Bioinformatics identification of characteristic genes of cervical cancer via an artificial neural network.

BACKGROUND: Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been extensively used in the field of medicine. The present hypothesis-free study sought to use an ANN to identify the characteristic genes of cervical cancer (CC). METHODS: RNA sequencing profiles were obtained from the GSE7410, GSE9750, GSE63514, and GSE52903 datasets. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and compared between the normal and CC tissues. An ANN analysis was conducted to obtain the random-forest tree and to examine differences in gene filtering. A neural network model was established using the characteristic genes of CC, while the verification accuracy of the model was examined by Cox regression. The differences in the immune infiltrating cells between the normal cervical and CC tissues were compared by CIBERSORT (an analytical tool can provide an estimation of the abundances of member cell types in a mixed cell population). RESULTS: Nine genes' characteristics for CC were identified: cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), chromosome 1 open reading frame 112 (C1orf112), helicase, lymphoid-specific (HELLS), mini-chromosome maintenance protein 5 (MCM5), mini-chromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM2), kinetochore associated 1 (KNTC1), cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP3), phytanoyl-CoA 2-hydroxylase interacting protein (PHYHIP), and cornulin (CRNN). CONCLUSIONS: ANN is a robust neural network model that can be used to potentially predict CC based on the gene score. It can provide novel insights into the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of CC.

Understanding microplastic aging driven by photosensitization of algal extracellular polymeric substances.

The aging of microplastics (MPs) is extremely influenced by photochemically-produced reactive intermediates (PPRIs), which are mediated by natural photosensitive substances. Algal extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) can produce PPRIs when exposed to sunlight. Nonetheless, the specific role of EPS in the aging process of MPs remains unclear. This work systematically explored the aging process of polystyrene (PS) MPs in the EPS secreted by Chlorella vulgaris under simulated sunlight irradiation. The results revealed that the existence of EPS accelerated the degradation of PS MPs into particles with sizes less than 1 µm, while also facilitating the formation of hydroxy groups on the surface. The release rate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from PS MPs was elevated from 0.120 mg·L-1·day-1 to 0.577 mg·L-1·day-1. The primary factor contributing to the elevated levels of DOM was humic acid-like compounds generated through the breakdown of PS. EPS accelerated the aging process of PS MPs by primarily mediating the formation of triplet excited states (3EPS*), singlet oxygen (1O2), and superoxide radicals (O2∙-), resulting in indirect degradation. 3EPS* was found to have the most substantial impact. This study makes a significant contribution to advance understanding of the environmental fate of MPs in aquatic environments impacted by algal blooms.

Characteristics of bacterial community in eyelashes of patients with Demodex blepharitis.

BACKGROUND: Demodex blepharitis (DB) is a common disease of the ocular surface. The characteristics of the bacterial community in eyelash roots after Demodex infestation are still unknown. Knowledge of the characteristics of the bacterial community of eyelash follicles in patients with DB can provide valuable insights for guiding the diagnosis and treatment of DB. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with DB (DB group) and 21 non-DB volunteers (control group) were enrolled in the study. Eyelashes from the upper eyelid of the right eye were sampled, and 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing was performed to determine the V3-V4 regions of the microbial 16S rDNA gene within 1 month of infestation. The sequencing data of the two groups were analyzed and compared. The effect of the bacterium Burkholderia on the survival of Demodex mites was evaluated using Demodex obtained from 12 patients with DB other that the patients in the DB group. RESULTS: A total of 31 phyla and 862 genera were identified in the DB and control groups. The five most abundant phyla in the two groups were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria. The abundance of Actinomycetes was significantly higher in the DB group than in the control group. At the genus level, the five most abundant genera in the two groups were Pseudomonas, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, Rolstonia and Acinetobacter; Clostridium sensu stricto 1 was abundant in the control group and Corynebacterium_1 was abundant in the DB group. Compared with the control group, the abundance of Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia was 2.36-fold lower in the DB group. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis revealed Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, SC_I_84_unclassified, Nonmyxobacteria and Succinvibrio to be the major biomarkers in the control group and Catenibacterium and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group to be the major biomarkers in the DB group. To explore the performance of these optimal marker models, receiver operational characteristic curve analysis was performed, and the average area under the curve value of Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia was 0.7448. Burkholderia cepacia isolated from normal human eyelashes was fermented, and the Demodex mites isolated from patient eyelashes were cultured together with its fermented supernatant. The results showed that the fermentation supernatant could significantly reduce the survival time of the Demodex mites, suggesting the potential therapeutic value of this bacterium against Demodex. CONCLUSIONS: The composition of the bacterial community in the eyelashes of DB patients differed from that in eyelashes of healthy volunteers, revealing a decrease in bacterial diversity in infested eyelashes. This decrease may be related to the occurrence and development of DB. The supernatant of Burkholderia cepacia culture medium was found to inhibit the growth of Demodex in eyelash hair follicles, providing a new insight with potential applications for the clinical treatment of Demodex infestation.

