metabolic engineering, it has become possible to realize large-scale production of non-native terpenoids and polyphenols by using the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) strain, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a cell factory.

Effect of sequential twin screw extrusion and fungal pretreatment to release soluble nutrients from soybean residue for carotenoid production.

Background: Soybean residue (okara) is an agricultural by-product, which is rich in protein and fiber. This study evaluated a novel sequential process which combined fungal pretreatment (F) and twin screw extruder (E), to hydrolyze okara. The sequence of the pretreatment steps, and extruder at screw speeds 200 rpm (200) or 600 rpm (600), were tested.

Minimum structural requirements for BMP-2-binding of heparin oligosaccharides.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are essential during tissue repair and remodeling after injury. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) sugars are known to enhance BMP activity in vitro and in vivo; here the interactions of BMP-2 with various glycosaminoglycan classes were compared and shown to be selective for heparin over other comparable saccharides. The minimal chain lengths and specific sulfate moieties required for heparin-derived oligosaccharide binding to BMP-2, and the ability of such oligosaccharides to promote BMP-2-induced osteogenic differentiation in vitro were then determined.

Metabolomics analysis of Pseudomonas chlororaphis JK12 algicidal activity under aerobic and micro-aerobic culture condition.

Utilization of algicidal bacteria as a biological agent have been receiving significant interest for controlling harmful algal blooms. While various algicidal bacterial strains have been identified, limited studies have explored the influence of bacterial culture conditions on its algicidal activity. Here, the effect of oxygen on the algicidal activity of a novel bacterium JK12, against a model diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum (P.

Analysis of Improved Nutritional Composition of Potential Functional Food (Okara) after Probiotic Solid-State Fermentation.

Okara is a major agro-waste, generated as a byproduct from the soymilk and tofu industry. Since okara has a high nutritive value, reusing it as a substrate for solid state biofermentation is an economical and environmental friendly option. Rhizopus oligosporus and Lactobacillus plantarum were the probiotic FDA-approved food-grade cultures used in this study.

Evaluation of brewers' spent grain as a novel media for yeast growth.

Brewers' spent grain (BSG) is a by-product generated from the beer manufacturing industry, which is extremely rich in protein and fiber. Here we use low cost BSG as the raw material for the production of a novel growth media, through a bioconversion process utilizing a food grade fungi to hydrolyze BSG. The novel fermentation media was tested on the yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides, a natural yeast producing carotenoid.

Relationship between all fevers or fever after vaccination, and atopy and atopic disorders at 18 and 36 months.

Background: Studies have reported that early febrile episodes and febrile episodes with infections are associated with a decreased risk of developing atopy.

Objective: To examine further the association between presence of and number of febrile episodes are with atopy and atopic diseases and if there was a difference between all fevers and fever after vaccination.

Methods: We studied 448 infants in a Singapore mother-offspring cohort study (Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes) which had complete data for the exposures and outcomes of interest.

Engineering Rhodosporidium toruloides with a membrane transporter facilitates production and separation of carotenoids and lipids in a bi-phasic culture.

The oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides has great biotechnological potential. It accumulates a high amount of lipids which can be used for biofuels and also produces carotenoids which are valuable in the food and pharmaceutical industry. However, the location of these two hydrophobic products in the cell membrane prohibits its efficient harvesting and separation.

Comparative proteomic analysis of engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae with enhanced free fatty acid accumulation.

The engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain △faa1△faa4 [Acot5s] was demonstrated to accumulate more free fatty acids (FFA) previously. Here, comparative proteomic analysis was performed to get a global overview of metabolic regulation in the strain. Over 500 proteins were identified, and 82 of those proteins were found to change significantly in the engineered strains.

Engineering the fatty acid metabolic pathway in for advanced biofuel production.

Fatty acid-derived fuels and chemicals have attracted a great deal of attention in recent decades, due to their following properties of high compatibility to gasoline-based fuels and existing infrastructure for their direct utilization, storage and distribution. The yeast is the ideal biofuel producing candidate, based on the wealth of available genetic information and versatile tools designed to manipulate its metabolic pathways. Engineering the fatty acid metabolic pathways in is an effective strategy to increase its fatty acid biosynthesis and provide more pathway precursors for production of targeted products.

Metabolomic profiling of Rhodosporidium toruloides grown on glycerol for carotenoid production during different growth phases.

Carotenoid production from three strains of Rhodosporidium toruloides grown on glycerol was studied. A time-dependent metabolomics approach was used to understand its metabolism on glycerol and mechanism for carotenoid production in three strains during different growth phases (1, 4, 7, and 12 days). Strain CBS 5490 was the highest carotenoid producer (28.

Enhancement of free fatty acid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by control of fatty acyl-CoA metabolism.

Production of biofuels derived from microbial fatty acids has attracted great attention in recent years owing to their potential to replace petroleum-derived fuels. To be cost competitive with current petroleum fuel, flux toward the direct precursor fatty acids needs to be enhanced to approach high yields. Herein, fatty acyl-CoA metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was engineered to accumulate more free fatty acids (FFA).

Comparative proteomics profile of lipid-cumulating oleaginous yeast: an iTRAQ-coupled 2-D LC-MS/MS analysis.

Accumulation of intracellular lipid in oleaginous yeast cells has been studied for providing an alternative supply for energy, biofuel. Numerous studies have been conducted on increasing lipid content in oleaginous yeasts. However, few explore the mechanism of the high lipid accumulation ability of oleaginous yeast strains at the proteomics level.

Comparative assessment of the effects of gender-specific heparan sulfates on mesenchymal stem cells.

We compare here the structural and functional properties of heparan sulfate (HS) chains from both male or female adult mouse liver through a combination of molecular sieving, enzymatic cleavage, and strong anion exchange-HPLC. The results demonstrated that male and female HS chains are significantly different by a number of parameters; size determination showed that HS chain lengths were ∼100 and ∼22 kDa, comprising 30-40 and 6-8 disaccharide repeats, respectively. Enzymatic depolymerization and disaccharide composition analyses also demonstrated significant differences in domain organization and fine structure.