Continuous selenite biotransformation and biofuel production by marine diatom in the presence of fulvic acid

In this study, the biochemical response of Phaeodactylum tricornutum to varying concentrations of inorganic selenium (Se) was investigated. It was observed that, when combined with fulvic acid, P. tricornutum exhibited enhanced uptake and biotransformation of inorganic Se, as well as increased microalgal lipid biosynthesis. Notably, when subjected to moderate (5 and 10 mg/L) and high (20 and 40 mg/L) concentrations of selenite under fulvic acid treatment, there was a discernible redirection of carbon flux towards lipogenesis and protein biosynthesis from carbohydrates. In addition, the key parameters of microalgae-based biofuels aligned with the necessary criteria outlined in biofuel regulations. Furthermore, the Se removal capabilities of P. tricornutum, assisted by fulvic acid, were coupled with the accumulation of substantial amounts of organic Se, specifically SeCys. These findings present a viable and successful approach to establish a microalgae-based system for Se uptake and biotransformation.

Effect of acute cadmium exposure on oxidative stress and antioxidant system of the scallop Aequipecten tehuelchus

This study aimed to assess the impact of acute exposure (96 h) to Cd in gills, digestive gland and muscle of the Tehuelche scallop Aequipecten tehuelchus from San José gulf in Patagonia, Argentina. Scallops were exposed to Cd concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 100, 150, 204, 275, 371, and 500 μg/L, and mortality rates were recorded after 96 h of exposure. Surviving organisms were analyzed for the biochemical response through reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), metallothioneins (MT), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and liposoluble antioxidants α-tocopherol (α-T) and β-carotene (β-C). The mean lethal concentration (LC50) was 155.8 μg Cd/L, a lower value than other scallops' species, showing that A. tehuelchus has a particular sensitivity to Cd. In the three tissues, at all exposure concentrations, there was no significant response in RONS levels, GST activity or LPO. Nevertheless, CAT activity and α-T levels decreased in the gills but increased in the digestive gland, with no significant response in the muscle. Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between Cd concentration and tissue on MT, which increased significantly in gills, decreased in digestive gland with 100 compared to 50 μg Cd/L; whereas in muscle a significant increase was observed with 25 μg Cd/L compared to control. The results show a significant effect of Cd in scallop's gills on CAT activity and α-T levels, highlighting this tissue as the primary target against relevant concentrations of metal in seawater. The effect on digestive gland and muscle was minimal. The overall results suggest that Cd toxicity is tissue-specific. This study will help reduce the existence knowledge gap regarding potential impacts of acute exposure to Cd in a bivalve species with high ecological and commercial importance, as well as identifying the most responsive biomarkers associated with Cd stress for monitoring assessment.

Rice foliar-adapted Pantoea species: Promising microbial biostimulants enhancing rice resilience against foliar pathogens, Magnaporthe oryzae and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

Foliar fungal blast and bacterial leaf blight have significant impacts on rice production, and their management through host resistance and agrochemicals has proven inadequate. To achieve their sustainable management, innovative approaches like leveraging the foliar microbiome, which collaborates with plants and competes against pathogens, are essential. In our study, we isolated three Pantoea strains (P. agglomerans Os-Ep-PPA-1b, P. vagans Os-Ep-PPA-3b, and P. deleyi Os-Ep-VPA-9a) from the rice phylloplane. These isolates exhibited antimicrobial action through their metabolome and volatilome, while also promoting rice growth. Our analysis, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), revealed the presence of various antimicrobial compounds such as esters and fatty acids produced by these Pantoea isolates. Inoculating rice seedlings with P. agglomerans and P. vagans led to increased root and shoot growth. Additionally, bacterized seedlings displayed enhanced immunocompetence, as evidenced by upregulated expressions of defense genes (OsEDS1, OsFLS2, OsPDF2.2, OsACO4, OsICS OsPR1a, OsNPR1.3, OsPAD4, OsCERK1.1), along with heightened activities of defense enzymes like Polyphenol Oxidase and Peroxidase. These plants also exhibited elevated levels of total phenols. In field trials, the Pantoea isolates contributed to improved plant growth, exemplified by increased flag-leaf length, panicle number, and grains per panicle, while simultaneously reducing the incidence of chaffy grains. Hypersensitivity assays performed on a model plant, tobacco, confirmed the non-pathogenic nature of these Pantoea isolates. In summary, our study underscores the potential of Pantoea bacteria in combatting rice foliar diseases. Coupled with their remarkable growth-promoting and biostimulant capabilities, these findings position Pantoea as promising agents for enhancing rice cultivation.

[Response to Primary Biliary Cholangitis Treatment: Influencing Factors and the Role in Prognosis Prediction]

Objective

To examine the influencing factors and prognostic features of poor response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients with dyslipidemia.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted, covering 512 patients who had a confirmed diagnosis of PBC, and who received treatment at West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 2009 and March 2022. According to their actual response to UDCA treatment, patients were divided into two groups, UDCA full-response group ( n=305) and UDCA non-responding group ( n=207). The data from the two groups were compared to predict the adverse factors influencing patient response and the area under the curve ( AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, identify the cut-off value of total cholesterol (TC), and analyze the differences in baseline laboratory test findings and the rate of responses to treatment. According to the TC cut-off value, patients were divided into a group with TC≥5.415 mmol/L and another group with TC<5.415 mmol/L. In addition, differences in the prognosis of the two groups were assessed by comparing the UK-PBC and GLOBE scores.

Results

The baseline data, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), triglycerides (TG), TC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), were significantly increased in the UDCA non-responding group compared to those in the full-response group (all P<0.005), while the albumin level of the UDCA non-responding group was decreased compared to that of the full-response group ( P=0.012). Findings of multi-factor logistic regression analysis suggested that TC (odds ratio [ OR]=1.501, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.275-1.767, P<0.01) and ALP ( OR=1.005, 95% CI: 1.003-1.006, P<0.01) were independent risk factors influencing patient response. The ROC curve analysis suggested worse prognosis for patients with TC≥5.415 mmol/L ( AUC: 0.727, 95% CI: 0.680-0.775, 63.8% sensitivity, 76.4% specificity). In addition, the UK-PBC risk score at 1 year of treatment was higher in the high-TC group (TC≥5.415 mmol/L) than that in the low-TC group (TC<5.415 mmol/L) ( P<0.05).

Conclusions

Hypercholesterolemia is an independent risk factor for poor response to UDCA in PBC patients. When the baseline TC is equal to or higher than 5.415 mmol/L, PBC patients have a relatively poor response to UDCA and poor prognosis.

Mid-term oncologic outcomes of radical prostatectomy in lymph node metastatic prostate cancer patients

OBJECTIVES

Lymph node invasion (LNI) has been reported in 10-15% of pelvic lymph node dissection during radical prostatectomy (RP). The objective of this study was to describe the mid-term oncological outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa) patients with metastatic lymph node.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study at two French referral centers including consecutive cN0 PCa patients who underwent RP and extended pelvic lymph node dissection and had lymph node metastases on final pathological analysis (pN1) between January 2000 and May 2020. Follow-up was per institution, which generally included a PSA level measurement every 3 to 12 months for 5 years and annually thereafter.