Study and application of coupling relationship between water-salt-resistivity-soil structure in saline soils in arid and semi-arid areas of northwest China.

Widespread saline soils in Northwest China pose a serious threat to the region's ability to use infrastructure safely because they are prone to soil structure damage when subjected to external environmental fluctuations, which in turn affects the stability of the foundations for buildings. The non-destructive approach of measuring resistivity can be used to swiftly reflect the subsoil body's state and make assumptions about its safety. However, the electrical resistivity of the underground soil body can be used to quickly identify unstable areas because the resistivity is influenced by the water content, salt content, and structural characteristics of the soil body. To do this, it is necessary to understand the coupling relationship between various factors. In this study, we first constructed samples with various water, salt, and soil structure characteristics, and then used indoor tests, such as soil resistivity measurement and thermogravimetric analysis, to analyze the multiple factors affecting the resistivity characteristics of the soil. The relationship between soil resistivity and actual saline soil diseases in Northwest China was then further discussed in conjunction with the results of the indoor tests and analyses. subsequently, the resistivity and soil properties have been measured in the field at specific locations in Northwest China where railway roadbeds are diseased. The study's findings can theoretically support a deeper comprehension of the law and mechanism of soil resistivity change, as well as provide assistance for building infrastructure in Northwest China.

Spatial distribution and seasonal variation of trace hazardous elements contamination in the coastal environment.

Groundwater is the second largest water source for daily consumption, only next to surface water resources. Groundwater has been extensively investigated for its pollution level in urban areas. The groundwater quality assessments in industrial areas associated with every urban landscape are still lacking. In order to examine the spatial distribution characteristics, pollution levels, and sources of trace metals in the densely populated Chennai coastal region of Tamilnadu, India, physicochemical parameters and trace element concentrations have been determined in groundwater. 55 groundwater samples from Tamil Nadu's coastal region were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters such as pH, (EC), (TDS), and (TH) during the pre-monsoon (June 2015) and post-monsoon (January 2016) seasons. We used trace elements and analyzed them in this study (Mg, Zn, Pb, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, and Fe). Furthermore, anthropogenic input from industries and power plants exacerbates the pollution of Ni, Mg, Fe, and Mn. Due to evaporites and anthropogenic input, samples with excessive salinity, total hardness, and water quality are considered unsuitable for irrigation or drinking. The results demonstrated that seasonal, geogenic, and anthropogenic influences all have a significant impact on the heterogeneous chemistry of groundwater.

Humanized mouse models for inherited thrombocytopenia studies.

Inherited thrombocytopenia (IT) is a group of hereditary disorders characterized by a reduced platelet count as the main clinical manifestation, and often with abnormal platelet function, which can subsequently lead to impaired hemostasis. In the past decades, humanized mouse models (HMMs), that are mice engrafted with human cells or genes, have been widely used in different research areas including immunology, oncology, and virology. With advances of the development of immunodeficient mice, the engraftment, and reconstitution of functional human platelets in HMM permit studies of occurrence and development of platelet disorders including IT and treatment strategies. This article mainly reviews the development of humanized mice models, the construction methods, research status, and problems of using humanized mice for the in vivo study of human thrombopoiesis.

Humanized mouse models (HMMs) refer to immunodeficient mice that have been used for the investigation of human hematopoiesis and immunity for years. With engrafted human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the differentiation process of HSCs and re-construction of platelets can be monitored in the mice. Until now, several strains of HMMs have been used in the studies of inherited thrombocytopenia (IT), a genetic disorder associated with low platelet count in the blood. In this study, we reviewed the development of these HMMs in IT studies, compared the different sources of HSCs transplanted into HMMs and summarize the strategies of HSC transplantation in HMMs. The Kit^−/− immunodeficient mice showed effectively long-term and stable implantation of human HSC without irradiation and higher implantation levels, and they also support multilinear differentiation of human HSC, such as platelets and red blood cells. The source and count of HSCs and the transplantation strategy may also impact the result. This study provides a basis information for HMMs used in IT and will help other investigators in this field choosing the right research plan.

