Search

Abstract Background The Makorin ring finger protein 1 (MKRN1) gene, also called RNF61, is located on the long arm of chromosome 7 and is a member of the RING finger protein family. The E3 ubiquitin ligase MKRN1 is closely linked to tumour development, but the exact mechanism needs to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the specific mechanism and role of MKRN1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Methods MKRN1 expression in CRC was analysed using the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopaedia and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Rectal tumour tissues were frozen to explore the MKRN1 expression in CRC and its clinical significance. The impact of MKRN1 on CRC cell proliferation and migration was observed using CCK8, colony formation, wound healing, and transwell assays. A combination of MKRN1 quantitative proteomics, ubiquitination modification omics analysis, and a string of in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed the potential mechanisms by which MKRN1 regulates CRC metastasis. Results MKRN1 expression was significantly elevated in CRC tissues compared to paracancerous tissues and was positively linked with prognosis (P

Introductionβ-Glucosidase serves as the pivotal rate-limiting enzyme in the cellulose degradation process, facilitating the hydrolysis of cellobiose and cellooligosaccharides into glucose. However, the widespread application of numerous β-glucosidases is hindered by their limited thermostability and low glucose tolerance, particularly in elevated-temperature and high-glucose environments.MethodsThis study presents an analysis of a β-glucosidase gene belonging to the GH1 family, denoted lqbg8, which was isolated from the metagenomic repository of Hehua hot spring located in Tengchong, China. Subsequently, the gene was cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Post expression, the recombinant β-glucosidase (LQBG8) underwent purification through a Ni affinity chromatography column, thereby enabling the in-depth exploration of its enzymatic properties.ResultsLQBG8 had an optimal temperature of 70°C and an optimum pH of 5.6. LQBG8 retained 100 and 70% of its maximum activity after 2-h incubation periods at 65°C and 70°C, respectively. Moreover, even following exposure to pH ranges of 3.0–10.0 for 24 h, LQBG8 retained approximately 80% of its initial activity. Notably, the enzymatic prowess of LQBG8 remained substantial at glucose concentrations of up to 3 M, with a retention of over 60% relative activity. The kinetic parameters of LQBG8 were characterized using cellobiose as substrate, with Km and Vmax values of 28 ± 1.9 mg/mL and 55 ± 3.2 μmol/min/mg, respectively. Furthermore, the introduction of LQBG8 (at a concentration of 0.03 mg/mL) into a conventional cellulase reaction system led to an impressive 43.7% augmentation in glucose yield from corn stover over a 24-h period. Molecular dynamics simulations offered valuable insights into LQBG8’s thermophilic nature, attributing its robust stability to reduced fluctuations, conformational changes, and heightened structural rigidity in comparison to mesophilic β-glucosidases.DiscussionIn summation, its thermophilic, thermostable, and glucose-tolerant attributes, render LQBG8 ripe for potential applications across diverse domains encompassing food, feed, and the production of lignocellulosic ethanol.

Abstract Background Mediation is increasingly used for medical dispute resolution, and the particularity of such mediation necessitates specialized training. In response to the promotion of compulsory mediation ahead of a legislation in Taiwan, we invited experts with an interdisciplinary team to design a case-based mediator training workshop. Our study aimed to investigate the learning outcomes of trainees and analyze their perspectives. Methods We recruited 129 trainees of a non-probability convenience sample who served as mediators or have dealt with medical dispute-related cases to undergo 2.5 h of lectures (introduction; procedure; roles of two mediators; principles and techniques of mediation; dispute arrangement; and issue analysis) and 1.5 h of case-based exercises. An after-class survey was conducted using a 4-point Likert-type scale to evaluate trainees’ viewpoints and learning outcomes. A total of 104 questionnaires were collected (response rate: 80.6%). Results The professions of the participants were medical (56%), law (16%), and administration and others (28%). Males considered the course more helpful (3.79 vs. 3.63, p = 0.053) and more important (3.88 vs. 3.74, p = 0.042) than did females. Participants with a legal background scored the highest in helpfulness (3.84), followed by medical (3.74) and administrative (3.63) professionals. Medical and administrative professionals scored the highest (3.85) and lowest (3.76), respectively, on importance. Respondents with more than 10 years (3.81) and less than 1 year (3.79) of experience produced higher scores in helpfulness. Respondents with 1–5 years of experience (3.68) were found to be less likely to agree with the practical importance of course content compared with other groups of trainees. Administrative professionals obtained the highest scores (89.68) in written examinations. Conclusions There are variations in mediators’ perspectives based on gender, occupation, and work experience. Our nationwide mediation training workshop can be utilized to cultivate capabilities of mediators for handling medical disputes to achieve the goal of non-litigation in medical disputes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence of complications and types of chemoradiotherepy induces symptom clusters in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who were first diagnosed after treatment and discharged from hospital.MethodsAfter their discharge home, 130 NPC patients who had been treated with chemoradiotherapy were asked to complete a modified Chinese version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire–Head and Neck Module developed by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer in the Head and Neck. Symptom clusters in patients were identified through exploratory factor analysis.ResultsThe most serious symptoms for discharged NPC patients who had received chemoradiotherapy were dental problems, a sense of obstruction while swallowing, embarrassment in physical contact with family members and friends, difficulty in speaking with others, and embarrassment in public. The six symptom clusters identified through exploratory factor analysis were (1) painful eating, (2) social difficulties, (3) psychological disorders, (4) symptomatic shame, (5) teeth/throat injuries, and (6) sensory abnormalities. The total contribution rate of variance was 65.73%.ConclusionNPC patients who are treated with chemoradiotherapy can experience adverse symptom clusters that continue after discharge. Nurses should evaluate the patients’ symptoms before discharge and provide targeted health education services which would reduce the patients’ complications and improve the quality of life at home. Besides, medical staff should evaluate the complications in a timely and comprehensive manner and provide individualized health education for the affected patients to help them manage chemoradiotherapy side effects.

