Comparison of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and molybdenum blue colorimetry for total phosphorus determination in freshwater invertebrates.

Molybdenum blue colorimetry (MBC) is the dominant, well-established method used for determining total P in environmental media, including in organismal tissues. However, other elemental methods for P determination are available, including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Given the extensive literature using MBC to determine P in organismal samples, it is important to assess P analyses by ICP-MS and MBC to ensure that the two methods produce comparable data.

Oxygen-Binding Sites of Enriched Gold Nanoclusters for Capturing Mitochondrial Reverse Electrons.

Reverse electron transfer (RET), an abnormal backward flow of electrons from complexes III/IV to II/I of mitochondria, causes the overproduction of a reduced-type CoQ to boost downstream production of mitochondrial superoxide anions that leads to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) to organs. Herein, we studied low-coordinated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with abundant oxygen-binding sites to form an electron-demanding trapper that allowed rapid capture of electrons to compensate for the CoQ/CoQH imbalance during RET. The AuNCs were composed of only eight gold atoms that formed a Cs-symmetrical configuration with all gold atoms exposed on the edge site.

Hydrogen sulfide coordinates glucose metabolism switch through destabilizing tetrameric pyruvate kinase M2.

Most cancer cells reprogram their glucose metabolic pathway from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis for energy production. By reducing enzyme activity of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), cancer cells attain a greater fraction of glycolytic metabolites for macromolecule synthesis needed for rapid proliferation. Here we demonstrate that hydrogen sulfide (HS) destabilizes the PKM2 tetramer into monomer/dimer through sulfhydration at cysteines, notably at C326, leading to reduced PKM2 enzyme activity and increased PKM2-mediated transcriptional activation.

Discovery of Uncommon Tryptophan-Containing Diketopiperazines from CBS 101889 Using an Heterologous Expression System.

Fungal secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) containing dimethylallyltryptophan synthases (DMATSs) produce structurally diverse prenylated indole alkaloids with wide-ranging activities that have vast potential as human therapeutics. To discover new natural products produced by DMATSs, we mined the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute's MycoCosm database for DMATS-containing BGCs. We found a DMATS BGC in CBS 101889, which also contains a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS).

Lanthanium nitride LaN featuring azide units: the first metal nine-nitride as a high-energy-density material.

High-pressure phase diagrams of the La-N binary system were systematically constructed using the CALYPSO method and first-principles calculations. In addition to the pressure-induced La-N compounds reported previously, we have uncovered a hitherto unknown LaN structure in 3̄ symmetry stabilized within a narrow pressure range of 20-24.5 GPa.

A heterologous expression platform in for the elucidation of cryptic secondary metabolism biosynthetic gene clusters: discovery of the sartorypyrone biosynthetic pathway.

is a serious human pathogen causing life-threatening Aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Secondary metabolites (SMs) play an important role in pathogenesis, but the products of many SM biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) remain unknown. In this study, we have developed a heterologous expression platform in , using a newly created genetic dereplication strain, to express a previously unknown BGC from and determine its products.

Real-Time Observation for Dynamic Oscillation during Self-Assembly and Clearance of Aβ42.

The dynamic oscillation implicated in structural heterogeneity during the self-assembly of amyloid peptide 1-42 (Aβ42) may play a crucial role in eliciting cellular responses. We developed a real-time monitoring platform to observe an oscillatory non-equilibrium interaction that dominated the Aβ42 clearance by neuronal cells during interplay with an oscillator (lipopolysaccharide, LPS). Molecular dynamics studies indicated that the electrostatic and hydrophobic segments of LPS involved in the temporary heteromolecular association and slightly decelerated the intrinsic thermally-induced protein dynamics of Aβ42.

Polystyrene Upcycling into Fungal Natural Products and a Biocontrol Agent.

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most used yet infrequently recycled plastics. Although manufactured on the scale of 300 million tons per year globally, current approaches toward PS degradation are energy- and carbon-inefficient, slow, and/or limited in the value that they reclaim. We recently reported a scalable process to degrade post-consumer polyethylene-containing waste streams into carboxylic diacids.

Transdermal Delivery of Succinate Accelerates Energy Dissipation of Brown Adipocytes to Reduce Remote Fat Accumulation.

Weight loss by increasing energy consumption of thermogenic adipocytes to overcome obesity remains a challenge. Herein, we established a transdermal device that was based on the local and temporarily controlled delivery of succinate (SC), a tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolic intermediate to stimulate the thermogenesis pathway of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and accelerate energy dissipation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) under the dorsal interscapular skin, further initiating the consumption of fatty acids by systemic metabolism. SC microneedle patches significantly suppressed weight gain and fat accumulation of remote organs, including liver and peripheral white adipose tissue (WAT) in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Ambient-Pressure Recoverable Polynitrogen Solids Assembled by Pentazolate Rings with High Energy Density.

Crystal structure predictions and first-principles calculations were used to predict three polynitrogen solids (8-N, 12-N, and 24-N) that possess competitive enthalpies as compared to the synthesized open-chain N phase at pressures in the range of 0-60 GPa. 8-N, 12-N, and 24-N contain edge-shared, N-linked, and N-bridged pentazolate rings and form molecular N, molecular N, and quasi-one-dimensional N ribbons, respectively. The calculations of formation enthalpies show that the three polynitrogen solids can be synthesized by compressing cyclo-N salts in hydrogen-saturated environments.

Two-dimensional SiS with a negative Poisson's ratio and promising optoelectronic properties.

Two-dimensional materials with a negative Poisson's ratio, known as auxetic materials, are of great interest owing to their improved mechanical properties, which enable plenty of advanced nanomechanical devices. Here, by first-principles swarm-intelligence structural search methods, we predict a thermodynamically stable SiS monolayer, which has a puckered 2D lattice in which the S atoms are adsorbed on the top of a distorted tetragonal silicene layer. The puckered 2D lattice makes the SiS monolayer exhibit in-plane negative Poisson's ratios of -0.

