Bacterial pathogens deliver water- and solute-permeable channels to plant cells.

Many animal- and plant-pathogenic bacteria use a type III secretion system to deliver effector proteins into host cells1,2. Elucidation of how these effector proteins function in host cells is critical for understanding infectious diseases in animals and plants3-5. The widely conserved AvrE-family effectors, including DspE in Erwinia amylovora and AvrE in Pseudomonas syringae, have a central role in the pathogenesis of diverse phytopathogenic bacteria6. These conserved effectors are involved in the induction of 'water soaking' and host cell death that are conducive to bacterial multiplication in infected tissues. However, the exact biochemical functions of AvrE-family effectors have been recalcitrant to mechanistic understanding for three decades. Here we show that AvrE-family effectors fold into a ß-barrel structure that resembles bacterial porins. Expression of AvrE and DspE in Xenopus oocytes results in inward and outward currents, permeability to water and osmolarity-dependent oocyte swelling and bursting. Liposome reconstitution confirmed that the DspE channel alone is sufficient to allow the passage of small molecules such as fluorescein dye. Targeted screening of chemical blockers based on the predicted pore size (15-20 Å) of the DspE channel identified polyamidoamine dendrimers as inhibitors of the DspE/AvrE channels. Notably, polyamidoamines broadly inhibit AvrE and DspE virulence activities in Xenopus oocytes and during E. amylovora and P. syringae infections. Thus, we have unravelled the biochemical function of a centrally important family of bacterial effectors with broad conceptual and practical implications in the study of bacterial pathogenesis.

Comprehensive 3-dimensional Positional and Morphological Analyses of Condyle and Glenoid Fossa in Patients with Skeletal Class II Malocclusion following Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery.

This study aimed to comprehensively and quantitatively characterize 3-dimensional (3D) positional and morphological changes of the condyle and glenoid fossa in patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion treated with bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Twenty eligible patients treated at our institution from January 2016 to December 2021 with more than 12 months of postoperative follow-up were retrospectively enrolled. Radiographic data of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for each patient were collected at 3 stages: 1 week preoperatively (T0), immediately after surgery (T1), and at least 12 months postoperatively (T2). Positional changes, surface and volumetric alterations of condyle, and bone remodeling in glenoid fossa were measured and compared based on voxel- and surface registrations in visual 3D methods. Most patients exhibited a tendency for condyles to shift posteriorly, laterally, superiorly, and rotated outward, downward, and forward immediately after surgery. Posterior, medial, superior movement and outward, upward, and backward rotation of condyles were observed during follow-up (T1-T2). Bone resorption frequently occurred in the posterior area of condylar surfaces, while bone remodeling was more common in the anterior region of the glenoid fossa. Reduced volume of the condyle was found in most cases, which was not associated with the amount of mandibular advancement. Overall, the condyle and its corresponding glenoid fossa remained relatively stable during the follow-up. Our results reveal positional and morphological alterations in the condyle and the glenoid fossa after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal class II malocclusion. These changes predominantly fall within the spectrum of physical adaption.

Identification of the Key Regulatory Genes Involved in Elaborate Petal Development and Specialized Character Formation in Nigella damascena (Ranunculaceae).

Petals can be simple or elaborate, depending on whether they have lobes, teeth, fringes, or appendages along their margins, or possess spurs, scales, or other types of modifications on their adaxial/abaxial side, or both. Elaborate petals have been recorded in 23 orders of angiosperms and are generally believed to have played key roles in the adaptive evolution of corresponding lineages. The mechanisms underlying the formation of elaborate petals, however, are largely unclear. Here, by performing extensive transcriptomic and functional studies on Nigella damascena (Ranunculaceae), we explore the mechanisms underlying elaborate petal development and specialized character formation. In addition to the identification of genes and programs that are specifically/preferentially expressed in petals, we found genes and programs that are required for elaborate rather than simple petal development. By correlating the changes in gene expression with those in petal development, we identified 30 genes that are responsible for the marginal/ventral elaboration of petals and the initiation of several highly specialized morphological characters (e.g., pseudonectaries, long hairs, and short trichomes). Expression and functional analyses further confirmed that a class I homeodomain-leucine zipper family transcription factor gene, Nigella damascena LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY1 (NidaLMI1), plays important roles in the development of short trichomes and bifurcation of the lower lip. Our results not only provide the first portrait of elaborate petal development but also pave the way to understanding the mechanisms underlying lateral organ diversification in plants.

