Clinical characteristics of 15 patients with listeria meningitis in adult

Objective

To report and analyze the clinical characteristics of 15 patients with Listeria meningitis in adult.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 15 patients with Listeria meningitis who were admitted to Shanxi Bethune Hospital between January 2017 and January 2023.

Results

The clinical manifestations was primarily characterized by fever， altered mental status, headache, neck stiffness, and vomiting. Blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures were performed in 15 cases, and pathogens were detected in 11 of them. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) detected pathogens in 10 cases, with four being negative by conventional methods and six being positive through traditional tests. The laboratory blood results presented leukocytosis. The CSF analysis upon admission showed elevated levels of white blood cells and proteins, as well as decreased chloride and glucose concentration. The brain computed tomography (CT) revealed ventricular enlargement in 3 patients. The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed abnormalities in multiple areas of the brain. Despite 3 patients with decompensated hydrocephalus underwent lateral ventricle puncture and drainage，their neurological deterioration were increasingly deteriorating.7 patients were treated by mechanical ventilation due to respiratory insufficiency. After 3 months, there were 9 cases with excellent outcomes（modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2）,2 cases with favorable outcomes（score of 3-5）, and 4 deaths（score of 6）.

Conclusions

This thesis found that the detection rate of Listeria monocytogenes has been on a rise over the past six years in our department, ranking second only to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Additionally, the detection rate achieved by mNGS surpasses that of other conventional methods. Among the patient cohort, 11 had underlying diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, pituitary neoplasms, leukemia and other related illnesses. Once listeriosis is early identified, the adequate antibiotic therapy should be promptly introduced in the course of empirical treatment.

Contrasting effect of pristine, ball-milled and Fe-Mn modified bone biochars on dendroremediation potential of Salix jiangsuensis "172" for cadmium- and zinc-contaminated soil

Bone biochar (BC) has a high capacity for the immobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs); however, its effect on dendroremediation efficiency remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of various concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt%) of BC, ball-milled BC (MBC), and Fe-Mn oxide-modified BC (FMBC) on soil properties, plant growth, and metal accumulation in Salix jiangsuensis "172" (SJ-172) grown in cadmium (Cd)- and zinc (Zn)-contaminated soil. BC and MBC promoted the photosynthetic rate, mineral element absorption, and plant growth of SJ-172, whereas FMBC inhibited the growth of SJ-172. Different biochars greatly influenced the concentrations of Cd and Zn in tissues of SJ-172. BC and MBC elevated the Cd levels, whereas FMBC decreased the Cd content in the leaves, stems, and cuttings of SJ-172. Unlikely, BC, MBC and FMBC show no evident change to the Zn concentration in the aboveground tissues of SJ-172, while decreased root Cd and Zn content compared with the control. MBC, at a 2.0% application rate, significantly increased the translocation factors of Cd (55.0%) and Zn (40.87%), whereas BC and FMBC demonstrated no significant effects compared with the control (P > 0.05). Moreover, 2.0% BC and MBC increased Cd and Zn accumulation in SJ-172 by 28.40 and 41.14, and 25.89 and 36.16%, respectively, whereas 2.0% FMBC reduced Cd and Zn accumulation by 53.20% and 13.18 %, respectively, compared with the control. The phytoremediation potential of SJ-172 for Cd- and Zn-contaminated soils was enhanced by MBC and BC, whereas it was lowered by FMBC compared to the control. These results provide novel insights for the application of fast-growing trees assisted by biochar amendments in the dendroremediation of severely PTEs-contaminated soil.

Highly efficient determination of trace ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablets by boronate affinity-modified magnetic metal-organic frameworks

Ascorbic acid (AA) plays an important role in many life processes. The chronic nutritional deficiency of AA will lead to the symptoms of scurvy. Therefore, the sensitive quantitative detection of AA is most important in the pharmaceutical analysis, food industry and diagnostic application. In this study, a dual-functional magnetic metal-organic frameworks (Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-PBA) nanoparticles was synthesized by modifying phenylboronic acid to the surface of magnetic UiO-66-NH2 via postsynthetic modification for selectively and sensitively florescent detection of AA. Due to the abundant amino groups and grafted phenylboronic acid, the proposed nanoparticles have the dual properties of hydrophilicity and boronate affinity. Under optimum conditions, the obtained Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-PBA nanoparticles can detect AA within 30 s, and has a good linear relationship with the concentration of AA in the range of 5.0-60 μM with a detection limit of 2.5 μM (S/N = 3). In addition, the prepared Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-PBA nanoparticles showed excellent selectivity and great potential application in the highly efficient determination of trace AA in vitamin C tablets. These results indicated that a convenient method was proposed to develop fluorescent probes for rapid and sensitive detection of trace AA in real samples.

Importance of serum IRAK3 as a biochemical marker in relation to severity and neurological outcome of human severe traumatic brain injury: A prospective longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 3 (IRAK3) may modulate inflammation in brain immunity. We determined the prognostic role of serum IRAK3 in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).

METHODS

In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, serum IRAK3 concentrations of 131 sTBI patients and 131 controls were quantified. Extended Glasgow outcome scale (GOSE) scores of 1-4 at 180 days after trauma signified a poor prognosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were sequentially adopted to appraise severity correlations and prognosis associations.

RESULTS

There were significantly higher serum IRAK3 concentrations in patients than in controls. Serum IRAK3 concentrations of patients were independently correlated with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores, Rotterdam computed tomography (CT) scores and posttraumatic180-day GOSE scores. Also, IRAK3 concentrations were independently associated with 180-day poor prognosis, but not with death. Prognosis prediction model, in which GCS scores, Rotterdam scores and serum IRAK3 concentrations were merged, was portrayed using the nomogram. The model was rather stable, clinically usable and efficiently discriminative of poor prognosis under calibration curve, decision curve and receiver operating characteristic curve.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial enhancement of serum IRAK3 concentrations after head trauma is independently related to severity and neurological outcome, substantializing serum IRAK3 as a promising prognostic biomarker of sTBI.

The impact of rainwater-borne H2O2-induced Fenton process on root iron plaque formation and arsenic accumulation in rice

Arsenic (As) contamination is a global concern, especially in paddy fields, as it represents a significant pathway for As reaching in the food chain. This is primarily due to the high accumulation of As in rice grains, which is a staple food for billions of people globally. Here we investigated the effect of synthetic rainwater-borne hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced Fenton oxidation process in paddy soil on As uptake and speciation in rice plants at different growth stages. Results showed that adding Fenton reagents significantly accelerated root iron (Fe) plaque formation, thereby enhancing As retention in soil. Arsenic accumulation in different rice plant parts followed the order: Fe plaque > root > stem > leaf. In rice grains, inorganic As and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) were the major As species for the first and second-season crops. Notably, that the addition of Fenton reagents to paddy soil led to a significant reduction in As accumulation in rice grains. The synthetic rainwater-borne H2O2-induced Fenton reaction significantly promoted As(V) precipitation and decreased concentration of the dissolved As in soil porewater. The current study highlights that the H2O2-induced Fenton process is an important pathway decreasing As bioavailability in paddy soil and its accumulation in rice grain. The findings have implications for understanding As behavior in paddy fields receiving rainwater-borne H2O2 and for developing cost-effective remediation programs to reduce As accumulation in rice grains.

TGF-β1 and TGF-β3, but not TGF-β2, are upregulated in the ovaries of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome†

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a life-threatening and potentially fatal complication during in vitro fertilization treatment. The levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) are upregulated in human follicular fluid and granulosa-lutein cells (hGL) of OHSS patients and could contribute to the development of OHSS by downregulating steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) expression. However, whether the same is true for the other two members of the TGF-β family, TGF-β2 and -β3, remains unknown. We showed that all three TGF-β isoforms were expressed in human follicular fluid. In comparison, TGF-β1 was expressed at the highest level, followed by TGF-β2 and TGF-β3. Compared to non-OHSS patients, follicular fluid levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 were significantly upregulated in OHSS patients. The same results were observed in mRNA levels of TGF-β isoforms in hGL cells and ovaries of OHSS rats. In addition, StAR mRNA levels were upregulated in hGL cells of OHSS patients and the ovaries of OHSS rats. Treatment cells with TGF-β isoforms downregulated the StAR expression with a comparable effect. Moreover, activations of SMAD3 signaling were required for TGF-β isoforms-induced downregulation of StAR expression. This study indicates that follicular fluid TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 levels could be used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the OHSS.

