[Identification of phosphatidic acid interacting proteins in Ganoderma lingzhi]

Ganoderma lingzhi is widely recognized as a medicinal basidiomycetes. Triterpene acids (TAs) are the key bioactive medicinal components of G. lingzhi. Our previous studies have shown that phospholipid acid (PA) produced by phospholipase D (PLD) plays a regulatory role in TA synthesis. In order to further elucidate the molecular mechanism how PA regulates TA synthesis in G. lingzhi, PA beads enrichment combined with LC-MS/MS technology was used to identify PA interacting proteins in G. lingzhi. A total of 19 PA interacting proteins were identified, including cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (GL22084), specific protein kinase MAPK (GL23765), catalase and cell surface hydrophobicity-associated protein. GST tagged GL22084 and GL23765 proteins were obtained through gene cloning, heterologous expression, and purification. The interactions between GL22084/GL23765 and PA were verified by GST pull down assay. The identification of PA interacting proteins provides a basis for further understanding the molecular mechanism how PLD-mediated PA signaling molecules regulates the TA synthesis in G. lingzhi. Moreover, the PA interacting proteins identified in this study can also provide clues for the research of PLD/PA signaling pathway in other species.

Mutagenicity, health risk, and disease burden of exposure to organic micropollutants in water from a drinking water treatment plant in the Yangtze River Delta, China

A wide variety of organic micropollutants in drinking water pose a serious threat to human health. This study was aimed to reveal the characteristics of organic micropollution profiles in water from a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) in the Yangtze River Delta, China and investigate the mutagenicity, health risk and disease burden through mixed exposure to micropollutants in water. The presence of organic micropollutants in seven categories in organic extracts (OEs) of water from the DWTP was determined, and Ames test was conducted to test the mutagenic effect of OEs. Meanwhile, health risk of exposure to organic micropollutants in finished water through three exposure routes (ingestion, dermal absorption and inhalation) was assessed with the method proposed by U.S. EPA, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were combined to estimate the disease burden of cancer based on the carcinogenic risk (CR) assessment. The results showed that 28 organic micropollutants were detected in the raw and finished water at total concentrations of 967.28 ng/L and 1073.45 ng/L, respectively, of which phthalate esters (PAEs) were the dominant category (95.79% in the raw water and 96.61% in the finished water). Although the results of the Ames test for OEs were negative and the non-carcinogenic hazard index of the organic micropollutants in the finished water was less than 1 in all age groups, the total CR was 2.17 × 10^-5, higher than the negligible risk level (1.00 × 10^-6). The total DALYs caused by the organic micropollutants in the finished water was 2945.59 person-years, and the average individual DALYs was 2.21 × 10^-6 per person-year (ppy), which was 2.21 times the reference risk level (1.00 × 10^-6 ppy) defined by the WHO. Exposure to nitrosamines (NAms) was the major contributor to the total CR (92.06%) and average individual DALYs (94.58%). This study demonstrated that despite the negative result of the mutagenicity test with TA98 and TA100 strains, the health risk of exposure to organic micropollutants in drinking water should not be neglected.

P Doping Promotes the Spontaneous Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Water Splitting in Isomorphic Type II GaSe/InS Heterostructure

The development and design of clean and efficient water splitting photocatalysts is important for the current situation of energy shortage and environmental pollution. A new type of isomorphic GaSe/InS heterostructure is constructed, and the optoelectronic properties were studied through first-principles calculations. The results show that GaSe/InS vdW heterostructure is a type II semiconductor with a band gap of 2.09 eV. However, through the analysis of the energy band edge position and Gibbs free energy change of water splitting, it is found that the GaSe/InS heterostructure is difficult to undergo overall water splitting. Therefore, nonmetallic element P doping is considered, the established P-doped GaSe/InS (P-GaSe/InS) heterostructure could maintain the type II band arrangement, and under acidic conditions, P-GaSe/InS heterostructure could spontaneously undergo overall water splitting thermodynamically. Furthermore, the low exciton binding energy of P-GaSe/InS heterostructure highlights better light absorption performance. Therefore, these findings indicate that P-GaSe/InS heterostructure is a promising photocatalyst in overall water splitting.

