Cloning, Heterologous Expression, and Biochemical Characterization of a Novel Glycoside Hydrolase 16 Family Enzyme for Biorefinery of Furcellaria lumbricalis.

Carrageenan has strong structural heterogeneity, resulting in the production of several hybridized forms in nature. Furcellaran is a typical hybrid type of carrageenan that includes both κ-carrageenan and β-carrageenan motifs in its structure. The discovery and characterization of a novel furcellaranase is of great significance for investigating and determining the structures of carrageenan.

The contamination levels of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste in compliance with Italian and Spanish regulations.

The aim of this study is to perform a comparative analysis of Italian and Spanish regulations for construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, to produce recycled aggregates (RAs). Furthermore, this study seeks to compare the results derived from the examination of leaching test results from RAs collected in both countries to identify the most critical pollutants. Our research involved a comprehensive comparison and analysis of waste management regulations in Italy and Spain, highlighting both commonalities and disparities.

Standardized workflow for multiplexed charge detection mass spectrometry on orbitrap analyzers.

Individual ion mass spectrometry (IMS) is the Orbitrap-based extension of the niche mass spectrometry technique known as charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). While traditional CDMS analysis is performed on in-house-built instruments such as the electrostatic linear ion trap, IMS extends CDMS analysis to Orbitrap analyzers, allowing charge detection analysis to be available to the scientific community at large. IMS simultaneously measures the mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) and charges (z) of hundreds to thousands of individual ions within one acquisition event, creating a spectral output directly into the mass domain without the need for further spectral deconvolution.

Cost-effectiveness of AI for pediatric diabetic eye exams from a health system perspective.

Autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) for pediatric diabetic retinal disease (DRD) screening has demonstrated safety, effectiveness, and the potential to enhance health equity and clinician productivity. We examined the cost-effectiveness of an autonomous AI strategy versus a traditional eye care provider (ECP) strategy during the initial year of implementation from a health system perspective. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was the main outcome measure.

Heterozygous mutation in BRCA2 induces accelerated age-dependent decline in sperm quality with male subfertility in rats.

Tumor suppressor BRCA2 executes homologous recombination to repair DNA double-strand breaks in collaboration with RAD51, involving exon 11 and 27. Exon 11 constitutes a region where pathogenic variants (PVs) accumulate, and mutations in this region are known to contribute to carcinogenesis. However, the impact of the heterozygous PVs of BRCA2 exon 11 on the life quality beyond cancer risk, including male fertility, remains unclear.

Ovarian steroids modulate mRNA expression of ECM associated genes and collagen deposition induced by TGF β1 in equine endometrium in vitro.

Equine endometrosis is a major cause of infertility in mares and is characterized by degenerative, functional and fibrotic changes in the endometrium with increased collagen (COL) deposition. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is one of the major pro-fibrotic factors involved in the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the equine endometrium. It has been demonstrated that ovarian steroids, specifically 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), not only regulate the cyclicity of the estrous cycle, but also have been implicated as anti- or pro-fibrotic factors.

Use of the Da Vinci SP surgical system in robot-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy: a single-center, retrospective study.

We investigated the safety and performance of the Da Vinci SP single-port robot (SP robot) in nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with immediate reconstruction. Medical records of 60 women aged ≥ 19 years who had undergone SP robot-assisted unilateral or bilateral NSM with immediate reconstruction between October 2020 and August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Stage I (31, 47.

Machine learning-based analysis of microfluidic device immobilized C. elegans for automated developmental toxicity testing.

Developmental toxicity (DevTox) tests evaluate the adverse effects of chemical exposures on an organism's development. Although current testing primarily relies on large mammalian models, the emergence of new approach methodologies (NAMs) is encouraging industries and regulatory agencies to evaluate novel assays. C.

Non-targeted LC-MS metabolomics reveals serum metabolites for high-altitude adaptation in Tibetan donkeys.

Tibetan donkeys inhabit the harsh environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Research on serum metabolites related to their high-altitude adaptation is limited compared to other livestock. We used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to analyze serum samples from healthy adult donkeys in Shigatse, Changdu, and Dezhou to evaluate the effects of high altitudes on serum metabolites.

Dopaminergic signaling to ventral striatum neurons initiates sniffing behavior.

Sniffing is a motivated behavior displayed by nearly all terrestrial vertebrates. While sniffing is associated with acquiring and processing odors, sniffing is also intertwined with affective and motivated states. The systems which influence the display of sniffing are unclear.

Helical dislocation-driven plasticity and flexible high-performance thermoelectric generator in α-MgBi single crystals.

Inorganic plastic semiconductors play a crucial role in the realm of flexible electronics. In this study, we present a cost-effective plastic thermoelectric semimetal magnesium bismuthide (α-MgBi), exhibiting remarkable thermoelectric performance. Bulk single-crystalline α-MgBi exhibits considerable plastic deformation at room temperature, allowing for the fabrication of intricate shapes such as the letters "SUSTECH" and a flexible chain.

Enhanced motivated behavior mediated by pharmacological targeting of the FGF14/Na1.6 complex in nucleus accumbens neurons.

Protein/protein interactions (PPI) play crucial roles in neuronal functions. Yet, their potential as drug targets for brain disorders remains underexplored. The fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14)/voltage-gated Na channel 1.

Whole exome sequencing identifies ABHD14A and MRNIP as novel candidate genes for developmental language disorder.

