EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor Almonertinib induces apoptosis and autophagy mediated by reactive oxygen species in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Almonertinib, a new third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is highly selective to EGFR T790M-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there is no available information on the form and molecular mechanism of Almonertinib-induced death in NSCLC cells. Herein, CCK-8 and colony formation assays, flow cytometry, electron microscopy, and western blots assay showed that Almonertinib inhibited NSCLC cells growth and proliferation by inducing apoptosis and autophagy which can be inhibited by a broad spectrum of caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk or autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. Importantly, Almonertinib-induced autophagy was cytoprotective in NSCLC cells, and the blockade of autophagy improved cell apoptosis. In addition, Almonertinib increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and clearance of ROS through pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) inhibited the decrease of cell viability, apoptosis and increase of LC3-II induced by Almonertinib. The results of Western blot showed that both EGFR activity and downstream signaling pathways were inhibited by Almonertinib. Taken together, these findings indicated that Almonertinib induced apoptosis and autophagy by promoting ROS production in NSCLC cells.

POS0788 CIRCULATING EXOSOMES PROMOTE LUPUS NEPHRITIS IN MRL-LPR MICE

Background:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease that characterized by the loss of self-tolerance and the production of autoantibodies (autoAbs) [1, 2]. Lupus nephritis (LN), the severe organ-threatening manifestations of SLE, could cause massive damage to patients[3, 4]. Currently, some exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are considered as potential biomarkers in SLE. However, the role of exosomal miRNAs in Lupus Nephritis (LN) remains unclear.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to investigate molecular mechanism of plasma exosomal miRNAs in the development of Lupus Nephritis.

Methods:

Circulating exosomes were isolated from plasma of patients with LN, SLE without LN (NLN). Plasma exosomes were authenticated by Western Blot, Nanosight Tracking Analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fluorescence microscopy of co-cultured plasma exosomes and podocytes demonstrated that exosomes were uptaken into podocytes. Moreover, cell apoptosis and the inflammation factors was assessed using Western Blot. We analyzed the expression profiles of miRNAs in LN and NLN exosomes and the expression profiles of mRNAs of podocytes stimulated with LN and NLN exosomes with the help of next generation sequencing (NGS).

Results:

We demonstrate that exosomes derived from LN plasma could be taken by neighboring podocytes and promote the apoptosis of podocytes and the expression of inflammation factors. In addition, the sequencing found that miRNAs were differentially expressed in LN and NLN exosomes and mRNAs were differentially expressed in podocytes stimulated with LN and NLN exosomes.

Conclusion:

LN plasma exosomes have a potency to stimulate the apoptosis of podocytes and the expression of inflammation factors. Moreover, differentially expressed miRNAs in exosomes play a potential role in the development of LN.

References:

[1]T. Colasanti, A. Maselli, F. Conti, M. Sanchez, C. Alessandri, C. Barbati, D. Vacirca, A. Tinari, F. Chiarotti, A. Giovannetti, F. Franconi, G. Valesini, W. Malorni, M. Pierdominici, E. Ortona, Autoantibodies to estrogen receptor α interfere with T lymphocyte homeostasis and are associated with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus, Arthritis and rheumatism, 64 (2012) 778-787.

[2]H.A. Al-Shobaili, A.A. Al Robaee, A.A. Alzolibani, Z. Rasheed, Antibodies against 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal modified epitopes recognized chromatin and its oxidized forms: role of chromatin, oxidized forms of chromatin and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal modified epitopes in the etiopathogenesis of SLE, Disease markers, 33 (2012) 19-34.

[3]A. Kaul, C. Gordon, M.K. Crow, Z. Touma, M.B. Urowitz, R. van Vollenhoven, G. Ruiz-Irastorza, G. Hughes, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Nat Rev Dis Primers, 2 (2016) 16039.

