Biosynthesis of Arcyriaflavin F from Streptomyces venezuelae ATCC 10712.

Indolocarbazoles are natural products with broad bioactivities. A distinct feature of indolocarbazole biosynthesis is the modification of the indole and maleimide rings by regioselective tailoring enzymes. Here, we study a new indolocarbazole variant, which is encoded by the acfXODCP genes from Streptomyces venezuelae ATCC 10712. First we characterise this pathway by expressing the acfXODCP genes in Streptomyces coelicolor, which led to the production of a C-5/C-5'-dihydroxylated indolocarbazole. We assign as a new product arcyriaflavin F. Second, we demonstrate the flavin-dependent monooxygenase AcfX catalyses the C-5/C-5' dihydroxylation of the unsubstituted arcyriaflavin A into arcyriaflavin F. Interestingly, AcfX shares homology to EspX from erdasporine A biosynthesis, which instead catalyses a single C-6 indolocarbazole hydroxylation. In summary, we report a new indolocarbazole biosynthetic pathway and a regioselective C-5 indole ring tailoring enzyme AcfX.

Remote rhythm monitoring using a photoplethysmography smartphone application after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Direct current cardioversion (DCCV) is a commonly utilized rhythm control technique for atrial fibrillation. Follow-up typically comprises a hospital visit for 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) two weeks post-DCCV. We report the feasibility, costs, and environmental benefit of remote photoplethysmography (PPG) monitoring as an alternative. Methods and results: We retrospectively analysed DCCV cases at our centre from May 2020 to October 2022. Patients were stratified into those with remote PPG follow-up and those with traditional 12-lead ECG follow-up. Monitoring type was decided by the specialist nurse performing the DCCV at the time of the procedure after discussing with the patient and offering them both options if appropriate. Outcomes included the proportion of patients who underwent PPG monitoring, patient compliance and experience, and cost, travel, and environmental impact. Four hundred sixteen patients underwent 461 acutely successful DCCV procedures. Two hundred forty-six underwent PPG follow-up whilst 214 underwent ECG follow-up. Patient compliance was high (PPG 89.4% vs. ECG 89.8%; P > 0.999) and the majority of PPG users (90%) found the app easy to use. Sinus rhythm was maintained in 71.1% (PPG) and 64.7% (ECG) of patients (P = 0.161). Twenty-nine (11.8%) PPG patients subsequently required an ECG either due to non-compliance, technical failure, or inconclusive PPG readings. Despite this, mean healthcare costs (£47.91 vs. £135 per patient; P < 0.001) and median cost to the patient (£0 vs. £5.97; P < 0.001) were lower with PPG. Median travel time per patient (0 vs. 44 min; P < 0.001) and CO2 emissions (0 vs. 3.59 kg; P < 0.001) were also lower with PPG. No safety issues were identified. Conclusion: Remote PPG monitoring is a viable method of assessing for arrhythmia recurrence post-DCCV. This approach may save patients significant travel time, reduce environmental CO2 emission, and be cost saving in a publicly-funded healthcare system.

Microscopic and metabolomics analysis of the anti-Listeria activity of natural and engineered cruzioseptins.

Listeria monocytogenes is a human opportunistic foodborne pathogen that produces life-threatening infections with a high mortality rate. The control of Listeria in the food production environment and effective clinical management of human listeriosis are challenging due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Hence we evaluate the in vitro anti-Listeria activity of two synthetic cruzioseptins reproducing their natural sequences CZS-9, and CZS-12, and one engineered sequence based on CZS-1, named [K4K15]CZS-1. The assessment of the in vitro potential of cruzioseptins, highlighted the promising antibacterial effect of [K4K15]CZS-1 in very low concentrations (0.91 µM) and its thermal stability at high-temperature conditions, is compatible with the food industry. Microscopic and metabolomic analyses suggest cruzioseptin induces anti-Listeria bioactivity through membrane disruption and changes in the intracellular metabolome. We also report that [K4K15]CZS-1 is not resistant to peptidases/proteases emphasizing a key advantage for their use as a food preservative. However, there is a need for further structural and functional optimisations for the potential clinical application as an antibiotic. In conclusion, [K4K15]CZS-1 stand out as membrane-active peptides with the ability to induce shifts in the bacteria metabolome and inspire the development of strategies for the prevention of L. monocytogenes emergence and dissemination.