Factors associated with having home care physicians as an integrated source of medications for chronic conditions among homebound patients.

Background: Inappropriate management of medications is a major threat to homebound patients with chronic conditions. Despite many efforts in improving medication reconciliation in ambulatory and inpatient settings, little research has focused on home care settings. In 2016, Taiwan initiated the Integrated Home Health Care programme, which was intended to reduce potentially inappropriate medication management and risks of uncontrolled polypharmacy through the integration of different medication sources for chronic conditions among homebound patients.

Ultra-Small Platinum Nanoparticle-Enabled Catalysis and Corrosion Susceptibility Reverse Tumor Hypoxia for Cancer Chemoimmunotherapy.

A major challenge in the use of chemotherapy and immunotherapy is hypoxia-induced progression of tumor cells. We aim to curb hypoxia using metal-based O-producing nanomedicine. The key focus is therapeutic targeting of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), a major reactive oxygen species (ROS)-activated player that drives hypoxia-dependent tumor progression.

A BN monolayer: a direct band gap semiconductor with high and highly anisotropic carrier mobility.

Two-dimensional materials with a planar lattice, suitable direct band gap, and high and highly anisotropic carrier mobility are desirable for the development of advanced field-effect transistors. Here we predict three thermodynamically stable B-rich 2D B-N compounds with the stoichiometries of BN, BN, and BN using a combination of crystal structure searches and first-principles calculations. Among them, BN has an ultraflat surface and consists of eight-membered BN and pentagonal BN rings.

Retrospective study of the differences in patient characteristics and revenue between male and female surgeons in Taiwan.

Surgery is traditionally a male-dominated field, and gender differences exist despite the growing numbers of female surgeons. A handful of studies have evaluated the condition in Asian societies. We aimed to examine the difference between female and male surgeons in urology, general surgery, and gynecology by analyzing a nationwide, population-based database.

Atrial Fibrillation Is Not Associated With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Methods: This study was conducted by searching the longitudinal health insurance database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program for relevant information from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2011. Patients with AF were matched with non-AF controls with a 1:1 strategy according to propensity scores.

, a new species of Caryophyllaceae from Fujian, China.

, a new species from the Wuyishan National Park, Fujian, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, resembles . However, the new species can be distinguished by presence of stolons, 1 line of hairs on the stem, smaller leaf blades, shorter pedicels, and ovary with 2 styles.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Reuse of Mask during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan.

Mask usage is an effective measure to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection; however, mask reuse is not recommended. Studies examining the factors associated with mask reuse during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are limited. This nationwide survey aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mask reuse among Taiwanese citizens during the pandemic.

Chinese Herbal Fumigation Steam Therapy and Acupuncture in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Three-armed, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Context: Knee osteoarthritis is a common form of joint disease found in humans and one of the leading causes of disability globally. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is responsible for a higher number of disabilities than any other medical condition affecting activities of daily living (ADL). To date no definitive, conventional medical protocol is available to deal with KOA.

Type I Interferon Signaling Accelerates Liver Regeneration by Metabolic Modulation in Noninfectious Conditions.

Type I interferon (IFN-I) has a well-known function in controlling viral infections, but its contribution in hepatocyte proliferation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formation remains unclear. Mice deficient in IFN-α receptor expression in whole mice or only in hepatocytes (Ifnar and Ifnar) were used to investigate the role of IFN-I signaling in cell proliferation and cancer formation in the liver. Ifnar mice were resistant to chemical-induced HCC formation in the absence of infection.

Risks of forgotten double-J ureteric stents after ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study.

Delayed double-J ureteric stent (DJ) removal may cause severe morbidity. We aimed to identify high-risk patients for forgotten DJs to prevent iatrogenic injury and improve safety. Data of patients with DJs placed after ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy (URSL) between 2000 and 2013 from the National Health Insurance Database in Taiwan were included.

Association between obesity and education level among the elderly in Taipei, Taiwan between 2013 and 2015: a cross-sectional study.

The inverse association between obesity and education level has been demonstrated in many developed countries; however, few studies have investigated obesity in geriatric populations. This cross-sectional analysis explored the association between geriatric obesity and education level, along with other demographic characteristics in Taipei, Taiwan between 2013 and 2015. Taipei citizens ≥ 65 years (aborigines ≥ 55 years) were recruited to participate in the elderly health examination programme.

Supramolecular Bait to Trigger Non-Equilibrium Co-Assembly and Clearance of Aβ42.

In living systems, non-equilibrium states that control the assembly-disassembly of cellular components underlie the gradual complexification of life, whereas in nonliving systems, most molecules follow the laws of thermodynamic equilibrium to sustain dynamic consistency. Little is known about the roles of non-equilibrium states of interactions between supramolecules in living systems. Here, a non-equilibrium state of interaction between supramolecular lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Aβ42, an aggregate-prone protein that causes Alzheimer's disease (AD), was identified.

Primary Amine Modified Gold Nanodots Regulate Macrophage Function and Antioxidant Response: Potential Therapeutics Targeting of Nrf2.

Background: Gold nanoparticles with high biocompatibility and immunomodulatory properties have potential applications in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for nanomedicine. Nanoparticles targeting macrophages can manipulate or control immunological diseases. This study assessed the activity of dendrimer-encapsulated gold nanodots (AuNDs) with three surface modifications [ie, outfacing groups with primary amine (AuNDs-NH2), hydroxyl (AuNDs-OH), and quaternary ammonium ions (AuNDs-CH3)] regulated macrophage function and antioxidant response through Nrf2-dependent pathway.