Identification and characterization of an endodextranase from Flavobacterium johnsoniae, the first endo-acting enzyme classified within glycoside hydrolase family 27.

Glycoside hydrolase family 27 (GH27) consists primarily of exo-acting enzymes, including α-galactosidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, β-L-arabinopyranosidase, and isomalto-dextranase. Here, we examined the gene expression profiles and biochemical characteristics of a multi-domain protein, Fjoh_4436 (named FjGH27A), which contains a GH27 catalytic domain and is encoded upstream of the previously described branched dextran utilization locus in Flavobacterium johnsoniae. Expression of this gene increased 7.

Seasonal Adaptation of the Gut Microbiome in Japanese Macaques: Linking Gut Microbiome Shifts With Fermentative Function.

Seasonal fluctuations in food availability strongly influence the ecology of wild mammals, yet the role of the gut microbiome in mediating these challenges remains insufficiently explored. In this study, we examined how seasonal dietary shifts influence gut microbial composition and fermentative function in wild Japanese macaques (). Integrating meta-16S rRNA sequencing and in vitro fermentation assays, we investigated how the gut microbiome and the associated fermentative ability of Japanese macaques vary with seasonal dietary shifts.

Transposition of Tn (a Tn derivative) to the conjugative pCtra plasmid family in pediatric multidrug-resistant community-associated MRSA.

We report the transposition of a 9,045-bp transposon (Tn) carrying the /target-gene-like()/ array to a conjugative plasmid (pCtra) in pediatric multidrug-resistant community-associated methicillin-resistant . Tn contained a 7-bp target site () on the left; an internal on the right, apparently "brought-in" through a circular intermediate; and and in the gene and its neighboring gene, respectively. This transposition enhanced ampicillin resistance and facilitated Tn spread at a frequency of 10.

Scaling Effects on Single-Cell Manipulation Using Magnetic Forces at Edge of Flat Plate With Elliptically Micro-Projection.

Single-cell manipulation is needed for various cellular analyses and biomedical applications. In the conventional single-cell manipulation methodology, cells are the center of a flat dish or hollow space, where the medium spontaneously penetrates. However, manipulation at the edge of the plate, where the flow of the medium is interrupted by its surface tension, has not yet been shown.

Loss of responses to odorants and pheromones in mPRγ (paqr5b)-knockout zebrafish.

In our previous study, we generated a membrane-type progesterone receptor γ (paqr5b) knockout zebrafish line. Knocking out paqr5b by genome editing resulted in the loss of neurons in the olfactory rosette (OR). These findings indicated that Paqr5b plays an essential role in the formation of olfactory neurons.

Three-Dimensional Structure of Biofilm Formed on Glass Surfaces Revealed Using Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy Combined with Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy.

Biofilms cause a variety of problems, such as food spoilage, food poisoning, infection, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and metal corrosion, so knowledge on biofilm prevention and removal is important. A detailed observation of the three-dimensional structure of biofilms on the nanoscale is expected to provide insight into this. In this study, we report on the successful in situ nanoscale observations of a marine bacterial biofilm on glass in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) using both scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) over the same area.

When and how do 17-year periodical cicada nymphs decide to emerge? A field test of the 4-year-gate hypothesis.

The 17-year cicadas ( spp.) are renowned for the longest, strictly regulated juvenile period in insects, yet how they control their life cycle is unknown. Here, we test our hypothesis of adult emergence decision points at developmental gates of 4 years based on critical body weight (CBW).

Relative importance of electrostatic and intermolecular charge-transfer interactions in halogen bonding depending on the properties analyzed.

A suitable description of intermolecular interactions would preferably be pursued from the viewpoints of both practicality and correct understanding. Herein, based on this idea, the relative importance of electrostatic and intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) interactions in halogen bonding has been examined for the cases of the FCBr⋯X complexes (X = Cl, Br, and I) taken as examples, with an emphasis on the angular dependence of the interaction energies that leads to high directionality (one of the important characteristics of halogen bonding) and the infrared (IR) intensity changes occurring upon complex formation. Analyses are carried out by employing an extra-point model, which correctly describes the anisotropy in the charge distributions of halogen atoms and may be practically usable in molecular dynamics simulations, and by referring to the electron density features for correct understanding of the behavior of electrons.