RESULTS

A total of 123 patients were included: two (1.6%) low-risk, 64 (52%) intermediate-risk and 57 (46.4%) high-risk PCa according to the D'Amico risk classification. The median number of nodes removed and metastatic nodes per patient was 15 (IQR 11-22) and 1 (IQR 1-2), respectively. Adverse pathological features, i.e., ≥pT3a stage, ISUP grade ≥3, and positive surgical margins were reported in 113 (91.9%), 103 (83.7%), and 73 (59%) of cases, respectively. Postoperative treatment was administered in 104 patients, including radiotherapy alone (n=6), androgen deprivation therapy alone (n=27) or combination with androgen deprivation therapy and radiotherapy (n=71). The mean follow-up was 42.7 months. The estimated 3-year biochemical-free survival, clinical recurrence-free survival, and cancer-specific survival was 66% and 85% and 98.8%, respectively. In Cox regression analysis, the number of metastatic nodes was associated with clinical recurrence (P=0.04) and a persistently elevated PSA with biochemical recurrence (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The management of lymph node metastatic PCa patients is challenging. Risk stratification of node-positive patients, based on postoperative PSA levels and pathologic features being identified, should help physicians determine which patient would best benefit from multimodal treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Contrasting effects of experiencing temporally heterogeneous light availability versus homogenous shading on plant subsequent responses to light conditions

Temporally heterogeneous environments is hypothesized to correlate with greater plasticity of plants, which has rarely been supported by direct evidence. To address this issue, we subjected three species from different ranges of habitats to a first round of alternating full light and heavy shading (temporally heterogeneous light experience), constant moderate shading and full light conditions (temporally homogeneous light experiences, control) and a second round of light-gradient treatments. We measured plant performance in a series of morphological, biomass, physiological and biochemical traits at the end of each round. Compared to constant full light experience, temporally heterogeneous light conditions induced immediate active biochemical responses (in the first round) with improved late growth in biomass (during the second round); constant moderate shading experience increased photosynthetic physiological and biomass performances of plants in early response, and decreased their late growth in biomass. The karst endemic species of Kmeria septentrionalis showed greater improvement in late growth of biomass and lower decrease in biochemical performance, due to early heterogeneous experience, compared to the non-karst species of Lithocarpus glaber and the karst adaptable species of Celtis sinensis. Results suggested plants will prefer to produce morphological and physiological responses that are less reversible and more costly in the face of more reliable environmental cues at early stage in spite of decreased future growth potential, but to produce immediate biochemical responses for higher late growth potential when early environmental cues are less reliable, to avoid the loss of high costs and low profits. Typical karst species should be more able to benefit from early temporally heterogeneous experience, due to long-term adaptation to karst habitats of high environmental heterogeneity and low resource availability.

Feeding behavior, microcystin accumulation, biochemical response, and ultramicrostructure changes in edible freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea exposed to Microcystis aeruginosa

As filter-feeders, bivalves naturally come into direct contact with microcystins (MCs) in eutrophic water bodies suffering from cyanobacteria blooms. To date, however, no studies have quantified the dynamics of microcystin accumulation and depuration in the edible freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea when exposed to dense bloom concentrations of Microcystis aeruginosa, while considering dynamic changes of biochemical indexes and feeding structure. In the present study, the bioaccumulation and detoxification of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) in C. fluminea were investigated. Our results showed that C. fluminea would graze equally efficiently on green algae and M. aeruginosa, irrespective of whether the M. aeruginosa strains were toxic or non-toxic. MCs could be accumulated and depurated by C. fluminea efficiently. In addition, linear and exposure time-dependent MC-LR accumulation patterns were observed in C. fluminea. Activities of biotransformation (glutathione S-transferase, GST) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD, and catalase, CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in various tissues of treated clams were stimulated by MCs in a tissue-specific manner. Our findings indicated that C. fluminea hepatopancreas was the primary target organ for MC-LR detoxification processes, as evidenced by a significant increase in GST activity. Besides, gills and mantle were more sensitive than the other tissues to oxidative stress in the initial microcystin exposure period with a significant increase in SOD activity. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed that the lateral cilia in the gill aperture were well developed during the MCs exposure period, which could perform the filter-feeding function instead of the damaged frontal cilium. This study provides insight into the possible tolerance of C. fluminea exposed to dense bloom concentrations of M. aeruginosa.

Age, GH/IGF-1 levels, tumor volume, T2 hypointensity, and tumor subtype rather than proliferation and invasion are all reliable predictors of biochemical response to somatostatin analogue therapy in patients with acromegaly: A clinicopathological study

PURPOSE

To determine whether biochemical responses to long-acting forms of first-generation somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy in patients with acromegaly could be predicted from baseline and postoperative hormone concentrations, and tumor radiological and histopathological characteristics.

METHODS

A total of 68 patients with acromegaly for whom postoperative SSA therapy was started were categorized according to their responses to treatment (SSA-responders vs. non-responders). The patients were compared based on their demographic characteristics, hormone levels, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histopathological findings. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed using the predictive factors that were significant in the univariate analysis to determinate the optimal cut-off values.

RESULTS

The SSA-responders were significantly older (p = 0.041). Lower GH at diagnosis (p = 0.036), the postoperative 1st-week GH level (p = 0.027), baseline GH, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-1% upper limit of normal (ULN) (p = 0.001, p = 0.006, p = 0.023, respectively) were associated with biochemical response. T2-hypointensity and lower tumor volume were more common in the SSA-responders (p = 0.018, p = 0.03, respectively). Compared to sparsely granulated somatotroph tumors, densely granulated somatotroph tumors and other PitNETs causing GH excess including mammosomatotroph and mixed somatotroph and lactotroph tumors were more likely to respond to SSA therapy (p = 0.026, p = 0.03, respectively). The cut-off values generated by ROC curve analysis were GH at diagnosis of ≤8.8 ng/mL, GH at baseline of ≤2.69 ng/mL, IGF-1 at baseline ≤461.5 ng/mL, IGF-1% ULN at baseline ≤180.4%, and tumor volume of ≤1.11 cm³ (all p < 0.05). There were no differences between the groups in terms of tumor invasiveness, proliferative activity (mitotic count per 2 mm² and Ki-67 labeling index) and quantitative analyses of T2-weighted MRI.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores that advanced age, low baseline GH and IGF-1 at diagnosis, low tumor volume, densely granulated tumor subtype, and T2 hypointensity may help predict biochemical response to SSA therapy in cases of acromegaly. These variables should be assessed with utmost attention for all patients prior to SSA treatment. In cases of possible resistance to SSA therapy, therapeutic activity should be monitored more closely and other therapies should be administered immediately in the event of poor response.

Prediction and evaluation of high-risk patients with primary biliary cholangitis receiving ursodeoxycholic acid therapy: an early criterion

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Current treatment guidelines recommend ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as the first-line treatment for new-diagnosed primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients. However, up to 40% patients are insensitive to UDCA monotherapy, and evaluation of UDCA response at 12 months may result in long period of ineffective treatment. We aimed to develop a new criterion to reliably identify non-response patients much earlier.

METHODS

Five hundred sixty-nine patients with an average of 59 months (Median: 53; IQR:32-79) follow-up periods were randomly divided into either the training (70%) or the validation cohort (30%). The efficiency of different combinations of total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) threshold values to predict outcomes was assessed at 1, 3 or 6 month after the initiation of UDCA therapy. The endpoints were defined as adverse outcomes, including liver-related death, liver transplantation and complications of cirrhosis. Adverse outcome-free survival was compared using various published criteria and a proposed new criterion.

RESULTS

A new criterion of evaluating UDCA responses at 1 month was established as: ALP ≤ 2.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN) and AST ≤ 2 × ULN, and TBIL ≤ 1 × ULN (Xi'an criterion). The 5 year adverse outcome-free survival rate of UDCA responders, defined by Xi'an criterion, was 97%, which was significantly higher than that of those non-responders (64%). An accurate distinguishing high-risk patients' capacity of Xi'an criterion was confirmed in both early and late-stage PBC.

CONCLUSIONS

Xi'an criterion has a similar or even higher ability to distinguish high-risk PBC patients than other published criteria. Xi'an criterion can facilitate early identification of patients requiring new therapeutic approaches.

