Bio-sorption capacity of cadmium and zinc by Pseudomonas monteilii with heavy-metal resistance isolated from the compost of pig manure.

The tolerance of Pseudomonas monteilii X1, isolated from pig manure compost, to Cd and Zn, as well as its capacity for biosorption, were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Cd and Zn for the strain were 550 mg/L and 800 mg/L, respectively. Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that organic acids and derivatives, lipids and lipid-like molecules, and organic heterocyclic compounds were the main metabolites. The glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism pathway were significantly enriched under Cd2+ stress. The isothermal adsorption and adsorption kinetics experiments determined that the strain had adsorption capacities of 9.96 mg/g for Cd2+ and 23.4 mg/g for Zn2+. Active groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino groups on the cell surface, were found to participate in metal adsorption. The strain was able to convert Zn2+ into Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O crystal. Overall, this study suggested that Pseudomonas monteilii has potential as a remediation material for heavy metals.

Comprehensive classifications for the endovascular recanalization of vertebral artery stump syndrome.

Background: and purpose: To share our single-center vertebral artery stump syndrome (VASS) treatment experience and assess the role of comprehensive classification based on anatomic development, proximal conditions, and distal conditions (PAD). Materials and methods: Data were retrospectively collected from patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) at the Stroke Center of the First Hospital of Jilin University between January 2016 and December 2021. Among patients with acute ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation, those with acute occlusion of the intracranial arteries and occlusion at the origin of the vertebral artery confirmed by digital subtraction angiography were selected. The clinical data were summarized and analyzed. Results: Fifteen patients with VASS were enrolled in the study. The overall success rate of surgical recanalization was 80%. The successful proximal recanalization rate was 70.6%, and the recanalization rates for P1, P2, P3, and P4 were 100%, 71.4%, 50%, and 66.67%, respectively. The mean operation times for the A1 and A2 types were 124 and 120 â€‹min, respectively. The successful distal recanalization rate was 91.7%, and the recanalization rates for types D1, D2, D3, and D4 were 100%, 83.3%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Five patients experienced perioperative complications (incidence rate: 33.3%). Distal embolism occurred in three patients (incidence rate: 20%). No dissection or subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in any patient. Conclusion: EVT is a technically feasible treatment for VASS, and comprehensive PAD classification can, to a certain extent, help initially estimate the difficulty of surgery and provide guidance for interventional procedures.

Associations between NIHSS sub-item scores and prognosis and intracranial hemorrhage after endovascular therapy for acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.

Purpose: The relationship between sub-item scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and prognosis and intracranial hemorrhage in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) has been insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between NIHSS sub-item scores, prognosis, and intracranial hemorrhage. Methods: This study included patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke undergoing EVT between February 2019 and April 2022. The outcomes included functional independence, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2 at 3 months after EVT, intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h after EVT, and mortality within 3 months. A multivariate regression analysis was performed, including NIHSS sub-item scores and other adjusted variables. Results: A total of 568 patients were enrolled. Of the 568 patients, 239 (45%) achieved functional independence at 3 months after EVT. The median age in this group was 63 years (IQR 52-69) and 176 (73.6%) were male patients. Intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h after EVT occurred in 170 (30%) patients. The median age in this group was 65 years (IQR 56-71) and 105 (61.8%) were male patients. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender, and factors with a value of p of <0.05, the NIHSS limb movement sub-item score was strongly associated with prognosis at 3 months (OR 0.833, 95% CI 0.758-0.915) and intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h after EVT (OR 1.161, 95% CI 1.037-1.300). Conclusion: Higher limb movement sub-item scores on the NIHSS were independently associated with a poorer prognosis at 3 months and a higher rate of intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h after EVT among patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.

Endovascular treatment for acute basilar artery occlusion due to different stroke etiologies of large artery atherosclerosis and cardioembolism.

