Action pattern of Sulfolobus O-α-glycoligase for synthesis of highly water soluble resveratrol 3,4'-α-diglucoside.

This study presents the enzymatic synthesis of resveratrol-3,4'-O-α-diglucoside (RDG) using a hyperactive O-α-glycoligase (MalA-D416R/Q450S) and α-glucopyranosyl fluoride as the donor substrate. The transglycosylation rate for resveratrol by MalA-D416R/Q450S was maximized in 100 mM Tris-HCl (pH 9.5) containing 20 % DMSO at 45°C. Because the pKa of the 4'-OH group of resveratrol is lower than that of the 3-OH group, the 4'-OH group is more nucleophilic at the alkaline pH, leading to a preference for glycosylation at the 4'-OH site rather than the 3-OH site. This preference makes resveratrol 3-O-α-glucoside (R3G) as the more efficient acceptor than resveratrol 4'-O-α-glucoside (R4'G), resulting in negligible production of resveratrol 3-O-α-glucoside (R3G) due to its complete consumption in the second transglycosylation reaction when using a 2:1 ratio of donor to acceptor substrates. From a preparative scale reaction, R4'G and RDG were isolated with yields of 41.2 % and 43.3 %, respectively. The water solubility of RDG exceeded 1.67 M, which represents more than a 9,800-fold improvement compared to resveratrol. In a hydrolysis experiment using intestinal α-glycosidase from rat, the α-glucosides of resveratrol (R4'G and RDG) were completely deglycosylated to the aglycone.

Visual detection of biogenic monoamines based on amine oxidase-peroxidase coupling reaction using ascorbic acid as H2O2 scavenger.

This study represents a visual detection for total biogenic monoamines with naked eye as a simple and rapid semi-quantitative method for biogenic amine monitoring. The equivalent reaction of H2O2 with ascorbic acid resulted in color development by an amine oxidase-peroxidase coupling reaction in the samples containing the biogenic monoamines higher than the subjected ascorbic acid by 10 µM. Upon employing the commercial doenjang extracts as a model food, an additional heating step was requested, and the expected ranges for the biogenic monoamines from 360 to 480 µM covered the real contents of the samples (360.2-407.3 µM). Therefore, this visual detection method makes it possible to decide with naked eye whether the sample contains the biogenic monoamines higher than the ascorbic acid supplemented as much as a control level on manufacturing sites without instrumental analysis.

The Learning Curve for Robotic Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Rectal Cancer: A View From the West.