Effects of high temperature and nitrogen availability on the growth and composition of the marine diatom Chaetoceros pseudocurvisetus

The assimilation of inorganic nutrients by phytoplankton strongly depends on environmental conditions such as the availability of nitrogen and temperature, especially warming. The acclimation or adaptation of different species to such changes remains poorly understood. Here, we used a multimethod approach to study the viability and physiological and biochemical responses of the marine diatom Chaetoceros pseudocurvisetus to different temperatures (15, 25, and 30 °C) and different N:P ratios. Nitrogen limitation had a greater effect than high temperature on cell growth and reproduction, leading to a marked elongation of setae, decreased phosphorus assimilation, increased lipid accumulation, and decreased protein synthesis. The elongation of setae observed under these conditions may serve to increase the surface area available for the uptake of inorganic and/or organic nitrogen. In contrast, high temperatures (30 °C) had a stronger effect than nitrogen deficiency on cell death, nitrogen assimilation, chlorophyll a accumulation, the cessation of setae formation, and cell lipid remodelling. Significant changes in thylakoid lipids were observed in cells maintained at 30 °C, with increased levels of digalactosyldiacylglycerol and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol. These changes may be explained by the role of galactolipids in thylakoid membrane stabilization during heat stress.

Improving power in PSA response analyses of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer trials

BACKGROUND

To determine how much an augmented analysis approach could improve the efficiency of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response analyses in clinical practice. PSA response rates are commonly used outcome measures in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) trial reports. PSA response is evaluated by comparing continuous PSA data (e.g., change from baseline) to a threshold (e.g., 50% reduction). Consequently, information in the continuous data is discarded. Recent papers have proposed an augmented approach that retains the conventional response rate, but employs the continuous data to improve precision of estimation.

METHODS

A literature review identified published prostate cancer trials that included a waterfall plot of continuous PSA data. This continuous data was extracted to enable the conventional and augmented approaches to be compared.

RESULTS

Sixty-four articles, reporting results for 78 mCRPC treatment arms, were re-analysed. The median efficiency gain from using the augmented analysis, in terms of the implied increase to the sample size of the original study, was 103.2% (IQR [89.8,190.9%]).

CONCLUSIONS

Augmented PSA response analysis requires no additional data to be collected and can be performed easily using available software. It improves precision of estimation to a degree that is equivalent to a substantial sample size increase. The implication of this work is that prostate cancer trials using PSA response as a primary endpoint could be delivered with fewer participants and, therefore, more rapidly with reduced cost.

Alteration in biochemical constituents and nutrients partitioning of Asparagus racemosus in response to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration

Understanding the response of medicinal plants to elevated CO₂ concentrations is crucial to evaluate the climate change impacts on medicinal plant's productivity together with the accumulation of biochemical constituents counting nutrients wealth. The present study investigated the effect of elevated CO₂ concentrations (ambient-~400±4, 600±12, and 800±16 μmol CO₂ mol^-1) on the biochemical constituents (viz. chlorophyll, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, protein, total sugars, and carbon partitioning) and accumulation of mineral nutrients (viz. potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium) in different plant parts (viz. leaf, stem, and root) of Asparagus racemosus Willd., an endangered medicinal plant species. The results confirmed that the elevated CO₂ concentration significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced the leaves biochemical constituents, viz. chlorophyll, protein, total sugars, and carbon content while conversely diminishes the ascorbic acid content in leaf. The accumulation of nutrients especially potassium and magnesium were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved while it is reverse in case of phosphorus under the elevated CO₂ concentration. Moreover, elevated CO₂ notably altered protein, sugars, carbon, and nutrients partitioning in leaf, stem, and root tissues. This study will be helpful in anticipating the effect of rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration on medicinal and threatened plants and require further intensive studies to comprehend the effects of elevated CO₂ concentration.

Salt induced oxidative stress alters physiological, biochemical and metabolomic responses of green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Salinity is one of the most significant environmental factors limiting microalgal biomass productivity. In the present study, the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) was exposed to 200 mM NaCl for eight days to explore the physiological, biochemical and metabolomic changes. C. reinhradtii exhibited a significant decrease in growth rate, and Chl a and Chl b levels. 200 mM NaCl induced ROS generation in C. reinhardtii with increase in H2O2 content. This caused lipid peroxidation with increase in MDA levels. C. reinhardtii also exhibited an increase in carbohydrate and lipid accumulation under 200 mM NaCl conditions as storage molecules in cells to maintain microalgal survival. In addition, NaCl stress increased the content of carotenoids, polyphenols and osmoprotectant molecules such as proline. SOD and APX activities decreased, while ROS-scavenger enzymes (POD and CAT) decreased. Metabolomic response showed an accumulation of the major molecules implicated in membrane remodelling and stress resistance such oleic acid (40.29%), linolenic acid (19.29%), alkanes, alkenes and phytosterols. The present study indicates the physiological, biochemical and metabolomic responses of C. reinhardtii to salt stress.

Sulfamethoxazole induced systematic and tissue-specific antioxidant defense in marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis): Implication of antibiotic's ecotoxicity

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), recognized as emerging pollutant, has been frequently detected in aquatic environment. However, effects induced by SMX and the underneath mechanism on non-target aquatic organisms, marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), are still largely unknown. In present study, marine mussels were exposed to SMX (nominal concentrations 0.5, 50 and 500 μg/L) for 6 days, followed by 6 days depuration and responses of antioxidant defenses, e.g. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), etc., at transcriptional, translational and functional levels were evaluated in two vital tissues, gills and digestive glands. Results showed SMX can be accumulated in mussels while the bio-accumulative ability was low under the experimental condition. A systemic but not completely synchronous antioxidant defense at different levels upon SMX exposure. The transcriptional alteration was more sensitive and had the potential to be used as early warning of SMX induced ecotoxicity. Complementary function of antioxidant enzymes with specific alteration of metabolism related gene (gst) suggested that further researches should focused on SMX metabolism and SMX induced effects simultaneously. Significant tissue-specific antioxidant responses were discovered and gills showed earlier and quicker reacting ability than digestive glands, which was closely related to the functional diversity and different thresholds of xenobiotics allowance.

Seasonal variation in biochemical responses of bamboo clones in the sub-tropical climate of Indian Himalayan foothills

Seasonal variations affect the rate of biomass accumulation in plants which is internally governed by biochemical metabolites. Studying the impact of atmospheric seasonal changes on biochemical parameters can improve our understanding of various plant species' physiological plasticity. Bamboos are a fast-growing group of woody grass species, widely distributed across tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, and are an important species of the Indian subcontinent. Nevertheless, limited information is available on the seasonal response of biochemical's in bamboo species growing in ambient atmospheric circumstances. Therefore, we investigated the seasonal biochemical responses of Dendrocalamus strictus clones viz. Pantnagar (PNT) and Dhampur (DHM) to seasonal ambient atmospheric conditions. The concentrations of chlorophyll, protein, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium in bamboo leaves were increased significantly (p < 0.025) in monsoon compared to summer and winter seasons. Carotenoid, total sugar and ascorbic acid contents were highest during winters and reduced significantly during monsoon. Proline content was highest in summer and reduced by 97% during monsoon, indicating effective adaptation to both clones' water-limited conditions. It was inferred that seasonal variation in atmospheric conditions significantly influenced the biochemical constituents of plants. This study provides a biochemical approach for screening potential bamboo species with adaptive nature for plantation purposes intended to mitigate climate change.

Paris II and Rotterdam criteria are the best predictors of outcomes in patients with primary biliary cholangitis in Japan

BACKGROUND

Biochemical response to treatment in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) reflects prognosis. However, the best predictive criteria to detect biochemical response remain undetermined. In addition, because these criteria need > 6 months until definition, parameters that can estimate its results before initiating treatment are needed.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective study on 196 patients with PBC, followed up for at least 12 months after initiating treatment.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that Paris II (p = 0.002) and Rotterdam criteria (p = 0.001) could estimate the overall survival of PBC patients, whereas Paris II (p = 0.001), Rotterdam (p = 0.001), and Rochester criteria (p= 0.025) could estimate liver-related deaths. Cox hazard analysis revealed Paris II and Rotterdam criteria as significantly independent predictors of overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 3.948, 95% CI 1.293-12.054, p = 0.016 and HR 6.040, 95% CI 1.969-18.527, p = 0.002, respectively) and liver-related deaths (HR 10.461, 95% CI 1.231-88.936, p = 0.032 and HR 10.824, 95% CI 1.252-93.572, p = 0.032, respectively). The results of Paris II criteria could be estimated by serum prothrombin time (Odds ratio (OR) 1.052, 95% CI 1.008-1.098, p = 0.021) and alanine transaminase level (OR 0.954, 95% CI 0.919-0.991, p = 0.014) whereas, those of Rotterdam criteria could be estimated by serum albumin level (OR 3.649, 95% CI 1.098-12.128, p = 0.035) at the time of diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the best prediction criteria and pre-treatment parameters that facilitate the prognosis of PBC patients.