Comparative immunogenicity study of quartet and bifurcated tetravalent dengue virus envelope domain III displayed virus-like particle vaccine candidates in BALB/c mice.

Developing an effective dengue vaccine requires targeting all four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes while ensuring both safety and efficacy. Our research aimed to address this by developing DENV vaccine candidates strategically designed to display Envelope Domain III (EDIII) antigens on a DENV capsid virus-like particle (VLP). We engineered tetravalent EDIII constructs, designed either as a quartet (qE) or bifurcated (bE) arrangement, and expressed them alongside DENV type 2 capsid (C2) in silkworm larvae, followed by affinity purification.

Geranyl diphosphate synthase small subunit I (GPPS.SSU I) expression strongly correlates with the presence or absence of monoterpene emission from lily (Lilium spp.) flowers.

We reported the functional characterization of cDNAs encoding geranyl diphosphate synthase small subunit I (GPPS.SUU I) that determine the presence or absence of monoterpene emission from lily flowers. While monoterpene compounds are among the most important scent substances in lily flowers, their emission levels vary among lily cultivars.

Continuous water monitoring of platinum and carbon electrodes potential for assessing redox potential and biological activity in the intertidal zone.

Continuous monitoring in coastal environments is essential for detecting the outbreak of environmental issues. Potentiometric sensors, which utilize electrodes to detect oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions, offer a valuable approach for such monitoring. In this study, we investigated the applicability of platinum electrode (PtE) and carbon fiber board electrode (CfbE) with distinct response characteristics for redox reaction and biological growth environment monitoring in intertidal environments.

The relationship between muscle quality and physical activity intensity among older adults living in the community: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: To determine the relationship between muscle quality and physical activity intensity among older adults living in the community using objective measures.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years or older. Gastrocnemius echo intensity was measured as a muscle quality assessment, and accelerometer-measured physical activity and demographic data were collected.

Purification and pigment analysis of diadinoxanthin-binding PSI-LHCI supercomplexes from strain Z.

exhibits a unique pigment profile distinct from land plants and green algae. In this study, we purified photosystem I supercomplexes containing light-harvesting complexes (PSI-LHCI) from strain Z and analyzed their biochemical and spectroscopic properties. The PSI-LHCI contained diadinoxanthin while lacking lutein and violaxanthin, which are characteristic of green-lineage organisms.

Insights from public database sequences related to the replication initiation protein TrfA of the IncP-1 plasmid RK2.

Replicon typing identifies sequences similar to known DNA replication initiators and is widely used to detect specific plasmid groups (e.g., IncP-1) in genome and metagenome sequencing data.

Current and future carbon stocks of a dominant forest plantation species, Cryptomeria japonica, throughout Japan.

Estimation of forest carbon stocks is essential in ecological and political contexts to understand material cycles and achieve a carbon-neutral society. Because old-growth forests are vital for determining forest growth capacity, and recent climate change has significantly influenced forests worldwide, integration of the most recent data sets covering a broad range of forest ages and geographical variation is needed to construct accurate growth models and to estimate current and future forest resources. Japan's National Forest Inventory (NFI) provides nationwide information regarding forest ecosystems, in which Cryptomeria japonica forests dominate and are indispensable for forest resources and the wood industry.

Reticulate evolution in terrestrial snails of Euhadra peliomphala species complex.

Recent studies have shown the significant role of introgression in evolution, yet the confident evidence of introgression has come from biased taxa. Although the Mollusca were representative taxa to show introgression-driven evolution, conclusive examination has been rare. Here, we investigated the genetic structure and evolutionary history of terrestrial snails in the Euhadra peliomphala species complex (Heterobranchia: Camaenidae).