Comprehensive analyses of intraoral spindle cell carcinoma: A rare disease entity revisited.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to comprehensively characterize the epidemiological, clinicopathological characteristics, treatments, and prognosis of intraoral spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with intraoral SpCC at our institution in the past 15 years (2005-2019) were screened from inpatient disease registry. All relevant data concerning patients with intraoral SpCC were retrieved. Previous reports about intraoral SpCC with adequate clinicopathological data in both English literature and Chinese literature were collected. Eligible cases were further reviewed and pooled for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Six patients (5 females and 1 male; average age: 59 years) with intraoral SpCC were histopathologically diagnosed and surgically treated at our institution. The literature review identified another 63 published cases from 34 articles. Most cases were presented in the fifth to seventh decade of life with a male preponderance. Gingiva (23/69, 33.3%) was the most common site followed by the tongue (19/69, 27.5%) and buccal mucosa (8/69, 11.6%). Complete surgical ablation remains the primary treatment option. Tumor size, pathological grades, cervical node metastasis, and distant metastasis were significantly associated with reduced survival. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoral SpCC is an uncommon and aggressive malignancy with dismal prognosis. Much attention and effort are needed to characterize this rare entity and improve its clinical outcomes.

Three-dimensional quantitative changes of condyle in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery with 5-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to characterize three-dimensional (3D) long-term quantitative condyle change including positional, surface, and volumetric alterations in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion treated with bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-three eligible patients (9 males, 14 females, mean age: 28.28 years old) treated from Jan. 2013 to Dec. 2016 with postoperative follow-up over 5 years were retrospectively enrolled. Cone-beam computed tomography scan for each patient was conducted at 4 stages: 1 week preoperatively (T0), immediately after surgery (T1), 12 months postoperatively (T2), and 5-year postoperatively (T3). Positional changes, surface, and volumetric remodeling of condyle were measured in segmented visual 3D models and statistically compared between stages. RESULTS: Our 3D quantitative calibrations revealed that the condylar center shifted in anterior (0.23 ± 1.50 mm), medial (0.34 ± 0.99), and superior (1.11 ± 1.10 mm) directions and rotated outward (1.58 ± 3.11°), superior (1.83 ± 5.08°), and backward (4.79 ± 13.75°) from T1 to T3. With regard to condylar surface remodeling, bone formation was frequently observed in the anteromedial areas, while bone resorption was commonly detected in the anterolateral area. Moreover, condylar volume remained largely stable with a minimal reduction during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Collectively, although condyle undergoes positional changes and bone remodeling after bimaxillary surgery in patients with mandibular prognathism, these changes largely fall in the range of physical adaptations in the long run. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings advance the current understanding of long-term condylar remodeling after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in skeletal class III patients.

Characterizations of three-dimensional root morphology and topological location of mandibular third molars by cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to delineate three-dimensional (3D) root morphology and topological locations of mandibular third molars (MTMs) by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a Chinese adult dental population. METHODS: Adult patients with MTMs were retrospectively screened based on CBCT images at our institution between January 2018 and December 2019. Root morphology and spatial locations of these teeth were defined based on CBCT 3D images. Potential associations with epidemiological and clinical/radiological parameters were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher exact test. Two-tailed P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total number of 2680 eligible patients (male/female:0.74; 35 ± 10 years old) with 4180 MTMs were enrolled. The majority of MTMs had 2 roots 3064 (73.30%), followed by 800 (19.14%) 1 root, 302 (7.22%) 3 roots, and 14 (0.33%) 4 roots. More than half of one-rooted MTMs were convergent, followed by club-shaped and C-shaped. Among MTMs with 2 roots, 2860 (93.34%) were M-D (mesio-distal) types. Most MTMs with 3 roots were M-2D (one root in mesial, two roots in distal) types, followed by 2M-D (two roots in mesial, one root in distal) types, and B-2L (one root in buccal, two roots in lingual) types. The presence of root configurations was significantly associated with the angulation, depth, and width classification in two-rooted MTMs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the morphology and spatial locations of MTMs vary greatly, our results from a large dental population reconfirm that most MTMs have two roots with mesial-distal type of spatial distribution.

