Differentiation of the Anammox core microbiome: Unraveling the evolutionary impetus of scalable gene flow.

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation bacteria (AAOB), distinguished by their unique autotrophic nitrogen metabolism, hold pivotal positions in the global nitrogen cycle and environmental biotechnologies. However, the ecophysiology and evolution of AAOB remain poorly understood, attributed to the absence of monocultures. Hence, a comprehensive elucidation of the AAOB-dominated core microbiome, anammox core, is imperative to further completing the theory of engineered nitrogen removal and ecological roles of anammox. Performing taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses on collected genome repertoires, we show here that Candidatus Brocadia and Candidatus Kuenenia possesses a more compact core than Candidatus Jettenia, which partly explains why the latter has a less common ecological presence. Evidence of gene flow is particularly striking in functions related to biosynthesis and oxygen detoxification, underscoring the evolutionary forces driving lineage and core differentiation. Furthermore, CRISPR spacer traceback of the AAOB metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) reveals a series of genetic traces for the concealed phages. By reconceptualizing the functional divergence of AAOB with the historical role of phages, we ultimately propose a coevolutionary framework to understand the evolutionary trajectory of anammox microecology. The discoveries provided in this study offer new insights into understanding the evolution of AAOB and the ecology of anammox.

Improving Thermosensitive Bioink Scaffold Fabrication with a Temperature-Regulated Printhead in Robot-Assisted In Situ Bioprinting System.

In situ bioprinting enables precise 3D printing inside the human body using modified bioprinters with thermosensitive bioinks such as gelatin methacrylate (GelMA). However, these devices lack refined temperature-regulated mechanisms essential for ensuring bioink viscosity, as compared to traditional bio-3D printers. Addressing this challenge, this study presents a temperature-regulated printhead designed to improve the fabrication of thermosensitive bioink scaffolds in in situ bioprinting, integrated into a UR5 robotic arm. Featuring a closed-loop system, it achieves a temperature steady error of 1 °C and a response time of approximately 1 min. The effectiveness of the printer was validated by bioprinting multilayer lattice 3D bioscaffolds. Comparisons were made with or without temperature control using different concentrations of GelMA + LAP. The deformation of the bioscaffolds under both conditions was analyzed, and cell culture tests were conducted to verify viability. Additionally, the rheology and mechanical properties of GelMA were tested. A final preliminary in situ bioprinting experiment was conducted on a model of a damaged femur to demonstrate practical application. The fabrication of this printhead is entirely open source, facilitating easy modifications to accommodate various robotic arms. We encourage readers to advance this prototype for application in increasingly complex in situ bioprinting situations, especially those utilizing thermosensitive bioinks.

Melatonin: A novel and beneficial substance in sweet potatoes through selenium application.

The effects of foliar Se (selenium) fertilizer on melatonin and its biosynthesis in four different colored sweet potatoes were studied. Solutions containing 1.25 mg Se/plant of inorganic selenium (ISe) and organic selenium (OSe) and a control check (CK) were applied three times during the swelling stage. Except for ISe in purple variety, both types of Se applications significantly increased melatonin in four colored varieties. The effect of OSe was greater than that of ISe, mainly because of higher concentration of tryptophan and activities of tryptophan decarboxylase, tryptamine-5 hydroxylase, 5-hydroxytryptamine N-acetyltransferase and N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine methyltransferase. The orange variety had highest melatonin with the application of ISe and OSe, and highest melatonin among all applications was achieved by OSe in orange variety, followed by OSe in purple variety. These findings revealed that melatonin with extremely strong health benefits could be found and significantly increased in sweet potatoes through Se applications.

The Role of Human Adiponectin Receptor 1 in 2-Ethylhexyl Diphenyl Phosphate Induced Lipid Metabolic Disruption.