Molecular imaging and biochemical response assessment after a single cycle of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617/[177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 tandem therapy in mCRPC patients who have progressed on [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 monotherapy

Rationale: Despite the promising results of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted ¹⁷⁷Lu radioligand therapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate carcinoma (mCRPC), some patients do not respond and other patients with initially good response develop resistance to this treatment. In this study, we investigated molecular imaging and biochemical responses after a single cycle of [²²⁵Ac]Ac-PSMA-617/[¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 tandem therapy in patients who had progressed on [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 monotherapy.

Methods: Seventeen patients with mCRPC were included in a retrospective, monocenter study. Molecular imaging-based response was assessed by modified PERCIST criteria using the whole-body total lesion PSMA (TLP) and molecular tumour volume (MTV) derived from [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Biochemical response was evaluated according to PCWG3 criteria using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) serum value. Concordance and correlation statistics as well as survival analyses were performed.

Results: Based on the molecular imaging-based response assessment, 5 (29.4%) patients showed partial remission and 7 (41.2%) had stable disease. The remaining 5 (29.4%) patients had further progression, four with an increase in TLP/MTV of >30% and one with stable TLP/MTV but appearance of new metastases. Based on the biochemical response assessment, 5 (29.4%), 8 (47.1%), and 4 (23.5%) patients showed partial remission, stable disease, and progressive disease, respectively. A comparison of the response assessment methods showed a concordance of 100% (17/17) between TLP and MTV and 70.6% (12/17) between TLP/MTV and PSA. Patients with partial remission, independently assessed by each method, had better overall survival (OS) than patients with either stable or progressive disease. The difference in OS was statistically significant for the molecular imaging response assessment (median OS not reached vs. 8.3 m, p = 0.044), but not for the biochemical response assessment (median OS 18.1 m vs. 9.4 m, p = 0.468).

Conclusion: Based on both assessment methods, [²²⁵Ac]Ac-PSMA-617/[¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 tandem therapy is an effective treatment for the highly challenging cohort of patients with mCRPC who have progressed on [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 monotherapy. Molecular imaging response and biochemical PSA response were mostly concordant, though a considerable number of cases (29.4%) were discordant. Molecular imaging response reflecting the change in total viable tumour burden appears to be superior to PSA change in estimating survival outcome after tandem therapy.

Phospholipid signaling pathway in Capsicum chinense suspension cells as a key response to consortium infection

BACKGROUND

Mexico is considered the diversification center for chili species, but these crops are susceptible to infection by pathogens such as Colletotrichum spp., which causes anthracnose disease and postharvest decay in general. Studies have been carried out with isolated strains of Colletotrichum in Capsicum plants; however, under growing conditions, microorganisms generally interact with others, resulting in an increase or decrease of their ability to infect the roots of C. chinense seedlings and thus, cause disease.

RESULTS

Morphological changes were evident 24 h after inoculation (hai) with the microbial consortium, which consisted primarily of C. ignotum. High levels of diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP) and phosphatidic acid (PA) were found around 6 hai. These metabolic changes could be correlated with high transcription levels of diacylglycerol-kinase (CchDGK1 and CchDG31) at 3, 6 and 12 hai and also to pathogen gene markers, such as CchPR1 and CchPR5.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data constitute the first evidence for the phospholipids signalling events, specifically DGPP and PA participation in the phospholipase C/DGK (PI-PLC/DGK) pathway, in the response of Capsicum to the consortium, offering new insights on chilis' defense responses to damping-off diseases.

Effectiveness of pegylated interferon monotherapy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis D virus infection: A meta-analysis

Chronic HDV infection often is associated with aggressive form of liver disease, compared to chronic HBV mono-infection. However, chronic HDV treatment is challenging because currently there is no approved regimen for affected patients. While standard interferon with/without nucleos(t)ide analogues were reported to be inferior to pegylated interferon (peginterferon) as HDV treatment according to few randomized clinical trials. This meta-analysis will summarize the results of studies on the effectiveness of peginterferon as HDV treatment regimen. An electronic search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Research Gate, and Medline databases. Studies involving patients who received peginterferon therapy for at least 48 weeks and followed up for 24 weeks post-therapy were included. All analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.3 designed for Cochrane Reviews. The primary efficacy endpoint was virological response (VR) or HDV-RNA negativity at the end of the follow-up period, whereas secondary efficacy endpoints were biochemical response (BR) or ALT normalization and HBsAg clearance with seroconversion to anti-HBs at the end of follow-up period. Data were abstracted from 13 relevant studies with a total of 475 patients who were treated with peginterferon alpha-2a or -2b. At the end of 24-week post-treatment the pooled VR was achieved in 29% of patients with 95% CI [24%; 34%], BR was reached in 33% of patients [95% CI 27%; 40%] and HBsAg clearance with seroconversion to anti-HBs was achieved in 1% of patients with 95% CI [-0.02; 0.05]. In conclusion, this study showed that peginterferon has limited effectiveness in HDV treatment, since only one-third of chronic HDV patients achieved viral clearance and normalized ALT levels. Morever, HBsAg clearance with seroconversion to anti-HBs has been rarely observed among chronic HDV patients.

Effects of soil acid stress on the survival, growth, reproduction, antioxidant enzyme activities, and protein contents in earthworm (Eisenia fetida)

This study focused on the study of earthworm survival, growth, reproduction, enzyme activities, and protein contents to evaluate and predict the effects of different soil pH levels and determine the optimal risk assessment indicators for the effects. Survival rate, growth rate, and cocoon number as well as four enzyme (glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)) activities and two proteins (total protein (TP) and metallothionein (MT)) contents in earthworms were determined to characterize the responses of earthworm activity to five soil pH levels. These biological datasets (survival, growth, and reproduction) were compared with biochemical indexes (GSH-PX, SOD, POD, CAT, TP, and MT), mainly using biphasic dose-response models. The results indicated that the soil pH value had significant inhibitory effects on the survival, growth, and reproduction of earthworms beginning with 3.0, 4.0, and 5.2, respectively. The dose-response models (J-shaped and inverted U-shaped curves) statistics indicated that the critical values (ECZEP) of the GSH-PX, SOD, POD, CAT, TP, and MT inhibited by soil acid stress were 3.46, 3.76, 3.35, 3.54, 3.50, and 3.96 (average 3.60), respectively. In the present study, the fitting curve analysis showed that the responses of the CAT activities and TP and MT contents in earthworm in response to soil pH have the behavior of hormesis.

Biochemical responses and DNA damage induced by herbicide QYR301 in earthworm (Eisenia fetida)

QYR301, a novel herbicidal inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), has great potential for resistant weed control in paddy fields, but massive use of pesticides may result in toxicity to soil non-target organisms. Thus, this study was designed to assess subchronic toxicity of different doses of QYR301 in artificial soil (0, 0.1, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg kg^-1) to earthworms (Eisenia fetida) on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after exposure, using biomarkers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and DNA damage. The ROS content significantly increased for all treatments on 7 and 14 days then decreased, and recovered to control level for 0.1 and 1.0 mg kg^-1 treatment on day 28. Concerning enzymes activities, QYR301 increased POD, SOD, and GST activities, but inhibited CAT activity. Except for POD activity, SOD, CAT, and GST activities of 0.1 mg kg^-1 group recovered to control level on day 28. Also, the MDA content of 0.1 mg kg^-1 group reached control level on day 28. However, DNA damage was observed for all treatments throughout the experiment and it increased with increasing doses and time except for 5.0 mg kg^-1 treatment on day 28. These results suggested that QYR301 induced excessive ROS production leading to oxidative stress in earthworms, which caused lipid membrane peroxidation and DNA damage ultimately. The findings could provide a theoretical foundation for assessing ecological damage of QYR301 to soils and a guide for future QYR301 applications.