CR6-Interacting Factor-1 Promotes Osteoclastogenesis Through the NF-κB Signaling Pathway after Irradiation.

Radiation exposure arising from radiotherapy may induce rapid bone loss and an increase in the extent of bone resorption. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by radiation exposure play a crucial role during the process of osteoclastogenesis. However, the pathological mechanisms underlying radiation-induced osteoclastogenesis have yet to be fully elucidated. CR6-interacting factor-1 (Crif1) as a multifunctional protein is involved in regulating multiple biological functions in cells. Here, we investigated the role of Crif1 in radiation-induced osteoclastogenesis and found that radiation exposure induced an increase in the expression level of Crif1 and enhanced osteoclastogenesis in osteoclast progenitors. Crif1 and NF-κB p65 co-localized in the cytoplasm after radiation exposure. Crif1 knockdown did not affect the phosphorylation and total protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun amino (N)-terminal kinases (JNK), p38, and IκB-α before and after irradiation. However, Crif1 knockdown did lead to the reduced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 after irradiation and resulted in a reduced level of osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells after irradiation. In vivo studies involving Lyz2Cre;Crif1fl/fl mice possessing the myeloid-specific deletion of Crif1 demonstrated the alleviation of bone loss after irradiation when compared with Crif1fl/fl mice. Our findings demonstrate that Crif1 mediated the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and promoted osteoclastogenesis via the NF-κB signaling pathway after radiation exposure. Thus, our analysis revealed a specific role for Crif1 in the mediation of radiation-induced bone loss and may provide new insight into potential therapeutic strategies for radiation-induced bone loss.

Bayesian estimation for the accuracy of three neuropsychological tests in detecting Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: a retrospective analysis of the ADNI database.

BACKGROUND: The neuropathological confirmation serves as the gold standard for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD), but it is usually not available to the living individuals. In addition, the gold standard for diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) remains unclear yet. Neuropsychological testing, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog), is commonly used tests in identifying AD and MCI, offering convenience, affordability, non-invasiveness, and accessibility in clinical settings. We aimed to accurately evaluate the discriminative ability of the three tests administrated at the same visit simultaneously in detecting AD and MCI due to AD in the absence of a gold standard. METHODS: A total of 1289 participants aged over 65 were included from the baseline visits of Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Bayesian latent class models, accounting for conditional dependence between MoCA and MMSE, were conducted to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the three tests for detecting AD and MCI. RESULTS: In detecting AD, the ADAS-cog had the highest Youden's Index (0.829), followed by the MoCA(0.813) and MMSE(0.796). The ADAS-cog and MoCA showed similar sensitivity (0.922 vs 0.912) and specificity (0.907 vs 0.901), while the MMSE had lower sensitivity (0.874) and higher specificity (0.922). For MCI detection, the ADAS-cog had the highest Youden's Index (0.704) compared to the MoCA (0.614) and MMSE (0.478). The ADAS-cog exhibited the highest sensitivity, closely followed by the MoCA and MMSE (0.869 vs 0.845 vs 0.757), and the ADAS-cog also had good specificity (0.835 vs 0.769 vs 0.721). The estimated true prevalence of AD among individuals aged over 65 was 20.0%, and the estimated true prevalence of MCI due to AD was 24.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the ADAS-cog and MoCA are reliable tools for detecting AD and MCI, while the MMSE may be less sensitive in detecting these conditions. A large underdiagnosis of the MCI and Alzheimer's population still remains in clinical screening.

Environmental hazard assessment and metal contamination in coastal sediments.