Epidemiological evidence links exposure to 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) with lipid metabolic disruption, typically attributed to nuclear receptors, while the role of membrane receptors remains underexplored. This study explored the role of adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) in EHDPP-induced lipid metabolic disturbances. We examined EHDPP's binding affinity and transcriptional impact on AdipoR1. AdipoR1 knockdown (AdipoR1kd) human liver cells and coculture experiments with AdipoR1 activator (AdipoRon) were used to investigate the effect and the mechanism. EHDPP disrupted triglyceride and phospholipid synthesis and altered corresponding gene expression, mirroring effects in AdipoR1kd cells but diminishing in EHDPP-treated AdipoR1kd cells. RNA sequencing revealed that EHDPP primarily disrupted oxidative phosphorylation and insulin signaling dependent on AdipoR1. Mechanistically, EHDPP interacted with AdipoR1 and reduced AdipoR1 protein levels at 10-7 mol/L or higher, weakening the activation of the calmodulin dependent protein kinase ß (CaMKKß)/AMPK/acetyl CoA carboxylase pathway. Furthermore, EHDPP pretreatment blocked the increase in Ca2+ flux and the corresponding kinase CaMKKß, as well as liver kinase B1 (LKB1) activation induced by AdipoRon, which is necessary for AMPK activation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that EHDPP-induced lipid imbalance is partially dependent on AdipoR1, expanding the understanding of environmental metabolic disruptors beyond nuclear receptors.

Warmer is better for evolutionary rescue, driving a warm-to-cold bias in habitat colonization dynamics.

Evolutionary rescue occurs when populations survive lethal environmental stresses through the rising and fixation of tolerant genotypes. Temperature has long been believed to determine the evolutionary speed of populations and species. Here, we suggest that warmer temperatures can facilitate evolutionary rescue. Moreover, with dispersal among habitats, the advantage in evolutionary rescue for warmer populations may cause a bias in habitat colonization dynamics towards the warm-to-cold direction. We experimentally tested these hypotheses with a model microbial system. Our first experiment showed that bacterial populations at warmer temperatures had a greater chance to evolve resistance and escape the fate of extinction under an antibiotic treatment. In the second experiment, metapopulations that consisted of warm and cold habitats were exposed to the antibiotic stress; local populations that went extinct might be recolonized, and such recolonization events were biased to the warm-to-cold direction. We also examined possible mechanisms underlying the temperature effect on the rapid evolution of resistance in our study system. Our results may help to understand the mechanisms of maintenance of biodiversity and patterns of gene flow among climatic regions, particularly in pest species subject to chemical control treatments.

Asthma Identified as a Major Risk Factor for Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: A Meta-Analysis of 29 Studies.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) in children represent a significant clinical challenge. Although some studies have identified potential risk factors, a comprehensive and systematic overview is lacking. OBJECTIVE: This analysis is carried out to provide more advanced evidence to guide future prevention and health care. METHODS: This study (PROSPERO: CRD42024576464) was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies published in English. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias assessments were performed. Data analysis was conducted using Stata 17, and GRADE was employed to assess the quality of evidence. The risk factors identified in the positive results were discussed qualitatively. RESULTS: A total of 29 studies covering 639078 children were included. Some risk factors: asthma(OR = 3.08,2.06-4.62), breast feeding < 6 month(OR = 1.26,1.04-1.52), DCC: day care center(OR = 1.50,1.16-1.93), have siblings(OR = 1.26,1.00-1.59), ETS: Environmental tobacco smoke (OR = 1.13,1.00-1.27), snoring(OR = 1.49,1.16-1.93)got positive result. CONCLUSION: This analysis identifies several key risk factors for RRTIs in children, providing enhanced evidence for prevention and management strategies. In particular, asthma warrants closer attention, given its strong association with respiratory infections in pediatrics.

Evidence of the association between asthma and lung cancer risk from mendelian randomization analysis.

Asthma and lung cancer are both significant public health concerns worldwide. Previous observational studies have indicated a potential link between asthma and an increased risk of lung cancer, whereas the causal relationship remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate the potential causal relationship between asthma and lung cancer risk utilizing Mendelian randomization (MR) design.The present study employed a two-sample MR analysis utilizing summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with European descent of asthma and lung cancer. The MR analysis was performed using inverse variance weighting (IVW), supplemented with MR-Egger regression and weighted median method to investigate the potential causality between asthma and lung cancer. Furthermore, Sensitivity analyses were also conducted to ensure the reliability of the findings. The MR analysis showed that genetically predicted asthma had suggestive causal association with the elevated risk of lung cancer [odds ratio (OR), 1.05 (95%Cl,1.01-1.09), P = 0.01]. The consistent direction of effects observed in the three methods further supported this finding. In addition, sensitivity analyses demonstrated the reliability of the results. This study provided potential evidence supporting a causal association between asthma and lung cancer. These findings highlighted the importance of early detection and prevention strategies for lung cancer in individuals with asthma. Further research was needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking asthma and lung cancer.