Toxicity assessment of municipal sewage treatment plant effluent by an integrated biomarker response in the liver of crucian carp (Carassius auratus)

In this study, crucian carp (Carassius auratus) was exposed to the increasing concentrations of municipal sewage treatment plant effluent (MSTPE) for 15 days, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), together with the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in the liver of C. auratus were investigated. Moreover, the integrated biomarker response (IBR) approach was applied to assess the adverse effects of MSTPE in freshwater. The aim of the study was to provide an effective biological indicator for evaluating the toxicity effects and ecological risks of MSTPE in the freshwater environment quantitatively. Results showed that MSTPE could cause oxidative damage to the liver of C. auratus, which reflected through the increasing MDA content over the exposure period. MSTPE also led to the biochemical responses of antioxidant defense in C. auratus liver, such as the enhancement of SOD, CAT, and GPx activities, as well as the inhibition of AChE activity and GSH content. It was found that MDA, SOD, GPx, and GSH could be used as the biomarkers for reflecting the adverse effects of MSTPE in the receiving freshwater on the 12th day of exposure. A significant increase of IBR values was observed as the increasing concentration of MSTPE, and the IBR values presented a significant positive correlation (r = 0.891, P < 0.05) with the increasing concentrations of MSTPE, indicating that IBR approach is a promising tool for assessing the toxicity effects of MSTPE in environmental freshwater.

Potential application of lutetium-177-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen-617 radioligand therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in a limited resource environment: Initial clinical experience after 2 years

In recent years, lutetium-177 (177Lu)-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-617 has become a promising new therapeutic agent in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). In this study, we report on an early experience of 177Lu-PSMA therapy with an evaluation of its efficacy and safety in mCRPC patients. Twenty-one mCRPC patients with a mean age of 70.3 ± 9.6 (54-88)-year-old were treated with one to four therapy cycles (median two cycles) and administered activity of 3.7-29.6 GBq (mean of 15.4 GBq). A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline ≥ 50% was considered to be a biochemical response (BCR). To evaluate the clinical response, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status was used. Within 2 weeks before and 1 and 2 months after each therapy cycle, hematology, renal function, liver status, alkaline phosphatase, and PSA were checked. The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events was used for grading adverse events induced by 177Lu-PSMA. Furthermore, overall survival (OS) was calculated and analyzed. During the treatment, a BCR was seen in 62% of patients; 19% of patients showed progression and 19% of patients showed stable disease. ECOG status was improved after treatment, and OS was 62.7 weeks. After the treatment, two patients showed Grade II toxicity of white blood cells, Grade I thrombocytopenia was observed in two patients, one patient showed Grade II toxicity in serum creatinine and transient Grade I toxicity in creatinine was seen in two patients. In total, our initial experience demonstrates that 177Lu-PSMA therapy has the potential to positively affect the development and maturation of radioligand practices in selected mCRPC patients, even in resource limited, developing country environments. However, some challenges, such as practitioner training, poor initial acceptance by colleagues and financial concerns, particularly in developing nations, still exist.

The forgotten role of toxicodynamics: How habitat quality alters the mite, Oppia nitens, susceptibility to zinc, independent of toxicokinetics

Soil habitat quality is thought to influence metal toxicity via changes in speciation and thereby toxicokinetics. Here, we assessed the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic effects of habitat quality on mite, Oppia nitens when exposed to zinc (Zn) contaminated soils. Forty-seven soils were ranked into three habitat qualities; high, medium, and low based on biological reproduction of Folsomia candida, Enchytraeus crypticus, and Elymus lanceolatus. From the 47 soils, eighteen soils (comprising of six soils from each habitat quality) were randomly selected and dosed with field relevant concentrations of Zn. Mite survival and reproduction were assessed after 28 days. Total Zn, bioaccessible Zn, Zn bioavailability, Zn body burden, lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activities of the mites were determined. Zinc toxicity and potency were much less in the high compared to low quality soils and the mites in the high habitat quality soils tolerated higher zinc body burdens (2040 ± 130 μg/g b.w) than the lower habitat quality (1180 ± 310 μg/g b.w). Lower LDH activity (20 ± 2 μU mg^-1) in the high quality soils compared to lower quality soils (50 ± 8 μU mg^-1) suggested that there was less stress in the high habitat quality mites. Despite changes in speciation across habitat qualities, bioavailability of zinc was similar (∼20%) irrespective of habitat quality. Our results suggest that the influence of soil properties on survival is modulated by toxicodynamics rather than toxicokinetics. Restoring habitat quality may be more important for soil invertebrate protection than metal concentration at contaminated sites.

Phanerochaete chrysosporium as a model organism to assess the toxicity of municipal landfill leachate from Elazığ, Turkey

In order to evaluate the potential ecological risk and the toxic effect of landfill leachate (LL), Phanerochaete chrysosporium was exposed to LL and their biochemical response was observed by using antioxidant parameters. Phanerochaete chrysosporium, ME 446, was kept at 4 °C after being sub-cultured at 28 °C on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, and malaondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels of P. chrysosporium exposed to different dilution rates of leachate (1/10 and 1/20) for 24 and 96 h were analyzed by using the ELISA method. The physiochemical parameters such as pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD) of leachate, and reference water were analyzed by using the YSI Professional Plus handheld multiparameter meter. In this study, SOD activities were decreased in the application groups compared with the Control Group at the 24th and 96th hours. CAT activities and GSH levels increased in the application groups compared with the Control Group at the 24th hour but decreased at the 96th hours. MDA levels increased in all of the application groups when compared with the Control Group for both 24 and 96 h. Different concentration of LL induces oxidative stress in P. chrysosporium, increased CAT activity and MDA levels, and decreased SOD activity and GSH levels.

Sustainable production of biomass and biodiesel by acclimation of non-acidophilic microalgae to acidic conditions

The overwhelming response towards algal biodiesel production has been well-recognized recently as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels. Most microalgae cannot grow well at acidic pH. The present study, therefore, investigated whether non-acidophilic microalgae Desmodesmus sp. MAS1 and Heterochlorella sp. MAS3 can be acclimated to extreme-acidic pH for sustainable production of biomass and biodiesel. Growth analysis indicated that both the microalgal strains possessed a passive uptake of CO₂ at pH 3.0 with biomass production of 0.25 g dry wt. L^-1 in Desmodemus sp. and 0.45 g dry wt. L^-1 in Heterochlorella sp.. Flow-cytometry analysis for reactive oxygen species, membrane permeability and neutral-lipids revealed the capabilities of both strains to adapt to the stress imposed by acidic pH. Lipid production was doubled in both the strains when grown at pH 3.0. In-situ transesterification of biomass resulted in 13-15% FAME yield in the selected microalgae, indicating their great potential in biofuel production.

[Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid with traditional Chinese medicine on biochemical response in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: a real-world cohort study]

Objective: To examine the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine on biochemical response in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Methods: According to the method of receiving treatment, 197 patients with primary biliary cholangitis were divided into Traditional Chinese Medicine plus Western medicine group (93 cases, 47.2%) and Western medicine group (104 cases, 52.8%). From the baseline date, the combined group was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid plus traditional Chinese medicine decoction or Chinese patent medicine for at least one month and the Western medicine group simply took ursodeoxycholic acid . Additionally, Traditional Chinese medicine decoction prescriptions were mainly Xiaoyaosan and Yinchenhao. Chinese patent medicine were restricted to Biejia Ruangan tablets, Fuzheng Huayu capsules, Jiuweigantai capsules and Yinzhihuang capsules, which were used to treat liver fibrosis and cholestasis. The primary efficacy endpoint was defined as ALP level < 1.67 × ULN and ≥ 15% decrease in ALP with baseline level and TBIL≤ULN after 12 months of treatment. Results: The overall biochemical response rate of patients was 35.0% (69/197). The response rate of TCM+ Western medicine group was 43.0% (40/93), and that of Western medicine group was 27.9% (29/104). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ(2) = 4.936, P < 0.05). Further analysis showed that the Chinese and Western medicine group was superior to the Western medicine group alone in reducing γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and TBiL [the median decline were GGT: 160.1 U/L and 111.3 U/L (Z = -2.474, P < 0.05), TBiL: 5.2 umol/l and 3.1 umol/l (Z = -2.125, P < 0.05)]. Conclusion: UDCA combined with TCM therapy can remarkably improve the biochemical response rate in patients with PBC and distinctly decrease the TBIL and GGT levels than UDCA monotherapy.

