Publications by authors named "K Beerens"

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an age-related disorder that is a global public health problem. The non-enzymatic Maillard reaction results in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Accumulation of AGEs in drusen plays a key role in AMD.

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A promiscuous CDP-tyvelose 2-epimerase (TyvE) from Thermodesulfatator atlanticus (TaTyvE) belonging to the nucleotide sugar active short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily (NS-SDRs) was recently discovered. TaTyvE performs the slow conversion of NDP-glucose (NDP-Glc) to NDP-mannose (NDP-Man). Here, we present the sequence fingerprints that are indicative of the conversion of UDP-Glc to UDP-Man in TyvE-like enzymes based on the heptagonal box motifs.

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Presbyopia is an age-related vision disorder that is a global public health problem. Up to 85% of people aged ≥40 years develop presbyopia. In 2015, 1.

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Rare sugars have recently attracted attention as potential sugar replacers. Understanding the biochemical and biological behavior of these sugars is of importance in (novel) food formulations and prevention of type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigated whether rare sugars may positively affect intestinal and liver metabolism, as well as muscle insulin sensitivity, compared to conventional sugars.

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The impact of glycosidic linkage of seven rare and new-to-nature disaccharides on gut bacteria was assessed in vitro. The community shift of the inocula from four donors in response to 1 % (w/v) disaccharide supplementation was captured by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. A significant loss of bacterial alpha diversity, short lag time, low pH, and high total short-chain fatty acid displayed a faster fermentation of trehalose(Glc-α1,1α-Glc) and fibrulose(fructan, DP2-10).

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