Ultraviolet light blocking optically clear adhesives for foldable displays via highly efficient visible-light curing.

In developing an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel for a foldable smartphone (specifically, a color filter on encapsulation) aimed at reducing power consumption, the use of a new optically clear adhesive (OCA) that blocks UV light was crucial. However, the incorporation of a UV-blocking agent within the OCA presented a challenge, as it restricted the traditional UV-curing methods commonly used in the manufacturing process. Although a visible-light curing technique for producing UV-blocking OCA was proposed, its slow curing speed posed a barrier to commercialization. Our study introduces a highly efficient photo-initiating system (PIS) for the rapid production of UV-blocking OCAs utilizing visible light. We have carefully selected the photocatalyst (PC) to minimize electron and energy transfer to UV-blocking agents and have chosen co-initiators that allow for faster electron transfer and more rapid PC regeneration compared to previously established amine-based co-initiators. This advancement enabled a tenfold increase in the production speed of UV-blocking OCAs, while maintaining their essential protective, transparent, and flexible properties. When applied to OLED devices, this OCA demonstrated UV protection, suggesting its potential for broader application in the safeguarding of various smart devices.

Efficacy and safety of durable versus biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

The clinical impact of different polymer technologies in newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) remains poorly understood. We investigated the efficacy and safety of durable polymer DESs (DP-DESs) compared with biodegradable polymer DESs (BP-DESs). A total of 620 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with newer-generation DESs for AMI complicated by CS was divided into two groups based on polymer technology: the DP-DES group (n = 374) and the BP-DES group (n = 246). The primary outcome was target vessel failure (TVF) during a 12-month follow-up, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization. Both the DP-DES and BP-DES groups exhibited low stent thrombosis rates (1.3% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.660). The risk of TVF did not significantly differ between the two groups (34.2% vs. 28.5%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69-1.29, p = 0.721). This finding remained consistent after adjustment with inverse probability of treatment weighting (28.1% vs. 25.1%, HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.77-1.27, p = 0.899). In AMI patients complicated by CS, the risk of a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization was not significantly different between those treated with DP-DESs and those treated with BP-DESs.Trial registration: RESCUE registry, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02985008 , NCT02985008.

Prediction of In-Hospital Mortality for Ischemic Cardiogenic Shock Requiring Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcome of ischemic cardiogenic shock (CS) requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is highly variable, necessitating appropriate assessment of prognosis. However, a systemic predictive model estimating the mortality of refractory ischemic CS is lacking. The PRECISE (Prediction of In-Hospital Mortality for Patients With Refractory Ischemic Cardiogenic Shock Requiring Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support) score was developed to predict the prognosis of refractory ischemic CS due to acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were obtained from the multicenter CS registry RESCUE (Retrospective and Prospective Observational Study to Investigate Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy of Left Ventricular Assist Device for Korean Patients With Cardiogenic Shock) that consists of 322 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by refractory ischemic CS requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Fifteen parameters were selected to assess in-hospital mortality. The developed model was validated internally and externally using an independent external cohort (n=138). Among 322 patients, 138 (42.9%) survived postdischarge. Fifteen predictors were included for model development: age, diastolic blood pressure, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, peak lactic acid, serum creatinine, lowest left ventricular ejection fraction, vasoactive inotropic score, shock to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation insertion time, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, use of intra-aortic balloon pump, continuous renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilator, successful coronary revascularization, and staged percutaneous coronary intervention. The PRECISE score yielded a high area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (0.894 [95% CI, 0.860-0.927]). External validation and calibration resulted in competent sensitivity (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, 0.895 [95% CI, 0.853-0.930]). CONCLUSIONS: The PRECISE score demonstrated high predictive performance and directly translates into the expected in-hospital mortality rate. The PRECISE score may be used to support clinical decision-making in ischemic CS (www.theprecisescore.com). REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02985008.

Highly Resilient Noncovalently Associated Hydrogel Adhesives for Wound Sealing Patch.