Polarizable Additive with Intermediate Chelation Strength for Stable Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are promising due to inherent safety, low cost, low toxicity, and high volumetric capacity. However, issues of dendrites and side reactions between zinc metal anode and the electrolyte need to be solved for extended storage and cycle life. Here, we proposed that an electrolyte additive with an intermediate chelation strength of zinc ion-strong enough to exclude water molecules from the zinc metal-electrolyte interface and not too strong to cause a significant energy barrier for zinc ion dissociation-can benefit the electrochemical stability by suppressing hydrogen evolution reaction, overpotential growth, and dendrite formation. Penta-sodium diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid salt was selected for such a purpose. It has a suitable chelating ability in aqueous solutions to adjust solvation sheath and can be readily polarized under electrical loading conditions to further improve the passivation. Zn||Zn symmetric cells can be stably operated over 3500 h at 1 mA cm-2. Zn||NH4V4O10 full cells with the additive show great cycling stability with 84.6% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 A g-1. Since the additive not only reduces H2 evolution and corrosion but also modifies Zn2+ diffusion and deposition, highlyreversible Zn electrodes can be achieved as verified by the experimental results. Our work offers a practical approach to the logical design of reliable electrolytes for high-performance aqueous batteries.

Microbial Necromass, Lignin, and Glycoproteins for Determining and Optimizing Blue Carbon Formation

Coastal wetlands contribute to the mitigation of climate change through the sequestration of "blue carbon". Microbial necromass, lignin, and glycoproteins (i.e., glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP)), as important components of soil organic carbon (SOC), are sensitive to environmental change. However, their contributions to blue carbon formation and the underlying factors remain largely unresolved. To address this paucity of knowledge, we investigated their contributions to blue carbon formation along a salinity gradient in coastal marshes. Our results revealed decreasing contributions of microbial necromass and lignin to blue carbon as the salinity increased, while GRSP showed an opposite trend. Using random forest models, we showed that their contributions to SOC were dependent on microbial biomass and resource stoichiometry. In N-limited saline soils, contributions of microbial necromass to SOC decreased due to increased N-acquisition enzyme activity. Decreases in lignin contributions were linked to reduced mineral protection offered by short-range-ordered Fe (FeSRO). Partial least-squares path modeling (PLS-PM) further indicated that GRSP could increase microbial necromass and lignin formation by enhancing mineral protection. Our findings have implications for improving the accumulation of refractory and mineral-bound organic matter in coastal wetlands, considering the current scenario of heightened nutrient discharge and sea-level rise.

The Impact of NaOH on the Micro-Mechanical Properties of the Interface Transition Zone in Low-Carbon Concrete

To tackle carbon emissions from cement production and address the decline in concrete's mechanical properties due to the substitution of cement with solid waste (glass powder) and natural mineral admixture (zeolite powder) materials, we employed glass powder and zeolite powder to create composite cementitious materials. These materials underwent alkali activation treatment with a 4% NaOH dosage, replacing 50% of cement to produce low-carbon concrete. Nanoindentation tests and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) were employed to uncover the micro-mechanical properties and influencing mechanisms of alkali-activated low-carbon concrete. The results indicate a notable enhancement in the indentation modulus (19.9%) and hardness (25.9%) of alkali-activated low-carbon concrete compared to non-activated concrete. Simultaneously, the interfacial transition zone thickness decreased by 10 µm. The addition of NaOH led to a reduced volume fraction of pores (diameter >100 nm) and an increased fraction of pores (diameter < 100 nm), thereby reducing porosity by 2.6%, optimizing the pore structure of low-carbon concrete. The indentation modulus, hardness and volume fraction of the hydrated phase derived from Gaussian fitting analysis of the nanoindentation statistics showed that NaOH significantly improved the modulus and hardness of the hydration products of low-carbon concrete. This activation resulted in decreased LDC-S-H gel (low-density hydrated calcium silicate Ca5Si6O16(OH)·4H2O) and pore content, while the HD C-S-H gel (high-density hydrated calcium silicate Ca5Si6O16(OH)·4H2O) and CH (calcium hydroxide crystals Ca(OH)2) content increased by 13.91% and 23.46%, respectively. Consequently, NaOH influenced the micro-mechanical properties of low-carbon concrete by generating more high-density hydration products, reducing pore content, enhancing the pore indentation modulus and hardness, and shortening the interfacial transition zone. This study offers novel insights into reducing carbon emissions and promoting the use of solid waste (glass powder) and natural mineral admixture (zeolite powder) materials in concrete, contributing to the advancement of sustainable construction practices.

The effects of water, substrate, and intermediate adsorption on the photocatalytic decomposition of air pollutants over nano-TiO2 photocatalysts

The photocatalytic performance of nano-TiO2 photocatalysts in air pollutant degradation greatly depends on the adsorption of water, substrates, and intermediates. Especially under excessive humidity, substrate concentration, and intermediate concentration, the competitive adsorption of water, substrates, and intermediates can seriously inhibit the photocatalytic performance. In the past few years, extensive studies have been performed to investigate the influence of humidity, substrate concentration, and intermediates on the photocatalytic performance of TiO2, and significant advances have been made in the area. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no review focusing on the effects of water, substrate, and intermediate adsorption to date. A comprehensive understanding of their mechanisms is key to overcoming the limited application of nano-TiO2 photocatalysts in the photocatalytic decomposition of air pollutants. In this review, the progress in experimental and theoretical fields, including a recent combination of photocatalytic experiments and adsorption and photocatalytic simulations by density functional theory (DFT), to explore the impact of adsorption of various reaction components on nano-TiO2 photocatalysts is comprehensively summarized. Additionally, the mechanism and broad perspective of the impact of their adsorption on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 in air treatment are also critically discussed. Finally, several solutions are proposed to resolve the current problems related to environmental factors. In general, this review contributes a comprehensive perspective of water, substrate, and intermediate adsorption toward boosting the photocatalytic application of TiO2 nanomaterials.

Rational design of animal-derived biochar composite for peroxymonosulfate activation: Understanding the mechanism of singlet oxygen-mediated degradation of sulfamethoxazole

Animal-derived biochar are identified as a promising candidate for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation due to the abundant aromatics and oxygen-containing functional groups. The current investigation focuses on pig carcass-derived biochar (800-BA-PBC) by ball milling-assisted alkali activation. The results showed that 800-BA-PBC could effectively activate PMS and degraded 94.2% sulfamethoxazole (SMX, 10 mg/L) within 40 min. The reaction rate constant was found to be 47 times higher than that observed with PBC. The enhanced catalytic activity is mainly attributed to the increase in specific surface area, the increase content of oxygen-containing groups on the surface, and the formation of graphitic nitrogen. The quenching tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis demonstrated that 1O2 is the main active species in the degradation of SMX. Moreover, the 800-BA-PBC + PMS system can maintain excellent degradation rate under different water quality, wide pH range, and the presence of different anions. The degradation pathways of SMX in the optimal system are also evaluated through intermediate identification and DFT calculation. These results indicate that the catalytic system has high anti-interference ability and practical application potential. This investigation provides new insight into the rational design of animal-derived biochar and develops a low-cost technology for the treatment of antibiotic containing wastewater.

The Lnc-ENST00000602558/IGF1 axis as a predictor of response to treatment with tripterygium glycosides in rheumatoid arthritis patients

AIMS

Growing clinical evidence suggests that not all patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) benefit to the same extent by treatment with tripterygium glycoside (TG), which highlights the need to identify RA-related genes that can be used to predict drug responses. In addition, single genes as markers of RA are not sufficiently accurate for use as predictors. Therefore, there is a need to identify paired expression genes that can serve as biomarkers for predicting the therapeutic effects of TG tablets in RA.

METHODS

A total of 17 pairs of co-expressed genes were identified as candidates for predicting an RA patient's response to TG therapy, and genes involved in the Lnc-ENST00000602558/GF1 axis were selected for that purpose. A partial-least-squares (PLS)-based model was constructed based on the expression levels of Lnc-ENST00000602558/IGF1 in peripheral blood. The model showed high efficiency for predicting an RA patient's response to TG tablets.