[4]M.G. Tektonidou, A. Dasgupta, M.M. Ward, Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease in Patients With Lupus Nephritis, 1971-2015: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis, Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.), 68 (2016) 1432-1441.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0401 THE APPLICATION OF MTX-LOADING DNA TETRAHEDRON IN TREATING COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS MICE VIA REGULATING MACROPHAGE

Background:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease which mainly affect joints. [1]. Macrophages often infiltrate in the inflammatory joints. Activated macrophages release TNF-α, IL-1β to accelerate tissue damage, is one of the most important targets for RA intervention. The traditional drugs currently used commonly have some disadvantages cannot be bypassed[2], while DNA nanostructure is a new type of drugs have precise design, and likewise takes biological effect together[3]. We synthesized a DNA tetrahedron loaded with MTX and conjugated with HA which targeted to macrophage.

Objectives:

To verify whether MTX-loading DNA tetrahedron can regulate the apoptosis and polarization of macrophage and finally improve the condition of CIA model mice by while decrease the side effect of MTX.

Methods:

DNA TET was synthesized by mixing signal strand DNA in TM buffer and heated to 95 °C for 10 min, then cooling to 4 °C. Electrophoresis was applied to confirm the formation of TET. The absorbance of MTX solution was detected by microplate reader to analyze the loading efficiency of MTX into TET. Fluorescence microscope was used to observe the intake of TET into cells. CCK8 experiment was applied to measure the vitality of cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and polarization. CIA model was established based on DBA/1 mice. Mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal group injected with NS; after established CIA model, CIA group injected with NS, MTX group injected with MTX solution, MTX-TET group injected with MTX-TET NP.

Results:

We synthesized DNA tetrahedron(A) and used 8% PAGE electrophoresis to confirmed the successfully synthesis(B). Then We found that when TET concentration fixed, the loading MTX concentration gradually increased and saturated at 190μM(C). While completely loading needed at least 4 hours(D). Fluorescence showed that single DNA strand cannot be taken by RAW, while TET can be easily taken by RAW(E). CCK8 showed that empty TET had no obvious effect on cells, while MTX and MTX-TET with equivalent concentration can obviously suppress the vitality(F). Similarly, the apoptosis trial showed that TET can slightly decrease the apoptosis of RAW, MTX and MTX-TET can significantly promote the apoptosis(G). Flow cytometry showed that the MTX-TET can decrease the expression of M1 marker CD80 (H).

At last, we treat mice with NS, TET, MTX and MTX-TET once a week after CIA model established, and found that TET have no significantly effect on mice, while MTX and MTX-TET can alleviate the inflammation symptom of paws(I).

Conclusion:

Conclusions: We synthesized MTX-loading DNA tetrahedron conjugated with HA, and found that the MTX-TET NP have the excellent ability of promote RAW apoptosis and relieve proinflammatory M1 polarization. while also can alleviate the symptom of CIA mice.

References:

[1]Aletaha D, Smolen JS: Diagnosis and Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review. JAMA 2018, 320(13):1360-1372.

[2]Smolen JS, Aletaha D, McInnes IB: Rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 2016, 388(10055):2023-2038.

[3]Hu Q, Li H, Wang L, Gu H, Fan C: DNA Nanotechnology-Enabled Drug Delivery Systems. Chem Rev 2019, 119(10):6459-6506.

Figure 1.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

OP0016 IDENTIFICATION OF FUNCTIONAL VARIANTS IN THE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ASSOCIATED JAZF1 LOCUS IN SYNOVIAL FIBROBLASTS

Background:

Over the past decade, genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified the JAZF1 locus as a risk locus for several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA)1. However, the exact causal variants in the JAZF1 locus and their underlying regulatory events contributing to RA are still not known. Here, we focus on the effect of these variants on gene expression in synovial fibroblasts (SF).

Objectives:

To characterize the functional consequences of RA-causal variants in the JAZF1 locus in SF.

Methods:

Genetic fine-mapping of RA loci was conducted by computing sets of credible variants driving GWAS signals. These credible variant sets were integrated with DNA architecture (ChIP-seq), 3D chromatin interactions (3C, HiC and capture HiC), DNA accessibility (ATAC-seq) and gene expression (RNA-seq and CAGE-seq) datasets to select putative RA-causal variants in SF. Selected variants in the JAZF1 locus were tested for regulatory function by luciferase reporter assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) in the fibrosarcoma cell line HT1080. The JASPAR2020 database was used to identify putative transcription factors (TF) binding to the selected variants. The expression of HOTTIP was measured by quantitative PCR in hand SF (n=23). Genotyping was done by pyrosequencing.