The development of hydrogel adhesives with high mechanical resilience and toughness remains a challenging task. Hydrogels must exhibit high mechanical resilience to withstand the inevitable movement of the human body while simultaneously demonstrating strong wet tissue adhesion and appropriate toughness to hold and seal damaged tissues; However, tissue adhesion, toughness, and mechanical resilience are typically negatively correlated. Therefore, this paper proposes a highly resilient double-network (DN) hydrogel wound-sealing patch that exhibits a well-balanced combination of tissue adhesion, toughness, and mechanical resilience. The DN structure is formed by introducing covalently and non-covalently crosslinkable dopamine-modified crosslinkers and physically interactable linear poly(vinyl imidazole) (PVI). The resulting hydrogel adhesive exhibits high toughness and mechanical resilience due to the presence of a DN involving reversible physical intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic associations, cation-π interactions, π-π interactions, and chain entanglements. Moreover, the hydrogel adhesive achieves strong wet tissue adhesion through the polar hydroxyl groups of dopamine and the amine group of PVI. These mechanical attributes allow the proposed adhesive to effectively seal damaged tissues and promote wound healing by maintaining a moist environment.

Progress of polysaccharide-based tissue adhesives.

Recently, polymer-based tissue adhesives (TAs) have gained the attention of scientists and industries as alternatives to sutures for sealing and closing wounds or incisions because of their ease of use, low cost, minimal tissue damage, and short application time. However, poor mechanical properties and weak adhesion strength limit the application of TAs, although numerous studies have attempted to develop new TAs with enhanced performance. Therefore, next-generation TAs with improved multifunctional properties are required. In this review, we address the requirements of polymeric TAs, adhesive characteristics, adhesion strength assessment methods, adhesion mechanisms, applications, advantages and disadvantages, and commercial products of polysaccharide (PS)-based TAs, including chitosan (CS), alginate (AL), dextran (DE), and hyaluronic acid (HA). Additionally, future perspectives are discussed.

Positive effect of phasin in biohydrogen production of non polyhydroxybutyrate-producing Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824.

In this study, the goal was to enhance the tolerance of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 to biomass-based inhibitory compounds for biohydrogen production and evaluate various known genes that enhance the production of biochemicals in various hosts. The introduction of phaP, the major polyhydroxyalkanoate granule-associated protein that has been reported as a chaperone-like protein resulted in increased tolerance to inhibitors and leads to higher levels of hydrogen production, cell growth, and glucose consumption in the presence of these inhibitors. It was observed that the introduction of phaP led to an increase in the transcription of the hydrogenase gene, whereas transcription of the chaperone functional genes decreased compared to the wild type. Finally, the introduction of phaP could significantly enhance biohydrogen production by 2.6-fold from lignocellulosic hydrolysates compared to that of wild type. These findings suggested that the introduction of phaP could enhance growth and biohydrogen production, even in non-polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing strains.

Differential Prognostic Impact of IABP-SHOCK II Scores According to Treatment Strategy in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Coronary Syndrome: From the RESCUE Registry.

Background: Early risk stratification is necessary for optimal determination of the treatment strategy in cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Therefore, we evaluated the prognostic impact of an intra-aortic balloon pump on the cardiogenic shock (IABP-SHOCK) II score according to the treatment strategies in ACS complicated by CS using the RESCUE (REtrospective and prospective observational Study to investigate Clinical oUtcomes and Efficacy of left ventricular assist device for Korean patients with cardiogenic shock) registry. Methods: The RESCUE registry contains multicenter observational retrospective and prospective cohorts that include 1247 patients with CS from 12 centers in Korea. A total of 865 patients with ACS complicated by CS were selected and stratified into low-, intermediate- and high-risk categories according to their IABP-SHOCK II scores and then according to treatment: non-mechanical support, IABP, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenators (ECMOs). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality during follow-up. Results: The observed mortality rates for the low-, intermediate-, and high-IABP-SHOCK II score risk categories were 28.8%, 52.4%, and 69.8%, respectively (p < 0.01). Patients in the non-mechanical support and IABP groups showed an increasingly elevated risk of all-cause mortality as their risk scores increased from low to high. In the ECMO group, the risk of all-cause mortality did not differ between the intermediate- and high-risk categories (HR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.81-1.81, p = 0.33). The IABP-SHOCK II scores for the non-mechanical support and IABP groups showed a better predictive performance (area under curve [AUC] = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.65-0.76) for mortality compared with the EMCO group (AUC = 0.61, 95% CI 0.54-0.67; p-value for comparison = 0.02). Conclusions: Risk stratification using the IABP-SHOCK II score is useful for predicting mortality in ACS complicated by CS when patients are treated with non-mechanical support or IABP. However, its prognostic value may be unsatisfactory in severe cases where patients require ECMOs.