RESULTS

Our data confirmed that genes co-expressed in the Lnc-ENST00000602558/IGF1 axis mediate the efficacy of TG in RA treatment, reduce tumor necrosis factor-α induced IGF1 expression, and decrease the inflammatory response of MH7a cells.

CONCLUSION

We found that genes expressed in the Lnc-ENST00000602558/IGF1 axis may be useful for identifying RA patients who will not respond to TG treatment. Our findings provide a rationale for the individualized treatment of RA in clinical settings.

Patient-Derived Lung Cancer "Sandwich Cultures" with a Preserved Tumor Microenvironment

In the past, different spheroid-, organotypic-, and three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting lung cancer models were established for in vitro drug testing and personalized medicine. These tissue models cannot depict the tumor microenvironment (TME) and, therefore, research addressing tumor cell-TME interactions is limited. To overcome this hurdle, we applied patient-derived lung tumor samples to establish new in vitro models. To analyze the tissue model properties, we established two-dimensional (2D) and 3D coculture tissue models exposed to static and dynamic culture conditions that afforded tissue culture for up to 28 days. Our tissue models were characterized by hematoxylin eosin staining, M30 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescence staining against specific lung cancer markers (TTF-1 and p40/p63), cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) markers (α-SMA and MCT4), and fibronectin (FN). The 3D models were generated with higher success rate than the corresponding 2D model. The cell density of the static 3D model increased from 21 to 28 days, whereas the apoptosis decreased. The dynamic 3D model possessed an even higher cell density than the static 3D model. We identified lung cancer cells, CAFs, and FN. Therefore, a novel in vitro 3D lung cancer model was established, which simulated the TME for 28 days and possessed a structural complexity.

Spatial dynamics and risk assessment of phosphorus in the river sediment continuum (Qinhuai River basin, China)

This study investigated the concentration and fractionation of phosphorus (P) using sequential P extraction and their influencing factors by introducing the PLS-SEM model (partial least squares structural equation model) along this continuum from the Qinhuai River. The results showed that the average concentrations of inorganic P (IP) occurred in the following order: urban sediment (1499.1 mg/kg) > suburban sediment (846.1-911.9 mg/kg) > rural sediment (661.1 mg/kg) > natural sediment (179.9 mg/kg), and makes up to 53.9-87.1% of total P (TP). The same as the pattern of IP, OP nearly increased dramatically with increasing the urbanization gradient. This spatial heterogenicity of P along a river was attributed mainly to land use patterns and environmental factors (relative contribution affecting the P fractions: sediment nutrients > metals > grain size). In addition, the highest values of TP (2876.5 mg/kg), BAP (biologically active P, avg, 675.7 mg/kg), and PPI (P pollution index, ≥ 2.0) were found in urban sediments among four regions, indicating a higher environmental risk of P release, which may increase the risk of eutrophication in overlying water bodies. Collectively, this work improves the understanding of the spatial dynamics of P in the natural-rural-urban river sediment continuum, highlights the need to control P pollution in urban sediments, and provides a scientific basis for the future usage and disposal of P in sediments.

Linkage conversions in single-crystalline covalent organic frameworks

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction is a powerful characterization technique that enables the determination of atomic arrangements in crystalline materials. Growing or retaining large single crystals amenable to it has, however, remained challenging with covalent organic frameworks (COFs), especially suffering from post-synthetic modifications. Here we show the synthesis of a flexible COF with interpenetrated qtz topology by polymerization of tetra(phenyl)bimesityl-based tetraaldehyde and tetraamine building blocks. The material is shown to be flexible through its large, anisotropic positive thermal expansion along the c axis (αc = +491 × 10-6 K-1), as well as through a structural transformation on the removal of solvent molecules from its pores. The as-synthesized and desolvated materials undergo single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation by reduction and oxidation of its imine linkages to amine and amide ones, respectively. These redox-induced linkage conversions endow the resulting COFs with improved stability towards strong acid; loading of phosphoric acid leads to anhydrous proton conductivity up to ca. 6.0 × 10-2 S cm-1.

Local Control of a Single Nitrogen-Vacancy Center by Nanoscale Engineered Magnetic Domain Wall Motion

Effective control and readout of qubits form the technical foundation of next-generation, transformative quantum information sciences and technologies. The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center, an intrinsic three-level spin system, is naturally relevant in this context due to its excellent quantum coherence, high fidelity of operations, and remarkable functionality over a broad range of experimental conditions. It is an active contender for the development and implementation of cutting-edge quantum technologies. Here, we report magnetic domain wall motion driven local control and measurements of the NV spin properties. By engineering the local magnetic field environment of an NV center via nanoscale reconfigurable domain wall motion, we show that NV photoluminescence, spin level energies, and coherence time can be reliably controlled and correlated to the magneto-transport response of a magnetic device. Our results highlight the electrically tunable dipole interaction between NV centers and nanoscale magnetic structures, providing an attractive platform to realize interactive information transfer between spin qubits and nonvolatile magnetic memory in hybrid quantum spintronic systems.

Biochar Derived from Urban Green Waste Can Enhance the Removal of Cd from Water and Reduce Soil Cd Bioavailability

The beneficial utilization of potentially increasing urban green waste (UGW) is critical for sustainable urban development in China. In this study, UGW was pyrolyzed at different temperatures, and the resulting biochar was used to amend Cd-contaminated soils to grow cabbage. Our results showed that the Cd adsorption capacity of UGW-biochar was positively correlated with the surface area, O/C, and (O+N)/C value of biochar. Furthermore, UGW-biochar was incorporated into three Cd-contaminated soils, including one acidic soil and two neutral soils, to assess its impact on the availability of Cd. The most substantial reduction in the concentration of available Cd was observed in the acidic soil, of the three tested soils. In the neutral soils, a more substantial reduction was found in the heavily Cd-contaminated soil compared to the lightly Cd-contaminated soil. UGW-biochar amendments to the three Cd-contaminated soils resulted in an increase in the cabbage biomass in acidic soil, whereas in neutral soils, it increased in lightly contaminated soils but decreased in heavily contaminated soils. Additionally, the Cd bioaccumulation factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and removal efficiency (RE), as impacted by the biochar application, were calculated in the lightly Cd-contaminated soil-cabbage system. The BCF decreased from 5.84 to 3.80 as the dosage of the UGW-biochar increased from 0% to 3%, indicating that the UGW-biochar immobilized Cd and reduced its bioaccumulation in cabbage roots. Based on our investigations, UGW-biochar effectively immobilizes Cd by reducing its mobility and bioavailability in a lightly contaminated environment matrix.

Development of a bacterial gene transcription activating strategy based on transcriptional activator positive feedback

INTRODUCTION

Transcription of biological nitrogen fixation (nif) genes is activated by the NifA protein which recognizes specific activating sequences upstream of σ54-dependent nif promoters. The large quantities of nitrogenase which can make up 20% of the total proteins in the cell indicates high transcription activating efficiency of NifA and high transcription level of nifHDK nitrogenase genes.

OBJECTIVES

Development of an efficient gene transcription activating strategy in bacteria based on positive transcription regulatory proteins and their regulating DNA sequences.

METHODS

We designed a highly efficient gene transcription activating strategy in which the nifA gene was placed directly downstream of its regulating sequences. The NifA protein binds its regulating sequences and stimulates transcription of itself and downstream genes. Overexpressed NifA causes transcription activation by positive reinforcement.

RESULTS

When this gene transcription activating strategy was used to overexpress NifA in Pseudomonas stutzeri DSM4166 containing the nif gene cluster, the nitrogenase activity was increased by 368 folds which was 16 times higher than that obtained by nifA driven by the strongest endogenous constitutive promoter. When this strategy was used to activate transcription of exogenous biosynthetic genes for the plant auxin indole-3-acetic acid and the antitumor alkaloid pigment prodigiosin in DSM4166, both of them resulted in better performance than the strongest endogenous constitutive promoter and the highest reported productions in heterologous hosts to date. Finally, we demonstrated the universality of this strategy using the positive transcriptional regulator of the psp operon, PspF, in E. coli and the pathway-specific positive transcription regulator of the polyene antibiotic salinomycin biosynthesis, SlnR, in Streptomyces albus.

CONCLUSION

Many positive transcription regulatory proteins and their regulating DNA sequences have been identified in bacteria. The gene transcription activating strategy developed in this study will have broad applications in molecular biology and biotechnology.

