L-tryptophan anaerobic fermentation for indole acetic acid production: Bacterial enrichment and effects of zero valent iron.

Indole acetic acid (IAA) as a plant hormone, was one of the valuable products of anaerobic fermentation. However, the enriching method remained unknown. Moreover, whether zero valent iron (ZVI) could enhance IAA production was unexplored. In this work, IAA producing bacteria Klebsiella (63 %) was enriched successfully. IAA average production rate and concentration were up to 3 mg/L/h and 56 mg/L. With addition of 1 g/L ZVI, IAA average production rate and concentration was increased for 2 and 3 folds. Mechanisms indicated ZVI increased Na+K+-ATP activity and electron transport activity for 2 folds and 1 fold. Moreover, macro transcription determined indole pyruvate pathway activity like primary-amine oxidase, indole pyruvate decarboxylase and aldehyde dehydrogenase were increased for 146 %, 187 %, and 557 %, respectively. Therefore, ZVI was suitable for enhancement IAA production from mixed culture anaerobic fermentation.

Theoretical and experimental investigation of Al3+ ion-suppressed phase-separation structures in rare-earth-doped high-phosphorus silica glasses.

Rare-earth-doped silica-based composite glasses (Re-SCGs) are widely used as high-quality laser gain media in defense, aerospace, energy, power, and medical applications. The variable regional chemical environments of Re-SCGs can induce new photoluminescence properties of rare-earth ions but can cause the selective aggregation of rare-earth ions, limiting the application of Re-SCGs in the field of high-power lasers. Here, topological engineering is proposed to adjust the degree of cross-linking of phase-separation network chains in Re-SCGs. A combination of experimental and theoretical characterization techniques suggested that the selective aggregation of rare-earth ions originates from the formation of phase-separated structures in glasses. The decomposition of nanoscale phase separation structures to the sub-nanometer scale, enabled by incorporating Al3+ ions, not only maintains the high luminescence efficiency of rare earth ions but also increases light transmittance and reduces light scattering. Furthermore, our investigation encompassed the exploration of the inhibitory mechanism of Al3+ ions on phase-separation structures, as well as their influence on the spectral characteristics of Re-SCGs. This work provides a new design concept for composite glass materials doped with rare-earth ions and could broaden their application in the field of high-power lasers.

Exploring the Catalytic Flexibility and Reversibility of Plant Glycosyltransferase HtUGT72AS1 for Glycodiversification of Phenolic Compounds.

Plant bioactive metabolites such as flavonoids are usually present in glycosylated forms by the attachment of various sugar groups. In this study, a catalytically flexible and reversible glycosyltransferase (HtUGT72AS1) was cloned and characterized from Helleborus thibetanus. HtUGT72AS1 could directly accept six sugar donors (UDP-glucose/-arabinose/-galactose/-xylose/-N-acetylglucosamine/-rhamnose) to catalyze the 3-OH glycosylation of flavonols. It also catalyzed the 4' and 7-OH glycosylation of other types of flavonoids, which lacked the 3-OH group. Additionally, the HtUGT72AS1-catalyzed reaction was highly reversible when using 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl glycosides as substrates, which could be used for one-pot or coupled production of bioactive glycosides. It is the first reported UGT for the synthesis of arabinosides and galactosides using a transglycosylation platform. Based on structural modeling and mutagenetic analysis, the mutation of Tyr377 to Ara enhanced the catalytic efficiency of HtUGT72AS1 toward UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, and the V146S mutant gained an improvement in the regioselectivity toward 7-OH of flavonoids.

Determining resuscitation threshold for extremely preterm infants based on the survival rates without severe neurological injury.

