High-Yield Production of Polyhydroxybutyrate and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyhexanoate) from Crude Glycerol by a Newly Isolated Species Oh_219.

Crude glycerol (CG), a major biodiesel production by-product, is the focus of ongoing research to convert it into polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). However, few bacterial strains are capable of efficiently achieving this conversion. Here, 10 PHA-producing strains were isolated from various media.

The Modulatory Effect of Selol (Se IV) on Pro-Inflammatory Pathways in RAW 264.7 Macrophages.

Selol is a semi-synthetic mixture of selenized triglycerides. The results of biological studies revealed that Selol exhibits several anticancer effects. However, studies on its potential anti-inflammatory activity are scarce, and underlying signaling pathways are unknown.

Associations of Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness with Incident Chronic Kidney Disease in a Korean Population.

Objective: This large cohort study aimed to examine the overall associations of physical activity (PA) and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: This study included a total of 274,292 participants (mean age, 37.9±8.

Life space restriction following disruptive life events: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Restriction of life space mobility is associated with adverse health outcomes including depression, morbidity, mortality and poorer quality of life. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 and associated employment loss on the life space of older adults in Singapore.

Methods: An in-person survey was administered to a cohort of older Singaporeans above 50 years old (N = 1,118).

Anticancer effect of a single-chain variable fragment against pro-matrix metalloproteinase-7 in colon cancer.

Disrupting the interaction between matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and syndecan-2 (SDC-2) can yield anticancer effects in colon cancer cells. Here, a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the pro-domain of MMP-7 was generated as a potential candidate anticancer agent. Among the generated scFvs, those designated 1B7 and 1C3 showed the strongest abilities to inhibit the ability of MMP-7 pro-domain to directly interact with SDC-2 in vitro and decrease the cancer activities of human HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Optimization of FRET imaging in Arabidopsis Protoplasts.

Recent advancements in fluorescence-based biosensor technologies have enabled more precise and accurate Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) imaging within Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation systems. However, the application of FRET imaging in plant tissues remains hindered by significant challenges, particularly the time-intensive process of generating transgenic lines and the complications arising from tissue autofluorescence. In contrast, protoplast-based FRET imaging offers a rapid and efficient platform for functional screening and analysis, making it an essential tool for plant research.

Secreted LGALS3BP facilitates distant metastasis of breast cancer.

Background: Patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer (BC) can be treated with endocrine therapy targeting ER, however, metastatic recurrence occurs in 25% of the patients who have initially been treated. Secreted proteins from tumors play important roles in cancer metastasis but previous methods for isolating secretory proteins had limitations in identifying novel targets.

Methods: We applied an in situ secretory protein labeling technique using TurboID to analyze secretome from tamoxifen-resistant (TAMR) BC.

Australians' Well-Being and Resilience During COVID-19: The Role of Trust, Misinformation, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Locus of Control.

: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian state and federal governments enacted boarder closures, social distancing measures, and lockdowns. By the end of October 2020, the 112-day lockdown in the Australian state of Victoria was the longest continuous lockdown period internationally. Previous studies have examined how the COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions have affected Australians' mental health and well-being; however, less is known about the relationship between psychological variables and well-being.

Crisdesalazine alleviates inflammation in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis multiple sclerosis mouse model by regulating the immune system.

Microglia/macrophages participate in the development of and recovery from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and the macrophage M1 (pro-inflammatory)/M2 (anti-inflammatory) phase transition is involved in EAE disease progression. We evaluated the efficacy of crisdesalazine (a novel microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 inhibitor) in an EAE model, including its immune-regulating potency in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, and its neuroprotective effects in a macrophage-neuronal co-culture system. Crisdesalazine significantly alleviated clinical symptoms, inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination in the spinal cord, and altered the phase of microglial/macrophage and regulatory T cells.

Canine Stem Cell-derived Exosomes for Lung Inflammation: Efficacy of Intratracheal Intravenous Administration in an Acute Lung Injury Mouse Model.

Background/aim: Acute lung injury (ALI) is an important pathological process in acute respiratory distress syndrome; however, feasible and effective treatment strategies for ALI are limited. Recent studies have suggested that stem cell-derived exosomes can ameliorate ALI; however, there remains no consensus on the protocols used, including the route of administration. This study aimed to identify the appropriate route of administration of canine stem cell-derived exosomes (cSC-Exos) in ALI.

A microbiota-derived metabolite, 3-phenyllactic acid, prolongs healthspan by enhancing mitochondrial function and stress resilience via SKN-1/ATFS-1 in C. elegans.

The mechanisms underlying the impact of probiotic supplementation on health remain largely elusive. While previous studies primarily focus on the discovery of novel bioactive bacteria and alterations in the microbiome environment to explain potential probiotic effects, our research delves into the role of living Lactiplantibacillus (formerly known as Lactobacillus) and their conditioned media, highlighting that only the former, not dead bacteria, enhance the healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans).