Protocol for PPP1R15A-inhibited mouse model establishment with subcutaneous B16F1 tumor and single-cell analysis

Here, we present a protocol for exploring the effects of PPP1R15A inhibitor, Sephin1, on antitumor immunity of B16F1 subcutaneous tumor in mice. We describe steps for constructing single-cell transcriptome and TCR libraries, sequencing, and using sequencing data for the integration of expression and TCR data. We then detail procedures for gene differentiation, regulon and cell-cell communication analysis, and validation of single-cell analysis results. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Wang et al.1.

Multiple H-Bonding Cross-Linked Supramolecular Solid-Solid Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage and Management

Solid-solid phase change materials (SSPCMs) are considered among the most promising candidates for thermal energy storage and management. However, the application of SSPCMs is consistently hindered by the canonical trade-off between high TES capacity and mechanical robustness. In addition, they suffer from poor recyclability due to chemical cross-linking. Herein, a straightforward but effective strategy for fabricating supramolecular SSPCMs with high latent heat and mechanical strength is proposed. The supramolecular polymer employs multiple H-bonding interactions as robust physical cross-links. This enables SSPCM with a high enthalpy of phase transition (142.5 J g-1 ), strong mechanical strength (36.9 MPa), and sound shape stability (maintaining shape integrity at 120 °C) even with a high content of phase change component (97 wt%). When SSPCM is utilized to regulate the operating temperature of lithium-ion batteries, it significantly diminishes the battery working temperature by 23 °C at a discharge rate of 3 C. The robust thermal management capability enabled through solid-solid phase change provides practical opportunities for applications in fast discharging and high-power batteries. Overall, this study presents a feasible strategy for designing linear SSPCMs with high latent heat and exceptional mechanical strength for thermal management.

Human HELQ regulates DNA end resection at DNA double-strand breaks and stalled replication forks

Following a DNA double strand break (DSB), several nucleases and helicases coordinate to generate single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with 3' free ends, facilitating precise DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR). The same nucleases can act on stalled replication forks, promoting nascent DNA degradation and fork instability. Interestingly, some HR factors, such as CtIP and BRCA1, have opposite regulatory effects on the two processes, promoting end resection at DSB but inhibiting the degradation of nascent DNA on stalled forks. However, the reason why nuclease actions are regulated by different mechanisms in two DNA metabolism is poorly understood. We show that human HELQ acts as a DNA end resection regulator, with opposing activities on DNA end resection at DSBs and on stalled forks as seen for other regulators. Mechanistically, HELQ helicase activity is required for EXO1-mediated DSB end resection, while ssDNA-binding capacity of HELQ is required for its recruitment to stalled forks, facilitating fork protection and preventing chromosome aberrations caused by replication stress. Here, HELQ synergizes with CtIP but not BRCA1 or BRCA2 to protect stalled forks. These findings reveal an unanticipated role of HELQ in regulating DNA end resection at DSB and stalled forks, which is important for maintaining genome stability.

Triage method for endometrial biopsy in postmenopausal women: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To identify the optimal triage procedure for endometrial biopsies in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

The clinical information of 470 postmenopausal women with endometrial biopsy results and postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) and/or transvaginal ultrasonography (TVU) abnormalities were collected at the gynecology departments of four general hospitals from March 2021 to March 2022. In the validation cohort, 112 women with TVU abnormalities who underwent endometrial biopsy at Xiangya hospital between May 2022 and May 2023 were enrolled. The endpoint was the final diagnosis based on hysteroscopy reports and biopsy pathology results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were compared among the three triage methods. A nomogram prediction model was developed and validated.

RESULTS

Referring women with TVU abnormalities for endometrial biopsy identified 100% malignant/premalignant lesions despite low specificity (19.7%). Among women with measurable endometrial thickness (ET), we suggest that the ET cutoff value for biopsy referral should be ≥4 mm. The PMB (odds ratio [OR], 3.241; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.073-9.789), diabetes (OR, 10.915; 95% CI, 3.389-35.156), and endometrial thickness (OR, 1.277; 95% CI, 1.156-1.409) were independent predictive factors for endometrial (pre)malignancy. A nomogram prediction model was constructed (area under curve [AUC] = 0.802, 95% CI: 0.715 to 0.889). The ideal cutoff point was 22.5, with a sensitivity of 100.0% and a specificity of 15.7%. The external validation achieved an AUC of 0.798 (95% CI, 0.685-0.911).

CONCLUSIONS

It was possible to refer all postmenopausal women with TVU abnormity (ET ≥ 4 mm or other abnormal findings) for endometrial biopsy. Among women with TVU abnormalities, a nomogram was constructed, and a score greater than 22.5 suggested the need for referral for endometrial biopsy, while a score less than 22.5 suggested that regular follow-up was required, further improving the triage procedure.

Observation of Interpenetrated Topology Isomerism for Covalent Organic Frameworks with Atom-Resolution Single Crystal Structures

Rational control and understanding of isomerism are of significance but still remain a great challenge in reticular frameworks, in particular, for covalent organic frameworks (COFs) due to the complicated synthesis and energy factors. Herein, reaction of 3,3',5,5'-tetra(4-formylphenyl)-2,2',6,6'-tetramethoxy-1,1'-biphenyl (TFTB) with 3,3',5,5'-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)bimesityl (TAPB) under different reaction conditions affords single crystals of two 3D COF isomers, namely, USTB-20-dia and USTB-20-qtz. Their structures with resolutions up to 0.9-1.1 Å have been directly solved by three-dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED) and synchrotron single crystal X-ray diffraction, respectively. USTB-20-dia and USTB-20-qtz show rare 2 × 2-fold interpenetrated dia-b nets and 3-fold interpenetrated qtz-b frameworks. Comparative studies of the crystal structures of these COFs and theoretical simulation results indicate the crucial role of the flexible molecular configurations of building blocks in the present interpenetrated topology isomerism. This work not only presents the rare COF isomers but also gains an understanding of the formation of framework isomerism from both single crystal structures and theoretical simulation perspectives.

A MXene@AgAu@PDA nanoplatform loaded with AgAu nanocages for enhancing catalytic activity and antibacterial performance

With the rapid development of social industrialization, environmental problems seriously threaten people's health, especially water pollution. Therefore, there is an urgent need to construct a multifunctional nanoplatform for different scenarios. Two-dimensional MXene@AgAu@PDA nanosheets loaded with AgAu bimetallic nanocages have been prepared by a one-step method. First, the in situ generated MXene@Ag is used as an auxiliary template, and then HAuCl4 and dopamine are added for in situ redox-oxidizing polymerization reactions to obtain AgAu catalytic nanocages and the protective polydopamine (PDA) layer which can improve the stability and biocompatibility. MXene and PDA have excellent photothermal conversion ability while hollow AgAu nanocages have strong absorption in the near-infrared region and a local surface plasmonic resonance effect. In comparison to the catalytic reaction rates under dark and room temperature conditions, the catalytic kinetic rate of MXene@AgAu@PDA nanosheets under near-infrared irradiation increases from 0.13 to 0.69 min-1 mg-1. Density functional theory (DFT) is used to study the electron transfer behavior between AgAu nanocages and MXene nanosheets, and the mechanism of the enhanced catalytic reaction rate is analyzed. Besides, due to its Ag ions and photothermal coupling antibacterial properties, 40 μg mL-1 MXene@AgAu@PDA nanosheets inactivates nearly all E. coli and S. aureus after irradiation with near-infrared light for 6 min.

Coupled sorptive and oxidative antimony(III) removal by iron-modified biochar: Mechanisms of electron-donating capacity and reactive Fe species

Sorption and oxidation are two potential pathways for the decontamination of trivalent antimony (Sb(III))-bearing water, using iron (Fe)-modified biochar (FeBC). Here we investigated the sorption and oxidation behavior of FeBC for Sb(III) in aqueous solutions. Results revealed that Sb(III) removal by FeBC was significantly improved showing the maximum Sb(III) sorption (64.0 mg g-1). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that magnetite (Fe3O4) in FeBC offered a sorption energy of -0.22 eV, which is 5 times that of non-modified biochar. With the addition of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), the sorption of Sb(III) on FeBC was 7 times higher than that on BC, indicating the sorption capacity of FeBC for Sb(III) could be substantially increased by adding oxidizing agents. Electrochemical analysis showed that Fe modification imparted FeBC higher electron-donating capacity than that of BC (0.045 v. s. 0.023 mmol e- (g biochar)-1), which might be the reason for the strong Sb(III) oxidation (63.6%) on the surface of FeBC. This study provides new information that is key for the development of effective biochar-based composite materials for the removal of Sb(III) from drinking water and wastewater. The findings from this study have important implications for protecting human health and agriculture.