Biomarkers in tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) as indicators of metal and organic pollution in ecologically sensitive subtropical rivers

Studies have shown high levels of contamination of both metals and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in aquatic systems of the world renowned Kruger National Park, South Africa. With effects evident in top predators, including, unexplained Crocodylus niloticus deaths and organ level and histological changes in Hydrocynus vittatus. A suite of biomarkers reflecting exposure and were selected to evaluate biological responses of H. vittatus to anthropogenic stressors as well as to evaluate whether the chosen suite of biomarkers could successfully distinguish between the different pollution profiles present in the selected rivers. During this study a clear relationship was found between exposure to environmental contaminants and the concomitant responses of H. vittatus to these stressors. The ensuing biomarker responses indicated that there is a physiological attempt to deal with, and mitigate the deleterious effects that metals and OCPs may induce. In the Luvuvhu River there is a clear indication in H. vittatus of the stimulation of anti-oxidant protective mechanisms in response to internal OCP exposure. This is reflected by the increasing cytochrome P-450, superoxide dismutase, and more specifically reduced glutathione, which resulted in decreased lipid and protein breakdown (reflected in decreased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels). Consequently H. vittatus populations of the Luvuvhu River are under greater cumulative stress and this is reflected in the lower energy budgets. Our results further show the integrated application value of the current suite of biomarkers in assessing responses of subtropical fish to metal and OCP exposure as the entire suite of biomarkers when used in conjunction were able to explain 100% of the variation in the data.

Growth, biochemical response and liver health of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fed fermented and non-fermented tuna hydrolysate as fishmeal protein replacement ingredients

Conventional aquaculture feed materials available in Australia are expensive, which has prompted the search for alternatives that would be cost-effective and locally available. The present study was undertaken in order to maximize the use of a tuna hydrolysate (TH), which was produced locally from the tuna-processing discards. The growth performance, biochemical status, antioxidant capacity and liver health of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer) were assessed. Two series of isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets labelled as TH₅₀, TH₇₅ (non-fermented tuna hydrolysate) and FTH_50, FTH₇₅ (fermented tuna hydrolysate) were formulated to replace FM at 50% and 75%, respectively. A basal diet without the TH supplementation was used as a control. The experimental diets were fed to the triplicate groups of fish three times a day for 56 days. The results of the experiment revealed that fish fed on both fermented and non-fermented TH-containing diets significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate compared to the control. The highest apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter, protein and lipid were obtained in the control group, and decreased with the increasing level of TH in the diets. However, the whole-body proximate compositions and the blood biochemical indices of fish were not affected by the TH inclusion in the diets. The fish fed on TH diets of TH₅₀, FTH₅₀ and TH₇₅ exhibited reduced (p < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity compared to the control; whereas the FTH₇₅ exhibited no difference with the control. The excessive inclusion of TH in the diets of TH₇₅ and FTH₇₅ resulted in cytoplasmic vacuolization, with an increased amount of lipid accumulation, and necrosis in the liver tissue. These results indicated that the replacement of the FM protein with TH at 50% and 75% inclusion levels negatively affected the growth performance, feed utilization, and digestibility in juvenile barramundi; and it also increased the potential risk of hepatic failure in the fish. Further investigation is, therefore, required in order to optimize the TH levels in the fish diets which would be suitable for the growth of fish, as well as for maintaining the enhanced biochemical response in juvenile barramundi.

Allgreen H-1) grown on soil amended with sewage sludge-fly ash mixtures

Agricultural utilization of sewage sludge (SS) and fly ash (FA) has become both, a common practice and an alternative disposal method for these wastes all around the world. The present study was conducted to assess the effect and viability of co-application of SS and FA (SLASH) in four mixing ratios denoted as A [4 (SS): 1(FA)], B [4 (SS): 2 (FA)], C [4 (SS): 3 (FA)] and D [4 (SS): 4(FA)] at three application rates viz. 20, 40 and 60% (w/w) with agricultural soil on biochemical, physiological and growth response of Palak (Beta vulgaris L. var. Allgreen H-1), a commonly used green leafy vegetable. SLASH amendment modified the physico-chemical properties of soil and increased the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn) in soil and plant parts however, within the Indian permissible limit except for Cr, Cd and Zn in shoot. Experimental results revealed decrease in morphological and growth parameters such as root and shoot length, leaf area, root, shoot biomass etc. Lipid peroxidation, ascorbic acid, proline and protein content increased however, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreased indicating towards heavy metal stress induced biochemical and physiological response in Palak plants. Significant increase in yield was seen in some of the treatments viz. three mixing ratios B, C and D, with maximum increment shown by mixture D at 20 and 40% amendment rate. The results of this study suggest that though SLASH amendment for growing Palak improved the physico-chemical properties of soil amended and also the yield of the plants in some treatments, it may not be a good option due to risk of contamination of heavy metals such as Cr, Cd and Zn showing higher accumulation.

Complex role of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the trophic transfer of arsenic from Nannochloropsis maritima to Artemia salina nauplii

Increasing concern has been focused on the potential risks associated with the trophic transfer to aquatic organisms of ambient contaminants in the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO₂). This study investigated the influence of nano-TiO₂ on the trophic transfer of arsenic (As) from the microalgae Nannochloropsis maritima to the brine shrimp Artemia salina nauplii. We found that nano-TiO₂ could significantly facilitate As sorption on N. maritima within an exposure period of 24 h, and this sorption subsequently led to higher As trophic transfer from the algae to A. salina according to trophic transfer factors (TTF_As+nano-TiO2 > TTF_As). However, after 48 h of depuration, the retention of As in A. salina fed As-nano-TiO₂-contaminated algae was even lower than that in A. salina fed As-contaminated algae at the same exposure concentrations. This result indicates that the increased food chain transfer of As in the presence of nano-TiO₂ can be explained by adsorption of As onto nano-TiO₂ in contaminated food (algae), but the bioavailability of As in A. salina is reduced after the introduction of nanoparticles. Although the stress enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in A. salina at a lower As concentration treatment in the presence of nano-TiO₂ were not significantly changed, they increased with higher exposure concentrations of As with or without nano-TiO₂. Our study highlighted the complex role of nanomaterials in the transfer of ambient contaminants via trophic chains and the potential of nano-TiO₂ to reduce the bioavailability of As via trophic transfer to saltwater zooplankton.

Baseline sensitivity and biochemical responses of Valsa mali to propamidine

In the current study, baseline sensitivity of Valsa mali to propamidine was determined using 80 strains collected from apple orchards in Shaanxi Province, China. The median effective concentration (EC₅₀) values for propamidine inhibiting mycelial growth ranged from 0.086 to 0.852 μg/mL, with a mean of 0.405 ± 0.137 μg/mL. After treated with propamidine, mycelia were contorted with an increased number of branches, loss of fruiting body production, and decreased cell membrane permeability. Moreover, the enzyme activities of the complexes I, II, IV and ATPase in the mitochondrial respiratory chain were increased significantly, while the enzyme activities of complexes III decreased. Importantly, both on detached leaves and branches of apple trees, propamidine applied at 100 μg/mL exhibited over 75% protective and curative efficacies, which were even better than the efficacies obtained by carbendazim at the same concentration. These results indicated that propamidine could be used as an alternative compound in controlling Valsa canker and mitochondrial respiratory chains might be correlated with the action mode of propamidine. This study encourages further investigation for the action mechanism of propamidine against plant pathogens and the information could be valuable for synthesis of new antifungal drugs with novel modes of action.