Concatenating Microbial, Enzymatic, and Organometallic Catalysis for Integrated Conversion of Renewable Carbon Sources.

The chemical industry can now seize the opportunity to improve the sustainability of its processes by replacing fossil carbon sources with renewable alternatives such as CO, biomass, and plastics, thereby thinking ahead and having a look into the future. For their conversion to intermediate and final products, different types of catalysts-microbial, enzymatic, and organometallic-can be applied. The first part of this review shows how these catalysts can work separately in parallel, each route with unique requirements and advantages.

Fibromatosis-Like Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Challenging Diagnosis With Potential Pitfalls.

Fibromatosis-like metaplastic carcinoma (FLMC) is a rare subtype of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. Diagnosing this entity poses significant challenges, particularly in core biopsies due to limited sampling and overlap with benign spindle cell lesions such as nodular fasciitis and fibromatosis. We present an example of FLMC in an asymptomatic middle-aged woman.

Multi-Camera Calibration Using Far-Range Dual-LED Wand and Near-Range Chessboard Fused in Bundle Adjustment.

This paper presents a calibration approach for multiple synchronized global-shutter RGB cameras surrounding a large capture volume for 3D application. The calibration approach uses an active wand with two LED-embedded markers waved manually within the target capture volume. Data from the waving wand are combined with chessboard images taken at close range during each camera's intrinsic calibration, optimizing camera parameters via our proposed bundle adjustment method.

Examining the Association Between Overweight, Obesity, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common yet debilitating disorder of gut-brain interaction, characterized by gut-brain axis dysregulation, visceral hypersensitivity, and other comorbidities. Obesity has been hypothesized to be a risk factor linked to IBS, albeit evidence remains conflicting. Given the growing global prevalence of obesity and IBS, we performed a meta-analysis examining their purported association.

Development and Validation of a Smartphone Application for Neonatal Jaundice Screening.

Importance: This diagnostic study describes the merger of domain knowledge (Kramer principle of dermal advancement of icterus) with current machine learning (ML) techniques to create a novel tool for screening of neonatal jaundice (NNJ), which affects 60% of term and 80% of preterm infants.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a smartphone-based ML app to predict bilirubin (SpB) levels in multiethnic neonates using skin color analysis.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This diagnostic study was conducted between June 2022 and June 2024 at a tertiary hospital and 4 primary-care clinics in Singapore with a consecutive sample of neonates born at 35 or more weeks' gestation and within 21 days of birth.

Multiscale, porous anion-exchangeable sponge for sustainable and convenient boron removal.

To address the limitations, such as complex treatment processes, reduced durability, and poor reusability, of typical micro- and nanoscale adsorbents for boron removal, a simple method for removing residual boron is introduced using a multiscale porous anion-exchangeable sponge (MP-AES) that electrostatically attracts boron in areas with locally high pH. Because commercially available anion-permselective materials are absent, custom nanoporous materials surrounded by microporous melamine foam are used to increase surface area and durability under repeated compression. The hydrophilic porous sponge facilitates liquid diffusion, enhancing adsorption in the user-friendly system.

Natural history of low-risk branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and indeterminate pancreatic cysts: Implications on surveillance intervals by cyst size.

Background: The optimal surveillance strategy for low-risk branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMN) remains unclear. We aim to evaluate the natural history of low-risk BD-IPMN/indeterminate pancreatic cysts to determine optimal surveillance intervals.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with radiologically-diagnosed low-risk BD-IPMN/indeterminate pancreatic cysts from 1998 to 2021 at a tertiary referral center.

Wireless Micro Current Stimulation (WMCS) therapy to enhance burn wound healing: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Pediatric burn injuries are often associated with significant morbidity, and require specialized care. The primary advantage of Wireless Micro Current Stimulation (WMCS) is the ability to deliver electric current without direct contact with the wound, which is particularly advantageous in the pediatric population and in those with wounds over multiple areas or over sensitive regions.

Methods: A prospective, randomized trial was performed.

Thermographic and ultrasound assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: can thermography detect subclinical synovitis at the wrist?

Background: Thermography is an emerging imaging modality which allows for a quick and objective measure of joint surface temperature in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To date, there are no published studies comparing thermography with ultrasonography in the subclinical assessment of joint inflammation at the wrist of patients with RA, and no published data on inter-rater reliability for multiple raters for thermographic assessment at the RA wrist. In our study comparing thermography and ultrasonography at the RA wrist, we aim to determine if thermography can detect subclinical synovitis.

Anticancer activity of salinomycin quaternary phosphonium salts.

In recent years salinomycin has emerged as a promising anticancer drug. Many literature reports have proved its remarkable antiproliferative activity. Moreover, chemical modifications of salinomycin lead to analogues with even higher cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and a better selectivity index for malignant cells than those of the unmodified compound or a standard anticancer drug such as doxorubicin.