Analysis of the Most Popular Online Ankle Fracture-Related Patient Education Materials.

Background: Given the increasing accessibility of Internet access, it is critical to ensure that the informational material available online for patient education is both accurate and readable to promote a greater degree of health literacy. This study sought to investigate the quality and readability of the most popular online resources for ankle fractures. Methods: After conducting a Google search using 6 terms related to ankle fractures, we collected the first 20 nonsponsored results for each term. Readability was evaluated using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and Gunning Fog Index (GFI) instruments. Quality was evaluated using custom created Ankle Fracture Index (AFI). Results: A total of 46 of 120 articles met the inclusion criteria. The mean FKGL, FRE, and GFI scores were 8.4 ± 0.5, 57.5 ± 3.2, and 10.5 ± 0.5, respectively. The average AFI score was 15.4 ± 1.4, corresponding to an "acceptable" quality rating. Almost 70% of articles (n = 32) were written at or below the recommended eighth-grade reading level. Most articles discussed the need for imaging in diagnosis and treatment planning while neglecting to discuss the risks of surgery or potential future operations. Conclusion: We found that online patient-facing materials on ankle fractures demonstrated an eighth-grade average reading grade level and an acceptable quality on content analysis. Further work should surround increasing information regarding risk factors, complications for surgery, and long-term recovery while ensuring that readability levels remain below at least the eighth-grade level.

A predictive model for ethylene-mediated auxin and cytokinin patterning in the Arabidopsis root.

The interaction between auxin and cytokinin is important in many aspects of plant development. Experimental measurements of both auxin and cytokinin concentration and reporter gene expression clearly show the coexistence of auxin and cytokinin concentration patterning in Arabidopsis root development. However, in the context of crosstalk among auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene, little is known about how auxin and cytokinin concentration patterns simultaneously emerge and how they regulate each other in the Arabidopsis root. This work utilizes a wide range of experimental observations to propose a mechanism for simultaneous patterning of auxin and cytokinin concentrations. In addition to revealing the regulatory relationships between auxin and cytokinin, this mechanism shows that ethylene signaling is an important factor in achieving simultaneous auxin and cytokinin patterning, while also predicting other experimental observations. Combining the mechanism with a realistic in silico root model reproduces experimental observations of both auxin and cytokinin patterning. Predictions made by the mechanism can be compared with a variety of experimental observations, including those obtained by our group and other independent experiments reported by other groups. Examples of these predictions include patterning of auxin biosynthesis rate, changes in PIN1 and PIN2 patterns in pin3,4,7 mutants, changes in cytokinin patterning in the pls mutant, PLS patterning, and various trends in different mutants. This research reveals a plausible mechanism for simultaneous patterning of auxin and cytokinin concentrations in Arabidopsis root development and suggests a key role for ethylene pattern integration.

Hospital-based violence prevention programmes in South Wales Emergency Departments: A process evaluation protocol.

