Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gozde Baydemir Pesint, Burcu Eren Yungevis, Isik Percin Demircelik
Summary: Invertase, an industrially significant glycoenzyme, was purified from baker's yeast using boronic acid functionalized poly (2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [PHema-Pba] cryogels. The PHema-Pba cryogels had a large surface area, high swelling ratio, and interconnected macropores. The maximum Invertase binding capacity of the PHema-Pba cryogels was found to be 15.2 mg/g, and 23.7 fold Invertase purification was achieved from baker's yeast using these cryogels. The results indicate that PHema-Pba cryogels have potential as an alternative method for enzyme purification via boronate affinity systems.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fei Li, Xinlei Wei, Lin Zhang, Cheng Liu, Chun You, Zhiguang Zhu
Summary: By utilizing natural thylakoid membranes for ATP and NADPH regeneration, a light-powered in vitro biosystem was developed for the synthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), resulting in higher carbon conversion efficiency and light-energy conversion efficiency compared to similar systems. This suggests the potential of using TMs as a green engine to drive more enzyme cascades.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Jieran Yi, Zhi Li
Summary: Artificial multi-enzyme cascades have the potential to synthesize useful natural molecules from natural substrates and simple chemicals. Strategies such as protein engineering and cofactor regeneration can improve the efficiency of these cascades.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Jingjing Mai, Steven Pratt, Bronwyn Laycock, Clement Matthew Chan
Summary: This study explores the synthesis of industrially relevant high-molecular-weight block copolymers PHBV-b-PHBV using high molecular weight hydroxy-functionalised PHBV starting materials coupled with facile diisocyanate chemistry. Two-step synthesis approach and one-step approach were compared, and both successfully produced block copolymers. However, the two-step synthesis was less effective in building molecular weight. Both synthetic approaches were affected by additional isocyanate reactions resulting in the formation of by-products, affecting the product performance.
Review
Polymer Science
Kerim Eraslan, Clizia Aversa, Mohammadreza Nofar, Massimiliano Barletta, Annamaria Gisario, Reza Salehiyan, Yonca Alkan Goksu
Summary: PHBH is a compostable biobased polymeric material with a wider processing window, better thermal stability, and promising mechanical properties. However, it has received minimal attention due to low availability in the market, high cost, strict confidentiality of polymer manufacturers.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiao-Mu Hu, Rui Zhang, Hai Dong, Yan-Yan Jia, Guo-Qiang Bao, Ping-An Wang
Summary: A series of chiral bifunctional organocatalysts were used for the enantioselective synthesis of 3-substituted isoindolinones from 2-formylarylnitriles and malonates. The use of chiral tertiary-amine catalysts with a urea group resulted in higher yields (87% vs. 77%) and enantioselectivities (95% ee vs. 46% ee) compared to chiral bifunctional phase-transfer catalysts.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei-Cheng Yuan, Tung-Ying Wu, Pei-Yi Chu, Fang-Rong Chang, Yang-Chang Wu
Summary: An efficient method for preparing bioactive ingredient 3S,3 ' S-astaxanthin (3S,3 ' S-AST) from genetically modified yeast was developed. The combination of enzyme-assisted extraction and salt-assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) resulted in a high yield of 3S,3 ' S-AST with over 99% purity. The antioxidant capacity of the purified 3S,3 ' S-AST products was found to be 18.3 times higher than that of the original raw material extract. This new method has the potential to replace previous methods and can be scaled up for the production of high-purity 3S,3 ' S-AST with lower cost and simpler equipment in the food and/or drug industries.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hannah C. Yocum, Anhuy Pham, Nancy A. Da Silva
Summary: Colocalization strategies are metabolic engineering approaches that control flux and increase pathway efficiency towards the synthesis of non-native products by positioning enzymes in close proximity to increase the likelihood of reaction along that pathway. Recent developments and applications of these strategies in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and non-conventional yeast hosts have shown promise, but challenges and future directions still need to be addressed through further research and improvement.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Haibo Yang, Junyu Chen, Ruchira Mitra, Qiong Xue, Hua Xiang, Jing Han
Summary: Deleting chromosomal origins can reduce DNA content and ploidy number in Haloferax mediterranei, leading to larger cell size and increased PHBV production. Transcriptome analysis shows downregulation of genes involved in primary metabolism and upregulation of genes related to starch utilization and PHBV monomer precursor supply.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Li Liu, Daniel M. Schubert, Martin Konneke, Ivan A. Berg
