Enzymatic Upgrading of Biomass-Derived Aldoses to Rare Deoxy Ketoses Catalyzed by Transketolase Variants.

A sustainable, convenient, scalable, one-step method for the two-carbon chain elongation of cheap and biomass-derived pentoses (l-arabinose, and 2-deoxy-d-ribose) and hexose l-rhamnose was developed to produce C deoxy ketoses (C-7 and C-8) using transketolase, an enzyme catalyzing the quasi-irreversible transfer of a ketol group from an α-keto acid to an aldehyde. Deoxygenated ketoses - commonly obtained by chemical synthesis - were afforded through a suitable combination of both nucleophile and electrophile substrates in the presence of rationally designed TK variants. Pyruvate as nucleophile with pentose l-arabinose (C-5) as electrophile gave 1-deoxy-L-gluco-heptulose (C-7), while ß-hydroxypyruvate (HPA) as nucleophile with acceptors 2-deoxy-d-ribose (C-5) and 6-deoxy-l-mannose (l-rhamnose) (C-6) led to formation of 4-deoxy-d-altro-heptulose (C-7) and 8-deoxy-l-glycero-l-galacto-octulose (C-8), respectively.

Update of French migraine epidemiology: A narrative review.

This narrative review concerned the studies performed on representative samples of the French general population carried out over more than thirty years and aims to provide an update on the French migraine epidemiology. Eleven studies were selected (GRIM-1, MIG-ACCESS, GRIM-2, FRAMIG-2000, FRAMIG-3, GRIM-3, EUROLIGHT, IBMS, SNDS PACA/CORSICA, EGB FRANCE, CaMEO-I). The data extracted relates to four healings: prevalence and distribution, individual burden, recognition and care and societal burden.

How closely do ecosystem services and life cycle assessment frameworks concur when evaluating contrasting animal-production systems with ruminant or monogastric species?

Life cycle assessment (LCA) and ecosystem services assessment (ESA) are often used for environmental assessment. LCA has been increasingly used over the past two decades to assess agri-food systems and has established that ruminant products have higher impacts per kg of protein than products from monogastric species. Conversely, ESA is used less but is likely to rank ruminant systems higher than monogastric systems, as the former often include grasslands that can provide high levels of regulating ecosystem services (ESs).

Assessment of pain prevalence in cancer patients undergoing anticancer treatments and in cancer survivors after completion of anticancer treatments: A French nationwide cross-sectional study.

Pain is a common and disabling symptom of cancer and its treatment. This study aimed to provide an update on the prevalence, characteristics, and impact of pain on quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients and survivors in France. Data were collected using self-assessment questionnaires as part of a nationwide web-based survey conducted between January and March 2023.

Effect of olive leaf extract on the quality of Cantal cheese.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of olive leaf extract (OLE) on the quality of Cantal cheese. The cheeses were fortified with different concentrations (Control, 1, 2, and 3 %) of OLE and analysed for quality during storage. The cheeses were evaluated on days 1, 28, and 63 for physicochemical, compositional, textural, rheological parameters, colour, microbiological analysis, and antioxidant activity.

Association between education level and access to disease-modifying treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis in France.

Background: We hypothesized that differences in access to disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) could explain the association between socioeconomic status and disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the association between education level and DMT use in France.

Methods: All patients from OFSEP network with MS onset over 1996-2014 and aged ⩾ 25 years at onset were included.

Cricket protein-based film containing Caralluma fimbriata extract-based nanoparticles for preservation of cheddar cheese.

A bioactive film was developed using cricket (Acheta domestica) protein (Cric-Prot) and Caralluma fimbriata extract-based nanoparticles [Car-Fim-NPs (0.0, 1.0, 2.

Association between education level and disability progression in patients with multiple sclerosis in France.

Background: Studies have reported an association between socioeconomic status and disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), but findings using the pre-MS individual socioeconomic status are missing.

Objective: The objective was to investigate the association between education level and disability progression.

Methods: All Observatoire Français de la Sclérose en Plaques (OFSEP) patients with MS clinical onset over 1960-2014, and aged ⩾25 years at MS onset were included.

Principles, barriers and enablers to agroecological animal production systems: a qualitative approach based on five case studies.

Agroecology is among the most promising options to alleviate the negative impacts of animal farming on the environment and build local food systems based on ethically acceptable production methods. So far, most of the research on agroecological animal production systems was conducted at farm scale, and the potential of agroecological principles addressing social dimensions and food system-level approaches has been underexplored. Here, we analyse how the whole set of agroecological principles was mobilised in five case studies on grassland-based, silvopastoral or integrated crop-livestock systems in Switzerland, Guadeloupe, French uplands, Bulgaria and Andalucía.

Alternative splicing is an FXRα loss-of-function mechanism and impacts energy metabolism in hepatocarcinoma cells.

Farnesoid X receptor α (FXRα, NR1H4) is a bile acid-activated nuclear receptor that regulates the expression of glycolytic and lipogenic target genes by interacting with the 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor α (RXRα, NR2B1). Along with cofactors, the FXRα proteins reported thus far in humans and rodents have been observed to regulate both isoform (α1-4)- and tissue-specific gene expression profiles to integrate energy balance and metabolism. Here, we studied the biological functions of an FXRα naturally occurring spliced exon 5 isoform (FXRαse5) lacking the second zinc-binding module of the DNA-binding domain.