Key Factors of Mechanical Strength and Toughness in Oriented Poly(l-lactic acid) Monofilaments for a Bioresorbable Self-Expanding Stent.

The investigation of the strength and toughness of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) monofilaments is essential as the fundamental element of a biodegradable braided stent. However, the determining factor remains poorly addressed with respect to influencing the mechanical behavior of PLLA monofilaments. In this work, the electron beam (EB) with different radiation doses was utilized to sterilize PLLA monofilaments. Properties of the monofilaments, including the breaking strength, elongation at break, molecular weight, orientation, and microstructure of the fracture, were characterized. Results showed that a random chain scission of PLLA resulting from EB during this process could cause the decrease in molecular weight, which led to the decline in breaking strength. Meanwhile, the irradiated monofilaments were found to have almost the same elongation at break below a dose of 30 kGy and declined by 71.41% up to a dose of 48 kGy. It was also found that the ductile fracture connection of the monofilament translated to the brittle fracture by comparing the microstructure without and with sterilization. These phenomena could originate from the destruction of the long molecular chains connecting the crystal plates into shorter ones by radiation. PLLA monofilaments with 0, 30, and 48 kGy were used to braid carotid stents. Compared with a carotid Wallstent, the PLLA stent can better provide radial supporting to the carotid lesion. This study provides preliminary experimental references to evaluate and predict the mechanical performance of PLLA braided stents.

Identification of a unique 1,4-ß-D-glucan glucohydrolase of glycoside hydrolase family 9 from Cytophaga hutchinsonii.

Cytophaga hutchinsonii is an aerobic cellulolytic soil bacterium that rapidly digests crystalline cellulose. The predicted mechanism by which C. hutchinsonii digests cellulose differs from that of other known cellulolytic bacteria and fungi. The genome of C. hutchinsonii contains 22 glycoside hydrolase (GH) genes, which may be involved in cellulose degradation. One predicted GH with uncertain specificity, CHU_0961, is a modular enzyme with several modules. In this study, phylogenetic tree of the catalytic modules of the GH9 enzymes showed that CHU_0961 and its homologues formed a new group (group C) of GH9 enzymes. The catalytic module of CHU_0961 (CHU_0961B) was identified as a 1,4-ß-D-glucan glucohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.74) that has unique properties compared with known GH9 cellulases. CHU_0961B showed highest activity against barley glucan, but low activity against other polysaccharides. Interestingly, CHU_0961B showed similar activity against ρ-nitrophenyl ß-D-cellobioside (ρ-NPC) and ρ-nitrophenyl ß-D-glucopyranoside. CHU_0961B released glucose from the nonreducing end of cello-oligosaccharides, ρ-NPC, and barley glucan in a nonprocessive exo-type mode. CHU_0961B also showed same hydrolysis mode against deacetyl-chitooligosaccharides as against cello-oligosaccharides. The kcat/Km values for CHU_0961B against cello-oligosaccharides increased as the degree of polymerization increased, and its kcat/Km for cellohexose was 750 times higher than that for cellobiose. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that threonine 321 in CHU_0961 played a role in hydrolyzing cellobiose to glucose. CHU_0961 may act synergistically with other cellulases to convert cellulose to glucose on the bacterial cell surface. The end product, glucose, may initiate cellulose degradation to provide nutrients for bacterial proliferation in the early stage of C. hutchinsonii growth. KEY POINTS: • CHU_0961 and its homologues formed a novel group (group C) of GH9 enzymes. • CHU_0961 was identified as a 1,4-ß-d-glucan glucohydrolase with unique properties. • CHU_0961 may play an important role in the early stage of C. hutchinsonii growth.