In order to reduce contamination levels from diverse sources, it is important to understand the factors affecting the natural ecosystems that are impacted by coastal and marine pollution. In this study, we used GIS and remote sensing techniques to investigate and evaluate the distribution of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb, Co, and Cu) in surface sediments along Tamil Nadu's East Coast (from Besant Nagar to Sathurangapattinam). The CF and Igeo of metals indicate that sediments contain no evidence of Fe, Mn, or Zn metal pollution in the sediments, with only mild contamination from Co, Cu, and Pb. In contrast, the sediment samples were found to be significantly contaminated with Cr. Heavy metal contamination occurs in the following order, according to our research: Cr > Pb > Cu > Co > Mn > Zn > Fe. Except for sites 8, 10, 11, and 13, where PLI>1 implies that there is no pollution in this area, the PLI values show that most of the locations are contaminated. The ecological risk index (ERI) values for five metals in the study areas are as follows: Cr > Pb > Cu > Mn > Zn. The sediment samples fall into the low-risk and highly polluted to dangerous sediment categories for SPI, according to the Risk index (RI). Based on the Mean Effect Range-Median Quotient (M-ERM-Q), Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr metals in the research region have a 9-21% probability of being harmful. Statistical approaches show that the majority of heavy metals in sediments are of natural origin. The spatial distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments provides the conceptual framework for practical strategies to protect coastal areas. Many shreds of evidence indicate that anthropogenic inputs from the surrounding land area are primarily responsible for the deposition of these heavy metals in the coastal zone.

Validation of heart failure algorithm for diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a meta-analysis.

The aim of the meta-analysis was to generate a more comprehensive understanding of the HFA-PEFF score in the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and to pose clues in the field of scientific and clinical practice. Electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase were systematically searched. Studies investigating the use of the HFA-PEFF score to diagnose HFpEF were included. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative Likelihood Ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), area under the curve of summary receiver operating characteristic, and superiority index were calculated. Five studies with 1521 participants were included in this meta-analysis. In the pooled analysis of the 'Rule-out' approach, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR were 0.98 (0.94, 1.00), 0.33 (0.08, 0.73), 1.5 (0.8, 2.5), 0.05 (0.02, 0.17), and 28 (6, 127). In the pooled analysis of the 'Rule-in' approach, the pooled sensitivity and specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR were 0.69 (0.62, 0.75), 0.87 (0.64, 0.96), 5.5 (1.8, 16.9), 0.35 (0.30, 0.41), and 16 (5, 50). This meta-analysis indicates that the HFA-PEFF algorithm showed acceptable specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis and exclusion of HFpEF. More relevant studies on the diagnostic validity of the HFA-PEFF score are needed in the future.

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PREDICTORS OF MORTALITY DIFFER BETWEEN PULMONARY AND ABDOMINAL SEPSIS.

ABSTRACT: Background: Pulmonary sepsis and abdominal sepsis have pathophysiologically distinct phenotypes. This study aimed to compare their clinical characteristics and predictors of mortality. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective trial, 1,359 adult patients who fulfilled the Sepsis-3 criteria were enrolled and classified into the pulmonary sepsis or abdominal sepsis groups. Plasma presepsin was measured, and the scores of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS), and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II were calculated at enrollment. Data on 28-day mortality were collected for all patients. Results: Compared with patients with abdominal sepsis (n = 464), patients with pulmonary sepsis (n = 895) had higher 28-day mortality rate, illness severity scores, incidence of shock and acute kidney injury, and hospitalization costs. Lactate level and APACHE II and MEDS scores were independently associated with 28-day mortality in both sepsis types. Independent predictors of 28-day mortality included Pa o2 /F io2 ratio (hazard ratio [HR], 0.998; P < 0.001) and acute kidney injury (HR, 1.312; P = 0.039) in pulmonary sepsis, and SAPS II (HR, 1.037; P = 0.017) in abdominal sepsis. A model that combined APACHE II score, lactate, and MEDS score or SAPS II score had the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in predicting mortality in patients with pulmonary sepsis or abdominal sepsis, respectively. Interaction term analysis confirmed the association between 28-day mortality and lactate, APACHE II score, MEDS score, SAPS II score, and shock according to the sepsis subgroups. The mortality of patients with pulmonary sepsis was higher than that of patients with abdominal sepsis among patients without shock (32.9% vs. 8.8%; P < 0.001) but not among patients with shock (63.7 vs. 48.4%; P = 0.118). Conclusions: Patients with pulmonary sepsis had higher 28-day mortality than patients with abdominal sepsis. The study identified sepsis subgroup-specific mortality predictors. Shock had a larger effect on mortality in patients with abdominal sepsis than in those with pulmonary sepsis.

Bioactivity and Metabolome Mining of Deep-Sea Sediment-Derived Microorganisms Reveal New Hybrid PKS-NRPS Macrolactone from Aspergillus versicolor PS108-62.