Background: Published guidelines on decision-making and resuscitation of extremely preterm infants primarily focus on high-income countries. For rapidly industrializing ones like China, there is a lack of population-based data for informing prenatal management and practice guidelines. Methods: The Sino-northern Neonatal Network conducted a prospective multi-centre cohort study between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021. Infants with a gestational age (GA) between 22 (postnatal age in days = 0) and 28 (postnatal age in days = 6) admitted to 40 tertiary NICUs in northern China were included and evaluated for death or severe neurological injury before discharge. Results: For all extremely preterm infants (n = 5838), the proportion of admission to the neonatal was 4.1% at 22-24 weeks, 27.2% at 25-26 weeks, and 75.2% at 27 and 28 weeks. Among 2228 infants admitted to the NICU, 216 (11.1%) were still elected for withdrawal of care (WIC) due to non-medical factors. Survival rates without severe neurological injury were 6.7% for infants at 22-23 weeks, 28.0% at 24 weeks, 56.7% at 24 weeks, 61.7% at 25 weeks, 79.9% at 26 weeks, and 84.5% at 27 and 28 weeks. Compared with traditional criterion at 28 weeks, the relative risk for death or severe neurological injury were 1.53 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26-1.86) at 27 weeks, 2.32 (95% CI = 1.73-3.11) at 26 weeks, 3.62 (95% CI = 2.43-5.40) at 25 weeks, and 8.91 (95% CI = 4.69-16.96) at 24 weeks. The NICUs with higher proportion of WIC also had a higher rate of death or severe neurological injury after maximal intensive care (MIC). Conclusions: Compared to the traditional threshold of 28 weeks, more infants received MIC after 25 weeks, leading to significant increases in survival rates without severe neurological injury. Therefore, the resuscitation threshold should be gradually adjusted from 28 to 25 weeks based on reliable capacity. Registration: China Clinical Trials Registry. ID: ChiCTR1900025234.

Transnasal Endoscopic Orbital Decompression Combined with an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol in Graves Ophthalmopathy.

Objective: Although enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) was shown to improve patients' recovery after surgery and transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression has been associated with lesser risks of postoperative complications compared to other surgical techniques in treating Graves ophthalmopathy (GO), there are currently no clinical studies on the application of ERAS in transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of combining transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression with ERAS in the treatment of GO. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 5 GO patients (10 eyes) treated with transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression from January 2021 to December 2021 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University. All patients underwent ERAS, and the effects of ERAS on the postoperative complications and recovery of patients were evaluated. Results: Ophthalmological examination showed that GO patients had good correction of exophthalmos after surgery combined with ERAS. Specifically, the exophthalmos reduction in subjects was 0.9-2.1 mm, with a mean reduction of 1.23 mm. In addition, a visual acuity improvement of 0.15-0.4, with an average improvement of 0.23, was also observed. Further, the Scale of Quality of Life for Diseases with Visual Impairment (SQOL-DVI) showed that, compared with before surgery, the patients' QOL was significantly improved 2 weeks after surgery. Before surgery, there were 2 patients with diplopia and blurred vision, and after postoperative adaptive exercise, the symptoms of these 2 patients disappeared after 6 months of follow-up. As for the other 3 patients, they had no diplopia or blurred vision after surgery. Conclusion: This observational study found that transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression might be effective in treating GO, and ERAS might be considered an important adjunct to improving perioperative care and postoperative recovery.

A Retrospective Analysis of Death Among Chinese Han Patients with Schizophrenia from Shandong.

Purpose: To describe the mortality rate and cause of death among Han Chinese schizophrenia patients and to explore the risk factors affecting survival. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of death among patients with schizophrenia from Jan 1, 2012, to Dec 31, 2019, using the Severe Mental Disorders Information System of Shandong Province (henceforth referred to as the SMDI system) in Shandong, China. The cohort included 72,102 patients, and 11,766 patients died during follow-up. The data in this cohort study were derived from the SMDI system. We calculated the crude mortality rate and standardized mortality rate (SMR, standardized according to the sex and age composition of the population in Shandong Province) for patients with schizophrenia. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors affecting patient survival, and the statistical index was the hazard ratio (HR). Results: The mean age of the cohort patients was 47.21±14.05 years; 51.79% were males, and 48.21% were females. Among them, 68.98% (49,735) had only a primary education level, 85.36% (61,549) were farmers, 64.37% (46,413) were married, and 94.01% (67,775) received community management. A total of 16.32% of the cohort died. The SMR in patients with schizophrenia was 4.9, and it was higher for males than females (4.99 versus 4.82). Among the 6 registered causes of death, physical illness had the highest SMR (5.15), followed by other causes of death (4.86), mental illness-related complications (4.57), homicide (4.31), accidents (4.13), and suicide (3.87). Higher levels of education, employment (in-service status), marriage, and urban residence were protective factors for survival among patients with schizophrenia. Conclusion: In China, the SMR of schizophrenia is relatively high, and physical diseases are the main cause of death. We suggest that a variety of measures should be taken early to treat somatic diseases and reduce SMR in patients with schizophrenia.

Pseudocryphonectriaelaeocarpicola gen. et sp. nov. (Cryphonectriaceae, Diaporthales) causing stem blight of Elaeocarpus spp. in China.

