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The effects of transcription factors on the maintenance and differentiation of human-induced or embryonic pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs/ESCs) have been well studied. However, the importance of posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms, which cause the quantitative dissociation of mRNA and protein expression, has not been explored in detail. Here, by combining transcriptome and proteome profiling, we identified 228 posttranscriptionally regulated genes with strict upregulation of the protein level in iPSCs/ESCs. Among them, we found 84 genes were vital for the survival of iPSCs and HDFs, including 20 genes that were specifically necessary for iPSC survival. These 20 proteins were upregulated only in iPSCs/ESCs and not in differentiated cells derived from the three germ layers. Although there are still unknown mechanisms that downregulate protein levels in HDFs, these results reveal that posttranscriptionally regulated genes have a crucial role in iPSC survival.

Xeno-free culture systems have expanded the clinical and industrial application of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). However, reproducibility issues, often arising from variability during passaging steps, remain. Here, we describe an improved method for the subculture of human PSCs. The revised method significantly enhances the viability of human PSCs by lowering DNA damage and apoptosis, resulting in more efficient and reproducible downstream applications such as gene editing and directed differentiation. Furthermore, the method does not alter PSC characteristics after long-term culture and attenuates the growth advantage of abnormal subpopulations. This robust passaging method minimizes experimental error and reduces the rate of PSCs failing quality control of human PSC research and application.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are efficient adsorbents for the removal of hazardous materials. An MOF based on 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC), Cu3(BTC)2, is prepared via phase separation using supercritical CO2 (scCO2) as a nonsolvent for the polymer solution. The prepared MOF is then loaded onto microporous polystyrene membranes. To evaluate the performance of Cu3(BTC)2‐loaded microporous polystyrene membranes for pollutant removal from water, they are tested for the separation of methylene blue (MB) dye from an aqueous solution. Prior to the preparation of the Cu3(BTC)2‐loaded microporous polystyrene membranes, Cu3(BTC)2 is activated with scCO2. After the activation with scCO2, the internal surface area of Cu3(BTC)2 and its MB adsorption increase. A toluene solution of polystyrene containing Cu3(BTC)2 particles is prepared, and scCO2 is introduced to induce the phase separation of the polymer solution. A Cu3(BTC)2‐loaded microporous polystyrene membrane is obtained without the collapse of the structure after the release of the CO2 pressure. MB can be readily and rapidly removed from aqueous solutions using Cu3(BTC)2‐loaded microporous polystyrene membranes. The removal efficiencies for aqueous MB solution were high, and removal efficiencies reached 92.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multiheme protein having hydrazine-oxidizing activity was purified from enriched culture from a reactor in which an anammox bacterium, strain KSU-1 was dominant is described. The findings suggest that purified enzyme might be a novel hydrazine-oxidizing enzyme having a critical role in anaerobic ammonium oxidation.

Background/aim: Pomalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug that is used to treat multiple myeloma. We examined the time-to-onset and outcome of lung adverse events (LAEs) related to pomalidomide in Japanese patients based on information obtained from the spontaneous reporting system of the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database (JADER) of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency., Patients and Methods: We analyzed adverse events (AEs) reports recorded between April 2004 and March 2021 from JADER. Data on LAEs were extracted, and the relative risk of AEs was estimated using the reporting odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. We analyzed 1,772,494 reports and identified 2,918 reports of AEs caused by pomalidomide. Of these, 253 LAEs were reportedly associated with pomalidomide., Results: Signals were detected for five LAEs: pneumonia, pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, bronchitis, pneumonia bacterial, and pneumonia pneumococcal. Pneumonia was the most frequently mentioned condition (68.8%). The median time-to-onset of pneumonia was 66 days, but some cases of pneumonia occurred as late as 20 months after the start of administration. Fatal outcomes were observed in two of the five AEs wherein signals were detected and were due to pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia., Conclusion: Serious outcomes can occur after pomalidomide administration. It has been suggested that these LAEs occur relatively early after pomalidomide administration. Since some situations can result in fatal consequences, patients should be monitored for the emergence of these AEs over a prolonged period of time, especially for pneumonia., (Copyright © 2023, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)