BACKGROUND: Lateral pelvic lymph node dissection is performed for selected patients with rectal cancer with persistent lateral nodal disease after neoadjuvant therapy. This technique has been slow to be adopted in the West because of concerns regarding technical difficulty. This is the first report on the learning curve for lateral pelvic lymph node dissection in the United States or Europe. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the learning curve associated with robotic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort. SETTING: Tertiary academic cancer center. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients from 2012 to 2021. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent robotic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end points were the learning curves for the maximum number of nodes retrieved and urinary retention, which was evaluated with simple cumulative sum and 2-sided Bernoulli cumulative sum charts. RESULTS: Fifty-four procedures were included. A single-surgeon learning curve (n = 35) and an institutional learning curve are presented in the analysis. In the single-surgeon learning curve, a turning point marking the end of a learning phase was detected at the 12th procedure for the number of retrieved nodes and at the 20th procedure for urinary retention. In the institutional learning curve analysis, 2 turning points were identified at the 13th procedure, indicating progressive improvements for the number of retrieved nodes, and at the 27th procedure for urinary retention. No sustained alarm signals were detected at any time point. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature, small sample size, and the referral center nature of the reporting institution may limit generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: In a setting of institutional experience with robotic colorectal surgery, including beyond total mesorectal excision resections, the learning curve for robotic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection is acceptably short. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the acquisition of this technique in a controlled setting, with sufficient case volume and proctoring to optimize the learning curve. See Video Abstract. LA CURVA DE APRENDIZAJE DE LA DISECCIN ROBTICA DE LOS GANGLIOS LINFTICOS PLVICOS LATERALES EN EL CNCER DE RECTO UNA VISIN DESDE OCCIDENTE: ANTECEDENTES:La disección lateral de los ganglios linfáticos pélvicos se realiza en pacientes seleccionados con cáncer de recto con enfermedad ganglionar lateral persistente tras el tratamiento neoadyuvante. La adopción de esta técnica en Occidente ha sido lenta debido a la preocupación por su dificultad técnica. Éste es el primer informe sobre la curva de aprendizaje de la disección de los ganglios linfáticos pélvicos laterales en EE.UU. o Europa.OBJETIVO:El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la curva de aprendizaje asociada a la disección robótica de los ganglios linfáticos pélvicos laterales.DISEÑO:Cohorte observacional retrospectiva.LUGAR:Centro oncológico académico terciario.PACIENTES:Pacientes consecutivos desde 2012 al 2021.INTERVENCIÓN:Todos los pacientes fueron sometieron a disección robótica de ganglios linfáticos pélvicos laterales.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Los criterios de valoración primarios fueron las curvas de aprendizaje tomando en cuenta el mayor número de ganglios recuperados y la retención urinaria que fueron evaluados con gráficos de suma acumulativa simple y de suma acumulativa de Bernoulli de dos caras.RESULTADOS:Fueron incluidos 54 procedimientos. En el análisis se presentan una curva de aprendizaje de un solo cirujano (n = 35) y una curva de aprendizaje institucional. En la curva de aprendizaje de un solo cirujano, se detectó un punto de inflexión que marcaba el final de una fase de aprendizaje en el duodécimo procedimiento para el número de ganglios extraídos y en el vigésimo para la retención urinaria. En el análisis de la curva de aprendizaje institucional, se identificaron dos puntos de inflexión en las intervenciones 13.ª y 26.ª, que indicaron mejoras progresivas en el número de ganglios extraídos, y en la 27.ª en la retención urinaria. No se detectaron señales de alarma sostenidas en ningún momento.LIMITACIONES:La naturaleza retrospectiva, el pequeño tamaño de la muestra y la naturaleza de centro de referencia de la institución informante que pueden limitar la capacidad de generalizarse.CONCLUSIONES:En un entorno de experiencia institucional con cirugía robótica colorrectal incluyendo más allá de las resecciones TME, la curva de aprendizaje para la disección robótica de ganglios linfáticos pélvicos laterales es aceptablemente corta. Nuestros resultados demuestran la viabilidad de la adquisición de esta técnica en un entorno controlado, con un volumen de casos suficiente y una supervisión que puede optimizar la curva de aprendizaje. (Traducción-Dr. Osvaldo Gauto ).

Perioperative and oncological outcomes following robotic en bloc multivisceral resection for colorectal cancer.

AIM: As multidisciplinary treatment strategies for colorectal cancer have improved, aggressive surgical resection has become commonplace. Multivisceral and extended resections offer curative-intent resection with significant survival benefit. However, limited data exist regarding the feasibility and oncological efficacy of performing extended resection via a minimally invasive approach. The aim of this study was to determine the perioperative and long-term outcomes following robotic extended resection for colorectal cancer. METHOD: We describe the population of patients undergoing robotic multivisceral resection for colorectal cancer at our single institution. We evaluated perioperative details and investigated short- and long-term outcomes, using the Kaplan-Meier method to analyse overall and recurrence-free survival. RESULTS: Among the 86 patients most tumours were T3 (47%) or T4 (47%) lesions in the rectum (78%). Most resections involved the anterior compartment (72%): bladder (n = 13), seminal vesicle/vas deferens (n = 27), ureter (n = 6), prostate (n = 15) and uterus/vagina/adnexa (n = 27). Three cases required conversion to open surgery; 10 patients had grade 3 complications. The median hospital stay was 4 days. Resections were R0 (>1 mm) in 78 and R1 (0 to ≤1 mm) in 8, with none being R2. The average nodal yield was 26 and 48 (55.8%) were pN0. Three-year overall survival was 88% and median progression-free survival was 19.4 months. Local recurrence was 6.1% and distant recurrence was 26.1% at 3 years. CONCLUSION: Performance of multivisceral and extended resection on the robotic platform allows patients the benefit of minimally invasive surgery while achieving oncologically sound resection of colorectal cancer.

The Expression Patterns of Immune Checkpoint Molecules in Colorectal Cancer: An Analysis Based on Microsatellite Status.

