Two Subgroups within the GH43_36 α-l-Arabinofuranosidase Subfamily Hydrolyze Arabinosyl from Either Mono-or Disubstituted Xylosyl Units in Wheat Arabinoxylan

Fungal arabinofuranosidases (ABFs) catalyze the hydrolysis of arabinosyl substituents (Ara) and are key in the interplay with other glycosyl hydrolases to saccharify arabinoxylans (AXs). Most characterized ABFs belong to GH51 and GH62 and are known to hydrolyze the linkage of α-(1→2)-Ara and α-(1→3)-Ara in monosubstituted xylosyl residues (Xyl) (ABF-m2,3). Nevertheless, in AX a substantial number of Xyls have two Aras (i.e., disubstituted), which are unaffected by ABFs from GH51 and GH62. To date, only two fungal enzymes have been identified (in GH43_36) that specifically release the α-(1→3)-Ara from disubstituted Xyls (ABF-d3). In our research, phylogenetic analysis of available GH43_36 sequences revealed two major clades (GH43_36a and GH43_36b) with an expected substrate specificity difference. The characterized fungal ABF-d3 enzymes aligned with GH43_36a, including the GH43_36 from Humicola insolens (HiABF43_36a). Hereto, the first fungal GH43_36b (from Talaromyces pinophilus) was cloned, purified, and characterized (TpABF43_36b). Surprisingly, TpABF43_36b was found to be active as ABF-m2,3, albeit with a relatively low rate compared to other ABFs tested, and showed minor xylanase activity. Novel specificities were also discovered for the HiABF43_36a, as it also released α-(1→2)-Ara from a disubstitution on the non-reducing end of an arabinoxylooligosaccharide (AXOS), and it was active to a lesser extent as an ABF-m2,3 towards AXOS when the Ara was on the second xylosyl from the non-reducing end. In essence, this work adds new insights into the biorefinery of agricultural residues.     

Bioinformatics Analysis of RNA-seq Data Reveals Genes Related to Cancer Stem Cells in Colorectal Cancerogenesis

Cancer stem cells (CSC) play one of the crucial roles in the pathogenesis of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Although great efforts have been made regarding our understanding of the cancerogenesis of CRC, CSC involvement in CRC development is still poorly understood. Using bioinformatics and RNA-seq data of normal mucosa, colorectal adenoma, and carcinoma (n = 106) from GEO and TCGA, we identified candidate CSC genes and analyzed pathway enrichment analysis (PEI) and protein–protein interaction analysis (PPI). Identified CSC-related genes were validated using qPCR and tissue samples from 47 patients with adenoma, adenoma with early carcinoma, and carcinoma without and with lymph node metastasis and were compared to normal mucosa. Six CSC-related genes were identified: ANLN, CDK1, ECT2, PDGFD, TNC, and TNXB. ANLN, CDK1, ECT2, and TNC were differentially expressed between adenoma and adenoma with early carcinoma. TNC was differentially expressed in CRC without lymph node metastases whereas ANLN, CDK1, and PDGFD were differentially expressed in CRC with lymph node metastases compared to normal mucosa. ANLN and PDGFD were differentially expressed between carcinoma without and with lymph node metastasis. Our study identified and validated CSC-related genes that might be involved in early stages of CRC development (ANLN, CDK1, ECT2, TNC) and in development of metastasis (ANLN, PDGFD).     

Synthesis of Carboxamide-Containing Tranylcypromine Analogues as LSD1 (KDM1A) Inhibitors Targeting Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) oxidatively removes methyl groups from histone proteins, and its aberrant activity has been correlated with cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We report a novel series of tranylcypromine analogues with a carboxamide at the 4-position of the aryl ring. These compounds, such as 5 a and 5 b with benzyl and phenethylamide substituents, respectively, had potent sub-micromolar IC₅₀ values for the inhibition of LSD1 as well as cell proliferation in a panel of AML cell lines. The dose-dependent increase in cellular expression levels of H3K4me2, CD86, CD11b and CD14 supported a mechanism involving LSD1 inhibition. The tert-butyl and ethyl carbamate derivatives of these tranylcypromines, although inactive in LSD1 inhibition, were of similar potency in cell-based assays with a more rapid onset of action. This suggests that carbamates can act as metabolically labile tranylcypromine prodrugs with superior pharmacokinetics.     

KCl‐induced corrosion of Ni‐based alloys containing 35–45 wt% Cr

Ni–(35–45)Cr–4Nb alloys containing different fractions of α‐Cr were exposed to potassium chloride (KCl)‐induced corrosion. The corrosion exposures were carried out for 168 hr at 600°C in a 15% (vol/vol) H₂O (g) + 5% (vol/vol) O₂ (g) + N₂ (g; balance) atmosphere using KCl‐free (reference) and predeposited KCl samples. To mimic the KCl deposition in real boilers, 24 hr exposures where KCl vapor condensed continuously onto samples were also performed. The corrosion attack of the studied materials increased significantly when KCl was present compared to the KCl‐free samples. For the KCl exposures, the corrosion attack drastically increased when a significant α‐Cr fraction was present. α‐Cr was either selectively attacked or dissolved through solid‐state diffusion and a layered build‐up of the outer external scale of K₂CrO₄ and chromia could be observed. For the in situ condensed KCl exposure, severe corrosion was observed already within the 24 hr exposure, indicating a higher corrosion rate compared with when KCl was predeposited.     