BACKGROUND: Addressing violence related harm is a global public health priority. While violence is primarily managed in the criminal justice system, healthcare supports and manages those injured by violence. Emergency Departments (EDs), the primary destination for those seriously injured, have emerged as a candidate location for violence prevention initiatives. There is limited evaluation of ED-based violence prevention, and a lack of guidance for the implementation and delivery of them. Nurse-led Violence Prevention Teams (VPTs) have been developed and implemented in two EDs in Wales, UK. This protocol describes methods used in the process evaluation of these VPTs. AIM: To understand how VPTs function, how they were implemented, and mechanisms of impact, as well as the exploration of wider contextual factors influencing their function. METHODS: Adopting a critical realist approach and informed by the Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance for process evaluations, the process evaluation will employ qualitative methods to collect and analyse data: a scoping review of evidence of effectiveness that considers the causal mechanisms underpinning violence; a documentary analysis to determine operational considerations concerning the development, implementation and delivery of the VPTs; a descriptive analysis of routine ED data to characterise the prevalence of violence-related attendances in each ED; interviews with professional stakeholders (N = 60) from the violence prevention ecologies in which the VPTs are embedded. DISCUSSION: This protocol outlines a process evaluation of a novel, nurse led violence prevention intervention. Findings will be used to inform policy makers' decision making on whether and how VPTs should be used in practice in other EDs across the UK, and the extent that a single operational model should be adjusted to address the local characteristic of violence. To the authors knowledge, this is the first process evaluation of a UK-based, nurse led Emergency Department Violence Prevention Team. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Protocol registration ISRCTN: 15286575. Registered 13th March, 2023.

Yeast lacking the sterol C-5 desaturase Erg3 are tolerant to the anti-inflammatory triterpenoid saponin escin.

Escin is a mixture of over 30 glycosylated triterpenoid (saponin) structures, extracted from the dried fruit of horse chestnuts. Escin is currently used as an anti-inflammatory, and has potential applications in the treatment of arthritis and cancer. Engineered yeast would enable production of specific bioactive components of escin at industrial scale, however many saponins have been shown to be toxic to yeast. Here we report that a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain specifically lacking the sterol C-5 desaturase gene ERG3, exhibits striking enhanced tolerance to escin treatment. Transcriptome analyses, as well as pre-mixing of escin with sterols, support the hypothesis that escin interacts directly with ergosterol, but not as strongly with the altered sterols present in erg3Δ. A diverse range of saponins are of commercial interest, and this research highlights the value of screening lipidome mutants to identify appropriate hosts for engineering the industrial production of saponins.

Insights from linking police domestic abuse data and health data in South Wales, UK: a linked routine data analysis using decision tree classification.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to domestic abuse can lead to long-term negative impacts on the victim's physical and psychological wellbeing. The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act requires agencies to collaborate on crime reduction strategies, including data sharing. Although data sharing is feasible for individuals, rarely are whole-agency data linked. This study aimed to examine the knowledge obtained by integrating information from police and health-care datasets through data linkage and analyse associated risk factor clusters. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyses data from residents of South Wales who were victims of domestic abuse resulting in a Public Protection Notification (PPN) submission between Aug 12, 2015 and March 31, 2020. The study links these data with the victims' health records, collated within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage databank, to examine factors associated with the outcome of an Emergency Department attendance, emergency hospital admission, or death within 12 months of the PPN submission. To assess the time to outcome for domestic abuse victims after the index PPN submission, we used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. We used multivariable Cox regression models to identify which factors contributed the highest risk of experiencing an outcome after the index PPN submission. Finally, we created decision trees to describe specific groups of individuals who are at risk of experiencing a domestic abuse incident and subsequent outcome. FINDINGS: After excluding individuals with multiple PPN records, duplicates, and records with a poor matching score or missing fields, the resulting clean dataset consisted of 8709 domestic abuse victims, of whom 6257 (71·8%) were female. Within a year of a domestic abuse incident, 3650 (41·9%) individuals had an outcome. Factors associated with experiencing an outcome within 12 months of the PPN included younger victim age (hazard ratio 1·183 [95% CI 1·053-1·329], p=0·0048), further PPN submissions after the initial referral (1·383 [1·295-1·476]; p<0·0001), injury at the scene (1·484 [1·368-1·609]; p<0·0001), assessed high risk (1·600 [1·444-1·773]; p<0·0001), referral to other agencies (1·518 [1·358-1·697]; p<0·0001), history of violence (1·229 [1·134-1·333]; p<0·0001), attempted strangulation (1·311 [1·148-1·497]; p<0·0001), and pregnancy (1·372 [1·142-1·648]; p=0·0007). Health-care data before the index PPN established that previous Emergency Department and hospital admissions, smoking, smoking cessation advice, obstetric codes, and prescription of antidepressants and antibiotics were associated with having a future outcome following a domestic abuse incident. INTERPRETATION: The results indicate that vulnerable individuals are detectable in multiple datasets before and after involvement of the police. Operationalising these findings could reduce police callouts and future Emergency Department or hospital admissions, and improve outcomes for those who are vulnerable. Strategies include querying previous Emergency Department and hospital admissions, giving a high-risk assessment for a pregnant victim, and facilitating data linkage to identify vulnerable individuals. FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research.