Non-typhoidal in humans in India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka: a systematic review.

Objectives: Non-typhoidal (NTS) commonly causes a self-limiting illness but invasive disease (iNTS) can be life-threatening. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) increases the risk of mortality. This systematic review aimed to estimate the proportion of NTS isolated in those attending healthcare services, serovar burden, AMR, serovar-specific AMR, and case fatality rate (CFR) in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

How Do Cyclodextrins and Dextrans Affect the Gut Microbiome? Review of Prebiotic Activity.

The modulation of the gut microbiome through dietary components has garnered significant attention for its potential health benefits. Prebiotics, non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, play a crucial role in maintaining gut health, enhancing immune function, and potentially preventing various metabolic and inflammatory disorders. This review explores the prebiotic activity of cyclodextrins and dextrans, focusing on their ability to influence gut microbiota composition and function.

Alginate from Possesses Antioxidant Activity and Attenuates Systemic Inflammation via Downregulation of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines.

Alginates are anionic polysaccharides present in the cell walls of brown seaweeds. Various biological activities of alginate and its derivatives have been described. In this study, we assessed the potential of alginate obtained from (formerly ) to scavenge free radicals and function as a ferric ion reductor.

Effect of content framing in smoking prevention campaigns on recognition and attitudes: a virtual reality study.

Objectives: Anti-tobacco campaigns often suffer from a lack of systematic evaluation and may not always have the intended impact on the target population. Our research adopted immersive virtual reality (iVR) to systematically evaluate preventive anti-tobacco messages in a controlled setting while mimicking a naturalistic and ecological environment. We investigated the effect of content framing of Anti-tobacco posters on attitudes and cravings toward tobacco, and poster recognition.

In vitro and in silico studies of a Zn(II) complex as a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most life-threatening diseases of women's health worldwide. This work was conducted to assess the anti-BC potency of a new Zn(II)-based complex. The Zn(II) complex coordinated to dimethoxy-substituted bipyridine was synthesized and its molecular structure was elucidated as [Zn(bpy)](clo) (bpy-Zn) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, bpy represents 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine.

Liposomes loaded with daunorubicin and an emetine prodrug for improved selective cytotoxicity towards acute myeloid leukaemia cells.

The backbone of induction therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is to use an anthracycline in combination with cytarabine. Despite recent advances in AML therapy, this treatment remains the standard, and it has been largely unchanged for decades. There are few curative options for patients unfit for this treatment.

Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning During Infection Times (COH-FIT): Global and Risk-Group Stratified Course of Well-Being and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents.

Objective: To identify the COVID-19 pandemic impact on well-being/mental health, coping strategies, and risk factors in adolescents worldwide.

Method: This study was based on an anonymous online multi-national/multi-language survey in the general population (representative/weighted non-representative samples, 14-17 years of age), measuring change in well-being (World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index [WHO-5]/range = 0-100) and psychopathology (validated composite P-score/range = 0-100), WHO-5 <50 and <29, pre- vs during COVID-19 pandemic (April 26, 2020-June 26, 2022). Coping strategies and 9 a priori- defined individual/cumulative risk factors were measured.

Expert recommendations on treatment sequencing and challenging clinical scenarios in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2-positive) metastatic breast cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression and/or ERBB2 gene amplification occurs in approximately 15-20% of breast cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. While the introduction of HER2-targeted therapies has significantly improved survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, the incidence of brain metastases has increased due to patients living longer. Current recommendations sequence treatments by line of therapy, as well as by the status of brain metastases in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Characterizations of Nuclear Organization and Chromatin Modifications in Mature Embryos from Arabidopsis Dry Seeds.

Embryo development and seed germination are characterized by important alterations in nuclear and chromatin organization. It is however challenging to analyze these dynamic changes because the Arabidopsis embryo is embedded in the seed coat and a layer of endosperm tissue and is therefore difficult to access. Here, we describe a protocol to analyze nuclear organization in whole-mount dry seed embryos from Arabidopsis thaliana and to investigate the distribution of histone variants and modifications using immunostaining on isolated embryo nuclei.

Cannabis use and cognitive biases in people with first-episode psychosis and their siblings.

Background: Cannabis use and familial vulnerability to psychosis have been associated with social cognition deficits. This study examined the potential relationship between cannabis use and cognitive biases underlying social cognition and functioning in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), their siblings, and controls.

Methods: We analyzed a sample of 543 participants with FEP, 203 siblings, and 1168 controls from the EU-GEI study using a correlational design.

Understanding cognitive flexibility in emotional evaluation in autistic males and females: the social context matters.

Background: Autistic individuals often have difficulty flexibly adjusting their behavior. However, laboratory experiments have yielded inconsistent results, potentially due to various influencing factors, which need to be examined in detail. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that the social content of stimuli could play a specific role in some of the flexibility challenges faced by autistic individuals.