Recent advances in enzymes active on lignin-derived aromatic compounds.

Lignin is an attractive alternative to fossil fuels as a feedstock for the sustainable manufacture of chemicals. Emergent strategies for lignin valorization include tandem processes whereby thermochemical fractionation of the biomass yields a mixture of lignin-derived aromatic compounds (LDACs), which are then transformed into target compounds by a microbial cell factory. Identifying LDAC-degrading pathways is critical to optimize carbon yield from diverse depolymerization mixtures.

Characterization of a cytochrome P450 that catalyzes the O-demethylation of lignin-derived benzoates.

Cytochromes P450 (P450s) are a superfamily of heme-containing enzymes possessing a broad range of monooxygenase activities. One such activity is O-demethylation, an essential and rate-determining step in emerging strategies to valorize lignin that employ carbon-carbon bond cleavage. We recently identified PbdA, a P450 from Rhodococcus jostii RHA1, and PbdB, its cognate reductase, which catalyze the O-demethylation of para-methoxylated benzoates (p-MBAs) to initiate growth of RHA1 on these compounds.

Preparation of reductases for multicomponent oxygenases.

Oxygenases catalyze crucial reactions throughout all domains of life, cleaving molecular oxygen (O) and inserting one or two of its atoms into organic substrates. Many oxygenases, including those in the cytochrome P450 (P450) and Rieske oxygenase enzyme families, function as multicomponent systems, which require one or more redox partners to transfer electrons to the catalytic center. As the identity of the reductase can change the reactivity of the oxygenase, characterization of the latter with its cognate redox partners is critical.

The catabolism of ethylene glycol by RHA1 and its dependence on mycofactocin.

Ethylene glycol (EG) is a widely used industrial chemical with manifold applications and also generated in the degradation of plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate. RHA1 (RHA1), a potential biocatalytic chassis, grows on EG. Transcriptomic analyses revealed four clusters of genes potentially involved in EG catabolism: the locus, predicted to encode ycofactocin-dependent lcohol egradation, including the catabolism of EG to glycolate; two GCL clusters, predicted to encode glycolate and glyoxylate catabolism; and the genes, predicted to specify mycofactocin biosynthesis.

Augmented Stress Weight-bearing CT for Evaluation of Subtle Lisfranc Injuries in the Elite Athlete.

Background: Lisfranc injuries refer to a disruption or displacement of the tarsometatarsal joint of the foot. Subtle Lisfranc injuries can go undiagnosed on conventional imaging leading to devastating consequences and poor functional outcomes for elite athletes. Objective.

The catabolism of lignin-derived -methoxylated aromatic compounds by RHA1.

Emergent strategies to valorize lignin, an abundant but underutilized aromatic biopolymer, include tandem processes that integrate chemical depolymerization and biological catalysis. To date, aromatic monomers from C-O bond cleavage of lignin have been converted to bioproducts, but the presence of recalcitrant C-C bonds in lignin limits the product yield. A promising chemocatalytic strategy that overcomes this limitation involves phenol methyl protection and autoxidation.

Core Muscle Injury Producing Groin Pain in the Athlete: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Groin pain is a common cause of pain in the athlete and may be the result of a variety of causes. Musculoskeletal groin injuries are often associated with muscle strain, particularly the adductor and abdominal muscles, termed "core muscle injury" (CMI). Since the early 1960s, there have been a growing number of articles intending to identify, define, prevent, and treat this condition; to date, however, the lack of a universal definition and treatment approach has complicated the narrative around CMI.

Current Definitions of Failure in Lateral Ankle Instability Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: "Failure" is a term that is frequently used to describe an unfavorable outcome for patients who undergo surgical treatment for lateral ankle instability (LAI). A standard definition of failure for the surgical treatment of ankle instability has not been established by clinicians and researchers.

Purpose: To identify the definitions of ankle instability treatment failure that are currently in the literature and to work toward the standardization of the definition.

Augmented stress weightbearing CT for evaluation of subtle tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries in the elite athlete.

Objective: We aim to present a novel imaging technique utilizing weight-bearing CT with syndesmotic stress to identify subtle, unstable syndesmotic injuries. We illustrate this with a case presentation of such an injury in an elite athlete that ultimately required operative fixation.

Materials And Methods: In order to perform an augmented stress weightbearing CT, the patient is in the standing position, feet facing forward, and with weight distributed equally.

A Measure of Burnout in Current NCAA Student-Athletes.

Introduction: The prevalence of athletes who specialize in sports has increased in recent years. Substantial literature on youth sports has linked early sport specialization to negative consequences, such as burnout and injury. However, empirical evidence comparing rates of burnout and specialization in NCAA athletes is limited.

Retrospective chart review: Weightbearing CT scans and the measurement of the Lisfranc ligamentous complex.

Background: Lisfranc Ligamentous Complex (LLC) injuries are commonly misdiagnosed due to their unreliable projection on plain films. Weightbearing CT (WBCT) scans are a relatively new imaging modality that has not yet been utilized to establish widely referenced baseline anatomic positions.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who had undergone weightbearing CT of the bilateral lower extremities with one-hundred and twelve being included (56 patients).

Characterization of a phylogenetically distinct extradiol dioxygenase involved in the bacterial catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds.