Results:

Genetic fine mapping revealed 47 variants in the JAZF1 locus. Integration of these variants with the chromatin datasets prioritized rs2158624, rs57585717 and rs186735625 as the top candidates (posterior probability of causality >0.1) in the JAZF1 locus. We found that rs2158624 and rs186735625 are located in the vicinity of enhancer elements in SF as determined by ATAC-seq. In addition, the region of rs2158624 exhibited strong chromatin interactions with the genomic region of HOTTIP and HOXA13. Both these transcripts were previously shown to be specifically expressed in SF isolated from hands and feet2. Based on this, we selected rs2158624 as the most promising candidate in the JAZF1 locus. We found that the rs2158624-C allele (risk) is associated with lower expression of HOTTIP, but not HOXA13, in hand SF compared to the rs2158624-T allele (non-risk) (p=0.02). Luciferase assays in HT1080 cells demonstrated enhancer activity with both the rs2158624-C allele (p=0.006) and T allele (p=0.04), with no significant difference in enhancer activity between the rs2158624-C and T allele. EMSAs identified stronger specific binding of HT1080-cell nuclear extract for the rs2158624-T allele than for the C allele (risk). Based on the JASPAR2020 database, we identified NFAT5 as a potential TF that can bind to rs2158624 and may regulate the expression of HOTTIP.

Conclusion:

We were able to substantially narrow down the potential functional variants in the JAZF1 locus using our data integration approach and functional assays. We suggest that the risk allele of rs2158624 influences the binding of TFs controlling the expression of the long non-coding RNA HOTTIP in SF, which might confer specific risk to develop RA in hands.

References:

[1]Okada Y et al. Genetic of rheumatoid arthritis contributes to biology and drug discovery. Nature 2014;506:376.

[2]Frank-Bertoncelj M et al. Epigenetically-driven anatomical diversity of synovial fibroblasts guides joint-specific fibroblast functions. Nat Commun 2017;8:14852.

Disclosure of Interests:

Miranda Houtman: None declared, Xiangyu Ge: None declared, Amanda McGovern: None declared, Kerstin Klein: None declared, Gisela Orozco: None declared, Mojca Frank Bertoncelj: None declared, Miriam Marks: None declared, Oliver Distler Speakers bureau: Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, iQone, Medscape, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer and Roche, Consultant of: Abbvie, Acceleron Pharma, Amgen, AnaMar, Arxx Therapeutics, Bayer, Baecon Discovery, Boehringer, CSL Behring, ChemomAb, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Galapagos NV, GSK, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Inventiva, Italfarmaco, iQvia, Kymera, Lilly, Medac, Medscape, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Roivant Sciences, Sanofi and UCB, Grant/research support from: Kymera Therapeutics and Mitsubishi Tanabe, Paul Martin: None declared, Stephen Eyre: None declared, Caroline Ospelt: None declared

[Pathway design and key enzyme analysis of diosgenin biosynthesis]

As a naturally occurring steroid sapogenin, diosgenin acts as the precursor of hundreds of steroid medicines, and thereby has important medicinal value. Currently, industrial production of diosgenin relies primarily on chemical extraction from plant materials. Clearly, this strategy shows drawbacks of excessive reliance on plant materials and farmland as well as environment pollution. Due to development of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, bio-production of diosgenin has garnered plenty of attention. Although the biosynthetic pathways of diosgenin have not been completely identified, in this review, we outline the identified biosynthetic pathways and key enzymes. In particular, we suggest heterologous biosynthesis of diosgenin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Overall, this review aims to provide valuable insights for future complete biosynthesis of diosgenin.

[Chaihu Guizhi decoction produces antidepressant-like effects via sirt1-p53 signaling pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism of the antidepressant-like effects of Chaihu Guizhi decoction (CGD).