Cryphonectriaceae is a diaporthalean family containing important plant pathogens of which Cryphonectriaparasitica is the most notorious one. An emerging stem blight disease on Elaeocarpusapiculatus (Elaeocarpaceae) and E.hainanensis was observed in Guangdong Province of China recently. Typical Cryphonectria blight-like symptoms including cankers on tree barks with obvious orange conidial tendrils were observed. Forty-eight isolates were obtained from diseased tissues and conidiomata formed on the hosts E.apiculatus and E.hainanensis. These isolates were further identified based on both morphology and molecular methods using the combined sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, large subunit of the nrDNA (LSU), the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes. As a result, the fungus represents an undescribed genus and species within the family Cryphonectriaceae. Hence, Pseudocryphonectriaelaeocarpicola gen. et sp. nov. is proposed herein to represent these isolates from diseased barks of E.apiculatus and E.hainanensis. Pseudocryphonectria differs from the other genera of Cryphonectriaceae in having dimorphic conidia. Further inoculation results showed that P.elaeocarpicola is the causal agent of this emerging blight disease in China, which can quickly infect and kill the hosts E.apiculatus and E.hainanensis.

Long Non-Coding RNA NEAT1 Regulates Pyroptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy via Mediating the miR-34c/NLRP3 Axis.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and is considered to be a sterile inflammatory disease. Increasing evidence suggest that pyroptosis and subsequent inflammatory response play a key role in the pathogenesis of DN. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for pyroptosis in DN are largely unknown. METHODS: The rat models of DN were successfully established by single 65 mg/kg streptozotocin treatment. Glomerular mesangial cells were exposed to 30 mmol/L high glucose media for 48 h to mimic the DN environment in vitro. Gene and protein expressions were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Cell viability and pyroptosis were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The relationship between lncRNA NEAT1, miR-34c, and Nod-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: We found that upregulation of NEAT1 was associated with the increase of pyroptosis in DN models. miR-34c, as a target gene of NEAT1, mediated the effect of NEAT1 on pyroptosis in DN by regulating the expression of NLRP3 as well as the expressions of caspase-1 and interleukin-1ß. Either miR-34c inhibition or NLRP3 overexpression could reverse the accentuation of pyroptosis and inflammation by sh-NEAT1 transfection in the in vitro model of DN. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested NEAT1 and its target gene miR-34c regulated cell pyroptosis via mediating NLRP3 in DN, providing new insights into understanding the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of DN.

Comprehensive circular RNA profiling of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and its clinical significance.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is one of the major challenges in retinal surgery, which occurs in the patient with complex retinal surgery or penetrating eye injury. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as important regulators in many biological processes and disease development. However, the characterization and function of circRNAs in PVR remains elusive. In this study, we identified 91 dysregulated circRNAs in the epiretinal membranes (ERMs) of PVR patients. We further investigated the expression pattern of circ_0043144. circ_0043144 was significantly up-regulated in the vitreous samples and the corresponding serum samples of the patients with PVR. circ_0043144 expression was significantly down-regulated after PVR operation. In vitro studies revealed that circ_0043144 was involved in the regulation of the proliferation, migration and secretion ability of ARPE-19 cells, which is critical for ERM formation. Collectively, this study indicates that circRNAs are potential regulators of the pathogenesis of PVR. circ_0043144 is a promising prognostic and diagnostic indicator for PVR diseases.

Imaging pair-correlated reaction cross sections in F + CH3D(νb = 0, 1) → CH2D(ν4 = 1) + HF(ν).

The title reactions were studied in a crossed-beam experiment at collisional energies (Ec) from 0.5 to 4.7 kcal mol-1. The νb (ν4) vibrational mode denotes the bending (umbrella) motion of the CH3D reactant (CH2D product). Using a time-sliced, velocity-map imaging technique, we extracted the state-specific, pair-correlated integral and differential cross sections. As with other isotopically analogous ground-state reactions, an inverted vibrational population of the HF coproduct was observed. Both the step-like excitation function near the threshold and the oscillatory forward-backward peakings in the Ec-evolution of the two dominant pair-correlated angular distributions at lower Ec suggest a resonance-mediated, time-delay mechanism. As Ec increases, the angular distribution of the HF(ν = 2) product evolves into a smooth and broad swath in the backward hemisphere, indicative of a direct rebound mechanism. One quantum excitation of the bending modes of CH3D(νb = 1) promotes the reaction rate by two- to three-fold up to Ec = 2.1 kcal mol-1. Broadly speaking, all major findings are qualitatively in line with previous results in the reactions of the F atom with other isotopologues. However, the rainbow feature recently observed in the CH2D(00) + HF(ν = 3) product channel is entirely absent. A possible rationale is put forward, which reinforces the previous reactive rainbow conjecture and calls for future theoretical investigations.

