Acid-modified hydrochar for higher biodegradation rate of atrazine in various conditions by Paenarthrobacter sp. KN0901: Higher cell viability and bacterial number.

Microbial remediation is a viable and eco-friendly approach for decontaminating pollution. However, its effectiveness can be limited by the microorganisms' survival and growth in changing environments. Hydrochar materials have been utilized in this study to increase the growth and atrazine degradation capabilities of Paenarthrobacter sp. KN0901, a strain capable of atrazine biodegradation. Acid-modified hydrochars exhibited a higher carbonation rate, specific surface area, and number of defect sites compared to raw hydrochar. Following three days of incubation at 15 °C, the atrazine degradation rate increased from 90.7 % to 98.2 % when utilizing H3PO4-modified hydrochar (PHC). Additionally, the addition of PHC resulted in an increase in both bacterial concentration and cell viability of strain KN0901, by 1.6 and 1.4 times, respectively. Under various conditions, including temperatures of 4 ºC and 35 ºC, as well as pH levels of 5 and 9, and dd·H2O media, PHC exhibited a significant enhancement in atrazine degradation and cell viability of strain KN0901. Furthermore, PHC demonstrated the ability to sustain high proliferation and viability of strain KN0901 over five cycles, indicating its remarkable stability and biocompatibility. This study offers a new perspective on the development and application of bioremediation approaches in restoring atrazine-polluted environments, even under challenging conditions.

Ultrasound and enzyme treatments on morphology, structures, and adsorption properties of cassava starch.

Porous starch materials are environmentally friendly and renewable and exhibit high adsorption performances. Ultrasound and compound enzyme (α-amylase and glucoamylase) treatments were applied to prepare modified cassava starch. The granules, crystal morphology, crystal structure, and molecular structure of starch were investigated. The hydrolysis degree, solubility, swelling, and adsorption properties of cassava starch were analyzed. After the cassava starch was modified by ultrasound and enzyme treatments, the granule size of the starch decreased, and the surfaces were eroded to form pits, grooves and cavity structure. The starch spherulites weakened or even disappeared. The functional groups of starch did not change significantly, but the degree of crystal order decreased. The double-helix structure was reduced, and the crystal structure was composed of A + V-type crystals, with a decrease in crystallinity. The gelatinization temperature and thermal degradation temperatures enhanced. The enzymatic hydrolysis degree and solubility of the modified cassava starch increased. The swelling degree decreased, and oil adsorption, water adsorption improved. MB adsorption behavior of modified cassava starch closely followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics model and the Langmuir isotherm equation. These findings could help to understand the relationship between the structure and properties of modified starch, and guide its application in the field of adsorption.

Mitochondrial Quality Control in Ovarian Function: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies.

Mitochondrial quality control plays a critical role in cytogenetic development by regulating various cell-death pathways and modulating the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Dysregulated mitochondrial quality control can lead to a broad spectrum of diseases, including reproductive disorders, particularly female infertility. Ovarian insufficiency is a significant contributor to female infertility, given its high prevalence, complex pathogenesis, and profound impact on women's health. Understanding the pathogenesis of ovarian insufficiency and devising treatment strategies based on this understanding are crucial. Oocytes and granulosa cells (GCs) are the primary ovarian cell types, with GCs regulated by oocytes, fulfilling their specific energy requirements prior to ovulation. Dysregulation of mitochondrial quality control through gene knockout or external stimuli can precipitate apoptosis, inflammatory responses, or ferroptosis in both oocytes and GCs, exacerbating ovarian insufficiency. This review aimed to delineate the regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control in GCs and oocytes during ovarian development. This study highlights the adverse consequences of dysregulated mitochondrial quality control on GCs and oocyte development and proposes therapeutic interventions for ovarian insufficiency based on mitochondrial quality control. These insights provide a foundation for future clinical approaches for treating ovarian insufficiency.

