Laboratory evolution in enables rapid catabolism of a model lignin-derived aromatic dimer.

Lignin contains a variety of interunit linkages, leading to a range of potential decomposition products that can be used as carbon and energy sources by microbes. β-O-4 linkages are the most common in native lignin, and associated catabolic pathways have been well characterized. However, the fate of the mono-aromatic intermediates that result from β-O-4 dimer cleavage has not been fully elucidated.

Cullin-5 controls the number of megakaryocyte-committed stem cells to prevent thrombocytosis in mice.

Cullin-5 (Cul5) coordinates assembly of cullin-RING-E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase (CRL) complexes that include Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS)-box-containing proteins. The SOCS-box proteins function to recruit specific substrates to the complex for ubiquitination and degradation. In hematopoiesis, SOCS-box proteins are best known for regulating the actions of cytokines that utilize the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

Management of paediatric sialorrhea.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize current understanding of and recent literature on the management of sialorrhea in children.

Recent Findings: Sialorrhea is a symptom of oropharyngeal dysphagia and reduced clearance. Sialorrhea can be anterior, with forward overflow of saliva, causing skin rash, social embarrassment and spillage on communication devices; or posterior, where there is pharyngeal pooling of saliva, which may cause aspiration.

Multicenter validation of an RNA-based assay to predict anti-PD-1 disease control in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: the PREDAPT study.

Background: Despite advances in cancer care and detection, >65% of patients with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNSCC) will develop recurrent and/or metastatic disease. The prognosis for these patients is poor with a 5-year overall survival of 39%. Recent treatment advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have resulted in clinical benefit in a subset of patients.