X-ray-activated long persistent phosphors featuring strong UVC afterglow emissions.

Phosphors emitting visible and near-infrared persistent luminescence have been explored extensively owing to their unusual properties and commercial interest in their applications such as glow-in-the-dark paints, optical information storage, and in vivo bioimaging. However, no persistent phosphor that features emissions in the ultraviolet C range (200-280 nm) has been known to exist so far. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for creating a new generation of persistent phosphor that exhibits strong ultraviolet C emission with an initial power density over 10 milliwatts per square meter and an afterglow of more than 2 h. Experimental characterizations coupled with first-principles calculations have revealed that structural defects associated with oxygen introduction-induced anion vacancies in fluoride elpasolite can function as electron traps, which capture and store a large number of electrons triggered by X-ray irradiation. Notably, we show that the ultraviolet C afterglow intensity of the yielded phosphor is sufficiently strong for sterilization. Our discovery of this ultraviolet C afterglow opens up new avenues for research on persistent phosphors, and it offers new perspectives on their applications in terms of sterilization, disinfection, drug release, cancer treatment, anti-counterfeiting, and beyond.

Lanostane-type triterpenoids from the fruiting body of Ganoderma calidophilum.

To search for active anti-cancer constituents in the fruiting body of Ganoderma calidophilum, we have successfully isolated four previously undescribed spiro-lactone lanostane triterpenoids (spiroganocalitones A-D), two previously undescribed lanostanoids (ganodecalones A and B) together with twenty-three known ones. The structures of the six previously undescribed compounds were elucidated based on 1D, 2D-NMR, and HRMS analyses. Ganoderone A showed moderate cytotoxic activity against K562, BEL7402, and SGC790 cell lines with IC50 values of 7.62, 6.28, and 3.55 µM, respectively.

Tandem Copper-Catalyzed Propargylation/Alkyne Azacyclization/Isomerization Reaction under Microwave Irradiation: Synthesis of Fully Substituted Pyrroles.

A copper-catalyzed and microwave-assisted synthesis of fully substituted pyrroles has been developed. A series of pentasubstituted pyrroles, especially α-arylpyrroles, could be obtained in moderate to good yields (up to 93%) through a tandem propargylation/alkyne azacyclization/isomerization sequence from readily available ß-enamino compounds and propargyl acetates.

Three new lanostanoids from the mushroom Ganoderma tropicum.

Three new lanostanoid triterpenes--ganotropic acid (1), 3ß,7ß,15α,24-tetra- hydroxy-11,23-dioxo-lanost-8-en-26-oic acid (2) and 3ß,7ß,15α,28-tetrahydroxy-11,23- dioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid (3)--were isolated from the n-BuOH extract of the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Ganoderma tropicum. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, as well as HR-EI-MS data.

Design of site-directed magnetic targeting system in acute spinal cord injury.

Effective repair immediately after spinal cord injury can improve the prognosis of the patient. Injection of membrane resealing nanomaterial is one of the most promising technique to repair the membrane. In order to improve the retention rate of membrane repair material at injury site, membrane resealing nanomaterial can be combined with magnetic nanoparticle and magnetic targeting system. In this paper, a special site directed magnetic targeting system, which contain a C-shaped permanent magnet and a ferromagnetic needle, was constructed. Simulation was conducted to analyze the influence of the shape of needle on the magnetic field to provide magnetic force large enough to make the magnetic particles stay at the target site. Results showed that the appearance of ferromagnetic needle raised both the strength and the gradient of magnetic field at the target site. Moreover, with similar apex angles, longer needles with larger diameters can produced lager magnetic field, but smaller needles has better focal area at the small injury site in spinal cord injury. These results provide a basis for design and fabrication of ferromagnetic needles when the targeting system is applied in future experiments.

Aortic dual-energy CT angiography with low contrast medium injection rate.