A note on weighted least square distribution fitting and full standardization of the empirical distribution function

The relationship between the norm square of the standardized cumulative distribution and the chi-square statistic is examined using the form of the covariance matrix as well as the projection perspective. This investigation enables us to give uncorrelated components of the chi-square statistic and to provide interpretation of these components as innovations standardizing the cumulative distribution values. The norm square of the standardized difference between empirical and theoretical cumulative distributions is also examined as an objective function for parameter estimation. Its relationship to the chi-square distance enables us to discuss the large sample properties of these estimators and a difference in their properties in the cases that the distribution is evaluated at fixed and random points.     

From Lithium-Metal toward Anode-Free Solid-State Batteries: Current Developments,Issues, and Challenges

The development of rechargeable batteries with high-energy density is critical for future decarbonization of transportation. Anode-free Li-ion batteries, using a bare current collector at the anode side without any excess of Li, provide the highest volumetric energy density ( > 1500 Wh L⁻¹) among all possible cell configurations. Furthermore, elimination of the anode material coating reduces material consumption and greatly simplifies cell production, which in turn lowers costs. Although significant progress has been made recently by the application of modified current collectors, optimized cycling parameters and improved liquid electrolytes, insufficient efficiencies, and dendritic growth during lithium plating lead to poor cycle life of typically less than 100 cycles as well as safety issues. Alternatively, very recent studies have demonstrated anode-free solid-state batteries that combine the benefits of high energy anode-free cell configuration and solid-state systems with high safety, exceeding 1000 cycles. This review provides an overview of recent developments toward anode-free solid-state batteries and highlights the current issues and challenges in this nascent field. It is concluded that, although major challenges remain at the present, the lessons learned in the fields of liquid electrolytes and solid-state lithium metal batteries can accelerate the development of anode-free solid-state batteries of practical relevance.     

Setting behavior and bioactivity assessment of calcium carbonate cements

Calcium carbonate cements have emerged in the last few years as an attractive candidate for biomedical applications. They can be easily prepared by mixing water with two metastable calcium carbonate phases––amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and vaterite––which (re)crystallize into calcite during setting reaction. The transformation kinetics (and therefore the final surface cement composition) strongly depends on the initial mixture design and is controlled by the dissolution of ACC, whereas calcite nucleation typically controls their recrystallization in fluid batch experiments. Novel compositions are presented in this paper by incorporating organic molecules as a proxy to test their capability to carry on other biomolecules like proteins or antibiotics. The hardened samples are microporous and show excellent bioactivity rates, although their mechanical properties still remain poor. However, this would not be a handicap for in-vivo applications such as bone filling, especially in low mechanical stress locations.     

Underreporting of energy intake in 1 to 18 year old German children and adolescents

AIMS: Intraosseous jaw cysts with a solely orthokeratinized lining epithelium have been suggested to differ from the typical odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) by exhibiting a less aggressive behaviour. We report 15 cases of such cyst type under the term of 'orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC)' and compared their clinical, histological and immunocytochemical features with that of OKC. METHODS AND RESULTS: The cysts of the present series were all solitary lesions, occurred mostly in young male patients, and showed a predilection for the posterior mandible areas. Follow-up of 14 patients, nine of whom were treated by simple enucleation, revealed no recurrence over a period of 3.5-12 years after surgery. None of the patients had any association with the naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Furthermore, histological and immunocytochemical comparison between OOC and OKC revealed marked differences in their morphology and epithelial expression. The lining epithelium of OOC lacked the typical features of OKC and appeared to show a lower proliferative activity. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that OOC is clinicopathologically separate from other types of odontogenic cysts and may thus constitute a distinct clinical entity.     

Risk factors and follow-up of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after first surgeries of benign thyroid diseases. Results of a retrospective analysis of 1,556 patients

PATIENTS AND METHODS: risk factors of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy after thyroid gland surgery were evaluated retrospectively in 1556 patients who were submitted to an operation because of a benign thyroid disease. Recurrences were also excluded. RESULTS: RLN palsy occurred in 6.6%. In relation to the nerves at risk the incidence of primary postoperative nerve damages was 4.3%. After a long-term follow-up of in total 18 months the incidence of permanent nerve palsy was 1.6% (related to the nerves at risk: 1.1%) as 75.5% of the paralyses were transient in an average of 6.2 months. Substernal goitres especially when sternotomy became necessary, the ligature of the inferior laryngeal artery, serious perioperative complications and total lobectomy in comparison to subtotal resection were important risk factors for primary postoperative RLN palsy (p < 0.05 resp. p < 0.01). The ligature of the inferior laryngeal artery and the extension of resection were indeed significant risk factors also for permanent nerve damages, but the other factors had no influence on the risk of permanent RLN palsy. However, the non-exposure of RLN in subtotal lobectomy was significantly associated (p < 0.01) with permanent, but not with transient nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: The exposure of the RLN is one of the most important procedures during thyroid surgery and particular also during subtotal lobectomy to reduce the rate of permanent RLN damages.     

Economics of fixed broadband access network strategies

This article presents a comprehensive techno-economic evaluation of two upgrade strategy cases for broadband IP services for residential and business customers, and illustrates their respective merits and pitfalls, allowing the definition of a reasonable investment policy. The work should enable establishment of guidelines for broadband infrastructure upgrade strategies from the incumbent operator's view. Following the definition of appropriate service sets, and taking into account demand scenarios established within the project, this work has been focused on developing a techno-economic model, based on the TONIC tool. Tariff structures have been applied to compute the key economic indicators, net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period. This investment analysis was carried using the tool, which was developed by IST-TONIC. The results show that the choice of technology (Ethernet or ATM) has almost no effect on the cost level and profitability of the cases. For the suburban area, a fiber to the cabinet solution is too expensive due to heavy infrastructure investments; for dense urban and urban areas the FTTC solution is worth the investments. The FTTH/office deployment scenario is only profitable in dense urban areas (>5000 potential customers/km/sup 2/) and already highly risky in the urban area.