Engineered phenylalanine hydroxylase coupled with an effective cofactor synthesis and regeneration system for high-yield production of 5-hydroxytryptophan.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is widely used as a natural remedy for sleep disorders. In terms of biosafety, bio-derived 5-HTP is preferred over chemically synthesized 5-HTP. However, the low titer of 5-HTP in the reported microbiological methods (< 10 g/L) limits the industrialization of 5-HTP biosynthesis.

Activation of the Reelin/GSK-3β/p-Tau Signaling Pathway in the Hippocampus of Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the presence of tau deposition and protein expression of Reelin/GSK-3β/p-Tau signaling pathway in the hippocampus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods: A total of 37 cases of TLE with and without hippocampal sclerosis (HS) were selected histopathologically for our study with 5 autopsy cases as the control group. Immunohistochemistry and the histelide assay, a novel technique quantifying antigens in paraffin section, were used to confirm the distribution of protein within Reelin/GSK-3β/p-Tau signaling pathway and validate the expression of GSK-3β and AT8 (hyperphosphorylated tau) in this study.

A Targeted Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screening Model Using a Customized Electronic Medical Record Dashboard Report.

Objective: Targeted congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) screening in newborns has been proposed to identify neonates who could benefit from early diagnosis and intervention. Oftentimes, implementation of targeted screening is variable and left to the discretion of individual institutions. This study investigates the utility of a centralized electronic medical record (EMR) dashboard to improve compliance of targeted screening in the inpatient setting.

Key Genes and Biological Pathways in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Related to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Identified by Bioinformatics.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a cardiopulmonary vascular condition with an unclear pathogenesis. Targeting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been suggested as a novel treatment approach for PAH, but the mechanisms involving ER stress-related genes in PAH are not well understood. Microarray data for PAH and ER stress-related genes were analyzed.

Single-cell RNA-seq analysis reveals microenvironmental infiltration of myeloid cells and pancreatic prognostic markers in PDAC.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a heterogeneous make-up of myeloid cells that influences the therapeutic response and prognosis. However, understanding the myeloid cell at both a genetic and cellular level remains a significant challenge.

Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were downloaded from t the Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub and gene expression data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.

Engineering of a (R)-selective Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase to minimize overoxidation activity for asymmetric synthesis of active pharmaceutical prazoles.

Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs) can catalyze the asymmetric sulfoxidation to form pharmaceutical prazoles in environmentally friendly approach. In this work, the thermostable BVMO named PockeMO had high sulfoxidation activity towards rabeprazole sulfide to form (R)-rabeprazole but demonstrated significant overoxidation activity to form undesired sulfone by-product. To address this issue, the enzyme was engineered based on the computer assisted comparison for the substrate binding conformations.

Integrative metabolomics and transcriptomics profiling reveals differential expression of flavonoid synthesis in Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. in adaptation to drought.

Drought is one of the consequences of climate change that severely affects plant growth and development. Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.

Modular cascade with engineered HpaB for efficient synthesis of hydroxytyrosol.

Hydroxytyrosol, a naturally occurring chemical with antioxidant and antiviral properties, is widely used in the nutrition, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. In the present study, a modularized cascade composed of Modules 1 and 2 was designed and implemented to convert l-tyrosine to hydroxytyrosol. Module 1 was a four-enzymatic cascade for converting l-tyrosine to tyrosol.

The mediating effects of gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy between maternal advanced age, previous caesarean section and the risk of small- or large-for-gestational-age newborns: a multicentric prospective cohort study in southern China.

Background: Maternal obstetric characteristics have a key role in determining the occurrence of pregnancy-related disorders and subsequent neonatal outcomes. We aimed to investigate the mediating impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) on the relationship between maternal advanced age, previous caesarean section, and the risk of either large for gestational age (LGA) or small for gestational age (SGA) infants.

Methods: We used data from a prospective multicentre cohort study conducted through China's National Maternal Near-miss Surveillance System from January 2012 to December 2021.

Expression and relationship of PD-L1, CD24, and CD47 in hepatitis B virus associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is the new standard treatment for advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, many patients still fail to respond. This study explored the expression and prognosis of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24), and cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated HCC (HBV-associated HCC). We analyzed sequencing data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and investigated the expression of PD-L1, CD24, and CD47 in HBV-associated HCC patients by immunohistochemistry and their relationship with prognosis and clinicopathological factors.

Characterization of tae-miR156(s) and their response to abiotic stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The microRNA156 (miR156) has been widely studied in plants, however, the characterization of the miR156 family of genes in wheat and their expression patterns under abiotic stress are not completely clear. In this study, a total of 20 miR156 family members, referred to as tae-miR156a to tae-miR156t, were identified in wheat with their loci mapped to various chromosomes. These members were divided into five subgroups: miR156a/b/c/d/e/f, miR156g/h/i, miR156j/k, miR156l/m/n/o/p/q, and miR156r/s/t.

Socioeconomic factors and test preparation strategies are related to success on the USMLE Step 2 clinical knowledge (CK) exam: a single-institution study.

Background: Since the elimination of numerical scoring of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, the perceived importance of USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores in residency placement has increased. It is known that socioeconomic status (SES) and other demographic factors can be barriers to success in standardized assessment, but few recent studies report the relationship between student demographics, including SES, with Step 2 CK scores in the context of exam practice material access and usage. In this study, we investigated predictors of Step 2 CK success across two years at one institution.

Corrigendum: Differential effects of clopidogrel and/or aspirin on the healing of tooth extraction wound bone tissue.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.

Insulin-transferrin-selenium supplementation improves porcine embryo production .

production of porcine embryos is a complicated process that includes maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF) and culture (IVC). Insufficient cytoplasmic maturation, slow zona reaction and improper embryo culture conditions will compromise the efficiency of porcine embryo production . Previous studies have shown that insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS) in IVM or IVC medium could improve porcine oocyte maturation, decrease polyspermy fertilization and promote subsequent embryonic development .

Preimplantation genetic testing for inborn errors of metabolism: observations from a reproductive genetic laboratory in China.

In this study, we aimed to apply preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) based on mutated allele revealed by sequencing with aneuploidy and linkage analyses (MARSALA) to block the transmission of inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs). After the disease-causing variants were identified through genetic testing, four carrier couples having children affected with IEMs, including methylmalonic aciduria, glutaric acidemia type 1, beta-ketothiolase deficiency, and ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, sought PGT-M. A series of PGT procedures involving intracytoplasmic sperm injection, blastocyst culture, biopsy of trophectoderm cells, and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based MARSALA, was performed to provide comprehensive chromosome screening and variant gene analysis.

Immobilization of laccase on mesoporous metal organic frameworks for efficient cross-coupling of ethyl ferulate.

Laccases act as green catalysts for oxidative cross-coupling of phenolic antioxidnt compounds, but low stability and non-recyclability limit its application. To address that, metal-organic frameworks Cu-BTC and Cr-MOF were synthesized as supports to immobilize the efficient laccase from Cerrena sp. HYB07.

Rational design of short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase for enantio-complementary synthesis of chiral 1,2-diols by successive hydroxymethylation and reduction of aldehydes.

Enantiopure 1,2-diols are widely used in the production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional materials as essential building blocks or bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, developing a mild, efficient and environmentally friendly biocatalytic route for manufacturing enantiopure 1,2-diols from simple substrate remains a challenge. Here, we designed and realized a step-wise biocatalytic cascade to access chiral 1,2-diols starting from aromatic aldehyde and formaldehyde enabled by a newly mined benzaldehyde lyase from Sphingobium sp.