Introduction: Stroke etiology may affect the prognosis of acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). This study aimed to estimate the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment (EVT) in BAO strokes due to the underlying stroke etiologies of large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and cardioembolism (CE). Patients and methods: Patients with LAA and CE subtypes from the registry EVT for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Study (BASILAR) were selected for this analysis. We estimated the EVT treatment effect relative to standard medical treatment (SMT) in these patients by using a propensity score approach with inverse probability of treatment weighted estimation. Outcomes included 90-day favorable functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0-3), functional independence (mRS 0-2), all-cause mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Results: A total of 744 patients were included in the final analysis. After weighting with inverse probability of treatment estimation, the patients who, based on their characteristics, were treated with EVT rather than SMT, demonstrated higher rates of favorable functional outcomes in both the LAA (29.2% vs 11.7%, adjusted OR with 95% CI: 4.34 [2.15-8.78], p < 0.001) and the CE subtype (36.0% vs 8.1%, adjusted OR with 95% CI: 9.14 [1.96-42.55], p = 0.005). A similar finding was also observed for functional independence. EVT patients also demonstrated lower rates of mortality than SMT. Among EVT patients, no significant difference was observed in mortality or sICH between LAA and CE groups, but LAA patients had lower rates of favorable functional outcome and functional independence (29.2% vs 37% and 24.2% vs 32.9%, respectively), where the latter remained significant after adjustment for imbalances in baseline data (p = 0.04). Conclusions: In acute BAO strokes, both LAA and CE patients who, based on their characteristics, were treated with EVT rather than SMT, demonstrated better outcomes. Among EVT patients, LAA and CE subtypes displayed important baseline and treatment differences, and LAA patients were less likely to achieve functional independence at 3 months, but mortality and sICH were similar between LAA or CE subtypes. These results need to be confirmed in future clinical trials.

Basilar artery on computed tomography angiography score and clinical outcomes in acute basilar artery occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) based on the baseline Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography (BATMAN) score. METHODS: We selected patients from the BASILAR study and analyzed the effects and safety of standard medical therapy (SMT) and MT for patients with documented BATMAN scores. The patients were subgrouped according to their BATMAN score (0-3, 4-6, and 7-10). The primary outcome was a favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] ≤ 3) and mortality after 90 days. RESULTS: This study included 828 patients: 337 with poor BATMAN scores (0-3), 386 with moderate BATMAN scores (4-6), and 105 with good BATMAN scores (7-10). MT was associated with favorable functional outcomes in the poor (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 11.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.58-55.43; P = 0.002), moderate (aOR, 4.66; 95% CI, 2.11-10.28; P < .001), and good (aOR, 7.71; 95% CI, 2.20-27.02; P = 0.001) BATMAN score subgroups. MT was also associated with low mortality rates in the poor (aOR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.04-0.27; P < 0.001) and moderate (aOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.16-0.57; P = 0.002) BATMAN score subgroups. The BATMAN score was significantly associated with favorable outcomes in both the SMT (aOR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.08-1.93; P = 0.014) and MT (aOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.20-1.44; P < 0.001) groups. CONCLUSION: Higher BATMAN scores were associated with improved prognosis and lower mortality rates after 3 months. MT was associated with improved outcomes in patients with low BATMAN scores despite their worse overall outcomes. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER: ChiCTR1800014759, 2018/02/03.

The Potential Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 in the Progression and Therapy of Central Nervous System Diseases.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a heterodimer protein composed of an oxygenregulated functional subunit, HIF-1α, and a structural subunit, HIF-1ß, belonging to the basic helixloop- helix family. Strict regulation of HIF-1 protein stability and subsequent transcriptional activity involves various molecular interactions and is primarily controlled by post-transcriptional modifications. Hypoxia, owing to impaired cerebral blood flow, has been implicated in a range of central nervous system (CNS) diseases by exerting a deleterious effect on brain function. As a master oxygen- sensitive transcription regulator, HIF-1 is responsible for upregulating a wide spectrum of target genes involved in glucose metabolism, angiogenesis, and erythropoiesis to generate the adaptive response to avoid, or at least minimize, hypoxic brain injury. However, prolonged, severe oxygen deprivation may directly contribute to the role-conversion of HIF-1, namely, from neuroprotection to the promotion of cell death. Currently, an increasing number of studies support the fact HIF-1 is involved in a variety of CNS-related diseases, such as intracranial atherosclerosis, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review article chiefly focuses on the effect of HIF-1 on the pathogenesis and mechanism of progression of numerous CNS-related disorders by mediating the expression of various downstream genes and extensive biological functional events and presents robust evidence that HIF-1 may represent a potential therapeutic target for CNS-related diseases.

Which glucose parameter best predicts poor outcome after mechanical thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion stroke?

