The effect of biochar amendment on N-cycling genes in soils: A meta-analysis

Nitrogen (N) cycling by soil microbes can be estimated by quantifying the abundance of microbial functional genes (MFG) involved in N-transformation processes. In agro-ecosystems, biochars are regularly applied for increasing soil fertility and stability. In turn, it has been shown that biochar amendment can alter soil N cycling by altering MFG abundance and richness. However, the general patterns and mechanisms of how biochar amendment modifies N-cycling gene abundance have not been synthesized to date. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap by performing a meta-analysis of existing literatures up to 2019. We included five main marker genes involved in N cycling: nifH, amoA, nirK, nirS and nosZ. We found that biochar addition significantly increased the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), nirK, nirS and nosZ by an average of 25.3%, 32.0%, 14.6% and 17.0%, respectively. Particularly, biochar amendment increased the abundances of most N-cycling genes when soil pH changed from very acidic (pH < 5) to acidic (pH: 5.5-6.5). Experimental conditions, cover plants, biochar pyrolysis temperature and fertilizer application were also important factors regulating the response of most N-cycling genes to biochar amendment. Moreover, soil pH significantly correlated with ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) abundance, while we found that most genes involved in nitrification and denitrification were not significantly correlated with each other across studies. Our results contribute to developing quantitative models of microbially-mediated N-transforming processes in response to biochar addition, and stimulate research on how to use biochar amendment for reducing reactive N gas emissions and enhancing N bioavailability to crop plants in agro-ecosystems.

Application of polymeric ferric sulfate combined with cross-frequency magnetic field in the printing and dyeing wastewater treatment

Polymeric ferric sulfate (PFS) was pretreated with a self-made alternating frequency magnetic field for coagulation printing and dyeing (PD) wastewater treatment. The effects of PFS dosage, magnetization intensity, frequency, and time on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), color and turbidity of PD wastewater were investigated. The results indicated that the magnetized PFS significantly improved the removal efficiency in wastewater treatment. When the initial COD, color and turbidity of printing and dyeing wastewater was 464 mg/L, 180 degrees, and 54.8 NTU respectively, the maximum removal rate of COD, color and turbidity was 87.9%, 80.1%, and 95.2% respectively, under the condition of cross frequency magnetic field magnetization PFS. Moreover, the PFS treatment combined with cross-frequency magnetic field could greatly reduce the pollution of iron ions released from iron-based coagulant during wastewater treatment. Characterization of magnetized PFS flocculant by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy suggested that magnetic crystal with larger size can be formed on the surface of PFS particles.

Rac-GTPase promotes fibrotic TGF-β1 signaling and chronic kidney disease via EGFR, p53, and Hippo/YAP/TAZ pathways

Rac-GTPases are major regulators of cytoskeletal remodeling and their deregulation contributes to numerous pathologies. Whether or how Rac promotes tubulointerstitial fibrosis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is currently unknown. We showed that the major profibrotic cytokine, TGF-β1 promoted rapid Rac1-GTP loading in human kidney 2 (HK-2) human renal epithelial cells. A Rac-specific chemical inhibitor, EHT 1864, blocked TGF-β1-induced fibrotic reprogramming in kidney epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Stable Rac1 depletion in HK-2 cells, moreover, eliminated TGF-β1-mediated non-SMAD pathway activation [e.g., Src, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), p53] and subsequent plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), connective tissue growth factor, fibronectin, and p21 induction. Rac1 and p22phox knockdown abrogated free radical generation by TGF-β1 in HK-2 cells, consistent with the role of Rac1 in NAPD(H). TGF-β1-induced renal epithelial cytostasis was also completely bypassed by Rac1, p22phox, p47phox, and PAI-1 silencing. Rac1b isoform expression was robustly induced in the fibrotic kidneys of mice and humans. Intraperitoneal administration of EHT 1864 in mice dramatically attenuated ureteral unilateral obstruction-driven EGFR, p53, Rac1b, yes-associated protein/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif activation/expression, dedifferentiation, cell cycle arrest, and renal fibrogenesis evident in vehicle-treated obstructed kidneys. Thus, the Rac1-directed redox response is critical for TGF-β1-driven epithelial dysfunction orchestrated, in part, via PAI-1 up-regulation. Rac pathway inhibition suppressed renal oxidative stress and maladaptive repair, identifying Rac as a novel therapeutic target against progressive CKD.-Patel, S., Tang, J., Overstreet, J. M., Anorga, S., Lian, F., Arnouk, A., Goldschmeding, R., Higgins, P. J., Samarakoon, R. Rac-GTPase promotes fibrotic TGF-β1 signaling and chronic kidney disease via EGFR, p53, and Hippo/YAP/TAZ pathways.