The contrast medium (CM) induced nephropathy required new CT imaging protocol. This study evaluated the feasibility of low contrast medium (CM) volume and injection flow using aortic dual-energy CT (DECT) angiography with non-linear blending technique. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to two groups: control group (n=30), single-energy CT 70 ml CM at injection rate of 5 ml/s; study group (n=30), DECT mode, 0.5 ml per kg of patient weight CM at injection rate=(weight × 0.5 ml/kg)/(4+scan time). Non-linear blending technique was used for dual-energy images. Mean attention, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of aorta were compared. The level of visible renal artery branches was scored. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean aortic attention, SNR and CNR (all P > 0.05). Significant difference was showed in CM injection rate (p < 0.001) and volume (P < 0.001). The renal artery score had no statistically significant difference (P=0.771). Compared conventional scan and CM injection protocol, DECT with non-linear blending technique maintained the image quality of aortic CT angiography with reduced CM volume and flow rate, which could reduce the risks associated with CM injection.

The effect of inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress on lipolysis in white adipose tissue in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.

AIM: Lipolysis in fat tissue plays an important role in the development of metabolic disturbances, a characteristic feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress could alleviate lipolysis in white adipose tissue in a rat model of CKD. METHODS: A rat model of CKD was established by a method of reduced renal mass (RRM). Lipolysis was measured as the release of glycerol in ex vivo fat pads and cultured primary adipocytes. The activity of lipases and markers of ER stress were measured by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: Our data showed that lipolysis in visceral white adipose tissue was increased in RRM rats compared with control rats. In addition, increased phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and binding of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) to comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) protein were observed in the RRM rats. The phosphorylation of ER stress markers, including IRE1α, PERK, and eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2α, and the expression of ER stress marker 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) were significantly increased in RRM rats. Treatment with an inhibitor of ER stress partially but significantly alleviated lipolysis, and this alleviation was accompanied by reduced binding of ATGL to CGI-58. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that enhanced lipolysis and ER stress occurred in visceral white adipose tissue in a rat model of CKD. Moreover, inhibition of ER stress significantly alleviated lipolysis. These findings suggest that ER stress is a potential therapeutic target for the metabolic disturbances associated with CKD.

Proteomics reveals intersexual differences in the rat brain hippocampus.

It is widely accepted that intersexual differences occur in cognitive domains, e.g., in spatial learning and memory. The hippocampus plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation. However, it still remains unknown whether the hippocampal proteomic profiling differs between males and females. In this study, we investigated the intersexual differences in protein expression of hippocampi using the two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis. In all, 33 differentially expressed proteins were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and validated by Western-blotting analysis. In line with Western-blotting validation, the proteomic identification revealed the overexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in female rats' hippocampi, and the overexpression of both creatine kinase B-type and DRP-2 in male rats' hippocampi. The intersexual differences in hippocampal proteomic profiling are probably closely related to those in spatial learning and memory abilities.

Three new lanostanoid triterpenes from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma tropicum.

Three new lanostanoid triterpenes, 3ß,7ß,15ß-trihydroxy-11,23-dioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid (1), 3ß,7ß,15ß-trihydroxy-11,23-dioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid methyl ester (2), and 3ß,15ß-dihydroxy-7,11,23-trioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid methyl ester (3) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma tropicum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy as well as MS. The bioassay of inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of these isolates was evaluated and compound 2 exhibited definite inhibitory activity against AChE.

MDR1 polymorphisms associated with risk and survival in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

MDR1 encodes an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent efflux transporter that protects the body from environmental xenobiotics to maintain optimal health. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MDR1, T-2410C, T-129C, C1236T, G2677T/A and C3435T, were identified in our previous study. To investigate further the biological significance of these SNPs, we genotyped the SNPs in 135 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 376 age- and sex-matched controls. Statistical analysis indicated that the MDR1-129TC genotype was associated with an increased risk of DLBCL (p = 0.040) compared with the TT genotype, and the increased risk was more pronounced in older patients (> 50 years, p = 0.011). Patients with MDR1 2677TT displayed worse survival rates compared with those carrying MDR1 2677G/A alleles (p = 0.036). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the G2677T/A polymorphism was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). Further, we found a combined effect of MDR1 G2677T/A and C3435T on OS of patients with DLBCL. These results suggest that the MDR1 T-129C, G2677T/A and C3435T polymorphisms are associated with risk of and survival in DLBCL, although the p-values are not as strong after Bonferroni correction. Further investigations with a relatively larger number of patients and longer follow-up periods should be undertaken to confirm our results.