Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses reveal uncharted microbial constituents responsible for polyhydroxybutyrate biodegradation in coastal waters.

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has attracted attention as a representative polymer for biodegradable plastics produced by microorganisms. Since information regarding the fate of PHB released into the environment is limited, it is necessary to identify them based on metagenomic information. We estimated the PHB biodegradability in coastal water samples collected from 15 near shore sites around Japan using oxygen consumption as an indicator in laboratory-scale incubation experiments and conducted 16S rRNA gene-based microbial community profiling.

sp. nov., a crude oil aggregation-forming anaerobic bacterium isolated from marine sediment.

A crude oil aggregation-forming, strictly anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming, rod-shaped, motile and mesophilic bacterium, named strain SH18-2, was isolated from marine sediment near Sado Island in the Sea of Japan. The temperature, salinity and pH ranges of this strain for the growth were 15-40 °C (optimum 35 °C), 0.5-6.

Novel sterilization method of Bacillus atrophaeus and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores by low concentration chlorine dioxide gas.

Chlorine dioxide (ClO) is a powerful disinfectant widely regarded as a safe and effective hygienic agent in pharmaceutical plants and other manufacturing facilities that require sterility. However, the efficacy of low concentrations of ClO gas on sterilizing spore-forming bacteria remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated the optimal conditions for disinfection of spore-forming bacteria with low concentrations of ClO gas using biological indicators.

Multimodal deep-learning model using pre-treatment endoscopic images and clinical information to predict efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is standard for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, though often ineffective. Therefore, predicting the response to chemotherapy before treatment is desirable. However, there is currently no established method for predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Stereoselective Preparation and Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-coupling of Alkenyl Sulfoximine.

Although numerous transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkenyl electrophiles with a sulfur(VI) leaving group, mainly alkenyl sulfones, have been developed, most rely heavily on highly nucleophilic Grignard reagents, and the use of organoboron reagents remains challenging. We report herein facile preparation and the following Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of alkenyl sulfoximine, a monoaza analog of sulfone. The condensation of alkyl sulfoximine with aldehydes, developed in this study, makes alkenyl sulfoximines more readily available.