Suture Bridge Fixation in Treating Traumatic Femoral Osteochondral Injuries in Adults: A Case Study and Review of the Literature.

Achieving anatomic reduction, securing fixation, and ensuring adequate compression are crucial steps in the internal fixation process for traumatic osteochondral defects. A variety of fixation methodologies have been in use, e.g., metal pins, bioabsorbable screws, and glue tissue adhesives, each of them yielding different outcomes. This study presents the outcomes of utilising the concept of suture bridge fixation for traumatic femoral osteochondral injury in a 34-year-old patient. Following a three-year follow-up, the patient demonstrated a return to normal activities with complete and pain-free knee mobility. In conclusion, it can be stated that suture bridges offer an alternative approach for the fixation of osteochondral fragments in the knee attributable to traumatic injuries.

Sulfur cycle-mediated biological nitrogen removal and greenhouse gas abatement processes: Micro-oxygen regulation tells the story.

Sulfur-mediated autotrophic biological nitrogen removal (BNR) processes favor the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to heterotrophic BNR processes. Micro-oxygen environments are widely prevalent in practical BNR systems, and the mechanisms of GHG emissions mediated by multi-elements, including nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O), remain to be systematically summarized. This review reveals the functional microorganisms involved in sulfur-mediated BNR processes under micro-oxygen regulation, elucidating their metabolic mechanisms and interactions. The GHG abatement potential of sulfur-mediated BNR processes under micro-oxygen regulation is highlighted, along with recent advances in multi-scenario applications. The fate of GHG in wastewater treatment systems is explored and insights into future multi-scale GHG regulatory strategies are provided. Overall, the application of sulfur-mediated BNR processes under micro-oxygen regulation exhibits great potential. This review can act as a guide for the effective implementation of strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts of GHG emissions from wastewater treatment processes.

[Early gait analysis after total knee arthroplasty based on artificial intelligence dynamic image recognition].

OBJECTIVE: To explore early postoperative gait characteristics and clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: From February 2023 to July 2023, 26 patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis (KOA) were treated with TKA, including 4 males and 22 females, aged from 57 to 85 years old with an average of (67.58±6.49) years old;body mass index (BMI) ranged from 18.83 to 38.28 kg·m-2 with an average of (26.43±4.15) kg·m-2;14 patients on the left side, 12 patients on the right side;according to Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L) classification, 6 patients with grade Ⅲ and 20 patients with grade IV;the courses of disease ranged from 1 to 14 years with an average of (5.54±3.29) years. Images and videos of standing up and walking, walking side shot, squatting and supine kneeling were taken with smart phones before operation and 6 weeks after operation. The human posture estimation framework OpenPose were used to analyze stride frequency, step length, step length, step speed, active knee knee bending angle, stride length, double support phase time, as well as maximum hip flexion angle and maximum knee bending angle on squatting position. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) arthritis index and Knee Society Score (KSS) were used to evaluate clinical efficacy of knee joint. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 5 to 7 weeks with an average of (6.00±0.57) weeks. The total score of WOMAC decreased from (64.85±11.54) before operation to (45.81±7.91) at 6 weeks after operation (P<0.001). The total KSS was increased from (101.19±9.58) before operation to (125.50±10.32) at 6 weeks after operation (P<0.001). The gait speed, stride frequency and stride length of the affected side before operation were (0.32±0.10) m·s-1, (96.35±24.18) steps·min-1, (0.72±0.14) m, respectively;and increased to (0.48±0.11) m·s-1, (104.20±22.53) steps·min-1, (0.79±0.10) m at 6 weeks after operation (P<0.05). The lower limb support time and active knee bending angle decreased from (0.31±0.38) s and (125.21±11.64) ° before operation to (0.11±0.04) s and (120.01±13.35) ° at 6 weeks after operation (P<0.05). Eleven patients could able to complete squat before operation, 13 patients could able to complete at 6 weeks after operation, and 9 patients could able to complete both before operation and 6 weeks after operation. In 9 patients, the maximum bending angle of crouching position was increased from 76.29° to 124.11° before operation to 91.35° to 134.12° at 6 weeks after operation, and the maximum bending angle of hip was increased from 103.70° to 147.25° before operation to 118.61° to 149.48° at 6 weeks after operation. CONCLUSION: Gait analysis technology based on artificial intelligence image recognition is a safe and effective method to quantitatively identify the changes of patients' gait. Knee pain of KOA was relieved and the function was improved, the supporting ability of the affected limb was improved after TKA, and the patient's stride frequency, stride length and stride speed were improved, and the overall movement rhythm of both lower limbs are more coordinated.