[Study on the assignment method of intensity modulated radiotherapy plan for nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on MR images]

Objective: To discuss the influence of different computed tomography (CT) value assignment methods on dose calculation of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan which designed for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the value assignment methods of IMRT plan for NPC based on magnetic resonance (MR) images. Methods: Simulation CT and MR image of 32 NPC patients in Shandong Cancer Hospital from March 2018 to November 2018 were selected for this study. Populate CT values were obtained by contouring and analyzing the simulation CT of patients' tissue, including bone, air, brain, eyeball, optic-nerve, lens, parotid, masseter, skin. Pseudo-CT were generated by different CT value assignment methods: CT1: CT value of all tissues was set to 0HU; CT2: CT value of air cavity was set to populate CT value based on CT1; CT3: CT value of Bone was set to populate CT value based on CT2; CT4: CT value of each soft tissue were set to populate CT value based on CT3. The IMRT plan for NPC as Plan0 was designed base on simulation CT. Then Plan0 was transplanted to four pseudo-CT to recalculate the dose and obtain Plan1, Plan2, Plan3 and Plan4, the differences of dosimetric parameters were compared with Plan0. NPC-IMRT plan was designed base on MR images by using the assignment method with CT value of each tissue were set to populate CT value. Results: In the head and neck CT images, the average populate CT values of bone and cavity were 621 HU and -720 HU, respectively. The populate CT values of other soft tissue ranges from -20 HU to 70 HU. The differences of dosimetric indexes of Plan1, Plan2, Plan3, Plan4 decreased sequentially compare to Plan0, the difference of the dosimetry parameters of Plan4 and Plan0 was the smallest. The differences of PTV D(99), PTV D(95), isocenter dose, D(mean) of all tissues, D(max) of bilateral eye balls, D(max) of bilateral lens, D(max) of bilateral optic nerves, D(mean) of bilateral parotid, V(20) of bilateral parotid, D(50) of bilateral parotid, D(max) of spinal cord, D(max) of brainstem, D(5) of brainstem between Plan4 and Plan0 were all less than 1%. The difference of V(30) in bilateral parotid between Plan4 and Plan0 was less than 1.5%. In the comparison of the pixel dose distribution, the regions of dose distribution difference greater than 1% mainly distributed in the air cavity, bone periphery and the skin. The target area of the IMRT plan for NPC based on MR images met 95% of the prescribed dose, and the dose of each organ at risk was within the dose limit. Conclusions: The assignment method of each tissue and organs set to populate CT value compared with other methods has the least influence on the dose calculation of NPC-IMRT plan, which could meet the clinical requirements. Therefore, it should be the first choice of assignment method when designing NPC-IMRT plan based on MR image.

A single point mutation in the hyaC gene affects Pasteurella multocida serovar A capsule production and virulence

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is a Gram-negative bacterium which causes diseases in poultry, livestock, and humans, resulting in huge economic losses. P. multocida serovar A CQ6 (PmCQ6) is a naturally occurring attenuated strain with a thin capsule. Thus, we aimed to explore why this strain is less virulent and produces less capsule compared with P. multocida serovar A strain CQ2 (PmCQ2). Analysis of capsular polysaccharide synthesis genes in PmCQ6 revealed that, compared with PmCQ2, there was only a single point mutation in the initiation codon sequence of the hyaC gene. To test whether this point mutation caused capsular deficiency and reduced virulence, we rescued this hyaC mutation and observed a restoration of capsule production and higher virulence. Transcriptome analysis showed that the hyaC point mutation led to a downregulation of capsule synthesis and/or iron utilization related-genes. Taken together, the results indicate that the start codon mutation of hyaC is an important factor affecting the capsule synthesis and virulence of PmCQ6.

Long non-coding RNAs: Emerging roles in periodontitis

Periodontitis is a major burden of public health, affecting 20%-50% of the global population. It is a complex inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of supporting structures of the teeth, leading to tooth loss and the emergence or worsening of systematic diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiopathology of periodontitis is beneficial for targeted therapeutics. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), transcripts made up of more than 200 nucleotides, have emerged as novel regulators of many biological and pathological processes. Recently, an increasing number of dysregulated lncRNAs have been found to be implicated in periodontitis. In this review, an overview of lncRNAs, including their biogenesis, characteristics, function mechanisms and research approaches, is provided. And we summarize recent research reports on the emerging roles of lncRNAs in regulating proliferation, apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and osteogenesis of periodontal cells to elucidate lncRNAs related physiopathology of periodontitis. Furthermore, we have highlighted the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs in periodontitis pathology by interacting with microRNAs. Finally, the potential clinical applications, current challenges, and prospects of lncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for periodontitis disease are discussed.

