Synergistic substrate cofeeding stimulates reductive metabolism

Advanced bioproduct synthesis via reductive metabolism requires coordinating carbons, ATP and reducing agents, which are generated with varying efficiencies depending on metabolic pathways. Substrate mixtures with direct access to multiple pathways may optimally satisfy these biosynthetic requirements. However, native regulation favouring preferential use precludes cells from co-metabolizing multiple substrates. Here we explore mixed substrate metabolism and tailor pathway usage to synergistically stimulate carbon reduction. By controlled cofeeding of superior ATP and NADPH generators as ‘dopant’ substrates to cells primarily using inferior substrates, we circumvent catabolite repression and drive synergy in two divergent organisms. Glucose doping in Moorella thermoacetica stimulates CO2 reduction (2.3 g gCDW−1 h−1) into acetate by augmenting ATP synthesis via pyruvate kinase. Gluconate doping in Yarrowia lipolytica accelerates acetate-driven lipogenesis (0.046 g gCDW−1 h−1) by obligatory NADPH synthesis through the pentose cycle. Together, synergistic cofeeding produces CO2-derived lipids with 38% energy yield and demonstrates the potential to convert CO2 into advanced bioproducts. This work advances the systems-level control of metabolic networks and CO2 use, the most pressing and difficult reduction challenge

Integrated olfactory receptor and microarray gene expression databases-2

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Integrated olfactory receptor and microarray gene expression databases"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2105/8/231</p><p>BMC Bioinformatics 2007;8():231-231.</p><p>Published online 30 Jun 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC1955752.</p><p></p>resent), and statistical P-value are provided. For each probe set, the target gene name is provided in the column "ORDB_name" (corresponding to the name used in SenseLab). The hyperlinks on the gene name lead to the detail page of chemosensory receptors in ORDB (see Figure 1). The PubMed_IDs are hyperlinks directing users to original publications related to the genes

Integrated olfactory receptor and microarray gene expression databases-3

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Integrated olfactory receptor and microarray gene expression databases"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2105/8/231</p><p>BMC Bioinformatics 2007;8():231-231.</p><p>Published online 30 Jun 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC1955752.</p><p></p> out depending on the file type: 1) the description text file; 2) the dataset file showing the gene expressions; and 3) the raw data files. The description and dataset files are parsed by the system and the values are stored in the database. The raw data files are stored in the database as binary data type. B. Data export. The user first needs to choose a gene-chip type (Step 1), after which the dropdown list of the related experiments will be automatically refreshed. The user may select one or more experiments (Step 2) and choose an appropriate export file format, i.e., text or MS Excel (Step 3). C. A sample Excel file of gene expression data from three experiments: "Embryo," "Heart," and "Kidney"

Efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage for the treatment of caesarean scar pregnancy: a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis

Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) presents a significant clinical challenge owing to the associated risks of uterine scar rupture, severe haemorrhage and adverse maternal outcomes. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of combining high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with suction curettage for treating CSP. We conducted a comprehensive search in four databases, namely PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library, to identify published studies evaluating the use of HIFU combined with suction curettage to treat CSP. Intraoperative blood loss, treatment success rate, and reproductive results were the primary outcomes assessed. A total of 18 studies involving 1251 patients with CSP, all of whom received preoperative HIFU therapy were included. The average hospital stay was 6.22 days, the intraoperative blood loss was 26.29 ml and the incidence of adverse events was 15.60%, including abdominal or lower limb pain, fever, vaginal bleeding, haematuria and vomiting. Furthermore, post-treatment follow-up showed that serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were rapidly normalized (average of 25.48 days) and menstruation returned (average of 33.03 days). The treatment had a remarkable success rate of 97.60% and a subsequent pregnancy rate of 68.70%. While the combination of HIFU and suction-curettage may induce common adverse effects such as lower abdominal or limb pain, these reactions typically do not necessitate therapeutic intervention. Additionally, the size of the gestational sac is a determinant of the procedure’s success. In conclusion, HIFU combined with suction curettage demonstrates promising clinical efficacy, safety and favourable reproductive outcomes in managing CSP.</p

Understanding Phase Transformation in Crystalline Ge Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries using germanium as the anode material are attracting attention because of their high-capacity, higher conductivity, and lithium-ion diffusivity relative to silicon. Despite recent studies on Ge electrode reactions, there is still limited understanding of the reaction mechanisms governing crystalline Ge and the transformations into intermediate amorphous phases that form during the electrochemical charge and discharge process. In this work, we carry out in operando X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies on Ge anodes during the initial cycles to better understand these processes. These two probes track both crystalline (XRD) and amorphous (XAS) phase transformations with potential, which allows detailed information on the Ge anode to be obtained. We find that crystalline Ge lithiates inhomogeneously, first forming amorphous Li₉Ge₄ during the beginning stage of lithiation, followed by the conversion of the remaining crystalline Ge to amorphous Ge. The lithiation of amorphous Ge then forms amorphous Li_<i>x</i>Ge, which are then further lithiated to form crystalline Li₁₅Ge₄. During delithiation, crystalline Li₁₅Ge₄ transforms directly into a heterogeneous mix of amorphous Li_<i>x</i>Ge, which eventually form amorphous Ge, and interestingly, no amorphous Li₉Ge₄ are detected. Both our in operando XRD and XAS results present new insights into the reaction mechanism of Ge as anodes in LIBs, and demonstrate the importance of correlating electrochemical results with in operando studies

Programming a Biofilm-Mediated Multienzyme-Assembly-Cascade System for the Biocatalytic Production of Glucosamine from Chitin