Despite low temperatures, poor nutrient levels and high pressure, microorganisms thrive in deep-sea environments of polar regions. The adaptability to such extreme environments renders deep-sea microorganisms an encouraging source of novel, bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, we isolated 77 microorganisms collected by a remotely operated vehicle from the seafloor in the Fram Strait, Arctic Ocean (depth of 2454 m). Thirty-two bacteria and six fungal strains that represented the phylogenetic diversity of the isolates were cultured using an One-Strain-Many-Compounds (OSMAC) approach. The crude EtOAc extracts were tested for antimicrobial and anticancer activities. While antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecium was common for many isolates, only two bacteria displayed anticancer activity, and two fungi inhibited the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Due to bioactivity against C. albicans and rich chemical diversity based on molecular network-based untargeted metabolomics, Aspergillus versicolor PS108-62 was selected for an in-depth chemical investigation. A chemical work-up of the SPE-fractions of its dichloromethane subextract led to the isolation of a new PKS-NRPS hybrid macrolactone, versicolide A (1), a new quinazoline (-)-isoversicomide A (3), as well as three known compounds, burnettramic acid A (2), cyclopenol (4) and cyclopenin (5). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of HRMS, NMR, [α]D, FT-IR spectroscopy and computational approaches. Due to the low amounts obtained, only compounds 2 and 4 could be tested for bioactivity, with 2 inhibiting the growth of C. albicans (IC50 7.2 µg/mL). These findings highlight, on the one hand, the vast potential of the genus Aspergillus to produce novel chemistry, particularly from underexplored ecological niches such as the Arctic deep sea, and on the other, the importance of untargeted metabolomics for selection of marine extracts for downstream chemical investigations.

New insights into the decrease in Cd2+ bioavailability in sediments by microplastics: Role of geochemical properties.

Microplastics (MPs) are considered to influence the bioavailability of heavy metals through direct adsorption, but this neglects the distribution of heavy metal chemical speciation indirectly influenced by MPs by altering geochemical properties. The present study aims to explore the link between the fractionation distribution of cadmium (Cd2+) and changes in geochemical properties in sediments induced by polyethylene terephthalate microplastics (PET-MPs). The PET-MPs reduced the acid-soluble fraction of Cd2+ in sediments and increased its organically bound fraction. In addition, the concentration of bioavailable Cd2+ in the sediment decreased by 4.09-25.96 % with increasing PET-MPs doses and aging. Whereas the thermal aging of PET-MPs led to a decrease in the molar ratio of oxygen-containing functional groups and the BET surface area, which is not favorable for improving the adsorption capacity of PET-MPs. On the other hand, the correlation analysis demonstrated the key role of PET-MPs in increasing the content of sediment organic matter and its humification level, which indirectly led to a decrease in Cd2+ bioavailability. The microbial analysis demonstrated that PET-MPs increase the relative abundances of Chloroflexi, hexokinase, and 6-phosphofructose kinase in sediments, thereby increasing the humification level of sediment organic matter. The present study provides a new perspective for understanding the environmental risks of MPs-altered heavy metals.

An inevitable but underestimated photoaging behavior of plastic waste in the aquatic environment: Critical role of nitrate.

Photoaging is an important reaction for waste plastics in the aquatic environment and plays a key role in the lifetime of plastics. Nevertheless, when natural photosensitive substances such as nitrate participate in this process, the physiochemical changes in plastics and the corresponding reaction mechanisms are not well-understood. In this work, the photochemical behavior of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in deionized water and nitrate solution was systematically investigated under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The analyses of the surface physicochemical properties of the photoaged PET bottles indicated that, after 20 days of photo-irradiation, the presence of nitrate reduced the contact angle from 69.8 ± 0.9° to 60.0 ± 0.3°, and increased the O/C ratio from 0.23 to 0.32, respectively. The leaching rate of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which was 0.0193 mg g-1·day-1 in nitrate solution, was twice that of 0.00941 mg g-1·day-1 in deionized water. Furthermore, fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the increasing DOC had aromatic rings with hydroxyl on the side-chain formed after UV irradiation. The positive effect of nitrate on the degradation of PET bottles was mainly through the generation of hydroxyl radicals that were produced through the photolysis of nitrate. In addition, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy analysis showed that the chain scission of PET plastics could be initiated by nitrate-induced ·OH attacking the carbon-oxygen bonds instead of forming peroxides with oxygen. This work elucidates the mechanism of photodegradation of plastics that was induced by nitrate and highlights the important role of natural photosensitive substances in the photoaging process of plastics.