Maximization of 3-hydroxyhexanoate fraction in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) using lauric acid with engineered Cupriavidus necator H16.

As polyhydroxybutyrate (P(3HB)) was struggling with mechanical properties, efforts have been directed towards increasing mole fraction of 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) in P(3HB-co-3HHx) to improve the properties of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Although genetic modification had significant results, there were several issues related to cell growth and PHA production by deletion of PHA synthetic genes. To find out easier strategy for high 3HHx mole fraction without gene deletion, Cupriavidus necator H16 containing phaC2Ra-phaACn-phaJ1Pa was examined with various oils resulting that coconut oil gave the highest 3HHx mole fraction. When fatty acid composition analysis with GC-MS was applied, coconut oil was found to have very different composition from other vegetable oil containing very high lauric acid (C12) content. To find out specific fatty acid affecting 3HHx fraction, different fatty acids from caproic acid (C6) to stearic acid (C18) was evaluated and the 3HHx mole fraction was increased to 26.5 ± 1.6 % using lauric acid. Moreover, the 3HHx mole fraction could be controlled from 9 % to 31.1 % by mixing bean oil and lauric acid with different ratios. Produced P(3HB-co-3HHx) exhibited higher molecular than P(3HB-co-3HHx) from phaB-deletion mutant. This study proposes another strategy to increase 3HHx mole fraction with easier way by modifying substrate composition without applying deletion tools.

Ultraviolet Light Debondable Optically Clear Adhesives for Flexible Displays through Efficient Visible-Light Curing.

With growing sustainability concerns, the need for products that facilitate easy disassembly and reuse has increased. Adhesives, initially designed for bonding, now face demands for selective removal, enabling rapid assembly-disassembly and efficient maintenance across industries. This need is particularly evident in the display industry, with the rise of foldable devices necessitating specialized adhesives. A novel optically clear adhesive (OCA) is presented for foldable display, featuring a unique UV-stimulated selective removal feature. This approach incorporates benzophenone derivatives into the polymer network, facilitating rapid debonding under UV irradiation. A key feature of this method is the adept use of visible-light-driven radical polymerization for OCA film fabrication. This method shows remarkable compatibility with various monomers and exhibits orthogonal reactivity to benzophenone, rendering it ideal for large-scale production. The resultant OCA not only has high transparency and balanced elasticity, along with excellent resistance to repeated folding, but it also exhibits significantly reduced adhesion when exposed to UV irradiation. By merging this customized formulation with strategically integrated UV-responsive elements, an effective solution is offered that enhances manufacturing efficiency and product reliability in the rapidly evolving field of sustainable electronics and displays. This research additionally contributes to eco-friendly device fabrication, aligning with emerging technology demands.

Prognostic effect of sex according to shock severity in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: Sex disparities in cardiogenic shock (CS) treatment are controversial, and the prognostic implications of sex remain unclear in CS caused by acute myocardial infarction (AMI). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic effect of sex according to the severity of CS in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for AMI complicated by CS. METHODS: We assessed 695 patients from 12 tertiary centers in South Korea who underwent PCI for AMI complicated by CS, and analyzed outcomes by sex (female [n = 184] vs. male [n = 511]). We compared a 12-month patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE, defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, re-hospitalization due to heart failure, and repeat revascularization) between the sexes, respective of SCAI shock stage C&D or E. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed to reduce bias. RESULTS: We found that the female group was older and had higher vasoactive-inotropic and IABP-SHOCK II scores than the male group, with findings consistent across SCAI shock stages. During the 12-month follow-up period, multivariate analysis revealed no significant differences in POCE (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.67-1.53, p = 0.963 for SCAI stage C&D, HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.84-1.84, p = 0.286 for SCAI stage E) between females and males. After propensity score matching, the incidence of POCE (HR 1.47, 95% CI 0.79-2.72, p = 0.220 for SCAI stage C&D, HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.49-1.57, p = 0.665 for SCAI stage E) was similar between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Sex does not appear to influence the risk of 12-month POCE in patients treated with PCI for CS caused by AMI, irrespective of shock severity. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02985008. RESCUE (REtrospective and prospective observational Study to investigate Clinical oUtcomes and Efficacy of left ventricular assist device for Korean patients with cardiogenic shock), NCT02985008, Registered December 5, 2016 - retrospectively and prospectively. IRB INFORMATION: This study was approved by the institutional review board of Samsung Medical Center (Reference number: 2016-03-130).