OBJECTIVE

Chaihu Guizhi decoction at the daily dose of 17 g/kg and solvent vehicle were administered by gavage in 12 and 14 male C57BL/6J mice for 7 consecutive days, respectively. Forced swimming test (FST), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, open field test (OFT) and novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSF) were performed to assess the depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and motor ability of the mice. We further used chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and social interaction test to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of CGD in comparison with the solvent vehicle. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were performed to detect the expressions of sirt1, p53, acetylated p53, and the neuron plasticity-related genes including synapsin I (Syn1), Rab4B, SNAP25 and tubulin beta4b in the hippocampus of the mice.

OBJECTIVE

In FST, the immobility time of CGDtreated mice was decreased significantly (P < 0.05); no significant differences were found in the performances in EPM, NSF and OFT tests between the two groups. In social interaction test, the mouse models of CSDS treated with CGD showed significantly increased time in the interaction zone (P < 0.05). Compared with those in the vehicle group, the CGD-treated mouse models exhibited significantly increased protein level of SIRT1 and decreased p53 acetylation (P < 0.05) with up-regulated synapsin I mRNA expression in the hippocampus (P < 0.05); no significant difference were found in Rab (P=0.813), SNAP (P=0.820), or Tubb mRNA expressions (P=0.864) between the two groups.

OBJECTIVE

CGD produces antidepressant-like effects in mice possibly through the sirt1-p53 signaling pathway and synaptic plasticity.

Enhanced removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solution by surface modified activated carbon with bacteria

AIMS

The adsorption behaviour and mechanisms of the surface modified activated carbon with bacteria was evaluated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

16S rRNA was employed to identify the hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. The bacteria was characterized by TEM and electron microscope. The surface modified activated carbon with bacteria was characterized by SEM. The adsorption behaviour was tested by static adsorption and dynamic adsorption.

CONCLUSION

The adsorption efficiency of the modified activated carbon was high when pH was weak acidic, and the adsorption capacity increased with the increase of temperature ranging from 20 to 35°C. The adsorption capacity peaked at 234·6 mg g^-1 at 25°C, which was sixfold higher than that of activated carbon. The pseudo-first-order kinetic can more accurately assess Congo red adsorption on the two adsorbents. The adsorption of Congo red by bacteria surface modified activated carbon fitted well with the Langmuir's model. The adsorption process was endothermic, and the biological floccules were formed during the adsorption. The physical adsorption is the main driving force.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results indicate that the bacteria surface-modified activated carbon can be used effectively as an adsorbent to eliminate Congo red from aqueous solutions.

Molecular dynamics investigation of the interaction between Colletotrichum capsici cutinase and berberine suggested a mechanism for reduced enzyme activity

Berberine is a promising botanical pesticide against fungal plant pathogens. However, whether berberine inhibits the invasion of fungal pathogen across plant surface remains unclear. Here we demonstrated that the enzyme activities of purified cutinase from fungal pathogen Colletotrichum capsici were partially inhibited in presence of berberine toward different substrates. Molecular dynamics simulation results suggested the rigidity of cutinase was decreased with berberine added into the system. Interestingly, aggregations of berberine to the catalytic center of cutinase were observed, and stronger hydrophobic interactions were detected between key residue His 208 and berberine with concentrations of berberine increased. More importantly, this hydrophobic interaction conferred conformational change of the imidazole ring of His 208, which swung out of the catalytic center to an inactive mode. In summary, we provided the molecular mechanism of the effect of berberine on cutinase from C. capsici.

A comparison between raltitrexed plus cisplatin and docetaxel plus cisplatin in concurrent chemoradiation for non-surgical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is considered as a standard treatment for unresectable and inoperable esophageal cancer (EC) patients. However, no consensus has been reached regarding the optimal synchronous chemotherapy regimen and the best combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of raltitrexed plus cisplatin and docetaxel plus cisplatin to find a safe and effective concurrent chemotherapy schedule.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our retrospective study included 151 EC patients treated with raltitrexed and cisplatin (RP) (n=90) or docetaxel and cisplatin (DP) (n=61) from 2011 till 2018. Survival outcomes and treatment related toxicity were analyzed between the two groups.