Recently, immunotherapy has arisen as a novel treatment approach for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), but the effectiveness of immunotherapy varies in these patients. We hypothesized that immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs), which are the targets of immunotherapy, are often exhibited concomitantly. Our objective was to investigate the patterns of ICM expression in patients with CRC and the differences in ICM expression based on microsatellite instability status. The immunohistochemical expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3), and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) in the tumor center and periphery was assessed in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer. We enrolled 83 patients with CRC: a total of 40 microsatellite-stable (MSS) and 43 microsatellite-instability-high (MSI-H) cancer patients. PD-L1 was more frequently expressed in the tumor center in the MSI-H patients with than that in the MSS patients (18 [41.9%] vs. 3 [7.5%], respectively; p < 0.001), and the same trend was observed for TIM-3 expression (30 [69.8%] vs. 19 [47.5%], respectively; p = 0.047). The concomitant expression of two or more ICMs was more frequently observed than no expression or the expression of a single molecule in both the MSS and MSI-H groups; a total of 34 (79.7%) patients with MSI-H cancer and 23 (57.5%) with MSS cancer showed ICM expression at the tumor center, whereas 34 (79.7%) patients with MSI-H cancer and 22 (55%) with MSS cancer showed expression at the tumor periphery. Patients with the genetic characteristics of MSI-H cancer showed higher expression levels of ICMs than those in patients with MSS cancer, and predominantly, two or more ICMs were concurrently expressed. Our findings highlight the potential efficacy of the dual-blockade approach in immunotherapy, particularly in patients with MSI-H CRC.

Reporting of Circumferential Resection Margin in Rectal Cancer Surgery.

Importance: Circumferential resection margin (CRM) in rectal cancer surgery is a major prognostic indicator associated with local recurrence and overall survival. Facility rates of CRM positivity have recently been established as a new quality measure by the Commission on Cancer (CoC); however, the completeness of CRM status reporting is not well characterized. Objective: To describe the changes in CRM reporting and factors associated with low rates of reporting. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the National Cancer Database between January 2010 and December 2019. Data were analyzed between October 1, 2021, and February 1, 2022. Data from the National Cancer Database included patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic rectal adenocarcinoma receiving surgical treatment at CoC-accredited facilities throughout the US. Exposures: Patient, tumor, and facility-level factors. Facilities were divided by surgical volume, safety-net status, and CoC facility type. Main Outcomes and Measures: Circumferential resection margin missingness rates. Results: A total of 110 571 patients (59.3% men) with rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent curative-intent surgery at 1307 CoC-accredited hospitals were included for analysis. Reporting of CRM improved over the study period, with a mean (SE) missing 12.0% (0.32%) decreased from 16.3% (0.36%). Academic facilities had a higher missingness than other facility types (14.3% vs 10.5%-12.7%; P < .001). Mean (SE) rates of missingness were similar between hospitals of varying volume (lowest quartile: 12.2% [0.93%] vs highest quartile: 12.4% [0.53%]; P = .96). Cases in which fewer than 12 lymph nodes were removed had higher rates of missingness (18.1% vs 11.4%; P < .001). Increased odds of CRM missingness were noted with T category (odds ratio [OR], 1.50; 95% CI, 1.35-1.65) and N category (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.82-2.20). Black race was associated with missingness (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06-1.14). Conclusion and Relevance: Although CRM positivity reporting has improved over the last decade, the findings of this study suggest there is substantial room for improvement as it becomes a quality standard. Missingness appears to be associated with poor performance on other quality metrics and facility type. This measure appears to be ideal for targeted institution-level feedback to improve quality of care nationally.

Expression of Immune-Related and Inflammatory Markers and Their Prognostic Impact in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

The tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC) is heterogenous; thus, it is likely that multiple immune-related and inflammatory markers are simultaneously expressed in the tumor. The aim of this study was to identify immune-related and inflammatory markers expressed in freshly frozen CRC tissues and to investigate whether they are related to the clinicopathological features and prognosis of CRC. Seventy patients with CRC who underwent curative surgical resection between December 2014 and January 2017 were included in this study. Tissue samples were obtained from tumor and non-tumor areas in the patients' colons. The concentrations of immune-related markers (APRIL/TNFSF13, BAFF, LAG-3, PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4) and inflammatory markers (CHIT, MMP-3, osteocalcin, pentraxin-3, sTNF-R1, and sTNF-R2) in the samples were measured using the Bio-plex Multiplex Immunoassay system. The concentrations of APRIL/TNFSF13, BAFF, and MMP-3 in the samples were significantly high; thus, we conducted analyses based on the cut-off values for these three markers. The high-APRIL/TNFSH13-expression group showed a significantly higher rate of metastatic lesions than the low-expression group, whereas the high-MMP-3-expression group had higher CEA levels, more lymph node metastases, and more advanced disease stages than the low-expression group. The five-year disease-free survival of the high-MMP-3-expression group was significantly shorter than that of the low-expression group (65.1% vs. 90.2%, p = 0.033). This study provides evidence that the APRIL/TNFSF13, BAFF, and MMP-3 pathway is overexpressed in CRC tissues and is associated with unfavorable clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in CRC patients. These markers could serve as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for CRC.

Domestic violence towards children in Kenya and Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: Although research has demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the likelihood of children experiencing domestic abuse, few empirical studies have focused on the most vulnerable communities in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence towards children in Kenya and Zambia. STUDY DESIGN: In collaboration with an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), an original door-to-door survey of 842 children and their parents (or adult guardians) was conducted in Kenya and Zambia. The survey sites were carefully selected to target economically underprivileged communities with the presence of NGOs as well as those without. METHODS: Using multivariate regression analysis of child and parent survey responses, we attempted to identify how parents' experiences of COVID-19 affected children's exposure to domestic violence. Our analysis of domestic violence included both emotional (psychological) and physical violence. RESULTS: Children from households whose guardians perceived a strongly negative effect of COVID-19 were more likely to experience domestic violence. The correlation was statistically significant for both emotional and physical violence. In Kenya, children in communities with NGO presence were less likely to experience domestic violence. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed children to an increased risk of experiencing domestic violence. Children from underprivileged communities in developing countries are particularly vulnerable to such risk, as they tend to lack social support from communities and governments. International organisations must pay more attention to these children during the pandemic.

Fermented Soybean Paste Attenuates Biogenic Amine-Induced Liver Damage in Obese Mice.

Biogenic amines are cellular components produced by the decarboxylation of amino acids; however, excessive biogenic amine production causes adverse health problems. The relationship between hepatic damage and biogenic amine levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. In this study, mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks to induce obesity, presenting early-stage of NAFLD. We administered histamine (20 mg/kg) + tyramine (100 mg/kg) via oral gavage for 6 days to mice with HFD-induced early-stage NAFLD. The results showed that combined histamine and tyramine administration increased cleaved PARP-1 and IL-1ß in the liver, as well as MAO-A, total MAO, CRP, and AST/ALT levels. In contrast, the survival rate decreased in HFD-induced NAFLD mice. Treatment with manufactured or traditional fermented soybean paste decreased biogenically elevated hepatic cleaved PARP-1 and IL-1ß expression and blood plasma MAO-A, CRP, and AST/ALT levels in HFD-induced NAFLD mice. Additionally, the biogenic amine-induced reduction in survival rate was alleviated by fermented soybean paste in HFD-induced NAFLD mice. These results show that biogenic amine-induced liver damage can be exacerbated by obesity and may adversely affect life conservation. However, fermented soybean paste can reduce biogenic amine-induced liver damage in NAFLD mice. These results suggest a beneficial effect of fermented soybean paste on biogenic amine-induced liver damage and provide a new research perspective on the relationship between biogenic amines and obesity.

EMR1/ADGRE1 Expression in Cancer Cells Upregulated by Tumor-Associated Macrophages Is Related to Poor Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer.

EMR1, a member of the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor family (ADGRE1), is a macrophage marker that is abnormally expressed in cancer cells. However, its clinical significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not well-known. In this investigation, EMR1 expression in tumor cells (EMR1-TC) was found in 91 (22.8%) of the 399 CRC samples tested by immunohistochemical staining and showed a significant relationship with lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, EMR1-TC was significantly associated with CD68+ CD163+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and CRC with a high combined EMR1-TC+CD68+CD163+ score showed worse recurrence-free survival prognosis. In an in vitro co-culture assay of colon cancer cells with myeloid cells, we found that EMR1 expression significantly upregulated in cancer cells was induced by macrophages. In addition, there was increased expression of M2 markers (CD163 and interleukin-6 & 10) in myeloid portion, while that of M1 markers (CD86 and iNOS) remained unchanged. Accordingly, upon treatment with M2 macrophage polarization inhibitors (O-ATP, trametinib, bardoxolone methyl), EMR1 expression reduced significantly, along with M2 markers (CD163 and interleukin-6 & 10). In conclusion, EMR1-TC was a high-risk factor for lymph node metastasis and correlated with poor recurrence free survival, particularly in patients with TAM-rich CRC. Furthermore, EMR1 expression in colon cancer cells may be related to M2 macrophage polarization and vice versa.