Investigating preoperative myoglobin level as predictive factor for acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a retrospective observational study

Abstract Background: Early identification of patients at risk of AKI after cardiac surgery is of critical importance for optimizing perioperative management and improving outcomes. This study aimed to identify the association between preoperative myoglobin levels and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing valve surgery or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: This retrospective study included 293 patients aged over 17 years who underwent valve surgery or CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass. We excluded 87 patients as they met the exclusion criteria. Therefore, 206 patients were included in the final analysis. The patients' demographics as well as intraoperative and postoperative data were collected from electronic medical records. AKI was defined according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network classification system. Results: Of the 206 patients included in this study, 77 developed AKI. The patients who developed AKI were older, had a history of hypertension, underwent valve surgery with concomitant CABG, had lower preoperative hemoglobin levels, and experienced prolonged extracorporeal circulation (ECC) times. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative myoglobin levels and ECC time were correlated with the development of AKI. A higher preoperative myoglobin level was an independent risk factor for the development of cardiac surgery-associated AKI. Conclusions: Higher preoperative myoglobin levels may enable physicians to identify patients at risk of developing AKI and optimize management accordingly.

Association of Prophylactic Distal Perfusion Cannulation With Mortality in Patients Receiving Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Prophylactic distal perfusion cannulation (PDPC) is protectively associated with limb ischemia in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) receiving femoral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). However, evidence supporting its benefits beyond limb ischemia reduction is scarce. We aimed to investigate whether PDPC, compared with no-PDPC, is associated with a lower risk of mortality in patients receiving VA-ECMO. From a multicenter registry, we identified 479 patients who underwent VA-ECMO support for refractory CS. The association of PDPC with 30-day mortality was assessed using multiple methods, including instrumental variable analysis, overlap weighting, and propensity score matching. Of the 479 patients, 154 (32.2%) received PDPC. The 30-day mortality rate was 33.1% in the PDPC group and 53.2% in the no-PDPC group. The instrumental variable analysis showed a protective association of PDPC with 30-day mortality (absolute risk difference -16.7%, 95% confidence interval -31.3% to -2.1%; relative risk 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.40 to 0.96). The findings were consistent in the overlap-weighted analysis (hazard ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.98) and in the propensity score-matched analysis (hazard ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 1.00). There were no significant differences in safety outcomes, including stroke, ECMO site bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, and sepsis, between PDPC and no-PDPC. In conclusion, PDPC was associated with a lower risk of mortality at 30 days in patients with CS receiving VA-ECMO. The efficacy and safety of PDPC merit evaluation in future randomized studies. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT02985008.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality after successful weaning of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in cardiogenic shock.

Limited knowledge exists regarding the predictors of mortality after successful weaning of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We aimed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) after successful weaning from ECMO. Data were obtained from a multicenter registry of CS. Successful ECMO weaning was defined as survival with minimal mean arterial pressure (> 65 mmHg) for > 24 h after ECMO removal. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality after successful ECMO weaning. Among 1247 patients with CS, 485 received ECMO, and 262 were successfully weaned from ECMO. In-hospital mortality occurred in 48 patients (18.3%). Survivors at discharge differed significantly from non-survivors in age, cardiovascular comorbidities, cause of CS, left ventricular ejection fraction, and use of adjunctive therapy. Five independent predictors for in-hospital mortality were identified: use of continuous renal replacement therapy (odds ratio 5.429, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.468-11.940; p < 0.001), use of intra-aortic balloon pump (3.204, 1.105-9.287; p = 0.032), diabetes mellitus (3.152, 1.414-7.023; p = 0.005), age (1.050, 1.016-1.084; p = 0.003), and left ventricular ejection fraction after ECMO insertion (0.957, 0.927-0.987; p = 0.006). Even after successful weaning of ECMO, patients with irreversible risk factors should be recognized, and careful monitoring should be done for sign of deconditioning.

Impact of Acute Myocardial Infarction Type on Prognosis in Female Patients With Cardiogenic Shock.