[Efficacy and peripheral immunity analysis of allogeneic natural killer cells therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells in the treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to elucidate the mechanism of NK cells therapy.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with primary HCC treated with allogeneic NK cells at the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital were followed up for 1 year. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from patient-related donors and cultured in vitro for 15 days and infused to the patients in two consecutive days. Clinical data and laboratory data were collected and analyzed, including survival, clinical features, imaging changes, hematology, immunology, and biochemical indicators to evaluate the safety and efficacy of allogeneic NK cell therapy. The changes of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets after treatment were also analyzed to explore the possible anti-tumor mechanisms.

RESULTS

(1) Of the 21 patients with primary HCC, 11 patients were treated once, 5 patients were treated twice, and 5 patients were treated 3 times. After allogeneic NK cells infusion, 10 patients had fever, 1 patient had slight hepatalgia and 1 patient had slight headache, no other adverse events occurred including acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). They resolved spontaneously within 8 hours without other treatment. (2) The total disease control rate was 76.2% during one-year follow-up. Among them, the patients with Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage A had a disease control rate of 100%, stable disease (SD) in 10 cases; BCLC stage B patients had a disease control rate of 60%, partial response (PR) in 1 case, and SD 2 in cases; BCLC stage C patients had a disease control rate of 50%, complete response (CR) in 1 case, and 2 cases of PR. (3) The frequencies of NK cells and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood were significantly lower than that before at 24 hours after treatment, and the frequencies of CD4+ T cells and CD4/CD8 were significantly higher than the baseline.

CONCLUSION

Allogeneic NK cells have good safety and efficacy in the treatment of primary HCC. The anti-tumor effect of the allogeneic NK cells may play an important role in the activation of the patient's natural immune system and delay disease progression, suggesting that allogeneic NK cells combined with sorafenib may be a very effective treatment for advanced HCC, and further large-sample multicenter randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to validate this result.

Discovery and mechanisms of host defense to oncogenesis: targeting the β-defensin-1 peptide as a natural tumor inhibitor

Human beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1) is one of a number of small cationic host-defense peptides. Besides its well-known broad-spectrum antimicrobial function, hBD-1 has recently been identified as a chromosome 8p tumor-suppressor gene. The role of hBD-1 in modulating the host immune response to oncogenesis, associated with cell signaling and potential therapeutic applications, has become increasingly appreciated over time. In this study, multiple approaches were used to illustrate hBD-1 anti-tumor activities. Results demonstrate that hBD-1 peptide alters human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) signal transduction and represses retroviral-mediated transgene expression in cancer cells. Loss of orthologous murine defense-1 (mBD1) in mice enhances nickel sulfate-induced leiomyosarcoma and causes mouse kidney cells to exhibit increased susceptibility to HPV-16 E6/7-induced neoplastic transformation. Furthermore, for the first time, a novel function of the urine-derived hBD-1 peptide was discovered to suppress bladder cancer growth and this may lead to future applications in the treatment of malignancy.