Perioperative Probiotics Application for Preventing Postoperative Complications in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Perioperative probiotic administration in patients who undergo gastrointestinal surgery can reduce postoperative infectious complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotics on postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery. Materials and Methods: For this study, we followed the protocol published by PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021247277). We included studies on patients undergoing open, laparoscopic, or robotic colorectal cancer surgery for curative intent. We conducted a comprehensive search with online databases (trial registries and ClinicalTrials.gov), other literature sources, and conference proceedings, with no language restriction, up until 12 August 2022. We assessed risk of bias, extracted data, and conducted statistical analyses by using a random-effects model and interpreted the results based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We rated the certainty of evidence (CoR) according to the GRADE approach. Results: We identified 20 published full-text studies. The use of probiotics probably results in little to no difference in perioperative mortality (risk ratio (RR): 0.17, 95% CI: 0.02 to 1.38; I2 = 0%; moderate CoE) and may result in reducing the overall postoperative infectious complications (RR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.76; I2 = 38%; low CoE) after colorectal cancer surgery. Probiotics may result in little to no difference in probiotics-related adverse events (RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.19; I2 = 0%; low CoE). While probiotics may result in reducing the overall postoperative complications (RR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.74; I2 = 8%; low CoE), it may result in little to no difference in hospital length of stay (LOS) (MD: -1.06, 95% CI: -1.64 to -0.47; I2 = 8%; low CoE) and postoperative quality of life (QOL) (MD: +5.64, 95% CI: 0.98 to 10.3; low CoE). Conclusions: Perioperative probiotic administration may reduce complications, including overall infectious complications, in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery without any additional adverse effects. In addition, probiotics may have similar effects on perioperative mortality; procedure-related complications such as anastomotic leakage, and hospital LOS; or improve the QOL. Thus, probiotics may be considered a beneficial supplement to routine perioperative care for colorectal cancer surgery.

High Versus Low Ligation of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery in Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of high ligation (HL) versus low ligation (LL) in colorectal cancer surgery. Materials and Methods: We performed a comprehensive search using multiple databases (trial registries and ClinicalTrials.gov), other sources of grey literature, and conference proceedings, with no restrictions on the language or publication status, up until 10 March 2021. We included all parallel-group randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and considered cluster RCTs for inclusion. The risk of bias domains were "low risk," "high risk," or "unclear risk." We performed statistical analyses using a random-effects model and interpreted the results according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We used the GRADE guidelines to rate the certainty of evidence (CoE) of the randomized controlled trials. Results: We found 12 studies (24 articles) from our search. We were very uncertain about the effects of HL on overall mortality, disease recurrence, cancer-specific mortality, postoperative mortality, and anastomotic leakage (very low CoE). There may be little to no difference between HL and LL in postoperative complications (low CoE). For short-term follow-up (within 6 months), HL may reduce defecatory function (constipation; low CoE). While HL and LL may have similar effects on sexual function in men, HL may reduce female sexual function compared with LL (low CoE). For long-term follow-up (beyond 6 months), HL may reduce defecatory function (constipation; low CoE). There were discrepancies in the effects regarding urinary dysfunction according to which questionnaire was used in the studies. HL may reduce male and female sexual function (low CoE). Conclusions: We are very uncertain about the effects of HL on survival outcomes, and there is no difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between HL and LL. More rigorous RCTs are necessary to evaluate the effect of HL and LL on functional outcomes.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Directed Surgical Decision Making for Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Rectal Cancer After Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT).

