Medium Chain Length Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production by Engineered Pseudomonas gessardii Using Acetate-formate as Carbon Sources.

Production of medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) was attempted using Pseudomonas gessardii NIBRBAC000509957, which was isolated from Sunchang, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea (35°24'27.7"N, 127°09'13.0"E) and effectively utilized acetate and formate as carbon sources. We first evaluated the utilization of acetate as a carbon source, revealing optimal growth at 5 g/L acetate. Then, formate was supplied to the acetate minimal medium as a carbon source to enhance cell growth. After overexpressing the acetate and formate assimilation pathway enzymes, this strain grew at a significantly higher rate in the medium. As this strain naturally produces PHA, it was further engineered metabolically to enhance mcl-PHA production. The engineered strain produced 0.40 g/L of mcl-PHA with a biomass content of 30.43% in fed-batch fermentation. Overall, this strain can be further developed to convert acetate and formate into valuable products.

Prognosis of the Ipsilesional Corticospinal Tracts with Preserved Integrities at the Early Stage of Cerebral Infarction: Follow Up Diffusion Tensor Tractography Study.

This study examined the prognosis of the ipsilesional corticospinal tracts (CSTs) with preserved integrities at the early stage of cerebral infarction using follow-up diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). Thirty-one patients with a supratentorial infarction were recruited. DTT, Motricity Index (MI), modified Brunnstrom classification (MBC), and functional ambulation category (FAC) were performed twice at the early and chronic stages. The patients were classified into two groups based on the integrity of the ipsilesional CST on the second DTT: Group A (24 patients; 77.4%)­preserved integrity and Group B (7 patients; 22.6%)­disrupted integrity. No significant differences in MI, MBC, and FAC were observed between groups A and B at the first and second evaluations, except for FAC at the first evaluation (p > 0.05). MI, MBC, and FAC at the second evaluation were significantly higher than at the first evaluation in both groups A and B (p < 0.05). On the second DTT, one patient (4.2%) in group A showed a false-positive result, whereas five patients (71.4%) in group B had false-negative results. Approximately 20% of patients showed disruption of the ipsilesional CST at the chronic stage. However, the clinical outcomes in hand and gait functions were generally good. Careful interpretation considering the somatotopy of the ipsilesional CST is needed because of the high false-negative results on DTT at the chronic stage.

Acute Impact of the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak on Behavioral Patterns and Emotional States of Pediatric Psychiatric Patients and Caregivers in Daegu, South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the changes in interpersonal relationships, behavioral patterns, and emotional states of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and their caregivers immediately after the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Daegu, South Korea. METHODS: A total of 147 patients and 147 caregivers participated in the Survey for Outing and Time Usage for Child, Adolescent, and Parents and the COVID-19 Visual Analog Scale for Emotion. We classified the patients and their caregivers into the internalizing disorder (ID) and externalizing disorder (ED) groups and compared the changes. RESULTS: Parent-child relationships for adolescent patients and caregivers were interrupted, and friend relationships in all participants were disrupted, while sibling relationships improved in adolescent patients. They experienced negative emotional changes. Time spent outdoor decreased and digital screen time increased for all participants. Friend and parent-child relationships were interrupted in the ED group compared to those in the ID group. ED patients experienced negative changes in emotional states, while ID patients showed no significant changes. CONCLUSION: Results are meaningful as a reference for predicting changes in interpersonal relationships and mental status of pediatric psychiatric patients and for determining healthcare system adaptations to allow mental health support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Malvidin Protects WI-38 Human Fibroblast Cells Against Stress-induced Premature Senescence.

BACKGROUND: Malvidin is one of the most abundant components in red wines and black rice. The effects of malvidin on aging and lifespan under oxidative stress have not been fully understood. This study focused on the anti-aging effect of malvidin on stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) in WI-38 human lung-derived diploid fibroblasts. METHODS: In order to determine the viability of WI-38 cells, MTT assay was conducted, and malondialdehyde level was determined using thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance assay. Protein expression of inflammation-related factors was also evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Acute and chronic oxidative stress via hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment led to SIPS in WI-38 cells, which showed decreased cell viability, increased lipid peroxidation, and a shortened lifespan in comparison with non-H2O2-treated WI-38 cells. However, malvidin treatment significantly attenuated H2O2-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and increasing cell viability. Furthermore, the lifespan of WI-38 cells was prolonged by malvidin treatment. In addition, malvidin downregulated the expression of oxidative stress-related proteins, including NF-κB, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Furthermore, protein expression levels of p53, p21, and Bax were also regulated by malvidin treatment in WI-38 cells undergoing SIPS. CONCLUSIONS: Malvidin may potentially inhibit the aging process by controlling oxidative stress.