Thermophilic Hadarchaeota grow on long-chain alkanes in syntrophy with methanogens.

Methanogenic hydrocarbon degradation can be carried out by archaea that couple alkane oxidation directly to methanogenesis, or by syntrophic associations of bacteria with methanogenic archaea. However, metagenomic analyses of methanogenic environments have revealed other archaea with potential for alkane degradation but apparent inability to form methane, suggesting the existence of other modes of syntrophic hydrocarbon degradation. Here, we provide experimental evidence supporting the existence of a third mode of methanogenic degradation of hydrocarbons, mediated by syntrophic cooperation between archaeal partners. We collected sediment samples from a hot spring sediment in Tengchong, China, and enriched Hadarchaeota under methanogenic conditions at 60 °C, using hexadecane as substrate. We named the enriched archaeon Candidatus Melinoarchaeum fermentans DL9YTT1. We used 13C-substrate incubations, metagenomic, metatranscriptomic and metabolomic analyses to show that Ca. Melinoarchaeum uses alkyl-coenzyme M reductases (ACRs) to activate hexadecane via alkyl-CoM formation. Ca. Melinoarchaeum likely degrades alkanes to carbon dioxide, hydrogen and acetate, which can be used as substrates by hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens such as Methanothermobacter and Methanothrix.

Modulating d-Orbital electronic configuration via metal-metal oxide interactions for boosting electrocatalytic methanol oxidation.

Coordinating the interfacial interaction between Pt-based nanoparticles (NPs) and supports is a significant strategy for the modulation of d-orbital electronic configuration and the adsorption behaviors of intermediates, which is of critical importance for boosting electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we demonstrated a specific synergy effect between the ordered PtFe intermetallic and neighboring oxygen vacancies (Ov), which provides an "ensemble reaction pool" to balance the barriers of both the activity, stability, and CO poisoning issues for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). In our proposed "ensemble reaction pool", the deprotonation of methanol occurs on the Pt site to form the intermediate *CO, where the strain derived from the PtFe intermetallic could alter the d-orbital electronic configuration of Pt, intrinsically weakening the *CO adsorption energy, and Ov in CeO2 promote hydroxyl species (*OH) adsorption, which will react with *CO, facilitating the dissociative adsorption of *CO, thus cooperatively enhancing the performance of MOR. The X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses reveal the electron transfer in CeO2 and then convert Ce4+ to Ce3+. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that introducing Fe induces strain could modify the d-band center of Pt, and thus lower the energy barrier of the potential-determining step. Meanwhile, the introduction of CeO2 can favor the *OH adsorption, speeding up the oxidation and removal of *CO blocked at the Pt site. Furthermore, the determined atomic arrangement and surface composition of PtFe intermetallic further guarantee the stability of MOR by suppressing less-noble metal into the electrolyte.

Analysis of chloroplast genome structure and phylogeny of the traditional medicinal of Ardisia crispa (Myrsinaceae).

Ardisia crispa(Myrsinaceae) is an ethnomedicine with horticultural and important medicinal values. Its morphology is complex, and its identification is difficult. We analyse the chloroplast genome characteristics and phylogenetic position of A. crispa to provide basic research data for the identification of A. crispa species and resource conservation. This study assemble and annotate the chloroplast genome of A. crispa and to compare it with the chloroplast genome within Ardisia. The A. crispa chloroplast genome is 156,785 bp in length, with a typical quadripartite structure containing 131 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes; a total of 59 SSRs sites were identified, and the codon preference of this chloroplast genome is greater in A/U than in G/C, and leucine is the amino acid with the highest frequency of use. The chloroplast genomes of the nine Ardisia species are conserved in gene content and number, with more stable boundaries and less variation. In the phylogenetic tree, A. crispa is clustered on a branch with A. crispa var dielsii, and is closely related to A. mamillata and A. pedalis. In this study, we constructed and analyzed the chloroplast genome structure of A. crispa, and conducted phylogenetic analysis using the whole chloroplast genome sequence data of Ardisia plants, which is of great significance in understanding the genetic basis of A. crispa and adaptive evolution in Ardisia plants, and this will lay the foundation for the future research on A. crispa resource conservation and species identification.

Increasing Influenza Vaccination Rates among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chongqing, China: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Behavioral and Social Drivers Tools.