Ectomycorrhizal inoculation with Pisolithus tinctorius reduces stress induced by drought in cork oak

We investigated whether the performance of cork oak under drought could be improved by colonization with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius. Results show that inoculation alone had a positive effect on plant height, shoot biomass, shoot basal diameter, and root growth. Under drought, root growth of mycorrhizal plants was significantly increased showing that inoculation was effective in increasing tolerance to drought. In accordance, mycorrhizal plants subjected to drought showed less symptoms of stress when compared to non-mycorrhizal plants, such as lower concentration of soluble sugars and starch, increased ability to maintain fatty acid content and composition, and increased unsaturation level of membrane lipids. After testing some of the mechanisms suggested to contribute to the enhanced tolerance of mycorrhizal plants to drought, we could not find any by which Pisolithus tinctorius could benefit cork oak, at least under the drought conditions imposed in our experiment. Inoculation did not increase photosynthesis under drought, suggesting no effect in sustaining stomatal opening at low soil water content. Similarly, plant water status was not affected by inoculation suggesting that P. tinctorius does not contribute to an increased plant water uptake during drought. Inoculation did increase nitrogen concentration in plants but it was independent of the water status. Furthermore, no significant mycorrhizal effect on drought-induced ROS production or osmotic adjustment was detected, suggesting that these factors are not important for the improved drought tolerance triggered by P. tinctorius.

Molecular and biochemical responses in the midgut of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, infected with Nosema bombycis

BACKGROUND

Microsporidia are a group of eukaryotic intracellular parasites that infect almost all vertebrates and invertebrates. However, there is little information available of how microsporidia obtain nutrients and energy from host cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the energy and material requirements of Nosema bombycis for the invasion procedure through analyzing the global variation of the gene expression, protein abundance, fatty acids level and ATP flux induced by the microsporidia N. bombycis infection in the midgut of the silkworm Bombyx mori.

METHODS

A suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis were performed to identify the genes upregulated in the midgut of B. mori 48 h following N. bombycis infection. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used to annotate and summarize the differentially expressed genes, according to the categories 'molecular function', 'cellular component' and 'biological process'. To evaluate the nutrition material and energy costs in B.mori infected by N. bombycis, biochemical analysis was performed to determine the variation of protein abundance, fatty acid levels and ATP flux with or without the microsporidia N. bombycis infection in the midgut of the silkworm B. mori.

RESULTS

A total of 744 clones were obtained, 288 clones were randomly selected for sequencing, and 110 unigenes were generated. Amongst these, 49.21%, 30.16% and 14.29% genes were involved in 19 molecular functions, 19 biological processes and nine cellular components, respectively. A total of 11 oxidative phosphorylation- and eight proton-coupled ATP synthesis-related genes were upregulated. Seven protein degradation-, three fat degradation-related genes were upregulated, and no genes related to the de novo synthesis of amino acids and fatty acids were significantly upregulated. The data from the biochemical analysis showed the contents of total protein and ATP of B. mori midgut tissues decreased significantly, whereas the fatty acid content did not significantly change after four days of N. bombycis infection. Microsporidia N. bombycis infection upregulated the expression level of genes involved in host ATP synthesis, protein and fat degradation, which eventually causes the obvious decline of protein content and ATP synthesis in the host midgut, whereas the fatty acids content did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested to some extent that N. bombycis invasion can activate the host protein degradation and accelerate the production of host ATP. Microsporidia of N. bombycis show preference for proteins rather than fatty acids from the host to ensure the material preparation required by their parasitic life-cycle. Requirements of N. bombycis for energy were also mainly dependent on the host ATP production. This study provides a new data that may help our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of obtaining energy and nutrients from the host by the microsporidium N. bombycis.

Serum levels of a cell death biomarker predict the development of cirrhosis-related conditions in primary biliary cholangitis

Non-invasive predictors for the development of cirrhosis-related conditions are needed for patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). We investigated the association between cytokeratin-18 fragments (M30 and M65) and liver histology, treatment response and the development of cirrhosis-related conditions in patients with PBC. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 111 individuals with biopsy-proven PBC. Serum M30 and M65 levels were measured using stored sera. M30 were significantly decreased after treatment, but there was no significant change in the M65 levels. M65 was significantly higher in non-responders according to the Paris-I and Paris-II definitions. In the multivariate analysis, high levels of M65 were significantly associated with advanced Scheuer stage (odds ratio 5.86; 95% confidence interval 0.55-22.2; P = 0.009) and with the development of cirrhosis-related conditions (hazard ratio 3.94; 95% confidence interval: 1.06-14.5, P = 0.039). Among PBC patients without cirrhosis, those with high serum M65 levels at baseline were at higher risk of developing cirrhosis-related conditions (log-rank test; P = 0.001). High levels of serum M65 may be a non-invasive and early predictor of the development of cirrhosis-related conditions in PBC patients. Our findings may help initiate therapies earlier for those at risk for cirrhosis.

Modulation of erythromycin-induced biochemical responses in crucian carp by ketoconazole

The individual and combined biochemical responses of erythromycin and ketoconazole have been examined in an organism representative of the aquatic environment, crucian carp (Carassius auratus). The possible interactions between erythromycin and ketoconazole were investigated on the bioaccumulation and the expression of biotransformation enzymes 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), and an antioxidant defense enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in fish tissues. After 14 days of combined exposure (erythromycin + ketoconazole), the addition of ketoconazole at nominal concentrations of 0.2, 2, and 20 μg/L significantly increased the accumulation of erythromycin in fish bile; however, elevated erythromycin accumulation levels were not observed in the other test tissues. The inductions of EROD and SOD activity to erythromycin were inhibited by the combined exposure of ketoconazole in most cases; however, the GST activity returned to normal with exposure time and concentration of combined administration. From the tested pharmaceutical mixtures, it indicated that certain specific combinations may pose some perturbations in biochemical responses in fish and also provide a better understanding of the effects of toxic mixtures.

Sensitivity and biochemical characteristics of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to propamidine

Propamidine is an aromatic diamidine compound. In the current study, baseline sensitivity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to propamidine was determined using 78 strains collected from the oilseed rape fields without a previous history of propamidine usage. The median effective concentration (EC₅₀) values for propamidine inhibiting mycelial growth ranged from 0.406 to 3.647μg/mL, with a mean of 1.616±0.217μg/mL. There was no correlation between sensitivity to propamidine and sensitivity to dimethachlon or carbendazim. After treated with propamidine, mycelia were thinner with irregular distortion and more branches; cell wall became thicker with uneven distribution of cytoplasm than untreated control. In addition, sclerotia production, cell membrane permeability and oxalic acid content significantly decreased. On detached oilseed rape leaves, propamidine exhibited better control efficacy than carbendazim at the same concentration whether the leaves were inoculated with carbendazim-sensitive or resistant strains. All the results showed that propamidine exhibited strong antifungal activity and potential application in controlling S. sclerotiorum. Importantly, these data will provide more information on understanding the mode of action of propamidine against S. sclerotiorum and should be valuable for development of new antifungal drugs.