OBJECTIVE: Lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) metastases are an important cause of preventable local failure in rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and oncological outcomes following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-directed surgical selection for lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND) after total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). METHODS: A retrospective consecutive cohort analysis was performed of rectal cancer patients with enlarged LPLN on pretreatment MRI. Patients were categorized as LPLND or non-LPLND. The main outcomes were lateral local recurrence rate, perioperative and oncological outcomes and factors associated with decision making for LPLND. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients with enlarged pretreatment LPLN and treated with TNT were identified. Median follow-up was 20 months (interquartile range 10-32). After multidisciplinary review, 88 patients (56.0%) underwent LPLND. Mean age was 53 (SD±12) years, and 54 (34.2%) were female. Total operative time (509 vs 429 minutes; P =0.003) was greater in the LPLND group, but median blood loss ( P =0.70) or rates of major morbidity (19.3% vs 17.0%) did not differ. LPLNs were pathologically positive in 34.1%. The 3-year lateral local recurrence rates (3.4% vs 4.6%; P =0.85) did not differ between groups. Patients with LPLNs demonstrating pretreatment heterogeneity and irregular margin (odds ratio, 3.82; 95% confidence interval: 1.65-8.82) or with short-axis ≥5 mm post-TNT (odds ratio 2.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.19-6.08) were more likely to undergo LPLND. CONCLUSIONS: For rectal cancer patients with evidence of LPLN metastasis, the appropriate selection of patients for LPLND can be facilitated by a multidisciplinary MRI-directed approach with no significant difference in perioperative or oncologic outcomes.

Evaluating the efficacy of slow-releasing carbon source tablets for in situ biological heterotrophic denitrification of groundwater.

Slow-releasing precipitating tablets (SRPTs) and slow-releasing floating tablets (SRFTs) were formulated to release fumarate as a carbon source (CS) and/or electron donor (ED) in an in situ biological heterotrophic denitrification system. These tablets were prepared using pharmaceutical manufacturing. Soil column tests were conducted to evaluate nitrate denitrification efficacy, microbial population changes, and mass balance of fumarate and potential electron acceptors. Significant and simultaneous consumption of both fumarate and nitrate, and the production and consumption of nitrite were observed in both SRPT-treated and SRFT-treated soil columns. These results suggest that SRPT and SRFT releasing fumarate, induce heterotrophic biological denitrification. In the SRPT- and SRFT-treated columns, 65% and 73% of fumarate were associated with heterotrophic denitrification, respectively. Particularly, surplus citric acid, originally designed to serve as a floating agent, was utilized for 36% and 28% for SRFT flotation and denitrification, respectively. The results of 16s RNA analyses revealed that a bacterium that shared 99% 16s rRNA sequence similarity with those of Azoarcus sp. AN9, and Pseudogulbenkiania sp. NH8B, a facultative heterotrophic denitrifier, was detected in the column effluent. This study confirms that SRPT and SRFT can effectively operate long-term in situ biological denitrification processes, because it is possible to supply detailed CS and/or ED uniformly by applying both SRPT and SRFT in the well.

Pretreatment inflammatory markers predicting treatment outcomes in colorectal cancer.

We aimed to review whether pretreatment inflammatory markers reflect the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with colon cancer, rectal cancer, colon and rectal cancers, and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). We found that pretreatment complete blood count and blood chemistry tests reflect short-term and long-term oncological outcomes in patients with CRC. Specifically, in patients with colon cancer, hypoalbuminemia was associated with worse postoperative morbidity, mortality, and inferior survival. In patients with rectal cancer, elevated neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and thrombocytosis were associated with postoperative complications, poor overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). A high C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) was associated with poor OS and DFS. In patients with metastatic CRC, increased NLR and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were associated with poor OS, DFS, and progression-free survival (PFS). In addition, high CAR and a low albumin/globulin ratio on blood chemistry tests were associated with poor OS and PFS. Although universal cut-off values were not available, various types of pretreatment laboratory markers could be utilized as adjuncts to predict prognosis in patients with CRC.

Site-Directed Mutagenic Engineering of a Bifidobacterium Amylosucrase toward Greater Efficiency of Turanose Synthesis.