The effect of biochar nanoparticles on rice plant growth and the uptake of heavy metals: Implications for agronomic benefits and potential risk

The interaction between biochar nanoparticles (nano-BC) and plant roots in the rhizosphere is largely unknown, although it is crucial for understanding the role of BC in plant growth and bioavailability of pollutants. The effect of nano-BC produced at a series of temperatures (300-600 °C) on alleviating the phytotoxicity of Cd²⁺ to rice plants was investigated from the aspects of biochemical changes and Cd uptake in this study. The kinetics of Cd²⁺ fluxes in different root zones in the presence of nano-BC were also measured using a scanning ion-selective electrode technique. We found that the high-temperature nano-BC could more significantly alleviate the phytotoxicity of Cd²⁺ than the low-temperature and bulk BCs as reflected by the higher increased biomass, root vitality, chlorophyll content, and decreased MDA content as well as relative electrical conductivity of rice plants, which is due to the high adsorption affinity of nano-BC for Cd²⁺. Also, for the first time we demonstrated that nano-BC could differentially affect the net flux of Cd²⁺ in different zones of the root tips. However, nano-BC (especially that produced at higher temperatures) more significantly increased the contents of antioxidative enzyme activities (e. g., SOD, POD, and CAT) and soluble protein than the treatment only with Cd²⁺ (5.0 mg/L), indicating that nano-BC could induce oxidative stress in the rice plants. These results indicate that nano-BC could greatly reduce the uptake and phytotoxicity of Cd²⁺, but its potential risk should not be overlooked during the environmental and agricultural applications of biochar.

New Insights into Black Carbon Nanoparticle-Induced Dispersibility of Goethite Colloids and Configuration-Dependent Sorption for Phenanthrene

Black carbon nanoparticles (nano-BC) are one of the most active components in pyrogenic carbonaceous matter and involved in many biogeochemical processes. This study investigated heteroaggregation of nano-BC with goethite (a model of natural mineral colloids) and the configuration effect of heteroaggregates on phenanthrene (PHE) sorption. Nano-BC could significantly enhance the dispersion of goethite via heteroaggregation when its concentration was higher than the critical concentration ( C_c). The C_c was dependent on the surface potential of nano-BC, which was directly measured for the first time in this study. Configuration and stability of the heteroaggregates were regulated by BC-goethite mass ratio and solution pH. At pH 5.3, oppositely charged goethite and nano-BC interacted with each other through electrostatic attraction and the configuration of heteroaggregates was dependent on BC-goethite mass ratio. At pH 7.4, where both goethite and nano-BC were negatively charged, they heteroaggregated with each other mainly through H-bonding and Lewis acid-base mechanisms, and the configuration of heteroaggregates was independent of BC-goethite mass ratio. For PHE sorption, small-sized heteroaggregates were more favorable than large ones due to the higher content of active sorption sites. Interestingly, at a higher concentration of PHE, we found that the solute molecules could probably penetrate into and/or alter the configuration of heteroaggregates and enhance its sorption capacity for PHE. These findings are useful for understanding the effect of nano-BC on colloidal stability and organic compound sorption of minerals.

Nickel-catalyzed electrochemical reductive decarboxylative coupling of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters with quinoxalinones

The first example of electrochemically enabled, NiCl₂-catalyzed reductive decarboxylative coupling of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters with quinoxalinones was developed.

[Neuropathologic study of massive subcortical heterotopia]

Objective: To investigate the clinicpathologic features and probable mechanisms of massive subcortical heterotopia. Methods: Clinical data, histologic features and neuropathologic data were analyzed in five cases of massive subcortical heterotopia collected from Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2014 to October 2017. Results: All five patients (three males and two females) had a history of refractory epilepsy with a mean period of 15.4 years (range 7 to 21 years). The median age at surgery was 28.6 years(range 20 to 39 years). Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the lesions were located in the temporal lobe (two cases), parietal lobe (one case), both temporal and occipital lobes (one case) and both temporal and parietal lobes (one case). Pathologic examination disclosed that massive gray matter in subcortical and deep white matter with various shape and size. Moreover, one case also showed subpial and periventricular heterotopias and polymicrogyria. Polymicrogyria or hippocampal sclerosis were seen in the remaining three cases. None of the five patients experienced seizure attacks during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Heterotopia is malformations due to abnormal neuronal migration. Massive subcortical heterotopia due to widespread abnormal neuronal migration is relatively rare. The mechanism of heterotopia together with polymicrogyria needs further discussion.