Oncogenic PIK3CA recruits myeloid-derived suppressor cells to shape the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment in luminal breast cancer through the 5-lipoxygenase-dependent arachidonic acid pathway

BACKGROUND

Oncogenic PIK3CA mutations (PIK3CAmut ) frequently occur in a higher proportion in luminal breast cancer (LBC), especially in refractory advanced cases, and are associated with changes in tumour cellular metabolism. Nevertheless, its effect on the progression of the immune microenvironment (TIME) within tumours and vital molecular events remains veiled.

METHODS

Multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) and single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF) was used to describe the landscape of TIME in PIK3CAmut LBC. The PIK3CA mutant cell lines were established using CRISPER/Cas9 system. The gene expression levels, protein secretion and activity of signaling pathways were measured by real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence staining or western blotting. GSEA analysis, transwell chemotaxis assay, live cell imaging, flow cytometry metabolite analysis targeting arachidonic acid, Dual-luciferase reporter assay, and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were used to investigate the underlying function and mechanism of the PI3K/5-LOX/LTB4 axis.

RESULTS

PIK3CAmut LBC cells can induce an immunosuppressive TIME by recruiting myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and excluding cytotoxic T cells via the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism pathway. Mechanistically, PIK3CAmut activates the transcription of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) in a STAT3-dependent manner, which in turn directly results in high LTB4 production, binding to BLT2 on MDSCs and promoting their infiltration. Since a suppressive TIME is a critical barrier for the success of cancer immunotherapy, the strategies that can convert "cold" tumours into "hot" tumours were compared. Targeted therapy against the PI3K/5-LOX/LTB4 axis synergizing with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy achieved dramatic shrinkage in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

The results emphasize that PIK3CAmut can induce immune evasion by recruiting MDSCs through the 5-LOX-dependent AA pathway, and combination targeted therapy with ICB may provide a promising treatment option for refractory advanced LBC patients.

Facet-Dependent Competitive Adsorption Mechanisms of Chromate and Oxalic Acid on γ-FeO(OH) Nanocrystals

Facet-dependent toxic metal adsorption of iron oxides widely occurred in natural environments. It is known that organic acids can alter the adsorption behaviors of trace elements by cooperative or competitive effects. However, the coadsorption mechanisms of the specific facets are still not fully understood. In the current investigation, Cr(VI) adsorption onto the lepidocrocite (γ-FeO(OH))-exposed facets in the presence of oxalic acid (OA) was studied using macroexperiments, in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray adsorption fine structure, and density functional theory calculations. Rod-like lepidocrocite (R-LEP) with a high ratio of {001}/{010} facet showed excellent Cr(VI) adsorption capacity than that of plate-like lepidocrocite (P-LEP, the dominant facet is {010}) in the absence/presence of OA. Interestingly, OA reacted with R-LEP would be easier to diminish Cr(VI) adsorption than with P-LEP. The competitive adsorption occurred on the {001} facet due to the formation of inner-sphere OA configurations (monodentate mononuclear and bidentate mononuclear structures) and a bidentate binuclear Cr(VI) complex. However, OA coordinated with {010} facets via the outer-sphere complexes, while Cr(VI) could form a protonated monodentate binuclear configuration. These observations suggest that the competitive adsorption processes between OA and Cr(VI) exhibit facet dependence. Furthermore, lepidocrocite-exposed facets determine the interfacial interactions and geochemical behaviors of Cr(VI) in polluted environments.

Fluorometric detection of alpha-fetoprotein based on the use of a novel organic compound with AIE activity and aptamer-modified magnetic microparticles

BACKGROUND

Liver cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and it seriously threatens human life and health. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), as a carcinogenic glycoprotein, is an important serum marker for detecting liver cancer. Therefore, the accurate and sensitive determination of AFP is crucial for the early diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. To this end, a label-free fluorescence aptasensor for detecting AFP based on the use of a novel organic Compound D with an aggregation-induced emission activity and aptamer-modified magnetic microparticles was constructed.

RESULTS

Compound D could combine with the complementary short chain of the aptamer (CSC-Apt) of AFP to form the D/CSC-Apt complex and realize the fluorescence enhancement of Compound D. Then, magnetic particles modified by the Apt of AFP (Apt-Fe3O4) were prepared. When AFP (or nontarget substance) and D/CSC-Apt were successively added to the Apt-Fe3O4 solution, Apt-Fe3O4 selectively bound to AFP or the D/CSC-Apt complex. Magnetic separation technology showed the changes in the fluorescence intensity of the supernatant. The research results revealed a good linear relationship between the changes in the fluorescence intensity of the supernatant and concentration of AFP within the concentration range of 10-10000 pg mL-1. The proposed aptasensor could achieve high-sensitivity and high-specificity detection of AFP, and its limit of detection was 3 pg mL-1 (S/N = 3).

SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY

The sensor combines the advantages of high selectivity of Apt, high sensitivity of fluorescence analysis, AIE effect and good water solubility of Compound D, and rapid separation using magnetic separation technology. And it can be directly used for the detection of AFP in actual serum samples with high accuracy, whereas most of the methods reported in the literature can only detect AFP in spiked serum samples.

The application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in community-acquired purulent meningitis after antibiotic intervention

BACKGROUND

Bacteria account for nearly one third of the causes of community-acquired central nervous system infections, and traditional diagnostic methods are based on culture results, which are time-consuming and have a low detection rate leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Since metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has the advantages of high timeliness and only detecting microbial trace gene fragments, it has been used more widely in recent years. Based on this, we explored whether the application of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) mNGS is advantageous in patients with community-acquired purulent meningitis, especially in people who have already used antibiotics.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 63 patients with community-acquired purulent meningitis admitted to the Department of Neurology of Shanxi Bethune Hospital from March 2018 to November 2022. Data were systematically collected and classified into CSF culture group, blood culture group and CSF mNGS group according to different detection methods, and the total detection rate of each method was calculated. Each group of patients was divided into two subgroups according to whether antibiotics were used before sampling. The detection rates of the three groups were compared within and between groups to explore whether mNGS has advantages over traditional methods and the influence of antibiotic use on detection rates of the three methods.

RESULTS

Among the 63 patients, the cases of CSF culture, blood culture and CSF mNGS were 56, 46, 44, respectively. The total detection rates of the three methods were 17.86%, 36.96%, 81.82%, with statistical differences (p < 0.05),suggesting that the detection rate of mNGS was higher than CSF culture (p < 0.05) and blood culture (p < 0.05),and the detection rate of blood culture higher than CSF culture (p < 0.05). Further grouping found that without antibiotics, the detection rates of CSF culture, blood culture and CSF mNGS were 28.57%, 56.25% and 88.89%, with statistical differences (p < 0.05), and the detection rate of CSF mNGS was higher than that of CSF culture (p < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference between CSF and blood culture (p > 0.05), nor between blood culture and CSF mNGS (p > 0.05). The detection rates of the three groups with antibiotics were 14.29%, 26.67% and 80.00%, with statistical differences (p < 0.05), and the detection rate of CSF mNGS was still higher than CSF culture (p < 0.05) and blood culture (p < 0.05). However, the detection rate of CSF mNGS also decreased after antibiotics were used for more than 3 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection rate of CSF mNGS in patients with purulent meningitis is higher than traditional methods, especially in patients who have been given antibiotics, but the detection rate will decrease with the extension of antibiotic use.

Design Strategies for Perovskite-Type High-Entropy Oxides with Applications in Optics

It is essential and challenging to develop advanced ceramic materials with thermal stability and high reflectivity for optical fields. Encouragingly, recent breakthroughs and significant advances in high-entropy ceramics have made high-entropy oxides a potential candidate material for optical applications. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the effect of lattice distortion on the design of high-reflectivity, high-entropy oxides using first-principles calculations and aberration-corrected microscopy. In order to optimize the optical properties of the materials, a series of novel perovskite-type high-entropy oxides, (LaxK0.4-xCa0.2Sr0.2Ba0.2)TiO3+δ (x = 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3), were designed and synthesized using solid-state sintering based on the charge conservation principle and bond energy principle. When the content of La in the A-site element was 30%, the optical reflectivity reached 94% by suppressing the oxygen vacancy. Furthermore, we have successfully prepared a series of coatings by air spraying based on the regulation of the mass ratio of resin and powder. Compared to the uncoated substrate, the backside temperature can be reduced by 41%. This work provides a feasible design route with the first clear guidelines for highly reflective high-entropy ceramic materials and enables highly stable material design in multielement spaces.