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycaemia is related to adverse outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). AIMS: To compare the predictive ability of admission blood glucose (ABG), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with acute large vessel occlusion (ALVO) stroke undergoing MT. METHODS: The study retrospectively analysed the data of 329 consecutive acute stroke patients treated with MT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the predictors of poor functional outcome. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to identify the predictive ability of ABG, FBG and HbA1c for poor functional independence in patients with ALVO stroke undergoing MT. In addition, subgroup analyses were performed for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that ABG and FBG were independent predictors of 3-month poor functional outcome; however, HbA1c could not predict poor functional outcome. ROC analysis showed that FBG has a higher predictive ability than ABG (areas under the ROC curve (AUC): 0.689 vs 0.624; P = 0.037) and HbA1c (AUC: 0.689 vs 0.541; P < 0.001) for poor function outcome. CONCLUSIONS: ABG and FBG are independent predictors of poor functional outcome in patients with AIS undergoing MT, and FBG has a higher predictive ability than ABG and HbA1c.

A Case Series and Literature Review of Vertebral Artery Stump Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Stump syndrome refers to cerebral ischaemic symptoms caused by an embolus from a previously occluded ipsilateral artery that occludes a down-stream artery. It can be divided into two types: carotid stump syndrome and vertebral artery stump syndrome (VASS). At present, there is limited clinical experience with VASS. We aimed to propose a more precise diagnostic standard for VASS, and to share our experience with handling this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of patients who were treated with endovascular thrombectomy in the stroke centre of the First Hospital of Jilin University from January 2016 to March 2020. After screening patients with posterior-circulation acute ischaemic stroke, we selected patients who had an acute occlusion of an intracranial artery in the context of a previously occluded ipsilateral vertebral artery origin, as confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: Eleven patients met our inclusion criteria. Nine patients achieved recanalization of both extracranial and intracranial occluded arteries, one patient had modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 3, and eight patients had grade 2b. Residual stenosis of recanalized intracranial arteries was less than 30% in all cases, while three patients had embolism of distal arteries. No dissection or subarachnoid haemorrhage occurred. Two patients didn't reach vascular recanalization. Among the nine patients with recanalized artery, four had a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 3 (favourable outcome), and four patients died; As for the two non-recanalized patients, one had a mRS score of 5 and one died. CONCLUSION: VASS is a clinical syndrome caused by embolic occlusion of a distal intracranial artery occluded ipsilateral extracranial vertebral artery. Antegrade blood flow from the collateral vessels, distal embolic occlusion and mild or no residual stenosis of the occluded intracranial artery after recanalization are notable features of this clinical event. Endovascular thrombectomy may be effective for treating VASS.

HbA1c and clinical outcomes after endovascular treatment in patients with posterior circulation large vessel occlusion: a subgroup analysis of a nationwide registry (BASILAR).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recently, several clinical trials have shown that increased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level is correlated with poor clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients after thrombolysis and possibly after mechanical thrombectomy. However, the effect of HbA1c on posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (PCLVO) patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) remains unclear. This multicenter study assessed the association between the HbA1c levels and clinical outcomes in patients with PCLVO after EVT. METHODS: We studied 385 PCLVO ischemic stroke patients included in the EVT for acute basilar artery occlusion study (BASILAR). Patients were divided into a high HbA1c level group (HbA1c >6.5%) and a low HbA1c level group (HbA1c ⩽6.5%). The efficacy outcome was a 90-day favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-3). The safety outcomes included symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and mortality at 90 days after EVT. RESULTS: The frequency of a favorable outcome in patients with an HbA1c ⩽6.5% was significantly higher than that in the HbA1c >6.5% group (41.2% versus 26.2%, p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis with adjusted confounders, high HbA1c levels and favorable outcomes were significantly negatively correlated. There was also a significant association between high HbA1c levels and mortality after 3 months. The negative effects of high HbA1c levels on functional status after 3 months were exacerbated in patients aged ⩾65 years. CONCLUSION: Our multicenter study suggests that a higher serum HbA1c level (HbA1c >6.5%) is an independent predictor of a 90-day poor outcome and mortality in patients with PCLVO after EVT, particularly in those aged ⩾65 years.Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR1800014759.

Dynamics of carbon and nitrogen storage in two typical plantation ecosystems of different stand ages on the Loess Plateau of China.