[Comparison of the post-operative analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block combined with pectoral nerves block Ⅰ and thoracic paravertebral block in radical mastectomy]

Objective: To investigate the serratus anterior plane block combined with pectoral nerves block I can produce a non-inferior analgesic effect compared with thoracic paravertebral block for radical mastectomy. Methods: From October 2020 to February 2021, Sixty-four patients of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University scheduled for radical mastectomy with general anesthesia,were divided into two groups (n = 32 each) using a random number table method: thoracic paravertebral block group (TPVB group) and serratus anterior plane block combined with pectoral nerves block I group (S&P group). All patients received patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) postoperatively. The numerical rating scale (NRS) at post anesthesia care unit (PACU), 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 h after operation were compared between the two groups. Sufentanil cumulative dosage of PCIA in 24 h and 48 h, first press time after operation, total press times, the dosage of propofol, remifentanil and vasoactive drugs during operation, intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate, the operation time of block and adverse effects were all compared. Non-inferiority could be claimed if the difference of sufentanil cumulative dosage in 24 h between S&P group and TPVB group is higher than the negative value (-3.8) of the non-inferiority effect. Results: There was no significant difference in postoperative NRS at PACU, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 h after operation, first press time after operation, total press times, propofol and remifentanil dosage, sufentanil cumulative dosage of PCIA in 24 h and 48 h, and adverse effects (all P>0.05). The sufentanil cumulative dosage of PCIA in 24 h of S&P group and of TPVB group were (15.8±4.7) μg and (15.2±3.2) μg. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference between S&P group and of TPVB group was -1.478 to 2.694, and the lower limit was greater than non-inferiority margin -3.8. The mean arterial pressure of TPVB patients after induction and at the beginning of the operation were (63±7) mmHg and (70±7) mmHg, which were significantly lower than the (77±5) mmHg and (79±8) mmHg at the same time in the combination group (both P<0.05). The frequency of vasoactive drugs usage in TPVB group was 56.3%, which was statistically significant higher than the 18.8% in S&P group (P<0.01). Nerve block time in TPVB group was 10 (9, 11) min, which was significantly longer than 8 (6, 10) min in S&P group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The serratus anterior block combined with pectoral nerves block I can produce a non-inferior analgesic effect compared with thoracic paravertebral block for radical mastectomy, and the intraoperative hemodynamics is more stable and the block time is shorter than that of thoracic paravertebral block for radical mastectomy.

Atmospheric pressure plasma treatment induces abscisic acid production, reduces stomatal aperture and improves seedling growth in Arabidopsis thaliana

Cold atmospheric pressure plasmas (CAPPs) have been widely used for pre-sowing treatment in agriculture to accelerate seed germination; however, information on their application to pre-transplant seedlings is scarce. The roles of the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) on guard cell aperture that control air exchange with the environment were investigated after CAPPs treatment. In this study, Arabidopsis thaliana seedling growth was evaluated under CAPPs treatment at different doses. Besides, the optimal growth stimulation dose was selected to further evaluate changes in ABA, ROS, Ca²⁺ and stomatal aperture during growth .The expression of most ABA signalling genes were aslo examined to investigate the mechanism. CAPPs treatment for 1 min significantly promoted Arabidopsis seedling growth; the ABA concentration in seedlings increased and peaked 48 h after treatment but was lower than in the control after 96 h. Transcript levels of most ABA signalling genes were markedly enhanced at 48 h, although their transcripts were significantly downregulated after 96 h. CAPPs treatment also reduced stomatal aperture after 24 h and accelerated ROS accumulation in guard cells. The Ca²⁺ concentration in the treatment group was markedly higher than in the control at 24 and 96 h. The results suggest that CAPPs treatment accelerates ABA accumulation in Arabidopsis at early growth stages and ABA regulates ROS and Ca²⁺ concentrations to affect stomatal aperture, and both ABA and stoma size are affected in CAPPs stimulation of Arabidopsis seedling growth.

Efficacy of annual zoledronic acid in initial percutaneous kyphoplasty patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a 3-year follow-up study

This study investigated the efficacy of annual zoledronic acid (ZOL) administration against previously treated recompression vertebral fractures (RVF) and new vertebral fractures (NVF) in initial percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) over a 3-year follow-up period.