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination is essential for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients due to their higher risks of severe complications and mortality from influenza. This study investigated the willingness of T2DM patients in Chongqing, China, to receive the influenza vaccination during the 2023/2024 season, using behavioral and social drivers (BeSD) tools to improve vaccination uptake in this high-risk group. METHODS: A multi-stage sampling method was used to select participants, and face-to-face surveys were conducted in community health centers between March 1 and May 1, 2023. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing vaccination willingness, and standardized scores identified barriers and drivers. RESULTS: Among 1672 T2DM patients, 11.7% had been vaccinated during the 2022/2023 season, and 59.6% were willing to receive the vaccination in the 2023/2024 season. Higher willingness was associated with ethnic minorities (odds ratio [OR], 3.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58-6.39), being unemployed individuals (OR 2.69, 95% CI: 1.60-4.52), higher monthly household income per capita (OR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.65-4.50), having diabetes complications (OR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.23-2.51), sufficient vaccine knowledge (OR 1.87, 95% CI: 1.48-2.37), and previous vaccination (OR 7.75, 95% CI: 4.83-12.44). Concerning BeSDs, fear of infecting friends or family members and trust in vaccine efficacy were the predominant drivers, while high vaccine costs were the greatest barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Future strategies should focus on improving vaccine knowledge, supporting healthcare workers and peer recommendations, and enhancing vaccination policies. Key interventions such as health education among high-risk groups, such as unemployed individuals, advocacy campaigns, pay-it-forward strategies, and policies for free vaccination could improve coverage in Chongqing.

Cobalt exposure and pulmonary function reduction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: the mediating role of club cell secretory protein.

BACKGROUND: Cobalt (Co) is a metal which is widely used in the industrial production. The previous studies found the toxic effects of environmental Co exposure on multiple organs. However, the correlation of blood Co concentration with lung function was inconsistent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: All 771 stable COPD patients were recruited. Peripheral blood and clinical information were collected. The levels of blood Co and serum CC16 were measured. RESULTS: Cross-sectional study suggested that the level of blood Co was inversely and dose-dependently related to lung function parameters. Each 1 ppm elevation of blood Co was related to 0.598 L decline in FVC, 0.465 L decline in FEV1, 6.540% decline in FEV1/FVC%, and 14.013% decline in FEV1%, respectively. Moreover, higher age, enrolled in winter, current-smoking, higher smoking amount, and inhaled corticosteroids prominently exacerbated the negative correlation between blood Co and lung function. Besides, serum CC16 content was gradually reduced with blood Co elevation in COPD patients. Besides, serum CC16 was positively correlated with lung function, and inversely related to blood Co. Additionally, decreased CC16 substantially mediated 11.45% and 6.37% Co-triggered downregulations in FEV1 and FEV1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Blood Co elevation is closely related to the reductions of pulmonary function and serum CC16. CC16 exerts a significantly mediating role of Co-related to pulmonary function decrease among COPD patients.

Varying the ratio of Lys: Met through enhancing methionine supplementation improved milk secretion ability through regulating the mRNA expression in bovine mammary epithelial cells under heat stress.

Introduction: The ratio of lysine (Lys) to methionine (Met) with 3.0: 1 is confirmed as the "ideal" profile for milk protein synthesis, but whether this ratio is suitable for milk protein synthesis under HS needs to be further studied. Methods: To evaluate the molecular mechanism by which HS and Lys to Met ratios affect mammary cell functional capacity, an immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T) is incubated with 5 doses of Met while maintaining a constant concentration of Lys. The MAC-T cells was treated for 6 h as follow: Lys: Met 3.0: 1 (control 37°C and IPAA 42°C) or treatments under HS (42°C) with different ratios of Lys: Met at 2.0: 1 (LM20), 2.5: 1 (LM25), 3.5: 1 (LM35) and 4.0: 1 (LM40). RNA sequencing was used to assess transcriptome-wide alterations in mRNA abundance. Results: The significant difference between control and other groups was observed base on PCA analysis. A total of 2048 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the IPAA group relative to the control group. Similarly, 226, 306, 148, 157 DEGs were detected in the LM20, LM25, LM35 and LM40 groups, respectively, relative to the IPAA group. The relative mRNA abundance of HSPA1A was upregulated and anti-apoptotic genes (BCL2L1 and BCL2) was down-regulated in the IPAA group, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Compared with the IPAA group, the relative mRNA abundance of anti-apoptotic genes and casein genes (CSN1S2 and CSN2) was up-regulated in the LM25 group (p < 0.05). The DEGs between LM25 and IPAA groups were associated with the negative regulation of transcription RNA polymerase II promoter in response to stress (GO: 0051085, DEGs of BAG3, DNAJB1, HSPA1A) as well as the mTOR signaling pathway (ko04150, DEGs of ATP6V1C2, WNT11, WNT3A, and WNT9A). Several DEGs involved in amino acids metabolism (AFMID, HYKK, NOS3, RIMKLB) and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis (AFMID and MGAT5B) were up-regulated while DEGs involved in lipolysis and beta-oxidation catabolic processes (ALOX12 and ALOX12B) were down-regulated. Conclusion: These results suggested that increasing Met supply (Lys: Met at 2.5: 1) may help mammary gland cells resist HS-induced cell damage, while possibly maintaining lactation capacity through regulation of gene expression.

