Atomic-scale 3D structural dynamics and functional degradation of Pt alloy nanocatalysts during the oxygen reduction reaction.

Pt-based electrocatalysts are the primary choice for fuel cells due to their superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. To enhance ORR performance and durability, extensive studies have investigated transition metal alloying, doping, and shape control to optimize the three key governing factors for ORR: geometry, local chemistry, and strain of their surface and subsurface. However, systematic optimization remains incomplete, as it requires an atomic-scale understanding of these factors and their dynamics over potential cycling, as well as their relationship to ORR activity.

In Vitro Prebiotic Potential of Leaf Extract and Its Active Constituent.

(commonly known as Cheon-nyun-cho) has traditionally been used for its antioxidant, laxative, and immune-boosting properties, but its potential prebiotic activity remains largely unexplored. In this study, we evaluated the prebiotic potential of leaf and fruit extracts by assessing their effects on the growth of four spp. strains.

Complete genome sequence of ID-2 from an Indonesian hot spring.

We report the complete genome of lipolytic strain ID-2, isolated from an Indonesian hot spring. The genome encodes 3,816 genes and exhibits four distinct methylation patterns. These data expand our understanding of species and provide a foundation for their use as microbial bioengineering platforms.

gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermo-halophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, motile and thermo-halophilic rod-shaped bacterium SMD15-11 was isolated from Seokmodo hot spring in Incheon, Republic of Korea. The strain grew at concentrations of 0.5-7% (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 3%), at pH 5.

Surface Functionalized Polyhydroxyalkanoate Nanoparticles via SpyTag-SpyCatcher System for Targeted Breast Cancer Treatment.

Biodegradable polymers have emerged as promising platforms for drug delivery. Produced by microbiomes, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) offer excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and environmental sustainability. In this study, we report the surface functionalization of PHA-based nanoparticles (NPs) using the SpyTag-SpyCatcher system to enhance cellular uptake.

Ishophloroglucin A Isolated From Ishige okamurae Stimulates Osteoblast Differentiation Through Activation of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathways in MC3T3-E1 Cells.

Current osteoporosis treatments are insufficient as they cause a relatively small increase in bone mass and are unable to recover lost bone structures, in addition to having severe side effects. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways cooperatively modulate bone formation and osteoblast differentiation and therefore may play a role in treating osteoporosis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ishophloroglucin A (IPA), a novel phenolic compound isolated from Ishige okamurae, on osteoblast differentiation by activating the BMP and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.

Complete genome sequence of a polyhydroxyalkaonate-accumulating bacterium, HS-12-14, isolated from a Korean hot spring.

We present the complete genome sequence of polyhydroxyalkaonate-accumulating moderately thermophilic HS-12-14 strain, isolated from a Korean hot spring. These findings contribute to valuable insights into the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkaonates in thermophiles and enhance understanding of strains.

Complete genome sequences of strains EF60045 and SJEF4-2 from Korean hot springs.

We report the complete genomes of strains EF60045 and SJEF4-2 from Korean hot springs, with 3,769 and 3,625 thermophilic genes, respectively. EF60045 shows four methylation patterns. SJEF4-2 harbors three plasmids.

XFEL structure of carbonic anhydrase II: a comparative study of XFEL, NMR, X-ray and neutron structures.

The combination of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with serial femtosecond crystallography represents cutting-edge technology in structural biology, allowing the study of enzyme reactions and dynamics in real time through the generation of `molecular movies'. This technology combines short and precise high-energy X-ray exposure to a stream of protein microcrystals. Here, the XFEL structure of carbonic anhydrase II, a ubiquitous enzyme responsible for the interconversion of CO and bicarbonate, is reported, and is compared with previously reported NMR and synchrotron X-ray and neutron single-crystal structures.

Complete response of metastatic V600-mutant anaplastic thyroid cancer following adjuvant dabrafenib and trametinib treatment: A case report.

Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but aggressive type of thyroid carcinoma. V600E-mutation, which is found in 10%-50% of ATCs, is associated with poor prognosis. A recent clinical trial reported a substantial clinical benefit of concomitant treatment of dabrafenib ( inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor) for treating V600E-mutant ATC.

Clinical and life style factors related to the nighttime blood pressure, nighttime dipping and their phenotypes in Korean hypertensive patients.

Background: Non-dipping or reverse dipping patterns are known to be associated with adverse cardiovascular prognosis among the general population and clinical cohort. Few large sized studies have explored factors including sleep duration and sleep quality related to nighttime blood pressure (BP) and nocturnal dipping patterns.

Methods: Among 5,360 patients enrolled  in Korean multicenter nationwide prospective Registry of ambulatory BP monitoring (KORABP), 981 subjects with complete data on sleep duration, sleep quality assessed using a 4-point Likert scale, and clinical variables were included in the analysis.