Weighting of risk factors for low birth weight: a linked routine data cohort study in Wales, UK.

OBJECTIVE: Globally, 20 million children are born with a birth weight below 2500 g every year, which is considered as a low birthweight (LBW) baby. This study investigates the contribution of modifiable risk factors in a nationally representative Welsh e-cohort of children and their mothers to inform opportunities to reduce LBW prevalence. DESIGN: A longitudinal cohort study based on anonymously linked, routinely collected multiple administrative data sets. PARTICIPANTS: The cohort, (N=693 377) comprising of children born between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2018 in Wales, was selected from the National Community Child Health Database. OUTCOME MEASURES: The risk factors associated with a binary LBW (outcome) variable were investigated with multivariable logistic regression (MLR) and decision tree (DT) models. RESULTS: The MLR model showed that non-singleton children had the highest risk of LBW (adjusted OR 21.74 (95% CI 21.09 to 22.40)), followed by pregnancy interval less than 1 year (2.92 (95% CI 2.70 to 3.15)), maternal physical and mental health conditions including diabetes (2.03 (1.81 to 2.28)), anaemia (1.26 (95% CI 1.16 to 1.36)), depression (1.58 (95% CI 1.43 to 1.75)), serious mental illness (1.46 (95% CI 1.04 to 2.05)), anxiety (1.22 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.38)) and use of antidepressant medication during pregnancy (1.92 (95% CI 1.20 to 3.07)). Additional maternal risk factors include smoking (1.80 (95% CI 1.76 to 1.84)), alcohol-related hospital admission (1.60 (95% CI 1.30 to 1.97)), substance misuse (1.35 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.41)) and evidence of domestic abuse (1.98 (95% CI 1.39 to 2.81)). Living in less deprived area has lower risk of LBW (0.70 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.72)). The most important risk factors from the DT models include maternal factors such as smoking, maternal weight, substance misuse record, maternal age along with deprivation-Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation score, pregnancy interval and birth order of the child. CONCLUSION: Resources to reduce the prevalence of LBW should focus on improving maternal health, reducing preterm births, increasing awareness of what is a sufficient pregnancy interval, and to provide adequate support for mothers' mental health and well-being.

Streptomyces cell-free systems for natural product discovery and engineering.

Streptomyces bacteria are a major microbial source of natural products, which are encoded within so-called biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). This highlight discusses the emergence of native Streptomyces cell-free systems as a new tool to accelerate the study of the fundamental chemistry and biology of natural product biosynthesis from these bacteria. Cell-free systems provide a prototyping platform to study plug-and-play reactions in microscale reactions. So far, Streptomyces cell-free systems have been used to rapidly characterise gene expression regulation, access secondary metabolite biosynthetic enzymes, and catalyse cell-free transcription, translation, and biosynthesis of example natural products. With further progress, we anticipate the development of more complex systems to complement existing experimental tools for the discovery and engineering of natural product biosynthesis from Streptomyces and related high G + C (%) bacteria.

An Exploration of the Multiplicative Effect of "Other People" and Other Environmental Effects on Violence in the Night-Time Environment.