Pollution, sources, and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in urban areas around industrialization and urbanization-Northwest China.

Heavy metal pollution in urban soils and dust is mostly caused by extensive anthropogenic activity during urbanization and industrialization. In this research study, the pollution characteristics, sources, ecological and human health risks of heavy metals in urban soil, and dust have been thoroughly evaluated. The research findings demonstrate that dust has a higher level of contamination than urban soil, such as Pb, Cu, and Zn metals are more contaminated in both urban soil and dust throughout the city, and Hg and As are also found in locations with a high concentration of heavy industrial companies. This implies that traffic emissions are still a significant source of metals in urban areas, though industrial companies also contribute. The health risk assessment model used to calculate human exposure revealed that the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of selected metals in soil and dust were generally in the low range, except for the carcinogenic risk from Cr in children. Statistical analysis revealed that Cr and Ni concentrations were mainly of natural origin, Cu and Zn have been sourced from traffic, whereas Pb, Hg, and As have been sourced from industrial activities. The overall recommendation is that the road traffic environment and municipal construction facilities need to be improved to ensure the sustainable development of the city's environment, while pollution from industrial waste is strongly controlled.

The effect of iron oxide types on the photochemical transformation of organic phosphorus in water.

Iron oxides play an important role in the transport and transformation of organic phosphorus in aquatic environments. However, the effect of different types of iron oxide on the environmental fate of organic phosphorus has remained unclear. In this study, the photodegradation of the organic phosphorus compound adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via the activity of crystalline (goethite) and amorphous (ferrihydrite) iron oxides was investigated. It was found that ATP was photodegraded by goethite, resulting in the release of dissolved inorganic phosphate under simulated sunlight irradiation. The concentration of ATP on goethite decreased by 75% after 6 h of simulated sunlight irradiation, while the concentration of ATP on ferrihydrite decreased by only 22%. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy revealed that the intensity of the peaks for the P-O and PO stretching vibrations in the goethite-ATP complex decreased significantly more after simulated sunlight irradiation than did those for the ferrihydrite treatment. Combined with the higher TOC/TOC0 values for the goethite treatment, the results indicate that a more vigorous photochemical reaction took place in the presence of goethite than with ferrihydrite. Reactive oxygen species analysis also showed that hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals were generated when goethite was exposed to simulated sunlight irradiation, while ferrihydrite did not exhibit this ability. Overall, this study highlights that the type of iron oxide is an important factor in the transformation of organic phosphorus in aquatic environments.

microRNA-324-3p suppresses the aggressive ovarian cancer by targeting WNK2/RAS pathway.

Ovarian cancer (OC) has the highest mortality rate among gynecological cancers, which progresses owing to dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) expression. Our study attempts to reveal the mechanism by which decreased miR-324-3p expression suppresses OC proliferation. Quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry were performed to estimate miR-324-3p and WNK2 expression levels in OC cells and tissues. Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, EdU, and transwell assays were performed to analyze the influence of miR-324-3p and WNK2 on the proliferation and invasion ability of OC cells. Subsequently, xenograft models were established to examine the effects of WNK2 on OC cell proliferation in vivo, and databases and luciferase reporter assays were used to test the relationship between miR-324-3p and WNK2 expression. Then, we showed that miR-324-3p expression is decreased in OC cells and tissues, indicating its inhibitory effect on OC cell proliferation. Quantitative real-time PCR and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-324-3p inhibited WNK2 expression by directly binding to its 3' untranslated region. WNK2, an upregulated kinase, promotes the proliferation and invasion of OC cells by activating the RAS pathway. Moreover, WNK2 can partly reverse the inhibitory effects of miR-324-3p on OC cell proliferation. Hence, we demonstrate that miR-324-3p suppressed ovarian cancer progression by targeting the WNK2/RAS pathway. Our study provides theoretical evidence for the clinical application potential of miR-324-3p.