Impact of imaging features on selecting limited lymph node resection for cT1N0M0 lung cancer.

Background: Controversy still exists in the medical community regarding the performance of limited mediastinal lymphadenectomy (LML) in early-stage lung cancer. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of mediastinal lymph node (mLN) status and analyze its role in guiding surgical strategy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 2,834 surgical patients with peripheral cT1N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer between 2016 and 2018. Logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of N2 metastasis. Prognosis was compared between groups and independent prognostic factors were identified using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox analysis. Results: There were 2,126 patients with systematic mLN dissection and 708 with LML. The multivariate analysis showed that N2 metastasis were associated with tumor size and consolidation tumor ratio (CTR). Patients in group A, with CTR >0.5 and tumor size ≤1 cm or CTR ≤0.5, had a significantly lower rate of N2 metastasis compared to those in group B, with CTR >0.5 and tumor size >1 cm (14.2% vs. 0.2%, P<0.001). Additionally, LML demonstrated comparable recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in group A, but a worse prognosis in group B compared to systematic lymph node dissection (SND). Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that SND (vs. LML) was a favorable prognostic predictor for patients in group B [RFS: hazard ratio (HR) =0.71, P=0.005; OS: HR =0.66, P=0.01]. But univariate analysis in group A showed no significant difference in prognosis between SND and LML (RFS: P=0.24; OS: P=0.10). Conclusions: The combination of CTR and tumor size can predict mLN metastasis and procedure-specific outcome (SND vs. LML). This information may assist surgeons in identifying suitable candidates for LML.

Perinatal exposure to PBEB aggravates liver injury via macrophage-derived TWEAK in male adult offspring mice under western diet.

Liver injury and inflammation are the most commonly observed adverse outcomes following exposure to penta-brominated flame retardants (penta-BFRs). However, the role of inflammation in the development of liver injury in their alternatives has not yet been explored. Our study aimed to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanism of perinatal exposure to pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), a penta-BDE alternative, on liver injury in adult offspring mice under both chow and western diet in later life. Results showed that perinatal exposure to PBEB at 0.2 mg/kg or above led to liver injury in male offspring upon challenge with a western diet, but not in females. Utilizing the Olink immunology panel, our study specifically revealed an upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) within the livers of male mice. This cytokine was further demonstrated to derive from the secretion by infiltrating macrophages in livers both in vivo and in vitro, which facilitated a shift towards M1 macrophage polarization. TWEAK further activated the hepatic NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways, subsequently leading to hepatic pyroptosis in male mice of maternal PBEB exposure. Inhibition of TWEAK signaling mitigated macrophage polarization and inflammasome induction in a co-culture system of macrophages and liver cells. Our findings revealed that perinatal exposure to PBEB precipitated liver injury, partially through an inflammatory pathway mediated by macrophage-derived TWEAK, in male mice offspring under western diet.