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving impaired language abilities. Its genetic etiology is heterogeneous, involving rare variations in multiple susceptibility loci. However, family-based studies on gene mutations are scarce.

TransLeish: Identification of membrane transporters essential for survival of intracellular Leishmania parasites in a systematic gene deletion screen.

For the protozoan parasite Leishmania, completion of its life cycle requires sequential adaptation of cellular physiology and nutrient scavenging mechanisms to the different environments of a sand fly alimentary tract and the acidic mammalian host cell phagolysosome. Transmembrane transporters are the gatekeepers of intracellular environments, controlling the flux of solutes and ions across membranes. To discover which transporters are vital for survival as intracellular amastigote forms, we carried out a systematic loss-of-function screen of the L.

Targeting chromosomally unstable tumors with a selective KIF18A inhibitor.

Chromosome instability is a prevalent vulnerability of cancer cells that has yet to be fully exploited therapeutically. To identify genes uniquely essential to chromosomally unstable cells, we mined the Cancer Dependency Map for genes essential in tumor cells with high levels of copy number aberrations. We identify and validate KIF18A, a mitotic kinesin, as a vulnerability of chromosomally unstable cancer cells.

Generalized cue reactivity in rat dopamine neurons after opioids.

Cue reactivity is the maladaptive neurobiological and behavioral response upon exposure to drug cues and is a major driver of relapse. A widely accepted assumption is that drugs of abuse result in disparate dopamine responses to cues that predict drug vs. natural rewards.

Drug inhibition and substrate transport mechanisms of human VMAT2.

Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) is crucial for packaging monoamine neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles, with their dysregulation linked to schizophrenia, mood disorders, and Parkinson's disease. Tetrabenazine (TBZ) and valbenazine (VBZ), both FDA-approved VMAT2 inhibitors, are employed to treat chorea and tardive dyskinesia (TD). Our study presents the structures of VMAT2 bound to substrates serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA), as well as the inhibitors TBZ and VBZ.

A fiducial-assisted strategy compatible with resolving small MFS transporter structures in multiple conformations using cryo-EM.

Advancements in cryo-EM have stimulated a revolution in structural biology. Yet, for membrane proteins near the cryo-EM size threshold of approximately 40 kDa, including transporters and G-protein coupled receptors, the absence of distinguishable structural features makes image alignment and structure determination a significant challenge. Furthermore, resolving more than one protein conformation within a sample, a major advantage of cryo-EM, represents an even greater degree of difficulty.

"Double-Gene" Small Molecule as Guest Component Promotes the Efficiency of Organic Solar Cells Beyond 19.5.

Introduction of a guest component into the active layer is a simple yet effective approach to enhance the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). Despite various guest components successfully employed in the OSCs, efficient guest components require deliberate design and ingenious inspiration, which still remains a big challenge for developing high performance OSCs. In this work, we propose a concept of "structural gene" engineering to create a new "double-gene" small molecule (L-DBDD) by simply combining the structures of both donor PM6 and acceptor L8-BO.

Hazardous alcohol use and cardiometabolic risk among firefighters.

Background: Alcohol misuse is prevalent among firefighters, and associated adverse cardiometabolic health consequences could negatively impact readiness for duty. Mental health conditions may confer additional risk. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether alcohol misuse increases cardiometabolic risk among firefighters and whether mental health conditions modify these relationships.

Automated Detection of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Using CT Imaging for Calculating the Ventricle-to-Subarachnoid Volume Ratio.

Background And Purpose: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a diagnostic challenge because its clinical symptoms and imaging appearance resemble normal aging and other forms of dementia. Identifying NPH is essential so that patients can receive timely treatment to improve gait distortion and quality of life. An automated marker of NPH was developed and evaluated on clinical CT images, and its utility was assessed in a large patient cohort.

High-intensity interval training improves hepatic redox status via Nrf2 downstream pathways and reduced CYP2E1 expression in female rats with cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity.

Cisplatin (CP) is an antineoplastic drug associated with various cytotoxic adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity. Exercise training may offer hepatoprotection by improving redox status. This study compared the effects of light-intensity continuous training (LICT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on CP-induced hepatotoxicity in female Wistar rats.

Liangxue Tongyu Prescription Exerts Neuroprotection by Regulating the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis of Rats with Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Liangxue Tongyu Prescription (LTP) is a classic herbal formula for treating acute intracerebral hemorrhage (AICH) in China. Previous studies have shown that LTP significantly ameliorates neurological impairments and gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with AICH. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.

The association between cardiovascular risk and physical performance in individuals with obesity: A cross-sectional study focusing on the 5× sit-to-stand test.

Introduction: Although it is established that individuals with obesity are at increased risk of cardiovascular events, the relationship between cardiovascular risk and physical function in this population is still a topic of discussion. The objectives of the present study were: to check the association between cardiovascular risk and physical performance through physical-functional tests and to identify cutoff points for functional tests to be used for the definition of high cardiovascular risk.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included adults, both sexes, with obesity.

An adaptive protocol to assess physiological responses as a function of task demand in speech-in-noise testing.

Background: Acoustic challenges impose demands on cognitive resources, known as listening effort (LE), which can substantially influence speech perception and communication. Standardized assessment protocols for monitoring LE are lacking, hindering the development of adaptive hearing assistive technology.

New Method: We employed an adaptive protocol, including a speech-in-noise test and personalized definition of task demand, to assess LE and its physiological correlates.