Soluble E-Cadherin Contributes to Airway Inflammation in Severe Asthma.

Impaired airway epithelial barrier and decreased expression of E-cadherin are key features of severe asthma. As a gatekeeper of the mucosa, E-cadherin can be cleaved from the cell surface and released into the apical lumen as a soluble form (sE-cadherin).This study was aimed to investigate the role of sE-cadherin in severe asthma.Induced sputum was obtained from healthy subjects and patients with asthma. Two murine models of severe asthma were established using either TDI (toluene diisocyanate) or OVA (ovalbumin)/CFA (complete Freund's adjuvants). The role of sE-cadherin in severe asthma was evaluated by intraperitoneal injection of DECMA-1, a neutralizing antibody against sE-cadherin. Mice or THP-1-derived macrophages were treated with recombinant sE-cadherin to explore the pro-inflammatory mechanism of sE-cadherin.Severe asthma patients had a significantly higher sputum sE-cadherin level than the health subjects with mild to moderate asthma, which were positively correlated with sputum HMGB1 level and glucocorticoid dosage required for daily control. Allergen exposure markedly increased sE-cadherin level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in mice. Treatment of DECMA-1 significantly attenuated allergen-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsivenes in both models of severe asthma. While exposure to recombinant sE-cadherin dramatically up-regulated VEGF expression in THP-1-derived macrophages, and increased neutophlil and eosinophil infiltration into the airway as well as the release of VEGF and IL-6 in mice, both of which can be suppressed by pharmacological inhibition of ERK signaling.Taken together, our data indicated that sE-cadherin contributed to the airway inflammation of severe asthma in an ERK-depedent pathway.

Reversed oxidative TCA (roTCA) for carbon fixation by an Acidimicrobiia strain from a saline lake.

Acidimicrobiia are widely distributed in nature and suggested to be autotrophic via the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle. However, direct evidence of chemolithoautotrophy in Acidimicrobiia is lacking. Here, we report a chemolithoautotrophic enrichment from a saline lake, and the subsequent isolation and characterization of a chemolithoautotroph, Salinilacustristhrix flava EGI L10123T, which belongs to a new Acidimicrobiia family. Although strain EGI L10123T is autotrophic, neither its genome nor Acidimicrobiia metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the enrichment culture encode genes necessary for the CBB cycle. Instead, genomic, transcriptomic, enzymatic, and stable-isotope probing data hinted at the activity of the reversed oxidative TCA (roTCA) coupled with the oxidation of sulfide as the electron donor. Phylogenetic analysis and ancestral character reconstructions of Acidimicrobiia suggested that the essential CBB gene rbcL was acquired through multiple horizontal gene transfer events from diverse microbial taxa. In contrast, genes responsible for sulfide- or hydrogen-dependent roTCA carbon fixation were already present in the last common ancestor of extant Acidimicrobiia. These findings imply the possibility of roTCA carbon fixation in Acidimicrobiia and the ecological importance of Acidimicrobiia. Further research in the future is necessary to confirm whether these characteristics are truly widespread across the clade.

Anaerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation by alkylotrophic methanogens in deep oil reservoirs.

In subsurface biodegraded oil reservoirs, methanogenic biodegradation of crude oil is a common process. This process was previously assigned to the syntrophy of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and methanogenic archaea. Recent studies showed that archaea of the Candidatus Methanoliparum named as alkylotrophic methanogens couple hydrocarbon degradation and methane production in a single archaeon. To assess the geochemical role of Ca. Methanoliparum, we analyzed the chemical and microbial composition and metabolites of 209 samples from 15 subsurface oil reservoirs across China. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that 92% of the tested samples were substantially degraded. Molecular analysis showed that 85% of the tested samples contained Ca. Methanoliparum, and 52% of the tested samples harbored multiple alkyl-coenzyme M derivatives, the intercellular metabolites of alkylotrophic archaea. According to metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses, Ca. Methanoliparum dominates hydrocarbon degradation in biodegraded samples from the Changqing, Jiangsu, and Shengli (SL) oilfields, and it is persistently present as shown in a 15-year-long sampling effort at the Shengli oilfield. Together, these findings demonstrate that Ca. Methanoliparum is a widely distributed oil degrader in reservoirs of China, suggesting that alkylotrophic methanogenesis by archaea plays a key role in the alteration of oil reservoirs, thereby expanding our understanding of biogeochemical process in the deep biosphere.