Boron contamination and its risk management in terrestrial and aquatic environmental settings

Boron (B) is released to terrestrial and aquatic environments through both natural and anthropogenic sources. This review describes the current knowledge on B contamination in soil and aquatic environments in relation to its geogenic and anthropogenic sources, biogeochemistry, environmental and human health impacts, remediation approaches, and regulatory practices. The common naturally occurring sources of B include borosilicate minerals, volcanic eruptions, geothermal and groundwater streams, and marine water. Boron is extensively used to manufacture fiberglass, thermal-resistant borosilicate glass and porcelain, cleaning detergents, vitreous enamels, weedicides, fertilizers, and B-based steel for nuclear shields. Anthropogenic sources of B released into the environment include wastewater for irrigation, B fertilizer application, and waste from mining and processing industries. Boron is an essential element for plant nutrition and is taken up mainly as boric acid molecules. Although B deficiency in agricultural soils has been observed, B toxicity can inhibit plant growth in soils under arid and semiarid regions. High B intake by humans can be detrimental to the stomach, liver, kidneys and brain, and eventually results in death. Amelioration of soils and water sources enriched with B can be achieved by immobilization, leaching, adsorption, phytoremediation, reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration. The development of cost-effective technologies for B removal from B-rich irrigation water including electrodialysis and electrocoagulation techniques is likely to help control the predominant anthropogenic input of B to the soil. Future research initiatives for the sustainable remediation of B contamination using advanced technologies in soil and water environments are also recommended.

A cleaner snow future mitigates Northern Hemisphere snowpack loss from warming

Light-absorbing particles (LAP) deposited on seasonal snowpack can result in snow darkening, earlier snowmelt, and regional climate change. However, their future evolution and contributions to snowpack change relative to global warming remain unclear. Here, using Earth System Model simulations, we project significantly reduced black carbon deposition by 2081-2100, which reduces the December-May average LAP-induced radiative forcing in snow over the Northern Hemisphere from 1.3 Wm-2 during 1995-2014 to 0.65 (SSP126) and 0.49 (SSP585) Wm-2. We quantify separately the contributions of climate change and LAP evolution on future snowpack and demonstrate that projected LAP changes in snow over the Tibetan Plateau will alleviate future snowpack loss due to climate change by 52.1 ± 8.0% and 8.0 ± 1.1% at the end of the century for the two scenarios, mainly due to reduced black carbon contamination. Our findings highlight a cleaner snow future and its benefits for future water supply from snowmelt especially under the sustainable development pathway of SSP126.

Clinical phenotype of obstructive sleep apnea in older adults: a hospital-based retrospective study in China

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in older people (aged over 65 years) is high. However, OSA in older populations has not received sufficient attention. This study examined the clinical phenotypic characteristics of older patients with newly diagnosed OSA.

METHODS

A total of 110 older patients (≥ 65 years) and 220 younger patients (< 65 years), matched by gender, body mass index (BMI), and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), were enrolled in this retrospective study. Clinical manifestations, comorbidities, and polysomnographic results were compared between the two groups, and correlations between age ≥ 65 years and OSA comorbidities were explored.

RESULTS

Nocturia was more common in older patients with OSA, as with lower sleep efficiency, longer wake after sleep onset, increased stage N1 sleep, and decreased stage N3 sleep and average SpO2. The proportions of older OSA patients who had comorbid hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and ischemic stroke were significantly higher than those of younger patients. The incidence of tonsillar enlargement and pharyngeal narrowing was lower in older patients. Age ≥ 65 years was an independent risk factor for patients with OSA to have hypertension (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.11-3.21), CAD (OR: 4.83, 95% CI: 2.29-10.21), and ischemic stroke (OR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.02 to 8.38).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of OSA in older adults was associated with significant abnormalities of sleep architecture, aggravated nocturnal hypoxia and increased risks of hypertension, CAD, and stroke, which can be distinguished as a unique clinical phenotype.

Identification of possible sources for potentially toxic elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their spatially varying relationships in urban soils of Dublin, Ireland

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) harm the ecosystem and human health, especially in urban areas. Identifying and understanding their potential sources and underlying interactions in urban soils are critical for informed management and risk assessment. This study investigated the potential sources and the spatially varying relationships between 9 PTEs and PAHs in the topsoil of Dublin by combining positive matrix factorisation (PMF) and geographically weighted regression (GWR). The PMF model allocated four possible sources based on species concentrations and uncertainties. The factor profiles indicated the associations with high-temperature combustion (PAHs), natural lithologic factors (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni), mineralisation and mining (Zn), as well as anthropogenic inputs (Cu, Hg, Pb), respectively. In addition, selected representative elements Cr, Zn, and Pb showed distinct spatial interactions with PAHs in the GWR model. Negative relationships between PAHs and Cr were observed in all samples, suggesting the control of Cr concentrations by natural factors. Negative relationships between PAHs and Zn in the eastern and north-eastern regions were related to mineralisation and anthropogenic Zn-Pb mining. In contrast, the surrounding regions exhibited a natural relationship between these two variables with positive coefficients. Increasing positive coefficients from west to east were observed between PAHs and Pb in the study area. This special pattern was consistent with prevailing south-westerly wind direction in Dublin, highlighting the predominant influences on PAHs and Pb concentrations from vehicle and coal combustion through atmospheric deposition. Our results provided a better understanding of geochemical features for PTEs and PAHs in the topsoil of Dublin, demonstrating the efficiency of combined approaches of receptor models and spatial analysis in environmental studies.

Layer-Dependent Magnetism and Spin Fluctuations in Atomically Thin van der Waals Magnet CrPS4

van der Waals (vdW) magnets, an emerging family of two-dimensional (2D) materials, have received tremendous attention due to their rich fundamental physics and significant potential for cutting-edge technological applications. In contrast to the conventional bulk counterparts, vdW magnets exhibit significant tunability of local material properties, such as stacking engineered interlayer coupling and layer-number dependent magnetic and electronic interactions, which promise to deliver previously unavailable merits to develop multifunctional microelectronic devices. As a further ingredient of this emerging topic, here we report nanoscale quantum sensing and imaging of the atomically thin vdW magnet chromium thiophosphate CrPS4, revealing its characteristic layer-dependent 2D static magnetism and dynamic spin fluctuations. We also show a large tunneling magnetoresistance in CrPS4-based spin filter vdW heterostructures. The excellent material stability and robust strategy against environmental degradation in combination with tailored magnetic properties highlight the potential of CrPS4 in developing state-of-the-art 2D spintronic devices for next-generation information technologies.

Identification and Functional Characterization of UDP-Glycosyltransferases Involved in Isoflavone Biosynthesis in Astragalus membranaceus

Isoflavones are rich natural compounds present in legumes and are essential for plant growth and development. Moreover, they are beneficial for animals and humans. Isoflavones are primarily found as glycoconjugates, including calycosin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (CG) in Astragalus membranaceus, a legume. However, the glycosylation mechanism of isoflavones in A. membranaceus remains unclear. In the present study, three uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) that may be involved in the biosynthesis of isoflavone were identified in the transcriptome of A. membranaceus. Enzymatic analysis revealed that AmUGT88E29 and AmUGT88E30 had high catalytic activity toward isoflavones in vitro. In addition, AmUGT88E29 and AmUGT88E30 could accept various flavones, flavanones, flavonols, dihydroflavonols, and dihydrochalcones as substrates. AmUGT71G10 was only active against phloretin and dihydroresveratrol. Overexpression of AmUGT88E29 significantly increased the contents of CG, an isoflavone glucoside, in the hairy roots of A. membranaceus. This study provided candidate AmUGT genes for the potential metabolic engineering of flavonoid compounds in plants and a valuable resource for studying the calycosin glycosides biosynthesis pathway.