Epidemiological, clinical, and 3-dimentional CBCT radiographic characterizations of supernumerary teeth in a non-syndromic adult population: a single-institutional study from 60,104 Chinese subjects.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to delineate the prevalence, clinical, and 3-dimentional radiographic characteristics of adult supernumerary teeth (ST found) in a Chinese non-syndromic, dental population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were utilized to identify adult patients with ST in a tertiary referral dental hospital between June 2012 and December 2018. CBCT scan coupled with 3-dimentional reconstruction was used to characterize the detailed location, morphology, orientation of ST, and their relationship with adjacent teeth and neighboring structures. All relevant information regarding age and gender of patients, morphology, and 3-dimentional topography of ST as well as ST-associated complications were recorded and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total number of 1149 ST was identified in 921 eligible patients screened from 60,104 subjects with the prevalence of 1.5%. Male patients outnumbered females with a gender ratio of 1.76:1. The majority of ST was single, located in the maxilla, especially the maxillary central incisor region. Most ST were conical shape, inverted orientation, and impacted. ST-associated complications including impaction or root resorption of adjacent teeth, and cystic/tumor-like lesions were totally found in 13% ST and significantly associated with location, orientation, and morphology of ST. CONCLUSIONS: Most ST in Chinese adults were conical, inverted, impacted, and located in the maxillary central incisor region, and associated with various complications. Our findings offer valuable information concerning the prevalence, clinical, and radiographic characteristics of ST in non-syndromic Chinese adults. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings are beneficial for clinicians to comprehensively understand the incidence, pathogenesis, and clinical management of ST.

Transcription Factor Atf1 Regulates Expression of Cellulase and Xylanase Genes during Solid-State Fermentation of Ascomycetes.

Transcriptional regulation of cellulolytic and xylolytic genes in ascomycete fungi is controlled by specific carbon sources in different external environments. Here, comparative transcriptomic analyses of Penicillium oxalicum grown on wheat bran (WB), WB plus rice straw (WR), or WB plus Avicel (WA) as the sole carbon source under solid-state fermentation (SSF) revealed that most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in metabolism, specifically, carbohydrate metabolism. Of the DEGs, the basic core carbohydrate-active enzyme-encoding genes which responded to the plant biomass resources were identified in P. oxalicum, and their transcriptional levels changed to various extents depending on the different carbon sources. Moreover, this study found that three deletion mutants of genes encoding putative transcription factors showed significant alterations in filter paper cellulase production compared with that of a parental P. oxalicum strain with a deletion of Ku70 (ΔPoxKu70 strain) when grown on WR under SSF. Importantly, the ΔPoxAtf1 mutant (with a deletion of P. oxalicumAtf1, also called POX03016) displayed 46.1 to 183.2% more cellulase and xylanase production than a ΔPoxKu70 mutant after 2 days of growth on WR. RNA sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR revealed that PoxAtf1 dynamically regulated the expression of major cellulase and xylanase genes under SSF. PoxAtf1 bound to the promoter regions of the key cellulase and xylanase genes in vitro This study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanism of fungal cellulase and xylanase gene expression under SSF.IMPORTANCE The transition to a more environmentally friendly economy encourages studies involving the high-value-added utilization of lignocellulosic biomass. Solid-state fermentation (SSF), that simulates the natural habitat of soil microorganisms, is used for a variety of applications such as biomass biorefinery. Prior to the current study, our understanding of genome-wide gene expression and of the regulation of gene expression of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes in ascomycete fungi during SSF was limited. Here, we employed RNA sequencing and genetic analyses to investigate transcriptomes of Penicillium oxalicum strain EU2101 cultured on medium containing different carbon sources and to identify and characterize transcription factors for regulating the expression of cellulase and xylanase genes during SSF. The results generated will provide novel insights into genetic engineering of filamentous fungi to further increase enzyme production.

Surgery-First and Orthodontic-First Approaches Produce Similar Patterns of Condylar Displacement and Remodeling in Patients With Skeletal Class III Malocclusion.

PURPOSE: Condylar displacement and remodeling are critically involved in occlusal and skeletal stability after orthognathic surgery. The aim of the present study was to characterize condylar displacement and surface remodeling after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in adult patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion treated by the surgery-first approach (SFA) or the orthodontic-first approach (OFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study recruited adult patients with mandibular hyperplasia treated with SFA or OFA. Simultaneous Le Fort I osteotomy for maxillary advancement and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for mandibular setback were performed in all patients. Original cone-beam computed tomographic data before surgery (T0), immediately after surgery (T1), and 12 months postoperatively (T2) were collected and reconstructed for 3-dimensional (3D) quantitative analyses. Three-dimensional condylar displacement and remodeling after SFA and OFA were characterized and statistically compared by Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test. The significance level was set at a P value less than .05. RESULTS: Twenty-four (male-to-female ratio, 1:2; mean age, 21.2 yr) and 20 (male-to-female ratio, 1:1; mean age, 23.1 yr) patients were enrolled in the OFA and SFA groups, respectively. Condylar inferolateral displacement with inward and anterior rotations from T0 to T1 and return movements from T1 to T2 were observed regardless of treatment approach. Significantly greater amount of 3D bodily shift immediately after surgery (2.04 ± 1.05 mm in SFA group vs 1.22 ± 0.66 mm in OFA group; P < .05) and downward movement 1 year after surgery were observed in the SFA versus OFA group. Bone resorption in the condylar surface was prevalent and predominant in its lateral areas, whereas bone formation was frequently observed in the anteromedial area in the SFA (45%) and OFA (42.9%) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Similar patterns of 3D condylar displacement and surface remodeling were observed in patients treated with SFA or OFA.

