A method for the systematic selection of enzyme panel candidates by solving the maximum diversity problem.

Enzymes are being increasingly exploited for their potential as industrial biocatalysts. Establishing a portfolio of useful biocatalysts from large and diverse protein family is challenging and a systematic method for candidate selection promises to aid in this task. Moreover, accurate enzyme functional annotation can only be confidently guaranteed through experimental characterisation in the laboratory.

Engineering two-dimensional metal oxides and chalcogenides for enhanced electro- and photocatalysis.

Two-dimensional (2D) metal oxides and chalcogenides (MOs & MCs) have been regarded as a new class of promising electro- and photocatalysts for many important chemical reactions such as hydrogen evolution reaction, CO reduction reaction and N reduction reaction in virtue of their outstanding physicochemical properties. However, pristine 2D MOs & MCs generally show the relatively poor catalytic performances due to the low electrical conductivity, few active sites and fast charge recombination. Therefore, considerable efforts have been devoted to engineering 2D MOs & MCs by rational structural design and chemical modification to further improve the catalytic activities.

Growth Media Affect Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Plant-Derived Polyphenols.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different microbial growth media on the laboratory assessment of antimicrobial activity of natural polyphenolic compounds. The inhibition of the tea polyphenol EGCG on growth of selected oral microorganisms was evaluated in complex media and a protein-free chemically defined medium (CDM). Other antimicrobial agents (polyphenolic grape seed extract, plant alkaloid berberine, methyl salicylate, and chlorhexidine gluconate) were also tested in the study.

Ionic imbalance induced self-propulsion of liquid metals.

Components with self-propelling abilities are important building blocks of small autonomous systems and the characteristics of liquid metals are capable of fulfilling self-propulsion criteria. To date, there has been no exploration regarding the effect of electrolyte ionic content surrounding a liquid metal for symmetry breaking that generates motion. Here we show the controlled actuation of liquid metal droplets using only the ionic properties of the aqueous electrolyte.

A unique in vivo approach for investigating antimicrobial materials utilizing fistulated animals.

Unique in vivo tests were conducted through the use of a fistulated ruminant, providing an ideal environment with a diverse and vibrant microbial community. Utilizing such a procedure can be especially invaluable for investigating the performance of antimicrobial materials related to human and animal related infections. In this pilot study, it is shown that the rumen of a fistulated animal provides an excellent live laboratory for assessing the properties of antimicrobial materials.

Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis TB10.4 antigen.

TB10.4 protein is a member of the ESX family that is necessary for Mycobacterium tuberculosis survival and plays a vital role in mycobacterial pathogenesis. In this study, the gene encoding TB10.

The antibiofilm activity of lingonberry flavonoids against oral pathogens is a case connected to residual complexity.

The antimicrobial activity of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) was evaluated against two oral pathogens, Streptococcus mutans and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Long-bed gel permeation chromatography (GPC; Sephadex LH-20) yielded purified flavonoids, with the most efficient minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against planktonic cells in the anthocyanin and procyanidin primary fractions against F.

Human coronaviruses are uncommon in patients with gastrointestinal illness.

Background: Coronaviruses infect numerous animal species causing a variety of illnesses including respiratory, neurologic and enteric disease. Human coronaviruses (HCoV) are mainly associated with respiratory tract disease but have been implicated in enteric disease.

Objectives: To investigate the frequency of coronaviruses in stool samples from children and adults with gastrointestinal illness by RT-PCR.

Newly recognized bocaviruses (HBoV, HBoV2) in children and adults with gastrointestinal illness in the United States.

Background: The human bocavirus (HBoV) is a newly recognized parvovirus associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal disease. Recently, two new members of the parvovirus family have been recognized, HBoV2 and HBoV3.

Objectives: Here we investigate stool and respiratory samples for the presence of HBoV, HBoV2 and HBoV3.