Socioeconomic traits and the risk of Barrett's esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Previous observational studies have shown that the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus (BE) is associated with socioeconomic status. However, due to the methodological limitations of traditional observational studies, it is challenging to definitively establish causality. AIM: To explore the causal relationship between the prevalence of these conditions and socioeconomic status using Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: We initially screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to serve as proxies for eight socioeconomic status phenotypes for univariate MR analysis. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analytical method to estimate the causal relationship between the eight socioeconomic status phenotypes and the risk of GERD and BE. We then collected combinations of SNPs as composite proxies for the eight socioeconomic phenotypes to perform multivariate MR (MVMR) analyses based on the IVW MVMR model. Furthermore, a two-step MR mediation analysis was used to examine the potential mediation of the associations by body mass index, major depressive disorder (MDD), smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep duration. RESULTS: The study identified three socioeconomic statuses that had a significant impact on GERD. These included household income [odds ratio (OR): 0.46; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.31-0.70], education attainment (OR: 0.23; 95%CI: 0.18-0.29), and the Townsend Deprivation Index at recruitment (OR: 1.57; 95%CI: 1.04-2.37). These factors were found to independently and predominantly influence the genetic causal effect of GERD. Furthermore, the mediating effect of educational attainment on GERD was found to be mediated by MDD (proportion mediated: 10.83%). Similarly, the effect of educational attainment on BE was mediated by MDD (proportion mediated: 10.58%) and the number of cigarettes smoked per day (proportion mediated: 3.50%). Additionally, the mediating effect of household income on GERD was observed to be mediated by sleep duration (proportion mediated: 9.75%). CONCLUSION: This MR study shed light on the link between socioeconomic status and GERD or BE, providing insights for the prevention of esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions.

Bio-electrocatalytic alkene reduction using ene-reductases with methyl viologen as electron mediator.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of alkene moieties is important for the synthesis of chiral molecules, but achieving high stereoselectivity remains a challenge. Biocatalysis using ene-reductases (EReds) offers a viable solution. However, the need for NAD(P)H cofactors limits large-scale applications. Here, we explored an electrochemical alternative for recycling flavin-containing EReds using methyl viologen as a mediator. For this, we built a bio-electrocatalytic setup with an H-type glass reactor cell, proton exchange membrane, and carbon cloth electrode. Experimental results confirm the mediator's electrochemical reduction and enzymatic consumption. Optimization showed increased product concentration at longer reaction times with better reproducibility within 4-6 h. We tested two enzymes, Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate Reductase (PETNR) and the Thermostable Old Yellow Enzyme (TOYE), using different alkene substrates. TOYE showed higher productivity for the reduction of 2-cyclohexen-1-one (1.20 mM h-1), 2-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (1.40 mM h-1) and 2-methyl-2-pentanal (0.40 mM h-1), with enantiomeric excesses ranging from 11% to 99%. PETNR outperformed TOYE in terms of enantioselectivity for the reduction of 2-methyl-2-pentanal (ee 59±7% (S)). Notably, TOYE achieved promising results also in reducing ketoisophorone, a challenging substrate, with similar enantiomeric excess compared to published values using NADH.

Maternal Hypertensive Disorder in Pregnancy and Childhood Strabismus in Offspring.

Importance: Maternal hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (HDP) might affect ocular health in offspring; however, its association with strabismus remains unclear. Objective: To examine the association of maternal HDP with overall and type-specific strabismus in offspring. Design, Setting, and Participants: In the Jiangsu Birth Cohort study, a population-based study in China, pregnant women were recruited from April 24, 2014, to November 30, 2018. A total of 6195 offspring had maternal HDP diagnosis information, of whom 3078 were excluded due to having no information on ocular alignment or due to having ocular diseases other than strabismus or refractive error. Offspring underwent ocular examinations at 3 years of age, completed May 21, 2022. Data were analyzed from May 28, 2022, through December 15, 2023. Exposure: Maternal HDP, categorized into hypertension and preeclampsia or with blood pressure (BP) well controlled (systolic BP, <130; diastolic BP, <80 mm Hg) and poorly controlled (systolic BP, ≥130; diastolic BP, ≥80 mm Hg). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the incidence of strabismus in offspring. Poisson generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the association between maternal HDP and strabismus. Results: Among the included 3117 children (mean [SD] age, 36.30 [0.74] months; 1629 boys [52.3%]), 143 (4.6%) were exposed to maternal HDP and 368 (11.8%) had strabismus. Offspring exposed to maternal HDP had an 82% increased risk of overall strabismus (relative risk [RR], 1.82 [95% CI, 1.21-2.74]), an 82% increased risk of exophoria (RR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.11-3.00]), and a 136% increased risk of intermittent exotropia (RR, 2.36 [95% CI, 1.13-4.93]) compared with unexposed offspring. When considering the type of maternal HDP, the risk for all strabismus was high for offspring exposed to preeclampsia (RR, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.39-4.09]) compared with unexposed offspring. When considering the BP control level of maternal HDP, the risk for all strabismus was high for offspring born to mothers with HDP and poorly controlled BP (RR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.32-3.24]) compared with unexposed offspring. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that maternal HDP is associated with an increased risk of offspring strabismus. Early screening of strabismus might be recommended for offspring with maternal HDP. Further exploration of the underlying mechanism of the association between HDP and strabismus is warranted.