The actinobacterium Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 grows on a remarkable variety of aromatic compounds and has been studied for applications ranging from the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls to the valorization of lignin, an underutilized component of biomass. In RHA1, the catabolism of two classes of lignin-derived compounds, alkylphenols and alkylguaiacols, involves a phylogenetically distinct extradiol dioxygenase, AphC, previously misannotated as BphC, an enzyme involved in biphenyl catabolism. To better understand the role of AphC in RHA1 catabolism, we first showed that purified AphC had highest apparent specificity for 4-propylcatechol (k/K ∼10 M s), and its apparent specificity for 4-alkylated substrates followed the trend for alkylguaiacols: propyl > ethyl > methyl > phenyl > unsubstituted.

Sex-specific differences in outcomes after anterior shoulder surgical stabilization: a meta-analysis and systematic review of literature.

Background: Anterior shoulder instability frequently occurs in young, physically active individuals and may be treated with surgical stabilization. Previous studies have shown that males more often require surgical management for anterior shoulder instability and may have a higher frequency of recurrent instability episodes after surgical management, but females have been found to have increased incidence of apprehension after surgical stabilization. The purpose of this study is to review the literature and assess anterior shoulder surgical stabilization postoperative outcomes between males and females to identify and describe sex-based differences.

A reduced concentration femoral nerve block is effective for perioperative pain control following ACL reconstruction: a retrospective review.

Introduction: Femoral nerve block (FNB) is a routinely used regional analgesic technique for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. One method to balance the analgesic effect and functional impairment of FNBs may be to control the concentration of local anesthetics utilized for the block.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed on 390 consecutive patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between June 2014 and May 2017.

Cytochromes P450 in the biocatalytic valorization of lignin.

The valorization of lignin is critical to establishing sustainable biorefineries as we transition away from petroleum-derived feedstocks. Advances in lignin fractionation and depolymerization are yielding new opportunities for the biocatalytic upgrading of lignin-derived aromatic compounds (LDACs) using microbial cell factories. Given their roles in lignin metabolism and their catalytic versatility, cytochromes P450 are attractive enzymes in engineering such biocatalysts.

Segond Fractures Involve the Anterolateral Knee Capsule But Not the Iliotibial Band.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the Segond fracture and the anterolateral complex of the knee.

Methods: Between January 2014 and March 2020, patients who presented with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear requiring acute surgical reconstruction (within 10 days from trauma) were evaluated for inclusion in this study. Patients were included if they had an acute ACL tear with an associated Segond fracture (or "Segond lesion") as detected by radiograph or magnetic resonance imaging.

Measurement technique for posterior tibial slope on radiographs can affect its relationship to the risk of anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the most reliable radiographic measurement method to evaluate PTS as a risk factor for ACL reconstruction failure.

Methods: Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction or ACL revision reconstruction between January 2009 and December 2014 by a single surgeon were included. Fifty-two consecutive patients who underwent ACL revision reconstruction were compared to a random selection of 52 patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction and a control group of 52 patients without ACL injury.

Glioma Stem Cell-Specific Superenhancer Promotes Polyunsaturated Fatty-Acid Synthesis to Support EGFR Signaling.

Glioblastoma ranks among the most aggressive and lethal of all human cancers. Functionally defined glioma stem cells (GSC) contribute to this poor prognosis by driving therapeutic resistance and maintaining cellular heterogeneity. To understand the molecular processes essential for GSC maintenance and tumorigenicity, we interrogated the superenhancer landscapes of primary glioblastoma specimens and GSCs.

Anterolateral Ligament Repair Augmented With Suture Tape in Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Several extra-articular surgical techniques in addition to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have been proposed to better restore rotational instability of the knee. One option is surgical repair of the anterolateral ligament in acute cases to achieve an anatomic reconstruction. An additional augmentation to the repair could allow a load-sharing-and thus protective-effect for the repair during the healing process.

Recurrent Shoulder Instability: Do Morbidity and Treatment Differ Based on Insurance?

Background: Patients with public insurance often face barriers to obtaining prompt orthopaedic care. For patients with recurrent traumatic anterior shoulder instability, delayed care may be associated with increasing bone loss and subsequently more extensive surgical procedures.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether differences exist in patients undergoing treatment for shoulder instability between those with Medicaid versus non-Medicaid insurance.

Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstrings and Extra-articular Tenodesis: A Mid- to Long-Term Clinical and Radiological Study.

Purpose: To present the mid- to long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of a series of patients who underwent revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with doubled gracilis and semitendinosus (DGST) autograft and a lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET).

Methods: Patients who underwent revision ACL reconstruction with DGST and LET by a single surgeon between January 1997 and December 2013 were included. Revision was indicated by ACL failure noted on magnetic resonance imaging, persistent clinical instability, or laxity on clinical exam.

Surgical Treatment of Segond Fractures in Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: The Segond fracture is an avulsion-type fracture located on the anterolateral aspect of the tibia associated with a ligament recently termed the . This injury has been described as pathognomonic for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and is associated with a higher grade pivot shift.

Purpose: To present and report 2-year clinical outcomes of a surgical technique for acute ACL reconstruction with fixation of a concomitant Segond fracture.

Video Movement Analysis Using Smartphones (ViMAS): A Pilot Study.

The use of smartphones in clinical practice is steadily increasing with the availability of low cost/freely available "apps" that could be used to assess human gait. The primary aim of this manuscript is to test the concurrent validity of kinematic measures recorded by a smartphone application in comparison to a 3D motion capture system in the sagittal plane. The secondary aim was to develop a protocol for clinicians on the set up of the smartphone camera for video movement analysis.