Association of serum interleukin-2 with severity and prognosis in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective cohort study.

The prior studies have shown that interleukin-2 (IL-2) exerts important roles in the pathological and physiological processes of lung diseases. However, the role of IL-2 in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still uncertain. Through a prospective cohort study, our research will explore the correlations between serum IL-2 levels and the severity and prognosis in CAP patients. There were 267 CAP patients included. Blood samples were obtained. Serum IL-2 were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Demographic traits and clinical characteristics were extracted. Serum IL-2 were gradually elevated with increasing severity scores in CAP patients. Correlation analyses revealed that serum IL-2 were connected with physiological parameters including liver and renal function in CAP patients. According to a logistic regression analysis, serum IL-2 were positively correlated with CAP severity scores. We also tracked the prognostic outcomes of CAP patients. The increased risks of adversely prognostic outcomes, including mechanical ventilation, vasoactive agent usage, ICU admission, death, and longer hospital length, were associated with higher levels of IL-2 at admission. Serum IL-2 at admission were positively associated with severe conditions and poor prognosis among CAP patients, indicated that IL-2 may involve in the initiation and development of CAP. As a result, serum IL-2 may be an available biomarker to guide clinicians in assessing the severity and determining the prognosis of CAP.

Isolation of a methyl-reducing methanogen outside the Euryarchaeota.

Methanogenic archaea are main contributors to methane emissions, and have a crucial role in carbon cycling and global warming. Until recently, methanogens were confined to Euryarchaeota, but metagenomic studies revealed the presence of genes encoding the methyl coenzyme M reductase complex in other archaeal clades1-4, thereby opening up the premise that methanogenesis is taxonomically more widespread. Nevertheless, laboratory cultivation of these non-euryarchaeal methanogens was lacking to corroborate their potential methanogenic ability and physiology. Here we report the isolation of a thermophilic archaeon LWZ-6 from an oil field. This archaeon belongs to the class Methanosuratincolia (originally affiliated with 'Candidatus Verstraetearchaeota') in the phylum Thermoproteota. Methanosuratincola petrocarbonis LWZ-6 is a strict hydrogen-dependent methylotrophic methanogen. Although previous metagenomic studies speculated on the fermentative potential of Methanosuratincolia members, strain LWZ-6 does not ferment sugars, peptides or amino acids. Its energy metabolism is linked only to methanogenesis, with methanol and monomethylamine as electron acceptors and hydrogen as an electron donor. Comparative (meta)genome analysis confirmed that hydrogen-dependent methylotrophic methanogenesis is a widespread trait among Methanosuratincolia. Our findings confirm that the diversity of methanogens expands beyond the classical Euryarchaeota and imply the importance of hydrogen-dependent methylotrophic methanogenesis in global methane emissions and carbon cycle.

[Climate change affects plant aboveground biomass by regulating the growth periods in alpine grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau, China]. / 气候变化通过调控青藏高原高寒草原植物生育期影响地上生物量积累.