Local treatment benefits patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of local treatment (LT), including radiotherapy (RT) and cytoreductive prostatectomy (CRP), in improving outcomes for patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer (OmPCa). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of articles from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science published between 2010 and November 2023 were conducted. The study included 11 articles, comprising three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and eight retrospective analyses. The study assessed overall survival (OS), radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) PFS, cancer-specific survival (CSS), and complication rate (CR). RESULTS: OS was significantly improved in the LT group, with both RCTs and non-RCTs showing statistical significance [hazard ratios (HR) = 0.64; 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), 0.51-0.80; p < 0.0001; HR = 0.55; 95% CIs, 0.40-0.77; p = 0.0004]. For rPFS, RCTs did not show statistically significant outcomes (HR = 0.60; 95% CIs, 0.34-1.07; p = 0.09), whereas non-RCTs demonstrated significant results (HR = 0.42; 95% CIs, 0.24-0.72; p = 0.002). Both RCTs and non-RCTs showed a significant improvement in PSA-PFS (HR = 0.44; 95%CI, 0.29-0.67; p = 0.0001; HR = 0.51; 95% CIs, 0.32-0.81; p = 0.004). For CSS, RCTs demonstrated statistical differences (HR = 0.65; 95% CIs, 0.47-0.90; p = 0.009), whereas non-RCTs did not (HR = 0.61; 95% CIs, 0.29-1.27; p = 0.19). Regarding CR, the risk difference was -0.22 (95% CIs, -0.32 to -0.12; p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: LT significantly improved OS and PFS in patients with OmPCa. Further RCTs are necessary to confirm these results.

Integrative Transcriptomics and Proteomics Analysis of a Cotton Mutant yl1 with a Chlorophyll-Reduced Leaf.

Leaf color mutants serve as ideal materials for studying photosynthesis, chlorophyll metabolism, and other physiological processes. Here, we identified a spontaneous yellow-leaf mutant (yl1) with chlorophyll-reduced leaves from G. hirsutum L. cv ZM24. Compare to wild type ZM24 with green leaves, yl1 exhibited patchy yellow leaves and reduced chlorophyll content. To further explore the mechanisms of the patchy yellow phenotype of the mutant plant, the transcriptomics and proteomics profiles were conducted for the mutant and wild types. A total of 9247 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1368 differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) were identified. Following gene ontology (GO) annotation and KEGG enrichment, the DEGs/DAPs were found to be significantly involved in multiple important pathways, including the obsolete oxidation-reduction process, photosynthesis, light-harvesting, the microtubule-based process, cell redox homeostasis, and the carbohydrate metabolic process. In photosynthesis and the light-harvesting pathway, a total of 39 DAPs/DEGs were identified, including 9 genes in the PSI, 7 genes in the PS II, 9 genes in the light-harvesting chlorophyll protein complex (LHC), 10 genes in the PsbP family, and 4 genes in the cytochrome b6/f complex. To validate the reliability of the omics data, GhPPD1, a DAPs in the PsbP family, was knocked down in cotton using the TRV-based VIGS system, and it was observed that the GhPPD1-silenced plants exhibited patchy yellow color, accompanied by a significant decrease in chlorophyll content. In conclusion, this study integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the chlorophyll-reduced leaf phenotype.

Developing a Multifunctional Cathode for Photoassisted Lithium-Sulfur Battery.