Abdominal obesity is associated with increased worsening renal function risk in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Worsening renal function (WRF) is a frequent comorbidity of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, its relationship with abdominal obesity in terms of HFpEF remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the value of waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) in predicting WRF and examine the correlation between abdominal obesity and the risk of WRF in the HFpEF population. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist trial. Abdominal obesity was defined as WC ≥ 102 cm for men and ≥ 88 cm for women. WRF was defined as doubling of serum creatinine concentration from baseline. Restricted cubic splines and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the value of WC and BMI in predicting WRF. Cumulative incidence curves and cox proportional-hazards models were used to compare patients with and without abdominal obesity. RESULTS: We included 2,806 patients with HFpEF in our study (abdominal obesity, n: 2,065). Although baseline creatinine concentrations did not differ, patients with abdominal obesity had higher concentrations during a median follow-up time of 40.9 months. Unlike BMI, WC exhibited a steady linear association with WRF and was a superior WRF predictor. Patients with abdominal obesity exhibited a higher risk of WRF after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio: 1.632; 95% confidence interval: 1.015-2.621; P: 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity is associated with an increased risk of WRF in the HFpEF population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://beta. CLINICALTRIALS: gov . Unique identifier: NCT00094302.

Clinical efficacy and safety of the self-developed Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture combined with conventional treatment in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. / è‡ªä¸»ç ”å‘çš„è—å››å‘³æ¸ è‚ºåˆå‰‚è”åˆå¸¸è§„æ²»ç–—å¯¹æ ¢æ€§é˜»å¡žæ€§è‚ºç–¾ç— æ€¥æ€§åŠ é‡æœŸæ‚£è€ çš„ä¸´åºŠç–—æ•ˆå’Œå®‰å ¨æ€§.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant global public health issue. Modern medical treatments have both benefits and limitations, prompting increasing attention from scholars worldwide on traditional ethnic medicine, and the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture is a newly developed formula derived from the effective components of classical Tibetan medicine to treat chronic respiratory diseases. This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture combined with conventional treatment in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). METHODS: Sixty AECOPD patients admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from May 2021 to May 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups, with 30 patients in each group. The control group received conventional treatment, including bronchodilators, anti-infection agents, expectorants, and oxygen therapy. The experimental group received the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture in addition to conventional treatment. The treatment duration was 7 d for both groups. Baseline data such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification, COPD course, and the number of COPD exacerbations in the past year were collected. The primary efficacy indicators were assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale and the modified Borg scale. Secondary indicators included arterial lactic acid (LAC) and serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels. Safety indicators included liver and kidney function [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), serum creatinine (SCr), serum uric acid (SUA)], coagulation function [activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (FIB), and D-dimer]. The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture. RESULTS: Before treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in general baseline data, grading of mMRC dyspnea scale, score of modified Borg scale, arterial LAC, ALT, AST, SCr, SUA, APTT, FIB, and D-dimer between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). However, serum TNF-α and PT levels in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). GLMM analysis showed that after adjusting for pre- and post-treatment, gender, age, BMI, smoking status, GOLD classification, COPD course, and the number of COPD exacerbations in the past year, the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower grading of mMRC dyspnea scale (coefficient=-0.329, P=0.036), score of modified Borg scale (coefficient=-1.077, P=0.001), serum TNF-α level (coefficient=-14.378, P<0.001), and arterial LAC level (coefficient=-0.409, P=0.012) compared to the control group. The Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture had no significant effect on liver, kidney, or coagulation function indicators (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture combined with conventional treatment can improve clinical symptoms and promote homeostasis in AECOPD patients, demonstrating safety and reliability. Combining modern medicine with traditional ethnic medicine offers a feasible approach to treating chronic respiratory diseases in the future.