BACKGROUND: The characteristics of night-time environments (NTEs) in which alcohol is consumed and that contribute to violence are poorly described. We explore competing explanations for violence in the NTE, with a particular focus on the number of patrons and its association with assault-related visits to a hospital emergency department. Other environmental features including the weather and notable events were also considered. The primary aim was to stimulate debate around the causal mechanisms responsible for violence. METHODS: Assault-related ED visits occurring between 8 pm and 4 am were recorded at the University Hospital of Wales, the single Emergency Department (ED) serving Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. Footfall was derived from the total number of unique MAC addresses recorded per hour collected from ten wireless fidelity monitoring tools located in the city centre. A narrative review of the literature concerning alcohol and violence informed exploratory analyses into the association between night-time footfall, sporting events, the weather, and other potential predictors of assault-related visits to the ED. We developed analytic methods from formal accounts of queueing. RESULTS: International rugby matches at home, the weather (temperature), national holidays, the day of the week, and number of patrons in the NTE predicted assault-related injury (R2 = 0.70), with footfall yielding a positive non-linear exponential association consistent with predictions derived from mathematical models of queueing. DISCUSSION: Assault-related visits to the ED have a non-linear association with the number of people socialising in the night-time environment and are further influenced by the weather and notable events. Opportunities for further research that might inform policy and interventions aimed at better managing NTEs are discussed.

A ubiquitous amino acid source for prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell-free transcription-translation systems.

Cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems are an attractive tool for engineering within synthetic biology and for industrial production of high-value recombinant proteins. CFE reactions require a cell extract, energy system, amino acids, and DNA, to catalyse mRNA transcription and protein synthesis. To provide an amino acid source, CFE systems typically use a commercial standard, which is often proprietary. Herein we show that a range of common microbiology rich media (i.e., tryptone, peptone, yeast extract and casamino acids) unexpectedly provide an effective and low-cost amino acid source. We show that this approach is generalisable, by comparing batch variability and protein production in the following range of CFE systems: Escherichia coli (Rosetta™ 2 (DE3), BL21(DE3)), Streptomyces venezuelae and Pichia pastoris. In all CFE systems, we show equivalent or increased protein synthesis capacity upon replacement of the commercial amino acid source. In conclusion, we suggest rich microbiology media provides a new amino acid source for CFE systems with potential broad use in synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology applications.

Health and household environment factors linked with early alcohol use in adolescence: a record-linked, data-driven, longitudinal cohort study.

Introduction: Early alcohol use has significant association with poor health outcomes. Individual risk factors around early alcohol use have been identified, but a holistic, data-driven investigation into health and household environmental factors on early alcohol use is yet to be undertaken. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between preceding health events, household exposures and early alcohol use during adolescence using a two-stage data-driven approach. Methods: In stage one, a study population (N = 1,072) were derived from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) Wales (born between 2000-2002). MCS data were first linked with electronic-health records. Factors associated with early (<=eleven years old) alcohol use were identified using feature selection and stepwise logistic regression. In stage two, analogous risk factors from MCS were recreated for whole population (N = 59,231) of children (born between 1998-2002 in the Welsh Demographic Service Dataset) using routine data to predict the alcohol-related health events in hospital or GP records. Results: Significant risk factors from stage two included poor maternal mental (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.31) and physical health (aOR = 1.25), living with someone with alcohol-related problem (aOR = 2.16), single-adult household (aOR = 1.45), ever in deprivation (aOR = 1.66), child's high hyperactivity (aOR = 3.57), and conduct disorder (aOR = 3.26). Children with health events, whose health needs are supported (e.g., are taken to the doctor), are at lower risk of early alcohol use. Conclusion: Health events of the family members and the child can act as modifiable exposures and may therefore inform the development of prevention initiatives. Families with known alcohol problems, living in deprivation, experiencing child behavioural problems and those who are not taken to the doctor are at higher risk of early drinking behaviour and should be prioritised for early years support and interventions to target problem drinking in young people.