Integration of solar cell and secondary battery cannot only promote solar energy application but also improve the electrochemical performance of battery. Lithium-sulfur battery (LSB) is an ideal candidate for photoassisted batteries owing to its high theoretical capacity. Unfortunately, the researches related the combination of solar energy and LSB are relatively lacking. Herein, a freestanding photoelectrode is developed for photoassisted lithium-sulfur battery (PALSB) by constructing a heterogeneous structured Au@N-TiO2 on carbon cloths (Au@N-TiO2/CC), which combines multiple advantages. The Au@N-TiO2/CC photoelectrode can produce the photoelectrons to facilitate sulfur reduction during discharge process, while generating holes to accelerate sulfur evolution during charge process, improving the kinetics of electrochemical reactions. Meanwhile, Au@N-TiO2/CC can work as an electrocatalyst to promote the conversion of intermediate polysulfides during charge/discharge process, mitigating induced side reactions. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, PALSB assembled with an Au@N-TiO2/CC photoelectrode obtains ultrahigh specific capacity, excellent rate performance, and outstanding cycling performance. What is more, the Au@N-TiO2/CC assembled PALSB can be directly charged under light illumination. This work not only expands the application of solar energy but also provides a new insight to develop advanced LSBs.

Exploring the anti-EBV potential of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid: Induction of apoptosis in infected cells through suppressing BART gene expression and inducing lytic infection.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is linked to lymphoma and epithelioma but lacks drugs specifically targeting EBV-positive tumors. BamHI A Rightward Transcript (BART) miRNAs are expressed in all EBV-positive tumors, suppressing both lytic infection and host cell apoptosis. We identified suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), an inhibitor of histone deacetylase enzymes, as an agent that suppresses BART promoter activity and transcription of BART miRNAs. SAHA treatment demonstrated a more pronounced inhibition of cell proliferation in EBV-positive cells compared to EBV-negative cells, affecting both p53 wild-type and mutant gastric epithelial cells. SAHA treatment enhanced lytic infection in wild-type EBV-infected cells, while also enhancing cell death in BZLF1-deficient EBV-infected cells. It reduced BART gene expression by 85% and increased the expression of proapoptotic factors targeted by BART miRNAs. These findings suggest that SAHA not only induces lytic infection but also leads to cell death by suppressing BART miRNA transcription and promoting the apoptotic program.

Effect of ultra-high pressure heat-assisted technology combined with L-cysteine on the color of ready-to-eat shrimp during storage.

This study used ultra-high pressure processing (HPP) heat-assisted technology combined with L-cysteine (L-cys) to process ready-to-eat (RTE) shrimp. Subsequently, the effects of physical field and chemical modifications on the color of RTE shrimp were studied. The results showed that the RTE shrimp treated with HPP-Heat-L-cys showed better performance in terms of brightness value (65.25) and astaxanthin (AST) content (0.71 µg/g) during storage, maintaining the original color of RTE shrimp effectively. In addition, it was observed that the application of HPP-Heat-L-cys significantly delayed phenol oxidation, lipid oxidation, and Maillard reaction compared with traditional HPP or heat treatments. Specifically, the total phenolic content of RTE shrimp treated with HPP-Heat-L-cys was higher than that of other samples, but the TBARS and browning index were lower. Furthermore, HPP-Heat-L-cys could delay the production of dark products (such as 2-methylanthraquinone, p-benzoquinone, lipofuscin and melanin), ultimately safeguarding the color stability of RTE shrimp during storage.

Targeting Ikaros and Aiolos: reviewing novel protein degraders for the treatment of multiple myeloma, with a focus on iberdomide and mezigdomide.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) is evolving rapidly. Quadruplet regimens incorporating proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), and CD38 monoclonal antibodies have emerged as standard-of-care options for newly diagnosed MM, and numerous novel therapies have been approved for relapsed/refractory MM. However, there remains a need for novel options in multiple settings, including refractoriness to frontline standards of care. AREAS COVERED: Targeting degradation of IKZF1 and IKZF3 - Ikaros and Aiolos - through modulation of cereblon, an E3 ligase substrate recruiter/receptor, is a key mechanism of action of the IMiDs and the CELMoD agents. Two CELMoD agents, iberdomide and mezigdomide, have demonstrated substantial preclinical and clinical activity in MM and have entered phase 3 investigation. Using a literature search methodology comprising searches of PubMed (unlimited time-frame) and international hematology/oncology conference abstracts (2019-2023), this paper reviews the importance of Ikaros and Aiolos in MM, the mechanism of action of the IMiDs and CELMoD agents and their relative potency for targeting Ikaros and Aiolos, and preclinical and clinical data on iberdomide and mezigdomide. EXPERT OPINION: Emerging data suggest that iberdomide and mezigdomide have promising activity, including in IMiD-resistant settings and, pending phase 3 findings, may provide additional treatment options for patients with MM.