N-doping effectively enhances the adsorption capacity of biochar for heavy metal ions from aqueous solution

N-doping was successfully employed to improve the adsorption capacity of biochar (BC) for Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ by direct annealing of crop straws in NH₃. The surface N content of BC increased more than 20 times by N-doping; meanwhile the content of oxidized-N was gradually diminished but graphitic-N was formed and increased with increasing annealing temperature and duration time. After N-doping, a high graphitic-N percentage (46.4%) and S_BET (418.7 m²/g) can be achieved for BC. As a result, the N-doped BC exhibited an excellent adsorption capacity for Cu²⁺ (1.63 mmol g^-1) and Cd²⁺ (1.76 mmol g^-1), which was up to 4.0 times higher than that of the original BC. Furthermore, the adsorption performance of the N-doped BC remained stable even at acidic conditions. A positive correlation can be found between adsorption capacity with the graphitic N content on BC surface. The surface chemistry of N-doped BC before and after the heavy metal ions adsorption was carefully examined by XPS and FTIR techniques, which indicated that the adsorption mechanisms mainly included cation-π bonding and complexation with graphitic-N and hydroxyl groups of carbon surfaces.

Black Carbon (Biochar) In Water/Soil Environments: Molecular Structure, Sorption, Stability, and Potential Risk

Black carbon (BC) is ubiquitous in the environments and participates in various biogeochemical processes. Both positive and negative effects of BC (especially biochar) on the ecosystem have been identified, which are mainly derived from its diverse physicochemical properties. Nevertheless, few studies systematically examined the linkage between the evolution of BC molecular structure with the resulted BC properties, environmental functions as well as potential risk, which is critical for understanding the BC environmental behavior and utilization as a multifunctional product. Thus, this review highlights the molecular structure evolution of BC during pyrolysis and the impact of BC physicochemical properties on its sorption behavior, stability, and potential risk in terrestrial and aqueous ecosystems. Given the wide application of BC and its important role in biogeochemical processes, future research should focus on the following: (1) establishing methodology to more precisely predict and design BC properties on the basis of pyrolysis and phase transformation of biomass; (2) developing an assessment system to evaluate the long-term effect of BC on stabilization and bioavailability of contaminants, agrochemicals, and nutrient elements in soils; and (3) elucidating the interaction mechanisms of BC with plant roots, microorganisms, and soil components.

Psychological perspectives in the patient with chronic orchialgia

Chronic orchialgia is a challenging problem to both the practitioner and unhappy patient and may be a poorly understood manifestation of a potential variety of different discrete causes. Treatment options can be wide ranging and include conservative measures, medical therapy, in office treatments and surgical procedures. Research has primarily focused on these more concrete treatment options with little focus on the either co-morbid or causative psychological issues. By at least considering the potential psychological co-morbidities and stressors that may be associated with chronic orchialgia, physicians can better utilize a multi-modal approach to this vexing problem.

Management of pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma: A case-series of 36 patients

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in the pediatric population. In 35% of cases, RMS develops in the head and neck (H&N) region, and only combined therapy is recognized as a curative treatment. However, recent advances in skull base and reconstructive surgery, along with microsurgery and endoscopic surgery, have strengthened the role of surgery as an important part of RMS treatment. In the present study, 36 pediatric RMS cases (24 males and 12 females) were analyzed after surgical treatment. The average age at diagnosis was 7 years. In total, 67% of tumors were localized in the parameningeal region. Alveolar RMS was the most common histopathological type. A total of 16 patients were treated due to disease recurrence or a previous non-radical surgical procedure, while 19 cases had inductive chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy preceding surgical treatment due to locally advanced disease. In 1 case, only diagnostic biopsy was performed. It is recommended that the management of H&N RMS is interdisciplinary from the beginning. Extensive surgical dissection in the H&N region for RMS may result in severe cosmetic defects and functional impairment; thus, these risks should be considered during treatment planning, and the surgical approach should be based on the individual characteristics of each patient.

