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Strain-specific and photochemically-activated antimicrobial activity of berberine and two analogs

Sun et al. | Nov 17, 2020

Strain-specific and photochemically-activated antimicrobial activity of berberine and two analogs

In this study, the authors investigate the antimicrobial effects of berberine and berberine analogs. Berberine is extracted from plants and is a naturally occurring alkaloid, and is also excited photochemically. Using three different assays, the authors tested whether these compounds would inhibit bacterial growth. They found that these compounds were antibacterial and even more so when used with photoirradiation. This study has important antibacterial implications.

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The Prevalence of White Guilt Among American High School Students

Buadu et al. | Jun 03, 2014

The Prevalence of White Guilt Among American High School Students

Racial inequality has been a major issue throughout the history of the United States. In recent years, however, especially with the election of America's first black president, many have claimed that we have made progress and are moving towards a post-racial society. The authors of this study sought to test that claim by evaluating whether high school age students still experience a phenomenon known as white guilt. White guilt is defined as remorse or shame felt by people of Caucasian descent about racial inequality.

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Development of Two New Efficient Means of Wastewater Treatment

Bao et al. | Feb 06, 2014

Development of Two New Efficient Means of Wastewater Treatment

The water we use must be treated and cleaned before we release it back into the environment. Here, the authors investigate two new techniques for purifying dissolved impurities from waste water. Their findings may give rise to more cheaper and more efficient water treatment and help keep the planet greener.

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The Effect of UV Treatment on the Degradation of Compostable Polylactic Acid

Zhang et al. | Nov 28, 2013

The Effect of UV Treatment on the Degradation of Compostable Polylactic Acid

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bio-based, compostable plastic that is comparable in cost to petroleum-based plastics. This study aims to evaluate the effects of UV treatment and mechanical chopping on the degradation of PLA. Based on their findings, the authors propose an alternative PLA degradation process that may be more time and energy efficient than current processes.

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Dietary calcium intake and lead body burden in U.S. adolescents

Lin et al. | Oct 16, 2026

Dietary calcium intake and lead body burden in U.S. adolescents

We investigated whether dietary calcium intake affects how adolescents handle lead internally. Using paired blood and urinary lead data, we assessed whether calcium status is associated with differences in lead clearance. The results point to subgroups of adolescents—particularly those with lower calcium intake—who may carry a higher internal lead burden than their blood levels alone would suggest.

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Leaky expression of PRMT1 in Escherichia coli and redox regulation of its histone methyltransferase activity

Kim et al. | Oct 07, 2026

Leaky expression of PRMT1 in <i>Escherichia coli</i> and redox regulation of its histone methyltransferase activity

This study characterizes recombinant human Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) expressed in Escherichia. coli and reveals that the enzyme exhibits leaky expression even without isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction. Through in vitro histone methyltransferase assays, we demonstrate that PRMT1 activity toward histone H4R3 is enhanced by dithiothreitol (DTT) in a dose-dependent manner but remains unresponsive to β-mercaptoethanol. These findings highlight the critical role of redox conditions in regulating PRMT1 catalytic function and provide a practical framework for future biochemical and kinetic studies.

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