RESULTS

PFS and OS were 18 and 34 months in the RP group, while 13 and 20 months in the DP group (P=0.118 and P=0.270). The 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rates of the RP group were 71.1, 55.4 and 46.4%. For the DP group, these were 63.9, 44.3 and 37.6%, respectively. Compared with DP group, RP group received a superior CR rate (68.9% versus 52.5%, P=0.041). There was a trend that the total number of toxic reactions in RP group was lower than that in DP group (P=0.058).

CONCLUSIONS

Even RP and DP groups have the similar survival outcomes and toxicity, raltitrexed/cisplatin get a higher complete response rate. Our study suggests that raltitrexed combined with cisplatin is a safe and effective concurrent chemotherapy regimen and it might be used as an alternative for cisplatin/5-FU and cisplatin/docetaxel in CCRT for EC patients.

Plasminogen improves lung lesions and hypoxemia in patients with COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Lungs from patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have shown typical signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), formation of hyaline membrane mainly composed of fibrin and 'ground-glass' opacity. Previously, we showed plasminogen itself is a key regulator in fibrin degradation, wound healing and infection.

AIM

We aimed to investigate whether plasminogen can improve lung lesions and hypoxemia of COVID-19.

DESIGN

Thirteen clinically moderate, severe or critical COVID-19 patients were treated with atomization inhalation of freeze-dried plasminogen.

METHODS

Levels of their lung lesions, oxygen saturation and heart rates were compared before and after treatment by computed tomography scanning images and patient monitor.

RESULTS

After plasminogen inhalation, conditions of lung lesions in five clinically moderate patients have quickly improved, shown as the decreased range and density of 'ground glass' opacity. Improvements of oxygen saturation were observed in six clinically severe patients. In the two patients with critical conditions, the oxygen levels have significantly increased from 79-82% to 91% just about 1 h after the first inhalation. In 8 of 13 patients, the heart rates had slowed down. For the five clinically moderate patients, the difference is even statistically significant. Furthermore, a general relief of chest tightness was observed.

CONCLUSION

Whereas it is reported that plasminogen is dramatically increased in adults with ARDS, this study suggests that additional plasminogen may be effective and efficient in treating lung lesions and hypoxemia during COVID-19 infections. Although further studies are needed, this study highlights a possible hope of efficiently combating this rapid epidemic emergency.

Overview of Alternaria alternata Membrane Proteins

Alternaria species are mainly saprophytic fungi, but some pathotypes of Alternaria alternata infect economically important plants including cereal crops, vegetables and fruits. Specially, A. alternata generates toxins which contaminate food and feed. To date, management of A. alternata relies primarily on fungicides. However, the control efficacy in most cases is below expectation due to ubiquity of A. alternata and resistance to fungicides. To mitigate resistance and develop long-lasting fungicides, uncovering multiple rather than single target is a prerequisite. Membrane proteins are potential targets of fungicides owing to wide participation in myriad biochemical events especially material transport, signal transduction and pathogenicity. However, so far, little is known about the distribution and molecular structure of A. alternata membrane proteins (AAMPs). Herein we summarize AAMPs by data mining and subsequent structure prediction. We also outline the state-of-the-art research advances of AAMPs especially those closely related to pathogenicity. Overall, this review aims to portray a picture of AAMPs and provide valuable insights for future development of highly efficient fungicides towards A. alternata or beyond.

Effect of reference region size on strain measurements using geometrical phase analysis

Geometrical phase analysis (GPA) is typically a powerful tool to investigate the deformation in high resolution transmission electron microscopy images and has been used in various fields. During GPA, strain components are calculated relative to an undistorted reference region. In the present work, the effect of reference region size on strain measurements has been investigated. Experimental measurements on a locally distorted gold nanoparticle exhibited that a small reference region below the GPA spatial resolution can introduce an inaccuracy in the measured displacement field, which appears as a significant increase in measured strains and severe fluctuation in phase images. The inaccuracy may be ascribed to an error of insufficient sampling. Our results suggest that a small reference region below the GPA spatial resolution should be avoided during GPA. This prerequisite should be paid more attention to during strain measurement on nanoparticles.

