Heterologous Expression and Optimization of Fermentation Conditions for Recombinant Ikarugamycin Production.

Ikarugamycin is a member of the natural product family of the polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PoTeMs). The compound exhibits a diverse range of biological activities, including antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, anti-leukemic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it interferes with several crucial cellular functions, such as oxidized low-density lipoprotein uptake in macrophages, Nef-induced CD4 cell surface downregulation, and mechanisms of endocytosis.

A plug-and-play system for polycyclic tetramate macrolactam production and functionalization.

Background: The biosynthesis of the natural product family of the polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PoTeMs) employs an uncommon iterative polyketide synthase/non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (iPKS/NRPS). This machinery produces a universal PoTeM biosynthetic precursor that contains a tetramic acid moiety connected to two unsaturated polyene side chains. The enormous structural and hence functional diversity of PoTeMs is enabled by pathway-specific tailoring enzymes, particularly cyclization-catalyzing oxidases that process the polyene chains to form distinct ring systems, and further modifying enzymes.

Think-Aloud Testing of a Companion App for Colonoscopy Exams: Usability Study.

Background: Colonoscopies, are vital for initial screening, follow-ups, surveillance of neoplasia, and assessing symptoms like rectal bleeding. Successful colonoscopies require thorough colon preparation, but up to 25% fail due to poor preparation. This can lead to longer procedures, repeat colonoscopies, inconvenience, poorer health outcomes, and higher costs.

Evaluation of vascular photobiomodulation for orofacial pain and tension type headache following COVID 19 in a pragmatic randomized clinical trial.

This pragmatic double-blind randomized clinical trial aims to assess the impact of vascular photobiomodulation on post-COVID-19 patients experiencing tension-type headache, orofacial pain, or both persisting for more than 3 months. Participants were divided into two groups: vascular photobiomodulation (VPBM) and simulated VPBM. Their conditions were evaluated using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Visual Analogue Scale, and Headache Impact Test (HIT-6).

Expanding Polycyclic Tetramate Macrolactam (PoTeM) Core Structure Diversity by Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis and Bioengineering.

Polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PoTeMs) represent a growing class of bioactive natural products that are derived from a common tetramate polyene precursor, lysobacterene A, produced by an unusual bacterial iterative polyketide synthase (PKS) / non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS). The structural and functional diversity of PoTeMs is biosynthetically elaborated from lysobacterene A by pathway-specific cyclizing and modifying enzymes. This results in diverse core structure decoration and cyclization patterns.