PEER simplified chronic pain guideline: Management of chronic low back, osteoarthritic, and neuropathic pain in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a clinical practice guideline to support the management of chronic pain, including low back, osteoarthritic, and neuropathic pain in primary care. METHODS: The guideline was developed with an emphasis on best available evidence and shared decision-making principles. Ten health professionals (4 generalist family physicians, 1 pain management-focused family physician, 1 anesthesiologist, 1 physical therapist, 1 pharmacist, 1 nurse practitioner, and 1 psychologist), a patient representative, and a nonvoting pharmacist and guideline methodologist comprised the Guideline Committee. Member selection was based on profession, practice setting, and lack of financial conflicts of interest. The guideline process was iterative in identification of key questions, evidence review, and development of guideline recommendations. Three systematic reviews, including a total of 285 randomized controlled trials, were completed. Randomized controlled trials were included only if they reported a responder analysis (eg, how many patients achieved a 30% or greater reduction in pain). The committee directed an Evidence Team (composed of evidence experts) to address an additional 11 complementary questions. Key recommendations were derived through committee consensus. The guideline and shared decision-making tools underwent extensive review by clinicians and patients before publication. RECOMMENDATIONS: Physical activity is recommended as the foundation for managing osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain; evidence of benefit is unclear for neuropathic pain. Cognitive-behavioural therapy or mindfulness-based stress reduction are also suggested as options for managing chronic pain. Treatments for which there is clear, unclear, or no benefit are outlined for each condition. Treatments for which harms likely outweigh benefits for all or most conditions studied include opioids and cannabinoids. CONCLUSION: This guideline for the management of chronic pain, including osteoarthritis, low back pain, and neuropathic pain, highlights best available evidence including both benefits and harms for a number of treatment interventions. A strong recommendation for exercise as the primary treatment for chronic osteoarthritic and low back pain is made based on demonstrated long-term evidence of benefit. This information is intended to assist with, not dictate, shared decision making with patients.

Lignes directrices simplifiées de PEER sur la douleur chronique: Gestion de la douleur chronique lombaire, arthrosique et neuropathique en première ligne.

OBJECTIF: Formuler des lignes directrices de pratique clinique pour soutenir la prise en charge de la douleur chronique, y compris la douleur lombaire, arthrosique et neuropathique, dans les soins primaires. MÉTHODES: Ces lignes directrices ont été élaborées en mettant l'accent sur les meilleures données probantes disponibles et sur les principes de décision partagée. Dix professionnels de la santé (4 omnipraticiens, 1 médecin de famille spécialisée en gestion de la douleur, 1 anesthésiste, 1 physiothérapeute, 1 pharmacienne, 1 infirmière praticienne et 1 psychologue), 1 représentant des patients, et 1 pharmacienne et spécialiste de la méthodologie des lignes directrices sans droit de vote composaient le comité des lignes directrices. Les membres ont été sélectionnés en fonction de leur profession, de leur milieu de pratique, et de l'absence d'un conflit d'intérêts de nature financière. Les lignes directrices sont le fruit d'un processus itératif incluant la détermination des questions clés, l'examen des données probantes et la formulation des recommandations des lignes directrices. Trois revues systématiques, totalisant 285 études avec répartition aléatoire et contrôlées ont été réalisées. Ces études n'étaient incluses que si elles avaient rapporté une analyse des répondants (p. ex. combien de patients ont obtenu un soulagement d'au moins 30% de la douleur). Le comité a confié à une équipe d'examen des données (composée de spécialistes des données probantes) la tâche de répondre à 11 autres questions complémentaires. Les principales recommandations découlent d'un consensus au sein du comité. Des cliniciens et des patients ont minutieusement examiné les lignes directrices et les outils de décision partagée avant leur publication. RECOMMANDATIONS: L'activité physique est recommandée comme fondement de la gestion de la douleur arthrosique et lombaire chronique; les données probantes étayant un bienfait ne sont pas concluantes dans le cas de la douleur neuropathique. La thérapie cognitivo-comportementale ou la réduction du stress basée sur la pleine conscience sont également suggérées comme des options pour gérer la douleur chronique. Les traitements pour lesquels le bienfait est clair, non concluant ou absent sont décrits sous chaque affection. Les traitements dont les préjudices surpassent probablement les bienfaits pour toutes les affections étudiées, ou la plupart d'entre elles, sont les opioïdes et les cannabinoïdes. CONCLUSION: Ces lignes directrices sur la gestion de la douleur chronique, y compris la douleur arthrosique, lombaire et neuropathique, met en lumière les meilleures données probantes disponibles, y compris les bienfaits et préjudices pour un certain nombre d'interventions thérapeutiques. Une forte recommandation en faveur de l'exercice comme principal traitement de la douleur arthrosique et lombaire chronique repose sur des données probantes ayant démontré un bienfait depuis longtemps. Cette information vise à contribuer au processus de décision partagée avec le patient et non à le dicter.