INTRODUCTION

Although PKP achieves a satisfactory outcome, previously treated RVF and NVF can limit its effectiveness. The annual infusion of ZOL over 3 years can improve fracture protection, particularly in the vertebrae. We hypothesized that ZOL can reduce the incidence of RVFs and/or NVFs, and improve the clinical outcomes of PKP.

METHODS

This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind prospective trial of 154 PKP patients (mean age: 70 years) with OVCFs. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a single infusion of ZOL (5 mg) or placebo (78 ZOL vs. 76 placebo) at 1 week, 12 months, and 24 months after surgery. Patients were followed-up for 36 months.

RESULTS

ZOL treatment lowered the risk of RVF by ~ 65% over the 36-month period when compared to placebo controls (6.41% in ZOL vs. 18.42% in placebo groups; relative risk, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.92). ZOL also reduced the risk of NVF by ~ 73% (3.85% in ZOL vs. 14.47% in placebo groups; relative risk, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.92). ZOL also significantly reduced the vertebral height lost rate (HLR) at 12, 24, and 36 months. ZOL also improved the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, and bone mineral density (BMD).

CONCLUSION

Annual ZOL administration significantly lowers the risk of RVFs and NVFs, improving the clinical outcome of initial PKP in patients with OVCFs over a 3-year follow-up period.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2000029307.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the effect of high-grain pelleted and non-pelleted diets on ruminal epithelium of Hu-lamb

High-grain non-pelleted (HG) and high-grain pelleted (HP) diets are becoming prevalent for ruminant feeding in intensive farms. However, rare information is about their effect on sheep and the comparison between these two kinds of diets. The current study investigated how HG and HP diets affected the transcriptome profiles of rumen epithelium in Hu-lamb. Fifteen male Hu-lambs were assigned randomly to three groups (n = 5 for each group). Lambs in the control (CON), HG, and HP groups were fed with low-grain non-pelleted diet (30% grain), HG diet (70% grain), and HP diet (70% grain), respectively, for 42 days. All these lambs were slaughtered to collect ruminal epithelium samples for transcriptome analysis. Results showed both HG and HP diets obviously changed the transcriptome profiles, and 192, 319, and three differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified for CON_HG, CON_HP, and HG_HP comparisons, respectively. Clusters of orthologous group functional classification of CON_HG and CON_HP DEG datasets both showed the enrichments of DEGs in pathways involved in protein biogenesis and modification as well as energy production and conversion. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analysis of CON_HG and CON_HP DEG datasets both displayed the enrichments of DEGs in ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation. Almost all these DEGs involved in translation and ribosomal structure and biogenesis as well as oxidative phosphorylation were downregulated in the HG and HP groups compared to the CON group. Furthermore, CON_HP comparison demonstrated more DEGs related to these two pathways than CON_HG comparison. In conclusion, both HG and HP diets inhibited energy production and conversion as well as protein synthesis and modification in ruminal epithelium. HP diet showed lower growth benefits, induced severer rumen acidosis, and more seriously inhibited energy production and protein synthesis as compared to HG diet.

Spontaneous Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Water Splitting on Novel Type-II GaSe/CN and Ga2SSe/CN vdW Heterostructures

With the aggravation of environmental pollution and the energy crisis, it is particularly important to develop and design environment-friendly and efficient spontaneous enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalysts for water splitting. Herein novel type-II van der Waals (vdW) GaSe/CN and Ga₂SSe/CN heterostructures are proposed through first-principles calculations. Their electronic properties and photocatalytic performance are theoretically analyzed. In particular, their appropriate band gap and band-edge position meet the requirements of the oxygen evolution reaction, and the reaction is thermodynamically feasible in most pH ranges. The unique band alignment of these heterostructured photocatalysts leads to high solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiencies up to 15.11%, which has a good commercial application prospect. More excitingly, with the application of 2% biaxial strain, the smooth progress of the water-splitting reaction of the GaSe/CN and Ga₂SSe/CN heterostructures can still be maintained, and the carrier mobility and optical absorption characteristics can be effectively improved. Consequently, these findings suggest that the GaSe/CN and Ga₂SSe/CN vdW heterostructures have promising potentials as photocatalysts for water splitting. This work may provide a promising clue for the design of efficient and stable photocatalytic water-splitting catalysts under visible spectroscopy.