Climate change significantly affects plant biomass and phenological occurrence time in alpine grasslands of Tibetan Plateau. The changes in phenological periods are closely related to the length of vegetative and reproductive growth periods, which may further affect aboveground biomass accumulation. In this study, based on fixed-point observations of plant biomass and phenology as well as the corresponding climatic data from 1997 to 2020 in the alpine grasslands of Tibetan Plateau, we used statistical methods such as ordinary linear regression and piecewise structural equation model to explore the characteristics of interannual climate change in the study area, the variation trends of plant biomass and phenological periods, and the correlations between biomass and phenological and climatic factors. The results showed that mean annual temperature and annual precipitation in the study area increased significantly from 1997 to 2020, suggesting a clear "warm-wet" trend. Aboveground biomass and relative biomass of Stipa sareptana var. krylovii (the dominant species) decreased significantly. However, absolute and relative biomass of subdominant species (Kobresia humilis) increased significantly, indicating that the dominance of K. humilis increased. The warm-wet climates enhanced aboveground biomass accumulation of K. humilis by extending the period of reproductive growth. Mean annual temperature and annual precipitation decreased aboveground biomass of S. sareptana by shortening the length of vegetative growth period. In a word, the warmer and wetter climate significantly affected aboveground biomass accumulation by regulating the changes in the phenological period, and the interspecific difference in their response resulted in a larger change in community composition. This study area may show a trend from alpine grassland to alpine meadow, and thus further works are urgently needed.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma metastases to kidney and renal hilar lymph nodes through epithelial-mesenchymal transition: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (EC) metastasized to the kidney is extremely rare clinically. Here, we present a case of metachronous renal metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old patient, male, complained of left waist pain for 5 days, 11 months after radical esophagectomy. Laboratory tests revealed haematuria. Both CT and PET-CT scan showed retroperitoneal lymph nodes and left renal masses. Subsequently the patient received a left nephrectomy and lymph nodes resection, and squamous cell carcinoma of kidney and renal hilar lymph nodes was diagnosed, combined with morphology, medical history and immunophenotype, it was presumed to be metastasis of ESCC through the EMT pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The renal metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma should be considered in patients with history of EC, although this is very rare. Histopathological examination combined with immunochemical detection is helpful in differential diagnosis.

A novel "on-off-on" electrochemiluminescence aptasensor based on resonance energy transfer as signal amplification strategy for ultrasensitive detection of sulfadiazine in different samples.

The misuse of antibiotics may contaminate the environment and cause harm to human health. Therefore, rapid and accurate detection of antibiotics is essential. In this study, a novel electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) pair was designed using a new ECL emitter (CPM, Ce-TBAPy) as the donor and Co-MOF@AuPt as the acceptor. Moreover, a highly sensitive and specific "on-off-on" ECL aptasensor was constructed for detecting sulfadiazine (SDZ). The aptasensor exhibited a broad linear range (from 10.0 fg mL-1 to 100 ng mL-1) for the SDZ concentration, with limit of detection and limit of quantification values of 1.14 fg mL-1and 3.75 fg mL-1, respectively. The aptasensor achieved good results in spiking experiments with milk and egg samples, and successfully quantified SDZ in fish meal quality control sample. The prepared aptasensor presents great potential for food and environmental safety by detecting antibiotics.

GLUT1 mediates bronchial epithelial E-cadherin disruption in TDI-induced steroid-insensitive asthma.

OBJECTIVE: Down-regulation of bronchial epithelial E-cadherin is an important of feature of severe asthma, including steroid-insensitive asthma. Yet, the mechanisms involved in E-cadherin disruption are not fully understood. This study was aimed to investigate the role of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in dysregulation of E-cadherin in toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced steroid-insensitive asthma. METHODS: A murine model of steroid-insensitive asthma was established by TDI sensitization and aerosol inhalation. Selective GLUT1 antagonists WZB117 and BAY876 were given to BALB/c mice after airway challenge. In vitro, primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) cultured in an airway-liquid interface (ALI) were exposed to TDI. RESULTS: TDI exposure markedly up-regulated GLUT1 in murine lungs and HBECs. Pharmacological inhibition of GLUT1 with BAY876 decreased airway hyperresponsiveness, neutrophil and eosinophil accumulation, as well as type 2 inflammation in vivo. Besides, the TDI-induced down-regulated expression of full-length E-cadherin was also partly recovered, accompanied by inhibited secretion of soluble E-cadherin (sE-cadherin). WZB117 also exhibited mild therapeutic effects, though not significant. In vitro, treatment with GLUT1 inhibitor relieved the TDI-induced disruption of E-cadherin in HBECs. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data demonstrated that GLUT1 modulates bronchial epithelial E-cadherin dysfunction production in TDI-induced steroid-insensitive asthma.

Pseudohyperkalemia in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed hematological malignancies.