Integrated impedance bridge for absolute capacitance measurements at cryogenic temperatures and finite magnetic fields

We developed an impedance bridge that operates at cryogenic temperatures (down to 60 mK) and in perpendicular magnetic fields up to at least 12 T. This is achieved by mounting a GaAs HEMT amplifier perpendicular to a printed circuit board containing the device under test and thereby parallel to the magnetic field. The measured amplitude and phase of the output signal allows for the separation of the total impedance into an absolute capacitance and a resistance. Through a detailed noise characterization, we find that the best resolution is obtained when operating the HEMT amplifier at the highest gain. We obtained a resolution in the absolute capacitance of 6.4 aF/Hz at 77 K on a comb-drive actuator while maintaining a small excitation amplitude of 15 k_BT/e. We show the magnetic field functionality of our impedance bridge by measuring the quantum Hall plateaus of a top-gated hBN/graphene/hBN heterostructure at 60 mK with a probe signal of 12.8 k_BT/e.

Association of Fractional Flow on 3D-TOF-MRA with Cerebral Perfusion in Patients with MCA Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Fractional flow measured on 3D-TOF-MRA was proposed to quantify cerebral hemodynamic changes in patients with artery stenosis. We investigated the association between fractional flow and cerebral perfusion changes in patients with symptomatic MCA stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and all participants provided written informed consent. From June 2015 to May 2018, four hundred twenty-nine patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis were consecutively recruited and underwent conventional brain MR imaging, 3D-TOF-MRA, and brain CTP. A total of 91 patients with unilateral M1 segment stenosis of the MCA and a stenosis degree of 50%∼99% were included in the analysis. Fractional flow was measured by comparing distal and proximal signal intensity changes across the stenosis on 3D-TOF-MRA. The cutoff value for fractional flow for discriminating between normal perfusion and hypoperfusion was obtained from the receiver operating characteristic curve. Associations between fractional flow and hypoperfusion were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The receiver operating characteristic curve showed a significant fractional flow threshold value at 0.90 (sensitivity, 70.1%; 95% CI, 55.9%-81.2%; specificity, 69.6%; 95% CI, 47.6%-84.1%). Participants with a fractional flow of ≤0.90 were independently associated with cerebral hypoperfusion downstream from the stenosis site (adjusted OR, 3.68; 95% CI, 1.63-11.62; P = .027).

CONCLUSIONS

Fractional flow measured on 3D-TOF-MRA may serve as a noninvasive and practical tool for determining the cerebral hypoperfusion in patents with symptomatic MCA stenosis.

Co-production of 1,3-Propanediol and 2,3-Butanediol from Waste Lard by Co-cultivation of Pseudomonas alcaligenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae

The platform chemicals 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) and 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) are important raw materials for polyesters and biofuels. However, the biosynthesis of the compounds relies on massive consumption of glucose or glycerol, leading to the uneconomical production in industrial scale. In this work, we developed a new method for co-production of 1,3-PD and 2,3-BD from waste lard to reduce the cost in carbon source supply. A waste lard utilizing Pseudomonas alcaligenes PA-3 and a 1,3-PD producing Klebsiella pneumoniae AA405 were co-cultivated by using waste lard as the sole carbon source. In a shake flask, 1.05 g/L 1,3-PD and 0.35 g/L 2,3-BD were produced from waste lard within 24 h. The addition of nitrogen source significantly increased the relative ratio of K. pneumoniae AA405 in the medium, which further favored to the higher titers of the two products. In bioreactor, the co-cultivation system produced 5.98 g/L 1,3-PD and 4.29 g/L 2,3-BD from 100 g/L waste lard within 72 h, and the conversion rate of 1,3-PD and 2,3-BD from waste lard were 62.95% and 0.75%, respectively. In all, this is the first work on 1,3-PD and 2,3-BD production from waste triglyceride, which will favor the utilization of low-cost carbon source in industrial production of chemicals.