β-glucosidase is a key enzyme in the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass, which is responsible for the conversion of oligosaccharides from cellulose hydrolysates to glucose. However, its required high temperatures and the presence of inhibitors have limited its use in industry. In this study, a new β-glucosidase gene, named thbg2, was obtained from the metagenome Ruidian Hot Spring, Tengchong City, Yunnan Province, southwestern China. The gene was synthesized, cloned, heterologously expressed, and enzymatically characterized. Its optimum temperature and pH were 60 °C and pH 5.6, respectively. ThBg2 exhibited more than 60% relative activity in temperatures ranging from 40 °C to 70 °C and across a pH of 4.0–6.6. It maintained 100% relative activity after incubation at either 50 °C for 24 h or 60 °C for 12 h and more than 80% residual activity after incubation at pH 4.0–6.0 for 24 h. Moreover, it maintained more than 80% relative activity in the presence of heavy metal ions, ethanol, SDS etc. Furthermore, glucose yields from corn stalks increased by 20% after ThBg2 (0.05 mg/mL) was added to the commercial cellulase reaction system. Overall, this work identified a thermophilic and inhibitor-tolerant β-glucosidase with potential applications in commercial lignocellulose utilization and the bioenergy industry.

As reservoirs subject to sedimentation, the dam gradually loses its ability to store water. The identification of the sources of deposited sediments is an effective and efficient means of tackling sedimentation problems. A state-of-the-art Lagrangian stochastic particle tracking model with backward–forward tracking methods is applied to identify the probable source regions of deposited sediments. An influence function is introduced into the models to represent the influence of a particular upstream area on the sediment deposition area. One can then verify if a specific area might be a probable source by cross-checking the values of influence functions calculated backward and forward, respectively. In these models, the probable sources of the deposited sediments are considered to be in a grid instead of at a point for derivation of the values of influence functions. The sediment concentrations in upstream regions must be known a priori to determine the influence functions. In addition, the accuracy of the different types of diffusivity at the water surface is discussed in the study. According to the results of the case study of source identification, the regions with higher sediment concentrations computed by only backward simulations do not necessarily imply a higher likelihood of sources. It is also shown that from the ensemble results when the ensemble mean of the concentration is higher, the ensemble standard deviation of the concentration is also increased.

Nanoscale supported gold clusters are common redox catalysts but in many cases the nature of the active sites remains unclear. Here, the authors use X-ray absorption to determine the contribution of single gold atoms, clusters and particles on the reactivity of room-temperature carbon monoxide oxidation.

BACKGROUND:Better understanding of the characteristics of interventions which are attractive to nurses is required in order to implement effective hand hygiene interventions. METHODS:The intervention characteristics were derived from diffusion of innovation theory (DIT): relative advantage, compatibility, simplicity, trialability, and observability. To identify nurses' preferences for the five characteristics, a discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted. Participants were nurses working at Taiwanese tertiary care hospitals selected through stratified sampling. In addition, the hand hygiene moment (before or after patient contact) was taken into consideration in the DCE to investigate whether nurses' preferences for the intervention characteristics were the same at different hand hygiene moments. RESULTS:This survey was conducted between 1 October and 31 December 2014. Among 200 nurses from three Taiwanese tertiary care hospitals, significant preferences for the five intervention characteristics were observed. That is, when an intervention makes the hand hygiene activity more convenient (p