Summary: Ammonia-oxidizing archaea of the phylum Thaumarchaeota play a crucial role in oceanic and soil nitrification, as well as dark ocean primary production. They utilize an energetically efficient version of the 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate cycle to assimilate inorganic carbon. The protein Nmar_1028 identified in this study is a key enzyme in this cycle and essential for the functioning of the important marine archaeon Nitrosopumilus maritimus.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dina Ahmed, Hima Puthussery, Pooja Basnett, Jonathan C. Knowles, Sigrun Lange, Ipsita Roy
Summary: This study optimized the synthesis of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) microspheres encapsulating Cl-amidine, showing potential for anti-cancer therapy in synergy with chemotherapeutic agents. Controlled release of Cl-amidine from these microspheres may be an effective strategy for PAD-associated pathologies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Tao Zhang, Yunjae Jang, Eunhye Lee, Sooan Shin, Ho-Jong Kang
Summary: This study investigates the supercritical carbon dioxide foaming characteristics of the biodegradable polymer P(3HB-co-4HB) for environmentally friendly packaging materials. The effect of the 4HB composition on the foaming conditions, such as pressure and temperature, is studied, and the resulting foam density and expansion ratio are evaluated. Increasing the 4HB content reduces the crystallinity and tan delta value required for foam cell growth. Lower foaming temperatures are needed to maintain a suitable tan delta value. However, foaming is not possible when the 4HB content exceeds 50% due to a high tan delta value. Crystalline P(3HB-co-4HB) with low 4HB content results in lower foam density and higher expansion ratio compared to non-crystalline P(3HB-co-4HB) with high 4HB content. The addition of a chain extender slightly increases the expansion ratio by reducing crystallinity and tan delta, most effectively with a 4HB content of 16%.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gerlis von Haugwitz, Kian Donnelly, Mara Di Filippo, Daniel Breite, Max Phippard, Agnes Schulze, Ren Wei, Marcus Baumann, Uwe T. Bornscheuer
Summary: Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic vinyl polymer with remarkable physical properties. However, its biodegradability is low and existing degradation methods have disadvantages. In this study, a modified PVA film and a PQQ-independent enzymatic cascade for the degradation of PVA are presented, which can be suitable for industrial applications.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sourabh Mishra, Sedef Karabiyikoglu, Stephen P. Fletcher
Summary: This study reports a new method for the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched 3-substituted piperidines through a cross-coupling reaction. It is of great significance for natural products and the pharmaceutical industry. The method involves a series of catalytic reactions including asymmetric reductive Heck reaction and asymmetric carbometalation, leading to the formation of a wide variety of enantioenriched 3-piperidines.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Taku Omura, Tatsuya Goto, Akira Maehara, Satoshi Kimura, Hideki Abe, Tadahisa Iwata
Summary: The thermal degradation behavior of P(3HB-co-16 mol%-4HB) was investigated using spectroscopic analysis and kinetic modeling. Results showed the generation of various degradation products during thermal degradation, with the process occurring in at least two steps. Unzipping degradation of 3HB units was observed, which may cease or evaporate an oligomer when reaching a randomly present 4HB unit.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Anna Kajdy, Dorota Sys, Artur Pokropek, Steven W. Shaw, Tung-Yao Chang, Pavel Calda, Ganesh Acharya, Maya Ben-Zion, Tal Biron-Shental, Dariusz Borowski, Bartosz Czuba, Adolfo Etchegaray, Stepan Feduniw, Rosario Garcia-Mandujano, Monica Garcia Santacruz, Maria M. Gil, Sonia Hassan, Sebastian Kwiatkowski, Arancha Martin-Arias, Raigam Jafet Martinez-Portilla, Federico Prefumo, Michal Rabijewski, Laurent J. Salomon, Heidi Tiller, Stefan Verlohren, Hian Yan Voon, Omar Fernando Yanque-Robles, Soon Leong Yong, Liona C. Poon