Novel Therapies on Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

All patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and abnormal liver biochemistry should be considered for specific therapy. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the only FDA-approved drug for treating PBC. Approximately 40% of patients with PBC respond incompletely to treatment with UDCA, thus having increased risk of death or need for liver transplantation. No second-line therapies for patients with inadequate response to UDCA therapy have been approved. This review provides a current perspective on potential new approaches to treatment in PBC, and highlights some of the challenges we face in evaluating and effectively implementing those treatments.

exposed to toxic and non-toxic Microcystis aeruginosa: Evidence of tolerance to cyanotoxins

We investigated the accumulation and adverse effects of toxic and non-toxic Microcystis in the edible clam Corbicula leana. Treated clams were exposed to toxic Microcystis at 100 μg of MC (microcystin)-LR_eq L^-1 for 10 days. The experimental organism was then placed in toxin-free water and fed on non-toxic Microcystis for the following 10 days for depuration. Filtering rates (FRs) by C. leana of toxic and non-toxic Microcystis and of the green alga Chlorella vulgaris as a control were estimated. Adverse effects were evaluated though the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Clam accumulated MCs (up to 12.7 ± 2.5 μg g^-1 dry weight (DW) of free MC and 4.2 ± 0.6 μg g^-1 DW of covalently bound MC). Our results suggest that although both toxic and non-toxic cyanobacteria caused adverse effects by inducing the detoxification and antioxidant defense system, the clam was quite resistant to cyanotoxins. The estimated MC concentration in C. leana was far beyond the World Health Organization's (WHO) provisional tolerable daily intake (0.04 μg kg^-1 day^-1), suggesting that consuming clams harvested during cyanobacterial blooms carries a high health risk.

Assessing PAHs pollution in Qingdao coastal area (China) by the combination of chemical and biochemical responses in scallops, Chlamys farreri

The PAHs concentrations in seawater and tissues from the scallop Chlamys farreri were detected in three sites in Qingdao, China in 2011. The PAHs concentrations in seawater ranged from 25.32 ng/L to 314.62 ng/L. There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the residual levels among scallop tissues. The highest concentrations of PAHs in seawater and tissues were found in S2. The ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity of the digestive gland and the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the digestive gland and gill were sensitive to PAHs (p<0.05). This study integrated the PAHs concentrations in seawater, residual levels, the variation of biochemical response and the correlation coefficient analysis, and concluded that Qingdao is a medium PAH-contaminated area on a global scale. The highest PAHs were accumulated in the digestive gland followed by the gill, soft tissue and adductor muscle. The EROD activity of the digestive gland and the MDA contents of the digestive gland and gill could be applied to assess the PAHs pollution status in Qingdao, China.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus with peg-interferon and factors that predict sustained viral response

AIM: To observe the efficacy of peg-interferon in the treatment of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and to identify the factors that would be predictive of the sustained viral response (SVR).

METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in Medical Unit IV of the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital Jamshoro from June 2008 to September 2011. This study cohort included all patients of either sex who presented during this time with hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, hepatitis B virus DNA > 20 000 IU/mL, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) > 2(upper limit of normal), HDV-RNA positivity with fibrosis stage ≥ 2. Informed consent was obtained from each of these individuals. Patients were diagnosed with hepatitis D on the basis of detectable viral antibodies and the presence of HDV-RNA in their serum. A liver biopsy was performed in all cases and fibrosis staging was performed in accordance with the METAVIR scoring system. All eligible patients were administered peg-interferon at a weekly dosage of 1.5 μg/kg body weight for 48 wk. HDV-RNA was assayed at the end of this treatment period and again at 24 wk later. A biochemical response was determined by a normalization of SGPT at the end of the treatment or during follow up. The end of treatment response was defined by a HDV-RNA negative status. A sustained virological response was defined by undetectable serum HDV-RNA at six months after the end of treatment.

RESULTS: Among the 277 patients enrolled in our present study, 238 completed a course of peg-interferon therapy of which 180 (75.6%) were male and 58 (24.4%) female. Biochemical responses were achieved in 122/238 (51.3%) patients. End of treatment responses were achieved in 71/238 (29.8%) cases. A SVR was achieved in 70 of these patients (29.4%). A strong association was found between the SVR and the end of treatment responses (P = 0.001), biochemical responses (P = 0.001) and the degree of fibrosis (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION: Peg-interferon therapy can induce remission in nearly one third of patients harboring HDV.

Delayed serum calcium biochemical response to successful parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism

Background:

Parathyroidectomy is considered the standard treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism, however, though the onset of biochemical response is variable and is different from one patient to the other.

Aim:

To evaluate the onset of systemic response and the biochemical normalization of serum calcium levels to a successful surgery.

Patients and Methods:

In a retrospective fashion, we collected clinical data from 303 patients admitted to our hospital between 2005 and 2008, with a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism after sestamibi localization. The pathology reports, parathyroidectomy results, the preoperative and postoperative parathormone (PTH) and serum calcium levels were reviewed. Response of each patient to the surgery was studied and all the data were analyzed to determine how fast the serum calcium levels drop.

Results:

The majority of patients (72.9%, 221/303) showed a decrease in their serum calcium levels to normal values within 48 h. While in 40 patients it took 72 hours and 42 patients (13.8%) had a delayed normalization for more than 72 h. The pathology in the PH group was predominantly of a single adenoma 80.9% vs.19.1 with hyperplasia with a P of 0.03. Preoperative parathyroid hormone PTH elevation was not significantly deferent between the two groups (PH and EN) with a mean of 7.9±5.36 vs. 7.41±14.5 pmol/L respectively with a P of 0.43.

Conclusion:

The majority of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) respond to parathyroidectomy in the form of normalization of their serum calcium levels and PTH within 48 h; however, a certain group of patients will need more than 3 days.

Biochemical Rather than Virologic Response to Interferon Therapy may be More Closely Associated with Decrease of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The authors examined whether the response to interferon (IFN) therapy can affect the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODS

Out of 353 biopsy-proven CHB patients, 229 (65%) were treated with IFN-alpha for 6 to 12 months. They were followed for a median period of 75 months (range, 6-120). In patients treated with IFN, biochemical and virologic responses were evaluated at the end of treatment (EOT). The cumulative incidence rates of HCC were calculated and analyzed in relation to baseline characteristics as well as biochemical and virologic responses to IFN therapy.

RESULTS

The overall cumulative incidence of HCC was 0%, 0.8%, 3.7% and 5.5% at 3, 5, 7 and 8 years, respectively. Age, serum AFP levels and the stage of fibrosis were significantly associated with the occurrence of HCC. As a whole, IFN therapy did not affect the occurrence of HCC. Among the patients treated with IFN, biochemical responders had low HCC incidence rates compared with non-responders (p=0.018). However, the HCC incidence rates of virologic responders were not different from non-responders (p=0.203).

CONCLUSIONS

Biochemical rather than virologic response to IFN therapy may be more closely associated with decrease of HCC incidence in CHB patients.

Pegylated-interferon alpha 2a treatment for chronic hepatitis C in patients on chronic haemodialysis

AIM: To evaluate the response to pegylated-interferon alpha 2a in chronic hepatitis C patients on chronic haemodialysis.

METHODS: Ten patients with chronic C hepatitis were enrolled in this study. All had increased aminotransferases for more than 6 mo, positive antiHCV antibodies and positive PCR HCV-RNA. We administrated Peg-Interferon alpha 2a 180 μg/wk for 48 wk. After 12 wk of treatment we evaluated the biochemical and early virological response (EVR). At the end of the treatment we evaluated the biochemical response and 24 wk after the end of the treatment we evaluated the sustained virological response (SVR). We monitored the side-effects during the treatment.

RESULTS: Two patients dropped out in the first 12 wk of treatment and 2 after the first 12 wk of treatment. After 12 wk of treatment, 7 out of 8 patients had biochemical response and EVR and 1 had biochemical response but persistent viremia. We had to reduce the dose of pegylated-interferon to 135 μg/wk in 2 cases. Three out of 6 (50%) patients had SVR 24 wk after the end of the treatment. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that 3 out of 10 patients (30%) had SVR. Side-effects occurred in most of the patients (flu-like syndrome, thrombocytopenia or leucopoenia), but they did not impose the discontinuation of treatment.

CONCLUSION: After 12 wk of treatment with Peg-Interferon alpha 2a (40 ku) in patients on chronic haemodialysis with chronic C hepatitis, EVR was obtained in 87.5% (7/8) of the cases. SVR was achieved in 50% of the cases (3/6 patients) that finished the 48 wk of treatment.