Zangsiwei prevents particulate matter-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-ß/SMAD pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Zangsiwei(ZSW) is a traditional Tibetan medicine from China consisting of extracts of Rhododendron anthopogonoides Maxim, Gentiana Tourn, Corydalis hendersonii Hemsl and Berberis kansuensis C.K.Schneid. Traditionally, ZSW has been used by Tibetan physicians to treat chronic respiratory diseases. The role of ZSW in particulate matter-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: Combining non-targeted metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking to explore the mechanism of ZSW in the treatment of particulate matter-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis, and validated by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serum metabolite profile post-ZSW administration was first identified utilizing non-targeted metabolomics. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to predict potential bioactive components and their corresponding targets. The in silico predictions were subsequently validated through in vivo studies in mice exposed to PM2.5 and silica dust, as well as in vitro studies utilizing human lung epithelial cells (A549) and lung fibroblasts (MRC5). RESULTS: Metabolomic analysis identified specific serum metabolites that were associated with ZSW treatment. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified key targets involved in the Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß)/SMAD pathway, which were subsequently validated through in vivo experiments demonstrating a reduction in lung inflammation and fibrosis in ZSW-treated mice. In vitro studies demonstrated that ZSW exerts protective effects against PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity and modulates fibrotic markers in a dose-dependent manner. This is consistent with the inhibition of the TGF-ß/SMAD pathway. CONCLUSION: Our integrated approach, which combines non-targeted metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking, followed by rigorous in vivo and in vitro validation, establishes ZSW as a potential therapeutic agent for particulate matter-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave and Melatonin Alleviate Joint Capsule Fibrosis after Knee Trauma in Rats by Regulating Autophagy.

BACKGROUND: Joint contracture is a common clinical problem affecting joint function. Capsule fibrosis plays a pivotal role in the progression of Joint contracture. Previous studies have reported that autophagy plays a regulatory role in visceral fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and melatonin alleviate joint capsule fibrosis in rats with extended knee joint contracture by regulating autophagy. METHODS: A rat knee joint extension contracture model was made. Then, the rats were treated with ESWT, melatonin, ESWT + melatonin, or ESWT + melatonin + mTOR agonist for 4 weeks. The range of motion (ROM) of the knee joints was measured. Joint capsules were collected and observed for pathological changes by H&E and Masson staining. LC3B protein expression was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. TGF-ß1, MMP-1, Col-Ⅰ, Col-Ⅲ, LC3, ATG7, Beclin1, p-AMPK, p-mTOR and p-ULK1 protein expressions were measured by Western blot assay. RESULTS: The intervention groups had significantly improved ROM of knee joint (P < 0.05), significantly improved pathological changes on HE and Masson staining, significantly decreased protein expressions of TGF-ß1, MMP-1, Col-Ⅰ, Col-Ⅲ and pmTOR (P < 0.05), and significantly increased protein expressions of LC3B, LC3II/LC3I ratio, ATG7, Beclin1, p-AMPK, and p-ULK1 (P < 0.05). Among these groups, the effects demonstrated by the ESWT + melatonin group were the best. With the mTOR agonist supplement, the therapeutic effects of extracorporeal shock waves and melatonin were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: ESWT plus melatonin alleviated knee joint capsule fibrosis in rats by regulating autophagy.

Loss of electrical ß-cell to δ-cell coupling underlies impaired hypoglycaemia-induced glucagon secretion in type-1 diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus involves both insufficient insulin secretion and dysregulation of glucagon secretion1. In healthy people, a fall in plasma glucose stimulates glucagon release and thereby increases counter-regulatory hepatic glucose production. This response is absent in many patients with type-1 diabetes (T1D)2, which predisposes to severe hypoglycaemia that may be fatal and accounts for up to 10% of the mortality in patients with T1D3. In rats with chemically induced or autoimmune diabetes, counter-regulatory glucagon secretion can be restored by SSTR antagonists4-7 but both the underlying cellular mechanism and whether it can be extended to humans remain unestablished. Here, we show that glucagon secretion is not stimulated by low glucose in isolated human islets from donors with T1D, a defect recapitulated in non-obese diabetic mice with T1D. This occurs because of hypersecretion of somatostatin, leading to aberrant paracrine inhibition of glucagon secretion. Normally, KATP channel-dependent hyperpolarization of ß-cells at low glucose extends into the δ-cells through gap junctions, culminating in suppression of action potential firing and inhibition of somatostatin secretion. This 'electric brake' is lost following autoimmune destruction of the ß-cells, resulting in impaired counter-regulation. This scenario accounts for the clinical observation that residual ß-cell function correlates with reduced hypoglycaemia risk8.

One-year monitoring of grass-type architectural waterscapes with long-term operation: Water quality and microorganism.