Summary: This study examines risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that pregnant women in high-income economies experience higher levels of anxiety and depression. Factors such as the need for psychiatric treatment before pregnancy, restrictions in social distancing and access to leisure activities, pregnancy-related complications, fear of adverse outcomes in children related to COVID-19, and financial burden are associated with increased risk of anxiety and depression during pregnancy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Emily R. Smith, Erin Oakley, Gargi Wable Grandner, Gordon Rukundo, Fouzia Farooq, Kacey Ferguson, Sasha Baumann, Kristina Maria Adams Waldorf, Yalda Afshar, Mia Ahlberg, Homa Ahmadzia, Victor Akelo, Grace Aldrovandi, Elisa Bevilacqua, Nabal Bracero, Justin S. Brandt, Natalie Broutet, Jorge Carrillo, Jeanne Conry, Erich Cosmi, Fatima Crispi, Francesca Crovetto, Maria del Mar Gil, Camille Delgado-Lopez, Hema Divakar, Amanda J. Driscoll, Guillaume Favre, Irene Fernandez Buhigas, Valerie Flaherman, Christopher Gale, Christine L. Godwin, Sami Gottlieb, Eduard Gratacos, Siran He, Olivia Hernandez, Stephanie Jones, Sheetal Joshi, Erkan Kalafat, Sammy Khagayi, Marian Knight, Karen L. Kotloff, Antonio Lanzone, Valentina Laurita Longo, Kirsty Le Doare, Christoph Lees, Ethan Litman, Erica M. Lokken, Shabir A. Madhi, Laura A. Magee, Raigam Jafet Martinez-Portilla, Torri D. Metz, Emily S. Miller, Deborah Money, Sakita Moungmaithong, Edward Mullins, Jean B. Nachega, Marta C. Nunes, Dickens Onyango, Alice Panchaud, Liona C. Poon, Daniel Raiten, Lesley Regan, Daljit Sahota, Allie Sakowicz, Jose Sanin-Blair, Olof Stephansson, Marleen Temmerman, Anna Thorson, Soe Soe Thwin, Beth A. Tippett Barr, Jorge E. Tolosa, Niyazi Tug, Miguel Valencia-Prado, Silvia Visentin, Peter von Dadelszen, Clare Whitehead, Mollie Wood, Huixia Yang, Rebecca Zavala, James M. Tielsch
Summary: This sequential, prospective meta-analysis aimed to identify risk factors among pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19 for adverse outcomes related to disease severity, maternal morbidities, neonatal mortality and morbidity, and adverse birth outcomes. Data from 21 participating studies were included, and risk factors and outcomes were analyzed. The study found that women with comorbidities, HIV infection, prepregnancy underweight, and anemia were at increased risk for severe COVID-19-related outcomes and adverse birth outcomes.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Guixue Hou, Ya Gao, Liona C. Poon, Yan Ren, Chunwei Zeng, Bo Wen, Argyro Syngelaki, Liang Lin, Jin Zi, Fengxia Su, Weiwei Xie, Fang Chen, Kypros H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study defined the lipidomic profile in plasma during pregnancy and identified lipid biomarkers for the prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in early pregnancy.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Liona C. Poon, Long Nguyen-Hoang, Graeme N. Smith, Lina Bergman, Patrick O'Brien, Moshe Hod, Pius Okong, Anil Kapur, Cynthia Maxwell, Harold David McIntyre, Bo Jacobsson, Esraa Algurjia, Mark A. Hanson, Mary L. Rosser, Ronald C. Ma, Sharleen L. O'Reilly, Lesley Regan, Sumaiya Adam, Virna P. Medina, Fionnuala M. McAuliffe
Summary: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are the leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, accounting for 16% of maternal deaths in high-income countries and approximately 25% in low- and middle-income countries. HDP increases the risk of future cardiovascular disease. Failure to achieve normal cardiovascular adaptation during pregnancy is associated with the development of HDP. Women with a history of HDP may experience long-term hemodynamic alterations, predisposing them to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is crucial to identify underlying cardiovascular risk factors during pregnancy and the postpartum period and develop strategies for lifestyle and therapeutic interventions to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular disease in women with a history of HDP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sarah Louise Killeen, Niamh Donnellan, Sharleen L. O'Reilly, Mark A. Hanson, Mary L. Rosser, Virna P. Medina, Chandni Maria Jacob, Hema Divakar, Moshe Hod, Liona C. Poon, Lina Bergman, Patrick O'Brien, Anil Kapur, Bo Jacobsson, Cynthia Maxwell, Harold David McIntyre, Lesley Regan, Esraa Algurjia, Ronald C. Ma, Sumaiya Adam, Fionnuala M. McAuliffe
Summary: The period before and during pregnancy is crucial for addressing malnutrition and reducing noncommunicable disease risks. The FIGO Nutrition Checklist is a tool designed to address these issues by assessing dietary requirements, body mass index, diet quality, and micronutrients. It generates awareness, identifies risks, and collects information for health-promoting conversations between women and healthcare professionals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
Nana Matsuzawa, Liona C. Poon, Megumi Machida, Takako Nakamura, Kohtaro Uenishi, Yi Man Wah, Sakita Moungmaithong, Atsuo Itakura, Hideaki Chiyo, Ritsuko K. Pooh
Summary: Diagonal echogenic lines outside the lateral ventricle, known as cat-ear-line (CEL), are often observed in the normal fetal brain. However, abnormal CEL shapes have been observed in cases of malformation of cortical development (MCD). This study aimed to compare the development of CEL in normal cases versus MCD cases, and found that the visualization rate of CEL in MCD cases was significantly lower than that in the normal control group.
JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
D. L. Rolnik, A. Syngelaki, N. O'Gorman, D. Wright, L. C. Poon, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of aspirin on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mean uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) in women at increased risk of preterm pre-eclampsia. The results showed that aspirin did not significantly affect MAP, but it was associated with a significant decrease in mean UtA-PI, particularly before 20 weeks of gestation.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sani T. K. Wong, Daljit S. Sahota, Natalie K. L. Wong, Isabella Y. M. Wah, Xueqin Wang, S. L. Lau, C. P. H. Chiu, Patricia N. P. Ip, Liona C. Poon
Summary: This study evaluated the diagnostic performance and clinical utility of the urine Congo red dot test (CRDT) in predicting preeclampsia (PE) within 7, 14, and 28 days. The results showed that urine CRDT had high specificity but low sensitivity in predicting PE in women with suspected PE. Further studies are needed to evaluate its clinical utility.
PREGNANCY HYPERTENSION-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WOMENS CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ismail Bin Samsudin, Stephan Jaenicke, Gaik-Khuan Chuah
Summary: The ammonia evaporation method was used to synthesize magnesia-silica catalysts for the conversion of ethanol to 1,3-butadiene. These catalysts showed enhanced selectivity and productivity compared to catalysts prepared by a conventional wet-kneading method. The presence of magnesium silicate hydrates in the catalysts contributed to improved butadiene formation and stability.
CHEMISTRY-SWITZERLAND
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zeyu Guo, Huiwen Zhu, Gang Yang, Angjian Wu, Quhan Chen, Zijun Yan, Kam Loon Fow, Hainam Do, Jonathan D. Hirst, Tao Wu, Mengxia Xu
Summary: This study investigates the synthesis of a heteronuclear Ni-Ag dual-atom catalyst loaded on defective nitrogen-rich porous carbon and studies its catalytic performance and mechanism in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction. The results show that Ni-Ag/PC-N exhibits remarkable CO Faradaic efficiency and in situ studies using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy reveal an accelerated mechanism for the production of *COOH intermediates. Density functional theory calculations reveal the synergistic mechanism between the coordinated Ni atom and adjacent Ag atom on the catalyst surface.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
S. Moungmaithong, X. Wang, C. S. L. Lau, A. W. T. Tse, N. M. W. Lee, H. H. Y. Leung, L. C. Poon, D. S. Sahota
Summary: Adding GlyFn to the FMF triple test increases the screening sensitivity for both preterm and any-onset pre-eclampsia in an Asian population.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yan Yu Li, Wing Yi Lok, Liona C. Poon, Choi Wah Kong, William W. K. To
Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women and to compare their anxiety and knowledge on COVID-19 with a previous study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in antenatal clinics in Hong Kong, China. The results showed that pregnant women in the current survey were less worried about COVID-19 compared to the previous survey.
MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanglin Chen, Limo He, Hui-Ru Tan, Xuanhao Lin, Stephan Jaenicke, Gaik-Khuan Chuah
Summary: The research team synthesized a highly crystalline graphitic carbon nitride homojunction by calcination of a mixture of NH4SCN and urea, using NaCl/KCl molten salts as the preparation medium. The homogeneity of the liquid precursor ensured an intimate homojunction interface, facilitating the charge separation, and the highly crystalline bulk structure built a highway for rapidly transferring charge to the surface. As a result, bulk charge recombination was suppressed, and the spatial separation and transfer efficiency of charges were significantly improved. Compared to low crystalline homojunctions, this highly crystalline homojunction showed 15 times higher activity for the selective photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. This work provides a simple strategy to construct a highly crystalline graphitic carbon nitride homojunction for solar energy conversion.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Catherine Cluver, Christianne de Groot, Ben W. Mol, Kellie E. Murphy, Jane E. Norman, Rodolfo Pacagnella, Kirsten Palmer, Liona C. Poon, Daniel L. Rolnik, Catherine Y. Spong, Sarah J. Stock, Shakila Thangaratinam, Stephen Tong, Corine Verhoeven, Lan N. Vuong, Sue P. Walker, Liu Xiaohua
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Piya Chaemsaithong, Maria M. Gil, Noppadol Chaiyasit, Diana Cuenca-Gomez, Walter Plasencia, Valeria Rolle, Liona C. Poon
Summary: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of placental growth factor and placental growth factor-based models in predicting the development of preeclampsia in asymptomatic women. The findings suggest that placental growth factor combined with maternal factors has the highest predictive performance for early preeclampsia, while placental growth factor-based models perform similarly to soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1-placental growth factor ratio for any-onset preeclampsia in the third trimester. Standardized research using consistent models is needed to accurately predict preeclampsia.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)