Chitin is used as an essential raw material for the production of glucosamine (GlcN). In this study, we adopted three key enzymes, isolated from <i>Thermococcus kodakaraensis</i> KOD1, that catalyze the sequential conversion of α-chitin into GlcN and developed a multienzyme-assembly-cascade (MAC) system immobilized in a bacterial biofilm, which enabled a multistep one-pot reaction. Specifically, the SpyTag–SpyCatcher and SnoopTag–SnoopCatcher pairs provided covalent and specific binding force to fix enzymes to the biofilm one by one and assemble close enzyme cascades. The MAC system showed great catalytic activity, converting 79.02 ± 3.61% of α-chitin into GlcN with little byproducts, which was 2.09 times that of GlcN catalyzed by a mixture of pure enzymes. The system also exhibited good temperature and pH stability. Notably, 90% of enzyme activity was retained after 6 rounds of reuse, and appreciable activity remained after 17 rounds

Additional file 4: of MicroRNA 157-targeted SPL genes regulate floral organ size and ovule production in cotton

Over-expressing GhmiR157 precursor suppressed reproductive organs development. (A) qRT-PCR of mature miR157 expression in floral buds. R.E.L., the relative expression levels calculated using HISTONE3 (AF024716) as a control. The error bars indicate the standard deviation of three biological replicates. Different letters indicate statistically significant differences at P < 0.05 based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) (Tukey’s multiple comparison test). (B-F) Images of flowers (B), stamens and stigmas (C), ovaries after removing the valves (D), 30 DPA bolls (E) and mature bolls (F). (G) The size of floral organs in WT and over-expressing GhmiR157 lines. Values are shown as the mean ± standard deviation. In each column, values with different letters are significantly different based on Tukey’s multiple comparison test (P < 0.05). OV12, 38, 33 and 35, independent 35S::GhmiR157 transgenic lines. WT, wild type (Gossypium hirsutum cv. YZ1). Control, nontransgenic plant segregated from 35S::GhmiR157 transgenic lines. (DOCX 400 kb

Chalcogen Atom-Modulated Croconaine for Efficient NIR-II Photothermal Theranostics

Organic dye-based agents with near-infrared (NIR)-II absorption have great potential for cancer theranostics because of the deeper tissue penetration and good biocompatibility. However, proper design is required to develop NIR-II-absorbing dyes with good optical properties. We proposed to construct chalcogen atom-modulated croconaine for NIR-II light-triggered photothermal theranostics. By introducing different chalcogen atoms (O, S, Se, or Te) into the structure of croconaine, the light absorption of croconaine can be precisely regulated from the NIR-I to the NIR-II range due to the heavy-atom effect. Especially, Te-substituted croconaine (CRTe) and its nanoformulations exhibit superior NIR-II responsiveness, a high photothermal conversion efficiency (70.6%), and good photostability. With their favorable tumor accumulation, CRTe-NPs from tumor regions can be visualized by NIR-II optoacoustic systems with high resolution and high contrast; meanwhile, their superior photothermal performance also contributes to efficient cell killing and tumor elimination upon 1064 nm laser irradiation. Therefore, this work provides an efficient strategy for the molecular design of NIR-II organic photothermal agents

A Yolk-Shell Design for Stabilized and Scalable Li-Ion Battery Alloy Anodes

Silicon is regarded as one of the most promising anode materials for next generation lithium-ion batteries. For use in practical applications, a Si electrode must have high capacity, long cycle life, high efficiency, and the fabrication must be industrially scalable. Here, we design and fabricate a yolk-shell structure to meet all these needs. The fabrication is carried out without special equipment and mostly at room temperature. Commercially available Si nanoparticles are completely sealed inside conformal, thin, self-supporting carbon shells, with rationally designed void space in between the particles and the shell. The well-defined void space allows the Si particles to expand freely without breaking the outer carbon shell, therefore stabilizing the solid-electrolyte interphase on the shell surface. High capacity (∼2800 mAh/g at C/10), long cycle life (1000 cycles with 74% capacity retention), and high Coulombic efficiency (99.84%) have been realized in this yolk-shell structured Si electrode

Identification of Genes Related to Beak Deformity of Chickens Using Digital Gene Expression Profiling

<div><p>Frequencies of up to 3% of beak deformity (normally a crossed beak) occur in some indigenous chickens in China, such as and Beijing-You. Chickens with deformed beaks have reduced feed intake, growth rate, and abnormal behaviors. Beak deformity represents an economic as well as an animal welfare problem in the poultry industry. Because the genetic basis of beak deformity remains incompletely understood, the present study sought to identify important genes and metabolic pathways involved in this phenotype. Digital gene expression analysis was performed on deformed and normal beaks collected from Beijing-You chickens to detect global gene expression differences. A total of >11 million cDNA tags were sequenced, and 5,864,499 and 5,648,877 clean tags were obtained in the libraries of deformed and normal beaks, respectively. In total, 1,156 differentially expressed genes (DEG) were identified in the deformed beak with 409 being up-regulated and 747 down-regulated in the deformed beaks. qRT-PCR using eight genes was performed to verify the results of DGE profiling. Gene ontology (GO) analysis highlighted that genes of the keratin family on GGA25 were abundant among the DEGs. Pathway analysis showed that many DEGs were linked to the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and glycerolipid metabolism. Combining the analyses, 11 genes (<i>MUC</i>, <i>LOC426217</i>, <i>BMP4</i>, <i>ACAA1</i>, <i>LPL</i>, <i>ALDH7A1</i>, <i>GLA</i>, <i>RETSAT</i>, <i>SDR16C5</i>, <i>WWOX</i>, and <i>MOGAT1</i>) were highlighted as potential candidate genes for beak deformity in chickens. Some of these genes have been identified previously, while others have unknown function with respect to thus phenotype. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first genome-wide study to investigate the transcriptome differences in the deformed and normal beaks of chickens. The DEGs identified here are worthy of further functional characterization.</p></div