The Role of Hypoxia and Cancer Stem Cells in Renal Cell Carcinoma Pathogenesis

The cancer stem cell (CSC) model has recently been approached also in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A few populations of putative renal tumor-initiating cells (TICs) were identified, but they are indifferently understood; however, the first and most thoroughly investigated are CD105-positive CSCs. The article presents a detailed comparison of all renal CSC-like populations identified by now as well as their presumable origin. Hypoxic activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) contributes to tumor aggressiveness by multiple molecular pathways, including the governance of immature stem cell-like phenotype and related epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/de-differentiation, and, as a result, poor prognosis. Due to intrinsic von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL) loss of function, clear-cell RCC (ccRCC) develops unique pathological intra-cellular pseudo-hypoxic phenotype with a constant HIF activation, regardless of oxygen level. Despite satisfactory evidence concerning pseudo-hypoxia importance in RCC biology, its influence on putative renal CSC-like largely remains unknown. Thus, the article discusses a current knowledge of HIF-1α/2α signaling pathways in the promotion of undifferentiated tumor phenotype in general, including some experimental findings specific for pseudo-hypoxic ccRCC, mostly dependent from HIF-2α oncogenic functions. Existing gaps in understanding both putative renal CSCs and their potential connection with hypoxia need to be filled in order to propose breakthrough strategies for RCC treatment.

Impact of low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) on biochar micropores and sorption properties for sulfamethoxazole

The interaction between biochar (BC) and antibiotics with the presence of low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) is largely unknown, although it is crucial for understanding the role of BC in reducing the bioavailability of antibiotics in rhizosphere. The impacts of two typical LMWOAs (citric and malic acids) on sorption of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) by crop-straw BCs produced at 300 °C (BCs300) and 600 °C (BCs600), respectively, were examined. The sorption of SMX on BCs increased more than 5 times with the concentration of LMWOAs increasing from 0 to 100 mmol/L, which was mainly attributed to the elevated microporosity of BCs (measured by CO2) after treated by LMWOAs. The pore development of BCs was mainly derived from the release of dissolved organic residues from BC by LMWOA washing. For H2O2-oxidized BCs, however, LMWOAs had little effect on SMX sorption by BCs300 but greatly increased that by BCs600, which can be explained by the distinct sorption mechanisms of SMX on BCs300 and BCs600. These results indicate that the impact of LMWOAs on SMX sorption is highly dependent on the properties of BCs and LMWOAs, as well as their interaction mechanisms.

One-step synthesis of a novel N-doped microporous biochar derived from crop straws with high dye adsorption capacity

N-doping is one of the most promising strategies to improve the adsorption capacity and selectivity of carbon adsorbents. Herein, synthesis, characterization and dye adsorption of a novel N-doped microporous biochar derived from direct annealing of crop straws under NH3 is presented. The resultant products exhibit high microporosity (71.5%), atomic percentage of nitrogen (8.81%), and adsorption capacity to dyes, which is about 15-20 times higher than that of original biochar. Specifically, for the sample NBC800-3 pyrolyzed at 800°C in NH3 for 3 h, its adsorption for acid orange 7 (AO7, anionic) and methyl blue (MB, cationic) is up to 292 mg g(-1) and 436 mg g(-1), respectively, which is among the highest ever reported for carbonaceous adsorbents. The influences of N-doping and porous structure on dye adsorption of the synthesized carbons are also discussed, where electrostatic attraction, π-π electron donor-accepter interaction, and Lewis acid-base interaction mainly contribute to AO7 adsorption, and surface area (especially pore-filling) dominates MB adsorption. The N-doped biochar can be effectively regenerated and reused through direct combustion and desorption approaches.

Feasibility, efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in hemodialyzed patients with renal cell cancer: 10 years of experience

AIMS

Sine efficiency of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in dialyzed patients is still unclear we aim to analyze the outcome of treatment in such cohort.

PATIENTS & METHODS

We analyzed treatment outcomes of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) with special focus on those who were also treated with hemodialysis and described treatment safety and progression-free survival of eight patients treated with TKIs and hemodialysis.

DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION

Our report supports statement that TKI treatment of dialyzed patients is safe and effective. ccRCC increases risk of developing renal insufficiency as well as end-stage renal disease that require dialysis. Introduction of multitargeted receptor kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including sunitinib, sorafenib and pazopanib significantly expanded life time expectancy of metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma. The advance also applies to patients with ccRCC and end-stage renal disease who undergo dialyses.