In China's Loess Plateau, afforestation and reforestation are considered the foremost practices for sequestering carbon and conserving soil and water. In order to evaluate the carbon storage changes of tree, soil, and litter, and the soil total nitrogen (STN) in two typical artificial forests in the region, we conducted plot surveys for different ages of both artificial forest types. Soil samples were collected at different depths from 0-100 cm. The results indicated that forest ecosystem carbon storage increased with tree development. The rates of mean annual carbon sequestration of Pinus tabulaeformis and Robinia pseudoacacia plantation ecosystems were 3.31 and 3.53 Mg ha-1 year-1, respectively. The rate of mean annual carbon sequestration of R. pseudoacacia plantation ecosystems was higher by 6.65% than that of P. tabulaeformis plantation ecosystems. The soil organic carbon (SOC) and STN decreased at deeper soil depths in both plantations at different stand ages, significantly decreasing in the 0-60 cm of soil (P < 0.05), and the highest SOC content and storage were in the top 0-20 cm of soil. The temporal patterns for SOC and STN changes at different soil sampling depths from 0 to 100 cm all showed an initial decrease during the early stage of restoration, and then an increase that coincided with the development of the two plantation forests. At 0-100 cm depth, the SOC storage was in the range of 40.95-106.79 and 45.13-113.61 Mg ha-1 for the P. tabulaeformis forest and R. pseudoacacia forest, respectively. The STN storage in the 0-100 cm soil layer with the stand age development ranged from 4.16 to 8.34 Mg ha-1 in the R. pseudoacacia plantation and 4.19-7.55 Mg ha-1 in the P. tabulaeformis forest. The results showed a significant positive correlation between SOC and STN. This study suggests that we should pay more attention to changes in soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration during long-term vegetation restoration.

The prevalence of intracranial stenosis in patients at low and moderate risk of stroke.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies assessing the risk of stroke in the general population performed screening with Doppler ultrasonography only for high-risk patients and neglected low- and moderate-risk patients. The aims of this study were to explore the current prevalence of intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) and analyze its association with different levels of stroke risk and risk factors based on the risk assessment scale for stroke used in China. METHODS: A total of 3654 participants who underwent transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) were eligible for inclusion. Information regarding demographic characteristics and risk factors such as alcohol consumption and hypertension was collected through interviews and questionnaires and used to analyze the association of ICAS with different levels of stroke risk and risk factors. RESULTS: The mean age of 501 subjects diagnosed with at least one ICAS was higher than that of participants without ICAS (57.13 ± 9.56 years and 55.52 ± 9.35 years, respectively). After adjusting for confounding factors, gender, education, residence, hypertension and personal history of stroke were associated with ICAS. The odds ratios for ICAS in patients with hypertension and a personal history of stroke were 1.655 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.341-2.043] and 1.854 (95% CI: 1.371-2.508), respectively. In addition, participants in the low- and moderate-risk stroke groups accounted for an unexpectedly high proportion of individuals with ICAS (up to 38.3%). Results from multivariate analyses indicated that the adjusted odds ratios for ICAS in patients with moderate and high stroke risks versus those with a low stroke risk were 1.603 (95% CI: 1.171-2.195) and 1.612 (95% CI: 1.272-2.042), respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ICAS is high in northeast China and increases with the level of stroke risk. However, the proportion of patients with ICAS among those with low and moderate stroke risks should also be noted.

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and biochar amendment on maize growth, cadmium uptake and soil cadmium speciation in Cd-contaminated soil.

Experiments conducted to understand how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation or biochar application affect plant growth and heavy metal uptake have thus far looked at single applications of either soil amendment. There is little evidence of their synergistic effects, in particular for plants grown in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to investigate the effect of AM inoculation (Glomus intraradices BEG 141) and/or wheat-straw biochar amendment on maize (Zea mays L. cv. Hongdan No. 897) growth, antioxidant enzymatic activities, and Cd uptake, as well as soil Cd speciation under applications of 0, 3, 6 mg Cd per kg soil. Applying either AM inoculant or biochar alone significantly increased maize growth and reduced Cd uptake. Furthermore, solo AM inoculation alleviating Cd stress more fully than biochar, in turn facilitating maize growth and decreasing soil Cd translocation into plant tissue. Still, solo biochar amendment was more effective at inducing soil alkalinization and contributing to Cd immobilization. Adding biochar together with AM inoculant significantly promoted fungal populations compared to a control. Amending soil with AM inoculant and biochar together produced the largest increase in maize growth and decrease in tissue Cd concentrations. This effect was additive, with 79.1% greater biomass, 51.42%, 82.91%, 43.96% higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and 50.06%, 67.19%, 58.04% and 76.19% lower Cd concentrations in roots, stems, leaves, and ears, respectively, at a 6 mg kg-1 Cd contamination rate. The combined treatment also had a synergistic effect on inducing soil alkalinization and causing Cd immobilization, and decreasing Cd phytoavailability and post-harvest transfer risks. These results suggest that AM inoculation in combination with biochar application may be applicable not only for maize production but also for phytostabilization of Cd-contaminated soil.