Association between cytokines and symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with type 1 narcolepsy.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common complications of narcolepsy. Earlier studies have shown that narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease and symptoms of depression and anxiety are closely related to fluctuations in inflammatory cytokines. The objective of the current research was to investigate the potential correlation between cytokines and symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with NT1. METHODS: We collected demographic and clinical data and information on cytokine levels from 50 patients with NT1 and used Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) to assess the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms. Patients with SDS scores ≥ 53 points were defined as depressive narcolepsy type 1 (D-NT1) and those with SDS scores < 53 points as non-depressive narcolepsy type 1 (ND-NT1). Patients with SAS scores ≥ 50 points were defined as anxious narcolepsy type 1 (A-NT1) and those with SAS scores < 50 points as non-anxious narcolepsy type 1 (NA-NT1). A binary logistic regression model was employed to identify the influencing factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: Levels of IL-10 (p = 0.02), IL-4 (p = 0.049) and disease duration (p = 0.049) were decreased, while SAS scores (p < 0.001) and total sleep duration (p = 0.03) were increased in D-NT1 relative to ND-NT1 patients. A-NT1 patients had higher SDS scores (p < 0.001) compared to NA-NT1 patients. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed associations of longer disease duration (OR=0.83; 95 % CI: 0.70-0.97) and increased IL-10 (OR=0.40; 95 % CI: 0.17-0.90) with reduced risk of depression and worsening anxiety (SAS score; OR=1.17; 95 % CI: 1.06-1.30) with increased risk of depression in patients with NT1. Consistently, worsening depression (SDS score; OR=1.22; 95 % CI: 1.07-1.39) was correlated with increased risk of anxiety in the NT1 group. CONCLUSION: Our finding that higher IL-10 levels correlate with a lower risk of depression in NT1 patients provides a reference for further exploration of the pathophysiological mechanisms of depressive symptoms in NT1 patients.

PhieDBEs: a DBD-containing, PAM-flexible, high-efficiency dual base editor toolbox with wide targeting scope for use in plants.

Dual base editors (DBEs) enable simultaneous A-to-G and C-to-T conversions, expanding mutation types. However, low editing efficiency and narrow targeting range limit the widespread use of DBEs in plants. The single-strand DNA binding domain of RAD51 DBD can be fused to base editors to improve their editing efficiency. However, it remains unclear how the DBD affects dual base editing performance in plants. In this study, we generated a series of novel plant DBE-SpGn tools consisting of nine constructs using the high-activity cytidine deaminase evoFERNY, adenosine deaminase TadA8e and DBD in various fusion modes with the PAM-flexible Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) nickase variant SpGn (with NG-PAM). By analysing their editing performance on 48 targets in rice, we found that DBE-SpGn constructs containing a single DBD and deaminases located at the N-terminus of SpGn exhibited the highest editing efficiencies. Meanwhile, constructs with deaminases located at the C-terminus and/or multiple DBDs failed to function normally and exhibited inhibited editing activity. We identified three particularly high-efficiency dual base editors (C-A-SpGn, C-A-D-SpGn and A-C-D-SpGn), named PhieDBEs (Plant high-efficiency dual base editors), capable of producing efficient dual base conversions within a narrow editing window (M5 ~ M9, M = A/C). The editing efficiency of C-A-D-SpGn was as high as 95.2% at certain target sites, with frequencies of simultaneous C-to-T and A-to-G conversions as high as 81.0%. In summary, PhieDBEs (especially C-A-D-SpGn) can produce diverse mutants and may prove useful in a wide variety of applications, including plant functional genomics, precise mutagenesis, directed evolution and crop genetic improvement, among others.