[Risk factors for mortality in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support]

Objective: To explore the risk factors for mortality in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Methods: Clinical data of 109 patients with severe PARDS supported by ECMO, who were hospitalized in 6 ECMO centers in China from September 2012 to February 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into survival group and death group according to the prognosis. Chi-square test and rank sum test were used to compare the variables between the two groups, including the demographic data, laboratory examination results, clinical data before and after ECMO, and other supportive treatment. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression models were used to analyze the prognostic risk factors. Results: In these 109 cases, 54 died and 55 survived. Compared with the survival group, the death group had higher incidences of acute kidney injury (AKI) (48.1% (26/54) vs. 21.8% (12/55), χ²=8.318, P=0.004) and coagulation dysfunction (22.2% (12/54) vs. 7.3% (4/55), χ²=4.862, P=0.027), and higher rate of renal replacement therapy (48.1% (26/54) vs. 21.8% (12/55), χ²=9.694, P=0.008) during ECMO support. Logistic regression analysis showed that continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and AKI were independent risk factors for death in patients with severe PARDS requiring ECMO support (HR=3.88,95%CI 1.04-14.52, HR=4.84,95%CI 1.21-19.46, both P<0.05). Conclusion: AKI and CRRT are independent risk factors for predicting mortality in patients with severe PARDS requiring ECMO support.

A supersonic laser ablation beam source with narrow velocity spreads

A supersonic beam source for SrF and BaF molecules is constructed by combining the expansion of carrier gas (a mixture of 2% SF₆ and 98% argon) from an Even-Lavie valve with laser ablation of a barium/strontium metal target at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. Molecular beams with a narrow translational velocity spread are produced at relative values of Δv/v = 0.053(11) and 0.054(9) for SrF and BaF, respectively. The relative velocity spread of the beams produced in our source is lower in comparison with the results from other metal fluoride beams produced in supersonic laser ablation sources. The rotational temperature of BaF is measured to be 3.5 K. The source produces 6 × 10⁸ and 10⁷ molecules per steradian per pulse in the X²Σ⁺ (ν = 0, N = 1) state of BaF and SrF molecules, respectively, a state amenable to Stark deceleration and laser cooling.

[Role of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in liver lipid metabolism induced by methionine-choline-deficient diet in rats]

Objective: To investigate the role of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1.25(OH) (2)D(3)] in liver lipid metabolism so as to provide the clues for elucidating the mechanism of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Methods: 26 SD rats were randomly divided into control group (methionine-choline-sufficient diet, MCS), model group (methionine-choline-deficiency diet, MCD) and intervention group [MCD+1.25(OH) (2)D(3)]. The intervention, control, and model group was given 3 ng/100 g 1.25(OH) (2)D(3) peanut oil solution per day by gavage according to body mass. After 4 weeks the experiment was ended up, and the blood was collected from the inferior vena cava to detect alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The liver tissue was collected to observe the liver morphological and pathological changes (oil red O and HE staining). The changes in the level of liver total triglyceride (TG) content and liver lipid metabolism-related genes [fatty acid transfer protein (FAT/CD36), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC1)] mRNA and protein were detected. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the means between groups. Results: Oil red O staining and HE staining showed that lipid droplet-vacuoles were significantly increased in the liver tissue of the model group than that of the intervention group. The liver TG content (2.23 ± 0.98) μmol/g of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the model group (3.53 ± 1.06) μmol/g (F = 5.930, P = 0.035). The ALT content of the intervention group (35.99±9.54) U/L was significantly lower than that of the model group (57.65 ± 19.42) U/L (F = 13.790, P = 0.034). The AST content of the intervention group (16.9 ± 3.73) U/L was significantly lower than that of the model group (27.81 ± 13.31) U/L (F = 3.084, P = 0.046). The relative expression levels of mRNA and protein (mRNA: 1.21 ± 0.61, protein: 1.54 ± 0.75) of FAT/CD36 in the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the model group (mRNA: 2.31 ± 0.81, protein: 2.83 ± 1.42) (mRNA: F = 8.370, P = 0.001, protein: F = 7.212, P = 0.043). The relative expression level of mRNA and protein of ACC1 (mRNA: 0.89 ± 0.54, protein: 0.28 ± 0.11) were also significantly lower than those in model group (mRNA: 1.39 ± 0.19, protein: 0.47 ± 0.24) (mRNA: F = 3.948, P = 0.036, protein: F = 10.933, P = 0.048). Conclusion: 1.25(OH) (2)D(3) can reduce liver fat deposition in rats fed with MCD by inhibiting the expression of fat / CD36 and ACC1.