Grass-type architectural waterscapes (GAWs) utilize submerged plants to enhance self-purification ability and maintain a clear-water state. However, knowledge about their long-term water quality and microbial community dynamics remains limited. This study monitored the water quality, microbial community composition, and networks in two GAWs. GAW1 consisted solely Hydrilla verticillata with a water depth of 0.70 m, while GAW2 primarily contained Vallisneria natans, Microsorum pteropus, and Aquarius grisebachii with a water depth of 0.30 m. Results show that both water depth and submerged plant species play crucial roles in GAW establishment. The water depth of 0.7 m enabled Hydrilla verticillata to thrive underwater despite temperature variations, which demonstrated excellent nutrient uptake capacity. Thus, GAW1 exhibited superior self-purification ability, consistently meeting Class III standard for surface water in China. In contrast, GAW2 had a shallow water depth and contained ornamental plants, only meeting Class V standard. Furthermore, microbial communities were shaped by water quality, with distinct enriched genera serving as potential "microbial indicators". Enrichment of the hgcI clade and Sporichthyaceae_unclassified indicated superior water quality in GAW1, while prevalence of Comamonadaceae_unclassified, Flavobacterium, Rhodoluna, and Pseudarcicella suggested poor water quality in GAW2. Additionally, highly complex and connected microbial networks suggested elevated pollutant levels in GAWs. This study emphasized the significance of submerged plant species and water depth in GAWs construction and highlighted microbial communities and networks as potential indicators of water quality.

Linking performance to dynamic migration of biofilm ecosystem reveals the role of voltage in the start-up of hybrid microbial electrolysis cell-anaerobic digestion.

Applied voltage is a crucial parameter in hybrid microbial electrolysis cells-anaerobic digestion (MEC-AD) systems for enhancing methane production from waste activated sludge (WAS). This study explored the impact of applied voltage on the initial biofilm formation on electrodes during the MEC-AD startup using raw WAS (Rr) and heat-pretreated WAS (Rh). The findings indicated that the maximum methane productivity for Rr and Rh were 3.4 ± 0.5 and 3.4 ± 0.2 mL/gVSS/d, respectively, increasing 1.5 times and 2.6 times over the productivity at 0 V. The biomass on electrode biofilms for Rr and Rh at 0.8 V increased by 70 % and 100 % compared to 0 V. The core functional microorganisms in the cathode biofilm were Methanobacterium and Syntrophomonas, and Geobacter in the anode biofilm, enhancing methane production through syntrophism and direct interspecies electron transfer, respectively. These results offer academic insights into optimizing AD functional electrode biofilms by applying voltage.

Designing Polychromatic Er3+/Yb3+-Codoped Bi2WO6 Upconverting Nanoparticles with Enhanced Visible-Light-Triggered Photocatalytic Properties toward Tetracycline Degradation.

To address the unsatisfactory photodegradation capacities of photocatalysts, Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Bi2WO6 (Bi2WO6:Er3+/xYb3+) nanoparticles (NPs) with polychromatic upconversion (UC) emission and boosted visible-light-triggered photocatalytic abilities were designed. First-principles density functional theory was employed to study the impact of Er3+ and Yb3+ codoping on the electronic structure of Bi2WO6. Upon 980 nm excitation, the resultant NPs emitted polychromatic UC emissions caused by energy back transfer from Er3+ to Yb3+. Moreover, the involved UC emission mechanism was clarified through examining the pump power related to UC emission spectra. By investigating the visible-light-induced tetracycline (TC) decomposition, the photocatalytic activities of developed NPs were explored, where Bi2WO6:Er3+/0.07Yb3+ NP can degrade 81.76% of TC within 30 min, with a k value of 0.0552 min-1. Both the theoretical calculation and trapping results reveal that the •O2-, h+, and •OH were formed during the pollutant removal process. Additionally, the toxic TC can be photodegraded to nontoxic products via the synthesized photocatalysts, leading to wastewater purification. These achievements manifest that Bi2WO6:Er3+/xYb3+ NPs are promising visible-light-triggered photocatalysts to degrade pollutants, and our findings also propose a facile approach to regulate the photocatalytic activities of photocatalysts via utilizing doping and UC emission strategies.