Description of sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile by gliding and moderately halophilic rod-shaped bacterium HN-2-9-2 was isolated from seawater in Tongyeong, Republic of Korea. The strain grew at concentrations of 0.5‒7 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 5.

Description of Brachybacterium sillae sp. nov., a thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

The taxonomic position of strain EF45031, isolated from the Neungam Carbonate hot spring, was examined using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain EF45031 shared the highest percentage of 16S rRNA gene sequence with Brachybacterium nesterenkovii CIP 104813 (97.7%).

Fermentation of Extract with Halophilic CP6 Results in Enhanced Anti-Inflammatory Activities.

Microbial fermentation provides a valorization strategy, through biotransformation, to convert plant-derived raw materials into health-promoting agents. In this study, we have investigated the antioxidative activity of fermented with various strains from specific environments and demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of CP6 fermented extract (FAME) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophages.

Isolation and Characterization of Thermophilic Bacteria from Hot Springs in Republic of Korea.

Thermophiles that produce extracellular hydrolases are of great importance due to their applications in various industries. Thermophilic enzymes are of interest for industrial applications due to their compatibility with industrial processes, and the availability of the organisms is essential to develop their full potential. In this study, a culture-dependent approach was used to identify thermophilic bacteria from five hot springs in Republic of Korea.

Description of Microbacterium neungamense sp. nov. isolated from a hot spring.

The Gram-positive, nonmotile, rod-shaped bacterium EF45044 was isolated from a hot spring in Chungju, South Korea. The strain was able to grow at concentrations of 0‒5% (w/v) NaCl, at pH 6.0‒10.

Role of PemI in the Staphylococcus aureus PemIK toxin-antitoxin complex: PemI controls PemK by acting as a PemK loop mimic.

Staphylococcus aureus is a notorious and globally distributed pathogenic bacterium. New strategies to develop novel antibiotics based on intrinsic bacterial toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems have been recently reported. Because TA systems are present only in bacteria and not in humans, these distinctive systems are attractive targets for developing antibiotics with new modes of action.

Room temperature XFEL crystallography reveals asymmetry in the vicinity of the two phylloquinones in photosystem I.

Photosystem I (PS I) has a symmetric structure with two highly similar branches of pigments at the center that are involved in electron transfer, but shows very different efficiency along the two branches. We have determined the structure of cyanobacterial PS I at room temperature (RT) using femtosecond X-ray pulses from an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) that shows a clear expansion of the entire protein complex in the direction of the membrane plane, when compared to previous cryogenic structures. This trend was observed by complementary datasets taken at multiple XFEL beamlines.

Can preoperative lacrimal endoscopic evaluation change the paradigm of conventional lacrimal surgery?

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative lacrimal endoscopic evaluation (LEE) of lacrimal duct system (LDS).

Design: Retrospective comparative case series METHODS: From March 2016 to February 2020, the charts of patients chosen to undergo endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR) or silicone tube intubation (STI) were reviewed retrospectively. Group 1 included patients that underwent EDCR, and group 2 included patients that underwent STI.

Morphological changes after lower eyelid epiblepharon surgery in Asian children.

Background: This study aimed to determine the morphological changes in Asian lower eyelid epiblepharon patients after surgery.

Methods: The medical records of 59 patients who underwent lower eyelid epiblepharon repair were reviewed retrospectively. Eighty-nine patients who underwent strabismus surgery were set as the control group.

A large-scale metagenomic study for enzyme profiles using the focused identification of the NGS-based definitive enzyme research (FINDER) strategy.

Excavating the molecular details of many diverse enzymes from metagenomes remains challenging in agriculture, food, health, and environmental fields. We present a versatile method that accelerates metabolic enzyme discovery for highly selective gene capture in metagenomes using next-generation sequencing. Culture-independent enzyme mining of environmental DNA is based on a set of short identifying degenerate sequences specific for a wide range of enzyme superfamilies, followed by multiplexed DNA barcode sequencing.

Structural Investigation of Self-Assembly and Target Binding of Anti-CRISPR AcrIIC2.

Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins are phage-borne inhibitors of the CRISPR-Cas immune system in archaea and bacteria. AcrIIC2 from prophages of disables the nuclease activity of type II-C Cas9, such that dimeric AcrIIC2 associates with the bridge helix (BH) region of Cas9 to compete with guide RNA loading. AcrIIC2 in solution readily assembles into oligomers of variable lengths, but the oligomeric states are not clearly understood.

Structural and functional studies of SAV1707 from Staphylococcus aureus elucidate its distinct metal-dependent activity and a crucial residue for catalysis.

The metallo-β-lactamase fold is the most abundant metal-binding domain found in two major kingdoms: bacteria and archaea. Despite the rapid growth in genomic information, most of these enzymes, which may play critical roles in cellular metabolism, remain uncharacterized in terms of structure and function. In this study, X-ray crystal structures of SAV1707, a hypothetical metalloenzyme from Staphylococcus aureus, and its complex with cAMP are reported at high resolutions of 2.