CRISPR-array-mediated imaging of non-repetitive and multiplex genomic loci in living cells.

Dynamic imaging of genomic loci is key for understanding gene regulation, but methods for imaging genomes, in particular non-repetitive DNAs, are limited. We developed CRISPRdelight, a DNA-labeling system based on endonuclease-deficient CRISPR-Cas12a (dCas12a), with an engineered CRISPR array to track DNA location and motion. CRISPRdelight enables robust imaging of all examined 12 non-repetitive genomic loci in different cell lines. We revealed the confined movement of the CCAT1 locus (chr8q24) at the nuclear periphery for repressed expression and active motion in the interior nucleus for transcription. We uncovered the selective repositioning of HSP gene loci to nuclear speckles, including a remarkable relocation of HSPH1 (chr13q12) for elevated transcription during stresses. Combining CRISPR-dCas12a and RNA aptamers allowed multiplex imaging of four types of satellite DNA loci with a single array, revealing their spatial proximity to the nucleolus-associated domain. CRISPRdelight is a user-friendly and robust system for imaging and tracking genomic dynamics and regulation.

Sclerotinia rot of Zephyranthes candida caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotinia minor.

Sclerotinia rot is a serious disease that occurs on Zephyranthes candida. A thorough understanding of the pathogenic fungal species and understanding the biological characteristics are important for controlling sclerotinia. Fungal strains were isolated from the diseased leaves of Z. candida through tissue isolation. Koch's hypothesis screened pathogenic strains by pathogenicity of healthy leaves, including re-isolation and identification. A multigene phylogenetic tree was constructed by extracting genomic DNA from pathogenic strains and measuring the nucleotide sequences at four sites, including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), and heat shock protein 60 (HSP60). Morphological characteristics of the fungal structures were evaluated through microscopic analysis. The growth of pathogens was observed and recorded under different pH, different temperatures, different carbon sources and different nitrogen sources to clarify their biological characteristics. Representative strains D7, D13, X4, and X15 infected Z. candida and caused sclerotinia rot. At the beginning of the culture, white flocculent fungal hyphae appeared on the potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, and black spherical to irregular-shaped sclerotia appeared at the edge of the colony after 7 days. The diameter of the sclerotia was 2.4-8.6 mm and 0.4-0.9 mm, respectively. One sclerotium was able to germinate from 1 to 5 apothecia. Ascus were cylindrical or spindle-shaped, with a size of 110.0-120.0 × 9.2-11.6 µm. One ascus contained eight colorless, oval ascospores, with a size of 8.4-12.0 × 4.5-5.5 µm. Based on the phylogenetic tree constructed with the gene sequences for ITS, G3PDH, HSP60, and RPB2, D7 and D13 shared 99% homology with sclerotinia sclerotiorum, whereas X4 and X15 shared 99% homology with sclerotinia minor. S. sclerotiorum growth was more suitable when the culture temperature was 15°C-25°C, pH 5.0, carbon source was maltose and nitrogen source was yeast powder. S. minor growth was more suitable when the culture temperature was 15°C, pH 5.0, the carbon source was glucose, and the nitrogen source was yeast powder. The results identified the pathogens as S. sclerotiorum and S. minor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of S. sclerotiorum and S. minor causing sclerotinia rot on Z. candida. We herein aimed to identify the causal agent of sclerotinia rot of Z. candida in China based on morphological characteristics, molecular identification, and pathogenicity tests. Performed the experiments on the biological characteristics, to understand the law of disease occurrence. We also evaluated methods for the effective control of this disease. Our findings provide support for further studies on the pathogenesis mechanism of sclerotinia rot.

Enhanced anaerobic digestion of waste-activated sludge by thermal-alkali pretreatment: a pilot-scale study.