Evaluation of the Accuracy of Cognitive Screening Tests in Detecting Dementia Associated with Alzheimer's Disease: A Hierarchical Bayesian Latent Class Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) are neuropsychological tests commonly used by physicians for screening cognitive dysfunction of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Due to different imperfect reference standards, the performance of MoCA and MMSE do not reach consensus. It is necessary to evaluate the consistence and differentiation of MoCA and MMSE in the absence of a gold standard for AD. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the accuracy of MoCA and MMSE in screening AD without a gold standard reference test. METHODS: Studies were identified from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Chinese Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Cochrane Library. Our search was limited to studies published in English and Chinese before August 2021. A hierarchical Bayesian latent class model was performed in meta-analysis when the gold standard was absent. RESULTS: A total of 67 studies comprising 5,554 individuals evaluated for MoCA and 76,862 for MMSE were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity was 0.934 (95% CI 0.905 to 0.954) for MoCA and 0.883 (95% CI 0.859 to 0.903) for MMSE, while the pooled specificity was 0.899 (95% CI 0.859 to 0.928) for MoCA and 0.903 (95% CI 0.879 to 0.923) for MMSE. MoCA was useful to rule out dementia associated with AD with lower negative likelihood ratio (LR-) (0.074, 95% CI 0.051 to 0.108). MoCA showed better performance with higher diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) (124.903, 95% CI 67.459 to 231.260). CONCLUSION: MoCA had better performance than MMSE in screening dementia associated with AD from patients with mild cognitive impairment or healthy controls.

Phytotoxicity of binary nanoparticles and humic acid on Lactuca sativa L.

Nanoplastics and metal oxide nanoparticles are serious threats that inevitably enter the environment. Their similar particle properties likely lead to interaction and thus cause more unpredictable ecotoxicity to organisms. In this study, it was found that polystyrene nanoplastics (PS NPs) aggravate the toxic effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) on Lactuca sativa L. by inducing severe oxidative stress and root deformation, and the expansion of damaged cells from the xylem to the epidermis was observed using confocal laser scanning. Exposure to PS NPs + Fe2O3 NPs correspondingly elevated iron accumulation in the roots and leaves by 1.39 and 1.17 times compared to the amount observed with Fe2O3 NPs individually. Examination of the physicochemical properties, iron ion release, and molecular interactions of the NPs indicated that PS NPs interact with Fe2O3 NPs to form heteroaggregates and facilitate leaching of iron ions, which resulted in aggravating the toxic effect. These were alleviated by the addition of humic acid (HA), which dispersed the heteroaggregates and reduced the release of iron ions. The findings in the present study provide new perspectives for the ecotoxicological risk of binary nano-pollution in the natural environment.

Application of Feature-Based Molecular Networking for Comparative Metabolomics and Targeted Isolation of Stereoisomers from Algicolous Fungi.

Seaweed endophytic (algicolous) fungi are talented producers of bioactive natural products. We have previously isolated two strains of the endophytic fungus, Pyrenochaetopsis sp. FVE-001 and FVE-087, from the thalli of the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus. Initial chemical studies yielded four new decalinoylspirotetramic acid derivatives with antimelanoma activity, namely pyrenosetins A-C (1-3) from Pyrenochaetopsis sp. strain FVE-001, and pyrenosetin D (4) from strain FVE-087. In this study, we applied a comparative metabolomics study employing HRMS/MS based feature-based molecular networking (FB MN) on both Pyrenochaetopsis strains. A higher chemical capacity in production of decalin derivatives was observed in Pyrenochaetopsis sp. FVE-087. Notably, several decalins showed different retention times despite the same MS data and MS/MS fragmentation pattern with the previously isolated pyrenosetins, indicating they may be their stereoisomers. FB MN-based targeted isolation studies coupled with antimelanoma activity testing on the strain FVE-087 afforded two new stereoisomers, pyrenosetins E (5) and F (6). Extensive NMR spectroscopy including DFT computational studies, HR-ESIMS, and Mosher's ester method were used in the structure elucidation of compounds 5 and 6. The 3'R,5'R stereochemistry determined for compound 6 was identical to that previously reported for pyrenosetin C (3), whose stereochemistry was revised as 3'S,5'R in this study. Pyrenosetin E (5) inhibited the growth of human malignant melanoma cells (A-375) with an IC50 value of 40.9 µM, while 6 was inactive. This study points out significant variations in the chemical repertoire of two closely related fungal strains and the versatility of FB MN in identification and targeted isolation of stereoisomers. It also confirms that the little-known fungal genus Pyrenochaetopsis is a prolific source of complex decalinoylspirotetramic acid derivatives.