Patients with newly diagnosed hematological malignancies often present with a considerable cellular burden, leading to complications including hyperkalemia. However, pseudohyperkalemia, arising from in vitro cell lysis, can pose challenges in clinical practice. Although pseudohyperkalemia is frequently reported in adult hematological malignancies, its occurrence in pediatric patients is underreported, and its incidence in this demographic remains unclear. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients who received a new diagnosis of hematological malignancies from 2011 to 2022 at Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Hyperkalemia was defined by a serum or plasma potassium level exceeding 5.5 mEq/L. Pseudohyperkalemia was defined by 1) a potassium decrease of over 1 mEq/L in within 4 h without intervention or 2) the absence of electrocardiography changes indicative of hyperkalemia. Cases with apparent red blood cell hemolysis were excluded. A total of 157 pediatric patients with a new diagnosis of hematological malignancies were included, 14 of whom exhibited hyperkalemia. Among these 14 cases, 7 cases (4.5%) were of pseudohyperkalemia. This rate increased to 21.2% in patients with initial hyperleukocytosis. Pseudohyperkalemia was associated with a higher initial white blood cell count and lower serum sodium level. All episodes of pseudohyperkalemia occurred in the pediatric emergency department, where samples were obtained as plasma, whereas all true hyperkalemia cases were observed in the ordinary ward or intensive care unit, where samples were obtained as serum. Timely recognition of pseudohyperkalemia is crucial to avoiding unnecessary potassium-lowering interventions in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed hematological malignancies.

Serum SOD1 level predicts the severity and prognosis of community-acquired pneumonia patients.

BACKGROUND: Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is one of the most important participants of antioxidant enzyme system in biological system. Previous studies have found that SOD1 is associated with many inflammatory diseases. The goal of this study was to assess the associations of serum SOD1 with the severity and prognosis in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients by a prospective cohort study. METHODS: CAP patients were enrolled from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Peripheral blood samples were gathered. The level of serum SOD1 was detected through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical characteristics and demographic information were analyzed. RESULTS: The level of serum SOD1 was gradually upregulated with elevated CAP severity scores. Spearman correlation coefficient or Pearson rank correlation analyses indicated that serum SOD1 was strongly connected with many clinical parameters among CAP patients. Further linear and logistic regression analyses found that the level of serum SOD1 was positively associated with CRB-65, CURB-65, SMART-COP, and CURXO scores among CAP patients. Moreover, serum higher SOD1 at admission substantially increased the risks of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, vasoactive agent usage, death, and longer hospital stays during hospitalization. Serum SOD1 level combination with CAP severity scores elevated the predictive abilities for severity and death compared with alone serum SOD1 and CAP severity scores in CAP patients during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The level of serum SOD1 is positively associated with the severity and poor prognosis in CAP patients, suggesting that SOD1 is implicated in the initiation and progression of CAP. Serum SOD1 may be regarded as a biomarker to appraise the severity and prognosis for CAP patients.

Intravenous thrombolysis versus dual antiplatelet therapy for patients with acute minor ischaemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and purpose: The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with acute minor ischaemic stroke (AMIS) remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of IVT and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with AMIS. Methods: The Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched up to 10 October, 2023. Prospective and retrospective studies comparing the clinical outcomes of IVT and DAPT were included. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for early neurological deterioration (END), excellent and favourable functional outcomes, recurrent ischaemic stroke at 3 months, mortality at 3 months, and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: Of the five included studies, 6,340 patients were included. In patients with AMIS, IVT was not significantly associated with excellent and favourable functional outcomes, recurrent ischaemic stroke, or all-cause mortality at 3 months compared to early DAPT. However, a higher risk of symptomatic ICH (OR, 9.31; 95% CI, 3.39-25.57) and END (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.76-4.30) were observed with IVT. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicated that IVT was not superior to DAPT in patients with AMIS, especially in those with nondisabling AIS. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution and have some limitations. Further, well-designed randomised controlled trials are warranted.

Effects of Foliar Spraying of Dicarboxylicdimethylammonium Chloride on Cadmium and Arsenic Accumulation in Rice Grains.

A field experiment with double cropping rice was carried out to study the foliar application effects of dicarboxylicdimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) on cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) accumulation in rice grains. The results showed that the spraying of DDAC could significantly reduce the accumulation of Cd and As in rice grains. The highest reductions in Cd and As content were observed when 1.5 mmol L-1 DDAC was sprayed, with 49.1% and 27.4% reductions in Cd and As content in early rice grains and 56.5% and 28.1% reductions in Cd and As content in late rice grains, respectively. In addition, the content of calcium (Ca) in rice grains increased significantly after DDAC foliar application, which was also conducive to the synthesis of amino acids such as glutamate (Glu), glycine (Gly) and cysteine (Cys) in rice grains. The results indicated that the foliar spraying of DDAC can inhibit the absorption, transport, accumulation and toxicity of Cd and As in rice grains by increasing amino acid synthesis and regulating the absorption and transport of essential elements.