Cofacial porphyrin organic cages. Metals regulating excitation electron transfer and CO2 reduction electrocatalytic properties

Herein, we introduce a comprehensive study of the photophysical behaviors and CO2 reduction electrocatalytic properties of a series of cofacial porphyrin organic cages (CPOC-M, M = H2, Co(ii), Ni(ii), Cu(ii), Zn(ii)), which are constructed by the covalent-bonded self-assembly of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-formylphenyl)porphyrin (TFPP) and chiral (2-aminocyclohexyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetraformyl diimide (ANDI), followed by post-synthetic metalation. Electronic coupling between the TFPP donor and naphthalene-1,4 : 5,8-bis(dicarboximide) (NDI) acceptor in the metal-free cage is revealed to be very weak by UV-vis spectroscopic, electrochemical, and theoretical investigations. Photoexcitation of CPOC-H2, as well as its post-synthetic Zn and Co counterparts, leads to fast energy transfer from the triplet state porphyrin to the NDI unit according to the femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopic results. In addition, CPOC-Co enables much better electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction reaction than the other metallic CPOC-M (M = Ni(ii), Cu(ii), Zn(ii)) and monomeric porphyrin cobalt compartment, supplying a partial current density of 18.0 mA cm-2 at -0.90 V with 90% faradaic efficiency of CO.

Revealing intrinsic domains and fluctuations of moiré magnetism by a wide-field quantum microscope

Moiré magnetism featured by stacking engineered atomic registry and lattice interactions has recently emerged as an appealing quantum state of matter at the forefront of condensed matter physics research. Nanoscale imaging of moiré magnets is highly desirable and serves as a prerequisite to investigate a broad range of intriguing physics underlying the interplay between topology, electronic correlations, and unconventional nanomagnetism. Here we report spin defect-based wide-field imaging of magnetic domains and spin fluctuations in twisted double trilayer (tDT) chromium triiodide CrI3. We explicitly show that intrinsic moiré domains of opposite magnetizations appear over arrays of moiré supercells in low-twist-angle tDT CrI3. In contrast, spin fluctuations measured in tDT CrI3 manifest little spatial variations on the same mesoscopic length scale due to the dominant driving force of intralayer exchange interaction. Our results enrich the current understanding of exotic magnetic phases sustained by moiré magnetism and highlight the opportunities provided by quantum spin sensors in probing microscopic spin related phenomena on two-dimensional flatland.

Interplay of structural chirality, electron spin and topological orbital in chiral molecular spin valves

Chirality has been a property of central importance in physics, chemistry and biology for more than a century. Recently, electrons were found to become spin polarized after transmitting through chiral molecules, crystals, and their hybrids. This phenomenon, called chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS), presents broad application potentials and far-reaching fundamental implications involving intricate interplays among structural chirality, topological states, and electronic spin and orbitals. However, the microscopic picture of how chiral geometry influences electronic spin remains elusive, given the negligible spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in organic molecules. In this work, we address this issue via a direct comparison of magnetoconductance (MC) measurements on magnetic semiconductor-based chiral molecular spin valves with normal metal electrodes of contrasting SOC strengths. The experiment reveals that a heavy-metal electrode provides SOC to convert the orbital polarization induced by the chiral molecular structure to spin polarization. Our results illustrate the essential role of SOC in the metal electrode for the CISS spin valve effect. A tunneling model with a magnetochiral modulation of the potential barrier is shown to quantitatively account for the unusual transport behavior.

[The characteristics of plasma lipids in silicosis rat models were studied based on lipid metabolomics]

Objective: To screen the differential metabolites and metabolic pathways in silicosis model by analyzing plasma metabolomics of silicosis rats. Methods: In May 2021, twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (C), 1-week silicosis group (S1W), 2-week silicosis group (S2W) and 4-week silicosis group (S4W), with 5 rats in each group. Rats were intratracheally instillated with 1ml crystalline SiO(2) suspension (50 mg/ml) or normal saline and were sacrificed after 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks, HE staining was used to observe the lung pathology of rats. The plasma samples were analyzed by UPLC-IMS-QTOF mass spectrometer to screen out potential differential metabolites in silicosis models and analyze their lipid enrichment. Results: HE results showed that nodules formed in the silicosis model group, and with the extension of time, nodules gradually increased and alveolar structure was gradually destroyed. Metabolomics screened out 14 differential metabolites in S1W, 24 in S2W, and 28 in S4W, and found that the differential metabolites were mainly enriched in the metabolism of glycerophospholipid metabolism, fatty acid degradation, Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) -anchor biosynthesis, fatty acid elongation and other metabolic pathways. Conclusion: There are significant changes in plasma lipid metabolites in silicosis rat models.

Cathepsin S activity controls chronic stress-induced muscle atrophy and dysfunction in mice

Exposure to chronic psychological stress (CPS) is an intractable risk factor for inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Lysosomal cysteinyl cathepsins play an important role in human pathobiology. Given that cathepsin S (CTSS) is upregulated in the stressed vascular and adipose tissues, we investigated whether CTSS participates in chronic stress-induced skeletal muscle mass loss and dysfunction, with a special focus on muscle protein metabolic imbalance and apoptosis. Eight-week-old male wildtype (CTSS+/+) and CTSS-knockout (CTSS-/-) mice were randomly assigned to non-stress and variable-stress groups. CTSS+/+ stressed mice showed significant losses of muscle mass, dysfunction, and fiber area, plus significant mitochondrial damage. In this setting, stressed muscle in CTSS+/+ mice presented harmful alterations in the levels of insulin receptor substrate 2 protein content (IRS-2), phospho-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, phospho-protein kinase B, and phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin, forkhead box-1, muscle RING-finger protein-1 protein, mitochondrial biogenesis-related peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-α, and apoptosis-related B-cell lymphoma 2 and cleaved caspase-3; these alterations were prevented by CTSS deletion. Pharmacological CTSS inhibition mimics its genetic deficiency-mediated muscle benefits. In C2C12 cells, CTSS silencing prevented stressed serum- and oxidative stress-induced IRS-2 protein reduction, loss of the myotube myosin heavy chain content, and apoptosis accompanied by a rectification of investigated molecular harmful changes; these changes were accelerated by CTSS overexpression. These findings demonstrated that CTSS plays a role in IRS-2-related protein anabolism and catabolism and cell apoptosis in stress-induced muscle wasting, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy for the control of chronic stress-related muscle disease in mice under our experimental conditions by regulating CTSS activity.

The potential of biochar as a microbial carrier for agricultural and environmental applications

Biochar can be an effective carrier for microbial inoculants because of its favourable properties promoting microbial life. In this review, we assess the effectiveness of biochar as a microbial carrier for agricultural and environmental applications. Biochar is enriched with organic carbon, contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as nutrients, and has a high porosity and moisture-holding capacity. The large number of active hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonic acid group, amino, imino, and acylamino hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups are effective for microbial cell adhesion and proliferation. The use of biochar as a carrier of microbial inoculum has been shown to enhance the persistence, survival and colonization of inoculated microbes in soil and plant roots, which play a crucial role in soil biochemical processes, nutrient and carbon cycling, and soil contamination remediation. Moreover, biochar-based microbial inoculants including probiotics effectively promote plant growth and remediate soil contaminated with organic pollutants. These findings suggest that biochar can serve as a promising substitute for non-renewable substrates, such as peat, to formulate and deliver microbial inoculants. The future research directions in relation to improving the carrier material performance and expanding the potential applications of this emerging biochar-based microbial immobilization technology have been proposed.