The aim of this study was to establish one of the most efficient biocatalytic processes for turanose production by applying a robust Bifidobacterium thermophilum (BtAS) mutant developed through site-directed mutagenesis. A gene encoding the amylosucrase of B. thermophilum (BtAS) was cloned and used as a mutagenesis template. Among the BtAS variants generated by the site-directed point mutation, four different single-point mutants (P200R, V202I, Y265F, and Y414F) were selected to create double-point mutants, among which BtASY414F/P200R displayed the greatest turanose productivity without losing the thermostability of native BtAS. The turanose yield of BtASY414F/P200R reached 89.3% at 50 °C after 6 h with 1.0 M sucrose + 1.0 M fructose. BtASY414F/P200R produced significantly more turanose than BtAS-wild type (WT) by 2 times and completed the reaction faster by another 2 times. Thus, turanose productivity (82.0 g/(L h)) by BtASY414F/P200R was highly improved from 28.1 g/(L h) of BtAS-WT with 2.0 M sucrose + 0.75 M fructose.

Development of a colorimetric enzymatic assay method for aromatic biogenic monoamine-producing decarboxylases.

Biogenic amines (BAs) produced by the action of bacterial amino acid decarboxylases in fermented foods cause various health problems in human. Despite the importance, detailed characterizations of the BA-producing decarboxylases are relatively less progressed than the studies on BA-producing bacteria, due to the time-consuming chromatography-based assay method. In this study, a simple and general colorimetric assay for aromatic amino acid decarboxylases coupled with an amine oxidase from Arthrobacter aurescens (AMAO) and horseradish peroxidase was developed using a tyrosine decarboxylase from Enterococcus faecium DSM20477 (EfmTDC) as a model enzyme. The activity profiles over pH and temperature and the kinetic analysis for EfmTDC revealed that the results by the colorimetric assay are compatible with those by the chromatographic assay. In addition, due to the broad substrate specificity of AMAO for histamine and 2-phenylethylamine, the colorimetric assay would be applicable to the characterization of other aromatic amino acid decarboxylases including histidine decarboxylases. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-021-00938-4.

Evaluation of SLE arthritis using frequency domain optical imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects the joints in up to 95% of patients. The diagnosis and evaluation of SLE arthritis remain challenging in both practice and clinical trials. Frequency domain optical imaging (FDOI) has been previously used to assess joint involvement in inflammatory arthritis. The objective of this study was to evaluate FDOI in SLE arthritis. METHODS: Ninety-six proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints from 16 patients with SLE arthritis and 60 PIP joints from 10 age-matched, gender-matched and race/ethnicity-matched controls were examined. A laser beam with a wavelength of 670 nm, 1 mm in diameter and intensity modulated at 300 MHz and 600 MHz was directed onto the dorsal surface of each joint, scanning across a sagittal plane. The transmitted light intensities and phase shifts were measured with an intensified charge-coupled device camera. The data were analysed using Discriminant Analysis and Support Vector Machine algorithms. RESULTS: The amplitude and phase of the transmitted light were significantly different between SLE and control PIPs (p<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of cross-validated models showed an Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC)of 0.89 with corresponding sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 79%, and accuracy of 80%. CONCLUSION: This study is the first evaluation of optical methods in the assessment of SLE arthritis; there was a statistically significant difference in the FDOI signals between patients with SLE and healthy volunteers. The results show that FDOI may have the potential to provide an objective, user-independent, evaluation of SLE PIP joints arthritis.

Solid Fat Replacement with Canola Oil-Carnauba Wax Oleogels for Dairy-Free Imitation Cheese Low in Saturated Fat.

Canola oil was structured into oleogels with different amounts of carnauba wax, and their processing performances were assessed as an alternative to solid fat for imitation cheese low in saturated fat. The contents of solid fat in the oleogels were less vulnerable to the change in temperature than the palm oil. The replacement of palm oil with oleogels produced cheese samples with harder and more cohesive/chewy textures. Dynamic and transient viscoelastic measurements demonstrated that the use of oleogels was effective in increasing the elastic nature of the cheeses. Two distinct components with different proton mobilities were observed in the imitation cheeses, and longer T2 relaxation times were detected in the oleogel samples. The meltability of the cheese with palm oil was not significantly different from those with 3% and 6% oleogels. The saturated fat level of the oleogel cheese was significantly reduced from 45.70 to 5.20%. The application of canola oil-carnauba wax oleogels could successfully produce imitation cheese high in unsaturated fat and low in saturated fat. This study thus demonstrated that the health-functional properties of imitation cheese could be enhanced by using oleogels.