There are limited data about mid-term prognosis according to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) type in female patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). In this study, we evaluated the impact of AMI type on prognosis in female patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for AMI complicated by CS. A total of 184 female patients who underwent PCI for AMI complicated by CS were enrolled from 12 centers in the Republic of Korea. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to AMI type: the ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (n = 114) and the non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (n = 70) group. Primary outcome was a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) (defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization). Propensity-score matching analysis was performed to reduce selection bias and potential confounding factors. During 12-month follow-up, a total of 73 MACEs occurred (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction group, 47 [41.2%] vs non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction group, 26 [37.1%], p = 0.643). Multivariate analysis revealed no significant difference in the incidence of MACE at 12 months between the 2 groups (adjusted hazard ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 0.70 to 2.37, p = 0.646). After propensity-score matching, the incidence of MACE at 12 months remained similar between the 2 groups (hazard ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 2.52, p = 0.413). The similarity in MACEs between the 2 groups was consistent across a variety of subgroups. In conclusion, after adjusting for baseline differences, AMI clinical type did not appear to increase the risk of MACEs at 12 months in female patients who underwent emergency PCI for AMI complicated by CS.

Novel Heptaplex PCR-Based Diagnostics for Enteric Fever Caused by Typhoidal Salmonella Serovars and Its Applicability in Clinical Blood Culture.

Enteric fever is caused by typhoidal Salmonella serovars (Typhi, Paratyphi A, Paratyphi B, and Paratyphi C). Owing to the importance of Salmonella serovars in clinics and public hygiene, reliable diagnostics for typhoidal serovars are crucial. This study aimed to develop a novel diagnostic tool for typhoidal Salmonella serovars and evaluate the use of human blood for clinically diagnosing enteric fever. Five genes were selected to produce specific PCR results against typhoidal Salmonella serovars based on the genes of Salmonella Typhi. Heptaplex PCR, including genetic markers of generic Salmonella, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, and typhoidal Salmonella serovars, was developed. Typhoidal Salmonella heptaplex PCR using genomic DNAs from 200 Salmonella strains (112 serovars) provided specifically amplified PCR products for each typhoidal Salmonella serovar. These results suggest that heptaplex PCR can sufficiently discriminate between typhoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella serovars. Heptaplex PCR was applied to Salmonella-spiked blood cultures directly and provided diagnostic results after 12- or 13.5-h blood culture. Additionally, it demonstrated diagnostic performance with colonies recovered from a 6-h blood culture. This study provides a reliable DNA-based tool for diagnosing typhoidal Salmonella serovars that may be useful in clinical microbiology and epidemiology.

Embedded Direct Ink Writing 3D Printing of UV Curable Resin/Sepiolite Composites with Nano Orientation.

Among the various 3D printing methods, direct ink writing (DIW) through extrusion directly affects the microstructure and properties of materials. However, use of nanoparticles at high concentrations is restricted due to difficulties in sufficient dispersion and the deteriorated physical properties of nanocomposites. Thus, although there are many studies on filler alignment with high-viscosity materials with a weight fraction higher than 20 wt %, not much research has been done with low-viscosity nanocomposites with less than 5 phr. Interestingly, the alignment of anisotropic particles improves the physical properties of the nanocomposite at a low concentration of nanoparticles with DIW. The rheological behavior of ink is affected by the alignment of anisotropic sepiolite (SEP) at a low concentration using the embedded 3D printing method, and silicone oil complexed with fumed silica is used as a printing matrix. A significant increase in mechanical properties is expected compared to conventional digital light processing. We clarify the synergistic effect of the SEP alignment in a photocurable nanocomposite material through physical property investigations.

Progress of tissue adhesives based on proteins and synthetic polymers.

In recent years, polymer-based tissue adhesives (TAs) have been developed as an alternative to sutures to close and seal incisions or wounds owing to their ease of use, rapid application time, low cost, and minimal tissue damage. Although significant research is being conducted to develop new TAs with improved performances using different strategies, the applications of TAs are limited by several factors, such as weak adhesion strength and poor mechanical properties. Therefore, the next-generation advanced TAs with biomimetic and multifunctional properties should be developed. Herein, we review the requirements, adhesive performances, characteristics, adhesive mechanisms, applications, commercial products, and advantages and disadvantages of proteins- and synthetic polymer-based TAs. Furthermore, future perspectives in the field of TA-based research have been discussed.

Revealing the key gene involved in bioplastic degradation from superior bioplastic degrader Bacillus sp. JY35.