Comprehensive Analyses of Intraoral Benign and Malignant Nerve Sheath Tumors: The Rare Disease Entities Revisited.

INTRODUCTION: Intraoral benign and malignant nerve sheath tumors (BNST and MNST) are rare tumors with non-specific clinical presentations and represent diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Current knowledge regarding their demographic, clinicopathological features and treatments remains fragmented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The original data about patients diagnosed as intraoral BNST and MNST were retrieved from our disease registry (2005-2017). Comprehensive reviews of English and Chinese literature were performed to collect and analyze the epidemiological, clinicopathological data and treatment outcomes about those published cases. RESULTS: Thirty-four intraoral BNSTs were found at our institution in the past 13 years. Literature reviews identified 354 intraoral BNSTs in 223 articles and 60 intraoral MNSTs in 50 articles. Most intraoral BNSTs and MNSTs were presented in the second to fifth decade of life. Males outnumbered females in MNSTs, while BNSTs displayed a slight female preponderance. The common sites for intraoral BNSTs were parapharyngeal space followed by tongue, whereas mandible was the most common site for MNSTs. Most intraoral BNSTs were presented as slow-growing, painless mass or swelling, while MNSTs usually appeared as painful and invasive mass with discomfort. Surgical excision was preferred for intraoral BNSTs with excellent prognosis. Complete resection was indicated for intraoral MNST with dismal prognosis as evidenced by much recurrence, metastasis, and death. CONCLUSION: Intraoral BNST and MNST are rare diseases which should not be ignored when intraoral painless or painful mass/swelling is found. Surgical excision is indicated for intraoral BNST with favorable outcomes. However, further investigations are warranted to optimize the treatment for intraoral MNST to improve its prognosis.

Expanding lysine industry: industrial biomanufacturing of lysine and its derivatives.

L-Lysine is widely used as a nutrition supplement in feed, food, and beverage industries as well as a chemical intermediate. At present, great efforts are made to further decrease the cost of lysine to make it more competitive in the markets. Furthermore, lysine also shows potential as a feedstock to produce other high-value chemicals for active pharmaceutical ingredients, drugs, or materials. In this review, the current biomanufacturing of lysine is first presented. Second, the production of novel derivatives from lysine is discussed. Some chemicals like L-pipecolic acid, cadaverine, and 5-aminovalerate already have been obtained at a lab scale. Others like 6-aminocaproic acid, valerolactam, and caprolactam could be produced through a biological and chemical coupling pathway or be synthesized by a hypothetical pathway. This review demonstrates an active and expansive lysine industry, and these green biomanufacturing strategies could also be applied to enhance the competitiveness of other amino acid industry.

Comparisons of periodontal regenerative therapies: A meta-analysis on the long-term efficacy.

AIM: We conducted a meta-analysis for the long-term differences in treatment outcomes between periodontal regeneration therapies and flap operation. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using the EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane databases up to June 2016. Treatment outcomes were changes in probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. We extracted data reported at different time points after periodontal surgery and incorporated all data into the same model. The restricted cubic spline regression was used to estimate the non-linear trend in treatment outcomes. As some studies reported outcomes at multiple time points, we considered several correlation structures for data reported by the same study. RESULTS: A total of 52 randomized controlled trials were included in our longitudinal meta-analysis. The follow-up length ranged from 0.5 year to 10 years. The trends in the treatment outcomes were similar under different correlation structures. Enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) achieved greater probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain than flap operation (FO) in the long-term follow up, but no differences were found between EMD and GTR. CONCLUSION: Compared with FO, periodontal regeneration surgeries achieved greater PPD reduction and gain in CAL after 1 year, and its effects may last for 5-10 years.