The composition of waste-activated sludge (WAS) is complex, containing a large amount of harmful substances, which pose a threat to the environment and human health. The reduction and resource utilization of sludge has become a development demand in sludge treatment and disposal. Based on the technical bottlenecks in the practical application of direct anaerobic digestion technology, this study adopted two different thermal and thermal-alkali hydrolysis technologies to pretreat sludge. A pilot-scale experiment was conducted to investigate the experimental conditions, parameters, and effects of two hydrolysis technologies. This study showed that the optimal hydrolysis temperature was 70 °C, the hydrolysis effect and pH can reach equilibrium with the hydrolysis retention time was 4-8 h, and the optimal alkali concentration range was 0.0125-0.015 kg NaOH/kg dry-sludge. Thermal-alkali combination treatment greatly improved the performance of methane production, the addition of NaOH increased methane yield by 31.2% than that of 70 °C thermal hydrolysis. The average energy consumption is 75 kWh/m3 80% water-content sludge during the experiment. This study provides a better pretreatment strategy for exploring efficient anaerobic digestion treatment technologies suitable for southern characteristic sewage sludge.

Association of cigarette smoking, smoking cessation with the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between cigarette smoking, smoking cessation and the trajectory of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM), and further to examine the association of age at smoking initiation and smoking cessation with CMM. METHODS: This study included 298,984 UK Biobank participants without cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) (including type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases, stroke, and hypertension) at baseline. Smoking status was categorized into former, current, and never smokers, with age at smoking initiation and smoking cessation as a proxy for current and former smokers. The multi-state model was performed to evaluate the association between cigarette smoking, smoking cessation and CMM. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 13.2 years, 59,193 participants developed first cardiometabolic disease (FCMD), 14,090 further developed CMM, and 16,487 died. Compared to former smokers, current smokers had higher risk at all transitions, with hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.59 (1.55 ∼ 1.63) vs. 1.18 (1.16 ∼ 1.21) (P = 1.48 × 10- 118) from health to FCMD, 1.40 (1.33 ∼ 1.47) vs. 1.09 (1.05 ∼ 1.14) (P = 1.50 × 10- 18) from FCMD to CMM, and 2.87 (2.72 ∼ 3.03) vs. 1.38 (1.32 ∼ 1.45) (P < 0.001) from health, 2.16 (1.98 ∼ 2.35) vs. 1.25 (1.16 ∼ 1.34) (P = 1.18 × 10- 46) from FCMD, 2.02 (1.79 ∼ 2.28) vs. 1.22 (1.09 ∼ 1.35) (P = 3.93 × 10- 17) from CMM to death; whereas quitting smoking reduced the risk attributed to cigarette smoking by approximately 76.5% across all transitions. Reduced risks of smoking cessation were also identified when age at quitting smoking was used as a proxy for former smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking was associated with a higher risk of CMM across all transitions; however, smoking cessation, especially before the age of 35, was associated with a significant decrease in CMM risk attributed to cigarette smoking.

Association of prenatal multiple metal exposures with child neurodevelopment at 3 years of age: A prospective birth cohort study.

Prenatal exposures to toxic metals and trace elements have been linked to childhood neurodevelopment. However, existing evidence remains inconclusive, and further research is needed to investigate the mixture effects of multiple metal exposures on childhood neurodevelopment. We aimed to examine the associations between prenatal exposure to specific metals and metal mixtures and neurodevelopment in children. In this prospective cohort study, we used the multivariable linear regressions and the robust modified Poisson regressions to explore the associations of prenatal exposure to 25 specific metals with neurodevelopment among children at 3 years of age in 854 mother-child pairs from the Jiangsu Birth Cohort (JBC) Study. The Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was employed to assess the joint effects of multiple metals on neurodevelopment. Prenatal manganese (Mn) exposure was negatively associated with the risk of non-optimal cognition development of children, while vanadium (V), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb), cerium (Ce) and uranium (U) exposures were positively associated with the risk of non-optimal gross motor development. BKMR identified an interaction effect between Sb and Ce on non-optimal gross motor development. Additionally, an element risk score (ERS), representing the mixture effect of multiple metal exposures including V, Cu, Zn, Sb, Ce and U was constructed based on weights from a Poisson regression model. Children with ERS in the highest tertile had higher probability of non-optimal gross motor development (RR = 2.37, 95 % CI: 1.15, 4.86) versus those at the lowest tertile. Notably, Sb [conditional-posterior inclusion probabilities (cPIP) = 0.511] and U (cPIP = 0.386) mainly contributed to the increased risk of non-optimal gross motor development. The findings highlight the importance of paying attention to the joint effects of multiple metals on children's neurodevelopment. The ERS score may serve as an indicator of comprehensive metal exposure risk for children's neurodevelopment.