The use of bioplastics, which can alleviate environmental pollution caused by non-degradable bioplastics, has received attention. As there are many types of bioplastics, method that can treat them simultaneously is important. Therefore, Bacillus sp. JY35 which can degrade different types of bioplastics, was screened in previous study. Most types of bioplastics, such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), (P(3HB-co-4HB)), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polycaprolactone (PCL), can be degraded by esterase family enzymes. To identify the genes that are involved in bioplastic degradation, analysis with whole-genome sequencing was performed. Among the many esterase enzymes, three carboxylesterase and one triacylglycerol lipase were identified and selected based on previous studies. Esterase activity using p-nitrophenyl substrates was measured, and the supernatant of JY35_02679 showed strong emulsion clarification activity compared with others. In addition, when recombinant E. coli was applied to the clear zone test, only the JY35_02679 gene showed activity in the clear zone test with bioplastic containing solid cultures. Further quantitative analysis showed 100 % PCL degradation at 7 days and 45.7 % PBS degradation at 10 days. We identified a gene encoding a bioplastic-degrading enzyme in Bacillus sp. JY35 and successfully expressed the gene in heterologous E. coli, which secreted esterases with broad specificity.

Macroalgae as a source of sugar and detoxifier biochar for polyhydroxyalkanoates production by Halomonas sp. YLGW01 under the unsterile condition.

Macroalgae (seaweed) is considered a favorable feedstock for polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) production owing to its high productivity, low land and freshwater requirement, and renewable nature. Among different microbes Halomonas sp. YLGW01 can utilize algal biomass-derived sugars (galactose and glucose) for growth and PHAs production. Biomass-derived byproducts furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and acetate affects Halomonas sp. YLGW01 growth and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) production i.e., furfural > HMF > acetate. Eucheuma spinosum biomass-derived biochar was able to remove 87.9 % of phenolic compounds from its hydrolysate without affecting sugar concentration. Halomonas sp. YLGW01 grows and accumulates a high amount of PHB at 4 % NaCl. The use of detoxified unsterilized media resulted in high biomass (6.32 ± 0.16 g cdm/L) and PHB production (3.88 ± 0.04 g/L) compared to undetoxified media (3.97 ± 0.24 g cdm/L, 2.58 ± 0.1 g/L). The finding suggests that Halomonas sp. YLGW01 has the potential to valorize macroalgal biomass into PHAs and open a new avenue for renewable bioplastic production.

Culprit-Only Versus Immediate Multivessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicating Advanced Cardiogenic Shock Requiring Venoarterial-Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background Despite the benefit of culprit-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the CULPRIT-SHOCK (Culprit Lesion Only PCI Versus Multi-vessel PCI in Cardiogenic Shock) trial, the optimal revascularization strategy for refractory cardiogenic shock (CS) requiring mechanical circulatory support devices remains controversial. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between the culprit-only and immediate multivessel PCI strategies in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by CS who underwent venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before revascularization. Methods and Results This study included patient-pooled data from the RESCUE (Retrospective and Prospective Observational Study to Investigate Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy of Left Ventricular Assist Devices for Korean Patients With Cardiogenic Shock) and SMC-ECMO (Samsung Medical Center-Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) registries. A total of 315 patients with acute myocardial infarction with multivessel disease who underwent venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before revascularization attributable to refractory CS were included in this analysis. The study population was classified into culprit-only versus immediate multivessel PCI according to nonculprit lesion treatment strategies. The primary end point was 30-day mortality or renal-replacement therapy, and the key secondary end point was 12-month follow-up mortality. Among the study population, 175 (55.6%) underwent culprit-only PCI and 140 (44.4%) underwent immediate multivessel PCI. Compared with culprit-only PCI, immediate multivessel PCI was associated with significantly lower risks of 30-day mortality or renal-replacement therapy (68.0% versus 54.3%; P=0.018) and all-cause mortality during 12 months of follow-up (59.5% versus 47.5%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.689 [95% CI, 0.506-0.939]; P=0.018) in patients with acute myocardial infarction and CS who underwent venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before revascularization. These results were also consistent in the 99 pairs of propensity score-matched population (60.6% versus 43.6%; HR, 0.622 [95% CI, 0.420-0.922]; P=0.018). Conclusions Among patients with acute myocardial infarction with multivessel disease complicated by advanced CS requiring venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before revascularization, immediate multivessel PCI was associated with lower incidences of 30-day mortality or renal replacement therapy and 12-month follow-up mortality, compared with culprit-only PCI. Registration Information clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02985008.