External root resorption of the second molar associated with mesially and horizontally impacted mandibular third molar: evidence from cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence and risk factors of ERR in second molars with mesially and horizontally impacted mandibular third molars using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from patients in a Chinese tertiary referral hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 216 patients with 362 mesially and horizontally impacted mandibular third molars who were treated at our institution from 2014 to 2015 was retrospectively included. The ERR in second molars was identified on CBCT multiplanar images. The associations between incidence of ERR and multiple clinical parameters were statistically analyzed by Chi-square test. Moreover, the risk factors for ERR in second molars were further assessed by multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ERR in second molars was 20.17 % (73/362) as detected on CBCT images. The presence of ERR significantly associated with patients age and impaction depth of mandibular third molars. However, no significant relationship was found between ERR severity and impaction depth or ERR location. Multivariate regression analyses further revealed age over 35 years and impaction depth as important risk factors affecting the ERR incidence caused by mesial and horizontal impaction of mandibular third molar. CONCLUSIONS: ERR in second molar resulted from mesially and horizontally impacted mandibular third molar is not very rare and can be reliably identified via CBCT scan. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Given the possibility of ERR associated with third molar impaction, the prophylactic removal of these impacted teeth could be considered especially for those patients with over 35 years and mesially and horizontally impacted teeth.

Cellulase with high ß-glucosidase activity by Penicillium oxalicum under solid state fermentation and its use in hydrolysis of cassava residue.

In this study, we investigated cellulase production by Penicillium oxalicum EU2106 under solid-state fermentation (SSF) and its hydrolysis efficiency toward NaOH-H2O2-pretreated cassava residue (NHCR) produced after bioethanol fermentation. Optimization of SSF cultivation conditions for P. oxalicum EU2106 using a Box-behnken design-based response-surface methodology resulted in maximal cellulase activity of 34.0 ± 2.8 filter-paper units/g dry substrate, exhibiting a ~ twofold increase relative to activities obtained under non-optimized conditions. Furthermore, SSF-derived cellulase converted 94.3 ± 1.5% of NHCR cellulose into glucose within 96 h. Interestingly, P. oxalicum EU2106 produced higher ß-glucosidase activity under SSF conditions than that under submerged-state fermentation conditions, resulting in the elimination of cellobiose inhibition during the early stages of NHCR cellulose hydrolysis. Overall, this work provided an alternative for a potential cellulase source and a preferred option for cassava residue biotechnological application.

Roles of SATB2 in site-specific stemness, autophagy and senescence of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Craniofacial bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) display some site-specific properties that differ from those of BMSCs derived from the trunk and appendicular skeleton, but the characteristics of craniofacial BMSCs and the mechanisms that underlie their properties are not completely understood. Previous studies indicated that special AT-rich binding protein 2 (SATB2) may be a potential regulator of craniofacial skeletal patterning and site-specific osteogenic capacity. Here, we investigated the stemness, autophagy, and anti-aging capacity of mandible-derived BMSCs (M-BMSCs) and tibia-derived BMSCs (T-BMSCs) and explored the role of SATB2 in regulating these properties. M-BMSCs not only possessed stronger expression of SATB2 and stemness markers (pluripotency genes, such as Nanog, OCT-4, Sox2, and Nestin) but also exhibited stronger autophagy and anti-aging capacities under normal or hypoxia/serum deprivation conditions compared to T-BMSCs. Exogenous expression of SATB2 in T-BMSCs significantly enhanced the expression of pluripotency genes as well as autophagy and anti-aging capacity. Moreover, SATB2 markedly enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro, and promoted bone defect regeneration and the survival of BMSCs that were transplanted into mandibles with critical size defects. Mechanistically, SATB2 upregulates pluripotency genes and autophagy-related genes, which in turn activate the mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway. Collectively, our results provide novel evidence that site-specific BMSCs have distinct biological properties and suggest that SATB2 plays a potential role in regulating the stemness, autophagy, and anti-aging properties of craniofacial BMSCs. The application of SATB2 to manipulate stem cells for the reconstruction of bone defects might represent a new approach.

Phenotypic characterization of craniofacial bone marrow stromal cells: unique properties of enhanced osteogenesis, cell recruitment, autophagy, and apoptosis resistance.