Correction: Utilizing layer-parameter of shear horizontal surface acoustic wave biosensor for lipoprotein particle sizing.

Correction for 'Utilizing layer-parameter of shear horizontal surface acoustic wave biosensor for lipoprotein particle sizing' by Chia-Hsuan Cheng , , 2025, https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc00444f.

The Relationship Between Macular Pigment Optical Volume and Visual Function in Glaucoma Patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationships among visual field (VF) sensitivity, retinal structure, and macular pigment in glaucoma.

Methods: A total of 218 eyes from 121 patients diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma were included. VF sensitivity was assessed using the 10-2 test with the Humphrey Field Analyzer.

Acoustic features of emotional expression in 5-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exhibit poor prosodic performance, which is associated with their poor language and social skills. Prosody serves important communicative functions not only at grammatical and pragmatic levels but also at the emotional level. This study investigates the acoustic features of emotional expression in children with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) children, within a narrowly defined age cohort restricted to 5-year-old participants.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Pyrroloindolines by Palladium-Dihydroxyterphenylphosphine-Catalyzed C3-Dearomative Arylation/Cyclization of Substituted Tryptamines.

Pyrroloindolines are promising compounds, yet reports on their syntheses remain scarce. Herein, we report the diastereoselective synthesis of C3a-arylated pyrroloindolines bearing substituents on the pyrrolidine ring by a facile palladium-dihydroxyterphenylphosphine-catalyzed C3-dearomative arylation of substituted tryptamine derivatives, followed by the intramolecular cyclization of the resulting indolenine. The reaction with various tryptamine derivatives showed that the position and bulkiness of the substituents on the aminoethyl chain of the tryptamines strongly influenced the site- and diastereoselectivity of the arylation.

Engineering oriented shape optimization of GHT-Bézier developable surfaces using a meta heuristic approach with CAD/CAM applications.

Optimization techniques are particularly useful when designing different free-form surfaces and manufacturing products in the engineering and CAD/CAM fields. Recently, many real-world problems utilize optimization techniques with objective functions to get their desired solution. In this paper, the shape optimization of GHT-Bézier developable surfaces by using a meta-heuristic technique called Improved-Grey Wolf Optimization (I-GWO, in short) technique is presented.

Thermoresponsive hydrogelation of N-acetyl chitohexaose: Gelation mechanism and application in controlled protein release.

Chitin is a polysaccharide composed of N-acetylglucosamine units that form highly crystalline structures in biological systems; however, the precise mechanism underlying its self-assembly in aqueous environments remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that N-acetyl chitohexaose (GN6), a chitin oligosaccharide with a degree of polymerization of six, uniquely undergoes thermally induced self-assembly into crystalline nanofibers and forms reversible hydrogels in water. Among chitin oligosaccharides ranging from monomer to hexamer, only GN6 exhibited gelation upon heating, which is attributed to its optimal molecular length and balanced hydrophilic-hydrophobic characteristics.

Role of organic acid-degrading bacteria in a microbial methanation system using a subterranean microbial community.

Microbial methanation, which produces CH from H and CO (H/CO) using hydrogenotrophic methanogens, converts CO into a resource. The proposed system utilizes an isolated strain of hydrogenotrophic methanogen and an anaerobic microbial community from a deep aquifer where H and CO are produced via biodegradation of organic matter by fermentative bacteria, which CH is then produced from H and CO by hydrogenotrophic methanogens. The strain and microbial community were added separately to liquid medium in serum bottles.

Solvent-dimer-mediated clusters as a microscopic model of solution: IR spectroscopy and density functional theory of jet-cooled pyrrole-tetrahydrofuran clusters.

A solvated cluster in a supersonic jet serves as a microscopic model of a bulk solution. Generally, a 1-1 cluster of an organic solute with a simple solvent molecule is considered the smallest solvated cluster. However, a bulk solution consists of a solute surrounded by multiple solvent molecules.