The KASH-containing isoform of Nesprin1 giant associates with ciliary rootlets of ependymal cells

Biallelic nonsense mutations of SYNE1 underlie a variable array of cerebellar and non-cerebellar pathologies of unknown molecular etiology. SYNE1 encodes multiple isoforms of Nesprin1 that associate with the nuclear envelope, with large cerebellar synapses and with ciliary rootlets of photoreceptors. Using two novel mouse models, we determined the expression pattern of Nesprin1 isoforms in the cerebellum whose integrity and functions are invariably affected by SYNE1 mutations. We further show that a giant isoform of Nesprin1 associates with the ciliary rootlets of ependymal cells that line brain ventricles and establish that this giant ciliary isoform of Nesprin1 harbors a KASH domain. Whereas cerebellar phenotypes are not recapitulated in Nes1g^STOP/STOP mice, these mice display a significant increase of ventricular volume. Together, these data fuel novel hypotheses about the molecular pathogenesis of SYNE1 mutations and support that KASH proteins may localize beyond the nuclear envelope in vivo.

The impact of isolated maternal hypothyroxinaemia on the incidence of large-for-gestational-age infants: the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether isolated maternal hypothyroxinaemia (IMH) is associated with risks of small/large-for-gestational-age (SGA/LGA) infants.

DESIGN

Population-based prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Ma'anshan Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinics, China.

POPULATION

Pregnant women with singleton births (n = 3178).

METHODS

Descriptive statistics were calculated for the demographic characteristics of the mothers and their newborns. Linear regression was applied to estimate the association between thyroid hormone levels and birthweight. Logistic regression was performed to calculate the association between IMH and SGA/LGA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcomes included SGA/LGA.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IMH, defined as a free thyroxine value (FT4) lower than the 2.5th percentile with normal thyroid stimulating hormone, was 2.5% (78/3080) and 2.5% (74/2999) in the first and second trimesters, respectively. Additionally, 306 (9.6%) and 524 (16.5%) infants were defined as SGA and LGA, respectively. No evidence supported the notion that IMH is associated with an increased risk for SGA in either the first [odds ratio (OR): 1.762, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.759-4.089] or the second (OR: 0.763, 95% CI: 0.231-2.516) trimester. However, an increased risk of LGA was observed among IMH women in the second trimester (OR: 2.088, 95% CI: 1.193-3.654). Maternal TPO-Ab positivity in the second trimester increased the risk of SGA (OR: 2.094, 95% CI: 1.333-3.290).

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that IMH is associated with LGA.

FUNDING

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81330068).

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Isolated maternal hypothyroxinaemia may increase the risk of large-for-gestational-age infants.

Isolation and characterization of a novel bacteriumPseudomonas aeruginosafor biofertilizer production from kitchen waste oil

Kitchen waste oil is composed of long chain triglycerides (LCTs) that has high energy density. However, it is hard to be degraded by microbes, thereby leading to increasing levels of environmental pollution due to landfill disposition. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA-3 that could convert kitchen waste oil into biofertilizer. PA-3 could survive on trilaurin or kitchen waste oil as the sole carbon source, and 10 g L⁻¹ trilaurin or kitchen waste oil was completely consumed within 7 days. Interestingly, the degradation products of kitchen waste oil can be used as biofertilizer in promoting cabbage growth. The plant height, leaf area and stem diameter of cabbage plants were all increased with the addition of kitchen waste oil cultivation products into the soil. Kitchen waste oil degradation products were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and short chain alcohols or fatty acids were observed to be the main products. To unravel the mechanism underlying the accelerated cabbage growth, bacterial diversity of the soil was investigated after using this biofertilizer. Results showed that agricultural probiotics accumulated with the addition of kitchen waste oil cultivation products. Finally, the whole genome of PA-3 was sequenced and analyzed, which showed the existence of a complete β-oxidation pathway in the genome of PA-3. To our knowledge, this is the first study on kitchen waste oil degradation and re-utilization by bacteria, which provides a new method for waste source re-utilization.

Kitchen waste oil is composed of long chain triglycerides (LCTs) that has high energy density.