Previous studies have shown that craniofacial bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) have greater osteogenic potential than appendicular bone MSCs. However, detailed phenotypic characterization of MSCs from bone marrow in the different sites remains unclear. To investigate bone repair and regeneration of craniofacial MSCs and the regulatory mechanisms underlying their unique properties, we compared osteogenesis, cell recruitment, autophagy, and apoptosis resistance of MSCs from the mandible (M-MSCs) to those from tibia (T-MSCs) in vitro and in vivo. Compared with T-MSCs, M-MSCs formed more colonies, possessed stronger proliferation activity, exhibited higher expression of pluripotency genes such as Oct4 and Nanog, and held stronger osteogenic differentiation in osteogenic medium. Moreover, M-MSCs had greater autophagy and anti-apoptotic capacities than T-MSCs under hypoxia and serum deprivation conditions. M-MSCs were found to be more capable of recruiting more MSCs than T-MSCs. When these MSCs were transplanted into mandible critical-sized defects, more bone formed in the M-MSC-treated animals than in their T-MSC counterparts. Collectively, these findings reveal that MSCs have unique characteristics and bone-repairing properties from the mandible as compared with those from tibia, presumably by enhanced osteogenic potential, cell recruitment, autophagy and apoptosis resistance.

Reconstruction of palatomaxillary defects following cancer ablation with temporalis muscle flap in medically compromised patients: a 15-year single institutional experience.

OBJECTIVES: Successful reconstruction of palatomaxillary defects following cancer ablation represents a formidable challenge for surgeons to achieve consistently favorable outcomes. The purpose of this article is to present our experience in oncologic palatomaxillary repair with temporalis muscle flap (TMF) for medically compromised patients who are not ideal candidates for microvascular reconstruction at a Chinese tertiary referral hospital over a 15-year period (1998-2012). METHOD: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients with compromised medical conditions who underwent oncologic palatomaxillary reconstruction using TMF. Patients' demographics, clinicopathological variables, and surgical techniques were presented. Postoperative functional and aesthetic outcomes were assessed by measurements and patients self-evaluations. RESULTS: Sixty-nine TMFs were successfully harvested and used for immediate oncologic palatomaxillary reconstruction in 67 patients (31 males and 36 females, mean age 60.4 years) with diverse primary malignancies. These patients' co-morbidities included systemic diseases, preoperative chemotherapy/radiotherapy, and elder over 65 years which precluded the ideal utility of free flaps. Fifty-one patients remained alive without disease, while nine had recurrences/metastases and seven died during the follow-up (0.5-10.4 years, mean 3.7 years). All flaps survived with only partial necroses in four cases. Complications and donor-site morbidities were minimal with five transient facial paralysis and four mild diplopia and enophthalmos. Unrestricted diet and mouth opening, intelligible speech, and satisfactory temporal aesthetics were obtained in most patients. CONCLUSION: The TMF is a reliable, versatile, and alternative option for oncologic palatomaxillary reconstruction with satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes and minimal complications, especially when appropriately selected for those medically compromised patients.

Free-standing N, S co-doped graphene aerogels coupled with Eucalyptus wood tar-based activated carbon and cellulose nanofibers for high-performance supercapacitor and removal of Cr(VI).

N, S-dual doping graphene aerogels with three dimensional interconnected network and large specific surface area have been fabricated by cellulose nanofibers (CNF), Eucalyptus wood tar-based activated carbon (AC), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for the energy storage applications as well as the removal of Cr(VI). Benefiting from the particular pore structural characteristics, the optimized activated carbon aerogel electrode (GDAC) exhibited prominent capacitances of 813.8 F/g at 1 A/g, and prominent cycling stability. The Ragone plot for the GDAC supercapacitor depicted that the energy density reached maximum (50 Wh/kg) when the power density was 370 W/kg. As far as the adsorption capacity of GDAC for Cr(VI), GDAC achieved a removal rate of 97 % for Cr(VI) and a maximum adsorption capacity of 939.20 mg/g. The fabrication method and excellent performance of GDAC proposed in this study provided new perspective into the potential application of Eucalyptus wood tar-based materials in the supercapacitor applications. Additionally, the comprehensive analysis of the structure-function relationship also provided important theoretical foundations for the removal of Cr(VI).