A curcumin direct protein biosensor for cell-free prototyping.

In synthetic biology, biosensors are routinely coupled with a gene expression system for detecting small molecules and physical signals. We reveal a fluorescent complex, based on the interaction of an Escherichia coli double bond reductase (EcCurA), as a detection unit with its substrate curcumin-we call this a direct protein (DiPro) biosensor. Using a cell-free synthetic biology approach, we use the EcCurA DiPro biosensor to fine tune 10 reaction parameters (cofactor, substrate, and enzyme levels) for cell-free curcumin biosynthesis, assisted through acoustic liquid handling robotics. Overall, we increase EcCurA-curcumin DiPro fluorescence within cell-free reactions by 78-fold. This finding adds to the growing family of protein-ligand complexes that are naturally fluorescent and potentially exploitable for a range of applications, including medical imaging to engineering high-value chemicals.

Alcohol affordability: implications for alcohol price policies. A cross-sectional analysis in middle and older adults from UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: Increasing the price of alcohol reduces alcohol consumption and harm. The role of food complementarity, transaction costs and inflation on alcohol demand are determined and discussed in relation to alcohol price policies. METHODS: UK Biobank (N = 502,628) was linked by region to retail price quotes for the years 2007 to 2010. The log residual food and alcohol prices, and alcohol availability were regressed onto log daily alcohol consumption. Model standard errors were adjusted for clustering by region. RESULTS: Associations with alcohol consumption were found for alcohol price (ß = -0.56, 95% CI, -0.92 to -0.20) and availability (ß = 0.06, 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.07). Introducing, food price reduced the alcohol price consumption association (ß = -0.26, 95% CI, -0.50 to -0.03). Alcohol (B = 0.001, 95% CI, 0.0004 to 0.001) and food (B = 0.001, 95% CI, 0.0005 to 0.0006) price increased with time and were associated (ρ = 0.57, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Alcohol and food are complements, and the price elasticity of alcohol reduces when the effect of food price is accounted for. Transaction costs did not affect the alcohol price consumption relationship. Fixed alcohol price policies are susceptible to inflation.

High-yield 'one-pot' biosynthesis of raspberry ketone, a high-value fine chemical.

Cell-free extract and purified enzyme-based systems provide an attractive solution to study biosynthetic strategies towards a range of chemicals. 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-butan-2-one, also known as raspberry ketone, is the major fragrance component of raspberry fruit and is used as a natural additive in the food and sports industry. Current industrial processing of the natural form of raspberry ketone involves chemical extraction from a yield of ∼1-4 mg kg-1 of fruit. Due to toxicity, microbial production provides only low yields of up to 5-100 mg L-1. Herein, we report an efficient cell-free strategy to probe into a synthetic enzyme pathway that converts either L-tyrosine or the precursor, 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-buten-2-one, into raspberry ketone at up to 100% conversion. As part of this strategy, it is essential to recycle inexpensive cofactors. Specifically, the final enzyme step in the pathway is catalyzed by raspberry ketone/zingerone synthase (RZS1), an NADPH-dependent double bond reductase. To relax cofactor specificity towards NADH, the preferred cofactor for cell-free biosynthesis, we identify a variant (G191D) with strong activity with NADH. We implement the RZS1 G191D variant within a 'one-pot' cell-free reaction to produce raspberry ketone at high-yield (61 mg L-1), which provides an alternative route to traditional microbial production. In conclusion, our cell-free strategy complements the growing interest in engineering synthetic enzyme cascades towards industrially relevant value-added chemicals.