[Serum immunoglobulin concentration and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults in Tianjin City: a prospective cohort study]

Objective: To evaluate the association between immunoglobulin concentration and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adults in Tianjin City. Methods: Based on the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIHealth) cohort from January 2010 to December 2018, subjects who had completed the measurement of baseline immunoglobulin concentration and blood glucose concentration and not been diagnosed with any type of diabetes at baseline were selected in this study. The collected data included the concentration of serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE), fasting blood glucose and other potential confounders. The subjects were divided into four groups from Q1 to Q4 according to the quartiles of baseline immunoglobulin concentration. The multivariable Cox regression model was used to assess the association between the baseline immunoglobulin concentration and T2DM. Results: A total of 6 315 subjects aged (50.1±10.0) years were included. About 390 subjects were newly diagnosed with T2DM during the follow-up period. The incidence rate was 16.8/1 000 person-years. After adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, smoking status, drinking status, eosinophil ratio, metabolic syndrome, first-or second-degree family history, and reciprocal adjusting for other immunoglobulin concentrations, compared to the lowest quartile concentration group Q1, subjects in group Q4 with the highest quartile of IgG concentration showed a lower risk of T2DM (HR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.52-0.97), and subjects in group Q4 with the highest quartile of IgM concentration also had a decreased risk of T2DM (HR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.47-0.91). Subjects in group Q4 with the highest quartile of IgA concentration had an increased risk of T2DM (HR=1.56, 95%CI: 1.18-2.07). The risk of T2DM decreased with the increase of serum IgG and IgM concentrations (Ptrend=0.018, Ptrend=0.010) and increased with the increase of serum IgA concentrations (Ptrend<0.001). No association was found between the concentration of IgE and T2DM risk (HR=0.99, 95%CI: 0.74-1.31, Ptrend=0.891). Conclusion: The concentration of IgG and IgM is negatively associated with the risk of T2DM, and the concentration of IgA is positively associated with the risk of T2DM in Tianjin City. The concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA could be a predictor of hyperglycemia and T2DM.

Cathepsin S deficiency improves muscle mass loss and dysfunction via the modulation of protein metabolism in mice under pathological stress conditions

Cathepsin S (CTSS) is a widely expressed cysteinyl protease that has garnered attention because of its enzymatic and non-enzymatic functions under inflammatory and metabolic pathological conditions. Here, we examined whether CTSS participates in stress-related skeletal muscle mass loss and dysfunction, focusing on protein metabolic imbalance. Eight-week-old male wildtype (CTSS^+/+ ) and CTSS-knockout (CTSS^-/- ) mice were randomly assigned to non-stress and variable-stress groups for 2 weeks, and then processed for morphological and biochemical studies. Compared with non-stressed mice, stressed CTSS^+/+ mice showed significant losses of muscle mass, muscle function, and muscle fiber area. In this setting, the stress-induced harmful changes in the levels of oxidative stress-related (gp91^phox and p22^phox ,), inflammation-related (SDF-1, CXCR4, IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1), mitochondrial biogenesis-related (PPAR-γ and PGC-1α) genes and/or proteins and protein metabolism-related (p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-FoxO3α, MuRF-1, and MAFbx1) proteins; and these alterations were rectified by CTSS deletion. Metabolomic analysis revealed that stressed CTSS^-/- mice exhibited a significant improvement in the levels of glutamine metabolism pathway products. Thus, these findings indicated that CTSS can control chronic stress-related skeletal muscle atrophy and dysfunction by modulating protein metabolic imbalance, and thus CTSS was suggested to be a promising new therapeutic target for chronic stress-related muscular diseases.

Remediation technologies for neonicotinoids in contaminated environments: Current state and future prospects

Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are synthetic insecticides with broad-spectrum insecticidal activity and outstanding efficacy. However, their extensive use and persistence in the environment have resulted in the accumulation and biomagnification of NEOs, posing significant risks to non-target organisms and humans. This review provides a summary of research history, advancements, and highlighted topics in NEOs remediation technologies and mechanisms. Various remediation approaches have been developed, including physiochemical, microbial, and phytoremediation, with microbial and physicochemical remediation being the most extensively studied. Recent advances in physiochemical remediation have led to the development of innovative adsorbents, photocatalysts, and optimized treatment processes. High-efficiency degrading strains with well-characterized metabolic pathways have been successfully isolated and cultured for microbial remediation, while many plant species have shown great potential for phytoremediation. However, significant challenges and gaps remain in this field. Future research should prioritize isolating, domesticating or engineering high efficiency, broad-spectrum microbial strains for NEO degradation, as well as developing synergistic remediation techniques to enhance removal efficiency on multiple NEOs with varying concentrations in different environmental media. Furthermore, a shift from pipe-end treatment to pollution prevention strategies is needed, including the development of green and economically efficient alternatives such as biological insecticides. Integrated remediation technologies and case-specific strategies that can be applied to practical remediation projects need to be developed, along with clarifying NEO degradation mechanisms to improve remediation efficiency. The successful implementation of these strategies will help reduce the negative impact of NEOs on the environment and human health.

A zero energy-input nitrogen removal reactor based on a short-circuited microfluidic fuel cell

Excessive discharge of ammonia nitrogen would deteriorate water quality. In this work, we designed an innovative microfluidic electrochemical nitrogen-removal reactor (MENR) based on a short-circuited ammonia-air microfluidic fuel cell (MFC). The MENR utilizes the laminar characteristics of two flows (an anolyte containing nitrogen-rich wastewater and a catholyte of acid electrolyte solution) in a microchannel to establish an efficient reactor system. At anode, ammonia was catalyzed by a NiCu/C modified electrode to N2, while O2 in the air was reduced at cathode. In essence, the MENR reactor is a short-circuited MFC. Maximum discharge currents were achieved accompanied with strong ammonia oxidation reaction. Factors indicating electrolyte flow rate, initial nitrogen concentration, electrolyte concentration, and electrode geometry have various effects on the nitrogen removal performance of the MENR. Results indicate that the MENR showed efficient nitrogen removal properties. This work proposes an energy-saving process by using the MENR to remove nitrogen from ammonia-rich wastewater.

Construction of ceRNA regulatory networks for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis increases the risk of fracture. Improving the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis has clinical applications. The differentially expressed genes (DEcircRs, DEmRs, DEmiRs) of osteoporotic patients and controls were analyzed using the GEO database, and enrichment analysis of DEmRs was performed. circRNAs and mRNAs, which were predicted to have a target relationship with DEmRs, were obtained to compare competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks by comparison with differentially expressed genes. Molecular experiments were utilized to validate the expression of genes within the network. The interactions between genes within the ceRNA network were validated by luciferase reporter assays. Following overexpression of circ_0070304 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), the osteogenic differentiation of the cells was assessed by Alizarin Red staining. A total of 110 intersectional DEmRs between patients with osteoporosis and controls from GSE35958 and GSE56815, which were mainly enriched in estrogen, the thyroid hormone signaling pathway, and adherens junctions were identified. A ceRNA network [circ_0070304/miR‑183‑5p/ring finger and CCCH‑type domains 2 (RC3H2)] was then constructed. Circ_0070304 acted as a sponge for miR‑183‑5p and regulated RC3H2 expression. Overexpression of circ_0070304 upregulated ROCK1 and induced osteogenic differentiation. The ceRNA regulatory network that was obtained is expected to be a new target for osteoporosis treatment and to provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in greater depth.

Identification and Characterization of DNA-Oxaliplatin Adducts through α-hemolysin Nanopores

The antitumor effect of Pt-based drugs is determined by their binding activity with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and understanding the reaction process in a systematic manner is crucial. However, existing assays used for DNA-Pt research suffer from several issues, such as complicated sample preparation, preamplification, and expensive instruments, which dramatically limit their practical application. In this study, a novel method was presented to investigate the adducts of DNA and oxaliplatin using an α-hemolysin nanopore sensor. This approach allows for real-time monitoring of the DNA-oxaliplatin condensation process through the detection of nanopore events associated with DNA-oxaliplatin adducts. Specifically, type I and II signals exhibiting specific current characteristics were observed during the process. Typical signals with high frequency were obtained by recording the designed DNA sequence. Furthermore, the production of these signals was confirmed to be independent of homologous adducts. This finding suggests that the DNA-oxaliplatin adduct can serve as a potential sensor for detecting oxaliplatin lesions and multiple types of molecules.

Hypertension as a Risk Factor for Primary Open-angle Glaucoma: A Meta-analysis

Hypertension (HTN) is not recognised as an independent risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A search of PubMed, Embase, Medline, Wanfang, and Cochrane Library databases from the time each database was established up to July 2022 was performed. All studies were pooled and assessed for heterogeneity and the quality of the literature. Five cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis with 1144 individuals with POAG and 29, 373 without POAG. The combined analysis found that the incidence of HTN was higher among the individuals with POAG than among those without (OR 1.55; p <0.001). There was also a significant difference in the incidence of diabetes among individuals with POAG compared with those without (OR: 1.31; p=0.002). A meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies revealed that the incidence of HTN and diabetes was significantly greater among individuals with POAG. HTN and diabetes were found to be independent risk factors for POAG. Key Words: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), Hypertension (HTN), Diabetes, Meta-analysis.